Chapter 12: I Just Want a Single Ending [12]
Ignoring the peculiar band name for now, Kamigawa Saku turned his attention back to Ikuyo Kita.
"Now you believe me, right? I genuinely need a bass."
"Well… even if that's true, selling you a bass I've already used at full price doesn't feel right."
Ikuyo looked convinced that he really did need it, but still felt uneasy about the price.
"I'll be using it anyway, so the wear and tear doesn't bother me at all." Kamigawa dismissed her concern.
"But…"
She hesitated, and Kamigawa didn't give her another chance to argue—he quickly pulled out his wallet, counted out thirty ten-thousand yen bills, and pushed the cash into her hands.
"It's settled, three hundred-thousand yen for the bass!"
"Wha…?"
Ikuyo looked from the money in her hand to Kamigawa, who was already zipping the bass bag back up and slinging it over his shoulder, leaving her somewhat dazed.
Kamigawa grinned. "Too late to back out now."
"…Thank you."
After a few deep breaths, Ikuyo offered him a sincere look of gratitude.
"No need to thank me—we both got what we needed."
Kamigawa tried to look casual, but he was already calculating internally. This deal should at least bring them closer to being friends, if not there already.
Ikuyo tucked the money carefully into her wallet, still processing his gesture. After all, he'd done all this just so she wouldn't lose out financially. And he didn't even know how to play.
She resolved to repay his kindness someday.
Nijika Ijichi raised a curious question, "Saku, do you normally carry that much cash around?"
"Why, is that a problem?"
He shrugged—it was simply a habit he'd developed. He was often invited to try places and write recommendations, and sometimes stores gave him perks or deals. Over time, his wallet started filling up with more and more cash.
Plus, with bank interest rates so low, it hardly made sense to deposit it. So he never bothered.
"Doesn't it worry you? If you lose all that money, wouldn't it hurt a bit?" Nijika looked genuinely concerned.
"I'm careful," he assured her.
Ryo Yamada suddenly popped up in front of him, saying, "So, Saku, you're gonna start learning bass?"
"What about it?"
Ryo offered, "I can teach you. Just a ten thousand yen per hour."
Kamigawa actually found himself tempted. Not only would it be a cheap lesson from a skilled bassist, but he could finally get some hands-on experience with the instrument.
Seeing him consider it, Nijika jumped in, "No way! Ryo's just trying to rip you off! No lesson is worth that much!"
Nijika had initially thought Ryo was genuinely being helpful, but now it was clear she was just trying to make a quick profit.
Ryo defended herself, "It's not a rip-off! I'm good, I'll teach him well."
"Alright, and what about the price?"
Nijika conceded Ryo's skill, but wasn't backing down on the cost.
Ryo looked back at Kamigawa, unfazed. "Agree now, and I'll knock off a hundred yen."
"No chance!" Nijika said firmly.
"…Fine, we can discuss this later," Kamigawa decided not to agree for now.
"Guess we got a bit sidetracked, huh?" Anon chuckled.
"Oh, I haven't introduced everyone yet," Kamigawa said, turning to the group. "This is Chihaya Anon, my classmate and my bandmate."
"Nice to meet you all." Anon greeted them politely.
Kamigawa went through introductions for the members of End Band: "This is Nijika Ijichi, this is Ryo Yamada, and that's Hitori Gotoh over there in the corner."
After exchanging introductions, Nijika turned to him, curious, "So what brings you both here today? Looking for band members?"
"Exactly. We still need a drummer and bassist."
"But didn't you just buy a bass, Kamigawa? Why are you looking for a bassist?"
Ikuyo was still puzzled over the whole thing.
Kamigawa explained, "Even if I start learning bass, it'll take time before I'm any good. We still need to form a full band in the meantime."
"I can go ask my sister," Nijika offered, about to head off.
"No need, I heard everything," said Seika Ijichi, Nijika's sister, walking up behind them. "Sorry, but there aren't any bassists or drummers currently looking for a band. But I'll keep an ear out for you."
"Thank you so much."
Both Kamigawa and Anon thanked her.
"And by the way, in the store, it's 'Manager,'" Seika reminded Nijika as she passed by.
"Got it, Manager," Nijika replied automatically.
Kamigawa turned to Anon, "Well, it looks like we're out of luck finding bandmates today. Want to head back, or stay and watch the performance?"
"Definitely stay! I've never seen a live performance before." Anon responded immediately.
"My treat," he offered.
"No need. I'll cover myself."
"Alright."
Kamigawa didn't push further.
---
After watching the live show, Kamigawa Saku slung the bass over his shoulder and left STARRY with Chihaya Anon.
"Honestly, Kamigawa, are you really planning on learning bass?" Anon asked, walking alongside him.
Kamigawa turned to her, puzzled. "Why ask that? Didn't I make myself pretty clear?"
"I thought it over, and honestly, it feels wrong to make you do it. I'm the one who wants to start a band," Anon explained, meeting his gaze. "You're already managing the band's social media—there's no reason you, who doesn't even play an instrument, should be learning bass."
"We only just started this whole band thing today; finding members doesn't have to be rushed."
"…So you really thought I was going to learn bass?" Kamigawa chuckled, seeing her serious expression.
"Wait, you're not planning to?" Anon blinked in surprise.
"Nope, never planned on it."
"Then why'd you buy Ikuyo's bass? And say all that stuff?"
"Because buying it was the only way to keep her from taking a loss," Kamigawa said, patting the bass on his back. "If I hadn't made it sound like I wanted to learn, do you think she'd have sold it to me?"
"She probably wouldn't have. But doesn't that mean you'll be taking the loss now? Since you won't even be playing it."
As she spoke, a thought occurred to Anon, and she tilted her head curiously. "Wait… do you like Ikuyo?"
Kamigawa shot back, "What do you think?"
"I can't tell at all."
"Then why'd you ask?"
"Because I still don't get why you'd buy her bass," Anon huffed. "Can't you just tell me already?"
Kamigawa looked her in the eye, feigning sincerity. "Alright, fine. It's because I'm a really nice guy."
"…I believed that at first, but now that you say it outright, I don't buy it."
Anon held back a grin, then let out a sigh.
Kamigawa grinned as he started to explain. "Look, I'm not really out any money here. You can't forget, I'm a social media creator with over five-hundred fifty thousand followers. If I ever decide to sell it secondhand, I'll probably make back more than Ikuyo would've if she'd sold it at a shop."
"Good point."
This reason finally seemed to make sense to Anon.
"Plus," he added, "don't you think it looks cool with me carrying it around? You know that feeling, right? Where everyone on the street glances your way because you're carrying an instrument?"
"Yeah."
Anon nodded, trying not to look too self-satisfied.
She couldn't argue with that one—she'd had the same thought.
"So why didn't you just tell her the truth? Even if you had, Ikuyo probably would've sold it to you anyway." She still looked a bit confused.
Kamigawa's smile turned sly. "If I'd told the truth, I wouldn't have gotten to hear certain things she really felt."
"…You know, I thought you were a good guy when I first met you."
Remembering his polite manner when they'd first met, Anon suddenly felt like she'd been played.
"Sorry to disappoint you." Kamigawa shrugged. "So, is the band breaking up?"
"Not a chance—I worked too hard to get it started!" Anon shot back quickly.
Sure, his real personality differed from her first impression, but that only made things more interesting.
"Oh, by the way," Kamigawa said, suddenly remembering, "I think the band's name could use some work. Can we change it?"
Anon frowned. "What's wrong with it? anon tokyo is a great name."
"I didn't mean to offend your name choice, but come on—who names a band after themselves?"
"I'm the band leader, so naming rights are mine," she shot back confidently.
"Band names should be something everyone agrees on," Kamigawa countered.
"So, that means it's just up to us two?"
"Let's wait until we find a bassist and drummer. Then we'll settle on a name. No point in deciding that now with only the two of us in the band."
"Fair enough."