TV-Series
Description
Ikuto Tsumura shoulders responsibility as the eldest son in a family facing financial hardship after his father's death, living with his mother and three younger sisters: Honoka, Aoi, and Ichika. This burden compelled him to prioritize supporting his family over pursuing his dream of becoming a fashion designer, leading him straight into full-time work after high school instead of college.
Despite these familial and economic pressures, he possesses innate talent in fashion design and pattern making, notably able to accurately recreate clothing patterns after just one glance. His entry into the fashion world started with a part-time position under designer Hajime Yanagida, where he gained hands-on experience before family needs forced his departure. He faced industry skepticism over his lack of formal education and experience, yet these setbacks only hardened his resolve to succeed.
Shy, polite, and deeply self-sacrificing, Ikuto often hides his struggles to protect his family from guilt. Though some misinterpret his family focus as selfishness or lack of ambition, he gradually cultivates greater assertiveness and competitive drive, particularly sparked by rival designer Toh Ayano, who initially dismisses him as merely a pattern maker. His core motivation crystallizes into designing clothes that "make people smile," a philosophy inspired by his family's encouragement and his own experiences.
Key career breakthroughs include selling a design to Kenji Fujito’s company, Mille Neige, which financed his participation in the Geika Institute of Fashion's festival. There, despite placing 11th due to critiques about creativity, his performance impressed the headmaster, securing an internship and eventual scholarship offer at Geika. He later joined the prestigious house Aphro I Dite as an intern, rapidly ascending to become chief designer of their "Aphro I Dite novice" branch.
His relationships profoundly shape his journey. His family remains his emotional anchor, with his sisters actively championing his dreams. His partnership with classmate Chiyuki Fujito, an aspiring model confronting her own hurdles, evolves into a powerful mutual inspiration; they challenge each other to break through professional barriers, with romantic feelings blossoming over time. Concurrently, his rivalry with Toh Ayano matures into a complex dynamic blending professional respect and intense competition.
Despite these familial and economic pressures, he possesses innate talent in fashion design and pattern making, notably able to accurately recreate clothing patterns after just one glance. His entry into the fashion world started with a part-time position under designer Hajime Yanagida, where he gained hands-on experience before family needs forced his departure. He faced industry skepticism over his lack of formal education and experience, yet these setbacks only hardened his resolve to succeed.
Shy, polite, and deeply self-sacrificing, Ikuto often hides his struggles to protect his family from guilt. Though some misinterpret his family focus as selfishness or lack of ambition, he gradually cultivates greater assertiveness and competitive drive, particularly sparked by rival designer Toh Ayano, who initially dismisses him as merely a pattern maker. His core motivation crystallizes into designing clothes that "make people smile," a philosophy inspired by his family's encouragement and his own experiences.
Key career breakthroughs include selling a design to Kenji Fujito’s company, Mille Neige, which financed his participation in the Geika Institute of Fashion's festival. There, despite placing 11th due to critiques about creativity, his performance impressed the headmaster, securing an internship and eventual scholarship offer at Geika. He later joined the prestigious house Aphro I Dite as an intern, rapidly ascending to become chief designer of their "Aphro I Dite novice" branch.
His relationships profoundly shape his journey. His family remains his emotional anchor, with his sisters actively championing his dreams. His partnership with classmate Chiyuki Fujito, an aspiring model confronting her own hurdles, evolves into a powerful mutual inspiration; they challenge each other to break through professional barriers, with romantic feelings blossoming over time. Concurrently, his rivalry with Toh Ayano matures into a complex dynamic blending professional respect and intense competition.