Until now, Chihaya Tetsuya had never tried to draw design sketches anywhere other than his home or his studio.
However, as he actually sat in the café at [RiNG] and took out his paper and pencil, he suddenly found that the feeling of observing the attire of passersby while thinking up design ideas was actually quite nice.
Ah, that child who just walked by is wearing a rather unique outfit... An off-the-shoulder top with metal rivets and denim shorts... a very clear punk style.
And that child over there in the loose hoodie, would that be considered a casual style? Perhaps designing along those lines would also be good...
...
"No, I came here to design stage costumes for my sister's band members, not to watch a fashion show of passersby!"
Realizing this, Tetsuya hurriedly retracted his gaze and began to choose a subject in his mind.
"I can put Anon's aside for now, I can design for her at home anytime... I should probably start with the other three girls here."
And among those three, the one he understood the most was undoubtedly Takamatsu Tomori. So, naturally, Tetsuya's first design subject was none other than her—
So, what kind of outfit would suit Tomori?
"First, the band's style has been mostly decided as 'hardcore,' so cute-style decorations and silhouettes like those on idol costumes will have to be abandoned."
"From a personal aura standpoint... with her introverted and timid personality, she absolutely has to avoid a look that's too visual kei. Plus, with her facial features being somewhat more childlike than her peers, a mature style won't work either."
"As for her stage style, based on how they were practicing their song that afternoon, her voice becomes slightly androgynous when she sings. It would be best if the costume could reflect that... Hmm, for the first outfit, let's tentatively decide on pants for the bottoms."
"Finally, her personality and how she'd feel wearing it. That child probably can't accept a style that's too avant-garde just yet. In that case, a slightly thicker long-sleeved top should make her feel more at ease."
Just like that, based on his analysis of Tomori, Tetsuya began to quickly sketch two rough outlines on his paper.
To give a simple summary of the two designs, the one on the left leaned more towards a simple and clean casual style, while the one on the right emphasized an androgynous and individualistic street style.
According to the concepts in Tetsuya's mind, either one would suit Tomori well.
However, comparing the two, the former could not only be used as a stage costume but also as Tomori's daily wear, while the latter, with its more outstanding visual impact, was better suited as a pure performance outfit.
"They each have their pros and cons..."
Tetsuya muttered, pinching his chin.
"Which one should I choose..."
"...I think the one on the right is better."
"Emphasizing visuals and stage presence, huh? Mmm, as a stage costume, it is indeed more suitable, but given Takamatsu-san's personality, she would probably prefer the one on the left...Eh?"
At this point, Tetsuya suddenly realized that an unexpected guest seemed to have joined in on his monologue.
And when he turned his gaze in the direction of the voice, a somewhat stunned expression immediately appeared on his face.
Short silver hair, mismatched eyes, facial features even more youthful than Tomori's, a flat expression that made her thoughts unreadable, and the guitar case she held in her hand—
"You're... that stray cat from [RiNG]?"
"?"
The silver-haired girl, who had appeared by Tetsuya's side at some point, first tilted her head, then uttered two words in a monotone voice:
"Raana."
"...Your name is Raana?"
Facing this girl whose aura and way of speaking were completely out of the ordinary, Tetsuya couldn't help but think to himself:
(She really is a strange kid.)
However, more than this conclusion he had already reached last night, the fact that this child would appear so easily before him on the very next day and directly offer her opinion on his design...
"Do you know me?"
"Mhm, I saw you talking with them before."
Raana said as she sat down across from Tetsuya.
Although she didn't use any actual names, Tetsuya understood that the "them" Raana was referring to was Anon's band.
On the other side, under Tetsuya's pensive gaze, Raana skillfully called over a waiter and ordered a matcha parfait.
After she finished ordering, seeing that Tetsuya's eyes had been fixed on her this entire time, Raana tilted her head slightly.
"This... aren't you going to keep drawing?"
"I have to go to work later, so I don't have much time to add details... What about you, aren't you going to rehearse with them?"
Tetsuya asked, putting down his pencil.
"You said you wanted to play in a band with them, didn't you?"
"Mhm, I did."
Raana nodded lightly.
"But before that, I want to eat a parfait."
"..."
Wilful, and true to herself.
In other words, this child has absolutely no sense of team coordination.
Tetsuya propped his chin on his hand, looking at the girl in front of him who had casually picked up his two draft sketches.
This feeling of helplessness, as if he were trying to communicate with an alien, reminded him of dealing with the five- and six-year-old children at the orphanage.
Although the reasons and actual circumstances were different, in short, if one wanted to communicate with a child who lacked cooperativeness and social skills, the first thing to do was to try and understand their way of thinking. Then, using that as a basis, one had to convey effective information in a way the other person could accept.
So, for this free-spirited "stray cat" who was true to her desires, if he wanted her to listen to him, the best way would be to satisfy a portion of her wants...
"For what reason do you want to join their band, Raana?"
"Because it's fun."
Raana said without looking up.
"Especially that girl named Tomori... she's an interesting woman."
"Where did you even learn a line like that?"
Tetsuya couldn't help but be amused by her words, which fit neither her age nor her persona.
"I don't intend to judge your style or way of thinking, but it seems they've already decided to have you be the lead guitarist. If you continue to be so unpredictable, it might prevent the band from being able to rehearse or perform normally."
"...And?"
"And then they'll get angry at you, and they'll never let you play with them again."
Tetsuya used a very simple and direct explanation.
"Are you okay with that?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Raana's eyes flickered slightly, and then she gently shook her head.
"That wouldn't be fun."
"Right? So later, after you finish your parfait, don't forget to exchange contact info with them... I doubt you'll be able to be on time, but at the very least, don't just disappear and go missing."
With that, Tetsuya glanced at the time and then stood up.
"As a memento of our first meeting, the parfait is on me. Well then, I'll see you next time."
"Hm?"
Raana looked up from the design sketches.
"...You don't want these two drawings?"
"I don't need them. They're just two rough drafts to decide on a general style. I'll draw the more detailed designs when I get back."
Tetsuya said.
"If you like them, you can have them. But as for your own design, it'll take me some time to get it to you. Until then, please cooperate properly with their band activities."
"Mhm, I will."
Raana nodded. Just then, the waiter brought her matcha parfait to her table.
The moment she saw the parfait, her gaze immediately shifted from the two sketches to the dessert in front of her.
Seeing her look just like a stray cat that had spotted food, Tetsuya first shook his head with some amusement, then headed to the counter to pay for the matcha parfait Raana had ordered, just as he had said he would.
"Mmm... delicious."
Raana first took a large scoop of ice cream with the plastic spoon and put it in her mouth. Then, with the spoon still dangling from her lips, she looked at Tetsuya's back as he paid and mumbled in an indistinct voice:
"...An interesting man."
No matter how wilful a wild animal may be, there is always a way to tame it.
It seemed that perhaps, another reason for this stray cat to behave had just been found.