I Just Want A Single Ending!

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---

"Ah... Taki-chan, you can compose music?"

Nagasaki Soyo wasn't surprised by this news, having heard about it from Kamigawa Saku previously.

"I'm just learning."

Shiina Taki didn't believe her composition skills were anything exceptional.

"When did you start learning?" Nagasaki Soyo asked curiously.

Though she had an idea, she wanted to hear it directly from Taki herself.

"Back in middle school," Taki replied offhandedly. "Thought it'd come in handy if I ever joined a band again."

"I see."

Nagasaki Soyo's gaze grew a bit complex, but she chose not to say anything further.

"Can I ask... Shiina-san, were you saying earlier that you'd be able to finish composing this song in a few days?"

As the others chatted, Saku quickly flipped through the lyrics notebook Taki handed over, then couldn't help confirming with her.

"Yes," Taki nodded with certainty. "It should take around three days."

Saku passed the lyrics notebook to Chihaya Anon, who was also curious, and then asked, "Are you talking about composing only, or does that include the arrangement as well?"

"With the arrangement," Taki replied without hesitation.

"Are you serious? Doing all that in three days? Isn't that cutting it a bit close?"

Saku seemed doubtful.

How long composing took was unpredictable—if inspiration hit, a piece could be completed within a day, a few hours, or even minutes. But inspiration wasn't always so accommodating.

Besides, this wasn't just composing; arranging added a significant workload too.

Attempting to finish all this in three days was pushing it, especially since today was Monday, and classes occupied a good part of the following three days. Unless, of course, she planned to skip listening in class and pull all-nighters like he used to...

"Of course, I'm serious," Taki replied, crossing her arms as if it were obvious.

While three days would be tight, a bit of lost sleep and some skipped classes should make it doable.

Saku sighed, "I'd suggest not being so absolute about it. Give yourself a more relaxed timeline. No one here is forcing you to complete this in three days."

"Even if you took a week or even fifteen days, no one would mind."

"Hasn't she already gotten bored of playing 'Spring Shadows'?" Taki glanced over at Anon, who was skimming through the lyrics. "The sooner I get the new song done, the sooner we can start rehearsing."

"Sure, I'd like to play a new song," Anon lifted her head and quickly clarified, "but I never said you had to rush the composition."

No way was she letting Taki pin this on her.

"In any case, the sooner I finish composing, the better."

Taki didn't dispute Anon's words; technically, Anon hadn't outright told her to hurry.

"Our next band practice is on Thursday. I'll bring the song then."

"Does that three-day timeline include today?"

Saku hadn't expected her deadline to be so tight. Thursday's daytime plus tonight counted as one day, Tuesday and Wednesday were complete days—together, that was three.

"Of course," Taki confirmed.

Saku tried again. "Even still, isn't three days just a bit too tight? A week sounds more reasonable."

Even a week was tight for composing and arranging, but it was certainly an improvement over three days.

"You seem to know a lot about composing."

From his comments, Taki had begun to piece things together.

"I actually started learning composition and arranging last week," Saku admitted.

It seemed like a good moment to mention it, to set the stage for when he actually learned the skills.

"…I see."

Taki was uncharacteristically quiet for a while before squeezing out a response. She had no objection to him learning composition and arranging. After all, it was his choice.

There was no rule saying only one person in a band could compose.

"By the way, Saku started learning to help ease your workload, so shouldn't you thank him?" Anon teased as she handed the lyrics back to Soyo.

Taki's silent gaze fixed intently on Saku as she slowly spoke, "If you're only learning composition to help me, I'd advise you to spend your time on something more meaningful instead."

"I don't need you to lighten my load. I'll handle composing; you just focus on what you're supposed to do."

"Hey, what's with that attitude?" Anon protested on Saku's behalf. "He's doing this for you!"

"Just like you said before, I never asked for help with composing," Taki shot back before returning to her spot by the drums.

It wasn't an issue if he wanted to learn composing, but why make it sound like it was for her sake?

She'd never asked Saku to do anything like that. If anything, if he truly thought learning composition was 'for her own good,' did he expect her to feel grateful?

Did she need to? And if she didn't feel the same, should he apologize instead?

"You..."

Anon was fuming and was about to say something when Saku cut her off.

"Sorry, I worded it poorly when Anon asked me about learning composition. My bad if I made it sound like I was doing it only for you."

"I did think about easing some of your workload, but mostly, it's for the band's sake."

"Like just now, you said you'd get the song done in three days, but I don't think it's possible. That's a tight timeframe."

"And if you plan on composing in three days, you're probably going to have to pull some all-nighters, right?"

"If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me."

Saku paused, waiting for her to respond.

Taki stayed silent.

"Alright, so I'll assume you'll be pulling all-nighters for this song."

Noting her lack of response, Saku smiled and continued, "If I can learn composition, the two of us working together could make the three-day deadline doable—without any all-nighters."

"Or, if you do pull an all-nighter, we could finish in two days instead."

"That's why I mentioned 'sharing the load.' My apologies if it sounded wrong."

"And didn't you say you'd like the song finished sooner?"

"If I help, wouldn't that speed things up?"

"True, so I don't mind if you learn composition," Taki admitted. "What I'm against is you learning it 'for me.' But if you're doing it for the band, I have no objections."

"Then it's for the band," Saku answered smoothly, not hesitating to tell a small lie.

After all, his real reason for learning was to get closer to Taki.

As for the band's development?

If it weren't for his role as their manager, he wouldn't care one bit.

"Do whatever you want."

Taki turned her gaze away, ending the discussion.

With that settled, Saku changed topics. "On a side note, all-nighters are bad for your health, aren't they?"

He wasn't about to let Taki push herself to finish in three days. No way was he going to stand by and watch her wreck herself over this.

Especially since he'd only just started learning to compose. Helping her now would be premature, and he still hadn't learned how to arrange.

So he needed to stall her composing as much as possible.

"Yes, absolutely," Soyo, a strong advocate of avoiding late nights, immediately agreed.

Saku pressed on, "So, Shiina-san, are you only planning to pull an all-nighter for this one song, or every time someone gives you lyrics?"

"I'm not sure. I just want to finish composing as soon as I can."

Taki couldn't give a definite answer.

"So...does that mean you'll be pulling all-nighters every time?"

Though Saku addressed Taki, his words were more directed at Takamatsu Tomori.

"…"

Taki stayed silent.

"That's not ideal. Sacrificing health for efficiency is just…"

Saku feigned concern for her health, while subtly nudging Tomori.

"We're going to be in this band for a long time, after all."

Upon hearing this, Tomori immediately chimed in, "Taki-chan, don't push yourself too hard. Take your time with composing. Don't stay up all night, okay?"

"I…"

Taki wanted to protest, but when she saw Tomori's concerned expression, she couldn't say a word.

"...Got it."

If Tomori was this worried about her, she supposed she could oblige.

After all, Tomori was only looking out for her.

"Yeah! Health comes first!" Tomori added earnestly.

"Exactly."

With that, Saku smiled in satisfaction.

Taki was too easy to manage—it was almost laughable.

"Alright, let's practice 'Spring Shadows' today," Soyo rounded things off. "Once Taki-chan finishes the new song, we can switch."

"Mm."

No one had any objections to that.

---

After band practice, Shiina Taki returned home and locked herself in her room.

"'Ichishizuku Sora'..."

Lying on her bed and staring at the lyrics in the group chat, Taki recalled what Saku and Tomori had said earlier.

No staying up to compose, huh?

That would mean taking longer to finish. But the benefit was more time to reflect and refine.

Takamatsu Tomori's lyrics were worth that effort.

Still, she was eager to finish quickly.

Because these were Tomori's lyrics.

So frustrating!

But...if staying up wasn't allowed, skipping class should be fine, right?

Skipping class wasn't the same as staying up all night.

With that thought, Taki got up and sat at her computer.

Today was Monday. If she pretended to be sick for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and maybe stayed up just a little, she could still finish by Thursday afternoon.

Having made up her mind, Taki eagerly got to work.

---

Tuesday afternoon.

Saku, carrying his bass, took the train to Shinjuku again.

Today was his bass lesson with Hiroi Kikuri, and also the day Yahata Umiri would perform live at FOLT.

How should he 'accidentally' run into her today?

After getting off the train, on his way to FOLT, Saku pondered this carefully.

Waiting by the entrance was getting old, and too many repeat encounters would make her suspicious.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded from behind him.

"Good afternoon, Kamigawa-kun."

"Good afternoon... Yahata-san?!"

He responded out of habit, only to turn and see Yahata Umiri catching up to him, bass case in hand.

"What's wrong? Surprised to see me?"

"Nothing, just didn't expect to run into you."

Perfect. Now he didn't need to think up a way to bump into her.

"Just a coincidence," Umiri said casually. "No big deal."

"True."

Saku tried to keep his tone calm.

"So, have you heard from Taki? Is she alright?"

As Saku was still considering topics for small talk, Umiri saved him the trouble.

"What's up with her?"

Hearing her mention Taki, Saku was immediately interested.

"She didn't come to school at all today. Seems like she called in sick."

Umiri voiced her concern. "I remember she was perfectly fine yesterday at school, didn't look sick at all."

"So I thought I'd ask if anything unusual happened at your band practice yesterday afternoon?"

---

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 ✨