Thanks to Director Hasegawa's kind-heartedness, what little free time Tetsuya had left completely vanished.
Even after returning home from work, he was constantly on his phone, researching the beauty blogger known as "Nyamu."
"I see, so she seems to be someone who's quite enthusiastic about self-expression..."
Although she was a beauty blogger, the videos she uploaded weren't limited to makeup content.
Interesting life events, product analysis, recent status reports...
Judging from the channel's content alone, she seemed to be a person who was very keen on trying and sharing new things. However, after learning about idol culture, Tetsuya would no longer take content presented solely online as a person's true image.
Instead, his focus was mainly on the beauty blogger's fashion choices and the contents of the wardrobe that occasionally appeared in her videos—
"At least in terms of her clothing choices... she's a very 'cunning' blogger."
The most common outfit that appeared in her videos was a combination of an off-the-shoulder camisole and an OL-style skirt.
Since she was active online as a beauty blogger, her basic looks and figure were naturally not in question. What was most important about this outfit was that it maintained a balance between purity and sexiness. In short videos with limited information, this combination allowed viewers to focus on the aspect that appealed to them most.
Even though he had glimpsed more fashionable and gorgeous clothes in her wardrobe, this blogger didn't choose to wear them regularly, instead using them merely as video props. There were even a few "trendy hot items" that didn't match her personal style, which she didn't even wear, but simply held up for a brief display.
Simply put, this was a smart person who clearly knew her strengths and how to utilize them.
As a potential business partner, such a quick-witted person was a very suitable choice.
"What are you looking at, Chihaya-nii?"
Just as Tetsuya was lost in thought, Anon's voice suddenly came from behind him, startling him so much that he almost dropped his phone.
"Honestly... you don't have to be that scared, do you?"
Although she said that, Anon was well aware of the reason for her brother's intense reaction.
"Don't worry. Last night, I just wanted to simply state my position. It doesn't mean I'm going to do that kind of thing to you all the time from now on."
Anon said, sitting down beside him and giving him a light nudge with her shoulder.
"Rest assured, I'll still be your good, obedient little sister most of the time!"
"..."
Most of the time? So that means there will still be times when she's not obedient...
Tetsuya could feel cold sweat starting to bead on his forehead.
But soon, as Anon leaned in on her own and looked at his phone screen, her "dangerous" aura immediately dissipated, and she let out a cry of surprise:
"Eh!? It's Nyamu-chan! No way? Chihaya-nii, you follow her too!?"
"...Huh?"
Tetsuya was stunned for a moment before asking in return:
"You know this blogger?"
"Of course I do! I've been following her for a long time!"
Anon took out her phone and opened her followed channels list.
"Look! I've basically watched every single one of Nyamu-chan's videos! But speaking of which... Nyamu-chan mostly shares makeup and things that girls would be interested in. Why would you suddenly want to follow her, Chihaya-nii?"
"It's like this..."
Tetsuya then told Anon about Director Hasegawa's advice and recommendation. Upon hearing this, Anon's eyes immediately lit up, and she threw her arms around his.
"So that means Nyamu-chan might become a partner for your brand, Chihaya-nii?"
"...She's just in consideration. After all, whether I can even successfully launch a brand is still an unknown."
Tetsuya said.
"But I personally have a pretty high opinion of her fashion taste and clothing choices, so if everything really goes smoothly, I'll try to contact her."
"Wow, that's great!"
Feeling pleasantly surprised, Anon subconsciously hugged Tetsuya's arm a little tighter.
"You absolutely have to bring me along when you discuss the collaboration! I really want to see what the real Nyamu-chan is like!"
"...Aren't you worried that her offline persona is completely different from her online one?"
Tetsuya couldn't help but ask.
"Weren't you the one who taught me about the concept of a 'business persona'?"
"Oh, come on, Chihaya-nii! Don't be so realistic!"
Anon puffed out her cheeks and hit his chest.
"Even if you know that kind of thing, people still have a heart that pursues ideals! But in the end, I don't really have a thick idol filter for Nyamu-chan. I just really like the cosmetics she recommends, so I really want to learn from her!"
"Eh..."
Tetsuya's expression turned rather peculiar.
"Taste that Anon approves of... Mmm, that sounds a little unsafe. Maybe I should find a different partner..."
Hearing her brother's excessively prejudiced remark, Anon's eyes widened, and she questioned him like a cat with its fur on end:
"Hah?! What do you mean by that, Chihaya-nii?! What do you mean my taste is unsafe?!"
"Ah, this blogger who came up in the related recommendations seems to have even more followers than her. Let me check out her video..."
"Don't ignore me! That kind of prejudice is just too much! I'm getting angry, I'm really getting angry now!"
"..."
Meanwhile, Tetsuya, who had already clicked on another blogger's video, didn't have a moment to spare for his sister's antics.
He was shocked to discover that this blogger's video content was a recommendation for the current season's fashion—
[This "NozAK!" summer hot-item is really comfortable to wear! Not only is it soft and breathable, but it also fits perfectly with the current fashion trends!]
[It's just that the leg tapering on these pants is a little strange~ But those are minor issues. Come on, let's look at the next item!]
"As expected, [NozAK!] is also way ahead of me when it comes to commercial tie-ins."
Seeing that this blogger, who had even more followers than Nyamu-chan, had already accepted a collaboration with [NozAK!], Tetsuya's expression instantly turned serious.
"This means my choices for partners have become even more limited..."
In order to ensure that the partners he had his eye on weren't snatched up first, and also to guarantee the survival space for his own personal brand...
He had to speed things up on his end as well.
At this thought, he first gently patted Anon's head, signaling for her to release his arm. Then, he opened his phone's address book and dialed Misumi Uika's number—