I Just Want A Single Ending!

Well, well, look at you! So dedicated, you've earned a little extra treat! 🎉

---

"Saku-senpai, have you been following the news or weather reports lately?"

Ikuyo Kita casually struck up a conversation.

"Not much, honestly. Is there some strange weather forecast on the horizon? Like maybe… snow?"

Weather forecasts made Saku think of those kinds of strange news events, and he couldn't help feigning cluelessness.

"Oh, come on, snow in May would be pushing it!"

Ikuyo couldn't resist a laugh, then continued, "It's actually a typhoon. They're saying there might be one right after exams finish."

"Is that so?"

Saku nodded, then asked curiously, "But how did you know so far in advance? There's still a lot of time before the typhoon hits."

"Well, since I've been busy studying for exams, I can't go out with friends or play in the band,"

Ikuyo explained, naturally stating the kind of reasoning only someone with an active social life could have.

"So, I checked the forecast to plan for a big post-exam outing… and that's how I found out about the typhoon."

Saku gave her an approving thumbs-up. "Nice thinking."

"So, if there's a typhoon, does that mean school will be canceled?"

Hitori Gotoh perked up, eyes wide with hope.

A typhoon!

If that's what was coming, the school would definitely call off classes.

There was no way they'd just call up the storm and tell it to cancel itself, right?

"Probably not. The exams end just as the weekend begins, which is right when the typhoon's supposed to arrive."

Ikuyo checked her phone calendar and confirmed with a sigh.

"Ah… Curse that typhoon."

Hitori's excitement deflated instantly.

She'd been hoping for a few extra days off.

But that ill-timed typhoon had shattered her dreams of a surprise vacation.

"Still, won't it mess up our band practice and any live events?"

Nijika glanced toward her sister, who was behind the counter.

Seika responded with a shrug, "Of course. Who's going to brave a typhoon to come watch a live performance?"

"Good thing we're nowhere near ready to hold a live performance anyway," Nijika added with a small sigh of relief.

"Our only problem will be that we'll have to stay home all weekend instead of practicing with the band."

Chihaya Anon thought about it and nodded. "And we can't go out to have fun, either."

"True enough."

Staying in wouldn't be much of an issue for Saku, though.

At worst, he'd have to put off going out to new restaurants, but he could still post snack reviews from home.

With the weather discussion wrapped up, he and Ikuyo resumed their light-hearted chat, while Anon occasionally glanced over, keeping an eye on how close they were sitting.

---

Before long, break time rolled around.

"Is that really Ryo? She's… actually studying?"

Saku asked, his disbelief clear as he watched Yamada Ryo, who was still focused on her worksheets.

"She's in full-on study mode,"

Nijika explained, chuckling. "It's like she's forgotten she even plays bass."

"That seems a bit much, doesn't it?"

Saku remarked with a raised brow.

Wasn't this a bit like one of those classic character transformations?

"If you don't believe me, go ask her yourself."

Nijika smirked, clearly amused.

"Alright, I will."

Saku walked over to Ryo, who was diligently filling out her paper. "Hey, Ryo. How about a bass solo? Mind giving us a quick performance?"

"Bass? What's a bass?"

Ryo blinked, looking thoroughly confused.

"What? You don't even know what a bass is anymore?"

Saku's surprise grew.

"Don't bother me. I'm aiming for Tokyo University!"

With that, Ryo turned back to her worksheet, completely absorbed in her studies.

Saku returned to Nijika's side, shaking his head. "You should check that she hasn't been replaced with a clone or something."

"You get used to it," Nijika shrugged. "Honestly, you'd be surprised she even made it into high school with her habits."

"Fair point."

Accepting Ryo's quirk as part of her charm, Saku shifted focus and led Nijika over to where Anon and Ikuyo were still chatting, saying he had something to discuss with all three of them.

All three were perfect candidates to feature in his videos. He couldn't miss this opportunity.

As much as Nyamu would've been the ideal choice, he didn't want to rely on her all the time.

For one, she had her own content to create and couldn't always be available for his channel.

More importantly, if his viewers grew too accustomed to seeing Nyamu, they'd start associating the entire series with her. Changing things up later would feel disruptive.

Besides, each of the three standing here was a potential love interest. Any one of them agreeing would mean more time together and a closer connection.

"Do you need our help with something?"

Nijika asked, noticing that he hadn't included Hitori in the discussion. It was clear he had something specific in mind for the three of them.

Anon and Ikuyo didn't say anything but seemed equally curious about what he'd ask.

"It's about the cosmetics reviews. I wanted to ask for your help with them,"

Saku began, explaining his plan in detail.

"For cosmetics reviews, text alone isn't as effective, so I thought about doing videos instead. But since it's cosmetics, it wouldn't make much sense for me to be in front of the camera, and the person doing the reviews doesn't want to appear on screen, so I thought… maybe one of you could be in the video instead?"

Saku added with a reassuring smile, "And of course, I'd make sure you're compensated."

He paused, then added, "I'd prepare the scripts and everything. You'd just need to read from them and go along with the shoot."

"Sure, I'm in,"

Anon replied without a moment's hesitation.

For her, this was an amazing opportunity.

After all, Saku's Instagram following was nearing 600,000.

Appearing in one of his videos meant that a massive audience would get to see her.

In other words, this was her moment to shine.

---

This bonus chapter is like an encore after a rousing performance—totally worth staying for, wouldn't you say? Oh, and don't worry, my lyre's got plenty more tunes to play next time!

But for now, it's time to take a bow. Thank you for the applause (and all that wonderful support). If you're feeling extra inspired, you know where to find me—[patreon.com/WiseTL]. Toss a coin, and who knows? Maybe the next bard will sing your praises!

Now, go forth, Traveler, and revel in the wonders of this world. Until next time! 🍃✨