The matter of starting his own brand had somewhat preoccupied Tetsuya's thoughts, but it didn't affect what he had to do now.
Compared to that still-uncertain plan, Tetsuya preferred to focus on the work at hand.
Besides the two stage outfits for [Summer Zodiac] due in a month, Anon's band was also waiting for his designs.
"Takamatsu-san's and Nagasaki-san's designs are mostly complete. Anon hasn't decided whether she wants a visual-kei style or something consistent with the other members. That leaves Shiina-san and that stray cat."
After the meeting with Soyo, Tetsuya had begun to take this band more seriously than before. Especially after that negotiation, he had even developed a habit of stopping by the [RiNG] café for a while before heading to the studio for work.
On one hand, it was to find more inspiration for stage outfits from the various band members coming and going. On the other, it was to increase his opportunities to interact with Anon's bandmates.
After all, in a sense, this band carried Togawa's past and held Anon's future. And as someone with close ties to both of them, a special connection had naturally formed between him and this band.
"So, who should I design for next?"
Tetsuya picked up the latte he had just ordered and fell into a brief moment of contemplation.
However, before long, a commotion from the direction of the studio gradually disrupted his thoughts—
"So I'm saying, what's wrong with it? Just give it a try, Taki!"
"I said no, and I mean no. Soyo, you're back in contact with Togawa Sakiko, right? In that case, can't you just ask her to compose?"
"Sakiko has her own work to do. She doesn't have time to compose for us."
"Tsk... Hey, Raana, can you compose?"
"Hm? Can I just improvise the whole song?"
"Forget it. Forget I asked."
The voices of the group grew closer from the studio. When Tetsuya looked up, the five girls of the band had already naturally sat down at his table—
"Hm? Is it break time already?"
"Not really, we just wanted to come out for some air and discuss the new song."
Anon sat down beside Tetsuya very naturally, then complained:
"Taki is the only one of the five of us who knows how to compose, but she refuses no matter what..."
"Don't use that kind of phrasing to guilt-trip me. More importantly, why do I have to bear this responsibility?"
Shiina Taki retorted.
"Since you're already back in touch with Togawa Sakiko, just wait until she's done with her work and ask her to compose then."
"Eh... Are you really that against it?"
Anon propped her chin on her hands.
"Besides, Togawa-san isn't a member of our band. It feels a bit weird to ask an outsider to compose for us..."
"Don't you dare call Sakiko an outsider."
Soyo said with a frown.
"She was only forced to leave us. That doesn't mean she has no connection to us anymore."
"Ugh, so annoying. There are two super annoying women here..."
Anon hugged Tetsuya's arm with a look of disgust.
"Nii-san, what on earth should we do?"
"...?"
Tetsuya, who had no idea what was going on, really wanted to ask his sister, "What's this got to do with me?" However, when he looked up at the other girls, he found that they were all looking at him as well...
"...Sigh."
Realizing he had no way out, Tetsuya could only reluctantly put down his pencil.
"I don't know if I can help, but anyway... just tell me what's going on first, will you?"
...
"So, ever since we went to that show together, Tomori and I have been thinking that our band should write its own songs! And since Taki is the only one here who can compose, I had to ask her, but she just refuses no matter what!"
Anon pouted.
"Haven't you ever heard the saying 'with great power comes great responsibility,' Taki? Now is the time for you to live up to that responsibility!"
"...What is this nonsense? I said I know a little about composing, but I never said what level I'm at!"
Taki immediately retorted with a frown.
"If anything, it's precisely out of a sense of responsibility that I won't easily accept the task of composing. For a half-baked amateur who has never tried to arrange a song independently, the task of 'the band's first song' is far too daunting. You guys don't want our band's first song to be low-quality, do you?"
"Eh? Do you really have to put yourself down that much..."
Anon was a bit dumbfounded.
"Besides, aren't we just an amateur band in the end? What's wrong with a slightly amateurish arrangement?"
"...In any case, no means no."
Taki's attitude was firm.
"I can try my hand at arranging songs later on, but the first song... we really should leave it to someone more professional! Like... Togawa Sakiko."
"..."
Hearing that name again, Tetsuya couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.
Togawa again. It feels like no matter what these kids talk about, it always circles back to Togawa.
Come to think of it, when they were [CRYCHIC], the arrangements were handled by Togawa. Although they only left behind one song, its quality and completeness were indeed impeccable...
"I can try arranging later? But not the first song?"
Thinking of this, Tetsuya couldn't help but look up at Taki's expression.
And just as he expected, amidst that obvious refusal, there was also a hint of indescribable hesitation.
...
(Togawa... she's truly left a heavy mark.)
Tetsuya, who had vaguely sensed the truth, subconsciously glanced at the last victim "hurt" by Togawa. However, to his surprise, Soyo was also looking at him at that moment. The instant their eyes met, she immediately averted her gaze.
Looks like I can't count on this one to express her thoughts.
But in the end, was Taki's choice really wrong?
After all, whether or not to take on this responsibility was Taki's own decision. Moreover, she was only declining the first song, not shirking all responsibility. From an outsider's perspective, Tetsuya didn't think Taki was in the wrong.
Just as Tetsuya was about to say something in Taki's defense, a sudden call from the counter made everyone freeze.
"Hey, Taki, are you free right now? We have something we want to ask you... or rather, your band!"
"For the show in ten days, one of the bands suddenly had to cancel. Could we trouble your band to fill in?"