I Just Want A Single Ending!

"No wonder you were asking if Instagram makes money."

Kamigawa Saku immediately put the pieces together.

Yamada Ryo averted her gaze. "…"

"Come to think of it, if you thought I was only joining the band to… well, get close to girls, why didn't you call me out on it sooner?" Kamigawa asked, realizing a new point.

"I thought you were into Nijika."

Ryo's response was so casual it nearly made him laugh.

"So, you assumed I was only joining the band to get close to Nijika?"

"At first, yeah. Then I figured you were interested in any girl who played in a band," she said with a shrug. "Turns out, I was wrong. You actually want to be in a band for real."

"Ha… ha… ha…"

Kamigawa managed a stiff laugh.

Even though he had gone through a lot to bring the band together, the truth was he'd done it primarily to build better relationships with those he could potentially date and to create more chances to interact with them.

He still wasn't genuinely interested in band activities.

"So, how's your band going?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Kita's still learning guitar from Bocchi, so it'll be a while before she's ready to perform."

Ryo gave a quick assessment.

"I was actually thinking of visiting you all today," Kamigawa said, "but from the sound of things, I'd just be getting in the way."

He paused, then added, "Do you have anything planned for the rest of the day?"

"Not really."

"In that case, could you teach me bass today? Just until around three?"

His original plan had been to get a lesson from Ryo, but since she hadn't replied to his message, he'd decided to check out STARRY instead.

"Sure."

Remembering the cash she'd pocketed and eyeing his still-thick wallet, Ryo agreed without hesitation.

"I'll go grab my bass from home. Where do you want to meet?"

"We could just go to your place."

"Uh?"

Kamigawa hadn't expected her to suggest that so directly.

"Didn't you say you wanted to keep your bass lessons a secret? If I teach you at STARRY, Nijika will definitely find out."

Ryo wasn't about to let anyone disrupt her profitable one-on-one lessons at 10,000 yen per hour.

"Good point."

Kamigawa had nearly forgotten he'd asked her to keep this arrangement under wraps.

Even though Chihaya Anon now knew he was learning bass, the secrecy was no longer essential. Still, out of respect for Ryo, he decided not to object.

"Alright, let's go to my place, then."

"Sounds good."

---

"So, this is where you live?"

Yamada Ryo, carrying her bass on her back, looked up at the apartment building and waited for Kamigawa Saku to confirm.

"Yep."

He pressed the key code to unlock the door, nodding as he held it open.

"An hour's lesson is 10,000 yen, no complaints!" Ryo reminded him, clearly pleased.

"We agreed on the price, so I'm not changing it now."

Kamigawa chuckled as he stepped inside, with Ryo trailing behind.

At the elevator, they waited until a soft "ding" announced its arrival.

As the doors slid open, Kamigawa was about to step in—then noticed Nagasaki Soyo exiting.

"Good morning, Nagasaki-san."

Without hesitation, he greeted her.

"Good morning," she replied, a polite smile on her face as she looked at the two of them standing by the elevator.

After a brief exchange, Kamigawa and Ryo stepped into the elevator.

As the doors closed, Nagasaki's expression turned cold.

It was clear he was bringing that blue-haired girl up to his place.

What they'd do afterward was anyone's guess.

Not that it concerned her—she had no personal attachment to him; they were merely in the same band.

But remembering how close Kamigawa and Chihaya Anon had seemed yesterday, a perfect plan came to mind.

Originally, Nagasaki had been wondering how to get rid of the two non-CRYCHIC members once she'd found Togawa Sakiko.

Now, the opportunity was right in front of her.

Chihaya Anon obviously cared a lot about Kamigawa; otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to be part of a lifelong band with him.

So… what if she told Chihaya that Kamigawa was bringing another girl home?

Surely, Chihaya Anon wouldn't tolerate him playing both sides.

They would inevitably have a rift between them, maybe even a full-blown argument.

And then what? Would they even continue showing up to band practice after falling out?

Of course not—they'd voluntarily leave the band.

As for the band's future?

That wasn't a worry. She could call Wakaba Mutsumi in as a replacement.

And just like that, CRYCHIC would be reborn.

The thought of this beautiful future was so close she couldn't help but smile.

But for now, she'd hold back. Kamigawa still had a role to play.

She needed him to find Togawa Sakiko first.

---

"So, you said you'd done a bit of self-study?"

Inside Kamigawa's apartment, Ryo took out her bass and readied herself to teach.

To prepare, she'd gone home earlier to grab a spare bass for him.

"Yeah, a little bit," he replied, sitting across from her, bass in hand.

"Alright, play something for me."

"Got it."

Kamigawa played a short passage.

"How was it?"

"Not bad—you actually seem to have a knack for bass," Ryo commented briefly.

"Glad to hear it."

Kamigawa felt confident in his own abilities; he believed he could master almost anything he set his mind to.

Without wasting time, Ryo began her lesson.

---

Soon, it was three in the afternoon.

"That's it for today—five hours on the dot," Ryo said, checking the time and putting an end to the lesson.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Ryo looked at him seriously. "You're even more talented than I expected."

"Well, I am a genius," Kamigawa replied with a grin.

"Alright, I'll head out. Next time, let me know in advance so I can plan my schedule."

After packing up her bass, Ryo left his apartment.

"Sure, see you."

Kamigawa stretched as he stood, feeling the satisfaction of real progress.

Learning with a teacher was definitely more effective than self-study.

But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

He still had to go sign a contract and do a promotional photo shoot this afternoon.