Episode Forty-Five

Right then.
Having declared it to Momono-chan, I simply must throw myself into this with even greater determination than usual.
So, first things first: gathering information on Haibara Yōme.
The manufacturer has sent over desired imagery and reference materials, but that alone won’t suffice.
In projects like this, it’s all too easy for the creators to be seen as amateurs.
In that sense, having the hardcore Momono-chan handle the design might actually have been a perfectly viable option.
　Well, though an excess of love isn’t exactly ideal either.
Fortunately, gathering information on Haibara Yōme proved straightforward.
Or rather, there was scarcely any need to gather it at all.

“For starters, here’s the DVD of her solo concert & talk show, the merchandise catalogue, the full list of live costumes, and photos of all past official goods and collaboration items! If any merchandise catches your eye, just say the word! I’ll fetch it immediately!”

Couldn’t have asked for more.
　Thanks to Momono-chan’s devotion (proselytising?), I became increasingly knowledgeable about Haibara Yōme.
She’s seventeen, the same age as Ibara. Birthday: 10th October. Blood type: A… That sort of profile is fine.
My overall impression was that she’s an idol who embodies what an idol should be.
A pure, delicate appearance and approachability. Yet she can hold her own in talk segments, and her stage performances are razor-sharp.
　The ideal idol.
The idol among idols.
The keyword, naturally, would be “Cinderella”.
After all, the name of the collaborative product is “Cendrillon (Ash-Covered)”, and it’s clear the manufacturer is aiming for that. This alignment must have been the deciding factor for her ambassador appointment.

　Therefore, the design concept is clear-cut: Cinderella, plain and simple. There’s no other option.
The next step is determining exactly which elements to incorporate into the design…
This, however, is proving rather troublesome.
The glass slipper, the pumpkin coach, the sky-blue gown.
Cinderella is such a major motif that there are countless angles to approach it from.
Consequently, while there’s no shortage of ideas, there’s also a risk it could simply become a generic ‘Cinderella collaboration’.
　This time, it must be a “Hime Haibara Collaboration”. That distinction mustn’t be lost.
But if I’m not careful, the design will immediately be pulled towards “Cinderella”.

For that reason, I was struggling quite a bit.

“…Haaah…”

So much so that I let out an enormous sigh in front of Aki-san’s homemade pasta of the day.

“Oh, didn’t it suit your taste? Don’t you like firefly squid?”

“Ah, no. Sorry, I was just lost in thought. It’s delicious again today.”

I glanced at the plate.
The base was peperoncino, but the pasta was generously coated with fine green seaweed. The ingredients were firefly squid and green asparagus.

“Is this green stuff aosa seaweed?”

“No, it’s raw nori.”

“It has a lovely seaweed aroma and tastes really good. The firefly squid has a nice crunch to it too. It really makes you feel like you’re eating seafood.”

“I see. So, was that sigh about work? Or something personal?”

“That was about work.”

“Working life is tough, isn’t it? Would you like some coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

Sereno, the coffee shop open late into the night.
The owner, Aki-san, serves me decaffeinated hot coffee without me even having to ask.
Incidentally, just for today, Ibara isn’t here. Seems she’s studying for exams.
Still, watching her brew the coffee again, I think to myself.
Aki-san is absolutely gorgeous, isn’t she?
Long black hair, cool eyes, and a lustrous beauty mark. A figure where curves are curves and lines are lines – an impeccable silhouette.
If she put just a little more effort into promotion, this place would undoubtedly thrive, yet she seems entirely uninterested.
I’d long wondered about the business side of things, but when I finally plucked up the courage to ask, she declared flatly, “This shop is just a hobby.”
Truly, she’s an enigma of a beauty.
Probably quite experienced in romance too. Though we’re only three or four years apart in age.

“Your order’s ready.”

“…Um, Aki-san?”

I plucked up the courage to speak to Aki-san as she placed the coffee on the counter.

“I’d like you to hear this purely as a hypothetical scenario, mind you.”

Sometimes you can’t speak without pretence.
Aki-san nodded silently, encouraging me to continue.

“What do you think of people who test others to gauge their feelings?”

“…Hmm.”

Aki crossed her arms.
Her ample bosom was emphasised, and I found myself following it with my eyes. No, wait.

“Hmm, well…”

After a moment, Aki spoke.

“Well, to give you my conclusion, ‘It’s fine, isn’t it?’”

“Eh?”

“Surprised?”

“A little. I mean, it just feels kinda unpleasant, doesn’t it? Being tested by someone?”

“Well, it’s not exactly pleasant, but people do want to gauge how others feel sometimes, right?”

“…I suppose so.”

“Honestly, I don’t think there’s much point in doing it. But if a relationship cools over something like that, it probably wasn’t going to last anyway. So, yeah, why not give it a go? That’s how I see it.”

“…No point, you say?”

“Yeah. Saying ‘I want to confirm how they feel’ is just proof you’re unsure yourself, really.”

“Ugh.”

Ouch.
That last bit really hit home, didn’t it?

“You lack confidence in your own feelings, so you try to shift the responsibility onto the other person. That’s the kind of thinking that leads to this sort of idea. Like when deciding where to have lunch, that bloke who only ever says ‘Wherever you want is fine’ – you hate that, right?”

“…That does get a bit irritating, doesn’t it?”

“And then you ask, ‘So what do you think would be good?’”

“But isn’t respecting the other person’s feelings important…?”

“That is true. But that presupposes you’re open about your own feelings. If you say, ‘I think this would be good, but what do you think?’, the impression it gives is quite different, isn’t it?”

Yes, I surrender.

“…You’re absolutely right…”

I twirled the pasta, tangled with blue nori, onto my fork.
Right now, I’m just like this pasta. I’m mostly just going round and round in circles in the same spot.
And so, the same question comes back to me.
What do I want with Ibara?

　†

As expected, both initial rough sketches I submitted were sent back for revisions.
They were just rough ideas, not even proper rough sketches, so no fees applied yet. Honestly, it felt like, “Yeah, right.”
Maybe I should just stick in a photo of Haibara Yōme? No good.
As I was scratching my head over what to do, Shindo-san called out, “Excuse me?”

“What is it?”

“Well. Actually, um… I’d prefer if you kept this from the other team members.”

He lowered his voice as he continued.

“About that matter, the other party contacted us wanting to meet and talk.”

“The other party… surely not?”

“Yes, from ‘Charles’ manager. Apparently, Haibara Yōme wants to meet the designer for this project.”

Shindo-san looked at me, as if gauging my reaction.

“──What shall we do?”