บท 45: I Just Want a Single Ending [45]
"Eh?"
Suddenly hearing her name, Gotoh Hitori instinctively hid behind Kamigawa Saku, hoping to escape the attention of everyone else.
"Yes, she's the guitarist for Kessoku Band, Gotoh Hitori."
Saku stepped aside, clearing the way so that she was fully in view.
"H-hi… nice to meet you."
Realizing she couldn't escape, Hitori raised her right hand in a feeble wave, making an effort to greet them.
Saku continued with the introductions, "This is Ijichi Nijika, Kessoku Band's drummer."
"It's nice to meet you! Please take care of us," Nijika said cheerfully, radiating warmth, in sharp contrast to Hitori's nervous demeanor.
After introducing them, Saku went on to introduce Takamatsu Tomori, Shiina Taki, Nagasaki Soyo, and Kaname Raana, who had just finished playing guitar and was now digging into a matcha parfait.
"Hey there!"
Each of them greeted back in turn.
"Bocchi, in a bit you'll go over there to play your guitar. We'll be here watching,"
Saku said, pointing to the stage Raana had just played on.
Following his gesture, Hitori gulped.
She'd never set foot in a stylish place like this café before.
And now, for her first time here, she'd be playing guitar on stage. It felt way beyond her ability.
Looks like Saku was right… taking it slowly would've been better after all.
"Are you scared?"
Seeing her speechless, Saku had a pretty good idea of what was going through her mind.
"…Yes."
Hitori admitted quietly, feeling as if he'd read her thoughts.
She never should've made that bold declaration yesterday!
This was just one of countless times she'd regretted her impulsive words.
Saku gently patted her shoulder and reassured her, "If that's the case, we can change locations."
"R-really?"
Hitori's eyes lit up, as if he'd just thrown her a lifeline.
"Of course."
Saku had no reason to lie about something like this.
Hitori was about to agree, but then she glanced over at his bandmates.
She noticed that Nijika had already settled in and was happily chatting with them.
After hesitating for a while, she finally asked, "What about them?"
"Don't worry about it," Saku explained. "We've got a practice room booked here for a rehearsal. They're just here to listen to your guitar before we get started."
"So… you set this up with the café for me to play here, right?"
Hitori scanned the café before looking back at Saku. "What happens if I back out?"
"I'll handle it," he said with a reassuring smile. "It's not a big deal; I'll just let the café know. That stage doesn't get much use anyway. Canceling won't cause any issues."
"…"
Hitori lowered her head.
Though he made it sound simple, she knew it was anything but.
He'd have to apologize to his bandmates, then explain the situation to the café, and finally find another place that was more comfortable for her.
All of this, just because yesterday she'd blurted out something reckless in the heat of the moment.
Running away now—was that her "resolve"?
Could she really do that after all the effort Saku had put in for her?
I am Gotoh Hitori, the Guitar Hero!
And a hero doesn't run away!
So, Hitori gathered her courage and looked up at Saku.
Again, she saw his reassuring smile—the same one as yesterday, urging her to feel at ease.
This time, she didn't doubt her feelings.
"I'll play!"
"There's no need to push yourself; it wouldn't take long to find a different place."
Saku noticed a familiar look in her eyes, the same as yesterday.
"No, I'll play here."
Hitori didn't want him to have to apologize on her behalf.
"Alright, then. I'll let the café staff know. You can go get set up on stage."
Seeing her determination, Saku didn't press further.
"Okay."
Hitori walked up to the stage, took her guitar out of its case, and began setting up with the sound system.
Meanwhile, Saku went to speak with the café staff.
At the same time, Chihaya Anon, who had been chatting with Nijika and the others, had quietly been watching Saku and Hitori's conversation from a distance.
Seeing them finally go their separate ways, she let out a small sigh of relief.
For some reason, whenever she saw Saku chatting with another girl, she felt uneasy.
Even if she knew it was just friendly conversation, she couldn't help feeling bothered.
Especially when it came to Gotoh Hitori.
It felt like there were too many similarities between them.
They both had pink hair, both played guitar in a band, and neither of them was the lead singer.
And, in terms of… figure… she guessed they were about the same.
Picturing Hitori's plain appearance in her tracksuit, Anon couldn't help but feel a boost of confidence.
It was like looking at another version of herself in the world.
As Anon's thoughts wandered, Saku finished talking with the staff. After checking in with Hitori one more time, he returned to the table.
"So, is she ready to go?" Shiina Taki asked, watching as Hitori took her stance on stage.
"Yep."
"Is she really professional level?" Taki asked for confirmation.
When he invited them to come listen, Saku had claimed that Hitori's guitar skills were at a professional level, though she needed help bringing it out.
"She is, as long as she can play at her best."
Saku had specifically asked Nijika for her assessment during their train ride home.
In her full potential, Gotoh Hitori was a guitarist at a professional level.
Just like she'd been the day before.
The Hitori who was terrified of performing in front of an audience, though, was only an amateur.
Whether or not she'd play at her full level—all of that was up to her.
"Good enough for me."
Taki didn't ask anything else and simply waited patiently.
If her skills were as good as Saku had claimed, then the wait would be worth it.
Meanwhile, standing center stage, Hitori took a deep breath and began to play.
From the first note, Kaname Raana, who'd been quietly enjoying her matcha parfait, looked up at the stage.
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Translator's Note
Hi, peasants! I'm so excited to share Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking! Our favorite carefree bard, Venti, takes center stage in this Honkai: Star Rail adventure, landing in Belobog—the last bastion of preservation on Jarilo VI. With the fire inside fading and winds growing stagnant, can the spirit of freedom and the breeze of change rise once more?
If you're a fan of Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, you're gonna love this one. There's music, rebellion, and all the freedom-loving energy Venti brings to the table! Also, I've got two more stories lined up after this, so keep an eye out. As always, thank you so much for your support—y'all are the best!
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