Kapitel 39: I Just Want a Single Ending [39]
Just a few seconds of eye contact, and Gotoh Hitori let out a startled cry.
Too close, far too close!
This was her first time being so near to a boy. Even though they were just speaking face-to-face, it was overwhelming.
"Looks like she's back with us," Kamikawa Saku sighed, feeling a bit of relief now that she had at least managed to speak.
Chihaya Anon pointed at Hitori, whose head seemed to be steaming as she began to "melt" even faster, and said, "Nope, she's nowhere near back—if anything, it's worse now."
"What's going on?"
Kamikawa was baffled; this was his first time encountering such a... unique reaction.
It really felt like she was an entirely different species.
"This is a first for me too," said Ikuyo Kita, just as lost.
"It's probably because of me—I'll go get Nijika. Maybe she can help."
Realizing that his presence and proximity were making things harder for Hitori, Kamikawa decided to call for the only person who might calm the situation: the ever-reliable Nijika Ijichi. He stood up, quickly heading out of the practice room to get backup.
---
Thanks to Nijika's intervention, Gotoh Hitori eventually made a full recovery.
"So, what happened to Bocchi just now?"
Leaving Hitori to recover on her own in the practice room, Nijika stepped outside and asked the others about what had just gone down.
"It went like this..."
Chihaya Anon filled her in, explaining both her and Kita's invitation and Kamikawa Saku's conversation with Hitori.
"Didn't agree, but didn't refuse either?" Saku speculated, piecing together Hitori's thought process. "Could it be that she wanted to decline but didn't know how to say it, so she just… melted?"
After all, he had once capitalized on Hitori's inability to say no to make friends with her and even exchange contact info, so he was more than familiar with this aspect of her personality.
"No way! If she didn't want to come, she could've just said so. We wouldn't get mad," Kita replied, puzzled, with Anon nodding in agreement.
"She's just… like that," Saku explained, shrugging. People couldn't always be understood by the same standards.
"Fine, then we won't invite her," Anon said, letting it go with a shrug.
"We'll go check on her then—plus, we need to talk to her about something," Saku said as he and Nijika headed back into the practice room a few moments later.
Watching the two disappear inside, Anon frowned slightly. "What could they need to talk to Hitori about?"
"No idea," Kita replied, shaking her head.
---
"I'm sorry, I caused so much trouble."
Inside the practice room, a recovered Hitori bowed in apology as soon as she saw them return.
"It's fine, that's on me for not being more mindful."
Saku waved a hand dismissively, taking a seat on the bench across from her while Nijika sat down on another nearby.
Hitori looked away, her eyes drifting to the side as she avoided his gaze.
To be honest, that was the first time she'd really taken a good look at Kamikawa Saku's face.
In all their previous encounters, she'd either glanced at him briefly at the start or kept her head down the whole time, staring at the floor or looking elsewhere.
She had to admit, though, Kamikawa Saku's title as the "most attractive guy in their grade" was well-earned.
Super good-looking!
How to describe it? His skin was clear, his eyes were big, and his features… just so refined.
But with Hitori's limited vocabulary, these basic descriptors were all she could muster. She didn't stand a chance at coming up with any poetic praises.
Seeing her eyes darting nervously, Nijika leaned in, concerned. "Bocchi, are you still feeling unwell?"
"No, I'm feeling much better now."
"Alright, but don't hesitate to say something if you start feeling off, okay? Don't push yourself."
"Got it."
"Anyway," Nijika began, shifting the conversation, "we wanted to ask if you're free during Golden Week."
Hitori's eyes widened with a sudden sense of foreboding.
That phrasing sounded a little too familiar.
"I'm free… but what about Anon and Kita's invitation…"
"Oh, they're not going to push it. Don't worry," Saku interjected, having anticipated her question.
"Thank goodness," she sighed in relief, happy to know she wouldn't have to refuse anyone.
"If you're free, would you mind letting us train with you a bit?"
Seeing her wariness, Saku added, "It'll just be me and Nijika—no one else."
"Training?"
Anxiety bubbled up inside her as her mind raced to unsettling scenarios.
Like being locked in a small, dark room, forced to play guitar for twenty hours straight without food breaks…
Nijika stepped in, quickly dispelling her worries. "Don't overthink it! We just want to help you work on facing an audience, that's all."
"Really?"
Hopeful, Hitori's gaze lifted, but when she met Saku's friendly smile, her eyes flickered downward again.
"Of course."
It was obvious to him she'd been imagining something absurd.
"What exactly were you picturing just now? Your reaction was… intense."
"N-Nothing at all!" Hitori stammered, hastily trying to change the topic.
"Um, what kind of training will it be, exactly?"
Her clumsy attempt at a subject change only made Saku more certain that her thoughts had taken a wild turn, but he decided to let it slide.
"Here's the thing. Nijika thinks you can't keep playing in a cardboard box—you've got to step out and face the crowd. So, we thought we could use Golden Week to give you some training to help with that."
This was the plan he and Nijika had come up with over Line. That was the "something" they needed to talk to her about.
"I… I think that's a good idea," Hitori admitted. "I really do need to be able to stand in front of people."
After that live show, she'd realized she couldn't keep hiding.
The reason was simple.
The whole reason she picked up the guitar was that she wanted to be famous, to be seen by everyone.
If she stayed in a box forever, her dream could never come true.
Nijika beamed, clapping her hands. "That's perfect! So, you're okay with us helping you train?"
Hitori nodded shyly.
The training plan was exactly what she needed, after all.
And besides, she still couldn't quite muster up the courage to say no.
"Great! Then, if it's alright, could you let us know where you live? We'll come by tomorrow to start," Saku said with a warm smile.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein