Rent a Girlfriend: Overworked (Short Story) Part 1

Characters:

Kazuya Kinoshita

Chizuru Mizuhara

Mami Nanami

Ruka Sarashina

Sumi Sakurasawa

Nagomi Kinoshita

Yoshiaki Kibe

Shun Kuribayashi

Sayuri Ichinose

The Problems and Solutions:

It was not that Kazuya did not have other obligations. Such as Classes, Homework Assignments and his Job at the Karaoke Cafe. But he had promised Chizuru that he could make it possible for her to do a Crowdfunding Movie and if it killed him he would keep that promise. To complete everything needed he had to still conduct a lot of research. Then there was all the required paperwork and of course try to line up some Investors or find some way to actually come up with the two or so Million Yen needed. He had discovered that Investors who would Invest into Crowdfunding Movies generally only did so if only it was proven that the Movie actually would show any potential. If it did and after it was completed. Then those same Investors would submit the idea and even the Movie to several Major Film Studios in hopes that it would be accepted and bought. Sometimes though rare, the Actors or Actresses were Called in to do an Audition for that same Movie if it was accepted and remade. That was what he was hoping would happen. That Chizuru would go from doing a no profit unpaid Crowdfunding Movie Main Character to doing a Real one that paid her. He could not remember the last time he had actually slept more then three hours. So as he waited for his eyes to be able to focus on what was on the Screen of his Laptop. When that did not happen he first slapped his face and then rubbed his face with both of his hands in an attempt to reenergize himself. When it didn't work he stood and headed to the Bathroom to take a quick shower in hopes that with the now brewing coffee would give him the ability to keep working.

Later that day, he drank some Redbull and was able to be somewhat be awake at Work. Kazuya still had problems concentrating fully on work. Which he could easily tell concerned Ruka. She even mentioned it a couple of times and he simply told her that he had not slept much in the past couple of days. Unknown to him, Ruka called Chizuru and basically told on him. Though she also blamed Chizuru for what he was going through. Later and after work, he stumbled his way back towards home. "I am so tired. So so tired." He muttered mostly to himself as he finally sat down on a nearby bench in hopes that he would gain enough energy to make it home. Then slumped and dozed off. That was when Chizuru found him.

Returning from another Audition, Chizuru got a less then pleasant phone call from Ruka. Which made her decide that she needed to talk to Kazuya. So she made her way to where he worked with the intent of confronting him. Only to find him dozing on a Bench. First she touched his shoulder and tried to get him to wake up. But that did not work. He was completely out of it. She then sat down and gently lowered his head down onto her lap. "You are such an idiot." She muttered as she smiled. She ran her right hand fingers through his hair and shook her head. "You Idiot...Why are you killing yourself trying to get that Crowdfunding Movie done?" But she already knew why he was doing this and it was not entirely for her Grandmothers benefit. No. It was because he was in love with her and would do just about anything to make her happy. She then remembered what she had asked her Grandmother. She had no idea what Romantic Love felt like. How it felt to be in love? Oh she knew all about Love. But she never really felt it herself for anyone. She had not felt anything for any of her Present or Past Clients. Though with him, she did have some conflicting feelings that really confused her. Even now she was confused.

Clarity: Two Weeks ago

"Grandma...What does it feel like to be in Love?" Chizuru asked her Grandmother and the elder woman started to laugh. Then got all serious.

"Chizuru that is not an easy question to answer. It is something that you need to discover yourself to know if you are actually in love with Kazuya. Let me ask you something? Do you know in your heart that he does love you? Do you believe he loves you?" Sayuri asked her and Chizuru thought for a minute then nodded.

"Yes I am certain he does. That is the problem. He certainly loves me but I have no idea if I...Well if I feel the same for him." Chizuru admitted and Sayuri chuckled in delight.

"Let me ask you something else. How would you feel if he suddenly he left you? What if he just stopped loving you? How would you feel about that?" Sayuri asked and Chizuru inhaled softly. Almost imagining the point where he gave up on her and decided to fully pursue Ruka or Sumi. Could she handle that? She doubted it. As much as she put on an act of keeping him at arms length. Where he was just another Client. She found it extremely difficult to imagine him not being there for her. She knew that all she had to do was either leave a note or throw a wood chip at his balcony door and he was there for her regardless of anything else. She liked looking into his eyes and seeing that he cared deeply for her. That he was in fact in love with her. It made it easier to deal with all of the hardships in her life. Because he would be there if she needed him. She could not count how many times she had used him as a way to keep Men from continually hitting on her. By simply claiming she had a boyfriend and his name was Kazuya.

"I would hate it." Chizuru admitted and Sayuri smiled again.

"Then how about this? You are not sure you do love him. But he does love you. How about if you two get married and then go from there?" Sayuri suggested and Chizuru gasped.

"Grandma! We are not ready to do that yet! Especially since I am so unsure how I do feel about him." Chizuru then realized that once again her Grandmother was teasing her.

The Present:

Reaching upwards with her left hand, Chizuru pulled the thin Gold Necklace out of her blouse and looked at the Ring that Kazuya's Grandmother Nagomi had given her. She had tried it on several times and it fit her finger perfectly. In more ways then one. Closing her eyes, she had considered a day ago to put it on and then tell her Grandmother that she and Kazuya were considering taking that step. The big step. Just to make her Grandmother happy. But then knew that her Grandmother would immediately contact his and at that point there would be a new series of problems. Putting the ring back inside her shirt. She looked down to see that his eyes began to flutter and he began to wake up. His eyes widened in shock when he realized where he was and where his head happened to be.

"What? How? Why?" Kazuya blurted out in panic and shock. He started to sit up. But before he could she placed a restraining left hand onto his right shoulder holding him down.

"Stay there for a few more minutes until you are fully wake up." Chizuru told him and he was about to say that the shock of what is happening was more then enough to wake him up. But before he could. "I also want to talk to you...Or rather I will talk and you will listen!" She said sternly and he swallowed heavily. Suspecting whatever it was that she wanted to talk to him about. He was in some type of trouble. She took a deep breath and glared down at him. "Tell me something...How much sleep have you been getting since last week?" She already knew the answer but she wanted to make a point.

"Enough." Kazuya said and Chizuru shook her head.

"You can say that after I found you passed out on a bench. So how much are you getting?" Chizuru asked again this time even more sternly.

"Maybe three hours a night." Kazuya said softly then winced when she plunked him in the middle of his forehead with her right index finger.

"You idiot!" Chizuru growled in frustration. "You need a lot more sleep then that...You..You...Idiot!" She plunked him again for good measure and her own satisfaction. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "Now I know you promised to do the Crowdfunding Movie for me and I appreciate what you are doing. But you can't kill yourself to get it done." She let him get up and she could tell from his expression that he really did not want to and in truth she did not want him to either. "This is nice. I guess when we become a real couple someday. I am going to let him lay his head on my lap a lot. WAIT! Why did I just think that? NO! NO! No! That is not happening!" She thought shaking her head back and forth vigorously. Catching his attention. She decided to play it off and try not to think about what she just thought about. "Okay. Let's head home. I am making you dinner tonight and then you are going to go to bed. No working! Understand?" He nodded and after taking his right hand in her left she walked with him back to their Apartment Building. Finding it once more extremely better then when she held one of her Client's hands. It felt more natural and that made her again deny what she was feeling.

After they ate in his Apartment, Chizuru ordered him to go lie down while she cleaned the dishes. As she finished she glanced over and noticed that he was basically dead to the world. Kazuya had passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow. She smiled and walked over and knelt besides him. "Idiot!" She muttered as she tucked him in and under an unknown impulse she leaned down and kissed him lightly on the forehead. "You are such an Idiot." She muttered again not sure if she meant him or herself. With that she quickly left and before closing his door. She turned off his lights and went back to her own Apartment. Leaning back against her door. "Why did I do that?" She asked herself. "Why did I kiss him on the forehead? If he had awoken...How would I explain why I did that?" With that she shook her head and went to get ready for bed herself. After all she had an early booked Date for tomorrow and she had to be able to give it her full attention. As she laid down, she bolted back upwards. "Oh no! I forgot to wipe off...I kissed his forehead and forgot to wipe off the lipstick!" She gasped and knew now it was pointless to even try since she had locked his door on the way out. Her only hope was that during the night as he slept he moved around enough to wipe it off himself.

Near Noon, Chizuru with a lot of reluctance rang Kazuya's door buzzer. After several minutes she rang it again. She had not heard anything from his Apartment in the last 16 hours so she decided to make sure he was still alive. As she waited for him to answer, she then overheard him within his Apartment loudly stumble to the door and open it. He looked out at her blurry eyed and from what she could easily tell he probably had slept the last 16 hours straight through. "Who's there?" He asked tiredly rubbing his face with his hands and at the same time wincing from the brightness caused by the sun. Then realized who was it that was at his door. "Oh sorry Mizuhara...I just woke up." He said and Chizuru smiled.

"I can tell. Do you feel better now?" Chizuru asked and he slowly nodded.

"I guess I do. I was more tired then I thought. Can't remember the last time I slept over 16 hours." Kazuya said and Chizuru took a good look at him.

"Okay...Go take a shower. Shave and get dressed. I am taking you out to Dinner in about an hour. By the way don't read anything into this." Chizuru told him and then went to her own Apartment to get ready as well.

Completion:

For a several moments, Kazuya could hardly believe that it was over. The Crowdfunding Movie that he had spent a good amount of time and effort to complete was done and it just finished playing in the Rented Movie Theater. The Audience consisted of just about everyone that he and Chizuru knew. Which included all the students of her Acting School and a couple of the Instructors from that same School. There were also the two Producers that had invested the Money. Who at the end of the Screening seemed to be extremely pleased. The most important person to watch the Movie was Chizuru's Grandmother Sayuri. Who sat in a Wheelchair right next to Nagomi on one side of the isle and Chizuru on the other. While he sat one seat away from Chizuru. He sighed with relief. The Movie was done. He had been able to do it and that meant he had been able to do what he had promised Chizuru. All in all though he was exhausted. Mentally and physically exhausted. "I do not care how much I am in love with Chizuru...I am never doing something like this ever again." He said and then realized that he had actually said that out loud and Chizuru was sitting only a few feet from him. He looked over at her hoping that she had not overheard him. Though at the moment she was talking intently to one of her Instructors from her Acting School. So he believed she had not.

"He actually said that! I heard him say that! I heard him say that he...That he was in love with me! Of course I already knew that! But to hear him say it! Got to pretend that I am still talking to Mister Aiwazaka...Otherwise Kazuya will know I overheard him." Chizuru thought as she listened halfheartedly to Aiwazaka. Barely paying any attention to what the elder man was saying. Her mind was more focused on what Kazuya had said as she felt her heart pound hard in her chest. The movie had made her feel happy. Happy that her Grandmother got to see her on the Big Screen. But to hear that Kazuya actually say that he was in love with her out loud. Made her so delighted that she wanted to stand up and cheer.

Back at the Hospital, Chizuru knew her Grandmother was worn out. She could tell by how weakly her Grandmother seemed to almost slump onto the Hospital Bed. The doctor who had come in right after they had come back was of course upset. Claiming that the Elder Woman had overdone it and now needed to rest. Leaving right after he voiced his concerns. Her Grandmother looked over at her and smirked. "Oh don't fret about him." Sayuri said with a small chuckle. "I am actually feeling a lot better then I probably look. Especially after seeing you on the big screen in that Movie." Chizuru smiled and sat down next to her Grandmother in a chair.

"Still Grandma you need to take it easy. If I had known that you would be this worn out...I would..." Before Chizuru could continue her Grandmother shook her head.

"None of that. I would not have missed it for the world. You know Kazuya must really love you to do all that for you and for me." Sayuri said and Chizuru inhaled softly thinking again at what she had overheard. She smiled at her Grandmother.

"He does." Chizuru softly said and Sayuri chuckled again.

"Question I have Chizuru dear...Do you love him too?" Sayuri suddenly asked seriously and Chizuru inwardly panicked. Wondering if she could say that she did. Even if it was a half lie. To actually say it out loud was not something she would normally say. After several silent moments, she slowly nodded.

"I...I do...Grandma...I...I love...I love him so much for what he did for me." Chizuru said softly and Sayuri smiled again.

"That is good. It makes me relieved that you will not be alone. That he will be there for you." Sayuri then eased more against her pillow and closed her eyes. "Though I would have loved to be there for when you two...Get Married. Maybe even be around when you two have your first Child. Guess I will have to hold on until then won't I." She said and then drifted off to sleep with a small smile on her face. Chizuru reached into the top of her shirt and lightly touched the Ring that hung there. Again tempted to tell her Grandmother that she and Kazuya were engaged. Perhaps give her Grandmother that spark of hope to motivate her Grandmother to live on. Then she lost her nerve and tucked the ring back deeper within her shirt.

Back at home, Chizuru paused near Kazuya's door. Especially since it was open. Peering in she saw him stretched out on his Futon and from what she could tell he was asleep. She shook her head. "Idiot!" She whispered and reached in to shut the door. "I need to really thank him later for doing this for me and for my Grandma." Her mind drifted again to what she had overheard and what her Grandmother had asked her. About her being in love with him. "How is it even possible that I am?" She asked herself and then closed the door.

Twenty Three Days after Poolside Confession:

Pulling herself closer to the warm body that laid next to her on her Futon. Chizuru sighed as she moved her head onto his, hugging him even tighter against her. Which caused her Boyfriend to awaken and his whole body stiffened and she knew why. It was because her pajama covered chest was now pressed against his back. "Uhm...Chizuru...Are you trying...to kill me?" Kazuya nervously and anxiously asked. She giggled and rubbed her chest somewhat on his shirt covered back.

"You cannot tell me that you do not like this." Chizuru sultry whispered into his right ear. Then to tease him even more. She licked and then kissed his ear. Causing him to convulse. It took him several moments to relax enough to calm down.

"I...I am not answering that...Due to that I would be incriminating myself. But...Please stop that." Kazuya begged and Chizuru smiled mischievously.

"Oh come on...I like this...It feels really comfortable." Chizuru said and Kazuya was not about to admit that it did. He at the moment was having trouble keeping a certain digit from making an appearance and to not completely meltdown over having those two wonderful objects pressed against his back. To keep himself from becoming a stammering idiot. He quickly said the first coherent and non-perverted thing he could think of.

"Who would have guessed that you are a Cuddler." Kazuya said and Chizuru tightened her grip on him. Illustrating that she was just that. She liked to cuddle and snuggle with him. Even if they had not gone all the way yet. She liked to have him in bed with her. To sleep with her at night and be there so she could hold her boyfriend through the night.

"Yes I am. Now that I have someone that I can cuddle with." Chizuru admitted sighing deeply with contentment. "I could stay like this all day." But she knew that was not going to happen. For one in about another two hours, his Grandmother and his Mother were coming to take her shopping. She could already guess during the so called shopping. It was what the two Elder Kinoshita's always wanted to talk about. When she and Kazuya were going to use and wear that Ring that Nagomi had given her a few months ago. Then there would be the discussion about when the two of them were going to have a couple of babies.

"Oh that is right. You are going shopping with Grans and my Mom." Kazuya smirked widely and Chizuru pouted. "Better you then me. All they are going to do is ask about...Well us and when we are going to...Man I am really glad it is you and not me." He said and Chizuru's pout turned into a small scowl.

"Thanks a lot." Chizuru grumbled and let out a deep sighing breath. She smiled. "I should make you come along...Claim to them we could have you carry all the shopping bags." She said wanting him to be subjected to what was going to happen as well. Make him spend that time trying to convince his Mother and Grandmother that they were not to that point yet in their relationship.

"Won't work. They both want to talk to you alone without me there." Kazuya said smiling broadly and Chizuru reached down to pinch his right forearm. "Ouch! What was that for?" He asked already knowing why she had done that.

"You are way too pleased with not having to deal with Grandma Nagomi and Mother Harumi." Chizuru said and then let out another deep sigh. Wanting to complain some more about what she had to endure being his Girlfriend. She did like or rather love this. Having a real boyfriend. Someone that loved her and that she loved in return. Since they became a couple, they had spent the night together a total of nine times. Though before they became a couple she had spent a night with him like this one time. She thought back to when it had happened. A month during when they were making the Crowdfunding Movie. At the time Kazuya had told her that he needed to take a break and go away for the weekend. To recharge himself. But right after he left an issue had arisen. The Rented Theater wanted to cancel due to someone else wanted to rent the Theater during the Screening. Since Kazuya had the signed contract. He had to deal with the Manager of the Theater. So she went to find him.

The Campsite: Past

Getting the location and directions from Kazuya's Father. Chizuru could not believe that he had gone Camping. It was not far from home, but it did take at least two hours by Transit Train to reach the nearest Town. Then another with the directions. Another two hours of hiking. As she hiked, down the trail that led to the Campgrounds. She was glad that she had listened to Harumi's suggestion that she dress for the outdoors. Wearing hiking boots, Bluejeans and a sweatshirt along with a hooded jacket. Kept her from getting as wet from the drizzling rain that now came down. "He picks this time of year to go camping. What kind of idiot does that?" She grumbled as she continued onward. Though by the time she reached the Campgrounds she was completely soaked. Then she saw the flickering light of a Campfire ahead of her and she hoped that it was Kazuya and not some other insane nut that came out here Camping during this time of year when it was cold and rainy. When she neared the Campsite she saw that there was a tarp hung about ten feet above the ground attached to four different trees above him and most of the Campsite he was at. He did not notice her until she stepped under the improvised lean two. He stood. "What...What are you doing here?" He asked somewhat shocked and confused as to why she was there.

"There is a problem with the Theater. I would have called you...Why didn't you bring your Cellphone?" Chizuru told him and then shivered slightly. He noticed and beckoned towards her.

"Here sit. Warm up. I will get you a blanket and some hot tea." Kazuya ordered her and Chizuru did not argue or even hesitate. She sat down where he had been and after he tossed some more wood on the small fire. He flopped a blanket around her. Then handed her a metal cup. She sipped it.

"Thanks." Chizuru said as she felt immediately warmer. Then told him about the issue.

"That is no problem. I already knew about that and have already reserved another Theater and already got a refund from that other Theater. So for now...Let me get you...Something dry to wear." Kazuya suggested going over to his backpack and dug into it. Removing sweatpants and a sweatshirt that he was sure she could fit into. He handed them out towards her along with a dry pair of socks. She took them and he gestured towards his Tent.

"Thanks again. I am soaked right down to my..." Chizuru blushed and made her way over to his Tent.

"After you warm up some more...Then I will take you back down to the Town. There is a nice Motel there." Kazuya told her from outside the Tent as she took off her wet clothes. At first she wrung out her Panties and then decided they were too wet to put back on. Her Bra was the same. So she had to go without both until they both dried out. Coming back out in the borrowed Sweatpants and Sweatshirt. She hung her wet clothes over some nearby branches, making sure her underwear was hidden behind the tree so that he would not see them. Coming back to the Fire and after putting the blanket back around her. She sat down in front of the fire. Then glanced out to see that the drizzling Rain had turned into a downpour.

"How can I? It is pouring out there." Chizuru stated gesturing with her right hand towards the rainstorm that was coming down in buckets and Kazuya paled.

"I guess you are right. Okay you go ahead and use the tent and blankets. I will stay out here by the fire. I should be fine." Kazuya said and Chizuru shook her head.

"No...That is not right. I was the one stupid enough to come all the way here with nothing. We...We will share the tent and the Blankets." Chizuru looked at him sternly. "But don't you dare try anything. If you do then I will make you regret even thinking about doing anything."

"Of course I would not try anything." Kazuya quickly said and Chizuru briefly felt annoyed that he said that as quickly as he did. She frowned and then walked over to the tent and after a moment he joined her. With the blankets spread out over a sleeping pad. They both laid down. It took Kazuya over two hours to calm down enough to doze off. Not knowing that Chizuru had the same problem. During the night, she had moved over and put her head on his left shoulder. Pressing herself against him. Near dawn she awoke and realized what she had done. Then quickly moved away from him.

Present:

"That was actually the first time we slept that close together." Chizuru muttered as she turned on the Coffee Maker while Kazuya was in her Bathroom doing whatever he had to do in there. She had already done her morning thing in there and after hearing her Toilet Flush and then the sink run. He came out and smiled warmly at her. "What?" She asked and he gave a soft chuckle

"it is just...This is nice. Us being together like this. I never thought or dreamed that...Well that...I love you Chizuru." Kazuya said and Chizuru smiled stepping closer. She put her forearms over his shoulders and looked up at him.

"I like this too and of course I love you too." Chizuru then kissed him and after a few moments she went to get ready for her Shopping Trip. While Kazuya went back to his own Apartment. An hour or so later Nagomi and Harumi showed up to take her Shopping along with what she knew the real reason for the outing. At that point she threw Kazuya under the bus. Stating that he was the one that was delaying everything from them moving in together to them getting engaged.

End?