I Just Want A Single Ending!

Well, well, look at you! So dedicated, you've earned a little extra treat! 🎉

---

Watching how determined the three of them were to turn down any compensation, Saku was speechless.

He'd already laid out a fair and logical argument for why they should accept, and still, they refused.

Couldn't they just take the money?

Didn't they all need funds for the band?

Resigned to their unyielding kindness, Saku gave a final, formal explanation. "As I said before, even if you don't feel the need for payment, I have to consider everyone. I don't plan on having just the three of you on camera."

"Wait… so there will be others joining too?" Chihaya Anon's curiosity piqued.

"Yes, for the sake of the channel, I'll be inviting a few more beauty influencers to appear," Saku explained. "And I'll be counting on your help for multiple videos over time. This isn't just a one-off thing."

"If it was just once or twice, maybe we could call it a favor. But for an ongoing arrangement, it wouldn't be right for me to ask you to do this for free."

"Even if you think it's fine, I wouldn't feel right about it."

"Consider it fair compensation, if nothing else. Or… just think of it like a part-time job, where you're helping me out on the side and getting paid for it."

Finally, he stopped to gauge their reactions.

Chihaya Anon, Ikuyo Kita, and Nijika Ijichi looked at each other, at a bit of a loss for what to say.

After a brief silence, Saku added, "Of course, if money isn't what you want, we could come up with other ways to compensate you… though I'm not sure what else would fit."

"Other ways…"

Hearing this, Chihaya Anon glanced at him, mulling over what else he might be able to offer.

Maybe she could ask him to take her out on a date instead?

But even she knew that would give away her feelings way too obviously.

"Other types of payment aren't necessary,"

Ikuyo said quickly, smiling.

She was only interested in helping him; she hadn't even thought about compensation.

"Same here,"

Nijika agreed.

If she'd truly cared about a reward, she wouldn't have tried to turn it down in the first place.

"In that case, if you're still refusing to take payment, I'll have to find someone else," Saku said at last. "I won't accept your help for free."

"Fine, fine… we'll take it,"

Chihaya Anon said after a brief hesitation, giving in at last.

It was clear from his tone that Saku felt strongly about this.

"By the way, can I ask who you're planning to invite from the beauty side?" she asked, recalling his mention of other influencers.

Saku's content was something she followed avidly, and she was curious if he was working with any of the big names she knew.

Nijika and Ikuyo also perked up, clearly interested in the answer.

"Most likely a creator named Nyamu," Saku explained. "She's got around 200,000 subscribers, so her presence should bring a decent audience."

"Nyamu? The Nyamu?!"

Chihaya Anon's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'm a huge fan of hers!"

She could hardly believe it—Saku knew Nyamu and was planning on collaborating with her.

This was a dream come true!

"Wait, really?"

Saku's surprise was genuine.

Of all people, Nyamu happened to be Anon's favorite beauty influencer?

What were the odds?

"Absolutely! I watch her videos the moment they come out," Anon declared. She opened her phone, pulling up her subscriptions to show Saku.

"Look, she's right here on my list. I wouldn't lie about that."

"That's… a pretty big coincidence," Saku said, glancing at her screen.

So it was just luck that he happened to know Anon's favorite influencer.

"Um, if she does come by to help with the shoot… could you let me know?" Anon asked, her voice full of hope as she tucked her phone back into her bag. "I'd love to meet her in person. I swear I'll stay out of the way during filming!"

"If she's okay with it, I'll let you know," Saku promised, though he was careful not to make any promises on Nyamu's behalf.

If Nyamu had any hesitation about meeting fans, he didn't want to make Anon's hopes too high.

"Great!"

Anon beamed, even with the tentative answer.

Not only was she getting the chance to appear in Saku's videos, but she might actually meet her favorite creator.

The excitement from the two things combined was overwhelming.

It was almost as if she was living a dream.

For Nijika and Ikuyo, Nyamu's popularity was impressive, but they weren't as starstruck. They simply appreciated that she'd bring visibility to the channel.

"We'll have a long way to go before we're anywhere near her level," Nijika sighed.

"Don't worry about that. She'll only be helping occasionally for the extra exposure—most of the time, I'll be counting on you guys."

Saku reassured her, smiling.

"Then let's give it our all!" Ikuyo said, her hand shooting up in a triumphant fist pump.

"Yeah!"

The others joined her, each cheering with newfound determination.

"What are you all talking about over there?"

They turned to see Nijika's older sister, Ijichi Seika, peering at them from across the room.

She'd been wondering what had Saku and her sister chatting so intensely.

"Nothing major, just…"

Since they'd pretty much wrapped up, Saku walked over and filled her in.

"Oh? I could help out with those videos, too, if the pay's decent,"

Kikuri Hiroi added, finishing off a box of sake and speaking up with a bit of a drunken slur.

Money was tight for her, so she could always use the extra work.

"Sorry, but I don't think a fanbase for beauty products is too keen on seeing a drunk,"

Saku said flatly, not holding back.

She might be a beautiful girl, but add the "habitual drinker" aspect to her image, and it didn't exactly scream skincare expert.

"But as for Seika and the PA assistant…"

His gaze drifted thoughtfully over to Seika and the PA as he spoke, clearly giving them more consideration.

---

This bonus chapter is like an encore after a rousing performance—totally worth staying for, wouldn't you say? Oh, and don't worry, my lyre's got plenty more tunes to play next time!

But for now, it's time to take a bow. Thank you for the applause (and all that wonderful support). If you're feeling extra inspired, you know where to find me—[patreon.com/WiseTL]. Toss a coin, and who knows? Maybe the next bard will sing your praises!

Now, go forth, Traveler, and revel in the wonders of this world. Until next time! 🍃✨