Don't Rent A Girlfriend: High School
Chapter V
Disclaimer: I do not own Rent A Girlfriend.
"Cut!"
Chizuru let out a huge sigh of relief while letting out all the exhaustion as she slumped on her chair. This was the first time she could feel how hard it was to act for a professional agency. She wasn't really sure from the director's face whether she did a right job or would just be handed a service charge fee and asked to leave and never show her face again.
However, all her worries were soon washed off, much to her surprise.
"Miss Chizuru, I was hesitant to cast a new actress for the trailer, but glad I did." He spoke excitedly, making her slightly gasp from the praise. "You were like, perfect for our trailer! It's as if you were Lyse herself from the game! Perfect expression, the little things you introduced without being asked for, are you perhaps familiar with the game?"
It was a lot of praise and too little time to process for her but she managed to shake her head.
"I am not much of a gamer, but the script was well written, and didn't leave much room for imagination." She expressed it genuinely. The script was indeed detailed while also having the simplicity of understanding.
"Well, it's settled." The director spoke as he signaled his assistant to bring something.
"You are hired for the entire trailer of our upcoming game." He announced with a smile. "If you agree that is."
Chizuru looked at Umi who gave her a small thumbs up of approval. She smiled at him and nodded.
"I would love to, Sengoku-san."
(Scene Change)
Chizuru sighed, watching her reflection in the mirror. There were a lot of mirrors around the dressing room, giving her a view from every angle.
A knock in the door made her shift her eyes towards the door.
"Chizuru-san, its me Umi."
"Yes, come in, Umi-kun."
She could see him excitedly approach her, while holding a piece of paper.
She didn't have to wait much longer as he handed her the paper as soon as he entered the room.
"Your very first contract." He began. "Do you understand Chizuru-san? You are in the big leagues now."
Chizuru looked at the contract, the agency name, and the finely printed terms and conditions. A sigh of relief left her lips. She wasn't really expecting much from this today when she first entered the premises. She was in a mess, her mind was anywhere but focused.
"Seems like it." She managed to smile at him. "All thanks to you, Umi-kun."
Umi shook his head. "It's completely due to your skills, Chizuru-san." He looked at her briefly before proceeding. "You are just equipped with the perfect combination of looks and acting skills. You could make any script into a hit."
She was deeply touched by his praise, until he decided to speak something dumb.
"Even low quality productions like your first skit."
She looked confused. "W-what?"
"Oh, I am talking about the short film you did as your debut."
He was talking about the movie that Kazuya helped her with.
She looked at him, still trying to process if the person behind that kind smile actually said that.
"Umi-kun... you are joking right?" She didn't know what to say. The movie that she debuted with was her most precious memory with...
She looked down as memories of a certain someone flooded her like an ocean that she managed to forget today until now. His smiling face, his kindness... then she remembered his words from last time.
'You are just a rental.'
...
Her fingers dug in the contract as her shoulder shook.
"I am not trying to be insensitive, Chizuru-san." Umi expressed a worried face. "But the number one rule to be successful in this industry is to know the difference between a good script and a bad one."
...
"While your acting skill can make a bad script into a likable one." He looked at her with a smirk. "A good script will turn into a masterpiece."
She didn't have any words to object to. It was true. But it didn't sit well with her despite how much she wanted to hate on him.
"I get what you are trying to say." She looked at him fiercely. "But Kazuya wrote that script for me. It's the most precious thing for me... s-so... stop badmouthing it."
A sigh left his lips as she looked at him angrily.
He put up his hands in a defensive manner. "Hai, I get it. Wasn't my intention at all. I am truly sorry."
He changed the subject instantly before she could have any more thought about the credibility of his apology.
"By the way, here's your first paycheck." He walked to her and pointed his finger at the contract.
'$10,000.' It read.
She couldn't help but gasp as she looked at him, confused.
"What did I tell you?" He grinned. "You are in the big leagues now."
(Scene Change)
Kazuya fell on his bed tiredly. He had forgotten how hard it was shifting house. Also being out of shape didn't help his poor back when doing some minor lifting of furniture around his new apartment.
He was surprised to be able to find a new house close to the school in such a short time, ultimately scraping his plans to stay in his parents house.
The rent was also just right, albeit slightly more expensive than the previous one, but had twice the size of his cramped room.
"I guess I can put some more stuff in the living room... almost feels like a waste if it's empty." He looked at the living room that was filled with empty boxes of furniture.
"I guess a little cleaning is due... welcome to my new abode." He sighed. "Let's do this."
A knock could be heard and he let out a groan thinking it was probably some clingy neighbor who wanted to greet him. But when he opened the door, his eyes widened.
"M-Mami-chan?"
She smiled, the innocent smile that used to make him all giddy just a few months ago.
"Kazu-kun, are you not thrilled to see me?" She tucked the rim of her shorts, slowly revealing her thigh, inch by inch. "Me standing at your doorsteps, at night, alone. Doesn't it-"
Door closed.
...
She stood there, eyes wide open in shock as she blankly watched the closed door.
"How the heck did you get my address? Creepy."
She could hear him from inside.
She sighed. "Open up, I am joking..."
...
The door slowly opened as he looked at her now not so friendly eyes.
"I wasn't stalking. Pure coincidence." She spoke.
He had no reason to believe her but it didn't matter. He didn't have a reason to be mad at her. Especially when people he thought of so highly were far worse.
"Come in."
She nodded as she stepped in before the door closed behind them.
(Scene Change)
Chizuru walked up the stairs as she made her way towards her apartment, ready to crash on her bed after an exhausting day.
But the open door in Kazuya's apartment made her stop, her heels turning from her room towards the light emitting out of his room.
'What am I doing? I don't care.' She gritted her teeth and was ready to enter her room when she heard noises coming inside from his room. She absentmindedly looked at the room again and this time was met with the sight of their landlady.
'Huh?'
"Oh, long time no see, Chizuru-chan." Mrs Videl greeted her as she approached the elderly lady.
As she walked towards her, she could see the empty room of Kazuya. The only things occupying the room were some cleaning mop and some detergent powder pack.
" ... what are you doing in his room?" She asked.
"Kazuya-kun left early this morning. I was just cleaning for the next tenant. How are things-"
Her mouth parted slightly in response. Then she closed her eyes, swallowing whatever emotion that swelled up inside her.
"I am sorry, I am tired."
She didn't hear the rest, as she slowly turned her heels and walked back to her room.
...
Once she went inside her room, she closed the door. Got changed into her pajamas and went to sleep.
Sleep...
Sleep...
She gave up trying to pretend it didn't bother her. Who was she kidding?
"He... left. Without telling me."
...
Sigh...
"I don't care." She decided.
...
"Dumbass..." She curled up against her pillow. "Baka."
She wanted to call him, yell at him and then yell at him a bit more. But she couldn't.
'It's not my fault.' She reminded herself. 'It's his fault...'
She tried to convince herself that, but yet something just didn't feel right.
'I am just a rental... that's all. He doesn't care about me.'
...
She clutched against her pillow, her eyes blurring with tears but she didn't let them out. She wanted to be strong.
'What is wrong with me? Why am I crying for that idiot every night.' She didn't understand one bit. 'What should I do... should I call him?'
'You are just a rental.' His exact words stung her every time she remembered.
'No. Why should I care when he doesn't care...'
...
'Stupid Kazuya. I hope you get hit by a truck!'
...
'M-maybe a bicycle... yes that's right.'
...
'I need to see him... now.' She took out her phone and dialed his number after a moment of hesitation.
Each ring made her heart beat faster as thousands of thoughts ran through her mind. Was he going to pick it? Did he care enough to talk to her? What is she going to say if he did pick it? What if-
"Hello Chizu-chan."
Her eyes widened, shocked sure. But she felt something more for the first time.
Betrayed.
"Its over isn't it? Can you stop calling him? It's best for both of us. Goodbye. Beeep..."
She looked at the number once again, hoping she had somehow called the wrong number. But it wasn't.
...
She laid on her back, staring at the ceiling with her arm resting against her forehead.
'Ah... it's just right. It had always been her.' She tried really hard to not cry but she couldn't stop.
'I should be happy. That's what I wanted. That's what he wanted.' She reminded herself.
'This should make everyone happy. Kazuya... me...' She gritted her teeth in frustration.
"What is wrong with me!" She screamed out loud, not caring about anything.
...
She let out a deep breath before falling back on the bed.
'I should be happy... The one who can make him happy is not me... I am just a rental... it was always meant to be Mami-san.'
To be continued...