I Just Want A Single Ending!

Raana didn't say much. She simply took the pen and paper, wrote down her home address truthfully, and handed it to Kamigawa Saku.

"By the way, give me your mailing addresses too, so I can send you all some snacks."

After successfully getting Raana's home address, Saku turned to the others.

After all, they all knew where he lived, so it was only fair, right? He was their friend, after all. And a fair exchange is only natural.

"No problem."

Knowing he was a snack reviewer who could never seem to finish all the food he received, they felt no hesitation accepting his offer.

Even Shiina Taki, who was reluctant to accept his kindness, eventually caved. After Takamatsu Tomori gave him her address, Taki stopped resisting and provided hers as well.

"If there's anything specific you want, feel free to message me. If not, I'll just throw in whatever."

After noting down all their addresses, Saku forced himself to keep a straight face, trying not to show his glee.

With this precious intel in hand, he was feeling pretty triumphant.

"All right, enough chitchat. We should start rehearsing," Taki reminded them, putting her phone away.

"Mm."

They all responded and moved into the reserved practice room together.

As judges, the STARRY band members followed them inside.

With her guitar connected to the amp, Chihaya Anon looked around, a feigned look of nervousness on her face. "Having you all watch me like this... I'm a little nervous. If my performance isn't great, please don't mind."

A lie.

Being watched by friends didn't make her nervous at all; if anything, it fueled her. She only said it to lower their expectations. This way, even if she performed poorly, that disclaimer would protect her from criticism. But if she performed well, they'd think she was amazing, assuming she'd just been humble.

No matter what, she wouldn't lose!

"…"

Takamatsu Tomori held the microphone, gazing blankly at herself in the mirror, as if she'd only just come to her senses.

Still no inspiration, still no lyrics, still only Spring Shadow…

Her gaze moved over Taki, who was tuning the drums, Soyo, who was testing the sound, and Anon, adjusting her look in the mirror, to Raana, who was already ready, and Saku by the door, alongside the STARRY band members.

Tomori's grip on the microphone tightened.

If she couldn't write lyrics, the least she could do was ensure her vocals wouldn't drag the band down.

That was the only thing she could do now.

"It kinda feels like we're judges," Nijika Ijichi commented eagerly, excited to watch the performance.

"Right? It's my first time watching another band's rehearsal!" Kita Ikuyo added, equally enthused.

If she'd been allowed to, she would've been recording everything already.

Yamada Ryo didn't say much; she was still munching on the snacks she hadn't finished earlier.

One day, STARRY will be rehearsing like this too…

Gotoh Hitori watched her friends as they prepared, an eager feeling growing within her.

"All set," Taki finally said, comfortable with the drum setup. She turned to the others and to Saku.

"You guys decide when to start."

In terms of authority, Saku was technically their manager, but his influence was practically nonexistent.

He couldn't even decide when they started playing.

With his comment, a brief silence fell over the room before the intro to Spring Shadow started, their timing as impeccable as ever.

Taking a few deep breaths, Tomori launched into the lyrics without hesitation:

"Kawaita kokoro furueru manazashi sekai de…"

(My withered heart, trembling gaze, in this world)

"Boku wa hitori bocchi datta chiru koto shika shiranai haru wa…"

(I was all alone, in this endlessly fading spring)

"…?!"

Just a few lines in, Taki's expression changed abruptly, a look of deep worry crossing her face as she watched Tomori.

No, this wasn't right at all.

Tomori's whole vibe was off, completely different from her usual rehearsals.

Not only Taki, but the other band members could tell that something was wrong with her singing.

But once they'd started, there was no stopping.

"This…?"

Nijika, who had been smiling moments ago, was now frowning in concern.

"The lead singer's emotions are off," Ryo remarked thoughtfully. "She's singing like she's proving something, but it's actually having the opposite effect and bringing down the whole performance."

Ikuyo's gaze was full of worry as she watched Tomori.

Even she could tell something was wrong, which showed how serious the problem was.

"…"

Hitori moved her eyes from Anon and Yaena to Tomori.

The two of them had no trouble with the guitar work for this song.

But Tomori?

Something was definitely up.

[Interrupt the performance]

[Let it continue]

Saku had also noticed the issue with Tomori's singing, now hesitating over the system's options.

They'd had plenty of practice mishaps before—like when Yaena had suddenly changed the composition on the spot or when Anon couldn't keep pace.

But none of those had triggered any system options. For one to appear now… Did that mean the problem was serious?

If that were the case, he should probably step in.

But this was just a rehearsal, with STARRY observing to help them spot weaknesses. Would stopping now be the right choice?

Logically, he could just give her feedback after the song ended.

"…"

There wasn't much time. He needed to make a decision.

Just as the interlude was ending, and Tomori was ready to start the next verse, Saku's phone blared to life, the sudden ring breaking the performance.

Grasping this chance, Taki immediately stopped playing and turned to him with a feigned annoyance. "What's with you? Don't you know to put your phone on silent?"

---

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