I Just Want A Single Ending!

"You..."

Shiina Taki glared at Kamigawa Saku, gritting her teeth.

She'd been hoping to quickly send him on his way to avoid exactly this—him discovering she'd stayed up all night composing and possibly telling Tomori about it.

But, of course, he'd figured it out.

"So, what do you want to keep this from Tomori?"

Saku laid out his terms, "Simple. First, you stop pushing yourself to the point of harming your health to compose."

"I don't mind that you took a sick day to work on your composition—it's your choice. But pulling an all-nighter like this might be taking it too far, don't you think?"

"Everyone's already told you multiple times; no one's pressuring you to finish the song quickly."

"Don't put that kind of weight on yourself."

"And, preferably, don't skip class again—at least consider your academics a little."

"Second, share your progress so far so I know how much you've gotten done staying up all day and night."

"Lastly, I'd like to discuss composition with you. You can decide the time."

"I don't think any of those requests are unreasonable."

Initially, he'd hoped to discuss composition today, but seeing the state she was in, he knew she wasn't up for it.

Thus, he left it up to her to decide. Her health was more important than his plans.

"..."

Taki thought it over carefully.

The first condition wasn't a problem; all-nighters really were too much.

Trying to rationalize it as "not the same as staying up late" wouldn't fly with Tomori.

Skipping class, though...

Saku said he didn't mind it now, but who knew if he'd use it against her with Tomori later? Who knew how he might embellish the story?

Maybe it was best to stop skipping class after all.

As for the second condition, that was fine too.

The demo was mostly finished, so letting him listen wouldn't be a big deal.

He was the band's manager, after all; he had a right to know.

But the third condition...?

"The first two are fine," Taki replied, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "But didn't you just start learning composition last week? Isn't it a little arrogant to think you're ready to exchange insights?"

He'd started learning last Monday, so he'd been at it for, what, nine days?

No one could master composition that quickly, much less have enough knowledge to "exchange" with someone else.

"It's not that I'm underestimating composition. It's that as I studied, I realized I might actually be a composition prodigy. I wanted to discuss it with you to confirm," Saku replied with a perfectly practiced air.

"...A composition prodigy?"

The word seemed to hit her hard; Taki's expression turned sour.

She'd met a composition prodigy before.

 Togawa Sakiko, the keyboardist of CRYCHIC, was one.

She never expected Saku might be one too.

"Yes."

Saku noticed her change in demeanor immediately.

"You seem a bit off. Have you been up for too long?"

He continued, "Maybe I should go, and you can let me know when you're ready for a composition session."

Taki lifted her head, looking him straight in the eyes. "No, I'm fine. Let's exchange insights right now."

She knew she was ordinary, with no outstanding talents.

She'd only started learning composition in middle school, so she hadn't studied as long as someone like Sakiko, who had been honing her skills for years.

But Saku, claiming to be a "composition prodigy" after just nine days?

Fine. Let's see.

Show me if you're really a composition prodigy.

If you are, let me see how vast the gap is between a genius and an ordinary person like me.

"Now? You're sure? You've been up all day without sleep; there's no need to push yourself."

Though he'd proposed it, Saku felt compelled to suggest a different time.

It was clear she wasn't in top shape.

"Now," Taki insisted, moving past him and sitting back at her computer.

"I'll play the demo I just finished, and we can use it as the focus of our discussion. Is that alright?"

"Alright."

With her so adamantly set on this, Saku could hardly refuse.

After all, she was the one insisting.

So, he thought, plans really couldn't keep up with changes.

Just a moment ago, he was about to reschedule the session out of concern, but here she was, sticking to today, putting everything back on track.

Perfect.

If things went well and he showed the proper talent, becoming her composition partner was all but guaranteed.

At his approval, Taki hit play.

Soon, her demo of Ichishizuku Sora filled the room.

Is that all?

Saku had been eager to hear her composition, but the more he listened, the more he felt... underwhelmed.

It wasn't bad, but it was a bit too plain.

Like spending three hours cooking, only to serve up a bowl of plain fried rice.

Then again, he was evaluating it from a professional composer's perspective.

"You don't seem impressed."

During playback, Taki had kept an eye on Saku's expression.

She noticed how his initial excitement had faded into a polite smile.

"No, it's not that."

Saku had been about to offer some mild encouragement, but Taki cut him off.

"If you're a prodigy, then you should be able to tell if a song's good or not. Just be honest—you don't have to spare my feelings."

"...Alright, then. Honestly, I think it's pretty average—not particularly striking or memorable."

Since she'd invited his critique, Saku saw no need to hold back.

"That said, as a high school band song, it's not bad at all."

Taki didn't respond, only restarted the demo and listened intently.

"...You're right."

After a moment, Taki accepted the truth.

It was too plain. So plain it didn't live up to Tomori's lyrics.

Why had she made something like this?

Had the all-nighter dulled her creativity?

"There are a few parts that could be improved to make it more engaging," Saku continued, sounding every bit like a true prodigy.

At that, Taki instinctively stood up, vacating the seat in front of the computer.

Only then did she realize what she'd done. She quickly added, "Alright, then. Show me."

"Sure."

Saku sat down without hesitation.

"First, the intro…"

He explained his rationale for each adjustment as he worked.

Meanwhile, Taki watched in silence.

---

"What do you think?"

After spending a bit of time modifying the song and playing it back, Saku turned to Taki for her thoughts.

"…"

She remained silent.

The gap.

Was the gap between an ordinary person and a genius really this wide?

The changes he'd made were simple, basic adjustments, yet she could feel his natural grasp of composition.

He'd only been learning for nine days and was already at this level.

No—he hadn't even had a full nine days.

"When exactly did you start learning composition last week?"

Instead of answering, Taki asked this question.

"Wednesday," Saku replied, a bit puzzled by her sudden inquiry.

With the skill he'd just displayed and the short amount of time he'd studied, anyone would assume he was, without a doubt, a true prodigy.

Taki grew even more silent.

Counting from Wednesday to today, it had only been seven days.

And in that short time, he'd also solved Tomori's lyric issue.

Not to mention, he hadn't skipped classes or neglected his Instagram or studies.

In other words, his actual time spent learning composition was even less than seven days, yet he'd reached this level.

He really was a composition prodigy.

Not just a self-proclaimed one—a genuine prodigy.

If he'd gotten this far in just days, and with such ease, what about someone like Togawa Sakiko, who'd been composing for years?

With that thought, Taki slumped onto her bed, exhausted.

She couldn't do it, no way.

There was no way she could take Sakiko's place to bring Tomori's lyrics to life.

What came naturally to a prodigy was insurmountably difficult for her.

The gap between a mortal and a genius was simply too vast to bridge.

Even Saku, who had just started composing, was far beyond her.

Why... why was she born without any talent?

In her mind, an image of her sister formed.

Her sister could do everything, while she couldn't seem to do anything at all.

Seeing her reaction, Saku quickly walked over and asked with genuine concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Sorry, I have nothing to discuss with you," Taki murmured, knowing her own limitations.

At her level, any "exchange" would only hinder him; she couldn't offer him any real value.

When it came down to it, time invested meant nothing against pure talent.

Better to avoid burdening him.

"Pardon me, but let me check your forehead."

With that, Saku lightly pressed the back of his hand against her forehead.

He was beginning to think she might have a fever.

Yet, to his surprise, her temperature was normal.

"Looks like you've been up too long—your head's a bit foggy," Saku concluded.

Taki didn't argue.

In fact, she felt the opposite.

Her mind had never been clearer.

Clear enough to see reality for what it was.

She was just ordinary.

Saku stood up and spoke gently, "If you're not up for a discussion, I'll leave. Get some sleep; don't keep pushing yourself."

With that, he turned and left her room.

Once alone, Taki lay back on her bed.

She was so tired, so drained...

---

After bidding farewell to Shiina Maki, Saku walked home, reflecting on his encounter with Taki.

His "composition prodigy" persona seemed to be firmly established—that much was certain.

So, why had she suddenly said there was nothing to discuss?

Based on the fundamentals he'd demonstrated, she should've had plenty to discuss with him.

Could it be that he'd performed too well, leaving nothing for her to add?

Or was it just the lack of sleep clouding her judgment?

That didn't seem likely either.

If she were simply exhausted, she could have rescheduled their session. There was no reason to insist on today.

Especially since he'd even suggested it.

Even half-asleep, Taki would still have that much common sense.

So if he ruled that out, it had to be... his "composition prodigy" persona?

Saku thought back, recalling how Taki's mood shifted when he mentioned being a prodigy.

After that, her mood darkened whenever he reinforced that image.

The link was obvious.

But now another question surfaced: why would his being a prodigy affect Taki this way?

Was she... feeling discouraged?

No way.

He couldn't imagine someone like Taki being shaken just by this.

The Taki he knew wouldn't be thrown off enough to cancel a composition session over something like that.

Besides, he wasn't the first prodigy she'd encountered.

When CRYCHIC was still together, she must have known Togawa Sakiko was a prodigy.

If she'd ever felt discouraged, it would've been back then.

Not long after that.

Still, despite his doubts, Saku couldn't entirely dismiss the possibility.

If only because he couldn't think of another reason, and this one seemed, at least, plausible.

Sigh.

Saku let out a deep sigh.

Once again, his plans had gone awry. Today's session with Taki hadn't gone as planned.

It looked like he'd have to find another opportunity.

But why did his plans keep falling apart?

It was getting downright strange!

---

...he's late [patreon.com/WiseTL]