A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"kindness?"

After hearing his sister's unhesitating answer, Chihaya Tetsu, who initiated the topic, showed a momentary look of surprise.

"...You're still wearing it? Isn't it already unwearable?"

"This is the first gift my brother gave me, so of course I have to cherish it!"

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

"So, what happened to these gloves?"

"I made those gloves myself. I asked my mother to buy me some wool, and then I spent a week knitting them."

Under Chihaya Aine's gradually widening eyes, Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"At that time, I hadn't learned knitting systematically, so the shape and proportions of the gloves were awfully weird. But you put them on without hesitation, and without even a hint of disgust."

"Eh? Is that so?"

Chihaya Aine had no idea about this.

"It doesn't feel weird at all! And I really like the cross-patterns in the middle!"

"…………"

The so-called cross patterns are the traces left by mistakes made during the production process that resulted in disordered stitches.

(Could it be that… I am the culprit who caused Aine’s aesthetic taste to go awry?)

After secretly complaining in his heart, Chihaya Tetsuya continued:

"No matter what, your happy expression when you received the gloves and your trust in putting them on without hesitation made me completely determined to become a fashion designer. I hope to bring warmth and comfort to more people through my own hands."

"So this is ah……"

Hearing this, Chihaya Aine suddenly felt a strange warmth flowing in her heart.

"Brother, it's because of me that you embarked on this journey... Hehe, hehehe... So that's how it is!"

Indescribable pride and superiority surged in her heart, making her completely unable to control the corners of her mouth that were raised high.

"It seems I'm quite important to my brother!"

"? Isn't that natural? We are family, right?"

"Ah~ That's not what I'm talking about!"

Chihaya Aine smiled and rubbed her cheek against Chihaya Tetsuya's shoulder:

"Because you kept talking about Hoshino Ai today! So I thought she was the more important one to you..."

"There's no comparison between you two, is there?"

Chihaya Tetsuya tilted his head in confusion.

"One is my benefactor in childhood, and the other is my irreplaceable family member now. This is completely different."

"Oh, you don't understand!"

Chihaya Aine smiled and tried to put off her brother's confusion, while thinking in her heart:

(Next time I go back to my hometown... I must bring those gloves with me!)

When her brother really becomes a top designer, she can proudly declare that she is his first client!

Thinking of this, Chihaya Aine couldn't help but laugh secretly again.

…………at the same time…………

"Thanks for your hard work."

A girl with short golden hair handed the water bottle in her hand to the purple-black-haired girl in front of her.

"Here, here's some warm water that Higuchi-san prepared especially for you."

"OK, thank you!"

Ai took the water bottle with a smile and took out a slightly worn towel from her backpack.

"Haha~ Today's class was really tough. It's really hard to keep up with Chuhua's progress."

"After all, you've just started learning this, so it's normal to feel a little overwhelmed."

Chu Hua said as he sat down next to Ai.

"Come to think of it, I've always been a little concerned... Our office clearly always provides towels, right? Why do you always use this one?"

"This... is a long story."

Ai put away the smile that was always on her face and slowly put down the towel in her hand.

"This towel was given to me by someone who is very important to me..."

"...That's it."

Seeing the extremely rare calm expression on his companion's face, Chu Hua did not ask any more questions, but quietly packed up his things.

On the other side, Ai gently unfolded the faded old towel and reached out to touch the hexagonal pattern hidden in the corner...

Chapter 7: The gap that cannot be measured with a tape measure

Because he had experienced so much that day, Chihaya Tetsu finally fell asleep at two in the morning.

When he opened his eyes again, he was the only one left at home.

On the dining table, there was a striking note left:

"I'm going to Hanaoka alone for the entrance interview. I'll be back home tonight to get my mom's signature! My brother's lunch is in the fridge, just heat it up in the microwave! —Loving sister."

"..."

After folding the note neatly, Chihaya Tetsuya went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

But when he saw the bowl of onion beef rice sealed with plastic wrap, he burst out laughing.

"Although it's indeed an improvement compared to before... it's just an improvement."

Regardless of the quality of the finished product, this bowl of rice is the "fruit of love" of my sister.

Then enjoy it with gratitude.

……

…………

"Next time, tell her to put less sugar."

After washing down the bowl of rice with a large glass of warm water, Chihaya Tetsuya returned to his workbench and began to think about today's ideas.

Of course, before that, he set the alarm on his mobile phone.

Used to remind him of something he must never forget.

…………7pm…………

After meeting Toyokawa Shoko again in the coffee shop, the first thing Chihaya Tetsuya did was to hand her the bag in his hand.

"Here are your work clothes."

“…Huh? Ah, yes.”

Because it was so sudden and the reason was very sufficient, Toyokawa Shoko didn't even have time to refuse and took the bag handed to her by Chihaya Tetsuya——

"A white T-shirt and black trousers..."

It can be said to be the simplest clothing combination.

Then, when Shoko Toyokawa reached out and touched the fabric of the clothes, she couldn't help but open her eyes wide.

"This feels so familiar..."

Soft, smooth, and just the right amount.

The material and feel of these two pieces of clothing are very similar to the clothes she wore as a child.

Although the style and shape are very simple, this is definitely not a simple cheap item...

Rather, the more minimalist the style and the higher the quality of the clothes, the easier it is to sell them at a high price.

Then, just as Toyokawa Shoko was about to say something, Chihaya Tetsu seemed to have predicted her reaction and spoke in advance:

“Although it’s not mandatory, working in a costume studio and wearing black and white clothes can help maximize your color sensitivity.”

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"Your uniform's colors are a bit complex and not suitable for work."

"what……"

Because the reason was so legitimate, Shoko Toyokawa had no room or reason to object.

After a brief hesitation, she finally held the bag in her arms.

"I understand... Thank you very much for your explanation."

"Well, then, follow me."

Chihaya Tetsuya turned around.

“The studio is in the office building across the street.”

"Yes!"

Toyokawa Shoko nodded vigorously at first, and then immediately followed behind Chihaya Tetsuya——

(So-called maturity... probably refers to people like Chihaya-san.)

(Solid logic, appropriate words and actions, consistent goodwill, and subtlety that doesn't offend the other party.)

(I don’t know how long it will take me to become such a reliable adult.)

Looking at the tall and thin figure in front of her, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but think so.

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

Taking the elevator, the two arrived at the clothing studio called [KaZoKu] on the seventh floor.

As soon as the two entered the studio door, they were immediately greeted from all directions:

"Good evening, Tetsuya-kun!"

"Finally, Chihaya."

"Good evening, our temporary director~"

"Good evening, everybody."

Facing the enthusiastic greetings from his colleagues, Chihaya Tetsuya politely lowered his head and responded:

"Please don't mention the term 'temporary director' anymore. I'm still far from being qualified."

"You're still being so modest. The director is about to promote you to chief designer..."

"Well, after all, Tetsuya-kun has always been very concerned about his age!"

"We don't care about that in our line of work. As long as we have the ability, isn't that enough?"

"Come on, just stop talking! Tetsuya-kun is waiting to introduce us to our new colleague!"

A proof-maker who was more adept at observing people's expressions nudged the loud-mouthed colleague with his elbow.

"So, this child should be the new apprentice you told us about this afternoon?"

"Yes... Toyokawa-san, please."

Chihaya Tetsuya took a half step to the side and gestured to Toyokawa Shoko to introduce herself.

Having already rehearsed countless times in her mind, Toyokawa Shoko was not at all nervous. She first walked over to Chihaya Tetsuya and bowed to the studio members in front of her.

"Greetings everyone, my name is Toyokawa Shoko... and I'm Mr. Chihaya's newly recruited apprentice. While I'm still a novice, I'll definitely work harder to learn so as not to hinder KaZoKu and Mr. Chihaya! Please take good care of me in the coming days!"

"Welcome, Toyokawa-san!"

"He's a very well-educated child."

"So cute, she's still wearing her high school uniform... Haha, it's great to be young."