I Just Want A Single Ending!

Thinking it over, Saku checked Tomori's schedule for the week.

One of the perks of being the band's manager was knowing the other members' availability.

Only Saturday, huh…

He sighed.

Tomori herself had plenty of free time, so there wasn't much worry about scheduling.

But his time was limited.

After all, Tomori wasn't the only member he needed to get closer to; he also had other relationships to build.

Plus, there were all the responsibilities of his Instagram work.

When he cross-checked his free time with Tomori's, Saturday was the only day that fit.

Decision made, Saku opened Line and started typing his message.

Best to reach out now in case her plans changed later.

Saku: Have you made it home yet?Saku: I'd like to meet up to discuss the lyrics in person. Would that be possible?

He didn't think that chatting on Line alone would be enough to help her with this.

This kind of issue was best handled face-to-face.

In person, he'd have a better sense of her mood, her expression, and even her subconscious reactions, helping him understand her true feelings and get to the root of the issue.

That kind of insight was hard to get over text.

Especially when it came to someone like Tomori.

---

Tomori was riding the train home with Taki when she felt her phone buzz in her pocket.

She took it out.

"Hm?"

Reading Saku's messages, Tomori looked a little surprised.

"What's up?" Taki noticed her odd reaction right away.

"Oh, nothing—just a message from Saku."

Tomori paused before replying and answered Taki's question first.

"…Is it about band stuff?"

After a moment's hesitation, Taki asked.

She knew prying into someone's messages was wrong, but she couldn't resist.

After all, Saku had messaged Tomori on his own.

Who knew what he was planning to say to her?

"More or less."

With that, Tomori showed Taki Saku's messages directly.

"…"

Taki scanned the messages quickly, unsure of what to say.

If she wanted to claim that Saku had ulterior motives, his reason for wanting to meet—discussing lyrics—was solid. Lyrics were a serious matter, and as the band manager, he had a legitimate reason to discuss them with Tomori.

But if she tried to say he had no hidden agenda at all, well, Taki wasn't buying that either.

Talking about lyrics could easily be done over Line.

Did it really require meeting face-to-face?

No way.

Was he using "band business" as an excuse for a date with Tomori?

Taki's thoughts drifted in that direction.

Using such a righteous-sounding excuse to get Tomori to agree… Sweet and simple Tomori would never turn him down, so he could achieve his "ulterior" goal with no problem.

But as Taki continued thinking, she remembered something from before.

The time Saku and Tomori had gone to the aquarium.

Back then, he hadn't bothered with an official-sounding excuse; he'd simply invited her as a friend.

And Tomori hadn't turned him down.

So if he wanted to see her, there was no need for elaborate reasons. He could just ask her.

Did that mean he was genuinely planning to discuss lyrics?

Suddenly, Taki remembered how Tomori's mood had improved after Saku had talked to her back in the rehearsal room.

Come to think of it, Saku had never actually done anything inappropriate toward Tomori; if anything, he'd been surprisingly reliable.

"Tomori, aren't you going to respond?"

Snapping back to herself, Taki didn't discourage her friend. Instead, she gave a small reminder.

If that was the case, then maybe she'd give Saku the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe he really did just want to discuss the lyrics.

They were in the same band, after all—a minimum level of trust was only fair.

"…Mm."

Tomori nodded, then typed her reply.

Tomori: Sure, that's fine.

Saku: Would Saturday work?

Saku: I checked, and Saturday's open on your schedule.

Seeing her reply, Saku quickly sent her his proposed time.

Tomori: That works.

After a little more chatting, they confirmed the time and place. Tomori then put her phone away.

Taki merely watched in silence.

Why?

Why couldn't she just chat with Tomori that naturally?

Guess that's all settled.

---

After their conversation ended, Saku nodded with satisfaction.

Now he just had to wait for Saturday and see if he could help her with the lyrics.

Right, I should stop by the bookstore before I head home.

Lately, he hadn't missed a chance to brush up on books about stars, marine life, and even insects.

His goal, of course, was to have shared topics to talk about with Tomori.

He'd even gone ahead and bought an annual pass to the aquarium.

This way, even if they didn't make much headway on the lyrics, they'd still have plenty to talk about.

---

The next afternoon.

Saku, with his bass strapped to his back, was walking down the streets of Shinjuku alone.

Today was his lesson with Kikuri Hiroi at FOLT, a livehouse.

Conveniently, a band supported by Yahata Umiri would also be performing.

As everyone knew, Saku was a fan of Yahata Umiri.

Even if he'd only heard her perform once, her music had captivated him deeply.

And as her fan, of course he'd be there to support her.

As for those who'd say someone who'd only heard her once couldn't call himself a fan?

Please.

The bass he was carrying was the same model as hers.

It was because of her influence that he'd bought this five-string bass—a tricky choice for a beginner.

If that didn't prove he was a real fan, what would?

Honestly, anyone questioning his fan status was the real fake fan here.

He'd purge all the fakes out of her fanbase if he had to!

Lost in his self-righteous thoughts, Saku arrived at the entrance of FOLT.

---

T/N: Faker...

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