I Just Want A Single Ending!

"Not a lie…?"

Takamatsu Tomori stared intently at him, as if trying to confirm something deep in his expression.

"When I said I want to be your friend, that was no lie. I already admitted to lying about being interested in stars yesterday—there's no point in lying about this."

Kamigawa met her gaze and explained carefully.

"I thought, since you like stars, maybe I could get closer to you by learning more about them."

"So yesterday, before going home, I bought a few books on astronomy and spent the night reading them cover to cover."

"I also found out online that there's a planetarium nearby."

"I thought that maybe coming here would help me understand stars better."

"But I guess my luck is off, because on my first visit here, I ran into you."

"But why? Why do you want to be friends with me?"

After hearing his explanation, this was the one question Tomori wanted answered.

After all, she considered herself strange, out of place.

Kamigawa countered, "Does wanting to be someone's friend need a reason?"

"Everyone starts out as strangers. So why do we gradually become friends?"

"If you asked those who've already become friends, the most common answer would be that they just get along well or enjoy spending time together."

"If you asked me, my answer would be pretty similar. I think being friends with you sounds interesting, and I'd like to get to know you better."

"…"

Tomori remained silent.

So that didn't work…maybe I should've gone with pretending to like stars after all?

Seeing her unresponsive, Kamigawa's thoughts grew conflicted.

Then again, even if I'd pretended, we'd have run out of things to talk about with stars eventually, and she would've found out.

I'd figured honesty would work better with someone so reserved. Guess I misjudged her.

Well, I'll think of something else later. This time, I messed up.

He gave a small, apologetic smile. "Sorry. I ended up saying something weird. Just ignore it. Sorry for taking up your time."

But just then, Tomori spoke softly, "…It's fine."

"Huh? 'Fine' as in…you're willing to be friends?"

Kamigawa couldn't believe the surprise twist.

She nodded.

For her, having someone want to be her friend for such an ordinary reason made her feel, for once, a bit like a normal person.

"That's great." Kamigawa let out a deep breath, genuinely relieved. "I'm glad we're friends, Tomori."

"It's…just call me Tomori. We're friends now, after all."

"In that case, feel free to call me Saku."

"Alright."

Kamigawa smiled. "Honestly? I started looking into stars just to befriend you, but after seeing them today, I think I might actually be interested now."

"Really?" She seemed delighted.

"Definitely. If you have some time, would you tell me a bit more about them?"

"Of course."

Kamigawa suggested, "Let's find somewhere to sit and chat. Talking in front of the planetarium is a little weird."

He noticed that once the conversation turned to something she liked, her reserved nature melted away.

"Good idea."

…

On the second floor of RING livehouse, Kamigawa gave a quick introduction. "This might be a livehouse, but their café menu is actually pretty solid. I even recommended it on my Instagram once."

"Mm."

Tomori's eyes took in the familiar setting, responding quietly.

Just as they'd settled down, a girl with long black hair and a distinctive beauty mark under her left eye approached their table in a server's uniform.

Shiina Taki—the drummer of CRYCHIC.

Kamigawa recognized her right away.

"Tomori? What brings you here today?" Taki asked warmly, surprised to see her friend at her workplace.

In a small voice, Tomori replied, "I'm here with a friend."

"A friend?"

Hearing that, Taki finally noticed Kamigawa sitting across from Tomori.

Not another girl, but a boy. And one she didn't recognize.

Taki was sure she'd never met him before.

"Hi, I'm Kamigawa Saku, a friend of Tomori's." He introduced himself easily.

"Tomori?" Taki's eyes widened in surprise. "You call her Tomori?"

[New romanceable character discovered: Shiina Taki]

"That's right. We're friends now," he said with a smile, noting the system notification without much surprise.

By now, he'd already met three CRYCHIC members, and all three were marked as targets.

If his hunch was right, the remaining two would be as well.

Which would be ideal.

After all, he'd always been a huge CRYCHIC fan.

"Tomori, did this guy trick you? If he did, just nod, and I'll kick him out immediately."

It never crossed Taki's mind that Tomori would willingly befriend a guy.

So the only explanation? He must've tricked her into it.

Tomori shook her head. "No, it's nothing like that. We're classmates, and besides, he's a fan of CRYCHIC."

"A fan? Seriously? He's probably just saying that to get close to you."

Taki could believe they were classmates, but the fan part? She was skeptical.

CRYCHIC had only held one live performance—what were the odds that her classmate was a genuine fan?

"Your name is Shiina Taki, isn't it?" Kamigawa spoke up.

Taki narrowed her eyes. "How do you know my name? Have you been stalking me?"

"You all introduced yourselves at CRYCHIC's show. Plus, I follow CRYCHIC's Instagram account, where you posted a group photo of all five of you."

Kamigawa kept his tone friendly. "Want me to go into more detail? Like the fact that you performed 'Spring Shadows' at that show?"

"That's…right."

Hearing his precise answer, Taki reluctantly accepted that he might actually be a fan.

Kamigawa reassured her, "See? I really am Tomori's friend. And I definitely mean no harm."