I Just Want A Single Ending!

At the same time, back at home, Kamigawa Saku was already celebrating.

"Yes!"

He'd perfectly solved Takamatsu Tomori's lyrics-writing dilemma.

With that, there was nothing left to worry about, and he could finally relax.

Guess I'd say Tomori and I are pretty good friends now, right?

Leaning back on the sofa, Saku thought over this new status.

If they were really friends now, he'd need to be mindful of boundaries.

Given how deeply Tomori felt about things, it wouldn't be ideal if she accidentally started liking him.

Though honestly, the chance of that happening wasn't very high.

He'd constantly reinforced his roles as a "friend" and "band manager," so even if helping her had boosted his likability, it should've only improved their relationship in those areas.

Most reassuringly, in all of yesterday's interactions with Tomori, he hadn't seen a single system prompt.

What did that mean?

Obviously, it meant there was no problem.

As anyone who plays a dating sim knows, if you want to start a route with a certain character, you need to select specific choices to build affection with them.

Since Tomori was a "romanceable" character, but he hadn't triggered any options, it clearly wasn't part of her route.

If even the system said so, he could believe it.

Tomorrow, he'd be heading to the amusement park with Ijichi Nijika.

Interestingly, it wasn't a trip meant to build rapport—he just wanted to give himself a break.

After a day spent raising Tomori's "friendship score," he was that much closer to securing the "single ending," so he could enjoy a little well-deserved fun.

With that in mind, Saku looked forward to tomorrow.

---

The Next Day, Sunday

"I'm heading out, Nee-chan!"

After checking her outfit in the mirror one last time, Ijichi Nijika announced to her sister, who was lounging on the couch watching TV.

"You're going to the amusement park today, right?"

Ijichi Seika thought of something and asked offhandedly.

"Yep," Nijika replied, turning around to face her. "Want me to bring you back a souvenir?"

"No thanks, I'm not really interested in that stuff."

Seika waved it off nonchalantly.

"By the way, who're you going with?"

She only knew that her little sister was going to the amusement park, not who would be joining her.

She assumed it'd be someone like Yamada Ryo, Kita Ikuyo, or another friend from school.

"Saku—Kamigawa Saku."

Nijika answered quickly.

"Huh?"

Seika sat up immediately.

Him?

He was the last person she wanted it to be.

Noticing her sister's reaction, Nijika asked, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just a little surprised. What made you decide to go to the amusement park with him?"

Seika tried to sound as casual as possible.

But on the inside, her thoughts were racing.

A boy and a girl the same age, spending the day together at an amusement park…

Could it be that Kamigawa Saku was dating her little sister?

When did this happen?

Why didn't she know anything about it?

If they really were dating, how was she supposed to treat Kamigawa Saku?

Should she invite him over sometime, and then find a way to… get rid of him?

Or maybe she should just warn him sternly?

Or…

Whatever she thought of, it all seemed like a bad idea.

"It's just that I really couldn't find anyone else to go with," Nijika said with a sigh.

"What do you mean? Isn't Ryo or Kita free?"

Realizing things weren't what she'd feared, Seika relaxed, but she was still concerned.

"Well…"

So, Nijika explained her reason once more.

"Is that really something worth fussing over?"

That was Seika's reaction after hearing the whole story.

Going out with Kamigawa Saku of all people just because she was worried about seeming biased toward her other friends…

Is that what high schoolers are like these days?

It was pretty ridiculous.

"Of course it matters—people totally notice that kind of stuff!" Nijika shot back, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you ever pay attention to these things, Nee-chan?"

At that, Seika fell into an odd silence.

Maybe… she actually didn't think about that kind of stuff.

"Alright, I really need to go now, or I'll miss the train and be late."

With that, Nijika dashed out the door.

As the front door closed, Seika found herself alone in the house again.

Turning back to the TV, the program she'd been enjoying now felt oddly dull.

If she'd known Nijika would end up inviting Kamigawa Saku to the amusement park, she would've agreed to go from the start.

Now, it was too late to change her mind.

Maybe I could just buy a ticket myself and follow along?

The thought crossed Seika's mind.

But she dismissed it the next moment.

She still had to run the live house today.

Just shutting down on a whim wasn't an option.

Besides, she had no idea which amusement park Nijika and Saku were going to.

When Nijika had invited her, there hadn't been any mention of the tickets, so there was no way to know where they'd be.

Ugh!

Just thinking about Saku spending an entire day with her little sister at the amusement park…

No, no way. Next time he comes here, I'll charge him a thousand yen per drink… No, not enough. Five thousand… or even fifty thousand yen.

It's not like he can't afford it.

He's going to the amusement park with her sister—she's justified in charging him extra!

---

At the Entrance to the Amusement Park

"Sorry, I'm late!"

Nijika hurried over to Saku and politely apologized.

Saku replied lazily, "No worries, I only just got here."

"Eh? What's this? Are you really Saku?"

Nijika looked him up and down, genuinely surprised at his laid-back tone.

Voice sounded right, height hadn't changed, face was the same…

All signs confirmed that the person standing in front of her was indeed Kamigawa Saku.

"What's up?"

Saku tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.

"Is it just me, or do you seem… different than usual? Like something's a little off…"

Nijika rested her chin on her hand, striking a thoughtful pose.

She couldn't quite pinpoint what felt wrong.

"Oh? Then listen again."

With that, Saku dropped the lazy tone, put on his usual warm smile, and repeated, "No worries, I only just got here."

"Ah, that's it!"

Hearing him back to normal, Nijika finally realized what had seemed off.

It was his vibe.

Normally, Saku matched every bit of what you'd imagine from the most popular kid in school.

Good-looking, top grades, polite and friendly…

But just a moment ago, he seemed more like a pretty face with zero motivation.

The difference was night and day.

Ijichi Nijika looked at him with concern, asking, "What's going on with you today? Why the sudden change in style?"

Normally, when someone acts differently for no apparent reason, something's usually wrong.

"I gave myself the day off today," Kamigawa Saku replied, settling back into his relaxed state. "Figured I'd take it easy for once."

Since he wasn't going to make any progress toward his "single ending" today, it was only natural that his mood was a bit different.

Honestly, he wasn't completely used to this side of himself either.

"Oh, I see. You deserve a break."

With his 600,000 Instagram followers, his role as the band's manager, and his studies to keep up with, Nijika could easily see why he'd need some rest.

"I've gotten used to my usual routine, so it's not really that tough."

As he spoke, Saku followed Nijika to line up for tickets at the amusement park.

"But it's still the first time I've seen this side of you—kinda interesting."

After they entered the park, Nijika kept glancing at him with fascination.

Even though she knew him well, there was something novel and intriguing about this version of him.

This must be the kind of surprise you feel when you see a friend's unexpected side.

"Same here," Saku agreed.

"Huh?"

Nijika froze for a second, then looked at him in disbelief. "Saku, did you misspeak?"

It made sense for her or anyone else to feel this way upon seeing him act differently.

But for him to say it? That was just… odd.

"What do you mean, 'same here'?"

Wasn't that just a bit too weird?

"No, I mean it—it's the first time I'm seeing this side of me, too." Saku stretched lazily. "I only decided this morning how I'd approach today's 'day off.'"

"So, you've really never taken a break before?" Nijika asked, curious.

"I haven't, no. I've been busy nonstop."

Ever since he got the dating-sim system, his once aimless life had become packed.

From figuring out who was "romanceable" by starting conversations to learning new skills to build relationships, his schedule had been completely filled with tasks.

This left him with zero downtime, and he wasn't even sure how he felt about this unexpected holiday.

After all, it was like indulging early.

As for his life before he got the system?

Forget it. Not interested.

He had every right to refuse trips down memory lane.

"I get it."

Nijika nodded, thoughtful.

Saku's parents had passed away when he was young.

Maybe keeping himself busy had been his way of dealing with that loss?

Not even knowing how to unwind—just thinking about it was hard to believe.

But if she considered it from that angle, it made sense.

As for him saying he wasn't bothered by his parents' passing?

Yeah, right. That'd be impossible.

Unless he had some sort of psychological condition.

"Well then, let's make this a fun day!"

Nijika was determined to make sure Saku left happy.

"Sounds good!" Saku replied.

"So, what should we go on first?"

Looking at the amusement park map, Saku left the choice up to her.

Today, he had no goals or motivation of his own.

"How about the roller coaster?" Nijika suggested.

"Works for me."

He agreed without a second thought.

"Oh, by the way, you're not afraid of heights, are you?"

As they made their way to the roller coaster, Nijika brought up the crucial question.

"I used to be, but I'm over it now," Saku replied honestly.

"You worked hard to overcome it, huh?"

Nijika praised him gently.

"Well, mostly I just grew out of it," Saku said, half-jokingly. "Or you could say… 'the weak me is gone for good.'"

"Isn't that a bit dramatic? Are you saying there's nothing you're scared of anymore?" Nijika pressed with a laugh.

"Pretty much. I used to be afraid of so many things as a kid."

Saku confirmed with a nod.

"Like what? Tell me some of your old fears."

Nijika glanced at the line for the roller coaster, figuring they still had a little wait, so she continued chatting with him.

"Bugs. Horror movies." Saku recalled briefly. "I was a really timid kid."

"That makes sense. Once you're a bit older, you start to realize that bugs aren't so scary, and horror movies are just fiction," Nijika agreed.

"...Yeah."

Saku paused, then nodded in agreement.

"So, when did you stop being scared of all that?" Nijika asked offhandedly. "Sometime in middle school? Or even earlier?"

"I don't remember. It's been so long; there's no way I'd recall that clearly."

Saku couldn't put a time on it—those memories were too fuzzy.

"I shouldn't have asked."

Nijika found herself dwelling on what he'd said about "growing up."

They were fifteen or sixteen now, so it wasn't wrong to say they were growing up.

But the way Saku had spoken, it sounded like he was referring to something much further back.

Which made her wonder—what did he really mean by "growing up"?

"It's fine."

Saku didn't mind at all.

Just as they wrapped up their conversation, it was their turn on the roller coaster.

"Are you sure you're not afraid of heights?"

Once they'd strapped into their seats, Nijika brought it up again as they were about to take off.

"Not at all. Why?"

Saku didn't get why she'd ask the same question twice.

"Well, if you're scared, you can hold my hand."

As she spoke, Nijika extended her hand to him.

[Hold her hand]

[Don't hold her hand]

Right after she said those words, the system choices appeared in front of him.

"…"

Looking at the options, Saku sighed inwardly.

Seriously? I'm here to relax, not to level up relationships. Did you really have to pop up now?

And annoyingly, he only had the system's two options.

Either hold her hand or don't—no third choice.

"No need."

Saku chose to decline.

He wasn't doing it to keep up his "single ending" route—it was simply his personal choice.

He wasn't a puppet to the system.

When he said he was taking a break, he meant it.

Besides, he didn't want to take advantage of Nijika's gesture like that.

That just wasn't his style.

[Stamina +3]

"Okay."

Nijika didn't push, simply pulling her hand back.

Before long, the roller coaster launched.

"Ahhh—"

"Aieee—"

The air was filled with all sorts of shouts and screams.

"Wow… this feels amazing~~~"

Unlike most, Nijika thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Meanwhile, the supposedly "fearless" Saku was dead silent, calmly experiencing the roller coaster with barely a sound, and even taking the time to watch Nijika beside him.

"The weak me is gone for good" wasn't just a joke.

It was true.

Now, he didn't fear heights, wasn't scared of bugs, and could even watch horror movies without a second thought… Looking at it this way, there were nothing but benefits.

Soon enough, the roller coaster completed its loop and returned to the starting point.

"That was so much fun!"

Nijika beamed, obviously pleased with the experience as she got off.

"Yeah," Saku agreed casually.

In truth, it was a bit dull—the screams from everyone else were just too loud.

If it weren't for Nijika's company, he'd probably never have tried something so pointless.

Really not his thing.

"How about we hit the haunted house next?"

After leaving the roller coaster, Nijika quickly picked their next stop.

"Since you're not afraid of horror movies anymore, you won't be scared of a haunted house, right?"

"Probably not. Though, I've never actually been to one, so I can't say for sure," Saku replied, not fully committing.

"Alright, then haunted house it is!"

Since he'd never tried it before, she figured it'd be worth the experience.

"Sure."

---

It didn't take long before they reached the haunted house.

The moment they stepped inside, Nijika nervously hid behind Saku, clinging to his arm.

"Don't tell me… you're afraid of haunted houses?"

Feeling the pressure on his arm, Saku's expression was complicated as he asked.

It wasn't like he was trying to take advantage—she'd done this herself.

"Actually, I'm not that scared. This is just in case," Nijika said, sounding a bit defensive. "Besides, haunted houses are kind of fun."

"Got it."

---

Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!

Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?

Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!

— Furina ✨