I Just Want A Single Ending!

"Is there something you need from us?"

Seeing the server set down their drinks with a little too much force and then fixate on Kamigawa Saku without any intention of leaving, Chihaya Anon couldn't help but ask.

"If you're not too busy, you could join us and chat," Kamigawa Saku offered, fully aware of what she wanted to say. After all, he'd chosen this café as the meeting spot with her in mind.

"I have nothing to talk about with you."

Despite her words, Shiina Taki still made no move to leave.

"Wait, do you two know each other?"

Chihaya Anon blinked, not yet grasping the situation.

"I've known of her for a while, but yesterday was our first time meeting."

"Is she famous or something?"

Chihaya Anon studied Shiina Taki with curiosity but found she didn't recognize her.

"Not exactly. She used to be in CRYCHIC, the same band Tomori was in," Kamigawa Saku explained simply. "Shiina Taki was their drummer."

"Drummer?"

Chihaya Anon's eyes lit up.

Her band was in dire need of practically every position.

"This is Chihaya Anon. She and I are in a band together," Kamigawa Saku continued. "I handle the band's online presence, and she's the guitarist."

"And why are you telling me this? I'm not interested in joining your band," Shiina Taki scoffed.

Kamigawa Saku ventured, "What about Tomori? If she joined our band, would you consider it?"

From their interactions yesterday, he could tell that Shiina Taki cared deeply for Takamatsu Tomori.

"…"

Shiina Taki didn't respond.

The only reason she'd been hanging around was to listen in on their conversation.

Seeing her reaction, Kamigawa Saku understood.

No refusal meant she was open to the idea.

"Wait, so you're saying that if Takamatsu joined the band, we'd also have her as a drummer?" Chihaya Anon quickly began weighing the idea in her mind.

If that was the case, inviting Takamatsu Tomori didn't seem like a bad deal.

"So, how about it? Want to sit down and talk things over?" Kamigawa Saku looked at Shiina Taki and extended the invitation once more. "You probably have a lot of questions for us, right?"

"Alright."

Shiina Taki hesitated briefly but then made up her mind.

Compared to Takamatsu Tomori, her work could wait.

"First, you need to tell me what's behind this idea to invite Tomori to join a band."

As soon as she sat down, Shiina Taki went straight to the point.

"Of course, but in exchange, you need to tell Anon about CRYCHIC's breakup," Kamigawa Saku proposed.

"Fine."

She'd already explained it yesterday, so there was no harm in saying it again.

Kamigawa Saku then shared his and Chihaya Anon's plan to invite Takamatsu Tomori to join their band.

"You actually turned her down…"

Shiina Taki was in disbelief.

If it had been her, she'd have accepted without hesitation.

"We couldn't help it—committing to 'forever' is just too heavy," Kamigawa Saku said, recalling how startled they'd been by that request.

Chihaya Anon nodded in agreement. "If it had been a two- or three-year commitment, I'd have agreed on the spot."

After all, her reason for playing in a band was to gain recognition. If all went well, she planned to stick with it throughout high school.

"But this shows that Tomori is open to being in a band again," Kamigawa Saku concluded. "Otherwise, she wouldn't have responded the way she did."

At his words, Shiina Taki immediately stood up.

But before she could leave, Kamigawa Saku, quick on his feet, grabbed her wrist.

"What are you doing?"

"It's none of your business."

Shiina Taki tried to shake him off, but his grip held firm. Even so, she wasn't about to explain herself.

"Let me tell you in advance—if you go to Tomori now and ask her to join a band, she'll still say no."

With that, Kamigawa Saku released her wrist.

"What do you mean?"

Having her intentions seen through, Shiina Taki, even though freed, chose not to leave and instead continued to question him.

"Sit down. Let's talk this through; there's no need to rush." Kamigawa Saku gestured to her chair.

Thinking over his words, Shiina Taki calmed down and took her seat again.

"So, are you going to explain now?"

"Before I do, shouldn't you go over CRYCHIC's disbandment again?" Kamigawa Saku urged her.

"Didn't you learn about it yesterday? You could just tell her yourself."

Shiina Taki couldn't tell what he was planning.

"It wouldn't be right. I'm still an outsider to CRYCHIC," Kamigawa Saku replied, shaking his head. "Besides, I only heard it once. I'd probably miss some of the details that only you, as a band member, could provide."

"Um… Can I ask, is CRYCHIC's disbandment really such a big deal? Why do I need to hear this?" Chihaya Anon was still confused about its relevance.

"You'll understand once you listen."

Kamigawa Saku kept his explanation vague.

"Alright, then."

Chihaya Anon turned to Shiina Taki.

And so, Shiina Taki recounted the events leading to CRYCHIC's breakup.

It was almost identical to yesterday's version, with only a few minor word changes.

The core of the story remained the same.

"Huh? Takamatsu is a lyric-writing genius?"

This was Chihaya Anon's first reaction after hearing the whole story.

"Yes, Tomori's a true talent for lyrics," Shiina Taki affirmed.

Maybe others didn't see it that way, but to her, Takamatsu Tomori was undeniably gifted.

"I see…"

Chihaya Anon seemed to be swayed.

"To play in a band, we'd definitely want to perform original songs," Kamigawa Saku added, fanning the flames.

"But even if we have lyrics, what about the music?"

"I'll write the music for Tomori's lyrics," Shiina Taki said without hesitation.

"Are you sure you can?"

Chihaya Anon admitted she was intrigued.

With Kamigawa Saku handling the promotion, Takamatsu Tomori's lyrical talent, and Shiina Taki's musical skills…

And with herself on guitar…

They'd be set for stardom!

"On one condition: Tomori has to genuinely want to join your band." That was Shiina Taki's requirement.

"Could I take a look at those lyrics? I think the song was called Spring Shadow, right? If you don't have the lyrics on hand, maybe you could play it for me?"

Rather than replying, Chihaya Anon wanted proof of Takamatsu Tomori's talent.

"If you want to hear Spring Shadow, I have a copy with me."

At that moment, a clear female voice came from nearby.