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Chapter 15 - Chap 14: Rejection Reaction to an Unfamiliar Culture

After Chihaya Tetsuya had carefully read through all the content in the notebook, although he hadn't found direct inspiration as he had when designing the pajamas, he had at least gained a direction for further thought—

"Design based on a combination of personal and stage style..."

This concise summary, however, plunged Chihaya Tetsuya into unprecedented confusion.

Although he understood all the words in it, being so obviously out of touch with this kind of popular culture, he couldn't think of any representative examples no matter how hard he wracked his brain.

And so, after a brief period of thought, he made a very reasonable decision—

"Anon."

The first thing Chihaya Tetsuya did upon returning home was to hand his phone to his bewildered sister.

"Help me find a few representative idol lives."

"...Oh?"

Although at first she was too taken aback to react, Chihaya Anon's brain quickly rebooted, and she took her brother's phone with a smile:

"Is my antique of a brother finally being forced to engage with modern entertainment?"

"It's just that the timing is right."

Faced with his sister's slightly teasing words, Chihaya Tetsuya said as such:

"As a designer, it's inevitable that I'll have to learn about various cultures, like idol culture this time."

"Ooh~ So you're not actually opposed to it?"

"Mhm. It's just that before this, I was always focused on improving my basic skills as a designer and pattern maker, so I didn't have the energy to learn new things."

"I see~"

Chihaya Anon nodded as she opened the default video app that came with Chihaya Tetsuya's phone—

"...Uwah, it really needs an update. And why is the interface still last year's version? Brother, have you not opened this app for a whole year?"

"Mhm."

"That's crazy... I feel like you could live a normal life with just a senior's phone."

"I told Mother that, but she insisted I get a smartphone. Otherwise, she wouldn't let me live alone outside."

"Mom's as wise as ever... Ah, the update's done."

After reopening the updated video app, Chihaya Anon asked:

"By the way, Brother, what kind of idol live do you want to watch? Group or solo? Is there a specific style you're looking for?"

"..."

Hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya first searched his mind for a while before saying:

"Preferably solo. As for the style, I remember the notebook said... ah, I remember, it's called 'Royal Road'."

"OK."

(It really is for Hoshino Ai's stage outfit, isn't it.)

Chihaya Anon thought to herself.

When she had seen that promotional photo, she had immediately confirmed Hoshino Ai's stylistic path.

That undisguised confidence and flamboyance, and that overwhelming cuteness and sparkle, were undoubtedly the Royal Road path no matter how you looked at it.

If that was the case—

"Then I'll find a live recording of 'Fuyuko' for you. Although she graduated two years ago, I still think she's the epitome of a 'Royal Road idol'."

Chihaya Anon said as she typed something on the phone.

"Let's watch this first. Her first solo live."

She didn't hand the phone directly back to Chihaya Tetsuya, but very naturally placed it between them, seeming to want to watch it with him.

And Chihaya Tetsuya, naturally, had no objections to this.

And so, the siblings began to watch the video, which had already surpassed ten million views on the website...

...

"Haaah... Fuyuko is just so cute."

Chihaya Anon, rewatching this live after a long time, let out another sigh filled with emotion.

"Just looking at her makes you feel like 'this is what an idol should be'."

"..."

On the other side, Chihaya Tetsuya, watching an idol live for the first time, didn't rush to make a judgment. Instead, he leaned back against the sofa, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"It's completely different from a fashion show."

"Well, of course it is. One is focused on showcasing fashion, and the other is focused on showcasing the individual."

Chihaya Anon said in a matter-of-fact tone:

"So, do you have any other thoughts besides that?"

"The design of the stage and the flow is great, the artist's performance is also wonderful, and the song is very good..."

Chihaya Tetsuya listed his thoughts, but at the end, his tone suddenly changed—

"But, something feels off."

"...Eh?"

Hearing this, Chihaya Anon couldn't help but be taken aback.

"What do you mean, 'off'?"

"The feeling this idol gives off."

Chihaya Tetsuya answered with a confused expression:

"I'm not questioning her character or professional ethics. I just have a vague feeling... that what she's showing on stage isn't all of who she is... It feels like she's deliberately playing a role."

"Ah... so that's what you mean."

Hearing her brother's confusion, Chihaya Anon immediately nodded in understanding. Then she first exited the live video and casually opened the recommended behind-the-scenes footage below.

"You'll understand after you watch this."

And so, under his sister's guidance, Chihaya Tetsuya continued to watch the behind-the-scenes footage of the live—

[Haaah... So tired, so tired! I'm not taking any jobs for the next week!]

[Producer, get me another bottle of water... I don't want to move...]

[Is Asakura here yet? My view count for this live will definitely surpass hers! Hmph hmph~]

...

"...Eh?"

Watching the idol in the dressing room who was completely letting herself go, both lazy and casual, an expression of utter astonishment appeared on Chihaya Tetsuya's face.

"Th-This kind of footage... is it really okay? This is completely different from how she was on stage."

"This video was released by the agency after she graduated, and she gave her consent."

Faced with her brother's shock, Chihaya Anon said with a calm expression:

"This way, you should be able to understand her more comprehensively, right?"

"That's true, but in that case, the persona she presented on stage, doesn't that become a 'lie'?"

Chihaya Tetsuya seemed to find this very difficult to understand.

"Can her fans really accept such a contrast?"

"Well, not everyone can accept it, of course. But Brother, you still don't seem to understand the essence of what an 'idol' is."

Chihaya Anon put down the phone and seriously explained to Chihaya Tetsuya:

"An idol is someone who shows their best side to everyone, to be admired, loved... and even worshipped. As for whether it's their true self or a role they're playing, that's not important for an idol."

"And the Royal Road type is basically the one with the highest degree of role-playing. Purely positive, purely sparkling, purely cute. The sole purpose of being on stage is to be loved and acknowledged by everyone. Even if it's just a carefully crafted lie, even if it's just a role the idol is playing on stage, what everyone adores is just the persona she shows on stage. As for the truth behind it... not all fans think about that."

"A lie, a role..."

Chihaya Tetsuya murmured with a dazed expression:

"Is this the path Ai has chosen? To lie for love and acknowledgment..."

"...Hm? What's wrong, Brother?"

"...Nothing."

Chihaya Tetsuya didn't answer. Instead, he put the phone back in his pocket, then stood up and walked to the coat rack by the door.

"I'm going out for a bit. Don't wait up for me, go to bed early."

"Eh..."

Then, before Chihaya Anon could respond, he immediately grabbed his jacket and walked straight out the door, leaving only Chihaya Anon staring at the once-again closed door with an expression of utter confusion...

"Brother... what's wrong with him?"

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