I Just Want A Single Ending!

"Help me?"

Shiina Taki looked at him in confusion.

What on earth was he talking about?

Did she need help from Kamigawa Saku for anything? She couldn't think of a single thing.

"Sorry, I might've said that too abruptly," Saku explained, clarifying his intentions. "I just noticed you seemed off these past few days, so I wanted to check on you and see if there was anything I could help with."

"I'm fine... I don't need any help," Taki replied quickly.

If this had been earlier, she might've needed a hand.

But she'd already decided to give up on composing.

So now, she neither needed help nor had any issues to work out.

Besides, even if he offered to help, how could he possibly bridge the gap in talent between them?

There's no way to turn an ordinary person into a genius.

"Then why didn't you attend school this week?" Saku brought up the information he'd just received from Yahata Umiri.

"Did Umiri tell you this too?"

Recalling the last time, Taki quickly figured out what must have happened.

"Yes. She was worried since you skipped last week and then didn't show up again this week," Saku confirmed. "Plus, you went so far as to wear your uniform to practice just to keep us from noticing you were ditching."

Shiina Taki didn't have anything to say in response to Yahata Umiri's "reporting." She couldn't blame her friend.

Umiri had shared this with Saku because she cared and wanted to know what was going on.

After a brief silence, Taki stepped aside to let him in. "Since you're here, come in. I have something to tell you anyway."

She'd initially planned to bring it up at their next practice—that she was quitting composition.

But since he'd come to her, she figured it was better to get it over with now.

"Thank you for having me."

Saku stepped inside, following Taki back to her room.

Her room looked almost exactly as it had the last time he was here.

The only difference was the stack of composition books that had accumulated on her desk.

After glancing around, Saku focused on Taki as she took a seat on her bed.

He was choosing his words when she beat him to it, speaking first. "I stayed home to work on composing. I haven't done anything else."

"I had a feeling. But why skip class for it?" Saku asked, still puzzled. "And why wear your uniform to practice to keep it from us?"

"You were going to take your time with composing, weren't you? But your actions don't match what you said."

"Don't worry," Taki reassured him, "I'll start attending school again next week."

"Glad to hear it."

Just as Saku was about to ask her a few more questions, she added, "And from now on, you'll be handling composition for the band. I'll just stick to drums."

"What do you mean I'll be handling composition?"

Her words left him momentarily stunned.

"Just what I said. I'm done composing."

She said it calmly, as though it were merely a matter-of-fact statement.

This was something she'd thought over and decided long ago—she was only now informing him.

"Are you kidding?" Saku couldn't believe it. "Just last week, you said you were going to rewrite the song. Now you're suddenly giving up on composition?"

"Because I can't write anything better than my last piece. That was the best I could do."

Taki forced herself to sound indifferent, even though every word felt like a wound.

"That's all?" Saku asked, as if he suspected there was more.

But he couldn't be sure and needed to probe further.

"Isn't that reason enough?" Taki replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "After all, you're a genius composer, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," he acknowledged.

"Once you've fully mastered composition, you'll be able to create songs far better than anything I could ever write. So why should I go through all the trouble?"

It was her acceptance of this future, along with her realization of her own limits, that led her to quit.

Despite how much it hurt, she'd learned to live with it.

She had grown up overshadowed by her own genius older sister—someone who was intelligent, beautiful, kind, and graceful. Her sister was celebrated for countless achievements and praised by everyone around her.

No matter what Taki did, she could never keep up with her sister.

In school, in life, she was always "Shiina Maki's little sister," not her own person.

Did she resent her sister for it?

Why would she?

It was her own lack of talent—not her sister's fault, especially since her sister had always treated her with kindness.

So if she couldn't match a genius, there was nothing to fuss over.

All she needed to do was endure it, just for a little longer, and the band would be better off.

It was nothing she couldn't handle.

She was used to this.

"You're really going to give up composing for the band?"

Saku hadn't expected to hear such an answer from her. He had to ask again to make sure.

"That's right."

She nodded firmly.

No matter how he responded, whether he criticized or doubted her, she was ready for it.

All she needed him to do was take on the responsibility of composing so Tomori's lyrics could get the song they deserved.

"Even if I am a genius, you can still contribute compositions to the band!"

Even after her clear response, Saku tried to persuade her.

"Do you think that's possible?" Taki replied bitterly. "My skills aren't even close to yours."

"But…"

Saku was about to argue when Taki, seemingly reaching a resolution, spoke with determination.

"If I tell you exactly how composing has felt for me recently, can you promise to stop trying to talk me out of it and take over the composing role?"

"Are you sure you want to share that?"

Saku certainly wanted to know.

Understanding her feelings was the only way to work through this problem.

"Yes, as long as you promise to take over composition for the band," Taki answered simply.

"Then go ahead."

Without hesitation, Saku decided to listen.

It was clear as day—right now, Shiina Taki had lost her spark.

In a situation like this, he couldn't ignore her feelings.

He had to know the full story, to understand why things had spiraled this far.

"So, it's like this…"

And so, Shiina Taki began to speak softly, though her words felt more like a confession.

Saku listened carefully, occasionally sitting beside her and asking follow-up questions to get a fuller picture.

Bit by bit, Taki revealed more about her sister and her experiences growing up.

Finally, Saku understood her situation completely.

The answer was surprisingly simple—Shiina Taki had been struggling with a deep sense of inferiority.

The feelings of inadequacy caused by her sister had always been there, repressed and buried. But Saku, with his identity as a "genius composer," had reignited those emotions.

Though she'd tried to adjust, Raana had unwittingly added fuel to the fire.

When her inspiration vanished, it triggered an overwhelming explosion of those long-buried insecurities.

Her self-doubt and sense of inferiority erupted all at once.

Now she stood before him, calling it "facing reality."

To resolve Taki's issue, he'd need to help her address this inferiority complex.

Otherwise, she'd only sink deeper.

Saku looked at her, observing the quiet sadness in her expression.

She didn't seem like herself anymore.

She looked fragile, as though she might break at the slightest touch.

If she were a hedgehog, her usual sharp spikes were gone, leaving her exposed, with only her soft underbelly showing.

Only in a vulnerable state like this could she have shared such private thoughts.

It was hard to tell if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

But to Saku, it felt like a bad thing.

He would have preferred never to know her inner pain than to see her like this.

"Well, I've said what I needed to," Taki said, breaking the silence.

"From now on, you'll be the band's composer."

"Are you really sure you want to hand over that role to me?" Saku asked, confirming once more.

"Yes."

Her response was resolute.

"Then if I take on the role, does it matter what kinds of songs I compose?"

"Of course not."

"So even if my songs surpass anything you could write, it wouldn't bother you?"

"The better the songs, the better for the band. Why would I mind?"

"Are you absolutely sure you don't want to compose for the band anymore?"

Fed up, Taki replied, "How many times do I have to say it? I've given up on composition. Stop asking the same thing over and over."

"I'm sorry."

Apologizing, Saku pulled out his phone from his pocket.

"In that case, I'd like you to listen to a song."

"A song?" Taki asked, confused.

"I have a friend—a composer with even more talent than I have. During a conversation, I mentioned composition, and, well, he ended up composing a song for Ichishizuku Sky and even arranged it."

Saku opened the file of the song he'd completed a few days earlier, skillfully attributing its origin to his "friend."

Yes, that friend was none other than his learning-card-boosted self.

"More talented than a genius composer like you?"

Hearing this, Taki couldn't help but shudder.

If she couldn't even match Saku's level, how could she compare to someone even more gifted?

"Yes." Saku's voice held firm. "And since you said better songs would be better for the band, you won't mind listening and giving your thoughts on this one?"

"I won't mind."

Even though she'd given up composing, she was still curious to hear what someone "beyond genius" might create.

"I'm sorry."

Before she could react, Saku hit play.

And the song he'd composed in his learning-card state filled the room.

Truthfully, Saku had never intended for anyone else to hear this song, especially not Shiina Taki.

It was something he'd originally created to keep to himself.

But now, he was using it to do precisely what he'd feared: destroy Taki's confidence.

This was his goal.

To personally "kill" Shiina Taki's sense of self-worth.

If there was any left to kill.

From their conversation, he could tell she'd already accepted that she was "just ordinary."

Which meant no amount of persuasion could reach her anymore.

She'd even shared her thoughts in a sort of self-abandonment.

In other words, normal methods no longer worked on her.

So, it was time to try something drastic.

Since she claimed she'd accepted her reality, what kind of reaction would she have to this song?

If she showed no reaction, then she truly had come to terms with it.

In that case, he'd need to find another approach.

But if she showed a response—something she shouldn't—then she wasn't as resigned as she'd claimed.

It was like shooting into what seemed like an empty void.

If there was no reaction, nothing would happen.

But if it struck her, then things could take a different turn.

As much as he hated to admit it, sometimes things have to fall apart before they can be rebuilt.

"Kill" her confidence?

No—he intended to "kill" the ordinary Shiina Taki.

He'd found the solution.

As long as Taki hadn't fully given up, he could still pull her back.

The song ended.

"…"

After listening, Shiina Taki was speechless.

It even felt hard to breathe.

What did she think of the song?

It was simple. She didn't feel qualified to judge it.

With Togawa Sakiko's songs, she could at least understand the gap between her own skills and a genius's.

But with this song, she could only see her own insignificance.

The difference?

It was like the distance between herself and Beethoven.

Indeed, Tomori's lyrics deserved music like this.

Now, she had nothing left to worry about.

Ha…ha…

But why…why couldn't she feel happy about this?

Why wasn't someone with this kind of talent…her?

Just half. No…one-fifth... no, even one-tenth would be enough…

Why don't I have any talent at all?

"Could you explain your reaction?"

Saku's voice broke the silence.

"I…"

Taki snapped back to reality, but didn't know what to say.

"Didn't you say you'd accepted reality?" Saku asked, feigning confusion. "Then why do you still look so dissatisfied?"

"What do you mean still dissatisfied? I was never satisfied in the first place!"

At that moment, Taki couldn't hold back her emotions any longer.

"I always wanted to compose for Tomori's lyrics! I worked hard for it!"

"But what was the result?"

"My talent was only enough to create something that others could alter like it was nothing!"

"You could change it, Raana could change it, but I… I can't even improve my own work."

"Your friend's song is so incredible, I don't even dare to think of comparing."

"That's the gap in talent!"

"So what else can I do besides face reality?"

"You tell me, what am I supposed to do?"

"You said you came to help me, didn't you? So how will you do that?"

"Are you going to turn me from ordinary to genius?"

"If you can do that, I'll do whatever it takes!"

[I can help you]

[I can't help you]

As soon as she'd said those words, two options appeared.

Saku made his choice without hesitation.

"Talent isn't something you can change. I can't make you a genius. But I can help you compose songs that, at times, will be on par with those of a genius composer. You might even create something that surpasses the song you just heard."

"Of course, this only applies when you're composing for Tomori's lyrics."

[Stamina +150]

"Really… is that really possible?"

Her eyes were filled with longing as she looked at him, her voice trembling.

"Yes, but it's a difficult process," Saku cautioned.

"That's okay—even if it's hard, I don't mind."

She was ready for any challenge.

In fact, if it weren't difficult, it would seem strange to achieve something on the level of a genius composition.

Locking eyes with her, Saku asked, "Just to confirm, are you only interested in composing for Tomori's lyrics?"

"Yes."

Her response was unwavering.

"Then, would you be willing to dedicate yourself to writing for her lyrics for a lifetime?" Saku pressed further.

"Absolutely."

Her answer was resolute.

"Then the solution is simple: dedicate your life to composing for her lyrics. Understand her heart completely, and grasp the meaning behind each and every line."

At this point, Saku saw no reason to hold back and laid out the solution.

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Taki looked confused.

Could this really help her create music at a genius level?

He had to be joking… right?

---

Oh, you're still here? Nice. While I'm out here juggling revival matches and reminding villains why they should reconsider their life choices, someone's behind the scenes making sure my story reaches you. Gotta admit, they're doing a pretty solid job.

If you want to help keep this whole thing running smoothly, here's the link: [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Think of it as… supporting your favorite underdog. Everyone loves an underdog, right?

Anyway, time to get back to saving the day. See you in the next chapter—don't forget to stay out of trouble (that's my job).

— Xia Luo 🕸️