Although there was a small hiccup, the celebration party began without any further issues.
At the same time, with Soyo's mother "stirring things up," the atmosphere of the party, while a bit chaotic, never fell into silence or stiffness. Everyone naturally started chatting and enjoying the snacks and refreshments Soyo had prepared in advance.
As it was a celebration for their live performance, the conversation soon turned to music and performing.
And on these topics, being a complete amateur, Tetsuya did not plan to join in.
To let them chat more freely, Tetsuya went out onto the balcony, listening to the laughter and cheerful voices from inside while taking in the expansive view from the high-rise apartment.
It was now close to summer, and the sky had not yet grown dark.
When he looked down, he could still see pedestrians on the street and cars coming and going, but the familiar hustle and bustle did not reach his ears.
For Soyo, did this tranquility bring peace, or the loneliness of being all by herself?
"...You're just like a guardian standing on the sidelines, little Tetsuya."
Suddenly, a slightly teasing voice from beside him made Tetsuya pull his gaze back from the view.
"Aren't you going to go in and chat with them?"
"I have nothing to add when it comes to music."
Tetsuya shook his head.
"Or rather, I don't know much about anything besides clothing."
"But it's because you've always focused on one thing that you've been able to achieve so much among your peers, right?"
Soyo's mother was holding a can of beer she had found in the fridge.
She took a small sip before speaking again.
"It's the same for me. I don't know anything besides work, which is why my family life is such a mess..."
"..."
Hearing this, Tetsuya was slightly taken aback.
It seemed this mother wasn't as oblivious to everything but herself as he and Soyo had thought.
"I saw it just now. You gave Soyo a photo album, right?"
"Yes."
Tetsuya nodded.
"I hope she can use this album to preserve these memories she cherishes so much."
"...That's amazing. I've never seen Soyo with such a happy expression before."
That sparkling, radiant smile, as if she had received the most precious treasure in the world, also filled her, as a mother, with a sense of relief and joy.
"I love Soyo and cherish her very much, but I just couldn't think of giving her a gift like that... The most I can do is, after you've given her the album, go and spend money to buy her the best, most expensive camera... just like the double bass I bought for her when she joined the concert band."
At this, she couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly.
"She's such an overly sensible child. Even I think my approach is superficial, but she has never once complained."
"...It's not my place to judge whether it's superficial, but for Nagasaki-san, more than these material things, what she really wants is for you to spend more time with her at home."
Tetsuya said.
But after hearing this, Soyo's mother didn't answer right away. Instead, she raised the beer in her hand and took a large gulp.
"It's too late."
"? Too late... what do you mean?"
"For a while after her father and I divorced, in order to give Soyo a better life, I threw almost all my energy into my work. She never complained, and would even take care of me at home when I was exhausted. And that life continued for several years."
Soyo's mother shook her head.
"If in the beginning, being busy was my own choice, now, the scale of the company has left me with no choice at all. Besides, after so many years, the two of us have already developed this tacit way of getting along. I use work as an excuse to escape motherhood, and she pretends to be strong and refuses to act spoiled with me. We're both worried that settling old scores will create a rift between us, so we can only maintain this awkward yet unspoken arrangement."
"..."
Tetsuya shook his head silently.
He had no intention of blaming Soyo's mother, nor of complaining on Soyo's behalf.
The predicament this mother and daughter had failed to resolve for so many years could not be changed by a few words from an outsider.
But just as her mother had said, the reason their relationship had reached this point wasn't just her busyness. Soyo's almost self-punishing restraint was also part of the problem.
So...
"The reason Nagasaki-san doesn't dare to ask too much of you is because she's always been afraid of loss. She must be terrified that if she really acts spoiled or asks for more, this already incomplete home might become even more fragile. But you should know very well that you wouldn't refuse her. If anything, you've been waiting for her to take that step herself."
Tetsuya said.
"And in order for her to gain the courage to ask, the first thing to do is to make her more clearly realize... that she is loved by others. Just like with this live. After receiving the outfits designed by people she holds so dear, she was like a completely different person."
At this, he couldn't help but recall the day he, Sakiko, and Mutsumi had first met her.
"I don't intend to meddle in your and Nagasaki-san's affairs, nor do I plan to act as a messenger pigeon to relay your 'drunken words' later. I just want to offer a piece of advice... Instead of giving her an expensive camera, why not leave a few more photos of you with her in that album."
"Perhaps you've missed many opportunities to express your love for her before, but please believe me, for family who will be with you for a lifetime, it's never too late."
In the other's silence, Tetsuya scratched his head.
"After all, even an orphan like me who only gained a family at the age of twelve was able to learn what kinship is, let alone a real mother and daughter like you."
"..."
After hearing Tetsuya's words, Soyo's mother was silent for a long while before finishing the beer in her hand in one go.
"...You really are an incredible kid. Now I finally understand why Soyo values you so much."
"Eh?"
Tetsuya was taken aback.
"Nagasaki-san... well, while I can feel that we get along pretty well, the one she values isn't me, but my apprentice, Sakiko."
"...That child isn't good at acting spoiled, so it's only natural you wouldn't feel it. But if things continue like this, you'll surely understand sooner or later."
With that, Soyo's mother thought for a moment, then muttered.
"Well, although I'm a useless person who's no good at anything but work, for my daughter's sake, I can at least do this much..."
"?"
"Little Tetsuya, you're planning to start your own clothing brand next, right?"
"Ah, yes."
Tetsuya nodded.
And then, a rather mysterious smile appeared on her mother's face.
"If that's the case, would you consider hiring a 'consultant' from my company who can help you solve your problems? For example... what do you think of my Soyo?"
"...Eh?"