Rent A Girlfriend: Emotional Turmoil (Short Story) Part 1
Coming to Terms:
Sitting at her Desk in her Apartment, Chizuru bit her bottom lip while staring at the Wall that separated her Apartment with Kazuya's. She had not seen him in days, not since Friday and she was becoming concerned. There was too many times that they accidentally ran across each other. Either on the Campus or right outside their Apartments. Then when Ruka had come by and he did not even respond to her insistent knocking on his door. She became deeply worried. Oh she knew he was there, she could hear him stumbling around his Apartment. This being Wednesday and he had a Booking, she went to his door and knocked herself. There was no answer, so she tried the door handle and to her surprise it opened. She found him inside lying on his Bed staring at the wall, not even acknowledging her presence. "Uhm...Kazuya...we...you Booked a Date for tonight." Chizuru said softly and he barely moved.
"Do not feel like it...here I will pay anyhow." Kazuya fumbled with his Wallet and pulled out 5,000 Yen. Then held it out to her in a shaking right hand. She inhaled sharply and shook her head.
"No..if you want to cancel then there is no charge." Chizuru said and he simply dropped the Money on the floor. She swallowed heavily and could not help notice how deteriorated that he was. He looked terrible, unshaven and from what she could tell from all the empty Beer Bottles. All he had done for the past couple of days was drink and sleep, along with she suspected cry. She knew the reason for his state and it was her fault. She had deduced that like so many other of her Clients, he had fallen in love with her. To her surprise which sent her into her automatic defensive mode was the fact that in truth she had fallen in love with him. The first Boy she ever met as a Rental Girlfriend that care more about her feelings then himself. So to protect herself she had told him on Friday that they needed to return to an all Business Relationship. That she could not be sympathetic to him any more and did not want to even speak to him unless it was during one of his Bookings. That he needed to come to terms that there never could be anything more then that between them and maybe it would be best that this would be the absolute last time this Wednesday. All in all she had reached into his chest and crushed his heart. While at the same time breaking her own.
"Take it...I probably owe it to you anyhow. After all it is just Business...you are a Rental Girlfriend and...I am just a client." Kazuya stated unemotionally and he returned to just staring at the wall. She stood there for several minutes and then firmed her resolve. She kicked his bed.
"Get up!" Chizuru ordered. "Take a Shower and Shave! Then change into Clean Clothes." She kicked his bed again and he slowly rose. Still wearing the exact clothes that he had worn on Friday. She grabbed his shoulder and pushed him towards his Bathroom. While he did as she had told him, she began to pick up all the Empty Beer Bottles and tossed them into a Trash Bag. She had done this to him. She took a boy that she knew loved her and reaffirmed his belief that he was pathetic. When he came out she shook her head. "You know you are such an idiot...did you drink yourself into a stupor when Mami dumped you? Well did you?" She asked him angrily and he shrugged.
"No." Kazuya replied and she gave a soft laugh. Then glared at him.
"So I come down on you and you completely deteriorate. Why?" Chizuru asked and again he shrugged. She had basically destroyed his will and it really bothered her. She found out from his Friend that he was a hopeless optimistic. That nothing really stopped him from being the caring, sensitive and compassionate person that he was. Not nothing, she had stopped him.
"I don't know." Kazuya whispered and Chizuru stepped closer.
"Bullshit! Tell the truth. Why?" Chizuru demanded and he became pale. He looked down at the floor and whispered something she could not completely hear. "Speak up!" She growled and he inhaled softly.
"Okay...I...I fell in love with you...I love you...I know I am not allowed to...that you barely tolerate me...that I am only supposed to think of you as a Rental...but I could not help it. Just proves how much of a pathetic loser I am right." Kazuyu said and then she could see tears running down his cheeks. "Maybe it might be best that I stop Booking you and...maybe try to either reconnect with Mami or...Ruka likes me." He sadly said. She grimaced and her heart began to pound heavily in her chest.
"No! You can't." Chizury declared sternly and he turned to look at her.
"Why not? I mean that solves everything doesn't it. I am sure my Grandmother will come to adore either of them. I promise not to tell anyone about you." Kazuya slowly made his way over towards his Bed, intending to lie back down. She barred his way. Glaring at him angrily.
"I will have you know the only Pathetic Loser here is me." Chizuru said grabbing his right hand in hers and dragging him out of his Apartment over to hers.
"Wait...am...I am not allowed in there...the rules." Kazuya said and Chizuru shook her head.
"I have broken so many of those Rules and my Personal Rules...it does not matter anymore." Chizuku pulled him into her Apartment and shut the door. Then spun towards him. "You know about the Diamond Agency Rules for Renting a Girlfriend that I broke...you don't know about the Personal Rules that I established and also broke..the worst one that I broke was..." She gazed at him sadly. "I...I sabotaged you." This caused him to stare at her in confusion.
"What do you mean...you sabotaged me?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru took a deep breath.
"When we got caught in the Bathroom at the Beach. I could have easily announced then and there that I had come to the Beach to break up with you. But I...I did not want you to get back together with Mami. So I made sure that you didn't." Chizuru swallowed heavily. "Then there is Ruka. I should have encouraged you to be with her. Even though she was blackmailing you to go out with her. But I just could not bring myself to let you. I did not want you to be her Boyfriend. So I once again Sabotaged you so you would not be with her. In fact when she clung to you like she did..I became extremely jealous. Jealous of her touching you, holding you but because she could and I could not when I wanted to so badly." She bit her bottom lip and then still holding his hand gave it a gentle squeeze. "I want you to also know...I found myself after the time at the Bar that I started to not be as effective with my other Clients...sure I could act like their Girlfriends...but it did not feel the same as when I was with you. It felt natural." She could see hope flicker with in his eyes. Before meeting him she had over two dozen Bookings a month. Now she had them down to the bare minimal, just enough to cover her expenses. Eight to ten which included his. The ones that meant more to her then the others.
"Uhm...I have no idea what to say or do." Kazuya said and Chizuku giggled. Then moved closer.
"First you can kiss me...tell me again that you have fallen in love with me." Chizuku said softly and he exhaled sharply. Unsure if he actually heard her right. Before he could ask, she threw her arms over his shoulders and pressed herself against him. Lightly latching her lips onto his. At first it was just a simple kiss, but she wanted more then that, needed more then that. So she deepened the embrace and after a few moments she parted, smiling. "Say it...say it again please." She whispered and he smiled.
"I have fallen in love with you...I love you." Kazuya said and she kissed him again.
"Good...because I have fallen in love with you too. I found myself falling for you and that scared me...so when I told you we needed to go back to it being just business...I...I did not mean it. I am done lying to you and to myself. Done." Chizuku began to slowly maneuver him over towards her bed. "I want to know something Kazuya...have you been with Mami or Ruka...in bed?" She asked him and he shook his head.
"No...I am still a virgin." Kazuya said blushing and Chizuku smiled seductively.
"You won't be after tonight." Chizuku told him and moved him down onto her bed.
Near 3 or 4 AM, Chizuku with her face in the crook of Kazuyu's neck could not help but smile. Her Grandmother had once told her that when she found the one, she would feel it and she did. She had found the one that made her so happy that she felt that the definition of happiness could not adequately describe how she felt. "So this is what love feels like...I could get used to this." She whispered then smiled again. "Oh and having him in bed with me...this I want every night..he makes a great pillow." When he lightly pulled her closer with his right arm, she snuggled against him and noticed that like her, he was still awake. "You should be asleep." She said in a scolding tone and he inhaled softly.
"I keep trying...but every time I am about to doze off...I...I begin to think that this is all some wonderful dream and that you will disappear." Kazuya said and she giggled.
"Not happening...but I know how you feel...I keep having the same thought." Chizuku admitted and he smiled.
"I got to know...how could someone so...so gorgeously incredible ever want...would want to be with me?" Kazuya asked and she giggled again. Pulling herself up slightly to look at him. She kissed him and then returned to laying with her head comfortably on his chest.
"You got to get over your insecurities there my darling...I guess it started when we had to lie to our Grandmothers...I could have found an easy way to get out of that Mess...but I just...I found myself not wanting to." Chizuku told him. "About that...we need to come clean and tell both of them the truth...I do not want to lie to them anymore." He swallowed heavily and then nodded. Not looking forward to telling his Grandma the truth. Fearing that both of the old women would look at him as if he was, in a word pathetic.
"Yeah I guess we do...we should also tell our Friends...yours and mine...swear them to silence. That is..you still want to be a Rental Girlfriend." Kazuya said and she nodded.
"Not to you...you are my Real Boyfriend. I also want you to know something." Chizuku moved back to look him right into his eyes. "You will be the only one..that I will ever kiss...the only one that I will be myself with..the only one that I will tell you that I love you and more importantly the only one that I...ahem with. None of those others...it will just be a job...nothing more." She said placing her hand on his chest over his heart. "If you do not think you can handle me being a Rental...even though I need the Money...I will quit." He shook his head.
"I can't ask you to do that...no I can handle it." Kazuya said and held out his arms towards her. She leaned down and he wrapped his arms around her while she laid down partially on top of him. With a sigh, she closed her eyes. "I love you Mizuhara." He whispered and she smiled.
"I love you more and call me Chizuku." Chizuku whispered back. He chuckled.
"Trying to have the last word are you?" Kazuya said still chuckling and she grimaced.
"I am not." Chizuku said back and he decided not to even try to have the last word. Within moments they both dozed off.
In the Morning she reached over and hit the Snooze button on her Alarm Clock. Extremely tempted to just turn it off and remain in bed with Kazuya for the rest of the day. Opening her eyes she could not help but smile. It felt amazing to awaken with his arms around her. She felt warm, safe and now not so lonely. "Definitely we are sleeping together from now on." Chizuku whispered contently. It took another half hour before either forced themselves to get up. He headed for his own Apartment to Shower again and while he was gone, she did the same. Leaving the Bathroom wearing only a Towel, she noticed her Cell Phone had a Text Message. It was from the Diamond Agency. The CEO wanted to speak to her. "Crap! I knew this was coming." She said inhaling sharply. Chizuku expected this ever since she reduced her numbers to the bare minimal. That type of reduction was hard to miss when she was doing spectacular business and now was not.
Learning Something New:
"No matter what they say...I am not dumping you." Chizuku stated as they rode up to the 14th floor to the Diamond Agency District Headquarters. Kazuya had volunteered to come with her for emotional support and she discovered another thing that she adored about having a real Boyfriend. He was there for her during any problems. She smiled as she leaned herself back against him and he slipped his arms around her front. Giving her a reassuring hug.
"From what you told me...you need the money...and..." Kazuya felt his heart drop as he began to hint that she might have to.
"And nothing...not happening...I am not dumping you and that is final." Chizuku smiled at him and turned her head slightly pecking him on his right cheek. When the doors opened she made no move towards the open inter sliding doors. He had to hit the door open button and after a few seconds she reached down took his right hand in her left and walked through the Double Double Glass Doors of the Diamond Agency. The Receptionist ushered both of them inside. That at first confused Chizuku, she did not expect that the Managing CEO would want her actual Boyfriend to be there. She nervously bit her bottom lip. Kazuya noticed and squeezed her hand gently.
"Hey it will be alright...if they do fire you...I will...I will pick up some more hours at the Restaurant and help you as much as I can." Kazuya said to her and she smiled over at him. She could not let him do that, he already was working more Hours then he should and that cut down on his actual free time. Recently the only day he did not work while going to School was on Wednesday. So he could spend some time with her. At the time as a Rental. In truth she wanted him to work less now, so she could spend time with him as her Real Boyfriend.
"I can't let you do that...I love you for wanting to help me...well actually I love you and if they are going to fire me...I will just get a normal job." Chizuku felt even sure that she had made the right decision when she finally admitted to him and herself that she did love him. That she wanted to be his Girlfriend for Real. Entering the Main office, she saw a old woman sitting behind a desk. The Woman smiled happily and waved for them to sit in the chairs in front of her desk.
"Ah Miss Chizuku, I am Keiko Toshinogi Managing CEO and Owner of the Diamond Agency...and this is?" The Old woman asked still smiling broadly.
"I am Kazuya." He replied and the Woman quickly shook first Chizuku's hand then his. They both sat and Chizuku did not have any more patience.
"Just fire me already." Chizuku demanded and Keiko laughed, shaking her head.
"I am not going to fire you...I just wanted to meet the young man that clearly you have fallen for." Keiko said and Chizuku stared at her completely confused. As did Kazuya. "Ah let me explain...you see I am a bit of a romantic at heart and when I notice that one of Employees who once had over two dozen Bookings a month go down to about ten. Where out of that ten there is one that you seem to repeatedly go out with. Then I easily deduced that you found someone special. I take it you reduced because you felt like you were cheating on him...even before you became a couple." She asked Chizuku who nodded. "Thought so."
"Told you that you really effected me being able to be a Rental." Chizuku said to Kazuya.
"Sorry...I did not mean to cause you any problems." Kazuya said back and Keiko laughed again.
"He is such a doll...no wonder you fell for him. So are you close now or just real dating?" Keiko asked and Chizuku smiled.
"Close and want to get closer. Uhm Miss Toshinogi...you are not upset that I no longer...I am only seeing those Clients that I do not really have to do the act with." Chizuku bit her bottom lip again and Keiko shook her head.
"No not at all...but I am assuming that with you doing less...it has really effected your finances." Keiko said and Chizuku nodded. It was true and now without Kazuya among those few it would get even harder.
"Yes...like you said...it feels wrong and I just can't shake the feeling that I am cheating on him. So I have no idea what to do." Chizuku admitted and Keiko smiled.
"That is easy...you were extremely effective and one of the highest ranking Rentals in the Area...How about you become a Trainer...someone to show new Girls how to become really good Rental Girlfriends?" Keiko asked and Chizuku appeared interested. "I would of course pay you...say 4 to 5 thousand Yen a Week." Now the young Girl was really interested. Especially since she would not have to actually go on Dates or Bookings. Only go on Dates with her Kazuya and that suited her just fine.
"I would like that." Chizuku replied and Keiko smiled warmly at her.
"Before you two leave I want to show you something." Keiko pulled open a drawer and removed a pad of papers. She held them out to the young couple. "Those there are a list of Girls in all of my Agencies around the World that found someone special among their Clients and are now with. Oh those with the Gold Stars are those that are happily married." She told them and then with a flourish, she spun the papers around and wrote their names at the bottom of the list. "Any chance that soon you two will have a gold star next to your names?" She asked and Kazuya paled and Chizuku could swear he was about to faint. She smiled mischievously at him and then at Keiko.
"Well not too soon..but maybe sooner then later." Chizuku said and Kazuya began to hyperventilate. After shaking the older woman's hand, she led him out of the office. She felt relieved and as they rode down the Elevator she kissed him repeatedly. While they walked down the street she sent a Cancellation to her Booking for the night and for any she had coming up. She did not need to be a fake Rental Girlfriend anymore. She could fully be now a real Girlfriend.
Breaking the News:
Arranging with her Grandmother and his Grandmother to meet them at the Restaurant that Kazuyu worked at Part-Time. They sat in Booth Number 4, Chizuku had no idea how her Grandmother was going to react to what she was about to tell her. Mainly she wanted to reassure her that not only was she no longer going to be a Rental Girlfriend, but the only Boy she ever went to bed with was sitting next to her. Fully looking like he was about to faint. "So what is the big news you wanted to talk to us about?" Her Grandmother Sayuri Ichinose asked subtly looking over at the other Grandmother in the Room. Nagami Kinoshita. kazuyu's Grandmother. Chizuku shifted uncomfortably in her seat and then with a sighing exhale.
"Grandma I want you to know a secret that I have been keeping from you...one that involves Kazuyu and I am hoping you will not think less of me or him." Chizuku felt Kazuyu gently squeeze her hand, silently encouraging her. "I...Grandma...do you know what a Rental Girlfriend is...because for a time...I was one." Her Grandmother looked at her and then over at Kazuyu who at that moment divulged his own secret.
"I...I rented her...several times...I presented her to you Grandmother as my Girlfriend but she really wasn't...I am so sorry." Kazuyu lowered his gaze fully expecting his Grandmother to fully berate him. Acknowledge the fact that he was a Pathetic Loser. Chizuku came to his defense before the older woman could speak.
"He is really my for Real Boyfriend now...I truly fell in love with him." Chizuku stated and then looked over at her own Grandmother who suddenly laughed.
"I know you were." Sayuri said with a chuckle noticing Chizuku's shocked expression. With a huge smile. "Who do you think sent you that APP on being a Rental Girlfriend?" She asked and her Granddaughter paled. "My dear you were so stoic and it seemed that you had no interest in Boys whatsoever...they would flock to you and you seemed so cold Hearted towards them. I was concerned that you would never find the One...the One that would love you with all of his heart. So I arranged for you to at least see Boys socially. Knowing that you would follow the strict Rules to the letter and even make up a few of your own. Actually I never expected you to fall for this young Man." She said and Chizuku looked over at Kazuyu fondly.
"He kinda wormed his way into my heart." Chizuku looked over at his Grandmother, who seemed to be confused whether to be pissed at the fact that Kazuyu lied to her or be ecstatic that the young couple was truly together and the prospects of Great Grandchildren was a distinct possibility in the maybe the near future. So she went with her initial impulse. She hugged Chizuku and cried happily.
Six Months Later:
At first kazuyu intended to ask his Grandmother for a loan. He was a few thousand Yen short for the Ring he wanted to buy. But she immediately insisted that he use her Ring that was handed down to her by his Great Grandmother to his Grandfather. So now as he laid there in bed with Chizuku, all he had to do is use the Jewelry Store Cardboard Measuring Card and to his relief he did not have to get it Resized after all. Flipping the Card into his side of the bed Nightstand, he eased the Drawer shut and returned his right arm around Chizuku. Now all he had to do is gather the nerve to give her the Ring and ask her the most important question he ever had to ask her. Rising when the Alarm on his and her Clock began to sound, he smiled over at her. She smiled back. "Second Day of us living together...I think tonight we need to go out and...do something to celebrate." She said sweetly and he nodded. Wondering if tonight afterwards would be a good chance.
"Sounds good to me...no wait...we are meeting up with the others tonight...remember." Kazuyu said and she groaned, lightly face palming herself.
"That is tonight...well there goes my idea of a nice romantic date with you." Chizuku grimaced, then leaned over and kissed him. "Though after we can do a little romance right?" She asked and he nodded. With a deep exhale she slowly got up and he did as well heading to the Bathroom. "This sucks...I wanted to spend the evening alone with him...now I got to sit there and be glared at by Mami half the time." She grumbled feeling a headache coming on, she reached over to his Nightstand for the bottle of Aspirin that he kept there. "It is not my fault that she dumped him and then wanted him back because she was jealous of...well that was when I was a Rental...but he is mine now and she will just have to get over it." She pulled the drawer open and upon seeing the Small Velvet Box, gasped loudly. Both of her hands flew up to her mouth and she stared at the Box intently. With a shaking right hand she picked up the box and opened it to see a Exquisite Diamond Ring inside. She grinned widely. Quickly looking at the Bathroom door. "Is he going to...is he going to ask me?" She whispered and had to try the ring on. it slid easily and perfectly on her left Ring Finger. When the door opened she panicked and before she could take it off he came out. Seeing her with the Ring on her finger he exhaled sharply. She decided that since she had been caught she was just going to go with it. "Uhm...I was looking for an Aspirin." Chizuku said with a small smile. He was once more hyperventilating.
"I...I can explain that being in there." Kazuyu said quickly and she stepped closer staring him right in the eyes.
"Oh really...so...where you actually intending to give this to me?" Chizuku asked sternly and he swallowed heavily. Nodding. "Then I believe you are supposed to be on one knee and ask me something to go along with this Ring." She pointed before her and he slowly dropped to one knee. Feeling a little exposed since he was only wearing a towel.
"Chi..Chizuku...I...I love you with all my Heart...will you Marry me?" Kazuyu stuttered out and before he knew what was happening he was forced back onto the bed. His towel had been ripped off and she was kissing him passionately. "Chizuku?" She smiled between kisses.
"If you didn't figure it out...that is a Yes." Chizuku pulled her T-Shirt over her head and then removed her Sleep Shorts. No longer concerned about going anywhere for the next couple of hours.
The End