Perhaps due to his extreme exhaustion, Chihaya Tetsuya only managed to sketch a rough outline after returning home before he couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep, slumped over his desk.
Wakaba Mutsumi, who saw this from the doorway, hesitated for a moment before deciding to wake him up.
"Chihaya-san."
Mutsumi called his name softly.
"If you're tired, please go sleep in your bed..."
"..."
Because Mutsumi's voice was too quiet, and Tetsuya was simply too drowsy, her call had no effect at all.
Undeterred, Mutsumi raised her voice a little, leaned closer to his ear, and called out again:
"Chihaya-san, can you hear me?"
However, even though Mutsumi's voice was now at a normal speaking volume, Tetsuya still didn't respond.
Mutsumi first marveled at Tetsuya's ability to sleep so soundly, then reached out and shook his shoulder.
"..."
The moment her hand touched him, Mutsumi suddenly realized this was her first time having such direct contact with a member of the opposite sex.
Although there was a shirt between them, the warmth and texture underneath the fabric were a novel sensation for Mutsumi.
Meanwhile, Tetsuya, whose shoulder was being shaken, finally responded. He first twitched slightly, then lifted his head with sleepy eyes and looked at Mutsumi in a daze—
"...Good morning?"
"It's still only the afternoon, and you haven't been asleep that long, Chihaya-san."
Mutsumi first shook her head, then said:
"It's very uncomfortable to sleep at a desk for a long time."
"Mhm, I know... I just fell asleep by accident."
Tetsuya shook his head. Instead of getting up right away, he picked up the pencil beside him once more.
"Ah, right... Before I sleep, I have to finish drawing this trench coat design before I forget... It's a good thing you're here, Wakaba-san. Could I ask you to watch over me for a little while?"
Tetsuya asked, rubbing his eyes.
"If I fall asleep again, just wake me up immediately."
"Can't you just draw a rough draft first?"
Looking at the prominent dark circles under Tetsuya's eyes and his slightly bloodshot eyes, Mutsumi couldn't help but ask:
"You're already so exhausted..."
"This design came to me in a flash of inspiration last night when I couldn't sleep. To be honest, I think it could definitely be used for the [TGC] in September. Even if it's not chosen, I have a feeling it will become a huge hit this autumn."
Tetsuya shook his head.
"It would be a terrible loss if I went to sleep and forgot the specific details."
"...I understand."
Since Tetsuya was so insistent, Mutsumi naturally had no room to refuse.
So, she stood obediently to the side, quietly watching as Tetsuya completed the design sketch bit by bit—
"You'll get tired just standing there. You can sit on the bed and wait for me... Ah, right, you can also take any book from the bookshelf to read."
Tetsuya said.
"Don't worry, I spent almost all of last night perfecting the design in my head. It'll take half an hour at most, I won't keep you waiting too long."
"Mhm."
Although she wanted to say that it was fine even if she had to wait a little longer, considering Tetsuya's current state, she also preferred for him to finish the sketch and get some rest sooner. So, she walked over to the bookshelf and began to choose a book, while Tetsuya stretched his arms forcefully and then began to focus on completing the design at hand.
After Tetsuya lowered his head again, Mutsumi casually picked up a book on Gothic architecture that he hadn't fully placed back on the shelf, then carefully sat down on his bed.
Unlike when they read together in the living room, this time, Tetsuya's expression was far more serious. Even though his brow was furrowed with an undeniable weariness, the movements of his hands and his eyes, which were fixed on the pen and paper, were filled with a focus that one wouldn't dare to interrupt.
Just as Sakiko had privately described him to her before, he was more assertive and much cooler when he was working.
And now, Mutsumi was finally seeing for herself the sight that had so captivated Sakiko that she couldn't help but mention it repeatedly.
"..."
Mutsumi stared at his side profile for a good while before finally opening the book in her hands.
Speaking of which, according to what he just said, this design he values so much was thought up during a sleepless night. Combined with the information I just got from Anon-san...
It seems the three of them really didn't take that final, most important step last night. Not only that, but they even left Chihaya-san with enough mental space to draw up a design in his head. But even so, the fact that neither of the siblings slept well proves that they did do something.
Just the fact that Hoshino Ai and Chihaya Anon have teamed up is already serious enough. I really have to find a way to make Sakiko more proactive.
But can Sakiko really do the same thing as those two on her own? Should I also tell Soyo and have the two of them try to team p as well? In order to maintain that 'balance' Sakiko mentioned before?
On one side, an adopted sister and a childhood friend. On the other, a student and a secretary...
(I get the feeling that things are only going to get harder and harder for Chihaya-san from now on.)
Mutsumi thought to herself, her eyes drifting absently over the book in her hands.
However, the next second, when she saw the notes Tetsuya had written on a folded page, her eyes widened slightly:
[This pattern can be recommended to Sakiko as a reference for the band's costumes.]
[Can be applied to multi-layered clothing designs.]
[Color scheme reference.]
[Feels like an architectural style Sakiko would like.]
No wonder this book was on the outside. It turns out he was also secretly studying Sakiko's favorite design styles for her new band's costumes.
"..."
After silently taking pictures of these notes with her phone, Mutsumi couldn't help but shake her head gently.
(If Sakiko saw these notes, she would definitely be very moved.)
It was a good thing she came to this room on a whim today. Otherwise, this kindness, unknown to others, would have remained completely hidden.
However...
(It's probably because of this consistent, genuine kindness that he's fallen into a situation where he's being "devoured" by everyone.)
Mutsumi lifted her head once more and looked at his side profile.
(How wonderful for you, Sakiko...)
Proactiveness and initiative are things one only possesses when one has a clear goal or a desired object.
And now, this doll-like girl had finally found her most important marionette string.