I Just Want A Single Ending!

So, that makes three system-identified romanceable characters in my class.

Kamigawa Saku couldn't help but marvel at his luck—if this girl named Chihaya Anon hadn't ended up in his class, it would've been a lot harder to find a good chance to strike up a conversation with her.

But today's focus wasn't her. It was Takamatsu Tomori.

He had to find out exactly what was going on with CRYCHIC.

Before he knew it, lunchtime arrived.

After a few deep breaths to steel himself, Kamigawa Saku turned to Takamatsu Tomori, catching her just before she left the classroom.

"Excuse me, Takamatsu-san, could I ask you something?"

"Huh? …Sure."

Takamatsu Tomori blinked, a bit surprised, then nodded slowly.

"Actually, I'm a fan of your band, CRYCHIC. Ever since I saw your first live performance, I've been following you guys. But it's been a while since your Instagram was last updated, and I haven't heard anything about another live show. I got a bit worried that maybe something happened, so I thought I'd ask."

Kamigawa did his best to play the part of a devoted fan who didn't want to bother his idol.

"A fan?"

"That's right."

As he spoke, Kamigawa brought up CRYCHIC's profile on his phone and held it out to her.

Takamatsu Tomori glanced at his screen, seeing the "Following" label next to a few photos of her and the other members.

It looked like she was recalling something; after a moment, she replied quietly, "CRYCHIC has disbanded."

"Disbanded? That's such a shame."

Having already suspected this outcome, Kamigawa wasn't surprised. But keeping up his fan act, he made sure to look appropriately disappointed.

Takamatsu Tomori lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry to have let you down."

"It's all right."

Kamigawa waved his hand dismissively and continued, "But if you ever start another band, please let me know! I'd love to help with your band's promotion and management!"

If CRYCHIC was disbanded, so be it; after all, he didn't know if any of the other members were romanceable anyway.

Right now, Takamatsu Tomori was his main priority.

CRYCHIC?

Never heard of it.

"Promotion? What's that?"

She sounded genuinely curious—apparently it was a foreign concept to her.

"It's about running a band's account, helping as many people as possible hear about your music and all that. I'm pretty good at it."

To make his case, Kamigawa tapped his phone a couple of times, pulling up his own profile.

"See? This is my account."

"Five hundred fifty thousand followers?"

"Yup, so if you need any help with that, feel free to ask me anytime."

He had actually built up this Instagram account specifically to get closer to CRYCHIC's Takamatsu Tomori.

After all, it'd seem pretty suspicious if he—a guy—suddenly tried to join an all-girl band.

So he went for a roundabout approach.

First, he grew a large following on his account to prove he had the skills. Then, he'd act as a CRYCHIC fan, doing some promotional work for free.

From there, he'd use the excuse of being a fan and helping with promotions to create more opportunities to interact, eventually offering to manage the account himself.

That way, he'd have plenty of chances to spend time with Takamatsu Tomori.

It was a perfect plan, except for one small hiccup—his account had taken off, while CRYCHIC had broken up.

"I'm not planning to start another band." Takamatsu Tomori clenched her fists slightly.

Kamigawa ventured a careful question, "Why not? You have such a great voice."

"It'll just end in failure again… like last time."

"What was the reason CRYCHIC disbanded? Different musical goals? Or maybe internal disagreements?" Kamigawa guessed.

"Different goals," Takamatsu said after a pause. "Maybe it was my fault."

"I see… Sorry if I said too much."

Kamigawa figured this was as far as a fan should go.

"It's fine. I'm heading out now."

Takamatsu Tomori picked up her lunch bag and a notebook, then quietly left the classroom.

As she walked out, Kamigawa found himself meeting eyes with Chihaya Anon, who sat behind her.

"…Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just overheard a bit by accident."

After a brief, awkward pause, Chihaya Anon quickly apologized.

---

A few minutes earlier.

Lunchtime. Who should I try to befriend first?

Chihaya Anon propped her chin on her hand, surveying the classroom.

Over there's way too noisy, not a good fit.

And that group's way too serious. Not ideal either.

Then, her gaze settled on the pair seated in front of her—a boy and a girl, not eating lunch but chatting about… something band-related.

She wasn't trying to eavesdrop, just sitting quietly in her own seat. And since they hadn't exactly been whispering, she caught a few fragments of their conversation.

A band, huh.

Back in middle school, she'd been in a band too.

As for whether she'd join one in high school… well, she'd have to see how things went.

Come to think of it, that boy had said hello to her this morning.

So, he must be pretty easygoing, right?

Still… no way!

He was a boy. And, on top of that, a good-looking one.

If she made friends with the class's handsome guy on her very first day, the other girls would definitely talk about it.

With that thought, Chihaya Anon looked elsewhere.

That group seemed nice—their atmosphere was lively, and they were all happily sharing lunch.

Perfect. She'd decided.

Just as she reached into her desk for her lunch and was about to join them, a certain word made her pause.

"Five hundred fifty thousand followers?"

She stopped in her tracks.

Who was that?

Someone with that many followers?

Could it be that boy?

Wow. If only she had that many followers.

Whatever she did, there'd always be tons of people cheering her on.

While Chihaya Anon was lost in daydreams, their conversation ended.

Takamatsu Tomori walked out, and Chihaya Anon, lost in thought, found herself suddenly making eye contact with Kamigawa Saku.

Realizing she'd been caught, Chihaya Anon hurriedly apologized.

Kamigawa Saku walked over, looking at her with mild curiosity. "You heard us just now?"

"I… accidentally overheard a bit."

Chihaya Anon made sure to stress accidentally.

"What exactly did you hear?"

"Just… the band, and something about five hundred fifty thousand followers…"

"That's practically everything!" Kamigawa couldn't help but sigh.