Warmth and comfort.
This was the most fundamental design logic that Chihaya Tetsuya had always followed, the very origin point for him as a designer.
He hoped that everyone who wore the clothes he made could show a smile as happy and reassured as Ai's and Anon's had been all those years ago.
And after he officially became a designer, he developed a grander, more difficult ideal to achieve.
He wanted his clothes to become a source of strength for others.
It could be comfort, guidance, or encouragement and affirmation.
Just now, looking at this girl with the warmest and brightest of smiles, Tetsuya absolutely did not want her to say those self-deprecating words again.
Thus, out of his ambition and persistence as a designer, and also out of a little gratitude for the girl who had unintentionally helped him resolve his inner conflict, Tetsuya wanted to convey his thoughts through his clothes, as he always had...
But for this girl, who had always had such a low opinion of herself, this seemingly happy invitation was just a little too sudden!
"The main model for [Starry Sky] at the joint exhibition...?"
Sumita Mana first repeated the proposal in a daze, then immediately shook her head like a rattle.
"No, no, no! Y-you must be joking, right!? The two senpais will be there that day, won't they?"
"That's right. They are both my contracted models, after all."
"Then it's even more impossible! In fact, what were you even thinking!"
Sumita Mana looked at Tetsuya with eyes full of resistance and terror.
"That's Hoshino Ai and Misumi Uika we're talking about! Does a girl who can win the position of main model in front of those two even exist in this world?!"
"Of course, she does!"
Unlike Mana's hysteria, Tetsuya's tone was incredibly calm.
"For example, that world-class model, Fantina?"
"I'm deeply honored that you would compare me to Ms. Fantina! But it's still impossible!"
Sumita Mana shook her head again.
"Having a rookie idol be the main star in front of two super-popular senpais is just too strange, no matter how you think about it! Not to mention I've only just started my idol work, and I haven't developed any print modeling skills or camera sense—"
"Eh? Really? That's wonderful."
Tetsuya's eyes widened.
"Actually, for this joint exhibition, in order to showcase my personal design philosophy and my brand's unique characteristics, what I need most is precisely this kind of completely unadorned, natural state!"
"Eeeh—"
This counter-intuitive answer brought Mana's objections to a momentary halt. She then quickly retorted.
"Alright, even if you just so happen to need an amateur like me as a model this time. You at least have to consider looks, right? Come on, take a good look at this face. Although I'm often told I'm cute by classmates, friends, and family, that's the extent of it! Comparing this face to Hoshino Ai's and Misumi Uika's is like the difference between a plain, original-flavored donut and a festival-limited, super-deluxe, chocolate-filled donut!"
"...?"
Tetsuya first tilted his head slightly, then he pinched his chin and began to carefully study Sumita Mana's face.
At first, Mana could hold her head high with conviction, letting Tetsuya observe her so seriously. But as the observation time dragged on, an indescribable sense of embarrassment began to well up from the bottom of her heart—
"S-stop! You've been looking long enough to reach a conclusion, right!"
Mana, her face slightly red, raised a hand to cover her cheeks.
"Anyway, compared to my level of looks, the two senpais are much more suited to be the main models—"
"Why?"
"Were you even looking properly!"
"Of course, I was."
Tetsuya said in the most matter-of-fact tone possible.
"But even so, I don't think you lose to them in any way, Sumita-san."
"Hueh~?"
The unexpected answer made an extremely strange sound escape from Mana.
Tetsuya, however, continued with a perfectly straight face.
"It's true, Ai's and Uika's looks are recognized as top-tier in the entire idol industry... But as a member placed into the same group by the agency, you must be on the same level as them, right?"
"Huh?"
"Ai is the devilish charm of intertwined purity and glamour. Uika is the coexisting beauty of elegance and cold allure. And as for you, Sumita-san, you must be the sunshine of warmth and forthrightness. This approachability that makes people feel close to you at first glance, and your honest-to-a-fault directness and kindness, must be the reason the agency had you join [Summer Zodiac]. Because you and they represent fundamentally different styles."
"Whoaaaaa..."
Although Sumita Mana had been complimented for being cute many times growing up, a direct, undisguised, straight-ball compliment like Tetsuya's was a first for her.
Even more terrifying, Tetsuya's own expression and tone didn't waver or show any pretense as he said these words, meaning they were his genuine, heartfelt impressions...
At this thought, Mana's inner embarrassment intensified even further, leaving her unable to utter a single proper response.
Fortunately, Tetsuya's goal was not to admire her embarrassment. In order to get Mana to accept his proposal, the new perspective he offered made her heart waver—
"You said it yourself just now, Sumita-san. The [TGC] is a grand event for all young people to enjoy fashion together. If that's the case, and if you think of yourself as just an ordinary person, then you can perfectly serve as the 'ordinary person representative,' becoming the best window for me to convey my fashion philosophy."
Tetsuya said.
"That way, you should be able to accept, right?"
"...W-well, if it's just as an 'ordinary person representative,' then it does sound somewhat reasonable..."
Sumita Mana nodded with a conflicted expression.
"But, as a rookie, suddenly taking on such an important job is still a bit..."
"Don't worry, I will handle the negotiations with your agency."
Seeing Mana's attitude relax, Tetsuya pressed his advantage.
"All I need is for you to agree, Sumita-san!"
"Uuuu..."
Faced with such a sincere attitude from Tetsuya, Sumita Mana found it difficult to refuse.
And so, after a moment's hesitation, she finally nodded.
"Alright... as long as you can convince the agency..."
"Then we have a deal."
Having received a positive answer, Tetsuya smiled and held out his hand to her.
"Here's to a pleasant collaboration, Sumita-san."
"Ugh... but it's not even decided yet, is it?"
Two months after her debut, she was now the main model for a key featured brand at the TGC's preview exhibition...
She had only come over to deliver a file and say hello. Why had she suddenly taken on such an important job?
Was this the weight of the name [Summer Zodiac]?
(What is my idol career going to become?)
Looking at the sincere face before her, so similar to her own in that it couldn't hide a single thing, Sumita Mana couldn't help but let out a deep sigh in her heart.