I Just Want A Single Ending!

"For a little while, sure. That's no problem."

Yahata Umiri checked the time, ultimately deciding not to turn him down.

"Great!" Saku seemed genuinely pleased.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Since he'd approached her for a chat, it was only natural for him to pick the topic.

"Well, Kikuri-senpai mentioned when she introduced us that I just recently started learning bass," Saku said, bringing it up again.

"That's true."

Umiri, of course, remembered their conversation from earlier.

"So, she introduced me to you to show me the level of a professional bassist." Saku didn't hold back on the compliments. "I'd already set my expectations pretty high before the performance, but hearing you play was even more surprising than I expected."

Though it was his first time hearing Yahata Umiri's bass, he'd already committed to being her "ten-year fan."

"Alright, I'll just assume you mean that sincerely," Umiri replied without denying it outright.

"Wait, do you think I was lying?"

Was his acting really that bad?

She'd seen right through him in an instant.

"It's not lying, exactly. But there's definitely a bit of exaggeration."

Umiri wasn't so blunt as to accuse him directly.

With the internet being what it was, anyone could easily find recordings of bass performances.

If he was studying bass, he'd at least have listened to a fair amount.

Even though phone recordings weren't quite the same as hearing it live, the difference wasn't that big.

She didn't believe her bass could match the best out there.

Besides, she hadn't even given her all during that performance.

So when he talked about setting high expectations and being surprised, she took it as a bit of an overstatement.

Yes, her bass playing was at a professional level, but it wasn't anything to rave about.

Unless he'd somehow avoided hearing a single top-notch bass performance, she couldn't take it seriously.

"Still, it really did sound great."

Saku softened his words a bit. He realized he'd gone a little overboard.

Especially since he'd actually been thinking, If we had a serious bass-off, I'd win.

"Thanks."

To a bass newbie like him, her playing probably did sound that impressive.

"Could I ask how long it took you to get to your current level? I'd like to use it as a reference," Saku said, shifting the topic.

Given how little they knew each other, it was best to stick to straightforward topics.

Talking about bass was perfect for his cover as a newbie.

"Not sure… It probably didn't take all that long."

Umiri thought back briefly, then replied.

"I see…" Saku put on a thoughtful expression.

"If you're serious about learning bass, it's all about practice and patience. There's no shortcut—it's not that simple."

Seeing his look, Umiri couldn't help but give him a bit of advice.

"I know. That's why I've asked Kikuri-senpai to teach me."

Saku purposefully mentioned this so that seeing him here in the future would seem natural.

"She's actually a decent choice. If you stick with her, you'll be fine."

While Kikuri wasn't exactly known for her reliability—often drunk, even during performances—her bass skills were solid.

Saku glanced at her bass case. "By the way, could I ask what brand your bass is?"

"It's a Schecter five-string." Umiri answered casually, then asked, "Why do you want to know?"

Logically, he should have already bought one by now.

"I'm thinking of buying another bass, so I figured I'd ask."

He'd left the six-string bass he'd bought from Kita Ikuyo at Nagasaki Soyo's place for convenience, since she was teaching him.

But retrieving it would definitely raise her suspicions.

So, with Soyo in mind, it was safest to keep it there.

Now that he'd lined up lessons with Kikuri, he needed a second bass anyway.

And he had his eye on Yahata Umiri's model.

It'd also give them another topic of conversation.

"I see."

Umiri didn't seem to care.

However many basses he wanted to buy, whether for practice or collection, wasn't her concern.

"By the way, do you have any merch or anything? I'd love to buy something to support you," Saku said, slipping smoothly into the role of a supportive fan.

Bands like Kessoku sold things like cable ties as merch.

One tie went for 500 yen, or 650 yen with a signature.

They were ordinary cable ties, but slap the Kessoku Band logo and a signature on, and suddenly the price shot up.

A huge profit margin.

"I don't have anything like that."

Without a steady band, Umiri naturally didn't have her own merch.

"In that case, I'll just have to catch more of your shows to support you."

That line would serve as an excuse for him to attend her performances often.

"No need. I only answered a few questions; there's no reason for you to spend so much money on that." Umiri assumed his intentions were casual.

"I actually like bands in general, so it's not just for that. Otherwise, I wouldn't be managing a band in the first place."

Saku offered a mild rebuttal.

"If that's the case, suit yourself."

Umiri didn't mind having one more person in the audience.

"Well, that's all I wanted to say. I won't keep you any longer."

Seeing the conversation had run its course, Saku wrapped things up.

"Sorry for taking up so much of your time."

"No problem. Well, I'll be off now."

With that, Umiri brushed past him and walked out of the livehouse.

Reflecting on her recent encounters with him, her impression of Kamigawa Saku remained quite positive.

It wasn't hard to see why Shiina Taki said he was hard to dislike.

Such a polite person—it was indeed difficult to hold any negative feelings toward him.

Still, that was her business, not his.

---

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 🌱