I Just Want a Single Ending [87] [DDD!]

December Double Drop!

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After saying goodbye to his own bandmates, Kamigawa Saku went to find Gotoh Hitori, who had been training all through the break.

She was sitting in the corner, chatting with Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo.

"So, how are you feeling?" Kamigawa asked, casually joining the conversation.

"With everyone around, I can manage to play."

Gotoh Hitori lifted her head, took a quick glance at the ever-so-social Kamigawa, then quickly looked back down.

Thanks to her practice sessions, she was now able to perform normally in front of him.

But when he wasn't there, and it was just her and Ijichi and the others, her confidence was shaky; she could only play well sporadically.

Her biggest progress, though, was that she'd started to overcome her fear of others' eyes on her.

"That's alright—just take it slow," Kamigawa reassured her before turning to Nijika. "Have you guys thought about your next live? When are you planning to hold it?"

"If everything goes smoothly, we're aiming for one before summer break."

Nijika didn't hesitate to share the band's plans.

Ryo chimed in, "So we've got about three months."

"Is Kita ready for it? She's only been learning guitar for a short while," Kamigawa asked, still a bit concerned.

"That's why we're aiming for summer."

Nijika had naturally taken that into account.

Kamigawa smiled, "Let's hope Kita does her best."

"Speaking of which, what about your band?" Nijika asked, interested. "Since you've been practicing all break, you guys must be close to your first live by now, right?"

"Not even close. We still haven't finished writing an original song, and we don't even have a band name yet, though practice is going well."

Since they were only working on Spring Shadow, even Chihaya Anon was managing to keep up.

"Everyone's got their own challenges," Nijika offered sympathetically.

"…"

Watching them chat so naturally, Gotoh Hitori found herself unable to join in.

At first, she'd planned to stay quiet, blending into the background as usual, but then she had a realization.

Wait, she'd been training all break and could now play in front of strangers. Surely joining in a conversation with her bandmates wasn't beyond her!

Especially since the topic was about band plans.

As a member of Kessoku Band, she had a reason to contribute here.

Alright, time to go for it.

Just find the right moment and jump into the conversation!

And then—

Gotoh Hitori opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She couldn't do it! It was impossible!

Playing in front of strangers was hard enough, but joining a conversation with these social butterflies was even tougher.

With no one to guide her in, this was way beyond her comfort zone.

To avoid looking awkward, Gotoh grabbed her cup and pretended to drink.

---

"Bocchi-san, what's wrong?"

As they left the RiNG studio together, Kamigawa noticed Gotoh Hitori's low spirits.

"Probably feeling down about school starting," Ryo guessed casually.

"Wait, school starts?"

Gotoh blinked, suddenly snapping out of her thoughts.

"Today's the last day of break," Kamigawa reminded her.

"…It's over so soon!"

Gotoh counted the days, confirming they weren't joking.

To her, it felt like she'd only just come here to play guitar for a bit, yet break was already over.

"Honestly, I feel like this break was pretty long," Kamigawa sighed. "It's been exhausting for me."

Ijichi Nijika thought of something and asked him, "Speaking of school, our midterms are right after the break. What about your school?"

"Probably the same. It's already May, after all," Kamigawa replied nonchalantly.

"Midterms?!"

Gotoh had completely forgotten about those.

"So, how are your grades, Saku?"

Kamigawa answered humbly, "They're alright."

"I remember Kamigawa's grades are first in the year…"

Gotoh didn't actively seek out this kind of information. Just lying at her desk and listening to the girls in her class chat was enough to hear all about Kamigawa's achievements.

"First in the year? That's amazing," Nijika exclaimed.

"It was just luck this time."

Kamigawa had achieved that rank through his own hard work, without any help from outside sources.

But to him, it wasn't exactly something to brag about.

He shifted the topic. "How about your grades?"

"They're… okay. Nothing exceptional," Nijika replied, equally modest.

"Another first-in-year?"

Nijika waved her hands. "No way! Being top of the year isn't that easy!"

"What about you two, Ryo and Bocchi-san?"

"Completely hopeless!" Ryo answered without shame.

"Completely… hopeless…"

Gotoh echoed, her tone much more downcast, though her answer was the same.

"If you fail, does that mean less time for the band?"

Kamigawa, having never failed a subject, was clueless about how it worked.

"Would you need to do any extra study sessions?"

"Yes, and club activities would be suspended," Nijika replied, giving him a clear answer.

"Then what about them?"

Kamigawa pointed to Gotoh and Ryo.

"Basically, there's no way we can let those two fail," Nijika decided. "Otherwise, we'll have to delay our live again."

"Oh, right—what about Kita? Any idea how she's doing in school?" Kamigawa reminded them.

"…Let's just hope for the best. Otherwise, this band might end before it really starts," Nijika sighed, looking at the bright side but sounding a bit concerned.

"Hey, maybe I can help. We could all hold a study session together," Kamigawa suggested. "Even though you and Ryo are in your second year, Nijika, I might not be much help to you, but I could definitely tutor Bocchi and Kita."

"Would you really?"

Nijika looked at him as if he were a lifesaver.

"Of course."

Kamigawa wasn't about to pass up a great opportunity like this.

"Though I should check in with my band too, see how everyone's grades are."

"If anyone's struggling, we can all study together."

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Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!

Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!

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