A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"like……"

Standing alone on the overpass, he looked up at the starry sky again.

"What have you been through in the past seven years? What kind of people have you met?"

"Have you experienced the warmth of the world like I have, or are you always alone, desperately and lonely trying to hold on?"

"What on earth have you been through to become an idol?"

“Is this choice your own, or is it a struggle to hold on to hope?”

"I really want to hear your story about the past seven years."

"I really hope that I can convey my apologies and thoughts to you through this work."

"If possible, I really hope that I can exchange our identities on that day so that you can receive this miraculous salvation."

"..."

Toyokawa Shoko, first year of high school, sixteen years old.

Come to think of it, Ai should be exactly sixteen years old this year, the same age as Aine.

……

Perhaps this next decision will make his remaining six days of work more difficult.

But... if he doesn't do this, he will probably regret today for the rest of his life.

At this time, Shoko Toyokawa had already walked down the ladder and walked alone towards the dark intersection in front of her.

Just as her figure was about to completely disappear in front of Chihaya Tetsuya, she suddenly stopped.

........................

Jingle bell bell bell!

The sudden ringing of the phone made Shoko Toyokawa stop subconsciously.

When she looked at the caller ID, obvious surprise suddenly appeared on her face.

"...Ah, Chihaya-san?"

Toyokawa Shoko replied somewhat dully:

"Excuse me, is there anything else you can do for me?"

I will send a message to the director tomorrow and ask her to remove the assistant recruitment ad.

On the other side of the microphone, Chihaya Tetsuya calmly declared:

【Then I will inform her that I have recruited a new apprentice.】

“………………Huh?”

Toyokawa Shoko made a surprised sound.

"Learn, become an apprentice? But... your next task is not very important..."

[It is indeed important, but if I can have an apprentice who is diligent, hardworking, and has extraordinary understanding, it will also be a great help to my future work.]

"?!"

Toyokawa Shoko covered her mouth, and her amber eyes flickered slightly.

"You mean...eh? Is it really possible?"

She was so shocked that her voice even became weak.

"Even someone as useless as me... really... deserves such an opportunity?"

【Meet at the same cafe at 7 o'clock tomorrow evening.】

Chihaya Tetsuya did not answer Toyokawa Shoko's dreamy question, but gave a direct order:

"I'll take you to the studio."

The voice disappeared from the microphone and came from behind her.

Shoko Toyokawa put down the phone and turned around.

Under the streetlight, Chihaya Tetsuya's figure seemed to emit an orange fluorescence that was enough to cover the entire night sky.

"Let me give you another one."

"........."

This street, which is always bustling with traffic and noisy, has become so quiet for the first time.

On April 22nd, spring, under a clear spring night sky.

Shoko Toyokawa had a chance encounter with her destiny.

Chapter 6: Soft and Simple Origin

As soon as Chihaya Tetsuya opened the door, he was greeted by Chihaya Aine's face full of dissatisfaction——

“Too slow!”

Chihaya Aion complained angrily:

"What kind of interview takes so long?"

"...There was a little incident."

Chihaya Tetsuya said as he hung the suit jacket on the hanger.

Although his sister is about to become Toyokawa Shoko's classmate, considering Toyokawa Shoko's complicated family background, difficult living conditions, and her strong and tenacious personality, he chooses to hide the matter about her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Well, there's no need to apologize. After all, you said you would take me home..."

Faced with Chihaya Tetsuya's frank and direct apology, Chihaya Aine put out her anger because she realized her own willfulness.

"But judging by your expression, the interview seems to have gone quite well."

Although Chihaya Tetsuya is not the type to show his thoughts on his face, Chihaya Aine, who has been with him for many years, can still see a hint of obvious ease in her brother's expression.

"Is the person who came for the interview this time someone you like?"

"…………"

After hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya thought for a moment and then nodded.

"You could say that."

"That's great!"

Without giving it much thought, Chihaya Aine was genuinely happy for her brother.

"To celebrate, I'll go prepare you a midnight snack!"

"Hmm? What's a midnight snack?"

"Fruit sandwich!"

"...didn't you finish what you bought this afternoon?"

"Hey hey... I'll go get you another cup of milk."

"...Thank you for your hard work."

After helplessly complaining about his sister's "virtue", Chihaya Tetsuya sat on the sofa, skillfully took out the manuscript paper and pencil from under the coffee table, and spread them on the coffee table.

However, after that, he did not make any other moves.

After experiencing the series of events with Toyokawa Shoko, Chihaya Tetsuya really had no inspiration to write.

On the way home, he kept thinking about how to help the girl who had a similar experience as him.

As for the salary… although it can’t be as good as an assistant’s, it should at least allow her to no longer need other part-time jobs.

As for the work content, I can only assign her some odd jobs at present. When she grows up a little, I can let her try tailoring and sewing.

Of course, the first task... is to prepare a few sets of work clothes for her.

There are many sharp objects in the studio that can damage clothes. For this girl from a poor family, keeping her uniform clean is a prerequisite for maintaining her dignity.

I'd better prepare a few one-size-fits-all solid-color T-shirts and trousers for her. She'll definitely be more receptive to simple and inexpensive clothes like these...

"Starting work as soon as you get back?"

Just as Chihaya Tetsuya was still lost in thought about the new apprentice, Chihaya Aine came to him with a fruit sandwich and hot milk.

"At least take a break!"

"I just took them out out of habit."

After hearing his sister's voice, Chihaya Tetsuya's thoughts returned to the present.

After taking the milk from Chihaya Aine's hand, he didn't rush to drink it. Instead, he stretched out his other hand and repeatedly stroked the still warm cup.

“It’s so warm.”

Chihaya Tetsuya blurted out subconsciously:

From this glass of milk to the glass of warm water that Aine prepared for him when he just woke up in the morning.

"Even though we haven't seen each other for half a year, Aine, you still remember my favorite temperature."

"Hehe, of course. Who do you think I am?"

Chihaya Aine raised her head with a smug look on her face.

"As a qualified and competent sister, isn't it simple for me to remember such trivial matters?"

"It's just a small matter..."

Chihaya Tetsuya held the cup of milk, and his expression became a little vague.

"The more you downplay it, the more I think of my childhood..."

For him at that time, let alone hot milk, he didn't even have a piece of clothing to keep him warm in winter.

This cold memory from his childhood left him with an indelible weakness: fear of cold.

"Aine, do you remember why I wanted to be a fashion designer?"

"Remember."

Chihaya Aine sat next to him.

“Because you want to design clothes that are warm and comfortable for others.”

"And the person who first gave me this idea... was love."

Chihaya Tetsuya looked at the milk in the cup and said:

"That winter, I asked the adults at the orphanage for an old cotton-padded jacket for her, altered it to a child's size, and gave it to her... That look of peace and comfort was the inspiration for this dream."

"…………"

After hearing this, Chihaya Aine subconsciously leaned on Chihaya Tetsuya's shoulder, as if she wanted to use her warmth to dispel the coldness he experienced in his childhood.

After feeling the warmth around him, Chihaya Tetsuya continued:

"Then do you know who officially helped me embark on the path of becoming a designer?"

"?"

Chihaya Aine was stunned at first, then she said in an uncertain tone:

"Is it... Mom? After all, she was the one who insisted on you going to art school."

"No. Although she has always supported me, the one who really made me take the first step... is you, Aine."

"Eh!? Me?!"

Chihaya Aine pointed at herself in surprise:

"Really? Did I do anything special?!"

"Do you remember the first Christmas I came to our house, I gave you a pair of woolen gloves?"

"Of course I remember! I still have that pair of gloves!"