"A band?"
Hearing these two words, Togawa Sakiko's heart was filled with complex and dark emotions.
That memory she was forced to let go of, even now, it remains a knot in her heart that she can't resolve.
She had thought that after joining the fashion studio, she would never hear about bands again... she never expected it to be brought up again for such a reason.
However, facing Chihaya Tetsuya, to whom she owed a debt of kindness, she really didn't want to put him off with a lie.
"If you're asking if I know anything about it... I do know a thing or two."
"Really? You're amazing as always, Togawa."
Chihaya Tetsuya looked at Togawa Sakiko with admiration.
"Including the matter with the pajamas and stage outfit, I get the feeling that you can answer anything I ask."
"It's just that the things you've asked me about, Chihaya-nii, happen to be things I'm familiar with. In other words, it's just a coincidence."
Faced with Chihaya Tetsuya's excessive praise, Togawa Sakiko couldn't help but shake her head.
"So... is it for your sister's sake that you specifically want to learn about band culture, Chihaya-nii?"
The envy that had yet to dissipate began to quietly ferment in her heart.
Especially when she thought of how Chihaya Tetsuya's sister would now be able to happily and freely pursue band activities with her brother's support, an indescribable bitterness welled up in her heart.
Ah, this world really is unfair...
She unconsciously clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into the soft flesh of her palms.
However, before this dark emotion in her heart could fully take shape, Chihaya Tetsuya's answer left her frozen in place—
"Of course it's not just for that reason."
Chihaya Tetsuya said as he moved his own chair over.
"If it were just for my own private family matter, I wouldn't disturb your studies for it."
Then, just like a deskmate, he sat down right next to Togawa Sakiko.
"Designing the stage outfit this time was a wake-up call for me. If my goal is to become a top-tier designer, then my current knowledge base is absolutely insufficient. Idol culture and band culture are just the beginning; there's still so much more I need to learn."
At this, he turned to look at Togawa Sakiko with a slightly helpless expression.
"After all, I can't keep coming to you for help with everything in the future, can I, Togawa?"
"..."
For some reason, after hearing Chihaya Tetsuya's explanation, the dark emotion in Togawa Sakiko's heart suddenly dissipated for the most part. While feeling relieved and happy, she couldn't help but feel an uncontrollable self-loathing for her earlier narrow-minded thoughts.
(What was I thinking? Chihaya-nii is asking me for such a legitimate reason, yet all I could think of were these strange things.)
(And at the end of the day... even if Chihaya-nii really was just doing it for his sister, what position or right do I have to be dissatisfied about it?)
"...If it were possible, I would hope to truly become that kind of reliable person who can help you solve your problems at any time."
Togawa Sakiko sighed.
"But in reality, I'm just an ordinary person whose life experiences are a little more complicated than most people my age..."
"Even so, you've still helped me a great deal and taught me many things."
Faced with Togawa Sakiko's self-deprecation, Chihaya Tetsuya said in a calm tone:
"Just as I was able to successfully design a work that left me with no regrets with your help, perhaps you've also guided and helped others like this before, only you yourself never realized it. Humility is certainly a virtue, but it's not good if it turns into self-belittlement... So, Togawa, I'll be counting on you again."
"..."
If it had been anyone else, Togawa Sakiko definitely would not have accepted these words of comfort.
However, after spending this past week with him, she had come to deeply understand the essence of Chihaya Tetsuya as a person.
He never spoke empty words without reason, nor did he ever lie to others.
This person's every word, every decision, and even every action, stemmed from his own most sincere thoughts and considerations.
And precisely because of this, his words seeped into Togawa Sakiko's heart like a cool, clear stream, allowing a faint but tangible "vitality" to emerge once again in the fields of her heart that were once withered and dry—
"I understand."
Feeling the joyous beat in her chest gradually quicken, Togawa Sakiko straightened her back once more.
"Then let's get started right away, with... learning about band culture!"
...
After that, Togawa Sakiko began to systematically introduce the general types of bands and their activities to Chihaya Tetsuya.
And after a thorough and serious educational session, Togawa Sakiko logically began to recommend some of her own favorite bands to Chihaya Tetsuya.
"Considering you've never been exposed to bands before, Chihaya-nii, I think I'll start by recommending bands that are more accessible to the average music fan..."
Togawa Sakiko said as she searched for something on her phone.
"For example, this band is quite well-known in both the pop and rock scenes, and the quality of their work is impeccable. As for a specific song, I'd recommend this one—"
"[August, A Certain Place, Moonlight]?"
Chihaya Tetsuya subconsciously read the song title aloud.
"You like this song a lot?"
"...Mhm."
Togawa Sakiko nodded slightly.
"It's not just because of the melody, but mainly because the lyrics of this song... resonated with my state of mind a while back."
Mentioning this song, a subtle, bittersweet smile appeared on Togawa Sakiko's face.
"Bands... are really a strange existence. They can become a precious treasure you'll never forget, but they can also bring you painful memories you don't want to recall. Sometimes they can worsen a person's negative emotions, but other times they can give a person the strength to get back on their feet."
"..."
Hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but turn to look at Togawa Sakiko.
Just from the look of mixed emotions on her face as she spoke, it was clear enough that for Togawa Sakiko, bands... were probably far more than just something she "knew a thing or two" about.
...
Out of curiosity, and also out of concern for Togawa Sakiko, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but ask:
"Have you ever been in a band before, Togawa?"
"!"
Hearing this question, Togawa Sakiko's body first trembled subconsciously, before she gave a weak nod.
"Mhm, although it was only for a very short time... but, I have indeed had the experience of being in a band."
"..."
Had, which means it's disbanded now? What kind of band was it? And for what reason did it disband?
At this thought, Chihaya Tetsuya's curiosity was once again piqued.
However, just as Chihaya Tetsuya was about to ask something more, Hasegawa Kokoro's voice suddenly came from behind them—
"Sorry, Tetsuya-kun, to interrupt you two for a moment."
"?"
Under Chihaya Tetsuya's somewhat confused gaze, Hasegawa Kokoro waved the phone in her hand.
"It seems someone from [Watanabe Production] wants to talk to you."