"Whoa, so a fashion studio has a place like this..."
Walking into the product room, Uika began to look around at the various clothes with a curious expression.
But soon, as she followed Tetsuya deeper into the product room, she immediately retracted her gaze.
"So... what did you want to discuss with me, Tetsuya-san?"
Uika asked.
"To insist on speaking with me alone even under such a resentful gaze, it must be something quite important, right?"
"Well... as for whether it's important, I suppose you could say it is."
Tetsuya's expression seemed a little hesitant.
"But this is a problem I absolutely cannot let Ai hear, so..."
"Ah, I get it, I get it."
Uika nodded in understanding.
"Don't worry, Tetsuya-san, I'll keep it a secret from Ai. Feel free to ask whatever you need to!"
"Mhm, thank you, Uika."
Reassured, Tetsuya's expression relaxed a little.
And then, he asked a question that greatly puzzled Uika:
"Ever since that day... has Ai shown any rather abnormal behavior?"
"Hm?"
Hearing this question, Uika was stunned for a good while before asking back:
"Abnormal behavior? If anything, Ai is never normal to begin with..."
"Relatively speaking, relatively speaking."
Tetsuya quickly added.
"Has she done anything recently that she's never done before!"
"Let me think..."
Uika tapped her chin lightly with her finger.
"If I had to say there's something special... ever since that day, Ai's mental state and work ethic have both improved visibly."
But Uika already had a good idea about the real reason for this improvement.
"After all, she hasn't given up on her plan. It's not strange for her to work hard to achieve the most sensational effect possible at the May live."
"...I see."
Hearing the answer, Tetsuya didn't look relieved. Instead, he looked even more conflicted.
"In other words, the problem really is with me..."
"? What problem?"
Uika was very concerned.
In her eyes, a problem that could trouble this level-headed and intelligent creator must be very complex and difficult.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Well... besides myself, I'm afraid no one can help."
Tetsuya shook his head with a wry smile.
"Besides, it would be far too rude to discuss this kind of thing with a girl, so let's just end the topic here."
"..."
Although Tetsuya had forcibly ended the topic, Uika's thoughts certainly didn't stop there.
He deliberately avoided Ai and asked if she had any abnormal behavior. He became conflicted after getting a negative answer and began to fall into baseless self-reflection. A topic that only he can solve, one he can't discuss with a girl. And another important point, the starting point of the problem was after 'that night'. Add to that what Sakiko had recently told her about Tetsuya's recent abnormalities...
...
(Ah, could that be it?)
As Uika mulled over the guess that had just popped into her head, a small smile involuntarily appeared on her face.
If that's the case, then he definitely can't let Ai hear this. Otherwise, that girl who has just barely settled down would surely go on a rampage again.
But... now that I know something so interesting, it would be a shame to just ignore it.
Should I tell Saki-chan and let her seize this opportunity? Or should I be a good person for once and help Tetsuya-san think of a solution to this problem?
Uika's mind was suddenly filled with all sorts of ideas.
However, while she was still spacing out, Tetsuya had, at some point, pushed a rack full of clothes right in front of her.
"Let's put my 'little problem' aside for now. It's time to talk business."
"...Eh?"
Her thoughts not yet having shifted, Uika's reaction was a bit slow.
"Business? Ah, you mean about the design!"
"That's right."
Tetsuya nodded.
"Now, please pick your favorite item from these clothes."
"...Eh?"
Uika's gaze shifted to the rack in front of her. On it were all sorts of long dresses, basically covering most of the styles available on the market.
"Um, is it okay to just choose based on my own preference?"
"Yes."
Tetsuya said, walking over to another rack with women's tops.
"Just put it on the table over there after you've chosen. And then... please pick your favorite top from here as well."
"Eh..."
And so, Tetsuya kept pushing racks in front of Uika, having her pick out her favorite clothes.
And Uika, completely bewildered, followed Tetsuya's instructions, picking out items one by one.
Only after the small table originally used for packing clothes was piled high did Tetsuya finally return the racks to their original places.
"Well then, please wait for me a moment."
After saying this, Tetsuya sat down at the table and began to look through the clothes Uika had selected, one by one.
"A mid-length shirt dress, a white knit sweater, a pleated skirt, mid-calf combat boots..."
After checking all the clothes, Tetsuya nodded thoughtfully.
"Mature, independent, simple, detailed..."
"W-wait a minute, Tetsuya-san!"
As various adjectives kept coming out of Tetsuya's mouth, Uika, who had been looking lost, suddenly felt as if she were being scrutinized.
"Before that, could you explain the reason for doing this?"
"If I want to design an outfit that won't lose to Ai's, then I need more than just an original shape and fine workmanship... I also need to understand the wearer herself."
Tetsuya said, his gaze shifting back to the clothes on the table.
"And these... are the most effective way to help me understand you."
"...Eh?"
Uika also stared blankly at the clothes on the table.
"Just by these clothes... you'll be able to understand me, Tetsuya-san?"
"No, this is just the first step, to confirm your preferences without any constraints... or rather, what you 'seek' from clothing. Next, I need you to try them all on."
Tetsuya stood up and handed Uika the dress she had picked out first.
"In order to create an outfit exclusively for you... for tonight only, I need you to be my 'dress-up doll'."