Chikage Utsuki/Tailor-made

Your suit of choice

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Chikage	(I finished my work in this city successfully. I’ll be able to go back home to the dorm by the end of today as planned.)
	(This should keep me from going on business trips for a while, but other than that my schedule is pretty much the same as usual.)
	Fuu.
	(Come to think of it, it’s almost that day...)
	(I cleared up my business trips early for that day, so work won’t be a problem.)
	*Phone Rings*
Chikage	A call at this time of day...
	I only have a bad feeling about this.
	Thank you for your hardwork, this is Utsuki speaking.
Boss	“Good morning. Thank you for going on this business trip. Did you encounter any problems?”
Chikage	It went smoothly thanks to you. Is something the matter?
Boss	“No, I have an urgent request over here. You’re supposed to be coming back home today, right, Utsuki?”
Chikage	Yes, just as planned.
Boss	“In that case, why don’t you go to the next business meeting for me?”
Chikage	(Now why in the world would I do that? … )
	Sure, I don’t mind....
	Did something happen?
Boss	“Actually, the president of our partner company changed recently. The predecessor's daughter became appointed as the representative director.”
	“Utsuki, I think you’ve met her before, haven’t you?”
Chikage	Oh, uh...
	(You mean that woman who was overly friendly with me because she’s got a specific thing for tall men who wear glasses that look good in suits?)
Boss	“I think it’ll definitely work better if you’re in charge of that from now on, now that that young lady is at the top.”
Chikage	..... I see.
	(Well, I don’t feel like riding on this idea, but since I have no choice, I’m prepared to go forward with it.)
	I understand. If that’s the case, I’ll take care of it.
Boss	“Sorry about that. By the way, the scheduled date is...”
Chikage	............
	..... Understood.
Izumi	Hmm.... It’s finally over!
Chikage	Good work, director.
Izumi	Woah, Chikage-san! When did you get here?
Chikage	I saw you working hard on your paperwork. Why don’t you take a break and drink some coffee?
Izumi	Thank you very much, I’ll have some.
Chikage	Speaking of which... there’s some sweets you can also have. If you want any.
Izumi	Are you sure?
Chikage	Why of course.
Izumi	(Talk about top notch customer service! What’s up with him being this nice...)
	.... ! These are really good! I already feel my fatigue fading away because of its gentle and subtle sweetness.
Chikage	That’s a relief. If the director likes it that much, then it’s all good.
Izumi	..... Alright, Chikage-san, did you need something from me, by any chance?
Chikage	Haha, no need to be so suspicious of me.
	I just wanted to hear the director’s opinion.
Izumi	Opinion? Is it a gift for someone?
Chikage	Yes, since our business partner’s a woman, I figured hearing what director had to say would help.
Izumi	So that’s what’s up. Why didn’t you just say so?
Chikage	Sorry, sorry. Ah, director, there’s one more thing I need to ask of you.
	It’s got something to do with what I said earlier....
Izumi	.........?

Chikage	There are more people here than I expected.
	Guess it can’t be helped since it’s a holiday.
Izumi	Yeah, I think so too.
	(I wonder what he’s going to ask me about, though...)
	(I never would have thought that Chikage-san would ask me to go look at suits together with him.)
	--Flashback--
Izumi	--A suit?
Chikage	Yup. I’m thinking of getting a new one.
Izumi	But Chikage-san, what’s so special in buying more of them if you already own a few?
Chikage	The woman I talked about earlier, She's someone who’s very particular about suits.
	It’s also a greeting to her as the new person in charge, so I wanted to make a quick decision about it.
Izumi	Huh... Sounds like someone’s really into it.
Chikage	On the contrary, it’s not something I’m too happy about either....
	Actually, I was planning to have dinner out with the Spring Troupe that day.
Izumi	Ooh, sounds good! But it shouldn’t matter since it’s at night, right....
Chikage	No, with the people I have to meet, you’d be surprised at how difficult they are to talk to. The first day I visited that company, I wasn’t able to come home on time.
	So, to be honest, I don’t think I’ll be able to leave early either.... I don’t think I could get out of there any time soon, but I’ll do what I can.
Izumi	So, we’re gonna get you a new suit?
Chikage	Yup. The strategy is to get the other side to like you, make them match your pace, and to finally bring an end to the conversation quickly.
Izumi	I see.
Chikage	That’s why I want the director to look at the suits with me from a woman’s perspective.
Izumi	Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll do my best to help you out!
Chikage	Thanks, your help’s much appreciated.
	--End of Flashback--
Chikage	-- Aah, this is it. Here we are, director.
Izumi	Y, yeah! (The atmosphere of this shop is so overwhelming...! I feel so nervous and I’m not even buying anything.)
Chikage	Let’s go inside then.
Izumi	(It’s incredible to see so many suits lined up like this...! And they all look so high-class, even a layman like me would know...)
Chikage	.... Is the counter over there?
Izumi	Wait, Chikage-san. Didn’t you come here to choose a suit?
Chikage	Since the woman from the other company’s got this extraordinary interest in men’s suits. I’m going to ask them to make a suit that’s perfectly tailored to my body this time.
	Excuse me.
Tailor	Welcome.
Chikage	I’m Utsuki, the one you spoke to on the phone the other day.
Tailor	Utsuki-sama, we have been waiting for you. Now, may I ask you something here?
Chikage	Understood, please lead the way.
Tailor	You can choose which fabric you want over here.
Chikage	... I see.
Izumi	(Chikage-san, you’re a natural at this, have you ordered a suit here before?)
Chikage	Izumi-san, can I have a word with you?
Izumi	Eh, me? A, alright!
Chikage	Which fabric would you like this to be in?
Izumi	The fabric? Hm, let’s see. Do you think this would look good on you, Chikage-san...?
Chikage	Well then, this one over here please.
Tailor	Understood, sir.
	........ It’s nice to wear something that your partner has picked out for you.
Izumi	Partner...!?
Chikage	Haha, that’s right. If I think about how it’s something that she chose for me, I’ll be able to work harder.
	Right, Izumi-san?
Izumi	(Ah, I’m being played with again...!)

Izumi	...... Chikage-san, he should be here by now.
Guy	Ah, I just received word of him stating that he’s on his way.
Izumi	(I hope today’s business meeting went well.)
Juza	..... ! He just got here, I think.
Guy	Speak of the devil.
Guy	Welcome.
Chikage	Thanks. Is Juza helping out at Guy’s place? That’s rare.
Juza	Just ‘cuz I heard Chikage-san was coming here tonight. That suit looks really cool on you.
Guy	You’re right, it does look good on him. A fully tailored suit is different from the norm after all.
Chikage	Thank you very much. Come to think of it, Juza’s working part-time at that shop right now, right?
Juza	Yeah. I’ve been working behind the scenes in the background but I’m getting better.
Chikage	Guy, you also went to that shop I suggested from what I recall. Please let me have a look at your shoes and semi-custom suit when they’re done.
Guy	Mhm.
Izumi	Chikage-san, welcome back! How did your business meeting go?
Chikage	I’m back. Thanks to you, the other party liked it a lot. The suit was pretty much well received. Because of this, our interactions will go smoothly in the future.
Izumi	That’s good to hear.
Chikage	All thanks to the director.
CHOICE 1: That's not true [+] Izumi That’s not true, I’m pretty much an amateur when it comes to suit fabrics. Chikage No, If I can get a trustworthy partner like director to choose for me then I couldn’t be happier. Izumi You’re saying that kind of stuff again...! Chikage Haha. But it really helped that you picked for me, thank you.
CHOICE 2: It's different when you wear it [+] Izumi I only saw the fabric at the shop, but when you wear it on like this, the vibe’s different again. Chikage That’s right. At first glance, it just looks like your regular suit, but there’s many different shapes and patterns. You'd be surprised at how fast shapes and silhouettes go in and out of fashion. Izumi Wow, I didn’t know that! That’s interesting. Chikage If you’re that interested, I’ll have the director pick out a suit for me next time too. Izumi What? Are you sure? If you ever need another suit, please let me know.
Chikage	Well then, let’s go.
Izumi	Fufu, everyone’s been waiting for you over there.
Sakuya	Chikage-san, welcome back!
Tsuzuru	Ooh, so that’s the suit you were talking about. As expected of a salaryman, he owns the look....
Masumi	Feels like you’re the only one into it.
Itaru	You call that an example? Good work ig.
Citron	Come on, Chikage, get over here already~
Chikage	Yeah, yeah.
Juza	....... Spring troupe, you guys were planning to have dinner somewhere else, yeah?
Izumi	Yup. But when I heard Chikage-san’s work just started, I was planning to postpone it cause I didn’t want to force it.
Guy	I suggested that we get together at my restaurant, which could operate at more flexible times, since it was getting late... I’m glad everyone seems pleased, though.
Izumi	Fufu, pretty much.
Guy	I hope I was able to repay Utsuki for introducing me to a good shop.
Juza	I’ll do my best to help at the restaurant tonight to thank Chikage-san for lending me a suit too.
Citron	Chikage, wear the tie around your head!
Tsuzuru	Yeah, no, not with the drip on that suit.
Sakuya	But Chikage-san, you’re really owning up to the look! You look really cool!
Masumi	I’ll make sure to wear something like that soon enough.
Itaru	So you’re admitting that you think he looks good in it.
Chikage	I get it, I get it. You can all stop talking about my suit now.
Izumi	(Chikage-san, you say that but you don’t look like you’re gloating at all, I’m getting used to your facial expressions more and more.)
Chikage	What is it, director?
Izumi	No, it’s nothing.

Adriemori