I Just Want A Single Ending!

"I think that's a great idea," Shiina Taki agreed immediately.

Focusing only on practice without any outside feedback was like working in a vacuum. They were close to hitting a bottleneck, so having other people watch and give feedback would be very beneficial—especially since these people also played in a band.

And among them was Gotoh Hitori, a guitarist at a professional level. The band's input would be invaluable.

"I agree too! Our band has to be ready for a live performance someday, right? This can be like a small test run," Anon had no hesitation either.

She'd already performed at her junior high school, so playing in front of friends felt easy by comparison.

"Absolutely, yes!"

Meanwhile, Raana Kaname, her eyes fixed on Kamigawa Saku's bag, responded vaguely, as if she was just echoing the others.

"I think it's a good idea too."

With everyone else in agreement, Nagasaki Soyo naturally went along.

"Um... yeah, sounds good," muttered Takimatsu Tomori, only snapping out of her reverie long enough to nod her assent.

"Then I'll go tell the others!" Kita Ikuyo volunteered, excited to help.

"Thanks, Ikuyo."

With that, they all stepped inside STARRY.

···

"No problem, as long as you don't mind if our feedback isn't super technical," Nijika Ijichi agreed readily when asked.

"We're already grateful for any help you can give us," said Nagasaki Soyo, handling the diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Kamigawa Saku was being swarmed by Ryo and Raana, who had zeroed in on his snack-filled backpack.

Originally, he'd only brought extra snacks to share with Raana, but this time, Ryo had caught on, too.

"This is delicious!" Ryo declared blissfully, savoring a snack with a contented smile.

"…"

Sitting nearby, Raana seemed fine with this newcomer sharing her usual supply of snacks. Perhaps it was because her mouth was too full to complain.

"Here."

Leaving the two happily munching, Saku approached Gotoh Hitori, who was naturally hiding in a quiet corner and handed her a few snacks.

"T-thank you," Hitori stammered, genuinely touched.

Even though she had deliberately hidden herself, he still took the time to check on her.

Saku really was kind.

These snacks deserved to be saved as mementos!

"Please, just eat them now. They'll go stale if you try to keep them," Saku said, as if reading her mind.

"Ah, o-okay…"

Shocked, Hitori quickly nodded.

Did she make her intentions that obvious?

Or could he somehow read minds?

Meanwhile, the others had finished their small talk and were ready to go.

"Oh, right, Ryo, we need you to—"

But before Nijika could finish her sentence, she realized that Ryo was nowhere near the equipment she was supposed to be handling. Instead, she was crouched next to Saku's bag, eating snacks in harmony with Raana.

"Ryo, what do you think you're doing?"

Ryo looked up and replied with serene elegance, "Having afternoon tea."

"Then should I bring you a drink as well?" Nijika retorted.

"No need—Saku's bag has that covered, too."

With a smile, Ryo pulled out an intriguingly packaged drink from Saku's bag. After getting his permission to "go wild," she was, indeed, doing just that.

"You're impossible…"

Nijika seemed like she wanted to say more, but Ryo cut her off with, "Don't worry; I heard everything. Leave it to me."

"Fine then," Nijika sighed, dropping the matter.

While Kamigawa Saku was explaining the plan to Gotoh Hitori, Nijika walked over to him.

"So, Saku, I've got a question for you—do you always bring this much food in your bag?"

After swallowing a bite, Ryo looked up, curious.

"Pretty much."

Saku nodded. His bag was always well-stocked with snacks, though the selection varied based on the day.

When there was band practice, he leaned toward matcha-flavored snacks and Raana's favorites; otherwise, he stocked up on whatever he needed to review.

"Please feel free to come to STARRY any time you want," Ryo said enthusiastically. "Better yet, come every day!"

"Stare—"

Hearing this, Soyo and Anon gave her a pointed look.

"That's not happening. I'm a busy guy," Saku replied dryly.

"I mean, you're wearing the same uniform as Ikuyo—so you go to Shuka High, right?" Ryo observed, eyeing his uniform.

"Right, and?"

Saku had no idea why she was suddenly interested in his school.

Ryo gave him a thumbs-up. "In that case, I'll pick you up after school from now on!"

"Stare—"

Soyo's look intensified to a full-on glare.

She, his older sister, hadn't even considered picking him up from school. And yet, here was this random person proposing it so casually.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Nijika said before Saku could. "It's way too far for you to go!"

"If it's snacks you're after, I can mail you a whole box. Just don't waste any of it, okay?" Saku cut in, dismissing her absurd idea.

He had plenty of leftover snacks he needed to distribute, anyway.

"Great! My address is…"

Ryo immediately began rattling off her address.

"Don't just blurt it out like that. Write it down—otherwise, I might forget," he chided.

Then he handed a piece of paper to Raana.

"Write down your address, too. I'll send you a supply, so you don't have to spend your allowance on snacks anymore."

Wait—do cats even get allowances?

Oh, right. Raana wasn't a cat; she was a person.

So yes, she probably did get an allowance.

---

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