Kapitel 55: I Just Want a Single Ending [55]
"Really?"
Upon hearing this, Gotoh Hitori lit up with delight.
Playing guitar here, having both Kamigawa Saku and Nijika Ijichi around helped her feel a bit less nervous.
But despite that, she couldn't quite shake the deep-seated fear of strangers that was practically carved into her bones.
"Mm-hmm. I'll let you know when it's time for the next practice session," Kamigawa Saku nodded with a gentle smile.
"The… next time?"
Gotoh Hitori's happy expression froze.
Kamigawa Saku immediately saw right through her thoughts. "What, did you think 'take a break' meant you'd never have to come practice again?"
"…Haha."
Gotoh Hitori lowered her head, chuckling awkwardly.
He had seen right through her; that was exactly what she had been thinking.
"But, compared to yesterday, Bocchi-san seems much more comfortable here today, right? You were really steady most of the time," Nijika Ijichi chimed in, trying to reassure her.
"I'm sure that after some more time, Bocchi-san will fully overcome this challenge and be able to give a perfect performance in front of the audience."
Gotoh Hitori said nothing, still staring at the floor.
The real reason her performance had been stable today was because Kamigawa Saku had spent most of the time in the café chatting with Ikuyo Kita, discussing things like account management.
If he weren't around, she'd probably just be playing at her usual level.
It wasn't that she'd gotten used to this place at all. If anything, she'd only grown more dependent on Kamigawa Saku.
In other words, her entire body now felt like it couldn't do without him.
"Alright, keep up the good work!" Kamigawa Saku encouraged her, too.
"Got it!"
Gotoh Hitori lifted her head, forcing herself to perk up and respond.
---
After today's band practice ended, Kamigawa Saku didn't head home with Nagasaki Soyo but instead made his way to a flower shop.
Since he'd promised her sunflowers yesterday, he was determined to follow through.
Meanwhile, Nagasaki Soyo sat on the living room couch, waiting.
It wasn't that she cared much about Kamigawa Saku's whereabouts; she was just reacting to the message he'd sent a moment ago.
Kamigawa Saku: I'm at the flower shop buying sunflowers now. I'll bring them to your place after I'm done. Are you free right now?
That's right; she was simply being polite and had no particular desire for him to come over.
After all, it would be incredibly rude if he brought the flowers over and she didn't answer the door on time.
With that thought, Nagasaki Soyo considered whether she should do a bit of tidying up.
The room wasn't particularly messy, but she figured it wouldn't hurt to keep busy while she waited.
Just as she reached for the cleaning supplies, she heard the front door open.
"Is Kamigawa-kun already here?"
That was her first thought.
Then, she realized that couldn't be right.
He didn't have a key to her house, so he should have rung the doorbell instead.
"I'm home!"
Her mother's voice called out from the entrance.
"Oh, it's Mom."
Caught by surprise but delighted, Nagasaki Soyo headed towards the door, greeting her with an especially gentle tone, "Welcome back."
Of course, her mother was more important than Kamigawa Saku.
"It's wonderful to come home and see you first thing, Soyo."
Her mother's voice was filled with happiness, and like a child, she threw herself onto the couch.
"Ah, it really feels like it's been ages since I last came home."
"You must be exhausted," Soyo said, sitting beside her. She asked softly, "What would you like for dinner tonight? Curry, stew, or maybe something else?"
"Anything you make will be perfect."
Nagasaki Soyo's mom snuggled closer, resting her head on Soyo's lap, her face filled with contentment.
"Soyo really is the best."
"Then, why don't you relax here for a bit while I go prepare dinner?"
Gently brushing her mom's hair, Nagasaki Soyo's voice grew even softer.
"Alright~"
After stepping into the kitchen, before actually starting to prepare dinner, Nagasaki Soyo sent a quick message to Kamigawa Saku.
Since her mom had unexpectedly come home, their bass lesson and the flower delivery would have to be rescheduled.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of town.
Kamigawa Saku had just chosen a sunflower he was satisfied with when Nagasaki Soyo's message arrived.
Nagasaki Soyo: Sorry, my mom came home today, so I can't teach you bass tonight.
Nagasaki Soyo: Could we reschedule the sunflower delivery, too? It's not a good time to receive it right now.
Nagasaki Soyo: And even if I can't teach you bass tonight, you are absolutely NOT allowed to try learning it by yourself.
After reading it through, Kamigawa Saku replied, Got it.
He then slipped his phone back into his pocket and said to the flower shop attendant, "Could you please arrange to have this delivered to this address?"
The apartment building where he lived was a high-end one, with security to prevent strangers from coming in.
So for deliveries, the resident's permission was always required.
If a resident wasn't home or couldn't open the door, deliveries would have to be left elsewhere for temporary storage.
"Certainly."
The shop attendant noted the address with a polite smile.
After paying, Kamigawa Saku left the flower shop and decided to explore some nearby stores he hadn't yet visited.
Since he no longer needed to head to Nagasaki Soyo's place, he might as well continue his store-hopping adventure.
---
"It's ready! Wash your hands and come eat," Nagasaki Soyo called out from the kitchen, setting the last dish on the dining table and calling out to her mom, who was sitting on the couch scrolling through her phone.
"…Sorry, Soyo. Something came up at work, and I need to head back for a bit."
Soyo's mom stood up suddenly, looking apologetic.
"Oh… I see…" Soyo bit her lip, then forced a smile. "It's okay. Work is important."
"I'm really sorry we can't have dinner together," her mom apologized again.
Ever understanding, Soyo reassured her, "It's fine, don't worry about me. You should hurry on over."
"Alright then, I'm off. Be safe at home, okay?"
As she walked towards the door, Soyo's mom reminded her one last time.
"I will."
As the front door opened and closed, the spacious room fell quiet once again, leaving Soyo alone.
---
Outside the apartment building.
Returning from his store-hopping trip, Kamigawa Saku set down the sunflower he was carrying and was about to enter the security gate when he noticed a woman in a fitted suit, with long brown hair, walking out from the building.
"She looks… familiar."
Watching her figure disappear into the distance, Kamigawa Saku couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen her somewhere before.
---
T/N: Another tip! When translating sometimes author's will switch from simplified to traditional so if you notice things are starting to be off? Be sure to check if it switched! If it hasn't perhaps refreshing will work! Posture check!
I'm sorry but I decided to take Sundays off! 😖
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein