"Since it's a design that both Saki and Mr. Tetsuya have approved, then let's go with that!"
Although she didn't yet know the specifics of the outfit, out of trust for the two of them, Uika agreed without a shred of hesitation.
"By the way, will you and Saki be making this outfit together, like you did for Nagasaki-san?"
"...No."
Sakiko pursed her lips slightly.
"The techniques required for this outfit... I haven't mastered them yet."
"I see... then it seems it will be an outfit of a very high professional level."
Hearing this, Uika, on the other end of the phone, first let out a sigh of vague understanding, then continued to ask:
"So, besides notifying me about the general design, is there anything else?"
"Also, in order to enhance the presentation of this outfit as much as possible, we might... need you to come to the studio to assist with adjustments."
Sakiko said.
"And because this design is a little complicated, you might have to come several times."
"I see, I understand."
Uika acknowledged.
"Just let me know in advance when you need the adjustments, and I'll arrange my schedule with my manager."
"Mhm, thank you then."
Sakiko nodded and prepared to end the call.
However, just as her finger was about to press the disconnect button, Uika suddenly spoke again:
"Sakiko... are you okay?"
"..."
Sakiko's movement paused for a brief moment before she replied:
"What do you mean?"
"Hmm, I just feel like your mood today is... a little strange compared to a while ago."
Uika's tone was slightly worried.
"Did something happen?"
"...No."
Sakiko shook her head, then added:
"I'm just a little tired. I'll be fine after a night's sleep."
"Ah, is that so!"
Uika let out a sound of sudden realization.
"That's good, then. I won't disturb your rest. Goodnight, Saki!"
"You too. Goodnight, Uika."
...
After hanging up, Sakiko put down her phone. After a long period of hesitation, she finally dialed that number—
"I didn't expect you to contact me at this hour."
Luna's voice came from the other end of the receiver.
"Is something the matter, Miss Togawa Sakiko?"
"I am terribly sorry to disturb you at this time—"
"Skip the pleasantries. I'm not like other young ladies; you don't need to be so deferential with me."
Luna said.
"Just tell me what you want."
"Please give me Ms. Yamabuki's contact information."
Hearing that, Sakiko no longer hesitated and stated the purpose of her call directly.
"I have a few questions I want to ask her."
"Heeh? Is that so."
Luna first let out a surprised sound, then her voice suddenly grew distant from the receiver—
"Yachiyo, it seems Miss Togawa Sakiko has something to ask you."
"Understood. In that case, we will continue the rest of the lesson later."
Hearing the conversation from not too far away, Sakiko was a little surprised.
"...A lesson?"
"Mhm, I'm in class right now."
"At this hour?!"
"After all, I was just 'schooled' by a certain fledgling apprentice not long ago. In order to avoid making the same mistake in the future, I naturally have to find a way to make up for my shortcomings."
Luna said in a slightly teasing tone.
And then, with a faint crackle, Yamabuki Yachiyo's voice came through.
"Good evening, Miss Togawa. May I ask what questions you have?"
"It's about Chihaya... about Chihaya Tetsuya starting his own business."
Sakiko straightened her posture and asked:
"I learned from a friend... that it seems to be extremely difficult to establish a personal brand at this time."
"Mhm, that is indeed correct."
Yachiyo gave an affirmative reply.
"With capital backing, this year's 'NozAK!' is expanding far too aggressively. To avoid conflict, almost all fashion brands are making concessions to them this year, and even other related industries are gradually leaning towards them."
"...Will this trend continue?"
"From the look of their momentum, it will be like this for at least the next six months. If their results this year are good enough, then that time will likely be extended."
Yachiyo analyzed.
"And during this period, the living space for small and medium-sized enterprises and personal brands will be continuously squeezed until they are either forced to give up or are swallowed by them."
"Then... can Chihaya-nii really withstand such immense pressure on his own?"
Sakiko couldn't help but ask.
"Or rather, under these circumstances... what can be done to achieve results in a short amount of time under the intense pressure from [NozAK!]?"
"In a short amount of time, you say..."
This constraint made Yachiyo fall into thought.
"The simplest way... would be a fashion show."
The first thing that came to her mind was, naturally, this almost common-sense answer in the industry.
"Holding a fashion show that is recognized by the fashion industry is the first step for a personal brand to succeed. However... the connections and fame required to hold a fashion show are not something an ordinary designer has, let alone Mr. Chihaya, who is only a 19-year-old up-and-coming designer. It's probably unrealistic for him to hold any large-scale fashion show with his current influence."
"...Even with your help?"
"I apologize, Miss Togawa, but in terms of connections... I'm afraid we cannot be of any help."
The head maid's tone was slightly complicated.
"And considering Mr. Chihaya's current situation of being targeted by 'NozAK!', an introduction from others would likely not be enough to make anyone dare to take such a huge risk to support him."
"Then besides a fashion show... are there any other methods?"
Sakiko asked hurriedly.
After a moment of thought, Yachiyo spoke again slowly.
"There is one, but... the difficulty may be a bit high."
"Eh? Really?!"
Sakiko's face lit up with surprise and joy.
"What is it, please tell me!"
"This year's September 'Tokyo Girls Collection'."
Yachiyo said.
"This is an open-to-the-public fashion show for all of society. All the models selected are well-known domestic entertainers and celebrities, so both its attention and influence are top-tier."
"If Mr. Chihaya can persuade the organizers and a model to wear a costume designed by him on the TGC runway, then... this would be the most suitable opportunity to prove his strength to the fashion world."
"..."
Hearing this, a name immediately flashed through Sakiko's mind—
Hoshino Ai.
If it were her, she would absolutely be qualified to stand on the TGC stage.
But the problem was her position.
If they wanted her to give up on her self-destruction, they had to give her a so-called "possibility" between her and Tetsuya, and in Sakiko's view, this "possibility" should refer to his personal brand.
However, now, if they wanted Tetsuya's brand to be established successfully, Hoshino Ai's status as an idol had become an indispensable condition.
Moreover, TGC was in September, but the time limit Ai had given was May.
What could be done to resolve this pressing contradiction...
Sakiko gripped her phone tightly, lost in deep thought.