I Just Want A Single Ending!

In the end, they couldn't settle on a name for the band.

It seemed that using any one person's name just didn't feel right.

Plus, Shiina Taki still had work to finish, so they couldn't keep chatting during her shift. They agreed to save the rest of the band discussions for another time.

For now, they'd have to part ways.

As they walked out of RING, Chihaya Anon sidled up to Kamigawa Saku and tilted her head toward him.

"What's your plan for this afternoon?"

"Did you need something from me?"

Kamigawa Saku asked, testing the waters.

"It's such a beautiful day, and it's Saturday. It feels like a waste to just go straight home," Chihaya Anon replied, her tone carefully casual.

[Invite her to go shopping]

[Pretend not to get the hint]

Seeing the options in front of him, Kamigawa Saku took the cue and extended an invitation. "How about we wander around a bit?"

[+3 Stamina]

"Well, since you're offering… sure," Chihaya Anon replied, acting a bit reserved, though she quickly agreed.

"I actually have a few things I want to buy anyway, and I could use a second opinion."

Meanwhile, Nagasaki Soyo, observing the two whispering like a couple, leaned toward Takamatsu Tomori and asked softly, "Tomori, would you like me to walk you home?"

"No, it's fine—I'll head home by myself."

Takamatsu Tomori shook her head politely.

"Alright." Nagasaki Soyo didn't press the matter. "Then, I'll be off."

"Goodbye."

---

"By the way, Saku, you must know this area pretty well, right?"

After they had strolled around the streets for a bit, Chihaya Anon asked him this out of the blue.

"Fairly well."

As a lifestyle blogger focused on recommendations, he was naturally familiar with the best local spots.

Chihaya Anon's eyes lit up. "Then, do you know any good accessory shops?"

"Accessory shops? You mean places with hair clips and things like that?" Kamigawa Saku confirmed.

"Yep, exactly."

Chihaya Anon nodded.

"Sorry, that's a bit out of my expertise. I mostly know the good cafés and restaurants around here," Kamigawa Saku replied, shrugging apologetically.

He was a guy, after all—there was no way he'd be familiar with the kind of stores that sell accessories girls tend to like.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to pick one randomly."

Chihaya Anon didn't seem too surprised.

From the posts on his Instagram, she could already tell that accessories weren't part of his usual content.

She'd asked him more as a test anyway.

It seemed he genuinely didn't know.

"Usually, shopping centers have those kinds of stores, right? We could take a look there," Kamigawa Saku suggested.

"Alright, let's check out the mall, then."

They chose a large nearby mall and headed inside together.

As he'd guessed, there was indeed an accessory shop inside.

"So, what are you planning to buy?"

Once inside, surrounded by all the glittering accessories, Kamigawa Saku asked her directly.

"I haven't decided yet. I'll see if anything catches my eye."

Chihaya Anon casually picked up a pair of earrings, answering without much focus.

"I thought you'd already decided, given how specific you were about wanting to go to an accessory store," Kamigawa Saku remarked.

"I just felt like I could use some accessories—like hair clips or earrings—but I wasn't sure exactly what I was missing, so I figured I'd browse and see."

"Got it."

Though it was different from his usual way of shopping, Kamigawa Saku could understand.

Normally, he only went shopping when he had something specific in mind.

He wouldn't just head to a store to browse around without knowing what he needed.

"What about this one?"

Chihaya Anon held up a heart-shaped necklace to her neck, gauging his opinion.

"It doesn't quite suit you. The necklace is too big and doesn't match your style," Kamigawa Saku said, analyzing thoughtfully.

"Hmm, you're right. I have a weakness for shiny things—they make me want to buy them on impulse," she admitted, checking herself in the mirror. Realizing he had a point, she returned the necklace.

"How about these earrings?"

This time, she held up a more uniquely designed pair.

Kamigawa Saku hesitated before commenting, "Well… they don't match my sense of style."

"Oh? What's your sense of style, then?" she asked, intrigued.

"To put it simply, if it doesn't look good, it's not my style," he said, lowering his voice when he realized no store clerks were nearby.

"If you think it looks bad, you can just say so! Why the roundabout 'not my style' thing?" Chihaya Anon didn't quite get it. "You're way too careful; it's not like I'd be offended by your honesty."

"It's a habit from my review posts," Kamigawa Saku explained in detail. "Sometimes, when store owners recognize me as a popular blogger, they'll ask for my opinion right after I've finished eating."

"If the food's good, I say so. But if it's not, I'll say it doesn't suit my taste as a way of sparing their feelings."

"Most owners get the hint."

"That's got to be a hassle."

Understanding the reasoning, Chihaya Anon set the earrings down.

"It's just food—nothing too taxing."

Kamigawa Saku didn't see it as that big of a deal.

Soon, Chihaya Anon let the topic drop and continued picking up different accessories, asking for his opinion.

"How about this?"

"Feels like something for someone a bit older."

"And this?"

"It's nice—pretty cute."

"…"

"…"

After browsing the entire store, they finally left.

"Anon, didn't you say you needed more accessories?"

"Yeah, I did."

"So… why didn't you buy anything?"

They'd seen plenty of good pieces, but Chihaya Anon had simply tried them on without showing any real intention of purchasing.

She replied confidently, "After looking around, I realized I didn't actually need anything."

"Feels like that was a waste of time." Kamigawa Saku couldn't help but comment.

"Waste of time? Are you saying you didn't enjoy shopping with me? You were the one who invited me, remember?" she huffed in mock indignation.

"Of course I enjoyed it. Getting to shop with the great Chihaya Anon is an honor I'll treasure forever."

Kamigawa Saku adjusted his tone immediately.

"That's better."

Chihaya Anon couldn't help but laugh at his quick turnaround.

---

"By the way, Saku."

Just as they were leaving the mall, about to say goodbye, Chihaya Anon called out to him.

"What's up?"

"I actually had a lot of fun shopping with you."