"It really has been a long time!"
Looking at Toyokawa Sakiko sitting next to her, the blonde girl said happily:
"I was so surprised when you suddenly asked me out, Saki-chan! The last time we saw each other was a year ago, right?"
"Mhm, it was."
Seeing her childhood friend whom she hadn't seen in a long time, a genuine smile appeared on Toyokawa Sakiko's face.
"But we've always kept in touch, haven't we?"
With that, Toyokawa Sakiko waved the phone in her hand.
But the blonde girl said with some dissatisfaction:
"Just chatting on the phone isn't enough... I wish you'd ask me out more in the future."
"That's easy for you to say, but you've been busy lately, haven't you, Uika?"
Toyokawa Sakiko said helplessly:
"Even if I wanted to ask you out, I doubt you'd be able to find any large blocks of free time."
"...That's true."
The blonde girl—a member of the idol group [Summer Zodiac], Uika—nodded lightly.
"Our group is in its most crucial period right now, and our upcoming work schedule is packed. And from what our president says, it seems we're also going to participate in the next W.I.N.G. (Wonder Idol Nova Grand Prix)."
"Eh? Isn't that amazing!"
Hearing the name of this grand event that even outsiders had more or less heard of, Toyokawa Sakiko couldn't help but clasp her hands together:
"Congratulations, Uika. You're getting closer and closer to realizing your dream."
"It's all because of your encouragement, Saki-chan."
Uika looked into Toyokawa Sakiko's eyes and said in a serious tone:
"Whenever I feel tired or anxious, I always think back to the message you sent me back then."
"Those were just empty words... anyone could say them."
However, faced with Uika's gratitude, Toyokawa Sakiko shook her head with a calm expression.
"It's only because I was the first one you told that I was able to cheer you on right away. I didn't actually provide you with any substantial help."
"..."
Hearing Toyokawa Sakiko's words, Uika's eyes first widened in surprise. Then she carefully observed Toyokawa Sakiko's expression before speaking:
"What counts as 'substantial help'... is actually a very subjective concept. Although it's true I only told you at the time, that was also because I only wanted to hear your encouragement. And that message, which you see as just 'empty words,' became the driving force for me to move forward when you didn't know it."
"Besides, even if they're just pleasantries anyone could say, they become different when said by the right person at the right time... It's like falling in love. Maybe there are countless choices in the world, but the first one to appear before you will always be the first one you consider... In a way, it's like a game of musical chairs."
"The right time, the right person..."
Hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya's figure and that unforgettable night suddenly appeared in Toyokawa Sakiko's mind.
The night sky was clear that night, the breeze was comfortable, the streets were so quiet it was almost a joke, and even the glow of the streetlights was much brighter than usual.
To this day, she was still glad she had seen that recruitment ad on the website, and also glad she had mustered the courage to attend that interview.
To Chihaya Tetsuya, perhaps he was just offering a little help to a disheartened person out of kindness, but to her, it was a moment important enough to change the trajectory of her life—
"I understand."
Toyokawa Sakiko nodded. Then she straightened her posture and said to Uika:
"Then, in return for back then, I have something I'd like to ask your help with."
"Honestly, I would have agreed even if you didn't say all that..."
Uika smiled helplessly.
However, she was well aware of her childhood friend's pride and strength. Out of respect for her pride, she didn't insist that Sakiko take back her words.
"Alright, then. What do you need me to do for you, Saki-chan?"
"I want to ask you a few questions about idol stage outfits."
As she spoke, Toyokawa Sakiko opened her schoolbag and took out a ballpoint pen and notebook she had prepared in advance.
"Some of the questions might involve your work, but I promise you, I will never leak any secrets, nor will I use this information in any way that would be disadvantageous to you."
Faced with Toyokawa Sakiko's solemn and serious attitude, Uika's response was very simple:
"Okay, I trust you."
With that, she took off her hat and mask, then, as if accepting a reporter's interview, sat up straight alongside Toyokawa Sakiko.
"Let's begin, Saki-chan."
"Mhm."
...
After that, Toyokawa Sakiko asked a series of questions about stage outfits.
For example, common styles, basic requirements, and details like pattern types and embroidery designs.
And Uika, within the scope of her knowledge, did her best to answer Toyokawa Sakiko.
However, because Toyokawa Sakiko's questions were so specific, their conversation naturally turned to the source of these questions—
"A fashion designer's apprentice... no wonder you'd ask me these questions, Saki-chan."
Uika, having learned the truth, showed a look of understanding.
"Are you sure it's okay? You haven't studied fashion professionally before, have you, Saki-chan?"
"It's alright. My employer is a very kind person. He's given me enough time to study."
Toyokawa Sakiko shook her head.
"And... he helped me when I needed it most. I want to repay him no matter what."
"I see, that's good then."
Seeing the look of determination and fighting spirit on her childhood friend's face, Uika smiled and nodded.
"Since he's your benefactor, Saki-chan, then he's my benefactor, too... Go on, ask away."
"Mhm, the next question... ah, this one might be a bit abstract."
Toyokawa Sakiko showed a slightly hesitant expression.
"If you were to have a stage outfit custom-made for yourself, Uika, what would you pay special attention to?"
"...My own stage outfit?"
Faced with this rather vague and subjective question, Uika showed a thoughtful expression.
"The first thing would be that it has to match my personal style. For example, I have a mature image, so if it were an overly vibrant visual-kei-style outfit, it would definitely detract from my performance..."
Toyokawa Sakiko wrote in her notebook as she continued to ask:
"So, first you have to understand the other person's personal style, right?"
"Strictly speaking, it's their stage style. After all, a stage outfit is a special type of clothing for a specific occasion, so you only need to consider the type of event it will appear in."
Uika explained:
"As for the second point, that would definitely be the workmanship of the clothes. According to our manager, who's also the vice president, she once had to wear a poorly made and low-quality stage outfit at the request of a TV crew. In order to endure the discomfort as much as possible, she spent almost the entire show trying to distract herself."
"...So, comfort is also very important?"
Hearing this, Toyokawa Sakiko showed an expression of utter surprise.
"I thought stage outfits didn't need to consider those things at all."
"That's true for the audience, but for the person performing on stage, whether the outfit is comfortable or not is extremely important! If a poorly made outfit makes a person focus extra attention on 'endurance,' then a comfortable outfit can directly convert that energy into a better 'state'."
Uika said as such:
"That way, you should be able to understand, right? For an entertainer, being able to wear a comfortable stage outfit can also greatly improve their personal performance!"
"I see, I understand now!"
If that was the case, then Chihaya-san's design philosophy could still be preserved. Not only that, but his personal strengths could also be put to great use in this design!
This was great news!
Feeling a little more at ease, Toyokawa Sakiko asked her next question.
"The next question is a bit abstract, so Uika, just give me your honest thoughts—"
"If the theme of the stage outfit was [Constellations], what would come to your mind?"
"...Hm?"