Authors note: Just want to mention that one of things that happens in this chapter is from a moment that happens in the manga that hasnt happpened in the anime.
Part 17: A gift for the future
It was now Christmas Day and Kazuya and Chizuru were waiting outside a restaurant wearing coats. They were waiting for Kazuyas parents and grandmother to have lunch together for New Years, "They should be here any minute now," Kazuya said looking at his phone to check the time.
"Well we did get here a few minutes early," Chizuru said before looking at Kazuya, "You did make the reservation right?" She asked.
"Yeah my dad called me yesterday to make sure I did," Kazuya said before sighing.
"Well theres no harm in being sure," a male voice said from ahead of them. The two of them looked ahead to see Kazuyas parents and his grandmother who walked over to Chizuru smiling.
"Happy New Years Chizuru, I'm sorry to hear Sayuri couldn't make it," she said.
"Yeah but she called and told me to tell you happy new year," Chizuru said smiling.
"Well we better get out of the cold, shall we," she said before Kazuya opened the door and they headed into the restaurant.
As the group waited for their food Kazuyas grandmother asked how their Christmas was, "So Kibes got himself a girlfriend now, that's good to hear," Kazuyas grandmother said smiling.
"Yeah she was really shy but Kibe really helped her out," Kazuya said smiling.
"Sounds like the two of you knew her before she met Kibe," Kazuyas mother said making the young couple look nervous. They hadn't revealed Chizurus past job during the time she first met Kazuya was as a rental girlfriend.
"Well Chizuru used to work somewhere else before the karaoke bar and Sumi was there as well," Kazuya said.
"Yeah but we stayed in contact after I left because I noticed how she was acting," Chizuru said smiling hoping they would ask any more questions on it.
"Well that was nice of you to look out for a friend, I hope you didn't sit around at home all day," Kazuyas grandmother said.
"No we actually went out for karaoke with the two of them and some of our other friends," said Kazuya.
"I have to say it was really nice way to spend our first Christmas together as a couple," Chizuru said smiling at Kazuya making him blush.
"How are you feeling about going back to college?" Kazuyas dad asked looking serious.
"Nervous actually, the rehearsals are going to be on some evenings where I have to go in to college before them," Chizuru said.
"Rehearsals, that's right I heard you were going to be in a play," Kazuyas grandmother said smiling.
"Yeah rehearsals are going well and the other actors are really nice," Chizuru said.
"Well I'm sure you'll do great since you've been looking over your lines before bed," Kazuya said smiling.
"That's only because I'm trying to do my best," Chizuru said looking embarrassed before smiling.
"Well I hope your not eating take out most of the time when shes out Kazuya," his mother said looking worried.
"No I'm looking after myself, a lot of the times I go shopping right after work," Kazuya said rubbing the back of his head before their food was brought out. They didn't talk much during dinner but at one point when Chizuru went up to use the bathroom.
"Kazuya," his grandmother said getting his attention. He looked confused wondering what she wanted before he noticed her put a small red box on the table.
"What is this?" He asked before picking it up.
"Something I want you to give Chizuru when your ready," she said before Kazuya looked surprised to see an engagement ring. Kazuya let out a breath when he noticed something familiar about it.
"But grandma isn't this your," he said before she held up a hand to stop him.
"I gave this to your mother but we both decided to give it to Chizuru," she said.
"That's right," his mother said. Confirming the ring in the box was his grandmothers engagement ring.
"But me and Chizuru haven't even been together for half a year yet," Kazuya said looking at the box.
"I said when your ready," Kazuyas grandmother said calmly. "I also told Sayuri about it before today and shed be happy to see that ring on Chizurus finger one day," she said making Kazuya look surprised.
"I see," Kazuya said, "Its not like I haven't thought about spending my future together with her," he thought remembering what Chizuru said to him at the end of Christmas Day.
"Are you doing okay for money?" Kazuyas dad asked as he got a drink.
"Yeah were doing just fine," Kazuya said, "Honestly thought I'm starring to think shes earning more then me doing the voice acting for that game company," he said.
"Kazuya I'm not telling you to propose right away, but I can tell Chizuru means a lot to you," his grandmother said before smiling, "When you told me you fell in love with that girl I knew that you meant it," she said.
"Thanks grandma," said Kazuya before closing the box, "I really appreciate this," he said.
"Just make sure you don't take too long, I would like to see your wedding," she said.
"See what?" Chizuru asked as she walked over to the table and Kazuya quickly put the box in his pocket.
"We were talking about different apartments for the two of you, the place your staying in now must be starting to look small," Kazuyas father said calmly.
"Really," Chizuru said looking surprised.
"I think it's a great idea," Kazuya said joining in on the conversation quickly. "This way you wont have to limit on the size of the tv we can get," he said smiling.
"Well then okay if your sure," Chizuru said looking confused.
"It could be also good for the two of you, I know you both chose that apartment building but this is a place you'll be choosing to live together," Kazuyas mother said smiling.
"Ill hope you'll let me see this place as well," Kazuyas grandmother said looking serious.
"Well I guess it does sound fun, lets start looking when we have time off after were back in college," Chizuru said looking at Kazuya.
"Yeah sure," Kazuya said making sure the box was secure in his pocket. Later at night while Chizuru was in the shower Kazuya was standing outside on the balcony talking to Kibe on his phone as he told him about what happened at the restaurant.
"Wow that's a lot man, you tell Kuri about this yet?" Kibe asked.
"No thought I would tell you first," Kazuya said.
"Well its not like I don't understand what your grandmother was saying to you, after Mami dumped you, you were really down," Kibe said. "Thinking back on it, its almost as bad as how Kuri felt after what happened with Ruka," he said.
"Yeah the only times I ever felt better after that was when I was hanging out with Chizuru," Kazuya said before sighing.
"Yeah then you were much better after the two of you started dating," Kibe said, "Ill tell you the truth I felt relieved when Sumi told me she had feelings for me too," he said.
"I just need more time, Chizuru has enough going on a the moment as it is," Kazuya said.
"Her acting?" Kibe asked.
"Yeah, maybe ill think about it more after the play," Kazuya said before noticing the bathroom door open. "Gotta go, see you in a few days," he said.
"Got it, tell Chizuru I said hi," Kibe said happily.
"Yeah, say the same to Sumi for me," Kazuya said smiling before ending the call and going inside.
A few months later
In a large theatre with all of the seats occupied. Behind the curtains on the stage all the actors were getting ready. Chizuru in her costume was looking at her phone with a smile on her face. It was from Christmas Day when all of the group was sitting together. She looked at herself and Kazuya who had his arm around her shoulder as the two of them smiled.
"Alright everyone its almost showtime so lets get this done," the director said walking in. The cast cheered before they started getting into place. Chizuru put her phone away before taking a breath.
"You ready to go Chizuru?" The director asked walking over to her.
"Yes I'm ready to go," Chizuru said looking determined.
"Thats good to hear, you got quiet the crowd waiting for you out there," he said smiling.
"Well they did all want to know when tickets were available," she said looking nervous.
"Well youve worked hard today to reach today, good luck," he said before walking outside. Chizuru looked outside the curtain knowing Kazuya, his family and her grandmother waiting to see her. Along with their friends including Kibe, Sumi, Kuri and Ruka.