Constellations?
Hearing this unexpected word, Uika couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
An idol's stage outfit? The same theme? And this subtly synchronized timing...
Eh?
"S-Saki-chan, wait a second!"
Even with Uika's calm and mature personality, she couldn't help but stumble over her words from the shock.
"That designer you mentioned, who exactly is he designing a stage outfit for?"
"Well... since the idol seems to be connected to his past, I didn't ask for that level of detail..."
Faced with Uika's agitation, Toyokawa Sakiko seemed a little confused.
"Is there something strange about the theme of constellations?"
"No, no, there's nothing strange about the theme at all, it's just... I thought of something else."
Although she couldn't be certain yet, this series of coincidences had already formed a rudimentary guess in Uika's mind.
But... could something like this really happen? The person her own childhood friend revered as a benefactor was actually the very designer making their stage outfits?
Speaking of which, perhaps it was connected to the designer's past? In that case, at least he probably wasn't designing the clothes for her. After all, she had never known anyone in the fashion industry before.
So, that meant this person was connected to Ai?
[This towel... was a gift from someone very important to me...]
For some reason, the words Hoshino Ai had spoken back then suddenly surfaced in her mind.
Regarding Ai's past, although she had only learned a little from their manager, there was one thing she could be sure of—before coming to the agency, Hoshino Ai had apparently been raised in an orphanage.
Was it someone she knew at the orphanage? Or a long-lost relative?
Does this person know of Hoshino Ai's existence? If so, for what purpose did he take on this job?
"..."
Numerous speculations instantly flooded Uika's mind, throwing her thoughts into unprecedented chaos.
On the other side, seeing Uika's constantly changing expression, Toyokawa Sakiko couldn't help but ask with some concern:
"What's wrong, Uika? Did you think of something unpleasant?"
"No, that's not it."
Toyokawa Sakiko's voice quickly pulled Uika back to reality.
(No, everything right now is just my assumption, and... this matter involves Ai's past. It's not something I can just tell everyone.)
Uika thought to herself.
(Besides... Saki-chan is working so hard at her job. I can't distract her with something that's not even confirmed.)
Thinking of this, Uika looked up again and asked:
"Saki-chan, can you tell me the name of the studio you're working at?"
"Hm? I can... The studio's name is [KaZoKu]."
Toyokawa Sakiko answered truthfully.
Although it was generally a bit embarrassing to tell others where one worked part-time, [KaZoKu] was not a place that would bring her shame. On the contrary, the current Toyokawa Sakiko was proud of it from the bottom of her heart.
"It's a subsidiary studio of the well-known fashion brand [EGAO]."
"[KaZoKu]... mhm, I'll remember that."
To confirm her thoughts and to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, she decided to go back and check with their manager first before deciding what to do next.
"Let's get back to the stage outfits. If it's constellations, here's what I personally think..."
After that, she roughly explained their MV's concept and the general content of their new song to Toyokawa Sakiko.
And Toyokawa Sakiko, while marveling at Uika's rich imagination, also jotted it all down in her notebook...
...
"Thank you so much for this, Uika."
Finally, after nearly half an hour of questions and answers, Toyokawa Sakiko had everything she needed.
She first took out her phone to check the time, then put away her notebook and stood up from her seat.
"I'll treat you to coffee next time we have a chance."
"Mhm, okay."
Although Uika really wanted to spend a little more time with her long-unseen childhood friend, she also had her own lessons scheduled for the evening.
"Good luck with work, Saki-chan."
"You too, Uika."
After smiling and saying their goodbyes, Toyokawa Sakiko picked up her schoolbag and walked straight out of the room.
And after Toyokawa Sakiko was completely gone, Uika finally took out her phone and made a call—
"Hello, Higuchi-san? I have something I want to ask you. The design for our stage outfits this time, was it commissioned to a studio called [KaZoKu]? You see, today I..."
...That evening...
"This... is the advice your idol friend gave?"
Chihaya Tetsuya looked at the notebook in his hand, which was filled with a large amount of information, and asked in a tone of disbelief.
"Yes."
And Toyokawa Sakiko nodded very decisively.
"I asked about everything from fabric materials, styles, and patterns to some conceptual issues... If there's anything missing, I can ask her to add more later."
"No, no... this is already detailed enough..."
Chihaya Tetsuya murmured to himself as he looked through the contents of the notebook:
"It even has a simulated storyboard for the MV... how incredible."
"She is a very talented idol. Although it's not convenient for me to reveal her name to you, her ability and character are absolutely trustworthy."
Toyokawa Sakiko said seriously:
"So you don't need to worry about the authenticity of this information at all."
"Mhm, I understand."
Someone who was still willing to keep in touch with Toyokawa Sakiko after her family's circumstances had changed must be a trustworthy and good person.
Not only that, but the magnanimity to help with another idol's work also made Chihaya Tetsuya feel deep admiration.
Thinking of this, Chihaya Tetsuya nodded and placed the notebook solemnly on his workbench.
"I'll study this carefully... Thank you, Toyokawa-san."
"It's what I should do!"
Being thanked by Chihaya Tetsuya, a bright smile appeared on Toyokawa Sakiko's face.
"If there's anything else you need me for, please don't hesitate to tell me... Ah, um, prototype fittings and things... that's fine, too."
As she said this, a faint blush inexplicably rose on Toyokawa Sakiko's cheeks.
But Chihaya Tetsuya just shook his head, completely oblivious as he got down to business:
"You've already done enough. From now on, you just need to continue focusing on your studies... By the way, has this work affected your schoolwork? Do you need me to reduce your daily tasks?"
"No! Not at all!"
Hearing this, Toyokawa Sakiko quickly shook her head:
"If anything, I've been a little worried that I might be holding you back, Chihaya-san..."
"The idea you gave me for the pajamas was already invaluable, not to mention this notebook."
With his usual serious expression, Chihaya Tetsuya said to Toyokawa Sakiko:
"Toyokawa-san, you've already become an indispensable asset to me, so from now on, you can be a little more confident... Oh, right."
Halfway through, he seemed to have suddenly remembered something.
"Starting today, can I just call you Toyokawa?"
"...Eh?"
Hearing this, Toyokawa Sakiko's eyes widened subconsciously.
"T-Toyokawa..."
"Mhm. After all, our studio's atmosphere is all about harmony and congeniality. If only the two of us keep using formal address with each other, it might seem like we're not fitting in."
Chihaya Tetsuya explained seriously:
"Of course, if you feel it's too much, we can continue as we are."
"No! I don't think it's too much! I was just a little surprised!"
The joy just beginning to well up in her heart, Toyokawa Sakiko hurriedly cut off Chihaya Tetsuya's "retraction command."
"You can just call me Sakiko! I'd be happy to!"
"That's good... but it won't do for just me to change how I address you. You should adjust how you address me, too, Toyokawa."
Chihaya Tetsuya said as such:
"There isn't a big age difference between us. You can just call me Chihaya, or like the others, call me Tetsuya."
"No, no, calling you by your first name right away is too much!!!"
Completely unprepared for this, Toyokawa Sakiko quickly shook her head.
"Just Chihaya... that seems a bit, um..."
An indescribable shyness and excitement filled her heart, making it difficult for her to choose.
Is there a form of address that fits the friendly atmosphere of the studio, while also reflecting their senior-junior relationship...
...
Ah, I thought of one.
"H-How about... Chihaya-nii?"
"Ah, that's a good one."
Hearing this new form of address, Chihaya Tetsuya, reminded of his own sister, couldn't help but show a faint smile.
"Then from now on, let's both do our best, Toyokawa."
"The same goes for me!"
Saying the strangely intimate name again, Toyokawa Sakiko suppressed the fluttering in her heart and replied:
"From now on... please take good care of me. Chihaya-nii."
A change in address can sometimes signify many things.
At least from this moment on, for Toyokawa Sakiko, she had once again gained a companion she could trust... and perhaps even rely on.