I Just Want A Single Ending!

"You don't need to get ready?"

Saku didn't mind Kikuri sticking around to watch the show with him, but wasn't she performing today as well?

"Our band's set is later. We've got time."

Kikuri explained casually, pulling out another can of beer to drink.

"I see."

Saku had come at her invitation, not specifically to watch the show, so he didn't know her band's exact set time.

Then, changing the topic, he asked, "So, why did you suddenly decide to introduce Yahata to me?"

Meeting a new capturable character was always exciting for Saku.

But still, he had to wonder what Kikuri's real motivation was.

She couldn't possibly have introduced him to Yahata Umiri just to thank him for the makeup, right?

"Oh… that? I'll tell you when Umiri's up on stage." Kikuri grinned, keeping him in suspense.

"Alright."

It was just a short wait, so he could be patient.

As the minutes ticked by, it was soon time for Yahata Umiri's band to take the stage.

Watching her standing there, Saku couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

After a brief introduction, the performance began.

Tuning out the vocals and guitars as background noise, Saku focused on observing Umiri's bass-playing, listening closely to each note.

He had to admit—Yahata Umiri's bass skills were indeed on a professional level.

She made each technique look effortless, playing with absolute ease and confidence.

Compared to himself, her talent seemed almost unmatched.

But if it came down to a bass showdown between them, Saku was confident he'd come out on top.

After all, how could a mere human bassist juggling thirty-plus band gigs compare to him, someone who'd mastered the instrument in just three hours with a learning card?

She's the challenger here!

Lost in his own musings, he was brought back when Kikuri leaned in and asked, "So, what do you think of Umiri's bass-playing?"

"It's incredible, and it feels like she's not even using her full potential…"

Saku gave his honest assessment.

As a fellow professional-level bassist, he could tell this performance was practically second nature to Umiri.

But, considering he was still pretending to be a beginner, calling her "amazing" was the perfect compliment for a professional bassist like her.

"Would you want to play at her level?"

Hearing his answer, Kikuri's tone turned temptingly persuasive.

"Are you saying…?"

At this point, Saku already guessed what she was about to suggest.

Kikuri patted his shoulder, smiling with exaggerated sincerity. "With my guidance, you can definitely reach that level too."

So, that's her angle!

Saku had suspected as much.

No wonder she'd insisted on introducing him to a peer-aged pro bassist and even stayed to watch the show with him.

It all made sense now.

The critical point here was their age.

If he were just an average beginner bassist and saw someone his own age already performing at a pro level while he'd only just started, her offer would be awfully tempting.

But he was far from an average beginner.

"Of course, my fee would go up accordingly," Kikuri added, her eyes gleaming. "Just buying me drinks won't cut it… hehehe…"

Just as Kikuri was envisioning her profitable future, Saku's voice cut in, snapping her back to reality.

"In that case, why wouldn't I just ask Yahata to teach me instead?"

"Huh? W-Wait a sec… you're planning to learn bass from Umiri?"

Kikuri's buzz cleared immediately.

"It just seems like the better option."

In truth, Saku didn't need more bass lessons. He was only looking for a way to justify his skill level's improvement.

For that purpose, asking Yahata Umiri—a capturable character—was a much better idea than learning from a tipsy Kikuri.

Even though he already had Nagasaki Soyo to teach him.

But there was no harm in learning from both, right?

Soyo couldn't possibly hold him back from pursuing the next level of bass mastery.

Besides, it wasn't like he was planning to ignore her.

"B-But… Umiri's packed, isn't she? She juggles support for like ten bands! They all have to book her a week in advance. Where's she gonna find time to tutor you?" Kikuri protested, scrambling to find an excuse.

"You're right."

After thinking it over, Saku realized she had a point.

Today was their first meeting, so his chances of convincing Umiri to teach him were slim.

And on top of that, she was already balancing about ten bands.

As for trying to win her over with money?

He doubted Yahata Umiri, a pro bassist with so many gigs, would be short on cash.

"Exactly, so learning from me is still the safer bet," Kikuri sighed, relieved at his reconsideration.

"…Alright, I'll leave it to you."

After a short deliberation, Saku decided not to turn her down.

The reason was simple: if he couldn't use bass lessons with Yahata to grow closer, he'd have to find an indirect approach.

Kikuri had a decent relationship with Umiri, and they both frequently performed here.

So, asking Kikuri to teach him was a convenient way to stay connected.

If she taught him here, it would give him a valid excuse to come to this live house regularly.

If he started showing up here out of the blue just because Yahata Umiri was performing, it'd be obvious why he kept coming around.

This way, it wouldn't look so obvious.

And since Kikuri was the one who'd insisted on teaching him, it wasn't like he was the one asking for favors.

No one could blame him for that.

"Yes! Finally!"

Kikuri looked elated, wiping away nonexistent tears with her sleeve.

"So, where are you planning to teach me, exactly?" Saku asked, getting down to the crucial detail.

"Wherever, it's up to you. I'll even teach you at your place if you want."

Kikuri seemed indifferent.

With a pleasant smile, Saku made his request: "Then, could we have the lessons here?"

---

Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.

If you'd like to support WiseTL, you can visit [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Even a small gesture is like sunlight and rain to a growing flower—it helps the garden of stories flourish and bloom!

-With love, Nahida 🌱