Chapter Text

~Finale~ Chapter 77: Bundle Up Your Dreams

Saturday came, Bocchi waking up. She grabbed her tunic, but she just wrapped it around her waist.

Bocchi reached for her sword like always, but she stopped short. Her hand shook over it for a few seconds before she took it.

Bocchi left her room, quickly falling back against a wall.

I...I still feel empty... Bocchi thought. It’s...getting better. But...it...it hurts...

Bocchi got off the wall with another sigh, keeping her head down.

I wonder if this is how Kikuri felt after she stopped drinking...Scared... Bocchi shook her head. But...she...she got through it...I know people who have been through worse...I...I...

Bocchi gasped as Futari jumped into her from behind, tipping over. 

“Good morning, Sister!” Futari laughed. “How are you?”

“Futari...” Bocchi rolled around to look at Futari. “I’m feeling okay...”

“Just okay?! You beat that gross demon yesterday, right?” Futari noted. “I...I know you lost your music, Sister...”

“Hmm...” Bocchi winced.

“But...you’re okay now! And that demon won’t hurt anyone else!” Futari smiled warmly. “We’re all going to be okay! We should be happy!”

“Yeah...Yeah, you’re right...” Bocchi ruffled her hair. “You’re okay...I would never trade that for anything...”

“Not like that demon was going to come after me!” Futari shrugged.

“Ehh...Heh...” Bocchi got up. “She won’t come after you now...I guess that’s all that matters...”

Bocchi brought her sister downstairs, Jimihen jumping over to the duo. Michiyo hugged her whole family before Naoki did the same.

I...feel a little empty...but...I don’t really have a choice... Bocchi thought. I’ll find something...a lot of things to make me feel okay again...

***

Bocchi went to Starry afterward, finding Nijika, Kita and Ryo. Their dour expressions and slightly unfocused eyes made it apparent that they hadn’t gotten much sleep.

“H-Hey you three...” Bocchi waved. “How are you doing?”

Kita rushed into Bocchi with a hug, Nijika barely joining before Bocchi fell over with them. Ryo walked over and patted them all on the back.

“You’re okay, Bocchi! Ohh...I...I was afraid all night that Korogaru would pop up again!” Kita admitted. “Y-You don’t think she’s around at all anymore, do you?!”

“I-I hit her as hard as I could. She should be gone...” Bocchi shrugged. 

“How are you feeling?” Nijika wondered. “Still feel...weird?”

“D-Definitely...” Bocchi grumbled. “I-It feels like my body keeps getting up because it wants to make music...and then remembering that it can’t...It’s a really quick up and down...”

“So...your anxiety is back?”

“I-It’s not...really anxiety if it’s not wrong...” Bocchi sighed. “B-But it’s okay! I stopped thinking about it when I talked with my family earlier...I-I think that...I just need some stuff to distract myself right now...”

“Don’t be scared to think about what happened though, Bocchi...” Nijika argued. “If you completely forget about it...I don’t know if you’re ever going to come to terms with it.”

“W-We need to come to terms with it too, so don’t be afraid to bring it up.” Ryo nodded. 

“I-I know...Thanks...”

The group took some steps toward Starry, but PA popped out and looked at the group. “Ah, uh...You’re here like I thought.”

“Hey, PA! Is something up?”

“Come back later,” PA stated. “Manager was supposed to come sooner, but she slept in like normal...”

“Is there something we can help with?”

PA slammed the door close, the group hearing it lock.

“I guess not...” the quartet muttered.

“Sister’s probably getting your celebration ready, Bocchi!” Nijika figured. “It’s going to be big!”

“Celebration...We should do some pre-gaming.” Ryo rubbed her hands together. “Let’s use our band money to get some treats.”

“That’s ridiculous...” Nijika shook her head.

“Eh...It...sounds fun.” Bocchi shrugged. “It’s not like we can stand out here all day...”

***

The group went to a confectionery and got some desserts, Bocchi weakly ordering one of the simpler items. They sat down and Ryo began to tear into her food, but Kita and Nijika stared at Bocchi.

“I-Is something wrong?” Bocchi muttered.

“Are you...sure you’re feeling okay?” Nijika wondered. “N-Now that...everything’s over...you don’t think that you’ll...”

“Oh. N-No. I...I’m still going to try to be...more outgoing...” Bocchi reassured her. “I’m just not feeling well...so...I’m going to take it easy for a little bit...”

“You’re still getting used to being active, so...you should take it slowly...” Kita nodded. “I...would hate for you to go back to being so nervous all the time.”

“I-It doesn’t help when you don’t know what you’re supposed to do next...” Bocchi admitted. “I-I thought about it a lot last night...What I’m even going to do with my life next...but...I dunno.”

“Model...ing...” Ryo muttered while eating.

Ryo began to choke on her food, Kita trying to help, but Nijika told her to stay put. The group waited patiently, Ryo slowly slipping from her chair, before Nijika finally helped her.

For her kindness, Nijika had food spat into her face.

“Bocchi, never think that you’re the lowest of society,” Nijika stated.

“I might not be, but...I don’t really know where I am in society right now...” Bocchi shrugged. “I thought the same before, but I had music to fall back on...Now, I...”

“Ryo only has music to fall back on too,” Nijika scoffed. “She barely gets through school. Her cramming’s going to fail her eventually.”

“If I fail school, I’ll just become a financial advisor.”

“You’ll do wuh–”

“Or a model!” Kita’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, Bocchi, you should become a model with Ryo!”

“A-Absolutely not...” Bocchi muttered. “Eh...You know...If I can find ideas that I hate easily...I’m sure I can find something I like...”

“Like model–” Nijika forced Ryo and Kita to put their heads down.

“Bocchi, I know you’re going to worry about your place in the band too, but I don’t think you need to think about that right now,” Nijika figured. “We’ll figure it out together. Right now, it...will just make all of us uncomfortable.”

“Yeah...” Bocchi looked at her food. “Let’s just...focus on celebrating for now...”

***

The group finished their food and went to a Memory store. They found their stuff and some videos from Klimt’s Night, along with their merchandise and an article from Poison.

All of their stuff had Bocchi in it. And Bocchi finally noticed that she was much more prominent in everything than she had thought before.

Which is just going to cause problems... Bocchi sighed. If I stay a visible part of the band, people are going to be confused why I don’t play with them...How do we even tell our fans...

“Bocchi, how about you open a music store?” Ryo whispered. “With a family and friends discount.”

“I guess I have a lot of Memories lying around that I could sell...” Bocchi noted. “But I have zero marketing skills...No one would come into a store I’m running.”

“You might be better at it than you think. You know everything about music, after all!” Kita noted. “And you would have an endless stream of people to talk about music with!”

“Eh...Huh...” Bocchi shivered. “E-Either way, even working in a music store would be in the afternoon...I wouldn’t be around much.”

“Then a night job, huh...” Ryo rubbed her chin. “Vigilante.”

“I-I’ll pass.”

“Just don’t think you need to leave the music world, Bocchi,” Nijika told her. “You still have a lot more to give.”

“Y-Yeah...but I don’t know how much I can do without...” Bocchi frowned. “N-Nevermind...”

***

The group passed by a shrine, deciding to do some short prayers. Kita proposed that Bocchi could become a priest with all the experience she had with demons, but the last thing Bocchi wanted was to fight more demons.

Even if, evidently, she could pummel them.

The group tried to throw some coins, but a crow stole Bocchi’s. The group asked if she could maybe become an animal trainer, but Bocchi knew no animal in history respected her.

Believing the party was nearing, the group went toward Starry. They noticed the flower shop again and asked Bocchi if that was interesting at all.

“I-I get that I sounded desperate to find something else to get interested in...” Bocchi looked at a wilted flower, “but I’m...picky...and this is not what I’m interested in.”

“Still have some Seisyun reservations?” Ryo figured.

“Y-Yeah...” Bocchi looked at her and Kita. “So beaches are off limits for anything.”

“Aww...”

Nijika asked Bocchi if she had any interest in every business they passed by, but Bocchi didn’t really care about them. She either knew she didn’t like it or she just...had no clue about it. And she wasn’t happy about how much of the stuff she had no opinion on.

Some higher schooling jobs came up, Kita reassuring Bocchi that Kuruyo would be happy to help her become a lawyer. But Bocchi was just trying to catch up with school. She didn’t expect to excel any time soon.

And most higher education jobs weren’t very...flashy. She figured someone with a racing mind would get bored of them quickly.

As they got closer to Starry, Nijika proposed that Bocchi seriously consider working with Seika or Miyako to prepare herself for either of their jobs. Bocchi winced slightly, just saying she wasn’t interested.

I...don’t know how interested in music she is at this point... Nijika thought. I...really hope she doesn’t plan on leaving the music space altogether...

The group reached Starry, finding some nice decorations had been placed outside. The group let Bocchi lead them inside, watching as she...tugged on a locked door repeatedly.

PA eventually opened the door, Bocchi and the others following them in.

The moment they could see the rest of Starry from the stairs, a wave of cheers lit up for Kessoku Band. Bocchi gasped as she found her friends, each person’s mother, and the Stray Beat trio.

“Heya, Bocchi!” Kikuri raised a bottle of apple cider. “Get down here so we can have some treats already!”

Shima shoved Kikuri’s face into some cake. “What she meant to say was that we’re celebrating Hangyaku and all of your work as you move into the next era of your band.”

“Ah...” Bocchi and the others walked over to Seika. “S-So this is the celebration you were getting ready...”

“There’s...not much to celebrate as far as what happened with Korogaru,” Seika told her. “It’s good that she’s gone, but you lost a lot...and some of the people here aren’t aware of what happened. So I decided to focus on Kessoku Band’s peak thus far.”

“Some people don’t know?” Ryo looked around the crowd, noticing some other Starry bands chilling around them. Those people just want free food...How dare they...

“Anyway. Have some food and have some fun. You’re not working today,” Seika stated.

“Th-Thanks, Seika...This means a lot...” Bocchi nodded.

“You’re my sister’s friend and a great musician,” Seika replied. “It’s the least I can do.”

“Aww,  Sister was honest with you,” Nijika tittered. “That means that she really cares about you!”

“I’ll make you work today, Sister.”

“I’m ready for it!”

“Oh for the love of–Go party!”

The quartet welcomed their guests and thanked them all for coming. The Starry bands told the group about how amazed they were by Hangyaku and the band’s overall growth, all of them promising to try just as hard.

Nijika, Ryo and Kita were eventually swept up in talking with the bands, giving Bocchi a chance to slip away.

“So, Kid...” Kikuri handed Bocchi a cup of cider. “Your first day...How do you feel?”

“Not...very good,” Bocchi admitted. “I’m a little disoriented and...a lot scared.”

“Yeah...It’s probably not too dissimilar from withdrawal,” Kikuri figured. “A really big high...and then a crash.”

“B-But it gets better?”

“Yeah...Yeah, you get used to it.” Kikuri shrugged. “I don’t want to pressure ya, but any idea what you’re doing next?”

“I...I don’t know. I’m trying to figure it out...” Bocchi muttered. “I don’t know...much about anything other than music...and even thinking about music right now makes me feel weird...”

“Heh. Yeah, I wasn’t interested in much. Even when I was taking college classes, I was just floating around,” Kikuri admitted. “Music felt like the first real thing to me...but you’ll find other stuff to get hooked on.”

“Hooked on...”

“N-Not alcohol, though! No touching that!”

“I-I know...” Bocchi raised her hands. “I’ll keep thinking...and looking around...but I...I don’t know...”

“Maybe ask around here.” Kikuri swirled her hand around. “There’s a lot of really smart people here, you know. You’ve only ever talked to them when something related to music came up, but...I’m sure one of them can give you an idea now too.”

“D-Do you think people would mind me asking about that?” 

Kikuri pushed Bocchi forward. “Ha! Don’t worry about it. Just do it, kid!”

“Eh...R-Right...” Bocchi nodded. “Thanks, Kikuri.”

“What’sa big sister for?” Kikuri grinned.

Bocchi wandered toward Miyako and the other Stray Beat members, but Yoyoko stepped into her way with crossed arms.

“I heard your talk with Kikuri,” Yoyoko told her. “You’re not planning on leaving music altogether, are you?”

“I-I don’t think so, but–”

“Don’t think so?! You can’t even think about it for a second!” Yoyoko stomped her foot. “All your talent would be wasted!”

“I-I want to keep helping my friends, but there’s not much I can do...” Bocchi shrugged. “W-We’ll figure it out, but...sticking around music might just...hurt.”

“You’ll be fine.” Yoyoko patted her on the shoulder. “Bocchi...look...after everything...I don’t think it’s right to hate your guts with everything inside of me.”

“Y-You did?”

“Eh, not really. But...I’m rooting for you whatever you do. I think you’re...pretty cool,” Yoyoko explained. “If you’re branching out of just music, then...how about you become a monster hunter?”

“M-Monster hunter?! D-Do you think someone as small as me...”

“You can fight a Burst Wyvern and beat a Wyvern alone. I’m sure you’ll fit in.” Yoyoko shrugged. “Plus, I think they give you free clothing to look cool...Can you imagine that?”

“Huh...Um...” Bocchi rubbed her chin. “I’ll keep that in mind...”

“Don’t waste any of your strength, Bocchi. I...I think you have a lot of people left to inspire...” Yoyoko told her. “You’re a...good girl...I’m happy you’re my friend.”

“I-I’ll stay your friend.” Bocchi nodded. “Thanks for...everything, Yoyoko...I...hope we keep getting closer.”

“...Y-You made it weird.”

“I-I mean...I-I didn’t mean anything weird, but...it’s too late to take it back now...”

“Eh, whatever...Just think big. You can handle anything,” Yoyoko reassured her.

Yoyoko patted Bocchi on the shoulder again. The two smiled at each other before Yoyoko tried to punch Bocchi in the stomach, but Bocchi caught it, the two keeping up their wobbly smiles.

“Tch...Fine.” Yoyoko marched away.

Bocchi sighed before walking closer to the Stray Beat group, but then Ame popped up.

“B-Bocchi, I overheard Yoyoko give you a job idea...” Ame noted. “A-Are you...looking around for something new?”

“Y-Yeah...I think I’ll have more time, and...I should probably find another job.”

“Um...W-Well, if you...want to do something outside of music...hmm...” Ame rubbed her chin. “H-How about a...maid? Y-You could...start at my place. W-We could hang out more that way.”

“M-Maid? W-Wouldn’t I have to dress up?”

“Eh, um...J-Just keep it in mind...”

“Ah...Sure.” Bocchi shrugged. “I guess I could get help from you if I tried...but I’m afraid I wouldn’t take the job seriously if you and I were always around each other...”

“Heh. That’s fine...Having you around would encourage me to try as hard as I can...” Ame nodded. “You’re...always going to be an inspiration, Hitori...”

Ame and Bocchi smiled at each othr before Ame let her walk toward the Stray Beat trio. Bocchi power-walked up to them as they saw them end a conversation, hoping not to interrupt them as they tried to start a new one.

Old habits died hard.

“Ah, Um...Miss Miyako?” Bocchi spoke up.

“Hey, Hitori.” Miyako, HAL and Poison nodded at her. “Good job defeating that demon...even if you lost what you did.”

“Ah...Y-Yeah...Um...” Bocchi sighed.

“You must feel a little disoriented now, huh?” HAL figured. “Need some advice?”

“Uh...Yeah.” Bocchi shrugged. “I-I’m going to keep helping my friends, but...I think I should probably find other hobbies and jobs to try.”

“Come work for us,” Miyako stated. “Did you see the letter I sent?”

“Oh, uh...” Bocchi looked over to Seika, seeing her pouting at her. “W-Well, um...c-could you go over it again? Q-Quietly...”

Miyako laid out that Bocchi’s musical prowess in both playing and creating, along with her years of experience with a successful channel, made her a good candidate to work at a label. And as more than an aide like Poison, which made Poison angrily whine.

“I would be happy to hire you now that you...will probably have more time in your schedule,” Miyako explained. “HAL?”

“I...guess I could use some help with editing. And gathering props.” HAL shrugged.

“Ehh...I-I’ll, um...consider both things...” Bocchi replied. “I-I’m just...thinking right now.”

“Or you could become a music journalist,” Poison proposed. “You love music, don’t you? This is a good way to talk about it all the time.”

“Music journalist...Don’t you need to be a good writer for that?”

“How good is your writing?”

“It...not good,” Bocchi muttered.

“...An editor can always fix mistakes.” Poison shrugged.

“Um...Okay...I...I appreciate all the advice...” Bocchi nodded. “Maybe I’ll...come to you about the offer, Miss Miyako.”

“I’ll be excitedly waiting,” Miyako replied, her face unchanging.

Everyone stared at Miyako as she quietly sipped her drink. She cleared her throat before taking another sip.

“I-I’m...going to talk with some other people...” Bocchi slunk away. I don’t know if I want to work in an office with her...

As Bocchi walked away, the trio gave her their condolences for her loss, Bocchi thanking them.

But everyone’s being so helpful...And they even threw this big party to cheer me up... Bocchi smiled. It’s nice...

Bocchi was soon intercepted by Kuruyo and Kyoka, both of whom knowing what she was dealing with. Kuruyu proposed she get a real job and work her way up at the office, while Kyoka said she should work at the hospital with her. It would be like having the daughter she always wanted.

Bocchi sighed as Michiyo walked over to her afterward, carrying her bright smile like always.

“Did you hear them, Mom?” Bocchi muttered. “I-I don’t think I want to become a doctor or lawyer, so...don’t get your hopes up.”

“Oh, it’s fine.” Michiyo shrugged. “I think you should become a cook! I’ll teach you and then you can go work for some rich person.”

“I-I don’t...think I want to do that either...” Bocchi mumbled. “But...I guess I shouldn’t leave you to make all of our food all the time...It’s sort of messed up.”

“If you want to help the family, maybe you can become a security guard like your father?”

“Security like dad...” Bocchi’s eyes lit up. “Huh...Maybe that would be fun...”

“Do whatever you want. You’re still young!” Michiyo patted her on the head. “I...know you were ready to do music for the rest of your life, but...you would have looked for other things eventually. Just to see how they make you feel.”

“Y-Yeah...Like dad did...”

“You’re going to find things that make you really happy, even if you have to make some sacrifices,” Michiyo reassured her. “Keep searching. There’s a lot left for you to do.”

“Hmm...” Bocchi looked around the room. There...are a lot of things I can do, yeah...but...I don’t know about most of the jobs...Wh-Where would I even start...

“Hello, Miss Gotoh.” Seika suddenly slid over to them. “Bocchi, I happened to be near when I overheard all of your conversations.”

“Eh...S-Sure.”

“I wanted to assure you that you will always have a place here,” Seika stated. “If you ever want to seriously work at the venue, I can find some work for you to do. And I would be happy to teach you more about venue managing so you could...you know...open your own someday.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful, Bocchi!” Michiyo clapped. “You’re so nice, Miss Ijichi!”

“P-Please call me Seika...” Seika grumbled.

Ahh...Seika sort of lost her music...and it led to this... Bocchi realized. She gave up...a lot more than music for this...but she’s happy now...

Bocchi looked around the room again, seeing all the friends she had made, remembering all the performances they had done, and knowing more was coming for them all.

I...I got this far...in such a short time...because of everyone here... Bocchi realized. It was my dream to become a musician, but I never even tried...not until Nijika helped...and then everyone else helped us get this far...

“Bocchi?” Seika spoke up. “What do you think about my offer?”

Michiyo saw Bocchi not even respond. “Oh, she gets like this sometimes. I’m sure you know. Just let her finish thinking.”

I...I don’t know a lot about anything but music...but...I got really far by putting everything into music... Bocchi realized. If I put that effort into other things...and I know I have friends who will help me in whatever I do...I’m sure I could go really...really far.

Seika and Michiyo exchanged glances, Seika reaching out to touch Bocchi.

Bocchi suddenly turned to them, a bright smile on her face.

“Seika, I...might take your offer,” Bocchi admitted.

“Rea–Really?!” Seika flinched. “Ah...Maybe I didn’t have to be so forceful then...”

“But, um...I think I need to consider some other offers first...” Bocchi shrugged. “I...I want to branch away from music...I want to see if anything else is interesting to me.”

“Oh...Well...that’s good for you.” Seika nodded. “Do that. But...Starry will always have a spot for you.”

“Aww, you’re so nice, Sister!” Nijika suddenly bounced over.

“Ah!” Seika quickly took some steps away. “A-Anyway, I need to get back to my work. Excuse me.”

Seika hurried away, Nijika snickering as the other walked up behind her. “I never thought Sister would offer something like that to you, Bocchi. She used to have so many problems with your personality.”

“But she’s really warmed up to you! Like everyone else.” Kita nodded.

“She even kept one of your bikini photos...” Ryo noted.

“She—Huh?!”

“Don’t worry about that.” Ryo cleared her throat. “Bocchi, are you...feeling a little better?”

“Um...Yeah...A lot better, actually...” Bocchi nodded. “I...didn’t know what I could do, but...there’s a lot I can do...”

“Of course there is, Bocchi.” Nijika tapped her chest. “You always pulled through for us. I’m confident that whatever you do next, that’s not going to change.”

“I...I think so too...” Bocchi glanced around again. “Um...There’s a lot I can try just here...but I think I’m going to look into more things too. Maybe I’ll find something that really pops...and try it out.”

“No matter what happens, you have your spot in the band,” Nijika reassured her. “We can always find some way for you to help us. You’re invaluable to Kessoku Band no matter what.”

“I...I know...Whatever I do, I want to stay with you three...” Bocchi replied. “I wouldn’t be here without you three...I want Kessoku Band to keep shining.”

Nijika, Ryo and Kita smiled.

“I feel like I’ll feel whole again soon...” Bocchi smiled back at them. “And I didn’t have to lose anyone...”

Bocchi brought her friends into a tight hug, the trio gasping.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen...I don’t know where I’m going to fail...and what’s going to change...” Bocchi admitted. “And I...I don’t care...I’m just...so happy...that I have all of you...”

Nijika, Ryo and Kita hugged Bocchi back. The group’s friends across the room noticed, smiling.

I’ve always...been afraid... Bocchi thought. But...I’m still here...I’ll be okay...

***

That night, Bocchi had the odd dream with Korogaru again, seeing the pink light around her, but never seeing her disappear.

In the morning, Bocchi asked Futari if she thought she would make a good teacher, Futari saying absolutely not; no way; gods no; she shouldn’t even think about it.

Bocchi kept it at the back of her mind. She thought a kid like her would benefit from Bocchi being there to help them.

Afterward, Bocchi asked her mom to let her help with breakfast, Michiyo letting her join. Bocchi fumbled and she burned herself, but she managed to make a single almost good-looking pancake.

Naoki showed up for breakfast, Bocchi asking him if there was any chance she could shadow him during his security work. Naoki said that would definitely be illegal...but he liked the idea, so maybe he could just sneak her in.

Bocchi left afterward, giving her family some big hugs. As she hugged Jimihen, she wondered again if maybe there was something to being an animal tamer. But Jimihen biting her made her put that way down the list.

Bocchi walked by many stores on her way to her friend’s meeting place, wondering if any of them were interesting. She took note of the places she had never visited and asked herself some questions about each place, figuring she should research them more later.

Bocchi found her friends afterward, finding Nijika on the swing where she had found Bocchi. Bocchi hopped over the railing just like Nijika had and joined the trio.

“Hey, Bocchi!” Kita and Nijika gave Bocchi a hug, while Ryo and Bocchi exchanged some devil horns.
“Excited for today?!”

“Y-Yeah! Y-You three have always brought me to new places so...I think you’re the best guides I can have.” Bocchi nodded

“Is there anything you find interesting so far, though?” Ryo wondered.

“Ah, the first thing I wanted to try out was security, actually!” Bocchi revealed, her friends flinching. “I’m going to shadow my dad during one of his shifts!”

“S-Security?” Kita muttered. “I don’t know if you’re...”

Bocchi suddenly lifted Ryo up by her legs, slinging her over her shoulder.

“...built for that...” Kita mumbled as Bocchi threw Ryo away. “Huh. I guess you are pretty strong.”

“I think it’s a good idea too...” Ryo stated from the ground. “If you take night jobs, you’ll have time in the day for us.”

“Exactly! I thought that I could hang around with you three, write music, support you–whatever–during the day, and then work at night.” Bocchi shrugged. “Sounds good, right?”

“Yeah...but you said that you don’t want a boring job,” Nijika noted. “I don’t know if lazing around at night is going to be very fun.”

“It’s fine.” Bocchi grinned. “If this doesn’t work out, I’m going to try some servant work. Ame said she would help out.”

“S-Servant?” Kita muttered. “Heh...You’re really trying everything, huh?”

“Yeah...I think it’s good to.” Bocchi nodded. “Anything might turn out to be really enjoyable...”

“That’s good, Bocchi.” Nijika helped Ryo up. “B-But...maybe don’t make too many plans yet. We still need to figure out how you can help the band now.”

“Eh...Hehe...A-As long as you want me around, I’ll help how I can...” Bocchi shivered. “A-Aside from songwriting...I can probably do...administrative stuff...”

“Like the paperwork?” Nijika’s eyes lit up.

“A-Anything to give you three more time to train...” Bocchi sighed. “I won’t be able to help you...and that’s okay...but I need you three to get even better! We can’t fall behind!”

“We won’t!” Kita and Nijika replied.

“And we’ll get straight into some intense training!” Ryo declared. “After we have fun today.”

“That...sounds good.” Bocchi shrugged. “Let’s have some fun...because we’re all going to get really busy.”

“Sounds like you’ll be busier than anyone, Bocchi.” Nijika slung her arm around Bocchi’s shoulder as they walked. “Good for you.”

“Heh.” Bocchi nodded.

***

The group visited their normal spots, running into many fans as they moved around their city. 

Bocchi asked her friends what they thought about certain businesses they passed and if she had any shot working in them. The trio gave her some honest feedback, more often than not noting that she had zero experience and had shown zero interest in most things.

But Bocchi argued that wasn’t an issue. She was willing to try anything new.

And as the group talked, and her friends told her what they could about each place, Bocchi began to imagine herself in each job. The interactions, the work, and...somewhere in there, she was sure there was satisfaction to be found in each place.

She had to put in effort and learn new things. For anything but music, it had always been a scary idea.

But Bocchi didn’t have a choice now. And she was fine with that.

Thinking about everything I could do...it’s sort of nauseating... Bocchi rubbed her head. But I’ve never done anything...because I was always afraid I would fail and...then what would I do...

Kita laughed next to Bocchi, Nijika giggling. Ryo let out some lazy laughs like normal.

But...there’s a lot of people I can go to for help...when I mess up... Bocchi looked at her shaking hand. I’m...I’m scared...but I proved that can’t stop me...I won’t let it...

The group walked by a confectionery, Kita quickly pulling them back toward it.

“Wh-Why are we always getting desserts?” Bocchi muttered. “It’s the morning; we haven’t even had lunch!”

“You just don’t like ordering,” Ryo figured. “With that said, can you order for me?”

“Eh...” Bocchi rolled her eyes. “Ohh...F-Fine...What do you want?”

“Order for me too, Bocchi,” Nijika requested.

“Ooh, it would be weird if I didn’t ask for the same now!” Kita giggled.

“Ehhh...” Bocchi shivered before straightening, grinning. “O-Okay. What do you all want?”

“Hehe...” Her friends giggled.

The group walked through the doors, Nijika, Ryo and Kita about to speak.

Toppu Temple... Bocchi heard in her head. Come here now, Hitori Gotoh!

“Ahhh...” Bocchi flinched, her eyes growing wide. “Wuh...ah...”

“Huh? Is something wrong, Bocchi?” Nijika asked.

“I...I heard Korogaru!” Bocchi told them, the trio gasping.

“A-Are you sure it wasn’t a hallucination?” Ryo questioned.

“N-No...It was just like when she speaks to me...” Bocchi quickly looked around. “Toppu Temple...We need to go to Toppu Temple!”

“Ohh, you’re right! We should have checked if there was anything weird happening there anyway!” Kita nodded. “Let’s go now!”

“But my dessert...” Ryo muttered, the trio pouting at her. “I’m just kidding.”

The quartet rushed toward Toppu Temple together, Bocchi hearing some whispers in the back of her head.

The group passed by many familiar locations and many of their Memories. They also found Memories from their band friends as they ran.

But the streets gradually grew empty as they ran. Before long, the only thing around them was fog.

“We’re here...” Bocchi whispered as the group walked up to some steps. “Tch...Wh-What do we do if Korogaru is...”

“Th-There’s no way!” Kita shook her head. “You beat her! We saw that!”

“She’s repeatedly done impossible things with her demon powers...” Ryo noted. “She might have found a way to survive...”

“Sh-She has to at least be weakened!” Nijika figured. “Let’s get rid of her now!”

The group rushed up the steps, Nijika, Ryo and Kita drawing their weapons as they approached the top. Bocchi winced, as she didn’t even bring her weapon.

At the top, the fog grew even denser. Despite that, they could see a bright pink glow radiating from the temple.

Does this have something to do with the dreams I’ve been having? Bocchi realized. “Tch...Korogaru! Are you here?! Come out!”

“Ohh...” Nijika, Ryo and Kita raised their weapons.

The group gasped as a pink wisp whirled around them, erratically lighting up the fog. The quartet moved back-to-back, watching the wisp fly around.

But it finally stopped in front of Bocchi, slowly morphing into a familiar form.

“That’s...” Kita growled. “N-No way...No way she’s still alive!”

The pink glow formed into the visage of Korogaru, a long smirk coming onto her face.

“How are you still alive?!” Everyone yelled.

“Hello Kessoku Band. It’s been a while...” Korogaru crossed her arms. “How ignorant it was to think I would simply die.”

“Korogaru!” Everyone took a step forward.

“Calm yourselves...You can’t even harm me like this...” Korogaru looked at her body. “It’s a pretty color, isn’t it?”

“What’s happening?!” Bocchi pointed at her. “I...How did I mess up?!”

“Because you were trying too hard.” Korogaru thrusted her hand. “You see...when you struck me, Hitori, you hit me with everything you had. And what you had inside of you...was quite amazing.”

“Wh-What?”

“You not only destroyed my demon heart...but you had enough energy left over to create another heart,” Korogaru revealed. “It took a moment to piece together...but I live again! With your energy!”

“What?!” The quartet flinched. “Give it back then!”

“I...Hehe...Heh...” Korogaru lowered her head. “I...will.”

“You rotten, disgusting old bat of a gross demon–Huh?” Kita and the others flinched.

“I’m made of Bocchi’s heart...all the energy of her music...And I can feel what her heart is feeling...” Korogaru explained.

“R-Really?”

“Over these last few days...I saw this spirit go from a downcast, meek and weak little glow...” Korogaru explained. “But it just...got better and better...Now I...I don’t feel any stress...the energy feels weaker than normal, but...so much more confident...”

“I...Really?” Bocchi took some steps forward.

“I could sense the discontent in you...The fear...but it just...melted away piece by piece...” Korogaru looked at her still hands. “I never...even felt like this...After losing your music...your heart feels better than I’ve seen...or experienced...”

“Ah...I...” Bocchi patted her chest. “I’ve...been thinking a lot...but I feel like I know what I’m doing now...Is that it?”

“Yes...That’s it...” Korogaru grumbled. “You...You were right, Hitori...I should have moved on.”

“Ahh...”

“You did. So easily...I would have been so scared, but you’re excited!” Korogaru noted. “Things could have been so different...but I threw away everything...because I was so scared of...doing anything else...”

Everyone rested in silence, Nijika, Ryo and Kita keeping silent so they wouldn’t change Korogaru’s mind.

“I lived on...and on...hoping someone would prove that the route I chose was right...No one disproved me until your father...and that...made me so mad...” Korogaru confessed. “I thought if I changed you after that...then it would all be worth it...”

“It wasn’t worth it, Korogaru.”

“No, it...wasn’t...” Korogaru nodded. “I’m here because you proved that without a doubt...I could have been more...if I cared more about who I was...what I could have been...”

Korogaru moved closer to Bocchi, everyone raising their guard.

“I’m too late to change anything. They’re all gone...I should have gone with them...” Korogaru muttered. “But I...I can help you...Take your energy and give it back.”

“K-Korogaru, are you...eh...” Bocchi lowered her head.

“Do it...for all the people out there who could become like me...Who needs a shining example.” Korogaru moved her hand out to Bocchi. “You were ready to give up your music, but you weren’t ready to give up your heart...that’s how you struck harder than my own heart’s strength...”

“I...I wanted to keep making noise.” Bocchi hesitantly moved her hand toward Korogaru. “I want the world to know I’m here.”

“It’ll hear you. Just...Just don’t stop making noise...” Korogaru nodded.

“I...This isn’t...some kind of trick, is it?” Bocchi wondered. “J-Just...out of nowhere...after all our fights...y-you’re acting like this?”

“You were faced with losing your music...and you became happier than you’ve ever been...” Korogaru reminded her. “I-I’m just...tapping into that myself...Doing something beyond what...I thought I could do before.”

“I...I get it...” Bocchi muttered. “Um...I...I trust you...then...”

Bocchi winced as she took Korogaru’s hand, the others lowering their weapons.

“Korogaru, um...” Nijika and the others exchanged glances, “you...you weren’t a good person at all...but...”

“You’re making a good choice right now,” Ryo stated. “We don’t like you. But we appreciate this.”

“It...It means a lot that you’re doing this,” Kita told her. “I...I really respect it.”

“That means a lot coming from you three...” Korogaru grasped Bocchi’s hand tightly. “Heh...Hehe...‘Korogaru’...have you ever wondered why my friends called me that?”

“A-A little...”

“They said that I ‘roll with everything’...I was always ready for the next step when I was with them...” Korogaru explained. “But they were wrong. I...never moved on after they left...”

“Hmm...” Bocchi frowned.

“But I like the name your friends gave you, Hitori...” Korogaru smiled. “Even if you go out on your own...even if some day things change...you’ll still be you.”

“Ahh...” Bocchi looked at her. “Korogaru...” She shook her head. “What...is your real name?”

“Want to take a guess, Hitori?”

Bocchi and Korogaru giggled lightly.

“You...You get your music back...But only because you were ready to give it all up...” Korogaru told her. “Don’t...Don’t think this means you can return to only depending on it...Please...Y-You’ll lose everything that way...”

“I...I know...” Bocchi nodded. “After everything, I...I know what matters...”

“You only get this chance because of that...” Korogaru sighed. “You know the fear of losing what you care about...and you surpassed that fear...Don’t ever let it hold you back from being everything you want to be...”

Bocchi gasped as Korogaru flashed, her light flowing into her. The others stiffened, but they kept their weapons down.

“Don’t stop making music. Don’t stop crying out to the world...Take my music if you need to...Put it to use again...” Korogaru told her. “Everyone can make and play a song...but there’s only one of you, Hitori...so show the world your rock...”

Korogaru disappeared into the air, the last of the light surrounding Bocchi.

“Bocchi the Rock...” Korogaru whispered.

The fog around the group immediately began to clear. The temple finally revealed more of itself, showing that there were dozens of beautiful pink flowers growing across the temple.

Bocchi slowly turned to her friends, finding them staring at her with wide eyes.

Bocchi smiled, her friends crashing into her with some hugs. Bocchi hugged them back tightly.

***

Bocchi, Nijika, Ryo and Kita whirled around a Phantom Wyvern together, landing some slow notes. A large crowd watched, Kessoku Band’s friends at the front.

The group played some more notes before Bocchi flipped to the front and rushed toward the Wyvern, exchanging some slow blows with it while dodging its attacks.

“Nakitai...kimochi wa...Itsuno manika hitsunde...” Bocchi sang softly. “Ubugoe no you...ni hibiita...”

The group avoided some more strikes, Bocchi continuing with her music.

But as the concert went on, Bocchi thought back to the time following her music returning to her. 

My music is really back...We tested it...and it’s like it never left. Korogaru took good care of it... 

Soon after Bocchi had gotten her music back, the group rejoiced in Starry, Seika and PA amazed by the revelation.

I...I was ready to lose my music. I really was...I hit her with everything I had...That’s the only reason I got it back...

Bocchi revealed the news to the FOLT bands, Kikuri laughing as she gave her a big hug. Yoyoko, meanwhile, beat her up for causing all the trouble, trying to hide some tears in her eyes as she did.

I’m...I’m so happy...I can keep playing...and I can help my friends...Not much has to change after all...

Miyako, HAL and Poison let out some deep breaths as Bocchi told them the news. HAL asked if they were finally up for making a video after all this time, the group...still saying they weren’t quite ready.

I...I’m so happy I have my music back...but that doesn’t change that I have some work to do on myself.

The group spoke with Ame and Warabi, Ame falling over as Bocchi admitted that she still wouldn’t play music for...a little while at least.

I got too focused on music. Afraid of everything else...There’s so much more I could have done with my time...And I know I would be a better person if I was brave enough to do more before.

Bocchi spoke with her bandmates outside of Starry, the trio reassuring her that she was fine to take a break. They all needed one after the chaos of the last month.

But I’m braver now! I want to do more! E-Even if it means I need to wait to do my favorite thing...it’s all right. It’s always going to be there...They’re always going to be there for me.

Nijika, Ryo and Kita hugged Bocchi again, Bocchi hugging them back. The trio laughed as they thought about how Bocchi never hugged them before.

There’s so many people cheering for me...It would suck to just focus on nothing but music...I can be much more than that.

Bocchi returned home, telling her family about the news. She was quickly choked by the extremely tight hugs everyone gave her.

So...I’m going to put my sword down for a while...And become a bigger Hitori. Like I’m sure Korogaru would want...So I never become like her...

Back at the concert, Bocchi and the others whirled around the Phantom Wyvern, rapidly dodging its attacks while releasing some slow attacks.

“La, la, la–la-la. La...” Bocchi and the others sang softly, avoiding attacks and blocking for each other.

The crowd stayed silent, but they all watched intently. All of Bocchi’s friends and their allies from the other bands watched, One and Two barely keeping some tears back from the somber song.

“La...La...La...” Bocchi and the others stopped, the others moving away from Bocchi. “La-la-la...”

Bocchi blew through the Phantom Wyvern, ripping it apart. She turned around, her friends moving to her side.

The group didn’t hit any great poses. They simply bowed.

The crowd cheered loudly, Kikuri, Yoyoko, Ame and Bocchi’s family trying to be louder than everyone else.

But...don’t get me wrong... Bocchi smiled as she saw Kita and Nijika move to the front, Ryo taking a quick nap next to her. I’m not going to stop making music! This is my passion! My dream!

Bocchi looked across the crowd, seeing her family, her bandmates’ families, Kikuri and Sick Hack, Yoyoko and Sideros, Ame and Warabi; the Stray Beat trio and Ginjiro; One and Two; Naoki’s bandmates and Seika’s bandmates; Kemonoria, Angel’s Cuticle, and Number Girls.

Students from her school were in the crowd as well, including her new friend. Futari’s class had also come, her old teacher smiling in the crowd.

I...want my dream to be heard, Bocchi thought.

“From an old band and written by a girl who wanted nothing but the world to hear her...” Kita and Nijika threw their hands up, Bocchi and Ryo doing the same behind them.

“SEISYUN COMPLEX!” Kessoku Band yelled, the crowd gasping.

A Burst Wyvern spawned behind the quartet and leapt at them. Bocchi whirled around and blocked a strike before bashing it back.

The crowd cheered as the quartet blitzed toward the Burst Wyvern together, Bocchi taking the lead as she prepared to take a wave of attacks.

This is how I want to inspire people! I know there are more people like me who are scared...but who want the world to know they’re there! So I won’t stop playing! Bocchi grinned. The world’s going to hear us!

Bocchi, Nijika, Ryo and Kita caught some attacks from the Burst Wyvern before blowing past it repeatedly. Bocchi finished by striking one of its welts and jumping up, the fire spewing over the crowd.

We’re Kessoku Band! Bocchi thought as she crashed down into the Wyvern, a massive pink shockwave crashing across the area. 

Some yellow, red and blue shockwaves blew across the area, carrying Bocchi’s guitar with their own roaring notes.

And I know...as long as I’m with my friends...and I have all these people who care about me... Bocchi caught an attack without flinching. And as...long as I believe in myself...

The crowd cheered again, Bocchi and her friends exchanging some quick glances and grins.

I know the world will hear me...and more people will rebel! Bocchi brought her sword up before swinging down at the Burst Wyvern’s head as hard as she could. Everyone can overcome their fears...and GET THE WORLD THEY WANT!

And in the far future, a girl just like Hitori strummed down on her guitar, hiding in her closet as she played. She winced as the guitar nipped at her fingers.

The girl sighed, looking over to a picture of her and her friends. She smiled before she began to play again.

💓The End💓