I Just Want a Single Ending [164]
Nijika Ijichi agreed, nodding in approval.
"Yeah, I think so too," Gotoh Hitori mumbled in agreement.
Even though Kita Ikuyo and Kamigawa Saku might look good as a couple, everyone knew it was just pretend. There was no need to actually celebrate it. Besides, being the "dark character" of the group, she wasn't exactly eager to see them get too close.
If they could keep some distance, well, that was perfect.
"This could work out well—it means less need for any intimate gestures, right?"
Kita thought it over, imagining how pretending they'd just started dating could ease things a lot.
As long as they acted a little new to it, it wouldn't be expected of them to hold hands or even touch. And even if they didn't quite look like a couple, people might just assume they hadn't gotten comfortable yet.
"That's right! No need for stuff like wiping each other's mouths," Anon quickly added.
The more she thought about that kind of gesture, the more she felt it wasn't exactly appropriate—not to mention, she didn't see why Kita should get to do something so intimate with Saku. Anon wasn't about to let her get away with it that easily.
"Oh, but nothing's as foolproof as kissing," Ryo Yamada chimed in, holding firm to her original suggestion.
"We're sticking with Kamigawa-senpai's idea."
Kita ignored her, opting for the safer option.
It seemed that despite Ryo's weird ideas and the adults being of little help, Kamigawa—her pretend boyfriend in this scenario—was actually the most dependable here.
"Agreed."
Saku couldn't have been more pleased.
This plan would minimize their "couple" interactions as much as possible, which meant his dream of a pure, single ending was still intact.
This was exactly the kind of problem-solving that came from his gal game expertise.
Phew...
Anon quietly sighed with relief. This setup was pretty much the best they could have hoped for.
At least things hadn't escalated to the worst-case scenario. It was just barely acceptable.
But she'd still have to keep a close eye on Kita Ikuyo, just in case.
Whatever the true motive behind all this was, she'd do her best to make sure things stayed distant between them.
After some more discussion, they wrapped up the details of the "couple act."
---
From behind the counter, the PA manager watched them, commenting with a smile, "Ah, youth."
"Isn't your idea of 'youth' a bit narrow? They're just chatting together."
Seika Ijichi paused, remembering something. "Oh, right. I forgot that, to you, this kind of stuff is probably pretty novel—you did drop out after your first year of high school."
"Hey, I talk to people from all over the world online now!"
The PA manager gave a casual shrug, recalling the fun chats she had with viewers while streaming.
It basically counted, right?
Seika just rolled her eyes, not in the mood to argue.
"Oh, by the way, doesn't STARRY usually have a live show on by now?"
Kamigawa asked casually.
It was already evening, and yet their group was the only one in sight. The question was pretty natural.
"Nope, not today," Nijika explained. "We weren't sure when the typhoon would fully pass, so we didn't schedule anything for this week."
After all, if rain could keep an audience away, a typhoon would practically guarantee an empty house.
"Ah, I see..." Kamigawa glanced over at Seika.
Although the reasoning was completely legitimate, knowing that someone here was a bit of a "sister enthusiast" made him wonder.
He had a feeling that today—Nijika's birthday—was part of the reason for the unusually open schedule. The typhoon was just a handy excuse.
With the discussion wrapping up, everyone returned to their own activities—except Kamigawa and the others were now conspiring in hushed voices behind Nijika's back.
Their plan was simple: it was time to present Nijika's birthday gift.
As the only one who'd remembered her birthday and prepared a gift beforehand, Kamigawa got the honor of starting things off.
Quietly slipping into the practice room, he retrieved the gift and then approached Nijika, who was tidying up, with Anon and the others trailing behind him.
"What's up with you guys?"
Nijika noticed the odd atmosphere.
"Happy birthday! Here's a gift from me," Kamigawa said with a smile, handing her the neatly wrapped box.
Right after that, the others joined in, crowding around her.
"Happy birthday, Nijika!"
"Huh?!"
Nijika stood there, stunned by the unexpected surprise.
"Th-thank you!"
She wanted to say something to express how touched she felt, but the words just wouldn't come out. All she could do was thank them over and over.
She hadn't even told Ikuyo, Hitori, or Anon that it was her birthday, yet somehow, they'd found out and even gotten her gifts.
She was overwhelmed.
"This is the first time I've seen Nijika look like this... I wonder if she'll cry?"
Ryo, ever the tease, looked on in anticipation.
With that, all the warmth and emotion Nijika had been holding onto evaporated instantly.
"...Would you not ruin the moment like that?"
"No tears, huh? What a pity."
Ryo, predictably clueless as ever, was completely unfazed.
"Geez!"
Nijika could only grumble, her tone dripping with exasperation.
"Wow, they all remembered Nijika's birthday, huh?"
The PA manager chuckled as she watched them.
"That box Kamigawa brought in must have been full of presents," Seika mused, thinking back to how sneaky Kamigawa had looked earlier.
"Now that they've all given their gifts, maybe it's time you bring out that birthday cake you prepared?" the PA manager reminded her.
"Argh, my plan is ruined! They couldn't have given me a heads-up before doing all this?"
Seika sighed, rolling her eyes as she went to grab the cake she'd bought earlier.
---
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