"I see, so Sakiko made a request like that..."
After eating together, the two of them naturally started talking about the matter while clearing the table.
"It seems she really has high hopes for your band."
"Rather than having faith in us, it's more like she has faith in Tomori."
Soyo, who was wiping the table, shook her head.
"It was the same back in [CRYCHIC]. She always loved the lyrics Tomori wrote, and she highly valued her sensitivity, her ability to infuse her emotions into her singing."
"But if it were just Tomori alone, neither [CRYCHIC] nor [MyGO!!!!!] would exist. In that case, no matter how excellent her lyrics are, they would never become real songs."
Tetsuya, in his usual, incredibly gentle tone, said to Soyo:
"That's an unchangeable fact, a clear cause and effect. So don't overthink things anymore. Every single one of you is indispensable."
He was worried that Soyo might, like before, get stuck on some strange, negative thought by brooding on her own.
Fortunately, however, Soyo's expression showed no trace of gloom. Especially after hearing Tetsuya's reassurance, she even wore a slightly helpless expression.
"I'm not overthinking it. I was just stating the facts. After all, Tomori really does possess a certain talent that we can't replicate."
Knowing he was trying to comfort her, Soyo couldn't help but say with a sense of resignation:
"Besides, Sakiko did say it was a request for the band [MyGO!!!!!]. She made it so clear, I'm not so petty as to get hung up on that."
"Is that so? That's good, then."
Tetsuya nodded, then sat back down at the dining table.
"It seems that outfit really did help you see things much more clearly than before. In that case, Sakiko's goal was achieved."
"..."
Although this guy was full of unguarded openings from head to toe, his way of thinking and his perspective on problems were fundamentally different from theirs.
His attentiveness, always mindful of what was in others' hearts, and his gentleness, genuinely striving for the happiness of others—both were incredibly admirable qualities. No wonder that Anon girl was always showing him off to everyone. If it were her... she would surely be proud to have such an outstanding older brother as well.
But the problem was, the person himself was completely unaware of this.
Just like with that outfit. Although he always gave all the credit to Sakiko, what she had actually felt from that costume was not just Sakiko's apology and encouragement, but also this guy's unreserved kindness.
That light and comfortable feeling, and that straight arrow shining under the lights—it was obvious whose handiwork that was...
Even though everything he did was the kind of thing that would make one's heart flutter, he didn't seem to think he had done anything special at all, even taking a detached stance after everything was over.
"Tetsuya."
"...Hm?"
"Before this, have you really never been confessed to by any girl other than Hoshino Ai?"
Soyo was rather curious about this.
Hearing her question, Tetsuya subconsciously started to answer, but he quickly closed his mouth again, a thoughtful expression on his face.
In the past, he would have answered "no" without hesitation. Recently, however, whenever he recalled his past, he always found things in the details that he had overlooked for years.
"Maybe... I have been. It's just that I was completely oblivious at the time, so I subconsciously never paid it any mind."
Tetsuya scratched his head.
"After all, back then, I was completely focused on learning how to make clothes. Forget about romance, I didn't even have any other hobbies..."
"What about now?"
Soyo pressed on.
"If it were now, would you be able to realize it?"
"Well..."
An image of Hoshino Ai unconsciously surfaced in Tetsuya's mind.
Under her almost fanatical pursuit and advances, he had finally come to understand just how actively a person could be driven by feelings of love.
But, that was probably a situation limited to Hoshino Ai. Anyone else would surely not express their feelings for him in such an extreme manner.
If that were the case, could he really reach the conclusion that "the other person definitely likes me"?
"To be honest, I don't know."
In the end, Tetsuya shook his head frankly.
"Until now, I've always been seeking a sense of security from others, the kind that comes with lasting companionship and a lifelong familial bond... But now, I'm finding that what I'm seeking isn't just that anymore."
Ever since that night with Hoshino Ai, the way he looked at the girls around him and the wicked thoughts that occasionally popped into his head were a constant reminder that something inside him had undergone an irreversible change.
Besides Ai, the main culprit, he had recently begun to realize that there seemed to be something attractive about Sakiko and Soyo as well. Even for Anon, whom he had always cherished and cared for like a little sister, he was now having some... not-so-normal impulses.
"I know I lack common sense on certain issues, but now... I feel like I'm gradually recovering these belated things."
Recalling the scene of Soyo, wearing an apron, tidying his hair, Tetsuya said with a serious expression:
"So, don't think that just because I've always been gentle with you all, I won't possibly turn into a terrible, dangerous man in the future. For your own safety, I think... I should probably keep a certain distance from all of you."
"...Our safety?"
Soyo was taken aback for a moment, then she looked into Tetsuya's eyes.
"You mean, you think you might do something to us in the future?"
"Uh, well... I'm just saying there's a possibility!"
Afraid she had misunderstood, Tetsuya quickly explained:
"Before this, I've always treated you all the way I would a younger sister. But recently, I've come to a profound realization that you're all girls close to my age. That is to say... I think I should proactively keep some distance."
"..."
I see. So he's at that stage.
Having heard the complete account of his inner journey, Soyo instantly had her answer.
He was indeed gradually awakening to his male consciousness under Hoshino Ai's influence... but it was far from enough.
He needed a bit more stimulation, to make his so-called "danger" a little more intense. That way... the possibility of him "making a mistake" would continue to increase...
But that was okay. There was still plenty of time.
In the future, whether it was her... or Hoshino Ai, there would surely be many opportunities to help this dense guy grow further.
And when that time came...
Gazing at Tetsuya's still-proper expression, an indescribable sense of anticipation began to well up in Soyo's heart...