Little one-shot focusing on Kazuya and Sumi. Have wanted to do something like this for a while. Finally gotten around to it. Hope you like it. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Rent-a-Girlfriend.

"Oh, Mizuhara."

Kazuya gazed down gloomily as he sat at the edge of the park's large lake.

As the surface of the water rippled, the young boy thought he could see it forming an image. He clutched his chest to steady the pain creeping through it. It was an image that was capable of filling his heart with both warmth and pain.

Though he knew it was only in his imagination, Kazuya watched as on the surface of the lake appeared the beautiful smiling face of Chizuru Mizuhara.

"I love you…"

The words came out of the boy's lips in a soft whisper. He meant all three of them. He had fallen in love with the beautiful young actress who had come into his life over a year ago. He highly relished his opportunities to rent her out, taking her on dates and playing the role of his girlfriend. As long as he paid her upfront for each booking, she was all his to do with exactly as he wished.

And yet, Kazuya couldn't help but feel bad for dragging the young beauty into his life.

Ever since they had begun their charade of being a couple, he had dragged her into a lot of trouble and chaos.

Renting an actress to play the role of his girlfriend had not come without its problems. There were certainly plenty to behold whenever Kazuya's family and friends were around. Claiming that Chizuru was his significant other had resulted in a whole series of drama - all of which she had been dragged into.

Kazuya felt terrible for getting the pretty young lady caught up into the issues he caused. It was usually Chizuru who had to bail the pair of them out. He admired her for being so quick-witted and smart - as well as everything else which he was not.

It was one of many reasons the boy hated himself.

"I'm sorry…"

A tear escaped Kazuya's eye. It hit the surface of the lake, causing the image of Chizuru to ripple away. Certain that no one was around to see him cry, Kazuya let the soft whimpers escape him…

…not knowing that someone was standing behind him a few feet away, witnessing what he was going through and hearing every word he said.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I cause you, Mizuhara," he whimpered. "It's no wonder you always get irked and annoyed by me. I'm just a walking disaster who causes nothing but chaos everywhere I go."

The tears continued to leak out of Kazuya's eyes to fall into the lake. He sobbed quietly, having no idea of the person behind him who was picking up the self-hatred he was expressing.

"There's no way you would ever wanna be with me, rental girlfriend or not," he said in a broken voice. "Why would you love me? Why would any girl love me? I'm just a loser."

Kazuya lifted his arm to his eyes. He was just wiping the tears away on the sleeve of his jacket - when he felt something wrapping around his neck.

The boy froze, his heart starting to race. It felt as though he was being pulled into an embrace. His eyes widened behind his sleeve. He lowered his arm down to look at his reflection on the water - before letting off a gasp to discover who was standing behind him, hugging him from behind.

"Sumi?!"

Sure enough, the shy pink-haired girl was standing over the brunette boy. Her arms were wound tightly around him. Her cheeks were as red as they usually were in her meek nature. Having heard every word of Kazuya berating himself, Sumi was determined to push aside her timidness to give him the care he needed.

"You are not a loser, Kazuya…"

Kazuy's ears perked up. He was always astonished whenever he heard Sumi speak to him. It was ever so rare to hear the shy girl string even a few words together.

"Don't ever call yourself a loser…" Sumi murmured in her soft, quiet voice. "Because that's not true… Not true at all…"

Kazuy's eyes widened. He was astonished by not only how much Sumi was talking right now, but by exactly what she had to say to him.

"You're a wonderful person," Sumi went on. "You're always so kind and thoughtful towards everyone. You're always looking out for others… Always looking out for Chizuru… Always looking out for me…"

Kazuya felt Sumi's arms close around him. As he turned his head towards her, he saw a sweet smile on her blushing face. It was the sort of smile which indicated that she felt safe in his presence.

"You're always so gentle and patient with me," Sumi continued. "You've never once complained about how quiet I am. You give me so much encouragement and support to overcome my shyness. No other guy who's rented me out as ever done for me all you have out the goodness of your heart."

Still embracing Kazuya from behind, Sumi kneeled down, resting her head gently against his back.

"You've always been there for me whenever I've needed help. Now it's my turn to be here to help you." Sumi closed her eyes, the soft smile remaining in her face. "You're a good person, Kazuya. Don't let anyone ever tell you different."

As Sumi's arms locked around his neck, Kazuya could feel the aching in his chest fading away. His broken heart was beginning to heal. It was being mended by the kind words being spoken to him by the sweet selfless girl.

Kazuya glanced back at Sumi. Her face was as red as ever, but she was refusing to let go of him. The boy's lips curled upwards to form the first smile he made that evening. For a girl who was usually too timid to even speak, Sumi certainly had a way with words. They had brought him out of the dark gloomy place he had sunk into. The world would be such a better place if it was filled with everyone just like this little sweetheart.

"Thank you, Sumi," Kazuya said gratefully. "I really appreciate you being there for me. You've made me feel so much better now."

Sumi giggled happily. She was so overjoyed to have succeeded to cheer Kazuya up. Seeing him upset was something she had not been willing to stand back and do nothing about. Not even her shyness had been able stand in her way of being there for him. After all, he had always given her so much kindness and support, giving her help whenever she needed it while not dismissing her for being quiet. In a world which was filled with so many selfish and manipulative men, Kazuya stood out as one who had always been so good to Sumi. She did not see the loser he had called himself. She saw the good person with a heart of gold that he truly was, even if he didn't see it.

That was exactly why Sumi was a girl who loved Kazuya.

Thanks for reading. Hope you liked this. :)