I Just Want a Single Ending [68] [50 PS]
Since Soyo's mom had suddenly returned, he'd been left with no choice but to head out for dinner, turning it into a chance to check out a new restaurant. Unfortunately, this spot didn't quite hit the mark, so he'd decided not to recommend it on Instagram.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten to message Hitori Gotoh to remind her about the special training at the café tomorrow.
After eating, Kamigawa spent his evening diving into the astronomy book once again. Thanks to that study boost card from the system, he suddenly had more free time and could really focus on learning.
But even though he'd always considered himself a pretty fast learner, without the card, his current pace was barely a fraction of what it was in that flash of insight.
The system's perks really were something else.
Pausing for a moment to marvel at the power of the study card, Kamigawa refocused and continued reading. Even if he didn't have the boost, he'd rely on his own hard work.
After all, he didn't want to just coast along on the system's benefits.
---
The next morning...
"About yesterday, I'm really sorry for the trouble."
Soyo's first words upon seeing Kamigawa in the apartment lobby were an apology.
"Don't worry about it. You already apologized yesterday," he replied casually as they headed to RiNG together.
"Then... would you be free today?" Soyo asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not. I already have plans this afternoon."
Thinking about his karaoke plans with Chihaya, Kamigawa had to turn her down.
"Is it for a restaurant review?"
Last night before bed, Soyo had checked his Instagram and noticed that he hadn't posted any new recommendations, leading her to guess that he hadn't found any spots worth mentioning.
[Tell the Truth][Make an Excuse]
"No, I'm actually going to karaoke with Chihaya," Kamigawa said honestly.
It was just an outing with a friend, after all—no need to make excuses. Soyo wasn't his girlfriend or anything.
And besides, he had no intention of being one of those guys who led people on.
[New Reward: Locator Card (5 uses) - Think of a person's name and recall their face to know their location for 10 minutes.]
Another card?
Kamigawa was pleasantly surprised by the system's latest gift. It wasn't as overpowered as the study card, but it could still come in handy, especially when it came to finding people, like hunting down Shoko Toyokawa at school.
If only he had unlimited uses; he'd make a great private eye for finding people or even lost pets.
"Oh... I see," Soyo replied, her gaze softening as she clasped her hands together.
She recalled that Kamigawa and Chihaya seemed to be getting pretty close lately. After all, it was Chihaya who had gotten him to learn bass in the first place, so that they could form the band together.
But really, that had nothing to do with her. It wasn't as if she liked him or anything, only that she wanted to be closer—just like family, as a sister would.
So, whoever he chose to spend time with was none of her concern...
"Well, I hope you two have a great time."
Her smile was warm, her voice as gentle as ever, almost as if she were a sister offering kind advice to her younger brother.
"Thanks," Kamigawa replied, smiling back.
---
Arriving at the second-floor café at RiNG.
Today, Gotoh Hitori arrived unusually early, so she hadn't started playing just yet. She was currently sitting and chatting with Nijika Ijichi.
Saku's bandmates, including Chihaya Anon and the others, had also arrived and were chatting at a nearby table.
She sat up very straight, trying her best to blend in with the café atmosphere.
Unfortunately, no matter how much she tried, her tracksuit made her look completely out of place.
Sneaking glances at Nijika Ijichi, who sat across from her, Gotoh Hitori silently took a sip of her coffee.
By all accounts, she'd been to this café so many times, not to mention performing on stage for several days now. Surely, she could consider herself at least a little socially adept, right?
Just as she thought this, she looked up and saw Kamigawa Saku and Nagasaki Soyo walking in.
And instantly, she dismissed that unrealistic thought.
Thinking she was a "social type" must've been her own delusion.
The two of them had a distinct fashionable aura that instantly made it clear they frequented places like this, while she looked like someone who had mustered up all her courage just to be here.
This… this was the stark difference between someone outgoing and someone awkward!
"Good morning."
Kamigawa Saku and Nagasaki Soyo walked over to them and greeted everyone.
"Good morning."
"G-Good morning."
Watching Nijika respond with boundless enthusiasm, Gotoh Hitori couldn't help but once again feel the difference between them.
"Oh, by the way, Kita's coming today to watch Bocchi-chan's performance too."
After Nagasaki Soyo went over to greet Chihaya Anon and the others, Kamigawa Saku mentioned Kita Ikuyo's plans.
"Kita's coming too?" Nijika Ijichi looked pleasantly surprised.
Kamigawa Saku glanced at Gotoh Hitori and smiled. "Yes, she's also coming to cheer for Bocchi-chan."
"I-I'll do my best."
Gotoh Hitori replied meekly.
"In that case, Ryo's the only one who hasn't been here yet."
Nijika suddenly remembered and couldn't help but mutter.
"She probably has her own things to do, right?"
With Nagasaki Soyo here to teach her bass now, Yamada Ryo no longer had a reason to be around.
"She's probably off playing somewhere or wandering around," Nijika said, clearly very familiar with Ryo's tendencies.
"True."
After chatting a bit, Kamigawa Saku naturally went over to join his own bandmates' conversation.
Not long after, before Gotoh Hitori even finished her coffee, Kita Ikuyo arrived as well.
Her gaze swept across the café before spotting them immediately.
Walking over to Gotoh Hitori and Nijika Ijichi, she greeted them as usual before sitting down and pulling out a wrapped gift from her pocket, handing it to Gotoh Hitori.
"Huh? This is…?"
Gotoh Hitori's eyes widened as she stared at the gift box in front of her, unable to believe it.
"A gift for you, as thanks for teaching me guitar," Kita Ikuyo explained simply.
"Can… can I really accept it?"
Gotoh Hitori swallowed nervously, visibly tense.
This was the first time, aside from family, that she'd ever received a gift from someone.
"Of course you can."
"T-T-Thank you."
Gotoh Hitori's hands trembled as she took the gift.
Kita Ikuyo smiled warmly and added, "Kamigawa-senpai helped me pick it out too. I hope you'll like it."
'Kamigawa-senpai?'
Chihaya Anon, who had been chatting with Kamigawa Saku, suddenly picked up on the name.
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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