I Just Want a Single Ending [67] [40 PS]

Bonus Chapter!

---

Technically, they were just friends.

And yet—

Soyo found herself wanting to be a little closer to him.

Like family, perhaps.

Of course, she didn't mean in the sense of becoming a couple or anything romantic. No, she simply imagined the closeness of being like siblings.

For some reason, she couldn't shake the thought.

"What's on your mind?"

Kamigawa's voice broke into her thoughts as he returned with a shopping cart, noticing she'd drifted off a bit.

"Oh, nothing. Just got a bit lost in thought."

Soyo shook her head, making sure not to let anything slip.

She'd never admit what she'd just been thinking.

"Well, let's head over there then."

"Alright."

Together, they walked toward the vegetable section.

Since they were close to a high-rise apartment building, the convenience store was impressively large. It felt more like a supermarket, really.

Picking up an eggplant, Soyo casually asked, "Besides offal, which I know you dislike as much as I do, are there any other vegetables you're not a fan of?"

It was an important question.

They were going to be eating dinner together fairly often now, and she wanted to avoid making something he wouldn't enjoy. Better to be prepared.

"Mushrooms," Kamigawa replied with a slight wince. "All types."

"Mushrooms? Like shiitake or wood ear mushrooms?" Soyo blinked, confirming his answer.

"Yep. As long as it's a fungus, I'm not a fan."

Even the ever-popular enoki mushrooms were on his no-go list.

There was no specific reason, really. He just didn't like them—a bit of picky eating, he supposed. Thankfully, his dislikes hadn't interfered with his review work.

Though, in any situation where he couldn't avoid them, he'd force himself to get through it. But when he had the choice? He'd much rather pass.

"Alright, we'll skip the mushrooms then," Soyo replied, noting it down mentally.

After all, it was a sister's job to accept her "brother's" little quirks.

As they continued chatting, they moved along, picking out ingredients for dinner.

"What about this? Do you like it?" she asked, holding up a vegetable.

"Yeah, that works."

And so, Soyo added it to the cart.

This simple back-and-forth, even though it was nothing extraordinary, made her surprisingly happy.

Because, somehow, it really did feel like they were family.

---

After gathering all the ingredients, Soyo remembered what he'd mentioned earlier.

"By the way, didn't you say you needed to pick up a few things too? What did you need?"

"Oh, just some essentials—like shampoo, stuff like that."

To be honest, he hadn't actually needed to buy anything. He'd only said that to have a reasonable excuse to accompany her, to help carry things.

Still, stocking up on essentials wasn't a bad thing; he'd use them eventually.

"Alright, let's head over."

"Got it."

---

After finishing up with the essentials, they left the convenience store together.

"Let me carry one of those bags, at least."

Soyo looked at Kamigawa's hands, both full of shopping bags, and felt a bit guilty. After all, his fingers were still healing.

"I already told you, I came to help carry things, so just leave it to me," Kamigawa declined her offer with a smile.

Despite having his hands full, he didn't feel the slightest bit of strain—it was effortless, really. Proof that his training had paid off.

"Well... alright."

Studying his expression, Soyo decided he wasn't just putting on a brave face, and let it go. Maybe he saw it as a matter of pride as a guy.

So instead, she started chatting about lighter topics, hoping to keep his attention distracted from any discomfort.

They kept up the easy conversation all the way to the apartment building's entrance.

As soon as Soyo opened the building's entry door, she glanced ahead and immediately paused. She could see her mother waiting by the elevator in the distance.

Seeing her stop, Kamigawa followed her gaze, turning toward the elevator.

"Is that...?"

Before he could finish, the elevator doors opened, and Soyo's mother stepped inside, disappearing from their view.

"What now?"

Kamigawa glanced down at the bags of food he was carrying, waiting for her input.

Now that her mother was back home, it wouldn't make sense for him to go up to Soyo's place. There'd be no way to explain it.

"..."

For a moment, Soyo wasn't sure what to say.

"I guess I'll skip coming up today. You can just take the food up yourself," Kamigawa decided, taking his toiletries out of the bag and handing the rest to her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect my mom to be back today." Soyo's voice was filled with apology.

"It's no big deal, really," Kamigawa said, brushing it off. "And besides, you should be happy that your mom's back, right?"

"...You're right." Soyo could only nod in agreement.

"Oh, by the way, I left my bass at your place. That won't be a problem, will it?" he asked, a bit concerned.

"My mom won't mind. And even if she notices, I'll just say it's a friend's."

Actually, she thought it was perfect—it meant he wouldn't be tempted to practice on his own late at night.

"Good to hear."

---

"I'm home."

Soyo opened the door to her apartment and called out, as usual.

But this time, something unusual happened: she got a response.

"Welcome home!"

Her mother, who had only just arrived back herself, walked briskly over to greet her.

"Mom? You're back...?"

Even though she'd already seen her mom by the elevator, Soyo put on a look of surprise.

"Yes! This time, nothing's going to pull me away," her mother said, smiling with the excitement of a child. "I'll definitely be here for dinner tonight."

"That's great. I'll get started on dinner right away; I just picked up some groceries."

Soyo headed toward the kitchen with a complicated mix of emotions.

Yesterday, she'd prepared dinner for her mother, but Kamigawa had ended up eating it. Today, she'd bought food with Kamigawa, but she'd be using it to cook for her mother.

What's going on here?

Yesterday, having her mother unexpectedly home for the evening was a happy surprise, just like Kamigawa offering to have dinner together today. Both were supposed to be good things, moments she could enjoy.

So why did it all have to overlap like this, making everything feel so tangled...?

Soyo was utterly baffled.

---

T/N: I hate mushrooms also!

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

Posture and water check! Review or your frigging dead to me

If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]