I Just Want A Single Ending!

December Double Drop!

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Due to Saku's generous purchase, the aquarium staff not only applied a 10% discount but also threw in a larger bag to hold all the paper bags, along with a few special-edition ones.

After paying, Saku put both of their framed photos into the larger bag.

Since they'd only bought paper bags, which were relatively light and compact, even carrying a lot of them still felt easy and manageable.

"Is there anything else you'd like to get?"

Glancing at the other souvenirs, Saku casually asked Tomori.

"No, I'm good."

Tomori shook her head.

Having already received so many paper bags, she wasn't looking to collect anything else at the moment.

Besides, even if there were more things she wanted, she didn't feel comfortable asking Saku to buy them for her.

"Alright."

With that settled, Saku and Tomori continued wandering around the aquarium.

---

By the time they finally left, it was already afternoon.

Normally, a trip to the aquarium wouldn't take so long, but Tomori often lingered at certain exhibits, and Saku was happy to wait for her.

Especially when she started discussing topics she was passionate about—those definitely required more time and attention.

Checking the time, Saku asked, "Are you hungry? How about we find a place to eat?"

It was a bit early to head straight to the planetarium, so grabbing a bite first would work out perfectly.

He knew a few good family-style restaurants nearby, ones that were affordable and delicious. They were places he'd recommended on his social media before.

"Mm."

Tomori nodded, clearly hungry as well, but then made a request of her own.

"I'd like to go to RiNG, if that's okay?"

[Agree]

[Decline]

"…Sure."

After a moment's hesitation, Saku agreed.

Truthfully, he'd been hoping to avoid RiNG today, as Shiina Taki would be working there.

If she saw him with Tomori, it might be… complicated.

But refusing her over something as simple as a restaurant choice didn't seem right either.

Well, no harm done.

There was nothing wrong with hanging out with a friend, and it wasn't as if Taki had any say over who he spent time with.

Plus, the more he strengthened his bond with Tomori, the less impact Taki's disapproval would have.

Using Tomori's influence to counterbalance Taki's was a solid strategy.

[+5 Strength]

"Thank you."

"No problem. I'm just curious—why do you want to go to RiNG? Is there something specific you want to eat?"

As they walked toward the café, Saku continued their casual conversation, hoping to gather more information.

"I want to give some of the paper bags to Ticchan and the band," Tomori said, glancing at the bag Saku was carrying.

"Why? Didn't you want to keep them all for yourself?"

Saku was genuinely surprised, feeling a bit puzzled.

"You bought them for the band, so I shouldn't keep everything for myself."

Tomori remembered his words about contributing to the band very clearly.

"That's how you interpreted it?"

Saku realized that she'd misunderstood his earlier comments about supporting the band.

Tomori explained further, "I couldn't use that many bags on my own."

"You're in charge of them now—they're yours, so you can decide what to do with them."

Saku began to understand her perspective.

It wasn't just that Tomori liked collecting things; she enjoyed the feeling of collecting, rather than the objects themselves.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have offered to share her collected bandages with him, nor would she have been so delighted to see them put to use.

The bandages on his fingers were proof enough of that.

"Alright."

---

They chatted as they walked, finally arriving at RiNG and heading up to the second-floor café.

Shiina Taki, who was polishing glasses at the bar, lit up when she saw Tomori enter, but her expression became serious again when she noticed Saku was with her.

Still, her attitude wasn't as openly hostile as the first time they'd met.

"Good afternoon, Shiina."

Saku greeted her warmly, unaffected by her changing expressions.

Tomori followed, saying, "Good afternoon, Ticchan."

"Good afternoon. So, what brings you both here today?"

After they'd settled into their seats, Taki approached them in her role as server, her curiosity piqued by their unexpected visit.

"We're here for lunch, and Tomori has something for you," Saku explained briefly.

"For me?"

Taki's gaze drifted to the bag Saku had placed on the table.

Inside that bag would be whatever Tomori planned to give her.

Under those circumstances, it was perfectly acceptable for them to show up together for lunch.

Having Saku as a "pack mule" to carry Tomori's things was actually pretty reasonable.

She didn't want Tomori to be exhausted from carrying everything herself, after all.

Tomori placed the bag in front of Taki and explained, "Saku and I went to the aquarium, and he bought a lot of paper bags as souvenirs. We thought we'd share them with everyone."

"…"

Taki's focus, however, wasn't on the souvenirs but on the fact that they'd gone to the aquarium together.

They'd just come from the aquarium?

A boy and a girl at a place like that—it was basically a date!

Taki's glare toward Saku was anything but friendly.

"These were gifts I bought for Tomori, and she decided to share them with everyone."

Saku clarified, hoping to dismiss any misunderstandings and ignoring Taki's piercing gaze.

He even bought gifts for Tomori!

Taki's look of disdain intensified.

But, at least, Tomori didn't seem particularly moved by the gesture.

Tomori then asked Taki, "Ticchan, go ahead and pick a few bags you like."

"Sure."

Though these were gifts from Saku, since Tomori had decided to share them, Taki reasoned it was like receiving a gift from her instead.

With this interpretation, she had no reason to refuse.

Adjusting her mindset, Taki prepared to pick out a few bags.

But as she looked inside, she noticed two framed photos lying on top of the pile.

For easier access, she lifted one of the frames out and finally saw the picture.

It was a photo of Saku and Tomori together.

"…"

Seeing Taki stare at the photo in silence, Saku felt a mix of emotions.

Thinking back, not only had he gone to the aquarium with Taki's favorite person today, but he'd also taken a photo with her, then shown up at Taki's workplace to have lunch with Tomori, and was even planning to head to the planetarium with her afterward.

Reflecting on all of this, he realized that his current role might indeed be becoming a bit strange.

---

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!

Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!

If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]