I Just Want A Single Ending!

Afternoon arrived before they knew it.

Just as Takamatsu Tomori was packing up her things to leave, she found herself blocked by Chihaya Anon and Kamigawa Saku, who approached her from either side.

"Is there something you need?"

Surrounded, Tomori looked at them with visible confusion.

"Can we talk somewhere private?" Chihaya clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture.

She didn't want to bring this up in front of the whole class. If Tomori agreed, it'd be fine, but if she refused, it'd be awkward.

"Sure, follow me."

With a nod, Tomori led the way out of the classroom.

After a brief glance at each other, Chihaya and Kamigawa followed her.

They walked some distance until they arrived at the Astronomy Club room.

"So you're a member of the Astronomy Club, Takamatsu-san?" Chihaya asked, glancing around with a light chuckle.

Tomori set her bag on the desk and responded quietly, "Yes, but I'm the only member."

"Stars are beautiful, aren't they? It's just a shame that with all the pollution, you can barely see them anymore," Kamigawa added.

"You like stars too?"

"I'd say I like them well enough."

Kamigawa's expression remained neutral as he lied with ease.

In reality, he knew nothing about stars, barely glancing at the sky on any given day. He only knew a few famous constellations and stars, like the Big Dipper, Polaris, and Perseus.

He only mentioned his "interest" to build a connection with her and make his invitation easier.

Tomori's eyes lit up, and she eagerly asked, "Would you like to join the Astronomy Club? Although I don't really need extra members to keep it from closing, I'd be thrilled to have someone else."

[Accept]

[Decline]

"Sorry, I already promised Chihaya-san that I'd help run her band's social media, so I don't have much time for club activities."

Kamigawa glanced at Chihaya as he answered, feeling forced to turn down the invitation.

If Chihaya hadn't been there, he might've been more tempted to accept.

But as it stood, he couldn't risk raising Tomori's favorability by dropping Chihaya's.

[Stamina +5]

"Oh…"

Tomori's mood visibly fell.

Hearing the mention of the band, Chihaya jumped in, "By the way, Takamatsu-san, would you like to join our band? I'll be on guitar and vocals, and Kamigawa-kun will manage our social media."

"…I already told Kamigawa-kun I'm done with bands."

Tomori shook her head, rejecting the offer almost instantly.

"Really?" Chihaya looked over at Kamigawa in surprise. "Why didn't you tell me?"

When she'd asked his opinion earlier, he'd only mentioned the overlapping positions in the band; he hadn't brought up Tomori's decision to quit.

Had she known that, she wouldn't have asked.

Kamigawa explained, "Well, Takamatsu-san told me she doesn't want to be in another band because she's afraid of failing again, like with her last band."

He continued, "She said her previous band broke up over creative differences, and she worries it may have been her fault."

"So basically, as long as the new band doesn't fall apart, you'd be willing to join, right, Takamatsu-san?"

Tomori didn't deny his interpretation.

"That makes sense." Chihaya nodded in agreement. "So then, all you need to do is work hard to avoid repeating past mistakes, right?"

"You can't let one failure decide your whole future."

Kamigawa and Chihaya's encouragement played off each other perfectly.

"Even if you fail, you should have the confidence to try again," Chihaya said warmly. "Life is long; if you let one setback define it, how will you keep going?"

"Huh?"

Tomori's expression softened as she listened to their words.

"If your last band broke up because of creative differences, you can tell us up front what you're looking for in a band. Who knows? Our ideas might align perfectly," Chihaya said with a friendly smile.

"Of course, if you're not comfortable sharing, that's okay too. We won't force you."

"Well…"

Seeing Tomori start to open up, Kamigawa and Chihaya exchanged triumphant smiles.

With her cheeks slightly flushed, Tomori looked at them, her expression hopeful. "Will you stay in a band with me… forever?"

"What?"

Kamigawa and Chihaya both cried out in unison after a couple of stunned seconds.

---

"It didn't work."

Leaning against the wall, Kamigawa summed up their failed attempt.

"Honestly, why does Takamatsu-san take band life so seriously?"

Chihaya sighed as she took a drink from the vending machine.

The atmosphere had been perfect, and everything had felt like it would go smoothly. She'd thought they'd win her over for sure.

But Tomori's intense conditions had made them both back down.

Stay in a band together forever?

What a ridiculous idea!

"Maybe it's some kind of psychological scar from her last band breaking up?" Kamigawa guessed.

"I could see that."

Chihaya took another sip, nodding thoughtfully.

Kamigawa suddenly had a question. "By the way, Chihaya-san, what do you want out of being in a band?"

"Well…"

Of course, she wanted to be the center of the group, dazzling everyone and drawing fans from all over to worship her!

"To have fun with everyone, making music together and holding some awesome live performances," she replied with a bright smile.

"Sounds great."

"And you?"

"I just hope we can do a lot of meaningful things together and have a chill time in high school."

In truth, Kamigawa didn't care about the band at all.

He only wanted to befriend romanceable characters, get through high school as a single guy, and achieve that fabled single ending.

After that, he could party his way through the rest of his life.

"Seems like we're surprisingly on the same page—our visions for the band are practically identical."

"Yeah."

They exchanged a friendly smile, feeling like kindred spirits.

"But we'll still need to find some other members if we want to get this band going. Do you have anyone in mind?" Chihaya was determined to make this band happen.

"Not at the moment." Kamigawa thought for a second and then suggested, "How about checking out a live house? We might find someone there."

"That sounds great. I've actually never been to a live house before."

Chihaya looked thrilled at the idea.

"Then let's head out."

"Lead the way."