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!

---

"Nope, totally normal."

After a moment of thought, Kamigawa Saku answered with absolute certainty.

It was hard for him to imagine that Shiina Taki would be sick given how she'd been acting just yesterday.

"In that case, it's starting to sound like she's faking it," Yahata Umiri said, although she wasn't one hundred percent certain. "Either way, I'll drop by to check on her later."

"To be honest, I think so too—there's a very high chance she's pretending."

Saku had the same hunch.

Yesterday afternoon, Takamatsu Tomori had just handed over her freshly written lyrics, and then Taki was "sick" and stayed home today. Wasn't that just a bit too coincidental?

Maybe, instead of pulling all-nighters to compose, she opted to feign sickness and skip class?

"Why do you think the chances are so high?" Umiri wanted to hear his reasoning.

"Well, yesterday afternoon…"

So Saku recounted what had happened yesterday afternoon.

"Oh, then Taki's definitely faking it."

After listening, Umiri made her judgment without hesitation.

"You're that sure?"

Although he suspected it too, Saku hesitated to speak so definitively.

"Ninety-five percent sure she's pretending," Umiri replied with precision. "She's at home composing right now."

Saku sighed, "So that means there's still a five percent chance she's actually sick?"

"Nope, the other five percent is that she's pulling an all-nighter on her composition and is sleeping it off now."

Now that she understood the situation, Umiri had completely ruled out any actual illness.

"So that five percent chance is in case she ignored Tomori's advice, huh?" Saku muttered wryly.

Umiri continued without pause, "Well, in that case, there's no need to worry about Taki."

"Are you saying you're not going to check on her anymore?" Saku asked, curious.

"Why would I go check on someone who's faking sick?" Umiri replied matter-of-factly.

If she hadn't known, she might've dropped by to be sure. Now that she did know, there was no need.

"I see."

Saku nodded thoughtfully.

"Wait… you actually want to go check on Taki, don't you?"

Umiri's sharp perception picked up on his intentions immediately.

[Admit]

[Deny]

With her question, a system prompt appeared.

Saku: "..."

Did I make it that obvious?

As Umiri suspected, once he realized Taki might be faking her illness, the idea of a "sick visit" had come to mind.

After all, it would be a chance to see Taki again, and maybe, just maybe, their relationship might advance a little.

Besides, he couldn't exactly criticize her for faking sick. Cutting class was her choice, and as the band's manager, he didn't have any say over it.

But surely it wouldn't hurt to "check in" on her progress with the composition?

This would be a good excuse to exchange insights on composing.

After all, he was practically a near-professional composer—just one step away from mastery. Sharing his insights with Taki, who'd only recently started composing, would be less of a conversation and more of a lesson.

He would simply be guiding Taki, from a "gifted prodigy" perspective.

This way, he could reasonably offer a few suggestions, making himself valuable in her eyes and paving the way for more interactions.

It was perfect.

Though Saku thought so, reality didn't always follow his plans. Just like when he'd planned to give Nijika Ijichi a theme park ticket so she could go with her sister, Seika. In the end, he'd gone with Nijika.

Still, Saku wasn't about to abandon his plan to visit Taki.

If things went as planned, he'd hit the jackpot. And if it failed, no big deal. Worst-case scenario, Taki wouldn't even answer the door.

"I am planning to visit Shiina-san," Saku said after thinking it over.

She'd seen right through him anyway, so there was no point in lying.

If he tried to hide it, and Taki happened to mention it to Umiri later, wouldn't she just think he was someone who constantly lied?

Better to avoid that impression.

[Agility +5]

"I get it."

Umiri stopped in her tracks and gave Saku an appraising look.

"No, you don't get it at all."

Saku immediately caught her meaning and hastily clarified.

"Just to be clear, the reason I'm visiting Shiina-san is to check on her progress with the song."

"If that's all you want, couldn't you just message her?" Umiri didn't buy his excuse.

"If I message her directly, she might feel pressured to hurry up with the composition. And yesterday, I told her to take her time."

Umiri raised an eyebrow. "And showing up at her house won't make her feel rushed?"

"Fine, yes, I want to check on Shiina-san's progress and also talk to her about composing."

Saku finally admitted his real reason.

"Composing?"

The keyword had caught Umiri's interest.

"That's right. Besides bass, I've recently started learning composition and arranging," Saku explained with mild embarrassment. "So I thought I'd take the chance to discuss some composition ideas with her."

"If that's all it is, why didn't you just say so?" Umiri was still somewhat doubtful.

"Well, I've only recently started learning bass and now I'm taking up composition too. It might seem like I'm all over the place, not taking things seriously." Saku sighed.

Recently, Umiri had even called him a bass prodigy, and here he was, diving into composition instead.

It didn't look good.

"It's fine." Umiri shrugged nonchalantly.

"You're not bothered?"

Most people would at least care a little, right?

"Why would I care?" Umiri asked with a shrug.

"Good point."

With how things stood between them, she really had no reason to be concerned.

"You've misunderstood me," Umiri said, resuming her pace. "The reason I don't care is that I think it's great you're learning composition. No problem at all."

Saku raised an eyebrow. "You don't think, as a bass prodigy, I should focus solely on bass?"

Most people would think he should specialize in what he was naturally good at instead of bouncing between interests.

"That's a strange way of thinking. Shouldn't you have the freedom to pursue whatever you're passionate about?" Umiri said matter-of-factly. "Even if it means wasting your talent."

"That's true."

Saku had to agree.

Being restricted from choosing for himself would be truly sad.

"Just curious—do you think you have a talent for composing too?" Umiri asked casually.

"Yes, I feel I'm a composing prodigy as well."

Saku answered with complete confidence.

With his learning card, he could be a prodigy in any field.

"In that case, I see no reason to be concerned. A composing prodigy studying composition sounds perfect."

"It really does."

It seemed he didn't need to worry about giving her the impression of being scatterbrained.

"By the way, which do you like more, composing or bass?" Umiri asked offhandedly.

"For me, I like them both equally."

Since he didn't actually like either, he could confidently say they were equal.

"So, you don't really like either, huh?" Umiri easily saw through his facade.

"How did you know?"

Saku hadn't expected her to catch on so quickly.

"Well, what you said sounded odd, and when I taught you bass before, I didn't sense any passion from you for it," Umiri explained seriously. "Then you said you liked composing as much as bass, which naturally means you don't enjoy composing either."

"I'd initially thought you didn't like bass and preferred composing, which is why you'd started learning it."

"But now I see I was mistaken."

"Guess I've been found out."

Saku didn't have much else to say.

Passion wasn't something you could easily fake.

"So if you don't like bass or composing, why are you learning them?" Umiri asked, intrigued. "Is it just because it's fun and fresh, or do you have a hidden agenda?"

Saku put on a serious expression. "I'm doing it for the band's future!"

"You're not just learning composition for Taki's sake?" Umiri seemed a bit surprised.

"Nope."

Saku denied it quickly.

It was the truth, but he wasn't about to admit it.

"Fine, if that's what you say."

Umiri didn't argue, seemingly accepting his answer.

"What's with the 'if that's what you say'? You totally don't believe me!"

"I believe you."

"So unconvincing…"

With casual banter, they made their way to FOLT together.

---

Evening arrived.

"…"

Shiina Taki, headphones on, was staring intently at her computer screen, deeply focused on her composition.

She was taking Takamatsu Tomori's advice seriously—no all-nighters.

Instead, she'd gone for a straight-up all-night session.

An all-nighter and an all-night session were two different things.

An all-nighter meant staying up late and eventually sleeping; an all-night session meant not sleeping at all.

Entirely different.

'Tonight, I'll go to bed early and get up tomorrow to keep composing...'

Taki glanced at the time in the corner of her screen and quickly planned out her next two days.

This way, she'd still be following Tomori's no-all-nighters rule.

With that settled, Taki refocused on her work.

---

However, wearing her headphones, she missed the sound of the doorbell, and her phone screen lighting up went unnoticed.

"Well, there goes that plan—can't even get in the door."

Standing at Taki's doorstep, Saku stared at his unanswered messages and the unresponsive door, feeling rather helpless.

So much for plans.

Even with all the preparation in the world, what could he do if she didn't open the door?

Just as he turned to leave, fruit basket and snacks in hand, the door unexpectedly opened.

Saku froze mid-step.

Just as he was about to greet Taki, he realized the person standing there wasn't her but a more mature-looking girl.

This girl bore a striking resemblance to Taki, especially in the eyes, though her aura was entirely different.

Where Taki was serious and intense, this girl radiated warmth and friendliness.

Taki's mother?

No, she didn't look nearly that old.

Her older sister?

That seemed more likely.

"Hello, may I ask who you are?"

The girl—Shiina Maki, Taki's older sister—asked, looking at the unfamiliar boy at her doorstep.

"Hello, I'm Kamigawa Saku, a friend of Shiina Taki's and the manager of her band." Saku offered a friendly smile. "I heard she was sick today, so I thought I'd stop by and check in."

"Kamigawa Saku?"

Maki repeated his name, and a look of recognition flashed in her eyes.

"You're the one who sent that big box of snacks, aren't you?"

"That would be me."

Saku admitted with a smile.

After getting their address, he'd taken the time to send them a care package of snacks.

And that was how he'd learned Taki's address and had come to visit.

"I'm Taki's older sister, Shiina Maki."

With that, Maki stepped aside to make space for him to enter.

"When we got that box of snacks, Taki mentioned you a bit. Come on in."

---

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 ✨