Rewrite Our Love? Too Late-Chapter 100: The Solo and the Confession: Bocchi’s Crescendo

The guitar solo begins.

Bocchi grips her new blue-pink guitar, her fingers gliding across the strings, drawing out a melody that stirs the soul.

Sound waves ripple through the stadium, tangible in their emotional weight.

For most of the audience—ordinary listeners, not critics—it's not about technical precision. It's about how the music feels.

And this... this feels amazing.

Bocchi herself senses something shifting. Her fingers move more fluidly than ever. Mistakes that once slipped by unnoticed now reveal themselves and vanish in real time.

It's as though someone else—someone more experienced—is playing alongside her.

It's the first time she truly feels it: a connection between her heart and her guitar strings.

If you had to put it into words...

At this moment, Bocchi transcends from "beginner" to master.

Her heart resonates with every note.

As the final chord fades, a long silence stretches across the stadium.

A collective breath held in awe.

Then—

Thunderous applause explodes, loud enough to shake the very dome.

Bocchi wipes her forehead, her chest rising and falling with exhilaration. She looks into the crowd—her eyes lock with his.

Everything else fades.

Only his clapping reaches her ears.

Nijika, still on stage, blinks in disbelief. That solo—so different, so refined—it was astonishing. She gazes at the new guitar in Bocchi's hands.

And finally says what everyone's thinking.

The curtain falls, but the applause continues, like waves refusing to break.

Outside, Yukima Azuma prepares to leave through the back exit with a smile.

"You're not coming to the afterparty?" Hiroi asks, surprised.

"I'm not a band member. Just a spectator," he replies gently.

Though he knows both Hiroi and Seika understand the truth: he's always watching one person in particular.

Backstage, just as Seika and Hiroi step outside—

Bocchi appears.

Running full speed, guitar in hand.

Even the other three Kessoku members trail behind, stunned. Bocchi, who usually hides in the background, is now charging ahead.

She halts, panting, her eyes searching.

Her expression dims.

"Manager... do you know where Azuma-kun went?" she asks, breathless.

Seika and Hiroi share a knowing smile.

"He went that way. You can still catch up," Seika says.

"Run, Bocchi-chan! Hurry!" Hiroi urges.

Bocchi turns, but pauses again.

"I'm sorry... for ditching the celebration..."

Kita waves her off with a grin. "Still apologizing now? Just go!"

Even Ryo gives a rare smile and a nod.

So Bocchi runs.

Through the crowd.

Across the corridor.

Over the grass (apologizing to it in her heart).

Out the school gates.

And there—

She sees him.

Without hesitation, she throws herself into Yukima Azuma's arms.

The world vanishes.

Only he remains.

"Why are you here, Bocchi? Shouldn't you be celebrating?" Azuma asks gently.

"I... I came to return your guitar."

He chuckles. "That guitar is yours now."

Bocchi blinks.

"This was always meant to be a gift," he explains. "That day you stared at it in the shop—I knew then. Your old guitar... your dad said it's ancient. I figured it was time.

"And don't worry—it was your money. The 'dowry,' remember?"

Bocchi's tears fall freely.

Of course—of course the guitar had shown up at just the right moment.

Because of him.

And his quiet, gentle care.

Azuma reaches up and wipes her tears with a tissue.

"Azuma-kun... shall we... go for a walk?" she asks, voice trembling.

"Are you sure about skipping the party?"

"I want to be with Azuma-kun."

He nods and takes her hand.

She grips it tightly.

They walk together through the school path.

A path Bocchi's traveled countless times before.

But today, everything feels new.

The light, the breeze, the sounds—they're all painted in softer hues.

Eventually, they board a train, headed for Ginza.

Even in the crowded train car, Bocchi feels at peace.

They eat cookies, drink bubble tea (Azuma orders for both), and stroll side by side.

At one point, Azuma offers her a taste of his drink.

She sips from his straw, then blushes furiously.

They pass a hair salon.

Bocchi stops.

She removes her iconic hair tie and gives it to Azuma.

"Wow, Bocchi's really brave today," he says, teasing.

"N-Not really!"

They enter.

A simple trim—her bangs adjusted, her face no longer hidden.

When she steps out...

Azuma's breath catches.

"So cute. If I didn't see you for a day, I think I'd go crazy."

"Th-Then... I'll send you a photo every day!"

"Let's make that official."

Evening falls.

A soft breeze plays with her newly cut hair.

"What should we do for dinner?" Azuma asks.

Bocchi doesn't answer.

She stares at him, eyes shining with something unspoken.

He understands.

"Do you have your ID?"

She nods. Thankfully, she brought it—just in case the concert was a disaster and she needed to flee and change her identity.

So Azuma books a suite at a luxury hotel.

They stop by a pharmacy. Azuma goes in alone.

"Just in case," he says calmly.

They check in.

The suite is elegant, almost dreamlike.

Bocchi sits on the bed, nervous.

"I-I don't really know what to do..."

"That's okay. Me neither."

"Maybe we should... take a bath?"

She darts into the shower.

Time passes.

Still no sound.

Azuma turns—

Bocchi peeks out, cheeks red.

"W-Wanna bathe together...?"

"Next time," he says gently.

Water finally begins to run.

When she steps out—wrapped in a pink towel—Azuma is stunned into silence.

He moves to bathe too—

But Bocchi stops him.

"No need... Azuma-kun already smells so nice."

She hugs him.

They fall together onto the bed.

"If you regret this, we can stop right now," Azuma whispers.

Bocchi says nothing.

She only looks at him.

Eyes full of trust.

Eyes full of love.