"Hey! Brother, listen to me! I met a super nice girl at the Live House today!"
The moment she got home, Chihaya Anon couldn't wait to tell Tetsuya about her day.
"I thought it would be hard to find someone willing to start a band with me, but I can't believe I found someone in just a few days! Oh, right, she was wearing the uniform for [Tsukinomori], so she's a genuine rich girl!"
"...That's wonderful. Congratulations, Anon."
Tetsuya, who was holding his phone, looked up and said to his elated sister:
"To become the most famous guitarist in school, you'll have to work hard from now on."
"Of course... by the way, what are you watching, Brother?"
Anon tossed her school bag right onto the sofa, then squeezed in next to her brother.
"Hm? What's this... an interview? Huh? Wait, isn't this [Summer Zodiac]?!"
Seeing the screen of Tetsuya's phone, her eyes instantly widened.
"What is it, what is it? Any interesting news?"
"Not news, it's a preview for their new music video."
Tetsuya said as such:
"The one I designed the outfits for."
"Oh! I see!"
Anon nodded in understanding.
"What did they say in the interview? Did they praise the clothes you made, Brother?"
"No, the interview was basically about their experiences during the shoot."
"Aww... that's no fun."
Anon very naturally lifted her head and rested her chin on Tetsuya's shoulder.
"They should at least pay some attention to your clothes... you worked so hard on them, Brother."
"No need to rush. If my work is truly recognized by the public, then people will naturally notice after the music video is released."
Tetsuya said, using his other hand to stroke his sister's hair.
At the same time, the interview on the screen was gradually coming to an end—
[Well then, as a closing message for your first music video, is there anything the two of you would like to say to your fans?]
[Ah, let me answer this one!]
After the two exchanged a simple glance, Hoshino Ai proactively took the microphone. Then, very naturally, she looked at the camera with an incredibly sweet and charming smile—
"?!"
For some reason, as Tetsuya stared at the phone screen, he had the sudden illusion that he was making direct eye contact with Hoshino Ai.
[I'm sure everyone has had the experience of looking up at the stars at night! I wonder if you've ever noticed that if one star is particularly bright, it becomes hard for people to notice the other, dimmer stars.]
[And the goal for us, "Summer Zodiac," is to become that star bright enough to light up the entire night sky, the one that completely captures your entire gaze!]
[Oh my, that's quite an ambitious goal!]
The host couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:
[However, the goal of capturing all of your fans' gazes must surely be the dream of every idol!]
[Hehehe~]
Hoshino Ai didn't answer the question, but continued to gaze at the camera with those smiling eyes...
[Well then, that's all for this interview. Let's all look forward to the official release of "Summer Zodiac's" new song—"Wakusei Loop" (Planet Loop)!]
......
"As I thought, no matter how many times I see her... Hoshino Ai is so cute."
After watching the interview, Anon lifted her head from her brother's shoulder and leaned back against the sofa with a sigh.
"If it's her, she could definitely capture everyone's gaze with ease... what do you think, Brother?"
"......"
On the other side, Tetsuya, who had slowly lowered his phone, didn't respond to the question his sister had tossed his way.
And seeing the inexplicably dazed expression on Tetsuya's face, Anon couldn't help but ask:
"Hm? Brother? What's wrong?"
"...It's nothing."
Tetsuya shook his head.
"By the way, Anon, once your band is successfully formed, how about I design your stage outfits for you?"
"Eh?! Really?!"
Anon instantly shot up from the sofa with a look of pleasant surprise.
"But you have your own work, don't you, Brother? Wouldn't designing clothes for us be a bother for you?"
"Well... for various reasons, I happen to have quite a bit of free time on my hands."
Tetsuya said as such:
"Besides, I've been studying a lot about band culture and stage outfits recently. Rather than it being a bother, you could say that I'm hoping you'll give me a chance to try."
"Oh, come on, if it's your design, Brother, there won't be any problems!"
Anon expressed her boundless trust and support for her brother.
"Haaah~ I can't take it, now I'm even more excited for the day the band is officially formed!"
With that, the restless Anon stood up directly from the sofa.
"I'm going to my room to practice guitar! Remember not to eavesdrop, Brother!"
"Okay, do your best."
"Yes, sir!"
Anon first gave her brother a mock-serious salute, then picked up her school bag and bounced her way into her room...
"...Right, I should probably start drafting some ideas for the May job."
After watching his sister go back to her room, Tetsuya first put his phone back in his pocket, then also headed towards his own room.
However, the moment he closed the door, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang—
"Good evening, Director Hasegawa."
[Good evening, Tetsuya-kun.]
Hasegawa Kokoro's voice came through the phone.
[Sorry to call you so suddenly at this hour, but I thought you'd want to know about this as soon as possible—]
[Regarding the theme for "Summer Zodiac's" May Live, "Watanabe Production" has sent it to me.]
"Eh? Really!?"
The moment he heard it was about work, Tetsuya immediately focused all his attention.
"What's the theme?!"
[Well, this time, the theme is a little abstract. But the more undefined the theme, the more freedom it gives the designer to be creative.]
And so, under Tetsuya's tense and curious gaze, Hasegawa Kokoro clearly stated the keyword for the live performance—
[This time, the Live's theme is... "Astray (迷途)."]