I Just Want A Single Ending!

Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!

---

"That's amazing!"

Nijika's face brightened with a genuine smile after hearing his response.

So, she'd managed to fulfill her promise from earlier that morning.

"Yeah," Saku smiled back, glancing out the window again.

In the end, maybe this Ferris wheel ride wasn't so dull after all. Mostly because Nijika was with him.

---

After getting off the Ferris wheel, Saku and Nijika left the amusement park. They rode the train back together, chatting until they finally went their separate ways.

At home, Nijika set the two teddy bears down on the couch, ensuring she could give her sister the gift as soon as she got home. Then, she headed straight to the livehouse to lend a hand.

"Oh, you're back," her sister, Seika, greeted her from behind the bar, not missing the glow of happiness on Nijika's face.

Her first reaction, though, was a slight pang of annoyance.

Of course, it wasn't directed at Nijika herself.

It was that pesky Saku who'd probably made her day so fantastic. Just seeing how happy she was made it clear they must've had a great time.

It was infuriating.

"Yeah, I'm back," Nijika answered cheerfully as she started her usual work routine.

Seika said nothing, just quietly watching.

It wasn't that she didn't want to ask—it was that she couldn't bring herself to. If she asked, it'd seem like she cared that they'd gone to the amusement park together. And she couldn't have that.

Nope. Didn't care at all.

At least the next time Saku came around, she could charge him an obscene amount—50,000 yen per drink should do it. Maybe that'd make her feel a bit better.

Later that night, after the livehouse closed, the two sisters returned upstairs. Just as they stepped into the living room, Nijika spotted two carefully wrapped boxes on the couch.

"Here."

Nijika handed Seika the box containing the brown teddy bear.

"What's this?"

Taking the box, Seika glanced at Nijika in surprise.

"It's a souvenir from the amusement park!" Nijika beamed, explaining with a grin.

"I thought I said I didn't need any souvenirs."

Even as she spoke, Seika had already started unwrapping the box, fingers working quickly despite her words.

"I hope you like it, Sis! Saku and I picked it out together after spending ages looking."

"With… Saku?"

Seika froze for a moment, her hands pausing mid-unwrapping.

"Yeah. Why?" Nijika asked, a little confused.

Did that mean her sister really would have preferred a gift chosen solely by her, just as Saku had guessed?

"It's nothing."

Seika shook her head, deciding not to voice whatever was on her mind. Instead, she finished unwrapping the gift and took out the brown bear inside.

Yet, the longer she looked at it, the more she felt an odd dislike for it.

Somehow, her frustration with Saku had attached itself to this poor bear.

"Thanks. I… like it."

Despite her slightly bitter feelings, Seika managed to say the words, albeit a bit reluctantly.

After all, Nijika had bought this as a keepsake for her. There was no way she could actually dislike it.

If only Saku hadn't helped choose it, she would've loved it even more.

"Glad to hear it!" Nijika's shoulders relaxed, finally reassured.

Saku had been totally wrong. Her sister was clearly pleased with the bear, regardless of his involvement.

Satisfied, Nijika picked up the pink teddy bear Saku had given her and turned to head to her room.

"Hold on. What's that?"

Seika's eyes landed on the plush bear in Nijika's hand, noting the different color. One was brown, the other pink.

Was this also one of the bears Saku had picked out, bought by Nijika at the park?

"Oh, this? It's the one Saku gave me."

Caught off guard by her sister's question, Nijika's cheeks colored faintly as she recalled Saku's words when he gave it to her.

He'd said it was a "genuine gift," hadn't he?

"…"

Seika fell silent, processing the situation.

Of all outcomes, this was the last thing she'd wanted. Worse than she'd expected.

And that flustered expression on Nijika's face as she mentioned his name…

The whole thing made Seika, with her fiercely protective sisterly instincts, feel anything but happy.

"How about… we trade?" Seika suggested, the words coming out before she could stop herself.

There was no way she was going to let her adorable little sister end up dating that guy!

"Huh?"

Nijika stared, baffled.

What was going on?

Why would her sister suddenly want to trade for the bear that Saku had given her?

Thinking back on Seika's reaction when she'd mentioned Saku's involvement in picking her gift… could it be that her sister actually… liked Saku?

No way. Absolutely not.

Wasn't the age gap between them a bit too big? And having Saku as her brother-in-law just sounded… wrong.

She just couldn't wrap her head around it.

"I just thought the pink bear looks cuter, you know? It's a bit more eye-catching. Brown ones are just so common," Seika quickly explained, realizing she might've been too obvious.

"That's all there is to it."

"Oh, I see."

Relieved, Nijika let out a small breath.

If things had been going in the direction she'd imagined, that would've been… well, terrifying.

"Hey, if you don't want to switch, it's no big deal," Seika added, trying her best to sound casual. "I was just saying it looked cute."

"Sorry, Sis, but since Saku gave this to me, I don't want to just give it away."

Nijika turned her down without a second thought.

"Actually, when we first started looking, I almost picked the pink bear for you. But then Saku and I both agreed that pink didn't suit you anymore, so we went with brown instead."

"Didn't expect you'd still like pink, though. I'll remember that next time I get you something."

"...No, no need for all that."

Seika quickly waved it off.

After all, she was in her twenties now. Pink wasn't exactly her style anymore.

Something more mature would suit her better. This time had been an exception.

"Alright, got it."

And with that, Nijika took the pink bear and headed to her room.

Once she was gone, Seika looked down at the brown bear in her hands.

Imagining it was Saku, she squished it a bit harder than necessary, venting her frustration.

---

The next morning.

While getting ready, Saku went over yesterday's events in his mind.

He'd allowed himself a break, doing as he pleased without worrying about the single ending… but today was different.

His break was over.

Which meant it was time to give his "day-off self" a stern talking-to.

What exactly had he been doing yesterday? The more he thought about it, the more he realized he needed to distance himself from that version of himself.

Honestly, the Saku from yesterday had been way too soft. No resistance whatsoever.

He'd practically let himself sink into Nijika's warmth, even going as far as to give her a teddy bear. That was way too sentimental.

That Saku? Yeah, didn't know him at all.

Splashing water on his face, he looked at himself in the mirror.

Gone was the carefree look from yesterday, replaced by his usual smile and the steady gaze of someone committed to the single ending.

That "day-off self" was dead. Now, he was back—Saku, the master of galgame!

Single ending, here we go!

Leaving the bathroom, he strode confidently out the door.

---

By the afternoon, he was back in the practice room with RiNG.

"So, are we practicing 'Spring Shadow' again today?" Chihaya placed her guitar down, glancing over at Taki.

"Of course," Taki replied without hesitation.

"Alright, then."

Chihaya no longer minded practicing the same song repeatedly. She was used to it by now, finding comfort in the familiarity.

That was the beauty of practice: it made perfect.

As the two talked, Tomori knelt down to her bag, pulling out a notebook. She then walked over to Taki and spoke quietly.

"Um… I finished the lyrics to a new song."

"What?"

Taki immediately stood up, excitement flashing in her eyes as she joined Tomori.

"You wrote another song?"

Even Nagasaki Soyo looked intrigued as she walked over.

Tomori gave a small nod. "Yes."

"Lyrics…"

Saku glanced over, too, observing Tomori quietly from his spot.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Chihaya couldn't help but be impressed as she set her guitar down.

It didn't surprise Saku one bit that Tomori had written new lyrics, though—she'd told him about her progress on Saturday afternoon, after all.

"Could I take a look?"

Taki's gaze lingered on the notebook in Tomori's hands, eager to see what she'd written.

Without a word, Tomorihanded it over, her expression soft.

Taki accepted it as if it were a treasure, carefully flipping to the page with the lyrics and reading them over.

"You've worked hard, Tomori!" Soyo said warmly.

"It was no trouble."

Tomorii shook her head slightly, glancing toward Saku, who stood near the door.

"It's thanks to Saku's help that I could finish these lyrics."

"Saku helped you?"

Chihaya echoed in surprise. Since when had they been working together? And why hadn't she known about it?

"Yes," Tomori answered with certainty.

Chihaya felt… complicated.

Sure, Saku's help had led to completed lyrics, bringing them a step closer to performing live. That was great for the band. But still, something felt… off.

Was it just her imagination?

"I see."

With that in mind, Soyo turned to Saku as well.

She wasn't usually too bothered by whether or not lyrics got written. She simply loved the relaxed atmosphere of the band.

But knowing that Saku's support helped the band grow, that was different. It felt as if she were watching something she and Saku had built flourish.

"Yes, all I did was lend a little help, but the real work was all Tomori's."

Saku stepped closer, his tone modest.

Today was the day he got to reap the rewards of his rainy-day efforts, the credit that had brought Tomori through her struggle.

Let the gratitude and trust roll in, he thought, let's be best friends.

"No, Saku's contribution was enormous." Tomori corrected, insisting firmly.

Without his help, she knew she wouldn't have written these lyrics.

"One-third, Tomori. Remember?" Saku replied offhandedly.

At this, Tomori didn't argue further, accepting his compromise with a soft nod.

"…"

While reading the lyrics, Taki listened to their conversation quietly.

She could see the lyrics were entirely Tomoris work—there was no question about that.

But what kind of help had Saku given Tomori that had made writing them possible?

If interrupting Tomori's performance before had taken all her courage, only just barely managing it by faking mistakes and ignoring the consequences…

Then helping Tomori refocus and inspiring her lyrics… these were things Taki could never do herself.

And yet Saku had done it so effortlessly.

Was this just the difference between her and Saku? Or was it because she didn't truly understand Tomori as much as she thought?

Lost in thought, Taki returned to the lyrics, reminding herself of her own unique role in the band.

She could still compose the music.

That was something Saku couldn't do. Something only she could offer.

Turning back to Tomori, she closed the notebook carefully, her eyes serious. "Give me a few days. I'll have a melody ready."

---

Ah-ha! So you mortals truly have outdone yourselves this time, haven't you? To think your offerings could summon forth these bonus chapters—what a feat worthy of my recognition! You've brought glory to Fontaine, and naturally, to me.

But do not think for a moment that your work is complete! This is but a single step on the journey to greatness, and there are still many more chapters, many more stages, and of course, many more opportunities to bask in my brilliance.

So, continue your efforts, loyal followers! Shower this endeavor with your support, and who knows? Perhaps I shall reward your dedication with even grander displays of my magnificence.

For now, savor these bonus chapters. And remember, this is your moment to shine... because I allowed it.

With admiration and just a dash of benevolence,

Furina ✨