"Sorry What!?"
A man in a black suit is talking to a tall dark haired young man.
"As per your father's last will, you can only get your family's fortune when...first you need to be at the age of 21 which you are now and second you need to be married"
The boy was shocked, he has no idea that he can only claim his family's fortune by accomplishing these weird conditions. Man, What a drag. His parents died during a car crash when he was 19 years old. Sure, he has enough money to survive but not until he graduated from college. Shikamaru is a scholar at Konoha University so he doesn't have any problems paying his tuition also his school offers him to become a part-time student assistant and tutor where he received a monthly salary. After he graduated from college, his life has been hell. He did some internships but barely survives on his monthly payments for food, apartments, and so on.
"Do you have any questions, Mr. Nara?"
"Wait..Hold on, I'm still processing all of this"
"Please reach out to me once you get married and we will talk about your parent's will"
This is not happening! I doubt that my father solely planned this, my mom...I bet my mom put the "married" condition in that damn paper. This is too troublesome.
Shikamaru gave a firm handshake to the man and lead him outside. He breathes heavily and put his composure back. Shikamaru starts thinking of different possible solutions...he failed so he called his best friend Choji to have dinner with him. They usually go to their favorite barbecue restaurant with Ino but she is out of town with his boyfriend Sai.
"Are you okay Shikamaru?" Choji worriedly asked
"I am not. Sigh I wasn't able to get the assets from my parent's will"
"Wait, why? You're their only son, you have all the rights to that..unless there's another son? daughter?"
"No...no..no...it's complicated...hmm, they put some weird conditions in there"
"What's their condition?"
"I need to be 21 years old which I am now and should be married...before getting my fortune"
"That's not weird, I mean it's time for you to find someone you can be with for the rest of your life"
"Tch...What do you know about it?"
"Excuse me, I have a girlfriend and you do not have"
"Girlfriend? How come I did not know this" Shikamaru is shocked about the revelation of his best friend.
"She said yes to me this morning and I'm definitely gonna marry her"
"What? Who is she?"
Choji shows his most genuine smile and a tint of red appears on his cheeks, he looked at the ceiling like he's imagining something fluffy. The boy is in love.
"Karui...Her name is Karui. She's the new girl in our building, her room is next to mine. The first time I met her, she offers me food which she cooked by the way. Man, her foods are soo good"
Damn, this is the first time I saw him like this and he acts like he's the main character in a romantic movie. Weird.
"Oh okay. Well, I'm happy for you buddy. Hey, don't forget to invite us to your wedding"
"Ofcourse, you'll be my best man"
The two finished their dinner and walked out of the restaurant. Shikamaru is still bothered about his parents' will and he wanted to spend his night anywhere other than his apartment which reminds him of the discussion earlier.
"Say, Shikamaru... I was about to get my girlfriend now and head this way. Her shift just ends and I'll walk with her to our apartment. Do you like to come? So you could also meet her"
"Sure"
-0o0o0o0-
"Hi Temari, I'm Karui and I'll show you around"
A sandy blonde girl extends her arm for a handshake. It's her first day as a servant in one of the Rent-A-Girlfriend services in Konoha. This kind of business is booming in the city. The place is owned by Jiraiya and is called Icha Paradise: Rent-A-Girlfriend. The place sounds sketchy but they hold strict rules for both clients/customers and the girls who will provide the service in order to protect both of them. The girls are limited only to being a company to the customers, if anything, the customers must have their consent in doing anything other than the rules provided. They did not have any problems with the customers at all and the girls are very much professional in their work. The tips are pretty generous as well, more than what they're paid per hour.
Temari Subaku migrated from Suna City to Konoha City. She's the daughter of Subaku Corporation and one of the heirs to the company. After her fight with her dad Rasa, she left Suna and promised to never return. She has 2 brothers Kankuro and Gaara, and she both loves them with all of her heart. Her brothers know where she is except her father who is looking for her. After her mother died, her father changed and become more controlling with them. She misses her mom so badly. After arriving in Konoha she looks for a job, she currently works part-time as an administrator in a hospital in the morning and as part-time in Icha Paradise at night. She wanted to prove that can survive on her own.
A couple of months ago, in Suna, her boyfriend encountered one of the gangs in the city. He was captured and the gang requested ransom money. She begs in front of her father and asked for money to pay for the ransom but her father rejects it. The next morning, her boyfriend was killed. He owes a lot of money to the gang, which she still pays now. The reason why she works two jobs.
Karui showed her the different areas in the place, the bathroom, locker room, food storage, place where you can eat, watch TV, and all. Karui is supervising the place and was not hired to be one of the girlfriends. She only does paper works and assists the girls around the Icha Paradise.
"Alright, we're done with the tour. That's all, do have any questions?" Karui smiled at her
"No, I'm okay. Thank you for the tour...so, what do I need to do?"
"Just stay here and be pretty. Oh! and read these, all of the instructions, guides, and all you need to do under Icha paradise" Karui hands her the manual.
"Okay great!"
"Actually, my shift will end in 5 minutes so if you have any questions just text me on my number or you could ask the other girl in the register"
"Alright, got it"
Choji and Shikamaru walked their way to the unfamiliar side of the city. The place is full of bright lights and loud music. They reached Icha Paradise, it's a big place with a second floor and the interior is modern and posh. Shikamaru caught his attention when he saw the tag "Rent-A-Girlfriend", suddenly some brain wires of his just connected. He turns to his side where Choji is and cupped his face.
"Choji! Do you know what I'm thinking!?"
"What?"
He pointed to the store name and told him "I think I'll be able to get my money!"
"Huh? What?"
"Rent-A-Girlfriend" Shikamaru emphasized
"And?"
"Sigh~~Look, I think I can rent someone to be my girlfriend? Then ask her to fake some marriage?"
"What? How did you come up with that? Besides, they will accompany you for only a day"
"Yeah, I know but, see—by seeing the word rent I immediately thought of faking a marriage. Rent means borrowing right with pay ofcourse. How about borrowing them for marriage, let's say for a year or so, we can file a divorce after. Then I can get my fortune"
"Oh wow, wait and who would agree to that?"
"Well, I just-"
Before Shikamaru continue his explanation, they heard a female voice speaks in front of Icha Paradise.
"Honey! I miss you" Karui happily runs to Choji and hugs him.
"I miss you too Honey" Choji place a quick kiss on Karui which makes Shikamaru stunned.
"And who is this?" Karui pointed her finger at Shikamaru
"Oh right, Honey meet my bestfriend Shikamaru" Shikamaru extends his hand to shake her hands.
"Finally in flesh, and where's Ino? Your other friend?"
"She's not here, Ino is having a vacation with her boyfriend" Choji replied
"Wow, I envy her right now. I think a relaxing vacation with you will be fun" Karui teases Choji which makes Shikamaru more uncomfortable. He feels like he did not exist in there at all. A third wheel.
Before they make out in front of him, he asks Karui about the Icha Paradise.
"Uhm, Karui...This place? How do you rent-a-uhm?"
"Oh, do you like to rent a girlfriend tonight?"
Shikamaru looked at Choji nervously, he did not know how renting a girlfriend thing worked but his mind has one goal. To get his fortune.
"Uhmm yeah, for tonight"
"Alright, there's a girl in front. The blonde one, asks her and requests a service. But you can choose any if you want, I think she's the only one available today. Sorry I cannot assist you further, my shift just ended"
"Oh no, it's okay. I'll go there, just go home you two"
"That's great! Thank you, Shikamaru. Bye for now" Karui waved to him and hugs Choji.
Choji winked at him "Bye Shikamaru!"