After ordering the first batch of fabric he needed, Chihaya Tetsuya didn't rush back home. Instead, as previously arranged, he headed to the Sakurakouji mansion, a place he hadn't visited in some time.
His reason for coming here was, naturally, related to the joint exhibition in August...
Or rather, it was related to the person who had made the joint exhibition happen.
"These are Jean's representative designs."
In the drawing-room, Head Maid Yamabuki handed Tetsuya several of Jean-Pierre Stanley's design sketches that she had prepared in advance.
"Once you've seen these, you should understand... just what kind of designer Jean is."
"Alright."
Tetsuya nodded, then took the design sketches and began to examine them carefully—
"..."
As Tetsuya delved deeper into reading and analyzing them, his expression gradually shifted from serious to one of shock and awe.
It wasn't until he put down the last sketch that he looked up at the Head Maid, a dazed look on his face.
"Excuse me... how old is Mr. Jean?"
"Jean? He's 27 this year."
"He's... only 27..."
Tetsuya's expression grew even more astonished.
Imaginative design concepts, unprecedented ways of presenting ideas, and a wide range of ethnic cultures and histories woven into the various patterns—his sketches were less like clothing and more like works of art that fused his genius mind with his extensive knowledge.
At least for the current Tetsuya, these designs were something he couldn't even begin to imitate; they were works from another dimension entirely.
"It's incredible, isn't it?"
Seeing Tetsuya's completely frozen expression, Yamabuki Yachiyo sighed softly.
"That's Jean for you. The genius designer of our generation that no one can surpass. A superhuman who can instantly guess what you were thinking just by looking at your rough drafts, an action giant who will suddenly drag people out to go horseback riding on a prairie one morning..."
Recalling her various experiences during her school days, Yachiyo shook her head with a complex expression.
"Back when he was still a student, he was invited to participate in New York Fashion Week, but he willfully refused because he wanted to go to an African tribe to study the local culture at the time. Can you comprehend that? That someone in this world would reject an invitation to New York Fashion Week for such a reason."
"Indeed, it's hard to imagine such a designer..."
Tetsuya said, his voice slightly strained.
"But, if he's such an amazing designer... why would he participate in the [TGC] and not [Tokyo Fashion Week]?"
For a designer of his caliber, a top-tier fashion event like Tokyo Fashion Week would be a more suitable stage to display his talents. The [TGC], which was aimed at the general public, should have been beneath his notice...
"Don't try to understand his thoughts and decisions. For someone like him, all of his actions can be explained by the simple word 'fun'."
Yachiyo said with a helpless expression.
"If I had to find a reason for him, it would be that he prefers the TGC, which is filled with the passion and dreams of young girls, over the impersonal Tokyo Fashion Week. That's all."
"..."
Hearing this answer, which was completely beyond his imagination, Tetsuya didn't know what to say for a moment.
As a rookie designer who was only just preparing to hold his first exhibition, he simply couldn't imagine what kind of mindset and boldness one would need to make such a choice.
However... based on Yachiyo's description, there was one point that the two of them might have in common—
"Is Mr. Jean also a designer who places great importance on people's emotions?"
"Mhm, that's correct."
This time, Yachiyo gave a very definite answer.
"'Will creates hope, hope nurtures dreams, dreams change the world.' That's a phrase he often says. I don't know what the world looks like in his eyes, but it must be far more exciting than what a mere mortal like me sees..."
At this, Yachiyo turned her gaze back to Tetsuya.
"As for why Jean has taken an interest in you, I think it's precisely because he saw the 'individual will' that he values most in the clothes you designed. Those two concert outfits... you must have designed them with incredibly deep thoughts and emotions, right?"
"Yes."
Tetsuya nodded.
"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they are the designs I've poured the most emotion into so far."
"Then it's not surprising. He loves clothes with a 'story' like that, after all."
An "I-knew-it" expression appeared on Yachiyo's face.
"Of course, aside from such abstract concepts, anyone he takes a liking to invariably possesses exceptional talent and skill. In short, as I said on the phone, being noticed by him is first and foremost a good thing, because it means your skills have reached a level that this genius can acknowledge... But besides that, there's also a certain risk."
"A risk?"
Tetsuya asked, perplexed.
"What do you mean, specifically?"
"'Celebrity worship'."
Yachiyo said a term that was very familiar to Tetsuya.
"Chihaya-san, let me ask you. After looking at those design sketches just now, what was the first thing that came to your mind?"
"...Amazing."
"And then? What did you think after that?"
"I want to try and create designs that are this amazing, too..."
"Mhm, that's about right."
Yachiyo said.
"Many designers who spend a long time with Jean inevitably catch this symptom... Because they admire or long for his designs, they begin to unconsciously imitate his style and thought process, eventually losing their own original work and becoming believers of Jean."
Here, Yachiyo paused for a moment before continuing.
"For an ordinary designer, there might be nothing wrong with becoming one of his believers. But I don't wish for you to go down that path, Chihaya-san. In my opinion, you are undoubtedly a designer with exceptional talent as well. So, no matter how much you love or worship Jean's designs, you must never easily abandon your own design philosophy."
"...Yes."
Tetsuya nodded.
"Thank you very much for your advice, Yamabuki-san."
"It's nothing. It's what I should do as a partner."
Yachiyo shook her head gently.
"Then, about these design sketches..."
"Please allow me to take them back with me."
Even after receiving Yachiyo's warning, Tetsuya still wanted to take these "dangerous" sketches with him.
"Designs with such high reference value, I want to take them back and study them properly. Please don't worry, I will always remember what you said... and maintain my own design philosophy."
"I understand."
Yachiyo didn't stop him. After a brief pause, she said:
"I will be looking forward to your performance at the joint exhibition..."
"...Mhm."
Although he didn't know when that day would come, for Tetsuya, who had only ever had the vague goal of being a "top designer," this challenge, born from a whim, had allowed him to finally learn the name of his ideal.