Disclaimer: "Rent a Girlfriend" belongs to Reiji Miyajima.

Chapter 2: Memory Lane

Sumi smiled at that bittersweet memory. It was the first time she met Kazuya — her closest friend in school. For starters, it wasn't the best meeting. She was, quite literally, all bloodied up when he first saw her.

Although she was in such an ugly state, Kazuya sided with her against the bullies, even though he was outnumbered. He jumped in to protect her.

Sumi looked at the picture that reminded her of the memory: a picture from school camp where she and Kazuya beamed at the camera while holding roasted marshmallows. It was one of their happiest memories together.

She turned the page to her album to look at other pictures, the next one making her flush in slight embarrassment; it was a photo of 9-year old Sumi clinging onto Kazuya's arm in front of the local bakery — a place the two liked to spend time together during the weekends.

Sumi remembered that ever since the incident with the bullies, she had been very clingy with Kazuya. One day, as they walked home from school together, the two noticed they didn't live very far from each other. This made her really happy, and their parents always set playdates for them. The bakery was a place they frequented often. Sumi loved the strawberry cake they served, while Kazuya preferred the cheesecake. Every time, they would have the same thing.

She wondered if the same bakery still served those today. Does the bakery even still exist? Sumi will have to remind herself to stop by for dessert.

Sumi flipped through the pages again. The picture from Kazuya's 12th birthday caught her attention. This one made her giggle because the picture actually had Kazuya tearing up from a gift scarf Sumi gave him on that day. She recalled what he said, while in tears, that he'll treasure it forever.

The next page made her pause. It was a picture of her and Kazuya in traditional clothing. It was during a fireworks festival. Sumi remembered how grand that day was.

Sumi was always very shy, so she never went to any kind of festivals before. However, after making friends with Kazuya, she finally had a good reason to. Her first fireworks festival, with her first and best friend. She'll never forget that day.

It was also the day Kazuya got himself a goldfish.

This memory in particular was a mix of emotions. She remembers, most of all, the hug they shared at the end of the festival. Sumi remembered how warm he felt, how the perfume he used smelled like… and the small feeling from both sides that moments like these should last forever.

"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Kazuya asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes, it is." Sumi answered in a half-whisper.

But all good things come to an end.

The day after the festival, Sumi's mother, recently divorced after her father had enough, told Sumi that she was to remarry with another man and move out to where he was. She tried to reassure Sumi that she can still be distant friends with Kazuya, but Sumi ran out, tears in her eyes.

Mrs. Shinomiya had to call the Kinoshita house to ask for help on Sumi's whereabouts. Kazuya had been the one to pick up, and immediately sought out to look for the pinkette.

Kazuya eventually found Sumi on a bench in front of their favorite bakery. The lamppost barely illuminated the area but the boy can easily spot Sumi amongst the darkness, who was curled up with her knees to her chest.

"My family is moving out." She stated, not even looking up to meet his worried gaze.

Kazuya didn't say anything, as if silently asking her to elaborate.

"My mom is remarrying…" Sumi continued, her tone getting sadder. "We'll have to move to live in the town where my new dad is working."

Kazuya still didn't say anything.

"D-Don't you get it?!" she snapped. Or at least, intended to, but it came out as more of a squeak. "That means… that means… the two of us will h-have to… have to…" her voice failed her as tears began to stream from her eyes.

She looked up to look at the boy who was still silent, but was met with a warm embrace.

"I know… I understand…" Sumi couldn't see his face right now, but she could tell Kazuya was crying too. "We can't be together for much longer… we can't spend time together like this anymore…"

"But… we'll always be friends. Right, Sumi?" He asked, his grip lessening.

"Y-Yes…"

This situation was familiar.

Sumi remembered Kazuya having comforted her this way before. It was when her parents told her that they were getting a divorce.

Just like now, she ran away from home.

Just like now, she was in the warmth of her best friend's arms as she cried into his shoulder.

Back in the present, Sumi closed the album as she noticed a few tears having dropped on the book.

That memory, again, huh?

Sumi, now 19 years old, is faring better than she thought.

After moving, Sumi and Kazuya kept in touch through email.They would send each other interesting stories from time to time, or send pictures that they found fascinating. They would message each other once a day.

However, as they grew, once a day became once a week, and once a week soon turned into months… until they eventually stopped talking as a whole.

Sumi remembered the last conversation they had: Kazuya told her that he was going to attend his grandfather's funeral. He didn't say any more than a few sentences, but his sadness was clearly evident. Sumi thought she'd give him space for a while.

However, as time went by, she found it harder and harder to strike up a conversation with her friend. What should she say? What would he say? Should she let him go first? Did he forget about her already?

No.

Sumi had to bang her head repeatedly on a book to get rid of that last thought. He wouldn't… would he?

She never had these complications before. Actually, she was the one who always starts conversations through email. But why is she getting conflicted and fidgety now? She had no idea.

Except I do. She thought.

Sumi Shinomiya — now Sumi Sakurasawa after her mother's remarriage — has fallen in love with childhood friend Kazuya Kinoshita.

Sumi now lived alone in her own apartment. She's attending college as a first-year student. Her new dad is quite wealthy and he loves his stepdaughter, so he spoiled her a little… Okay, maybe a little too much, but she was grateful for his generosity to get her to move into her own place.

Still the ever shy pinkette as ever, she rarely had friends growing up without Kazuya. Whenever she did, they would only hang out once or twice before losing interest. Except one, but we'll get into her later.

Sumi also got a job before living alone, believe it or not.

Now, college girls would usually get a part-time job at some local convenience store, or work in shifts in a nearby restaurant.

Sumi would freeze before a customer, so scratch the convenience store job. Being a waitress had too much social interaction. She wasn't any good with cooking either. The food was edible, but not passable.

Sumi, with no options left, took the only job that she thought was meant for her…

A job as a… Rental Girlfriend.

Take the customer interaction as a convenience store worker, or the social interaction as a waitress. Put them together, and it's likely nothing compared to the pressure of being rented for your services as a companion.

Maybe it's an exaggeration for most women in that field, but it was only reasonable if it was Sumi "shy-and-can-barely-say-a-few-coherent-words" Sakurasawa.

Still, she settled for that job, hoping it could improve her social skills. That, and Diamond did pay really well. It was the perfect job for her, or so she thinks.

Walking along the city in search of the nearby cafè, Sumi heard a voice call out to her.

"Sumi!"

If it was a client, she would've taken a few seconds to mentally prepare herself before facing them, but this wasn't a client.

"Ms. Chizuru!" Sumi called out to her workplace friend.

Chizuru Mizuhara had been so kind as to teach her the ropes when Sumi first got her job. Ever since then, the two became great friends.

Did she mention Chizuru was the top rental girlfriend choice among the rookies?

"How was the move to your new apartment? Need any help?" Chizuru asked.

"Don't worry, my dad hired a lot of help to get me settled in. I do like my new place." Sumi answered. She was only able to not stutter while talking to close friends.

"That's good. Oh, and I live near your new place, so I'll come and visit sometime, alright?"

"I'd like that."

Sumi and Chizuru chatted as the two entered the cafè. They sat down and ordered.

"So, are you visiting this friend of yours soon?" Chizuru asked, heavy emphasis on friend, seeing how Sumi had an obvious crush on the guy in question.

"C-Chizuru!" Sumi answered, blushing beet red. "... yes, I'm going to surprise him tomorrow instead of today. He lives in his own apartment now, but his grandma gave me the address when I asked. I could totally go to see him right now, but I still have a few clients to go through today."

"I see. Have fun. I hope we don't run into any more creeps today." Chizuru said and both women visibly shuddered.

"True, yesterday's client kept trying to cop a feel. I had to cut the date short and return his money before reporting him to the company. It's safe to say that he's banned from the app now."

"I'm glad, but you'll never know. There may be more like him. Just be careful, alright?"

"C-Chizuru, I think I can handle myself." Sumi said with her best attempt at a serious expression, but her stutter betrayed it.

"You're always adorable when you try to act tough, you know?"

Sumi only pouted.

After going through three more clients (no perverts like last time, fortunately), Sumi heads back to her apartment.

She lays on her bed as her phone chimed, notifying her of the reviews she got from her dates today.

Denki Kurosawa 2:12PM

2.5/5 stars

"She's adorable, but rarely talked during the date. She stared at me a lot, but it felt like she was judging me more than checking me out. It's creepy."

Sakaki Ayumu 3:28PM

3/5 stars

"Stuttered a lot, but I honestly found it cute. She tried her best to seem like a good girlfriend, but it felt like she was trying too hard."

Yuki Hiratsuka 5:01PM

4/5 stars

"I've never had a girlfriend before, but she was so cute and fun to be with. I'd want her as my real girlfriend."

Sumi smiled at the four-star review, but the other two made her wish she wasn't so shy around strangers. She wished she could do better. Although it did intrigue her that some people found her shyness cute. Maybe she can use it to her advantage for the future? She mentally made a note.

Yawning, she closed her email after reaching the end of her unread inbox. She ate the dinner Chizuru gave her earlier, and took a shower.

When she came back, her phone chimed. Rushing to get her phone, she nearly tripped but caught herself. Shrugging, she opened her email and saw it was a request from a new client. She was about to save it for tomorrow because she was too tired (Rental Girlfriend services don't allow late-night dates depending on the person) until she looked at the client's name.

New rental request.

Client name: Kazuya Kinoshita

Sumi's heart skipped a beat.

AN: Next chapter will focus on Kazuya's situation. Thank you for the support. Please leave a review.