Leaving the two chatty people to bond, I absentmindedly sipped my Cafe Mocha while eavesdropping on their conversation. I mean, it’s just that I’ve shopped so much that I learned to appreciate pretty outfits, but I don’t really know the details about them…
But once the tension eased a bit, Hibiki started calling Hiyori by her name.
…I’m still on that side.
Anyway, it’s nice that they’re getting close. I have more work to do, so it seems better to shift to business talk.
“Hey, I just wanted to say that it’s really nice to see you both getting along. So, in that spirit, let’s wrap up the ice-breaking and start with our work.”
“Ah, yeah… So what exactly do you need help with?”
“That’s about… the idol outfits.”
“…Idol outfits?”
“Yup, yup? Um, Mika-chan…? The fashion I studied doesn’t exactly cover idol outfits…”
“Aha! It’s fine, it’s fine! It’s more like I need a guideline or a concept for the outfits. That part is already decided.”
“Oh, come to think of it… I think I heard that Millennium was planning to debut a new idol group this year. Apparently, they even set up an office at D.U. because they’re serious about it. One of the members is the Student Council President from Trinity…?”
While talking, Hibiki gave me a puzzled look as if she had realized my identity.
“Yep, that’s me. But don’t feel too burdened, okay? As for me, I’m harmless incarnate.”
“…Um, Mika-chan? Still, that’s…”
“I’m harmless☆”
“Hehe… Yep, that’s right? There can’t possibly be another angel as harmless as Mika-chan… Sigh. Life is such a slog.”
“…Hiyori-chan, if you keep that up, I might just say that the hologram projector is off the table.”
“Ah, aaah! Mika-chan, please not that…!”
After lightly suppressing Hiyori’s rebellion, I smiled warmly at the flustered Hibiki, unsure how to treat me.
“Well, technically speaking, I guess I’m your employer, being the Student Council President of another academy… But even before that, I’m a fan of the outfits you design. So please don’t feel too pressured. Just focus on delivering the best results you can, and that’ll be fine.”
“…Got it. So what’s the concept of the outfits? Just saying ‘idol outfits’ is kind of vague; I honestly don’t know where to start.”
“Oh, right. Hold on. Here’s a photo of our members.”
I placed a full-body group shot of the six of us, including me, on the table. In the full-body shots, we each struck poses that showcased our distinctive characters.
Asuna posed with the typical gyaru finger V sign. Both Hina and Neru crossed their arms, but while Neru had a fierce look and spread her legs, Hina had an icy expression with one leg slightly pulled back, striking a sassy stance.
Haruna was standing straight with one hand on her hip, and with the other, she was twirling her hair. Noa held a pen as if writing in the air with one hand tucked behind her back.
As for me, I was doing a pose synonymous with Misono Mika’s character—looking like a shadowy figure emerging, but with one eye winking, making me look undeniably cute.
Honestly, I also tried taking a regular picture holding a finger heart. I even mimicked a pose from an anime popular before I was reincarnated, full of idol clichés. But still, nothing could compare to the impact of the shadowy emergence.
“…Everyone has a lot of character. It looks like you could cover quite a bit of taste.”
“Hahaha, right? For our first album concept, it’s magical girl-themed.”
“…Magical girl?”
“Exactly, magical girl☆”
When Hibiki heard my lively reply, she looked at me blankly. Hiyori next to her blinked in astonishment.
“Hehe… Mika-chan, I think I’m going to bow out of this one…”
“No way.”
“But Mika-chan, magical girls are way too far from what I studied! There’s no way someone like me could be of any help…”
“Well, the basic concept is something I want to leave to Hibiki-chan. Designing magical girl outfits that suit each member. Pretty catchy, right?”
“It might take a little time, but I think it’s possible. However, if we’re thinking about going on stage in those outfits, we’ll need practical designs rather than half-hearted cosplay ones.”
“Right, someone who can help with that outfit design is right here?”
The basic outfit concept will be covered by Hibiki, who knows the subculture well, while Hiyori adds more of an aesthetic perspective, essentially becoming the main designer.
“Um, Mika-chan. Can I really pull this off…?”
“Hahaha. Of course you can! That hologram projector is a down payment, right? You have to deliver what you promised. Don’t you think?”
“Hehe… I guess that’s true… Life really is one hardship after another, huh?”
“Hiyori-chan, I want to help you secure a position for yourself after graduation. That’s one reason why I’m willing to support you. Every experience you gather will lead your future towards a less painful… more comfortable and happy direction. I truly believe that.”
“M-Mika-chan… Bwaaaah…!”
As I gently patted Hiyori’s head, burying her face in my chest, Hibiki looked at us with a strange expression.
“You seem like an incredibly nice person.”
“Oh, did I seem that way?”
“Yeah… You seem like the kind of person who would live life getting taken advantage of.”
“Oh dear, that stings a bit… But I assure you, I live a life where I receive more than I deserve.”
Honestly, I’m definitely not the type to live at a loss.
…Aren’t I? No, I probably am not.
“So, Hibiki-chan, want to work together on this?”
“If the payment we agreed upon is real, I should probably be the one begging to work with you, right?”
“Heh, I guess budgeting issues are essential for engineers. Of course, the promised payment will be made in full as soon as the results are delivered.”
“Then I’m in.”
“Great, smart choice☆ Go ahead and read the contract I prepared slowly.”
“Okay…”
“Hiyori-chan, since there’s an advance payment issue… let’s draft the contract again later when you get back?”
“Hehe… Sure…”
Seeing Hiyori lift her tear-streaked face and smile, I thought how cute she looked with that blank expression. When I think about it, since handing Misaki over to the Rescue Knights, I’ve cared for Hiyori the most.
“…Um, about this clause.”
After a while of silently checking the contract, Hibiki raised a question.
“Yeah? What clause are you talking about?”
“It seems like the deadline has been marked a little incorrectly.”
“Oh, that? I’ve written it correctly!”
“Two weeks is the deadline, but you think you can design six outfits from scratch in that amount of time?”
“Yep☆”
“…You’re not a nice person, you’re a devilish employer.”
What’s this sudden revelation? I’m the type to work my subordinates hard while getting under the grind myself. But I do pay on time, so if you think about it, I’m not exactly a tyrant either.
“So, are you going to bail?”
“If you give me an extra week on the deadline.”
“Hibiki-chan, can you do that?”
“…I’ll do it, employer-san.”
“Awesome! I’m counting on you from today, Hibiki-chan.”
After all, money talks in this world. If you can’t get what you want, just offer more money.
That’s how modern society works!
*
I had some business in Millennium, so I decided to leave Hiyori with Hibiki. I would probably stay in Millennium during the work period, but I had promised to buy some things and needed to pack, so I decided to drop Hiyori off at Millennium tomorrow.
As for accommodations, since I have connections with the Millennium Student Council, securing a place is easy. If it becomes too difficult, I can just pay out of pocket for a hotel.
Oh, I can now find my way around just fine. Arriving at the Millennium Tower smoothly, soon a member from the seminar committee approached to guide me to the top floor.
Upon reaching the top floor, I was greeted by two familiar faces after a long time.
“Welcome back, Mika.”
“…Nice to see you, Mika-chan. How have you been?”
Two people with strikingly contrasting appearances.
Tsukatsuki Rion and Akeboshi Himari.
The pinnacle of beauty representing Millennium welcomed me warmly.
“Hi, Rion-chan. And Himari-chan. It’s been a while since I last saw you, Himari-chan!”
“You, the person who gave me such profound thoughts that even the greatest genius of Millennium had to think hard, seem so nonchalant… You truly are the bold, beautiful girl I’ve recognized, but it’s still a bit annoying, huh?”
“Hahaha, I think that’s a part of self-reflection that you need, Himari-chan. Don’t you know yourself too well?”
“Hehe, but the beauty of those wilted flowers is something that can still be transformed. That’s the charm of being a beautiful person.”
“Yeah, if it’s Rion-chan, the most beautiful person in Millennium, you can absolutely be forgiven. But for Himari-chan, who proclaims herself the best, it’s a bit of a harsh reality.”
“…What do you mean by that, Mika-chan?”
“Oh, didn’t you know? I received all your reactions from that day… I went ahead and recorded everything. So, the flustered look on your face, Himari, when you totally misjudged things? It was adorably cute☆”
“…”
The sulking expression of Himari and Rion’s interest-tinged face were priceless… I really must have struck gold with my gifts during Christmas!
Seriously, how could such a great payoff come from two low-cost presents…?
