I Just Want A Single Ending!

"If that's not enough, I can increase it."

Seeing Gotoh Hitori frozen in place, Kamigawa Saku added another line.

Hitori snapped out of her daze and quickly waved her hands. "No, no, it's not about the money!"

To her, 10,000 yen per session was unimaginable.

Just saying yes meant that if the lessons went on long enough, she'd make quite a bit of money.

Then, she could buy everything she'd ever wanted.

"So, what's the issue?"

"I just wanted to ask… why is Anon suddenly interested in learning guitar from me?"

Hitori couldn't quite make sense of it.

Was it like Kita, who joined a band without actually knowing how to play?

"It's because Anon used to play in a band during middle school, but she hasn't practiced in a while, so she's a bit out of shape," Saku explained, trying to put it as nicely as possible. "It's making rehearsals a bit tough, so she wants to brush up on her skills to mesh better with the band."

"Oh, I see."

Hitori easily accepted this reasonable explanation.

"So, will you help us out?" Saku asked expectantly.

"…Alright."

Hitori had no real way to refuse him.

For someone with social anxiety like her, turning people down was difficult enough on its own.

But especially someone like Kamigawa Saku, with his super-popular-guy energy—it felt suffocating just standing near him, let alone finding the courage to say no.

And besides, with 10,000 yen on the line, there was no way she'd lose out on this.

Wait!

Suddenly, a thought struck her. Hitori stammered, "Um, actually… you don't need to pay me! 10,000 yen is way too much."

"Why not?" Saku asked, genuinely confused.

"We're friends, right? Helping teach Anon guitar doesn't need to be a paid thing."

She might not have had many friends before, but from manga and the internet, she'd learned a little about what friendship meant.

Friends were supposed to be there for each other, no questions asked.

So, she wanted to be that kind of person, too.

"Actually, it's because we're friends that I want to pay you," Saku replied with a shake of his head.

"Eh?"

The lofty notion she'd just made in her mind evaporated instantly.

"What do you mean?"

This was a bit out of her league, as someone still new to friendship.

"See, not paying a friend isn't wrong. After all, friends are there to help each other," Saku said, smiling. "But I think right now, you could probably use the money."

"I could use the money?"

Hitori paused.

She needed money? This was news to her.

"Maybe since you're still teaching Kita guitar, Nijika hasn't told you yet, but being in a band can actually be pretty expensive."

As someone who frequented STARRY, Saku was familiar with how it worked there.

"What do you mean?"

Hitori felt like she'd hit another blind spot.

Saku began to explain, "Live venues need to ensure they draw a crowd, so they usually set a quota for each band that performs."

"For example, each band might be required to sell ten tickets. If they sell more than ten, the venue and the band split the extra ticket revenue."

"But if the audience falls short of the quota, the band has to make up the difference."

"To put it simply, being in a band is a major expense until you're well-known."

"Performing even once can cost tens of thousands of yen. And with all the other little fees, the total can be even higher."

"Bocchi-chan, you don't have that much money to spend on band activities, do you?"

Hitori nodded dumbly. "…No."

"So, are you planning to get a part-time job?" Saku asked, smiling.

"Absolutely not! I don't want to work!"

Hitori's response was the fastest it had ever been.

The thought of working terrified her. She feared dealing with society.

For someone who struggled to talk to strangers, working was bound to end in disaster.

She'd probably die.

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to accept my payment?"

Saku had her figured out. He knew he'd be able to persuade her.

"Earning money by teaching someone you already know is much easier than dealing with strangers, right?"

"…That's true."

Thinking about the horrors of working, Hitori couldn't bring herself to refuse. She nodded, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

He was so kind, thinking of everything for her.

This is what friends were like.

"Alright, then it's settled." Saku's smile brightened. "When the time comes, Anon and Kita can take guitar lessons with you together."

"Although, um… isn't 10,000 yen a bit too much?"

Even now, Hitori had a small concern.

She didn't think she was worth that much.

"It's not too much because I'm paying you to keep this arrangement a secret. You can't tell anyone, especially Anon," Saku explained with a smile. "Consider the extra amount a confidentiality fee."

"Why does Anon need to be kept in the dark about it?" Hitori couldn't understand.

[Explain everything honestly]

[Keep it vague]

"It's a bit complicated and involves several things, so it's hard to explain fully. I just hope you'll keep this between us," Saku decided to keep it vague.

If he explained, he'd inevitably reveal Anon's insecurity.

He didn't want to do that.

[Strength +3]

"I understand."

Hitori didn't have the courage to ask further.

"Here."

Saku handed her a small stack of cash.

"You're paying me now? And… that much?"

Hitori swallowed nervously.

It looked like enough to buy her outright!

"Well, Anon and I are coming to STARRY this afternoon to meet you. Will that work?"

"…Yes."

---

Afternoon, in the rehearsal room at STARRY.

"Thanks so much, Hitori-san, for taking the time to teach me guitar," Chihaya Anon said, smiling as she held her guitar. She and Kita Ikuyo were sitting together, both looking appreciative.

"No need to thank me."

Hitori stole a quick glance at the milk tea Anon had brought as a thank-you gift, then thought of the generous payment Saku had given her. She lowered her head, feeling a pang of guilt.

Meanwhile, outside the recording room…

Kamigawa Saku had found Nijika Ijichi, who was mopping the floor.

"Here I am again. Is there anything your band needs help with?"