The venue for the celebration party was a private club in Ginza. The invited guests, aside from the staff involved in the live show, were all industry professionals with close ties to [Watanabe Productions].
Photographers, stylists, musicians, directors, producers... the lineup basically covered every industry related to "idols." According to the manager, they were all people who, after seeing the live show, had proactively expressed a desire to collaborate with [Summer Zodiac].
"Thank goodness they didn't invite any famous designers from Paris or Milan, otherwise I probably wouldn't even have the courage to show my face."
Chihaya Tetsuya looked at the guest list he had specially requested from the manager and couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Standing beside him, the manager spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
"The idol industry's target audience is mainly young people, while famous designers cater to the high-net-worth individuals of high society. Under normal circumstances, the two don't intersect, just like you'd never see any high-end brands at the [TGC]... But that being said, on the president's original invitation list, there was indeed a designer from France."
At this, she seemed to remember something, took out her phone again, and checked the list.
"However, he hasn't given us any reply yet, so we can't confirm if he'll actually be attending."
"Ah, is that the one marked as 'Pending,' with the name [JP]?"
Tetsuya recalled the only abbreviated name on the list that had been specially marked.
The manager nodded.
"That's right, that's him. He's a friend the president met overseas and seems to be planning a new project in Japan soon... But that's obviously not something I should be concerned with."
"That's true."
Just as she had said, under normal circumstances, high-end designers and idols were existences from completely different worlds. For this diligent manager and producer, a designer from overseas indeed had little to do with her.
"Compared to this designer whose attendance isn't even confirmed, the ones you should be focusing on today are these few."
The manager pointed to several names on the list.
"For example, this Mr. Kaji will likely be the head stylist for this year's [TGC]. Getting familiar with him will definitely not be a mistake for you. And this Miss Ichihara is both a renowned photographer and the owner of a private select shop. If you can leave a deep impression on her ahead of time, it will be of great benefit to your brand's initial development..."
Just like that, the manager told him all the names she had screened in advance, names of people who could potentially help him.
"In any case, this is all I can help you with. As for how to win their support, that will be up to you."
"Yes!"
After patiently memorizing the names and their corresponding identities, Tetsuya immediately bowed gratefully to her.
"Thank you very much for your guidance and help. I will definitely work hard to seize this opportunity!"
"No need to be so polite. After all, this is also an effort I'm making to keep my idols happy. And besides..."
At this, the manager suddenly gave Tetsuya a meaningful look.
"Perhaps by supporting you, we might become the first idol agency to achieve a deep collaboration with a high-end fashion brand in the future."
"...Yes!"
Feeling the underlying meaning in her words, Tetsuya nodded vigorously.
"I will do my absolute best!"
...
After bidding farewell to the manager, Tetsuya looked at the list in his hand again.
Besides quickly going over the key names in his mind one more time, another name he was all too familiar with naturally did not escape his eyes—
"Sakiko was invited too."
But that wasn't surprising. As one of the composers for the core song of the live show, Sakiko was of course considered a meritorious contributor.
But, why didn't Sakiko mention this to me at all? And will she be like before, accompanying me as my apprentice and assistant to greet these important people?
...
After thinking for a moment, Tetsuya folded the list a few times and placed it in his suit pocket.
Evidently, he had already reached his own conclusion.
...
"So... are you really planning to go and greet the people on this list by yourself today?"
At the same time, outside the club's entrance, Misumi Uika looked at Togawa Sakiko with a worried expression.
"Even if you don't want to involve Tetsuya-san, there shouldn't be a problem if you take me with you, right? After all, I'm also a member of [Ave Mujica]."
"No. You have to be with Tetsuya-kun today."
Sakiko's attitude was resolute.
"As the stars of today's celebration party, you and Hoshino Ai can attract the most attention. As long as you two are there, even people who aren't interested in the fashion industry will definitely notice the person standing with the main attractions. Compared to our band which is not even fully formed yet, [Starry Sky], which is about to take the [TGC] stage, is clearly the side more worthy of attention."
"Sigh..."
Uika knew very well that once Sakiko made a decision, no matter what she said, she couldn't sway her. It was likely that even if Tetsuya-kun himself tried to persuade her, she might not listen.
Although being a strong-willed leader and creator wasn't necessarily a bad thing, there was no need to push herself this hard, right?
Faced with Sakiko's stubbornness and bravado, Uika couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"...What are you two doing here?"
Suddenly, Hoshino Ai's voice came from behind them.
"The party is about to start, isn't it, Uika? If Higuchi finds out that we, the main attractions, are late, we'll definitely get a lecture later."
"You were almost late yourself, weren't you...?"
Uika glanced at Ai's outfit before pouting.
"Hmph, even though we didn't discuss our outfits at all, we still ended up thinking the same thing."
"Well, this is my favorite dress, and it's also the most direct way to show off Tetsu's design skills."
Dressed in her exclusive performance outfit, Ai shrugged.
"You were definitely thinking the same thing, right?"
"Mhm, that's right."
Uika had also chosen the starlight gauze dress, which had once trended online, for tonight's celebration.
"It's almost time, so we should go and meet up with Tetsuya-san... Sakiko."
"Hm?"
"Good luck."
"...Mhm."
Sakiko responded with a smiling nod.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Even if I come away with nothing today, it's fine as long as it doesn't affect Tetsuya-kun.
Yes, I'll just treat it as a social practice exercise!
Putting all distracting thoughts aside, Sakiko walked through the main doors.
And as the last of the main attractions made her entrance, the celebration party finally began.