"How does it feel, living at Tetsuya-kun's place, Mutsumi?"
The next afternoon, Togawa Sakiko proactively contacted Wakaba Mutsumi to ask about her experience living there.
And Mutsumi's reply allowed Sakiko to let go of her last remaining worries.
[...It's very warm, and also very fulfilling.]
Mutsumi answered.
[Although I've only been here for a day, I feel like I've already learned a lot.]
"That's good."
Sakiko smiled and nodded.
"For now, just slowly get used to the new environment and lifestyle. I'll tell you what to do next when I officially start forming the band."
[Ah, about that...]
Mutsumi then told Sakiko about her conversation with Nagasaki Soyo the previous night. She relayed Soyo's concerns and proposed improvements almost word for word.
As Sakiko listened, her expression gradually grew serious.
"Mhm... Soyo is right."
The attention brought by Hoshino Ai alone was enough to attract the notice of other brands. If they made too many big moves, they could easily become the "public enemy" of the industry.
For a personal brand still in its infancy, too much attention might not be an entirely good thing. After all, competition in the fashion industry wasn't like an exam where a score could simply determine the winner. At least for [StarrySky], whose foundation wasn't stable yet, it wasn't ready to face external pressures.
"Thank you for telling me this, Mutsumi. I'll have a proper talk with Soyo later."
[Mhm.]
Seeing Sakiko so readily accept Soyo's advice, Mutsumi once again felt the same sense of gratification as she had the night before.
Whether it was Soyo or Sakiko, both had completely moved on from the past and were now able to calmly accept each other's opinions.
In that case, she no longer needed to have any reservations about expressing her own views and thoughts.
[Sakiko.]
"What is it?"
[This weekend... I want to go to Yokohama with Chihaya-san to see the "Summer Zodiac" live show. Is that okay?]
"Hm? That's no problem at all."
In response to Mutsumi's request for her opinion, Sakiko agreed decisively.
"Mutsumi, you don't need to report things like this to me in the future. Now that you're free from Minami-san's control, you just need to act freely, according to your own thoughts."
[...Even if it's related to Chihaya-san?]
"Mhm. As long as it's something you want to do, just go ahead and do it."
For this girl who had always lived under the control of others, what she needed most right now was the motivation and confidence to make her own decisions.
In order to give Mutsumi the confidence to find herself again, Sakiko offered her encouragement without hesitation.
"By the way... why did you specifically mention Tetsuya-kun? Are you still worried about him?"
[No, that's not it.]
Mutsumi paused for a few seconds before replying.
[Anyway, if Sakiko isn't worried... then it's fine.]
"I'm not worried at all. After all, when it comes to taking care of people, Tetsuya-kun is far better at it than I am."
Sakiko said without a second thought.
"So, feel free to rely on him. If it's him, he will definitely give you the most correct guidance."
Just as she had felt when she was at her most lost and anxious.
"Alright, it's getting late. I have to go to the Sakura residence for my tutoring session now."
Sakiko said after glancing at the time.
"Do your best over there, Mutsumi."
[...Okay.]
Mutsumi's voice, from which it was impossible to discern joy or sorrow, came through the receiver.
[I'll try my best.]
...
"Sakiko said I can decide for myself."
Putting down her phone, Mutsumi said to Chihaya Tetsuya.
"So, I want to go to Yokohama with you too, Chihaya-san."
"Mhm, understood."
Tetsuya nodded, then immediately lowered his head and began slowly tapping on his phone.
"Adding one more ticket... hmm, Anon and the others have to go early for the official rehearsal, so it'll just be the two of us this time... Do you like window seats, Mutsumi?"
"Either is fine."
"Okay, I'll choose window seats then."
Tetsuya continued to focus on booking the tickets online, while Mutsumi quietly watched him from the side.
Because her previous interactions with him had been too brief, and Sakiko had always been present, Mutsumi never really had a chance to observe him carefully.
But now, Sakiko wasn't here, and Anon and Soyo had already left for the [RiNG] recording studio. With just the two of them alone, she finally had the opportunity to observe him by herself.
As the daughter of a famous actress and comedian, Mutsumi had long been accustomed to seeing handsome men and beautiful women, so simple good looks held no attraction for her. But even so, when she looked at Tetsuya, she always felt that she would never get tired of watching him.
The earnestness with which he did everything, the sincerity that was never tinged with deceit or falsehood, and the decisiveness that could lead others forward—these were the things she yearned for and admired the most.
Since Soyo and Sakiko had both grown in their own ways under his influence, then... could she do the same?
"I've booked the tickets, Wakaba-san."
Just then, Tetsuya, having finished, showed his phone to her.
"Speaking of which, when we watched the live show together at [RiNG], you seemed to know a lot about the stage production side of things."
Mutsumi just shook her head lightly.
"...I only learned a little from my father and mother."
"That's more than enough. I don't need to know the highly professional stuff."
Unlike the habitually self-deprecating Mutsumi, Tetsuya had great faith in her abilities.
"After all, it's knowledge gained from two famous people with rich stage experience. For a layman like me, your opinion would be extremely valuable for reference. So... if I have any questions about the stage during the show, I'll have to ask you to enlighten me."
"...Okay."
(I see. So this is what it feels like to be trusted...)
Although her expression didn't change much, after feeling his trust in her, Mutsumi definitely felt an unprecedented sense of elation fill her chest.
(I think I can understand Soyo and Sakiko a little better now.)
From now on, I'll just follow this pace and learn more, little by little...
Until I can become an amazing person just like Sakiko and Soyo!
Looking at Chihaya Tetsuya, Mutsumi's heart was filled with motivation.