Seaside Fashionista Prologue Part 1

One day, in a certain office building in Roppongi, Gyumao is in his office. He’s working of course, as a pirate mob reporting to him is talking about the last month’s sales. Things are going well for the company, so Gyumao decides to stay the course and orders the message be passed on. Also he asks not to be called boss as in gang boss outside the resort.

The pirate worker complies, then asks if Gyumao is planning to pull out of some sort of apparel deal. Gyumao asks why he’d think that, so the pirate says that things have slowed down on the fashion business side of things and wonders if it’s because people in Tokyo aren’t interested in the field.

Gyumao says the market for it is shrinking based on the reports. He figures that without a fad going on it’s hard to move the stuff. But then he asserts that the market isn’t shrinking, it’s that their company needs to keep up with the various trends that customers care about. The pirate can’t keep up with his gratuitous English though and tries to ask for an explanation he can understand.

Outside the office there’s a loud scream cutting through the workplace, and a mobster security guard tries to stop Arachne from going in without an appointment. She is having none of that as she says it’s a huge deal with the fate of the fashion world at stake. She apparently punches him out and barges into Gyumao’s office and demands to know why her show wasn’t picked. He mildly points out the obvious that Arachne isn’t in a good mood after a beat.

Gyumao also tries to offer Arachne some hot milk, but she turns it down and insists on getting that explanation. She pulls out some papers and elaborates that apparently her clothes won’t be a part of the upcoming Tokyo Mode Collection special feature. Gyumao is quiet for a sec as he remembers some business proposition she made before. She was going to present her works first, or maybe last. But either way he says he thinks her works might cause some halation effect.

Arachne asks if he means that her clothes will have some sort of bad effect on the show. The pirate mob is amazed she can understand him. Arachne goes on to say her stuff is cutting edge, probably even neo-neotraditional. It has charm that average clothes don’t have, feels great when you take it off, and some full on grunge silhouette. I don’t get what she means by that last part. But she also mentions fetish designs in her rant, and the pirate is shocked she’s into gratuitous English too so he can’t keep up or join in.

Anyways Gyumao stops her there and says he intends to understand her presentation, even if it’s hard to agree with it. But he’s already made the decision and is unlikely to change it. Arachne asks if that’s because of pressure from other apparel makers or him misjudging her work. He says she should know that isn’t the case.

Gyumao says the new event won’t be recognizing individual designers. Arachne doesn’t actually have a company brand of her own yet, so that’s why she wasn’t picked. She takes that to mean it’s time to launch one now, saying that Gyumao has mentioned he’d invest in her. She’s been inspired by his words and worked so hard!

Gyumao says he also must have told her he can’t presently go ahead and do that for her though. Arachne says to hell with that and that she came to talk directly to bypass any deferrals. He sighs as he tries to compose his answer

Gyumao eventually says that he feels her work and design sense is top notch. Arachne is both flattered and knocked off balance by this, hand on forehead ready to faint. She calls him smart and elegant even while also big framed, and that his senses always lead to his business being preferred. But then she stops playing along and says she won’t let the point go. Why shouldn’t first class work be up on the biggest stage?

Gyumao draws attention to the first class remark and says it’s mistaken. Then he says the theme of the event is the intersection of cultures. It is neither combining nor harmony, and he asks if Arachne has ever thought about the meaning of the word. Her clothes right now are not designs for anyone’s sake, though it may be art meant to advocate herself. But anyways Gyumao says he doesn’t believe her work fits the theme.

Arachne is disappointed and says other people told her the same thing. She shakes her head to shake off some feelings, then loudly declares that she can do it. She’ll show him she can make the theme come through in her works, because her true works are her passion to shadows and making them pop out!

Gyumao suggests that she take up a shop in the fashion event area under his permission. If she can show her ability to run it, he’ll go ahead and authorize the investments. The pirate finally finds an opening to ask what that means and rejoin the conversation. Arachne negotiates saying her work should be shown if she manages to make it work then, which Gyumao agrees to.

Arachne accepts the deal, so Gyumao sets the goal at a thousand customers. She scoffs and claims she can get ten times that, then excuses herself looking like she’s queen of the world. The pirate asks if it’s okay after she’s gone, and Gyumao drops his CEO persona for a sec to say he used to see a lot of deals like that in the mountains.

There were many who didn’t know their own capabilities and ended up finding out what they were, and he’s forgotten what living like that was like for a bit. The mob then figures this is a move to deflate Arachne’s ego a little. Gyumao denies trying to set her back and says he truly expects something of her talents. If she were to figure out what she lacks, her growth will probably skyrocket. He wonders how much things will scale up and says he’ll be expecting great things of her for the company as well.

Scene shifts to follow Arachne, and after she’s alone she freaks out about running her mouth again. A thousand was enough already but now she feels like it’s gone up to a hundred million. She laments that this was how her old boutique back in Olympus went out of business too.

Arachne calls herself an idiot and talks about how competitive she gets when it comes to fashion. She feels her fashion work is perfect, so she’s at a loss at how to improve. She wonders if she’s missing something and how she can get the world to recognize her. But she figures she can’t understand it on her own, so she considers getting That One to help out.

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called I Accept Your Challenge!

Scene then shifts to your guildhouse as the gang comes back, with Ryouta commenting on how hot it is outside and how great air conditioning is. Kengo wants to eat the popsicles they bought already and got two chocolate ones for himself. Shirou tells him he should wash his hands first. You either say you’ll use the sink next or urge them to get in already.

Moritaka comes in next and is really feeling the heat with all his fur. Touji is alarmed and calls for some ice or something to be brought over. Ryouta tries to find something but doesn’t have any better ideas than the popsicles, which Kengo objects to. He says there should be ice packs in the fridge.

Agyou walks over to welcome you guys back and ask about the noise, then sees Moritaka passed out on the floor. Hanuman jumps in with the ice pack and gives it to Moritaka. Some time later he’s feeling better and apologizes for worrying people. Agyou talks about how summer sucks for beastmen between the heat and their clothes. Then he asks why you guys are out early today.

Shirou explains it’s the last day for end of term tests, so there aren’t any afternoon classes. Kengo had the idea they get popsicles, so the gang got their money together to spring for it. Hanuman still has some tests to do but he’s looking forward to being home free. Ryouta then asks where Tsathoggua is since they got him his favorite honey orange popsicles.

Agyou says that Tsathoggua was called out somewhere so he changed in a hurry and warped out. You comment on how unusual that is. Shirou is surprised and says he was planning on checking everyone’s summer vacation schedules today. Ryouta says they should set the popsicles for later then and asks Kengo to give his back.

Kengo begs for just one bite of his, but Ryouta says no. They were meant for the schedule meeting, so you guys can have it when Tsathoggua comes back. Kengo tries to argue the point, and Tsathoggua warps in then. You welcome him back and tell him you got him his popsicle(s?). You can also ask about him seeming tired.

He’s happy to hear about the treat and says he’s feeling better because of it. Shirou asks him about feeling tired, and Tsathoggua is happy to start venting as he gives you guys some magazine. Moritaka reads off the Tokyo Mode Collection and says he’s never heard of it. Touji says it seems to be a thing to showcase the latest fashions. Ryouta comments on all the names he doesn’t recognize.

Shirou says it is something not really aimed at students, probably more for rich people. Kengo asks what it’s about and more importantly says you guys should have the popsicles already. Touji says he’s seen some of the names on a list before. Probably businesses and organizations managed by the Tycoons. Shirou then asks if it’s something for the Tycoons and if Tsathoggua is involved too. You ask if he has a company but don’t see anything that looks like it.

Tsathoggua answers that he doesn’t manage any companies or anything. He is however a 50% shareholder in things, and he leaves the asset management to his slime minions. Shirou is shocked at how casually Tsathoggua mentions this, and Touji is surprised too.

Kengo and Ryouta have no idea what being the largest shareholder in something means, so Shirou explains. He has to dumb it down after that to it being the person who’s given the most money to a company, and as an investor makes him the same as the company president.

Tsathoggua says a bunch of companies are asking him to show up for the fashion show but he doesn’t want to because *meh, effort.* Agyou asks why he doesn’t say no like he does every other time. Tsathoggua would, but that won’t fly this time. Moritaka says that even shareholders have to socialize. Tsathoggua can handle work functions but he has an issue with the social part.

You ask what Hakumen is doing since this seems like the sort of thing she’d jump at. Tsathoggua tells you she’s busy with other work so she can’t make it. It’s just that he was high-handedly called over by his designer acquaintance.

He couldn’t really turn it down and ended up accepting it. Hanuman calls him a good person and says he’ll try better as a friend himself. Tsathoggua says it just got harder to say no now and comments that this is a totally mistaken choice in personnel.

You ask what Tsathoggua is supposed to be helping with. He says he was asked to help as a shop assistant for his friend who will be opening up a store at the event. They’re super talented, but they’re also thoroughly problematic. He’s sure they’ll cause issues with the customers so he asks someone to come with him while hinting at you with a side eye.

You offer to go with him since you’re friends, or you can say you’ll do anything he asks. Going C, he’s happy to hear that and says he’d do the same for you. He offers to pay you back for this and says it’ll be great. In any case Kengo says if you’re going, he’ll go too in case there’s manual labor needed. Moritaka offers to help too, as does Hanuman if it’s a numbers thing while Agyou offers to guard the shop.

Tsathoggua is touched by this outpouring of assistance, but Shirou brings things down a bit to check the schedules first and asks what plans people have already. The event probably isn’t a one day thing either, so they’ll need to sort out any conflicts. Also it’s popsicle time!

Time skips to after the meeting, and surprise! You’re the only one who is able to go, and Shirou can’t believe it’s come to this. Kengo has summer school which he apologizes about. Ryouta already promised to help with volunteer work, and Shirou took up a temp job at a bookstore. Tsathoggua says it’s okay and is happy they offered anyway. He thinks he’ll be fine since you’ll be there.

Tsathoggua then comments that helping out is fine, but he wishes he weren’t so out of place for the thing. You ask if everyone is dressed up and offer to buy him something. Shirou says that as students you guys shouldn’t be worrying about appearances, but care more about your behavior. Touji agrees with the point, saying true charm comes from within.

Kengo calls them stuffy and asks if they have any clothes they like. Shirou admits to having some interest in being stylish. In his case he thinks of aprons when cooking. And maybe lap blankets when reading, though he says that might not be considered fashion. Touji says his full traditional court dress for festivals could count too. Wearing it the first time made him feel proud and formal.

Agyou says he’s always wearing the same thing so he’s a little jealous.& he denies hating it though since it matches with his grandpa’s, and he does like it a bit. Ryouta talks about going to clothes shops a lot with his friends like Maria, Gabriel, and Krampus.

Hanuman starts talking about outfits he sees in manga and anime, saying he likes stuff like belts, canes, and dogis. Moritaka points out those are more battle gear than anything else. On that note he talks about having put on make-up, helmets and armor. Kengo jumps into the topic saying he likes battle costumes and how wearing the jacket he likes fires him up. He tends to go to the backstreet secondhand clothes shops in Ikebukuro and haggle for stuff.

Tsathoggua is surprised by everyone’s fashion experiences and says he only has the one kind of shirt. If it gets dirty or ripped, he tosses it and gets another one. Shirou is shocked by the way he treats clothes, and Kengo asks if you have any interest in fashion. You either say you’re comfortable with your uniform, say you aren’t good with keeping stylish, or say you like it,

Going C if it matters, Touji says it’s surprising but also something he can accept. Kengo brings up that Bathym once told you he could dress you up if you let him. Tsathoggua says Hakumen, Lucifuge, and Ophion are all trying to secretly dress you up too.

Moritaka says he’s a little jealous since most of the time all he has is his kendo outfit and uniform. Agyou suggests he dress up with you, which Tsathoggua supports. Moritaka turns down the idea since he doesn’t feel he compares to you. He also thinks formal wear should be for new beginnings, though he stops partway through to reminisce about all the clothes he was made to wear when he was younger. It wasn’t all bad, but he stops talking about it and asks you guys to pretend he never brought it up. Ryouta decided to let him be.

Some time later, Agyou sees that it’s getting late, so you guys should clean up and go home. Ryouta is surprised by the time flying, and Shirou asks Tsathoggua if there’s anything else to share about the job. He doesn’t remember, so he asks his minions for any notes. The note says the designer wants you guys to come at 8am the day of. Shirou says you’ll have to leave at 7 then.

Tsathoggua complains about having to get up early on top of having to work. He has low blood pressure, so it’s dangerous to teleport when waking. He’ll have his minions set his alarm, but if he doesn’t get up in time he asks you to wake him. You ask him to do the same if you oversleep, which he agrees to. And so the episode half ends.