บท 6: I Just Want a Single Ending [6]
What's going on today? I actually met two new romanceable characters.
After posting his review, Kamigawa Saku finally had a chance to think about Gotoh Hitori and Chihaya Anon.
From his brief interactions with them, they both seemed pretty easy to talk to.
Especially Gotoh Hitori—she even seemed a bit scared of him.
Just answering a simple question had left her totally spaced out.
Is Gotoh Hitori… socially anxious?
If that was the case, he'd need a different approach to connect with her.
While Kamigawa was lost in thought, the band's performance started.
On stage, he saw Yamada Ryo with her bass, Nijika Ijichi on drums, and… a large box labeled "Ripe Mango."
For a moment, he was speechless.
By process of elimination, the one hiding in the box must be Gotoh Hitori, right?
Is this… rock? Kamigawa couldn't help but think.
Then again, Gotoh Hitori probably just had severe stage fright.
"Hello, everyone! We're Kessoku Band! Today, we'll be playing a few songs you might recognize, so please look forward to it!"
With that introduction from Nijika, they started playing.
But the sound…
Even though he didn't know much about music, he could tell if something sounded good or bad.
And this performance was… not great. They had no coordination, and the rhythm was all over the place.
Still, considering they'd only just met, he figured it was understandable.
When their performance ended, Kamigawa downed the rest of his drink, bought three more, and made his way to the studio.
"Great job, everyone! Here, have something to drink."
Entering, he greeted them enthusiastically.
"Perfect timing, I was thirsty," Ryo appeared at his side instantly, grabbing a drink without hesitation.
"I keep telling you, don't go out of your way to buy us drinks," Nijika said with a sigh.
Even though this was her family's Livehouse, she wasn't a fan of her friends spending money just to support them.
With each drink costing 500 yen, three cups added up to the price of another ticket.
"Well, I already bought them, and your sister isn't giving me a refund," Kamigawa said, already familiar with Nijika's habits. "So, you might as well enjoy them."
"I swear, next time I'll tell her to stop selling you drinks."
Nijika reluctantly accepted two of the drinks.
"Your sister probably hopes I'll buy even more," he replied with a grin.
At first, Nijika's sister, Seika Ijichi, had tried to stop him from spending like that. But once she learned he was a popular Instagram influencer, she stopped complaining.
"Bocchi-chan, are you okay? Here, have a drink to calm down."
Nijika went over to the Ripe Mango box and knocked on it gently.
"Bocchi-chan?"
"Huh? I'm… I'm here."
Gotoh Hitori, who had been deep in thought about the meaning of life, snapped back to reality after being called several times.
"Here."
Nijika handed her a drink as Gotoh poked her head out of the box.
"Thank you."
Taking the drink carefully, Gotoh fought back the urge to cry.
She never thought she'd receive a comforting drink from a friend in her life.
Is this… what youth feels like?
Nijika stepped aside, gesturing toward Kamigawa by the door. "Actually, Saku bought the drinks. If you want to thank someone, thank him."
"…Thanks."
Gotoh glanced at Kamigawa, who seemed to be glowing just by standing there, and felt the urge to dive back into the box.
But she held her ground, clutching the drink and expressing her thanks.
"No need to thank me, it's just a drink." Kamigawa waved it off, then asked, "Bocchi-chan? Is that what you guys call Gotoh-san?"
"Yeah, it's the nickname I came up with. Not bad, right?" Ryo said proudly.
Kamigawa tried, "It's cute. Mind if I call you that too, Gotoh-san?"
"No problem at all! You can call me whatever you like," Gotoh blurted out, her response quick and flustered.
"Then I'll call you Bocchi-chan, like everyone else."
He'd guessed right—Gotoh Hitori was indeed socially anxious, and it seemed like she was afraid of him.
Though why that was, he had no clue.
"By the way, is Bocchi-chan officially part of your band now?" Kamigawa asked, changing the topic.
Ryo nodded. "Yep, she's joined for real."
"Then that makes three of you in the band."
"No, it's actually four, counting Kita," Nijika corrected him.
Even if Kita had run off for some unknown reason, she was still a part of the band.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to her tomorrow and let her know."
Kamigawa certainly hadn't forgotten this important task.
Nijika's face lit up. "Perfect! Now, let's throw a welcome party for Bocchi-chan and have a little reflection meeting about our performance!"
"Um… I already talked a lot today, so I'm really tired… I'll be going home."
The thought of the upcoming discussions made Gotoh Hitori want to bolt.
"What?" Nijika asked, surprised.
"Sorry, I'm exhausted."
Ryo said this before promptly falling asleep standing up.
"Huh?"
And with Nijika distracted, Gotoh took the opportunity to make a swift escape.
In the end, only Kamigawa and Nijika remained, staring at each other.
"Doesn't look like we'll be having any welcome or reflection meetings with just the two of us, huh?"
"Definitely not."
"Well then, I'll head out too. See you tomorrow."
"See you."
After saying their goodbyes, Kamigawa left as well.
Quickening his pace a bit, he soon spotted Gotoh Hitori standing under a streetlight with her guitar case, gazing up at it.
I have to overcome my social anxiety and give it my all!
Reflecting on their performance earlier, she steeled herself with newfound determination.
A gentle voice broke her thoughts.
"Bocchi-chan, what are you doing out here? Aren't you heading home?"
Startled, Gotoh instinctively took a few steps back.
When she realized it was him, she relaxed—though only a little.
"N-No, I was just… uh, daydreaming. Yeah, just spacing out."
"I see."
Kamigawa could tell right away she was lying, but he didn't press her on it, pretending to believe her instead.
Gotoh barely had time to feel relieved before he continued:
"By the way, can I ask… are you afraid of me? You always seem to be shaking when we talk."
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