Chapter 5: I Just Want a Single Ending [5]
"Come on, just give it a try!" Yamada Ryo encouraged him.
Kamigawa Saku sighed, "This isn't about trying. If I could do it, I'd be superhuman."
Unless the system gave him a guitar skill right now, he definitely couldn't pull it off.
Speaking of guitar, though, he suddenly thought of Chihaya Anon.
Not only could she play guitar, but she was a vocalist too.
But just like with Kita Ikuyo, he didn't have her contact info.
Besides, they'd only just met. There was no way he could pull her in to save the day.
"Now's not the time to joke around," Nijika Ijichi sighed. "I'll go check the area and see if I can find someone who plays guitar and can fill in."
"What are the chances? You should just let your sister know and call it off. If you explain, I'm sure she'll understand," Kamigawa advised.
After all, this Livehouse was run by Nijika's older sister, so she'd likely be understanding.
"We should at least try," Nijika shook her head. "If we really can't find anyone, then we can consider canceling."
She had worked hard to secure this performance, so giving up wasn't an option.
"All right, I'll go look too."
Even though the system hadn't popped up a prompt, Kamigawa decided to help out.
"I'll stay here. If no one's found in the next two hours, I'll tell the manager we're canceling," Ryo opted for the easiest job.
With that agreed, Kamigawa and Nijika left STARRY together.
"We should split up. If you find someone, message me."
"Got it."
Choosing the opposite direction, Kamigawa began searching the area.
To be honest, he didn't believe he'd randomly find a guitarist on the street who'd be free and willing to help.
He was more focused on figuring out how to tell the manager they'd have to cancel.
But after only twenty minutes…
A message arrived.
Nijika Ijichi: I found a guitarist. Come back.
"…"
Kamigawa reread the message several times, his expression twitching.
There actually was a miracle guitarist just around the corner!
Thinking back on his earlier doubts, he could only think, Guess that boomerang came back fast.
On my way back.
With that reply, he headed back.
When he returned to STARRY, he spotted a pink-haired girl in a pink tracksuit with a guitar case slung over her back, standing beside Nijika.
As he got closer, Nijika introduced her cheerfully, "This is Gotoh Hitori—the miracle guitarist who appeared out of nowhere in the park."
"And this is Kamigawa Saku, also a student at Shuuwa High, just like you."
Kamigawa smiled in greeting, "Good afternoon, Gotoh-san."
"Good aftern… Eh?! Kamigawa Saku—the top-ranked hottie?"
Hitori had been about to reply, but the moment she saw his face, she suddenly realized who he was and stammered nervously.
[New romanceable character discovered: Gotoh Hitori]
"Huh? 'Top-ranked hottie'?"
Momentarily ignoring the surprise of finding yet another romanceable character randomly recruited off the street, Kamigawa was now focused on that strange title.
Ryo leaned in, smirking. "A nickname of yours? Not bad."
"I don't remember having any such nickname. Besides, it's kind of embarrassing to be called a 'hottie' directly like that."
He knew he was pretty good-looking, but this was something else.
"Gotoh-san, would you mind telling me where this nickname came from?"
"Some girls in my class were talking about it. I overheard and… it just stuck with me…"
Being at the very bottom of the school's social ladder, with a heavy dose of social anxiety, Gotoh Hitori had no way to refuse his question and had to admit the truth.
With no friends, Hitori would lie on her desk pretending to sleep during break time, which often led to her overhearing the nearby conversations.
One day, a few girls had been discussing the cutest guys in their year, and they'd ranked Kamigawa Saku at the top.
The comment was likely said in passing, but it stuck with her.
At the time, she hadn't expected to ever meet him in person.
And yet, here they were. And without thinking, she'd blurted out that nickname she'd heard.
I want to disappear…
Having explained herself, Gotoh Hitori wished she could crawl into a hole.
"It's just a silly ranking," Kamigawa said casually.
"All right, no more chatting. We need to rehearse," Nijika said, checking the time and leading the dazed Gotoh Hitori to the studio, with Ryo following close behind.
"Good luck."
Kamigawa offered a cheerful send-off.
He didn't know any instruments, so he'd be of no help with rehearsals.
After purchasing a ticket for the show and reluctantly being upsold on a 500-yen drink, he found a seat to settle into, typing out a draft for his blog while waiting for the band to start.
Meanwhile…
"Wake up, Gotoh-san."
Nijika waved a hand in front of Gotoh Hitori, who was still in a daze.
"Huh? Where am I… and where's Kamigawa-san?"
Realizing where she was, Gotoh looked around in confusion.
"This is the studio. Kamigawa's not part of the band, so he's outside waiting for our performance," Nijika explained simply.
He's not in the band? Oh, thank goodness.
Gotoh Hitori sighed in relief.
If she, an outcast, had to join a band with the school's number one hottie, she'd be burned to ashes in his brilliance.
"You look disappointed. Did you really want to form a band with Saku?" Ryo teased, noticing her reaction.
"No, I was just…"
Gotoh Hitori struggled to find the right words.
There was no way she could admit she was terrified.
"I just… can't do it."
After a long pause, she finally found a way to explain.
"Can't do what?" Ryo pressed.
"Don't ask so many questions! We need to start practicing."
Nijika cut off Ryo's teasing, handing Gotoh a small stack of sheet music.
"These are today's songs and the music sheets."
"Okay."
Gratefully, Gotoh accepted the sheet music.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone