I Just Want A Single Ending!

"Yeah, I had a good time too. And I mean it."

Kamigawa Saku hesitated, then responded with a smile.

"Alright then, see you."

Satisfied with his answer, Chihaya Anon waved goodbye and walked off with a spring in her step, soon disappearing into the crowd.

"See you."

On the way home, Kamigawa Saku began reflecting on everything that had happened that day.

Overall, things had gone surprisingly smoothly.

The band had been successfully formed, and he'd taken on the role of manager.

And he'd even become friends with… them?

Well, that part was still up for debate.

At the very least, he'd become friends with Chihaya Anon and Takamatsu Tomori.

As for Shiina Taki and Nagasaki Soyo?

Shiina was easy to figure out.

With a bit of help from Tomori, along with a few well-placed compliments, they'd probably reach a friendly understanding soon enough.

And Nagasaki Soyo… well, he wasn't entirely sure yet.

On the surface, she seemed kind and considerate—someone who'd be easy to befriend.

But that subtle, unsettling smile of hers made him question his initial impression.

For now, he'd just have to take it one step at a time.

There was also another small shift—Chihaya Anon seemed a bit friendlier with him than before.

Her hint about inviting him to shop with her had given him that impression.

After all, if they hadn't been close enough, she wouldn't have dropped such hints.

Still, he was pretty certain she wasn't interested in him romantically.

At most, she probably saw him as a good friend.

Besides, he hadn't done anything noteworthy enough for her to start liking him.

Keeping a balanced distance was the best approach.

After organizing his thoughts, he felt more relaxed.

Back at home, he picked up his bass and resumed practicing.

Even though the band members were all set, it didn't mean he could slack off.

You never know when those skills might come in handy.

---

Meanwhile, upstairs…

Nagasaki Soyo lay on her bed, staring blankly at her phone screen, waiting for a reply that might never come.

Nagasaki Soyo: Sakiko, I have something really important to talk to you about. It's about the band. Could we meet and discuss it?

That was the message she'd sent in the morning.

Nagasaki Soyo: Tomori wants to be in a band again, and we've already put a new one together.

Nagasaki Soyo: It's me, Tomori, Taki, and a couple of new people. Are you interested?

She'd sent that message in the afternoon.

Three messages, each a bit different, but none had been read. None had been answered.

Sitting up with a sigh, Nagasaki Soyo tossed her phone to the side.

She wasn't shocked that Toyokawa Sakiko hadn't responded.

By now, she was used to it.

Since the band broke up, she had tried reaching out to Sakiko numerous times.

But without knowing Sakiko's address and with Sakiko not enrolling in the high school division of Tsukinomori like she'd expected, Soyo had hit a dead end every time.

So, she resorted to sending message after message.

But every message felt like dropping a stone into the sea, disappearing without a trace.

She'd resigned herself to the idea that CRYCHIC was over, and that her connection with Sakiko would gradually fade as well.

But now, with Tomori's renewed interest in forming a band and Kamigawa Saku's unexpected involvement, she felt a spark of hope.

If Kamigawa Saku could convince Tomori and successfully bring a new band together…

Could he help them find a keyboardist, too?

Someone like Toyokawa Sakiko?

She just couldn't let go of CRYCHIC, that warm, welcoming space.

After her parents' divorce and her mother's busy, distant life, all of her love and comfort had been poured into CRYCHIC.

So…

Nagasaki Soyo picked up her phone again, opened Instagram, and scrolled through Kamigawa Saku's page.

Based on his posts, he seemed serious about what he did.

With 560,000 followers, his abilities were proven.

And he was also a CRYCHIC fan.

Surely, he'd want to see CRYCHIC back together, right?

She'd already mapped out her plan.

The band would practice a few times, and then she'd bring it up with Kamigawa, suggesting that having a keyboardist would make them complete.

A few subtle hints about CRYCHIC's former keyboardist might nudge him in the right direction.

As the band's manager, he'd probably look into it.

If he could find Toyokawa Sakiko, then everyone from CRYCHIC could be together again.

---

The next day, Sunday…

Kamigawa Saku's day was as relaxed as ever.

Even though the band was formed, everyone had their own lives, and Sunday wasn't a convenient day to meet.

Shiina Taki had her part-time job, plus she was arranging to adjust her work schedule.

Chihaya Anon and Takamatsu Tomori both had family obligations, so they couldn't come out either.

Nagasaki Soyo hadn't mentioned any plans, so he wasn't sure what she was up to.

He had messaged Yamada Ryo, hoping she'd give him a bass lesson, but she hadn't responded.

So, he figured he'd go check out Starry.

It'd been a while—he was curious how everyone there was doing.

Just as he set out, however, he stumbled upon an unusual scene.

"Ryo, what are you doing?"

Kamigawa Saku couldn't help but ask as he spotted Yamada Ryo crouching by the roadside, holding a book titled The Complete Guide to Wild Grass.

"I'm having lunch."

As she spoke, Ryo picked up a handful of weeds and moved to put them in her mouth.

"Hold on a second—you're eating grass? How is that the same as eating lunch?" Kamigawa quickly stopped her.

"No money, so I'm eating grass."

Ryo answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Can't you just stop spending money so recklessly?"

After knowing her for a while, Kamigawa was well aware of her tendency to blow through her funds.

But he hadn't expected that, once broke, she'd resort to grazing.

"I'm used to it," Ryo replied with a shrug.

"Here, how about I give you part of the fee in advance for the bass lessons?"

Kamigawa Saku took out his wallet and handed her 50,000 yen.

Ryo took it without a hint of hesitation. "I'll make sure to teach you well."

"By the way," Kamigawa added, thinking of something, "now that you have money, will you actually buy food?"

"I'll make sure to teach you bass."

Ryo repeated her earlier statement, giving no indication she'd actually spend the money on a proper meal.

Kamigawa Saku sighed. "Come on, I'll just treat you to lunch."

"Thanks."

Ryo followed him without a second thought.