I Just Want A Single Ending!

"So this is your idea of 'taking responsibility'?"

Chihaya Anon didn't agree or refuse outright. Instead, she just turned to look at him.

To be honest, this was probably the best solution right now.

If she could improve her guitar skills, then all these problems would disappear.

"Sorry, it's the only solution I could think of," Saku admitted openly. "But if you have another idea for how I can make this right, I'm open to it—as long as it's not too over-the-top."

"What exactly is 'over-the-top'?" Anon asked, intrigued.

"Well, that depends on what you're asking for."

Saku couldn't exactly draw a hard line for something like this.

"Hmm…"

Anon looked him over thoughtfully, but in the end, she didn't make any unusual requests.

"Fine, let's go with what you suggested—find me a guitar teacher."

"Alright, will do."

Saku felt a small wave of relief.

For some reason, her look just now had made him a bit uneasy.

"Oh, by the way, who did you have in mind?" Anon asked, genuinely curious. "I've got some extra money saved up."

"If I'm the one who's responsible, then there's no need for you to pay anything," Saku replied. He wasn't short on money.

"No way! You paying for my guitar lessons? That'd just be weird."

Anon couldn't accept that.

Their relationship was close, but it didn't justify him covering this expense. Unless they were… closer.

For now, having him just set her up with a good teacher seemed more reasonable.

"How about this—I'll find you a guitar teacher who won't charge anything."

Seeing how firmly she felt, Saku had another idea pop into his mind.

"A guitar teacher… who doesn't charge?" Anon blinked in surprise.

"Gotoh Hitori, guitarist of Kessoku Band. She's currently teaching Kita guitar." Saku smiled as he explained, "We're friends, so I'm sure Bocchi-chan will agree if I ask."

That was, of course, a lie.

The truth was, his relationship with Gotoh Hitori wasn't nearly that close.

And he wasn't the type to bother others unnecessarily.

He planned to secretly pay her to teach Anon guitar while keeping the arrangement under wraps, making it appear as a simple favor between friends.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to trouble her too much…"

Although Anon was tempted, she was still a bit hesitant.

"Of course. Teaching one person or two, what's the difference?" Saku reassured her. "Besides, you're not a beginner. How much trouble could you cause?"

"I'll have to thank Hitori-san properly when I see her."

After giving it some thought, Anon accepted the suggestion.

"Good."

Having settled things, Saku walked her to the train station.

He'd offered to walk her home, but Anon had insisted on refusing, not wanting to inconvenience him.

He couldn't argue with that.

---

Back at home, Kamigawa Saku sent a message to Gotoh Hitori.

Kamigawa Saku: Bocchi-chan, are you free around noon tomorrow?

Kamigawa Saku: There's something important I'd like to discuss with you in person.

A conversation like this needed to be handled face-to-face.

---

"Kamigawa-kun sent me a message…"

Hiding in her closet and practicing guitar, Gotoh Hitori's fingers froze when she noticed the notification on her phone.

Come to think of it, since they'd added each other on LINE, they hadn't spoken once.

It made sense—a popular guy like Kamigawa Saku had no reason to chat with someone as gloomy as her.

As for her making the first move?

Absolutely impossible!

If she could do that, she wouldn't be hiding in a closet playing guitar.

Carefully setting her guitar aside, Hitori picked up her phone and read his message from the notification window.

This way, she could see the text without marking it as read, giving her plenty of time to decide how to respond.

Wants to meet me… for something important…

For a split second, she imagined Kamigawa confessing to her.

But in the next instant, she dismissed it.

The odds of him confessing were lower than the world ending tomorrow.

She wouldn't even dare dream of that.

But meeting him in person… that, she could handle.

Nervously, she clicked into the chat. Watching the message change to "Read," she quickly typed out a reply.

Gotoh Hitori: Alright.

That was already a big effort for her today. She'd leave the hard part to "future Hitori."

Kamigawa Saku: Should I come find you in your class? Or would you rather choose a spot?

Gotoh Hitori: Don't come to my class!

Hitori replied in a flash.

Kamigawa was ranked as the top heartthrob by the girls in her grade; if he came to her classroom, and they knew it was to see her…

She'd be their enemy forever.

Kamigawa Saku: Alright, then pick a place, and I'll meet you there at lunch.

I get to choose…?

Reading his message, Hitori started agonizing over her options.

---

The next day, at noon.

"Bocchi-chan, this spot you chose is… unique."

Saku entered the stairwell on the first floor, where Hitori was already waiting. She looked right at home in the dim, secluded corner.

Just as he'd expected, it was the type of spot that avoided attention.

Hitori turned her head, scratching her cheek sheepishly. "It's… it's nothing special. I just come here a lot."

At first, she'd thought of suggesting the rooftop or the library—somewhere that felt more presentable.

But then she'd realized: meeting him there might attract people's attention.

And news would spread—her, alone with the top-ranked guy on campus…

For her own survival, she'd gone with her trusty stairwell.

Saku got straight to the point. "I'll skip the small talk. The reason I wanted to meet is because I have a favor to ask."

"A favor? For… me?"

Hitori could hardly believe it.

How on earth could a girl like her help him with anything?

"I'd like to ask if you could teach Anon guitar. Would that be possible?" Saku nodded. "I understand this is sudden, so I'll make sure you're compensated."

"10,000 yen per session—how does that sound?"

"Eh?"

Hitori felt her mind go blank.