With a clear idea and inspiration, the production process for the terrycloth pajamas was exceptionally smooth.
Chihaya Tetsuya first finished the entire design in one day, then completed the paper pattern in another.
This incredible work speed was not only due to Chihaya Tetsuya's solid foundation as a pattern maker, but also mainly because of his personal stylistic preference—
"After all, what Tetsuya-kun is best at is making everyday clothes like these!"
While Chihaya Tetsuya was focused on making the prototype, the cheerful female assistant explained to Toyokawa Sakiko:
"Like the work clothes you're wearing, and the thermal underwear and men's pajamas he made before... they all sold remarkably well!"
"..."
Hearing this, Toyokawa Sakiko couldn't help but look down at the work clothes she was wearing.
The comfortable experience these clothes gave her was already powerful proof that surpassed any words.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Chihaya was always emphasizing 'comfort' when he was designing the pajamas..."
"Because his core design philosophy is 'warmth and comfort,' which is why he came to our studio, which leans more towards 'Real Clothes' (everyday wear)."
The female assistant said as such:
"As long as he has a clear idea, just making a set of pajamas is child's play for him."
"I see!"
With the female assistant's explanation, Toyokawa Sakiko's respect for Chihaya Tetsuya deepened once again.
However, the female assistant's next words suddenly made her feel nervous—
"But... the next piece of clothing probably won't be as simple for him as the pajamas."
"...The idol's stage outfit."
Toyokawa Sakiko also sensed something.
"It's not everyday wear... and it's far from the concept of 'warmth and comfort'."
"Exactly."
The female assistant nodded.
"Compared to comfort, stage outfits place more importance on 'ornamentation.' Especially for idols, this point has to be taken to the extreme."
When one thinks of idols, the impression is inevitably cute, sparkling, and eye-catching.
As entertainers who are active on stage and in front of the camera, the outfits they wear have only one purpose: to satisfy the visual effects for the audience as much as possible.
Whether it's gorgeous, exaggerated, bold, or sexy... as long as it can attract enough attention, it's a success. All other factors are not important for an idol.
"This is completely at odds with Tetsuya-kun's design philosophy. In fact, I still can't understand why he's so insistent on taking on the design of this stage outfit."
The female assistant showed a look of incomprehension.
"Is he trying to challenge himself with this opportunity? But he doesn't seem like the type to treat his work as a joke..."
"..."
As for the specific reason he took the job, Toyokawa Sakiko had already heard it from the man himself.
However, this assistant's worries had indeed made her think as well.
Chihaya Tetsuya was indeed a talented and well-rounded genius, but his special childhood experience had also given him a rather unique weakness—modern common sense.
And in these two days of contact, Toyokawa Sakiko had already keenly felt this.
Although Chihaya Tetsuya did use a smartphone, he basically didn't use any functions other than calls, texts, email, and social media apps.
In addition, Chihaya Tetsuya's computer skills were also pitiful. Not recognizing software and using the "one-finger" typing method went without saying; he would even mistake the monitor's power button for the computer's power button.
For such an abnormal existence, who was like an old man from the Showa era, expecting him to understand idol culture was a bit unrealistic.
There were less than four days until the final deadline.
Mr. Chihaya... can he really design a satisfactory stage outfit before then?
...
(No matter what, to repay Mr. Chihaya's kindness, I must do everything I can to help him!)
Toyokawa Sakiko thought.
...
"Phew, it's done."
By the time Chihaya Tetsuya finished the prototype, it was already nine o'clock at night.
And as usual, only he and Toyokawa Sakiko were left in the studio.
"Toyokawa-san."
"Yes!"
Toyokawa Sakiko, who was practicing her sewing, looked up.
"Is there something I can help you with, Chihaya-san?"
"Because your build is similar to Ai's... to the client's this time, I was hoping you could try this on."
As he spoke, Chihaya Tetsuya held up the prototype in his hands.
"If it's alright, it would be best if you could try it on without any underwear... Of course, if you're not comfortable with that, Toyokawa-san, just putting it on over your clothes is fine—"
"That's fine!"
Before Chihaya Tetsuya could even finish, Toyokawa Sakiko took the prototype from his hands without any hesitation:
"Please wait a moment. I'll be right back."
With that, ignoring the stunned expression on Chihaya Tetsuya's face, Toyokawa Sakiko walked straight to the changing room...
"...Toyokawa-san is such a dedicated and good kid."
Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
Before long, Toyokawa Sakiko, having changed into the prototype, walked out of the changing room and came before Chihaya Tetsuya.
"I've changed."
"Mhm. You can just stand here."
With that, Chihaya Tetsuya stood up from his office chair and began to circle Toyokawa Sakiko, examining her—
Loose but not bulky, slimming but not revealing.
With a few detailed modifications, adding patterns and embroidery, these pajamas could also fulfill the need for "cuteness" and "ornamentation."
"I see. For the top, the shoulders and chest could probably be a bit tighter. And the pant legs should probably be raised a little..."
Chihaya Tetsuya murmured to himself about areas for further improvement as he inspected the garment.
However, Toyokawa Sakiko, the model, was far from being at ease.
(Ah, eh? The fabric is so soft and comfortable... why, why do I feel so... strange?)
Because the fabric was so light, Toyokawa Sakiko, who was wearing nothing underneath the prototype, subconsciously had the embarrassing illusion that she wasn't wearing anything at all.
And just as she managed to overcome this baseless sense of shame, her physical senses became more sensitive as she focused her mind.
Although the prototype used extremely skin-friendly terrycloth, Toyokawa Sakiko could now clearly feel the contact between her skin and the fabric, and the subtle friction.
Especially when she became aware of Chihaya Tetsuya's gaze, she would feel an indescribable tingling sensation from the places he was looking at—
"Toyokawa-san, next I need you to move around a bit."
And just as Toyokawa Sakiko was struggling to overcome her various discomforts, Chihaya Tetsuya's next order arrived.
"For example, do some stretches, or jump in place a little."
"Eh...?"
Hearing this, Toyokawa Sakiko let out a stunned sound:
"I-I have to do it here?"
"Mhm. I want to check the garment's mobility."
Chihaya Tetsuya said seriously:
"You're the one who said it, weren't you, Toyokawa-san? That an idol might do some indoor activities in her pajamas."
"W-Well, I did say that..."
But! Her physical condition at the moment was a little strange!
Just standing still was already making her feel hot all over. If she were to move around...
"Ah, if you're not comfortable with it, Toyokawa-san, we can just end it here."
However, just then, as if seeing the hesitation in Toyokawa Sakiko's heart, Chihaya Tetsuya quickly added:
"Just tell me your actual experience wearing it later. You don't need to force yourself!"
(No, what am I thinking! I've already decided to do everything I can to help Chihaya-san... How could I back down for such... such a silly reason!)
In the end, Chihaya Tetsuya's consideration was what made the previously hesitant Toyokawa Sakiko immediately make up her mind.
"No! I, I'm... completely fine!"
Toyokawa Sakiko, her face already slightly flushed, said as such:
"First are the stretches, right! P-Please, leave it to me!"
With that, Toyokawa Sakiko first took a deep breath, then raised her arms and began to do chest-opening exercises.
But the moment she opened her arms, she immediately realized she had chosen the wrong movement—
(Uwaah—?!)
Unsurprisingly, she felt the friction against her front, making her subconsciously lower her arms again.
However, when she looked up and saw Chihaya Tetsuya's serious gaze, she immediately endured the intense stimulation and shame, raised her arms again, and repeated the previous movement.
(This is just work, this is just work...)
She repeated this in her mind, as if trying to numb her increasingly sensitive senses.
However, when it came to the next step, "jumping," she immediately realized that some things could not be overcome by willpower alone—
Even a small jump was enough to cause certain parts of her body to shake.
Especially without the restraint of underwear, the sensation brought by this movement was greatly amplified.
(Uuu, what kind of torture is this...)
Toyokawa Sakiko thought, on the verge of tears:
(No, Chihaya-san is still watching... so... I can't stop...)
And so, Toyokawa Sakiko's breathing started to become ragged, and the already faint blush on her face grew even deeper.
Finally, just before Toyokawa Sakiko was about to cry out, Chihaya Tetsuya's "pardon" finally arrived—
"Alright, that's all for the fitting. Thank you for your hard work, Toyokawa-san."
Chihaya Tetsuya said with a calm expression.
"You can change back now."
"Yes..."
And Toyokawa Sakiko only managed a weak reply before scurrying off to the changing room with hurried steps...
"...Toyokawa-san needs a little more exercise."
Recalling Toyokawa Sakiko's panting, flushed appearance just now, Chihaya Tetsuya thought to himself in all seriousness.
...
After unilaterally leaving Toyokawa Sakiko with an unforgettable, shameful memory, the prototype fitting session came to a successful conclusion.
Aside from the suggestion to "make the inside a little smoother," the design of the terrycloth pajamas could basically be declared a success.
And next, Chihaya Tetsuya would finally have to face his most difficult challenge—the stage outfit.
"Chihaya-san, about the stage outfit... could you give me one day?"
Just as Chihaya Tetsuya took out a sketchpad, preparing for a new round of attempts, Toyokawa Sakiko, who had recovered from her shame and heat, suddenly spoke up:
"I have an acquaintance... who also happens to be an idol. I can help you consult with her about idol stage outfits."