บท 51: I Just Want a Single Ending [51]
Faced with his unexpected invitation, Nagasaki Soyo hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
After all, it was already 8 p.m. If she were to go home and make dinner, it would take quite a while.
And with her mother not returning home tonight, she'd end up eating alone.
She was used to it, but occasionally sharing a meal with someone else sounded nice.
Especially when Saku was also on his own.
After thinking it over, Soyo added, "But there's no need for you to treat me. Let's just split the bill."
"Inviting you to dinner is my way of thanking you for teaching me bass." Saku's reason was perfectly valid.
From his perspective, Soyo offering to teach him bass was an unexpected boon.
But still, it didn't feel right to accept her kindness without any acknowledgment in return.
This was his way of thanking her—and an excuse to deepen their connection.
"I'm the one who offered to teach you bass, so you don't need to do that."
Soyo's stance was firm.
"Alright, then."
Seeing her resolve, Saku didn't press the issue further.
He'd just have to find a way to make it up to her later.
---
After taking the elevator downstairs with Nagasaki Soyo, Kamigawa Saku pulled out his phone and suggested, "Let's wait by the entrance for a moment; I'll call a cab."
"Huh? Is that place far from here?" Soyo asked, surprised.
"Not really, but it'll take a bit of time to walk there."
If she wouldn't let him treat her to dinner, he'd just have to make up for it in other ways.
"In that case, let's just walk."
Soyo didn't want him to spend extra money.
She knew he likely wasn't short on cash, but there was no need to be wasteful.
"Sure."
Saku understood her reasoning in an instant.
Come to think of it, in this regard, Soyo was a bit like Ijichi Nijika—always thoughtful and naturally considerate of others.
"Then I'll lead the way."
"No problem."
And so, the two walked toward the café, chatting along the way.
The perk of walking was, of course, having more time to talk—and for Saku to discreetly re-bandage his fingers.
Soon enough, they arrived near the café.
Just then, a girl carrying a basket of roses blocked their path.
"Hey, handsome, buy a rose for your girlfriend?" she asked.
"Girlfriend?"
Saku glanced at Soyo, but she showed no reaction to the stranger's assumption, only watching calmly.
"Isn't she?" The girl selling roses blinked in confusion.
"Sorry, but no."
Saku didn't want to let that misconception slide.
If they were just friends, he wouldn't mind buying a rose to support her business.
But to imply they were dating? That was out of the question.
"Then how about a rose for your big sister?"
Seeing that they were about to leave, the rose seller quickly changed tactics.
"Sister?"
At the word, Soyo paused instinctively.
Noticing her reaction, Saku turned to the seller, amused. "And what makes you think we're siblings?"
"If you're not a couple and not siblings, why else would you be out together so close at night?" she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing.
"True enough," Soyo said, glancing at Saku without denying it.
Saku squinted, "But why couldn't I be the older siblings?"
After all, he was taller than her—it'd make more sense for him to be the older sibling, right?
"Your fingers are covered in bandages," the rose seller pointed out, gesturing at his hands. "You don't exactly give off big brother vibes, whereas she has a much more…older sister air about her."
"…Fine, I'll take one."
Realizing he couldn't argue with that, Saku relented.
"One thousand yen—thank you very much!" she said, smiling as she took the bill and handed him a beautifully wrapped red rose.
"Here."
After pocketing his wallet, Saku offered the rose to Soyo.
"Huh? You're really giving it to me?" Soyo asked, surprised.
"Of course. Since you wouldn't let me treat you, there shouldn't be any problem with giving you a flower, right?"
Saku nodded, quickly adding, "Oh, but don't get the wrong idea. Even if it's a rose, it doesn't mean anything…romantic."
After chatting with the seller for so long, it felt rude to walk away without buying anything.
"Got it. Just a flower from a younger brother to his older sister."
Soyo chuckled, taking the rose with a smile as she recalled the earlier conversation.
"That works."
As long as she didn't read any further into it, Saku was fine with it.
Soyo seemed to remember something, then asked, "Saku-kun, when is your birthday?"
"August fifth," he replied casually.
Her eyes lit up. "So, I'm actually older than you!"
"When's yours?"
"May twenty-seventh."
"You're only two months older—does that really make you my older sister?" Saku objected. "We're in the same year!"
"Even one day counts," Soyo said, smiling as she admired the rose in her hand.
A flower from a younger brother to his older sister, huh?
Now that she thought about it, Saku did have a little brother vibe to him.
Kind and easygoing, dependable in many ways—yet terrible at taking care of himself.
That thought made her glance at his bandaged fingers again.
A reminder that she couldn't just leave him to teach himself bass.
Who knew what he'd put himself through?
"I have a feeling you're thinking something less than flattering," Saku said, noticing her gaze.
"I'm just thinking it might be best if I continued teaching you bass," Soyo admitted honestly.
"Wasn't that already the plan?"
Saku turned to her, just in time to meet her eyes.
"Yes, it was."
Soyo lowered her gaze to the rose, its red petals vivid and striking.
---
T/N: I like stories like these, it's kinda cozy!
Posture check!
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]
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