"What you just saw was the last batch of outfits, how do you feel about them, Chihaya-san?"
The head stylist of this [TGC], Kaji Terumi, asked Tetsuya this.
Hearing this, Tetsuya answered truthfully:
"At least on a technical level, I can't find any more problems. As for the reception... that will just depend on the performance of the models on stage."
"Then it seems this fashion show can already be considered half a success."
Terumi first nodded with a smile, then shifted his gaze to the girl who had been following by Tetsuya's side since just now.
"By the way, who is this child who looks to be on the same level as today's models?"
"..."
Although hearing this overly flattering evaluation again still made Mutsumi feel a bit shy, compared to this shame, she was more curious about Tetsuya's next answer.
A friend? A guest? Or putting it even more straightforwardly, his lover's younger sister- this kind of delicate relationship that easily lets people's imaginations run wild-
"Her name is Wakaba Mutsumi, she is an important member of our [Starry Sky]."
In the end, he didn't introduce her from a personal standpoint, but from the brand's perspective...
This most formal and safe answer made Mutsumi feel somewhat disappointed along with her relief.
Fortunately, this conversation didn't end right there because of Tetsuya's answer.
"Wakaba...?"
Hearing this surname, Terumi immediately cast his gaze at Mutsumi once again, and after carefully scrutinizing her for a moment, he immediately revealed an expression of sudden realization—
"Ah, could this young lady perhaps be the daughter of that Miss Mori Minami?"
"...Yes."
Seeing the other party so directly state her identity, Mutsumi naturally didn't plan to make any useless cover-ups anymore.
Upon receiving confirmation, a hint of surprise once again surfaced on the head stylist's face.
"This is truly surprising... Besides the most popular idol group right now and Consultant Nagasaki's daughter, I didn't expect that even Miss Minami's daughter was taken under the wing of your [Starry Sky]. Isn't the lineup of this personal brand of yours a bit too luxurious?"
"Rather than saying taken under my wing, it's more like I am unilaterally asking her to help with promotion."
Faced with Terumi's exaggerated exclamation, Tetsuya scratched his head with an awkward smile:
"Wakaba-san herself doesn't have any plans to join the apparel industry."
"Even so, it's still very impressive. Lately, Mori Minami's momentum in the entertainment circle is not to be underestimated."
Terumi said, rubbing his chin:
"The banquet she is preparing to host next has invited quite a lot of dignitaries and celebrities to her residence, and as far as I know... she specially invited their children along as well, especially peers of a similar age to this Wakaba-san."
"Specially..."
Although Mutsumi had already anticipated that many peers would attend the banquet beforehand, if the premise of "specially invited" was added in front of these peers, then the purpose behind her mother's action became even more intriguing...
Mutsumi fell into deep thought over this. Meanwhile, Tetsuya continued to ask Terumi:
"As expected, you were also invited to attend the banquet, Kaji-san?"
"Mhm, after all, I also have a lot of contact with the entertainment circle."
As Terumi spoke, he looked at Tetsuya again.
"...Were you also invited, Chihaya-san?"
"Well, although I wasn't invited, I will be attending together with her as Wakaba-san's companion for the time being."
Tetsuya responded as such.
"Oh? Companion?"
Upon hearing Tetsuya's answer, Terumi immediately raised his eyebrows in considerable surprise:
"Did this matter... get Miss Minami's approval?"
"Yes. Or rather, it was originally proposed proactively by her side."
"Heh, so that's how it is~"
Hearing this, Terumi immediately nodded with an unfathomable expression.
"I really didn't expect something like this. It seems Miss Minami also thoroughly understands the potential and value of Chihaya-san and [Starry Sky]... It's just that her methods are slightly forceful."
"???"
Tetsuya, who completely failed to understand the deep meaning behind Terumi's words, could only tilt his head with a blank face.
Regarding Tetsuya's confusion, Terumi just chuckled and shook his head.
"It's nothing, just my own guess and muttering to myself... As expected, Miss Minami's specific arrangements will only be known on the day of the banquet. As for now, let's focus on the work right in front of us first."
"Mhm, that's true."
With [TGC] about to officially begin, Tetsuya also put away his distracting thoughts, preparing to properly witness this fashion feast that would officially kick off the trends for the coming year.
On the other side, Mutsumi, who had taken all of Terumi's words to heart, also followed along and cast her gaze towards the screen that was live-broadcasting the runway setup, but her thoughts had already drifted to the upcoming Wakaba family banquet.
If everything Terumi just said was true, then... she could probably already guess her mother's true intentions.
...
"Eh?! I-It's been a long time! Miss Minami!"
Looking at the mature woman in front of her, dressed in a fashionable coat and hiding her face with round sunglasses, Sakiko immediately bowed to her with a panicked face:
"I didn't expect you would also come to watch [TGC].
Following Sakiko, the others, upon learning that this woman with an extraordinary aura in front of them was Mutsumi's mother, also followed suit and bowed to her respectively.
"There is a rookie actress from our agency among today's models, I was slightly mindful of her performance."
Minami said as she took off her sunglasses.
"...Did Mutsumi not come with you guys?"
"Ah, as for Mutsumi, she is currently backstage staying together with Tetsuya-kun."
Sakiko explained truthfully:
"If you are looking for her, I can call her right now-"
"There's no need. If I really wanted to look for her, I naturally would have contacted her before [TGC]. This time I'm just here to watch the agency rookie's first runway walk."
Minami put her sunglasses back on.
"However, to proactively stay together with Chihaya Tetsuya... It seems inviting him along to this banquet was indeed the right choice."
"...Intervention?"
Hearing this word, Sakiko subconsciously revealed a momentary look of astonishment and vigilance.
And Minami didn't plan to answer directly, but instead tossed out a question that made Sakiko and the others freeze directly in place—
"In your view, is it better for Mutsumi to take this opportunity to stay far away from you guys as quickly as possible and return to a normal emotional life, or is it better to let her be together with you guys, and continue maintaining this secret relationship with Chihaya Tetsuya that cannot be revealed to others?"
----
Translator Notice:
It appears like this is the most recent chapter that's accessible online.. there are technically 16 or so chapters but all of them are pay locked on a Chinese site you can't access without a Chinese id or IP.
🥹😭 Anyone got a strat for this?