"I didn't expect you to contact me so soon, Mr. Chihaya," Jean said, gesturing for Chihaya Tetsuya to take a seat. "I thought you would at least rest until the day the results of the joint exhibition were announced... Aren't you going to spend more time with those kids? They worked quite hard at the exhibition."
It was clear that on the final day, he, too, had witnessed the scene of Tetsuya being led out of the venue by the four girls.
"Ugh..."
Hearing Jean's words, Tetsuya couldn't help but recall the absurd memories of the past two days, and the four pairs of eyes, glinting with a faint light, as he left the house.
"W-well, we'll be together all the time from now on, so there's no rush," Tetsuya said, feeling the weakness in his lower back, his tone slightly guilty. "Besides, they've been a little overexcited because of the exhibition, so I thought it was about time to give them some space to cool their heads... Why are you smiling so happily?"
"It's nothing. I just think... it's amazing that there's a child in this world as bad at lying as you are," Jean said, shaking his head in amusement. "Putting that aside, you came to see me today for more than just seeking refuge... oh, I'm sorry, I mean, for a chat, didn't you?"
"Yes," Tetsuya nodded. "I'm a little concerned about what happened with Sakiko's father and Ko Ogino."
"Oh~ so you wanted to ask about Mr. Assistant's situation," Jean said, raising an eyebrow in understanding. "If that's the case, then you have nothing to worry about. Through their fair trade, Mr. Assistant has received the compensation he needed. As for that Mr. Ogino, he should be up to his neck in dealing with the lawsuit from my [JP]."
"I see..."
Sued by a world-class fashion brand? It seemed that forgetting his status in the fashion industry, even the continued existence of his [NozAK!] was now in question. But compared to such trivial matters, what Tetsuya truly cared about was whether Togawa Sakiko's father had really received enough to pay off the family debt.
"Although there's still a little way to go before it's completely paid off, with the salary Jean-san has offered me, it won't be long before I can clear it all."
Just then, the voice of Sakiko's father came from behind him.
"Thank you so very much for your help, Chihaya-san."
Compared to his previous, perpetually melancholic state, he looked far more spirited now.
"No, no, not at all!"
Whether it was because he was remembering the time he had spent with Sakiko over the past two days, or simply because he was unaccustomed to being thanked by his elders, Tetsuya quickly stood up from his chair to respond.
"Compared to Jean-san, all I did was a few small things for my own sake—"
"However, the one who gave me the opportunity and the idea to act was, in fact, you, Mr. Chihaya," Jean interjected. "If I hadn't seen your outstanding designs, I would never have become interested in you or this [TGC], and the story that followed would never have happened. It's the same for Mr. Assistant. If you hadn't had that excellent design you planned to sell to the Mitsumine Trading Company, the course of events would have surely changed. Even if you don't think so yourself, everything you've experienced so far, and everything you've gained, is thanks to your own efforts—"
Ding-dong!
Before Jean could finish, the notification sound of a new email came from his computer nearby.
He walked over to his computer, and after confirming the email's contents, he turned to Tetsuya with a smiling gaze.
"So, congratulations on taking first place in the joint exhibition, Mr. Chihaya."
"...Eh?"
...
"Are you serious..."
Staring at the new email in her work inbox, Nagasaki Soyo murmured in a daze, "We actually beat that world-class designer..."
"Although we might have been slightly behind [JP] on the first day, with the media promotion and the push from that Paris fashion editor, we were gradually catching up to them over the next two days," Togawa Sakiko said, her face also wreathed in smiles at the surprising result. "Plus, we had a national-level idol providing a local boost. It's only natural that we'd beat [JP]!"
After two full days of fighting side-by-side, the relationship between the girls had clearly become much more harmonious.
Meanwhile, Hoshino Ai's initial reaction was also one of joy, but for a reason unrelated to [JP] or Jean.
"The final slot at the [TGC] is ours again!" she said, her voice filled with both relief and gratitude. "Tetsu will be so happy when he hears the news."
"Speaking of which, does this result mean that... [Starry Sky] defeated a world-class fashion brand in its debut battle?" Chihaya Anon, who wasn't very familiar with Jean or [JP], asked curiously.
Soyo nodded. "At least, based on these results, that's exactly what it means."
"Whoa! That sounds amazing!"
An incredibly brilliant light bloomed in Anon's eyes.
"Now I can brag to everyone that I'm the sister of a world-class designer!"
"That love of showing off is really carved into your bones..." Soyo shot her an exasperated look. "And you're still planning to stick to the 'sister' identity after doing that?"
"Of course! The identity of 'sister' is the very foundation of my existence! No matter what happens in the future, I will never give it up!" Anon declared triumphantly.
Hearing this, the ever-logical Sakiko asked a question that had been on her mind.
"In that case, if we all have children in the future, should they call you Mom or Auntie?"
"Mmm... well..."
Anon froze on the spot, conflicted for a good while, before giving an answer that made everyone present break out in a sweat.
"I kind of feel like 'Auntie' sounds younger, don't you think?"
"This girl is a hopeless case."
Faced with Anon's flightiness, even Ai couldn't help but shake her head, speechless.
However, aside from the jab at Anon, the question had also reignited a fantasy she had temporarily set aside.
"When can I have Tetsu's child..."
Before, with his brand and future always on her mind, she had shelved this overly bold idea. But now, his brand was firmly on track, and she had indeed shared the most intimate relationship with him. That fantasy, which had once existed only in dreams, now had a chance of becoming reality.
"If it's a child with Tetsu, they'd be adorable whether it's a boy or a girl, right? I wish I could have both... As for names, what would be good..."
Ai drifted off, lost in her reverie.
"To avoid causing trouble for everyone, you'll have to wait until you graduate from being an idol, at the very least."
Sakiko's words instantly pulled Ai back from her daydream.
"And with your current popularity and potential, you can forget about it until you're at least twenty."
"I think convincing Tetsuya would be more difficult than worrying about Ai's idol career..." Soyo said with a shrug. "It was already so hard just to get him into bed. Convincing him to have a child will probably have to wait until the day he's on the Paris Fashion Week stage."
"It's fine. We just have to keep forcing him into it like we did the past two days," Sakiko said nonchalantly. "I've heard that if you just poke a few holes in the condom wrapper with a needle, it becomes completely ineffective. If Tetsuya-kun really refuses no matter what, we can always take measures and act first, report later."
"I see. That does sound feasible," Ai said with a thoughtful expression. "If it's Tetsu, he'll definitely accept reality with a complicated look on his face, and then immediately switch his mindset to accept his role as a 'father' as quickly as possible..."
Just like when he had just woken up on that bed!
For a moment, the four girls, who had spent the previous night with him, couldn't help but feel stirred up again.
If he hadn't escaped early in the morning under the pretext of work, they would probably still be pestering him to continue...
This was a common situation for young people who had tasted a new pleasure. Fortunately, after a day and two nights of intimacy, he had completely let down his guard. Even if they didn't have time today, they would have countless opportunities to make a move on him in the future.
For example, tonight...
Just as the four of them fell into a knowing silence, each imagining the scenario for the evening, Sakiko's phone suddenly rang.
When she picked it up and saw the caller ID, her expression immediately turned serious.
...
"Congratulations."
Sakiko's mother spoke in a tone that betrayed neither joy nor sorrow.
"Your father has safely extricated himself from the incident with Ko Ogino, 'Starry Sky' took first place at the joint exhibition, and even your band's first single... seems to have achieved quite good results."
"!"
Hearing this, an expression of utter shock appeared on Sakiko's face.
First, the exhibition results had only been announced ten minutes ago. The fact that her mother knew meant she had been paying close attention.
Next, the information about her father. Tetsuya had gone out today precisely to ask Jean for the latest news on that matter, yet her mother already knew the most recent developments. This meant that while she was setting conditions and tests for her, she was also conducting her own follow-up investigation.
Finally, and most shockingly, she had never mentioned the band to her mother. As for the new song and its success, that was something only the members of [Ave Mujica] should know...
"Just how much investigating have you been doing behind the scenes..."
[...]
Her mother didn't answer the question. After a brief moment of silence, she made a proposal that was completely beyond Sakiko's expectations.
"Next, I am preparing to sponsor your band in a personal capacity."
"...What did you say!?"
Sakiko cried out in shock.
"Wait, eh? You, you said, sponsor, and my band?! Why would you suddenly have such an idea—"
"Rest assured, this has nothing to do with the main family. This is a reasonable judgment I have made after an evaluation," her mother said. "That new song made me sense this band's commercial potential. With a small investment, there will surely be even greater returns in the future. So, even just from a profit perspective, this investment is perfectly sound."
"Profit... huh?"
In the past, Sakiko would have simply assumed her mother was only interested in the commercial value of [Ave Mujica].
However, after learning that her mother had been quietly watching over her, and had immediately returned to the estate after her father's incident to launch an investigation, an unprecedented theory formed in her mind.
"I understand," she said with a nod. "I accept your sponsorship. However, regarding the specific details, I would like to discuss them with you in person."
"No problem. You can decide the time and place," her mother agreed without hesitation.
Sakiko continued, "As for the time, I'll need to discuss it with Tetsuya-kun. As for the place... let's talk at home."
"...Alright."
Whether it was her imagination or not, Sakiko felt that after she said the word "home," there was a distinct waver in her mother's tone.
However, this alone is not enough.
After reaching a general agreement with her mother, she immediately dialed another number.
"Tetsuya-kun, you're still at Jean-san's place, right? Is my father there today as well?" Sakiko said, her voice serious. "If he is, please hand the phone to him."
"I have something very important to discuss with him."