I Just Want A Single Ending!

Before Saku could respond, Ijichi Nijika jumped in to explain:

"Saku's helping to thank you for teaching Anon guitar. Don't feel pressured; just accept his kindness, okay?"

"Yeah, exactly." Saku smiled, nodding in agreement.

Liar.

Gotoh Hitori knew he was fibbing.

After all, he had paid her to teach Chihaya Anon guitar.

This was a fair exchange—there was no reason for him to be thanking her on top of it.

If anything, his unnecessary gratitude only made her feel burdened.

But because they had agreed to keep the payment arrangement confidential, she couldn't expose him.

They lingered on the topic for a while longer before Nijika, looking a bit bashful, asked, "Hey Bocchi, where's the bathroom in your house? Could you let me know?"

"I'll show you."

Hitori began to stand.

"No need to trouble you; just tell me where it is." Nijika declined politely.

"It's… just down the hall…"

Hearing this, Hitori settled back down, explaining the location carefully.

After Nijika stepped out, Hitori hesitated for quite some time before finally gathering her courage to ask:

"Saku-san, why did you lie?"

"Huh? What do you mean…?"

Saku feigned confusion, hoping this would deter her from asking more.

"I mean, what's the real reason you're helping me?"

Contrary to his expectations, Hitori, somehow, found the courage to press him for the truth.

[Because I like you.]

[Because we're friends.]

Saku's heart skipped a beat as he stared at the mental options before him.

Choosing the first might lock me into a romance route, right?

Steeling himself, he made his choice. "Because we're friends, and isn't it natural for friends to help each other?"

Honestly, while Hitori was adorable, the appeal of a single ending was still more enticing.

[Congratulations! You've received a Study Boost Card (one-time use): Boosts learning ability significantly for three hours, at the cost of stamina.]

"But… when you first asked me to teach Anon, I told you that you didn't need to pay me." Hitori looked down, bringing up the matter again. "And yet, you insisted on paying anyway."

Saku didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Well, if I hadn't paid you, wouldn't you have had to find a part-time job to support the band?"

"Y-yes, probably."

Hitori paused, but then nodded reluctantly.

Even though she dreaded the idea of working, she might be willing to try for the band's sake.

"So, could you see it as me helping you avoid needing to get a part-time job by paying you instead?" Saku hadn't expected to have to spell things out so clearly, but here he was. "Didn't I already explain that back then?"

"I paid you because we're friends, and that's what friends do."

"Oh—"

It finally dawned on Hitori.

She had always thought that teaching Anon guitar was a simple transaction, not realizing it was also an act of support.

It wasn't her helping him; it was him helping her.

By giving her a way to accept payment without guilt, Saku had been looking out for her all along.

All for her sake.

"S-sorry… I didn't understand."

Saku chuckled lightly, waving her apology off. "We're friends; no need to apologize over something like this."

Hitori looked up at his smile, and for a moment, it felt like a string in her heart was plucked, vibrating with a resonant hum.

What is this feeling…?

"Huh? Are you about to start playing again?" Saku pointed out suddenly. "Nijika isn't back yet, though."

"Oh—my hand slipped."

Hitori quickly released the guitar string she'd accidentally plucked.

So it was a literal string being plucked…

"My bad."

"By the way, why did you lie to Nijika about it?"

Hitori's curiosity wasn't quite satisfied yet.

"If I hadn't, Nijika would've insisted on not bothering me over something like this. I didn't have any other choice." Saku answered offhandedly.

"So… how long do you plan to help me?"

"How about for Golden Week?" Saku thought for a moment, trying to reassure her. "After all, we said we'd go step-by-step. We've got time, so just go at your own pace; don't worry about it."

"We're not going to give up just because you can't do it right away."

"Golden Week…?!"

Hitori gasped in shock.

"Do you have plans for Golden Week?"

"N-no, I don't."

Someone like her, with plans for Golden Week? Not a chance.

"But…"

Hitori had barely opened her mouth to say more when the door swung open and Nijika returned.

"Sorry, I took a bit longer than expected."

"It's fine."

"..."

Watching Nijika and Saku fall into an easy conversation, Hitori swallowed down whatever she'd been about to say.

---

After chatting for a bit longer, it was time for another performance.

Seeing Kamigawa Saku and Ijichi Nijika sitting expectantly in front of her, Gotoh Hitori gripped her guitar tighter, making a firm decision.

For her, the seven days of Golden Week were just seven more days spent at home.

But it was different for them. They probably had plans, things to do over the holiday, and wouldn't spend it all at home like she would.

They were giving that up—for her.

She couldn't let them waste their precious holiday on her without making it worth their time.

They were willing to make all these sacrifices to help her.

She had to give something back.

And the simplest way was to finally play at her real level in front of them.

She would try her hardest to overcome her fear of performing in front of an audience.

With everything clear in her mind, Hitori strummed her guitar with newfound determination.

…

The song ended.

"That was incredible."

Nijika could clearly tell that Hitori's playing just now was far beyond what most guitarists could pull off. She could almost feel the skill of a professional.

Recalling Hitori's "guitar closet," she was starting to suspect something.

"It was beautiful."

Even Saku, who wasn't exactly a music critic, picked up on the most important part: it was good.

"I'm used to playing in front of you two now. Tomorrow, let me play somewhere with a crowd. No need to go slow anymore."

This was it—this was Gotoh Hitori's resolve!

Saku hesitated, a bit worried. "Are you sure you're ready?"

"Of course."

Hitori's voice brimmed with confidence.

…

After the two of them left…

"How can I catch a cold quickly? I don't want to perform in front of a crowd at all!"

Realizing she'd overpromised, Gotoh Hitori was now desperately looking for ways to make herself sick fast.