"I see. A job related to foreign languages and art that pays a large sum in a short period of time..."
In the café below [KaZoKu], Hasegawa Kokoro rubbed her finger against her coffee cup, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"The only things I can think of that fit the criteria are the [TGC] and that 'Jean-san.' But what kind of work could possibly allow him to pay back so much money within a month?"
"That's what Sakiko and I are most worried about."
Chihaya Tetsuya nodded, his expression grave.
"If it were just a normal job working for Jean-san, he shouldn't be able to receive that level of compensation."
"The timing... Jean, the [TGC], the joint exhibition, and an abnormally large payment."
Kokoro thought for a moment, then her expression suddenly changed. She took out her phone, looked up some information about the upcoming joint exhibition, and then nodded slightly.
"I understand. I'll help investigate this as well."
"Thank you very much, Chief Hasegawa."
Tetsuya said gratefully, but Kokoro just waved her hand.
"It's a small thing. Besides... if my hunch is correct, this matter could become a major event that affects the entire Tokyo fashion world..."
"?"
Tetsuya looked curious, but Kokoro didn't seem inclined to explain further.
"Let's put that aside for now. What was it you wanted to show me earlier?"
"It's right here."
Tetsuya said, handing the prepared design sketches to her.
"These are the designs I'm planning to put on the side-hanging racks, and these are for the torso mannequins..."
Aside from wanting to borrow her help to investigate Sakiko's father, Tetsuya had another matter to discuss with her during this meeting: the layout of the exhibition.
Although his concept and goals for the event were clear, he still lacked the experience to know how to arrange the venue properly.
And as expected, after looking over his sketches, Kokoro immediately shook her head.
"Your designs are as outstanding as ever, but... this 'counter-style' arrangement is just too uninteresting."
She pointed to the sketches for the side-hanging displays.
"Side-hanging racks won't be able to showcase the details and concepts of these designs. This is an exhibition, not a department store. While most of the attendees will be industry professionals with a certain degree of expertise, a layout that's too conventional won't attract more buyers and journalists."
"So, you mean..."
"Get rid of the side-hanging racks. Use only front-hanging displays and torso mannequins."
Kokoro said with absolute certainty.
"The biggest thing that sets you apart from other designers is your exceptional foundation in pattern-making. For that reason, you must display your clothes from the front to everyone as much as possible."
"But, if I do that, won't I have too few garments for the exhibition?"
Tetsuya was hesitant.
"As a personal brand that's just starting out, my number of exhibition pieces is already smaller than other brands. If I get rid of the side-hanging racks..."
"Since you know you're a personal brand, there's even less reason to compete with other brands on quantity."
Kokoro said.
"Your specialty and advantage lie in the quality and detail of your designs. If you blindly pursue quantity, the precision of your designs will decline due to the increased workload... What's more, your design concept this time seems to have a bit of an 'anti-trend' element to it. That being the case, a unique and unconventional layout is the best way to express your personal vision."
"!"
Hearing this, Tetsuya was stunned.
"You... figured out the concept for my exhibition just from these few drawings?"
"Mhm. After all, the types and patterns of these garments... are completely different from this year's predicted hit styles, no matter how you look at it."
Kokoro looked at the sketches again and smiled.
She had never had any doubts about Tetsuya's eye. Back at [KaZoKu], almost everyone in the studio had witnessed his predictions and interpretations of fashion trends.
If he wanted to, he could easily design the most outstanding best-sellers based on current trends, just as he did back in the studio. But what he chose was a design philosophy that was different from, and even contrary to, all the current fashion magazines and online hot topics...
"You've researched this autumn's fashion trends, haven't you?"
"Yes."
Tetsuya nodded.
"Same as this summer, it's still dominated by the 'No Gender'-ism led by [NozAK!]."
"But the designs you're displaying this time are mostly clothes with clear gender characteristics and distinct styles."
Kokoro said, pulling out a design sketch for a women's trench coat.
"Aren't you worried that doing this will lower the outside world's evaluation of your brand?"
"Ah, about that..."
Tetsuya hesitated for a moment before confessing.
"Alright, a large part of the reason is that the girls around me don't really suit that style of clothing. For example, Sakiko and Hoshino Ai, whom you know, Chief... compared to androgynous clothes, they obviously suit a cuter style better."
"And... through designing their stage costumes several times, I've come to understand one thing: a person can only bring out the full charm of their clothes when they are wearing something they truly love. Since my ambition is to give people strength through my clothing, I naturally have to give them the most comfortable choice, one that best expresses their individuality. And that is the core concept of my joint exhibition... and the [TGC]. But of course, although it's a small proportion compared to the other styles, I have prepared a few androgynous outfits."
"Mhm... that's enough."
Hearing his explanation, the smile on Kokoro's face grew even brighter.
"That's exactly what we should be doing, Tetsuya-kun. As head designers, and as the leaders of our brands, all of our designs should serve only our personal vision, concepts, and ideas. You don't need to care about anything else... not Jean-san, and not [NozAK!]."
"Mhm, I understand!"
Tetsuya nodded.
"The girl who is my main model this time told me that being the one who enjoys the [TGC] the most is also a kind of victory. So, I've completely stopped caring about winning or losing... Ah, that's right. If I don't care about winning or losing, why was I comparing my quantity to theirs?"
At this, he gave an embarrassed laugh and scratched the back of his head.
"I'm sorry, Chief. I only recently decided to change my exhibition strategy, so I didn't notice these things."
"As a rookie manager, you've done more than enough. Just keep accumulating experience, and [Starry Sky] will surely become an incredible brand."
Kokoro was very certain of this.
"Anyway, just base the specific layout on your clothes and concept. As for the quantity and arrangement, you can decide all of that yourself. Oh, by the way, I'll be bringing everyone from the studio to this joint exhibition to cheer you on. We might even have to buy a few pieces from you as reference for next year's fashion forecast."
"Eh? Use my clothes for a fashion forecast?"
Tetsuya laughed and shook his head.
"You must be joking. You just said my concept is 'anti-trend.' Wouldn't that be a contradiction?"
"Hmph, hmph... When it comes to fashion trends, who can really say for sure?"
Faced with his question, Kokoro looked inscrutable.
"Maybe by this time next year, your 'anti-trend' will become the new trend."
...
"Have you ever heard the saying, Mr. Assistant? The more one obsesses over fashion trends, the more one falls into cliché."
"...?"
The assistant looked up, a confused expression on his face as he looked at the man before him.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean, Jean-san."
"What I mean is, when a fashion trend first forms, it's often because a few people with strong personal visions attract like-minded individuals who understand their concept through their expression and charisma. Then, this concept gradually expands, gaining more recognition and appreciation... That is the beginning of a trend."
Jean said, sketching meaningless lines on a piece of paper with a pencil.
"But, as this trend continues to expand, more and more people who lack their own opinions and aesthetic sense will blindly follow this thing they don't even understand. And as these blind followers increase, the original fashion trend eventually loses its uniqueness and becomes 'tacky,' unable to gain the appreciation of others."
With that, he held the sketch filled with strange lines in his hand, looked at it a few times, and then smiled and nodded.
"Mhm, this one's good. Let's put it in the joint exhibition too!"
"..."
The assistant looked at the line drawing in Jean's hand with a bewildered expression.
"What you just drew... is that a design sketch?"
"Mhm, it is."
Jean nonchalantly placed the childish-looking doodle to the side.
"It's just that right now, this drawing only has my 'concept' and 'inspiration' on it. Don't worry, I'll draw a proper sketch and instruction manual when it's time to actually make it... Anyway, help me put this away for now."
"Ah... mhm."
The assistant nodded, still puzzled, then took the sketch and walked back towards the office not far away...
...
[Another one of these meaningless sketches!]
On the other end of the line, the young man's voice was filled with annoyance and confusion.
[Is that guy really a top-tier designer? Does he not even know how to do basic drafting!?]
"...Jean-san said he will only draw the detailed sketch and instruction manual right before production."
The assistant reported truthfully.
"So... all I can provide you with right now are these rough drafts."
[...Tsk, what a pain.]
Ko Ogino clicked his tongue impatiently.
[If only all designers could be like that honor student and draw everything on the design sheet... Forget it. Anyway, don't send me these line drawings anymore. What I want are design sheets I can use immediately... Eh? That's right!]
Halfway through his sentence, he seemed to remember something.
[Since I need something I can use immediately, can't you just take a picture of the sample garment for me? Then, if I release a design identical to his beforehand, I might be able to pull the same trick as last time! Yes, that's settled!]
"Take a picture... of the sample garment?"
The assistant's expression instantly became incredibly conflicted.
"There will definitely be a lot of people in the studio while the sample is being made... Trying to take a picture without being exposed would be extremely difficult..."
[That's not my problem. I pay, you work. Those were the terms we agreed to in black and white.]
Ko Ogino said.
[Don't even think about backing out. You've already taken my down payment and given it to the Togawa family. If you dare to break our contract, or try to take me down with you... you going to jail is a small matter, but what will happen to your daughter?]
"..."
Hearing Ogino's threat, the assistant... Togawa Sakiko's father, showed a pained expression.
Just as Ogino said, if it were only him getting caught, it would be one thing. But he absolutely did not want his daughter Sakiko to bear any more burdens that were never hers to begin with. It was for this very reason that on the day he received the down payment, he immediately went back to the Togawa family and, with a nearly impossible condition, bought back Sakiko's freedom...
Since he had already made a mistake, he had no intention of turning back.
"...I understand. I'll do as you say."
[That's more like it.]
Ogino's voice was satisfied.
[Well then, let's look forward to Jean-san's performance together.]
With that, the call ended, leaving Sakiko's father to put down his phone with a dark expression.
A moment later, his phone vibrated slightly, and he looked at the screen again.
[Leaving the Togawa family was my own choice. I don't need you to take this responsibility for me.]
[If you still consider me your daughter, please reply to me immediately.]
"...I'm sorry, Sakiko. I'm sorry, Jean."
Sakiko's father first checked the recording of the call he had just made, then let out a deep sigh and turned his phone off again.
"Mr. Assistant, come here for a moment! I have a new idea and I need to hear a local's opinion on it!"
"...Yes!"
Hearing Jean's call, Sakiko's father put the phone in his pocket and immediately turned around.
"When this is all over, I will properly apologize to you both and take responsibility for what I've done..."
As if to convince himself, he muttered in a voice only he could hear as he slowly walked towards the door...