The backstage of [TGC] was much more crowded than Mutsumi had imagined.
Besides the relevant models, stylists, and staff coming and going, there was also a lot of media trying to get first-hand information, as well as industry insiders gathered here with their own different purposes.
And amidst that bustling crowd, Tetsuya was currently shuttling between the models' dressing rooms and the backstage corridors, sometimes holding tailoring tools, sometimes carrying fabrics with unknown purposes. Considering he had long since completely altered the outfits for Ai and Uika in private, presumably these things were for other models.
Didn't he already promise Uika that he absolutely wouldn't help other models adjust their outfits this time? Why was he still going in and out of backstage holding these things?
Feeling slightly mindful of this, Mutsumi couldn't help but shake her head, and then she passed through the crowd, getting a little closer to where he was—
"The shoulder position only needs to be taken in by two millimeters, and then if you fold this hem inward at this spot, the overall look will also become more coordinated."
Looking at Tetsuya, who was patiently explaining the technique to the stylist in front of him, Mutsumi immediately nodded in sudden realization.
"..."
So that was it. What he promised Uika before was that he wouldn't help other models adjust their outfits, but he never said he wasn't allowed to help other stylists.
"Chihaya-san has also started to become more and more slick..."
Compared to his previous self who would execute any promise one hundred percent, the current Tetsuya seemed to have learned how to do things under the table. Although for a member of society and a manager this was a very basic skill, for the girls around him, this growth also represented more trouble...
Fortunately, the person he was interacting with this time was a male stylist... but perhaps next time he would encounter a female of a similar age! That situation would be completely different!
Sigh, it seemed from now on she would have to remind Sakiko and the others to tighten Chihaya-san's collar a bit more.
Thinking of this, the gaze Mutsumi directed at Tetsuya immediately became a bit more focused. And as this sense of crisis settled in, she herself gradually realized that her attitude towards Tetsuya had long since completely shifted from being an initial "bystander" to an "involved party."
Not wanting him to talk to other girls, not wanting other girls to notice him, while yearning for the many merits he possessed, simultaneously worrying whether she was also just one of the many outsiders to him...
"Chihaya-san... is equally patient and gentle no matter who it is."
Looking at Tetsuya's expression that couldn't be any more familiar to her, Mutsumi muttered to herself.
Just like how he acted when going on a date with her that day, even when facing a stranger he was meeting for the first time, Tetsuya would always hold a considerable degree of patience, as well as a gentleness that was constantly considerate of the other party.
These merits, which seemed highly commendable to others, were merely the absolute basics for him. If he was treating someone more special, his attitude would undergo a further change.
Like his indulgence towards Ai and Anon, his earnestness towards Sakiko and Soyo, and his relaxed state towards Uika... these were all appearances that only the most special people could see. As for her... currently she still didn't have the qualification to receive a specialness belonging to her.
But even this appearance devoid of any partiality or special treatment still made it impossible for Mutsumi to look away.
Because what she had fallen for was exactly this trait of Tetsuya treating everyone gently. And if he didn't have this kind of personality, everyone definitely wouldn't have received salvation and happiness like they had now.
Therefore, he just needed to maintain the status quo, bringing warmth to everyone around him while letting his lovers continue to "worry" with their happy troubles.
The one who truly needed to change was her current self, who was both dissatisfied with the status quo and feeling anxious about her own position.
If she only maintained the status quo, then Tetsuya would forever only share this impartial gentleness with her. If she wanted to obtain more, then... she also had to be like Sakiko and Soyo, proactively approaching him and forging a deeper connection with him.
As for this opportunity...
"...Hm? Are you also a model taking the stage today?"
Just as Mutsumi was still deep in thought where she stood, a voice beside her suddenly interrupted her thinking.
And immediately after, she found a strange staff member looking at her with a surprised face right now—
"[TGC] is about to begin, hurry up and go to the dressing room to prepare!"
"...Eh?"
Hearing this instruction, Mutsumi first blinked blankly, and then pointed at herself:
"Are you talking about... me?"
"Of course! Once the outfit confirmation is done and the opening performance at the front stage finishes, you'll be officially going on stage!"
Seeing Mutsumi's attitude being so leisurely, the staff member's speaking speed quickened a bit.
"Luckily you've already changed into your clothes, just doing your makeup shouldn't take too much time. Anyway, hurry up, don't just space out here!"
After saying this, he immediately took hurried steps, preparing to go do his own things, leaving Mutsumi alone standing blankly in place.
Although her styling had already received unanimous praise from everyone before she set off, compliments from acquaintances always failed to make one feel completely convinced...
But now, she was actually directly mistaken for a [TGC] model by a [TGC] staff member!
Was it because of this dress? Or was it because... she truly possessed the charm and temperament capable of causing this kind of misunderstanding?
Mutsumi herself couldn't be certain either.
But regardless, this misunderstanding was undoubtedly an extremely powerful validation for her.
"...At least in terms of appearance, I won't make Chihaya-san lose face anymore, right."
Mutsumi muttered to herself.
And just then, Tetsuya not far away also noticed the small commotion that occurred here. When he saw that touch of light green dotting the passing crowd, he immediately revealed an incredibly shocked expression—
"Wakaba-san?!"
He took hurried steps and arrived in front of Mutsumi.
"Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to have gone to the venue with Sakiko and the others?"
"..."
Faced with Tetsuya's question, Mutsumi didn't know how to answer either.
Because compared to [TGC], she wanted to see the way he worked more?
Because she wanted to confirm whether she was truly only satisfied with this distance where she wouldn't be specifically noticed by him?
Neither of them was a secret that could easily be spoken aloud in front of Tetsuya.
But it was exactly when Mutsumi had a hesitant face, not knowing how to answer, that Tetsuya directly used actual actions to answer for her.
"[TGC] is about to begin... Hm, I just feel a bit uneasy letting you go back by yourself."
Just now, upon seeing Mutsumi facing the staff member's inquiry, Tetsuya had almost unhesitatingly put down the tailoring tools in his hands that he originally planned to demonstrate to the stylist with, and hurriedly walked in Mutsumi's direction.
The next second, amidst Mutsumi's somewhat bewildered expression, Tetsuya directly grabbed her hand and said this.
"Never mind, since it's like this, then just stay together with me. As long as I'm here, you won't easily be bothered by others."
Saying this, Tetsuya was seen first taking off his own staff pass and hanging it around Mutsumi's neck. Following that, he immediately pulled her hand, leading her towards the depths of the backstage corridor.
And the moment her hand was held by Tetsuya, a question suddenly surfaced in Mutsumi's mind—
(Does Chihaya-san... really do this kind of thing to everyone?)
The moment this question appeared, Mutsumi herself immediately gave a negative answer—
(No, Chihaya-san absolutely isn't the type to casually hold someone else's hand... even when taking care of others, he always asks for their opinion in advance.)
Especially towards the opposite sex, Tetsuya's attitude was usually gentlemanly enough that no one could completely find any fault with it...
But if that was the case, what exactly did this action he was doing to her right now represent?
(Could it be... that to Chihaya-san, I am also a special existence?)
[Even though you keep a close eye on everyone else's affairs, Mutsumi, as expected, you really aren't very good when it comes to your own affairs.]
Recalling Soyo's assessment of her, Mutsumi couldn't help but fall into self-doubt once again.
To Tetsuya... exactly what kind of existence was she?
Feeling the warmth of Tetsuya's palm, as well as his slightly assertive protectiveness, Mutsumi realized that perhaps she truly could no longer stay detached as an outsider.