Rent a Girlfriend: The Declaration (Short Story) Part 1
Characters:
Kazuya Kinoshita
Chizuru Mizuhara
Mami Nanami
Ruka Sarashina
Sumi Sakurasawa
Nagomi Kinoshita
Yoshiaki Kibe
Shun Kuribayashi
Sayuri Ichinose
Into the Void:
"I do not think we should...I do not want you to Rent me anymore Kazuya." Chizuru Mizuhara said unemotionally, but inside she was a turbulence of built up frustration and sadness. She did not mean that, really. What she wanted to say was that after she quit being a Rental she wanted to try to have a real relationship with him. But she just could not bring herself to say it. Worried that if she did, then she would tell him how she really felt about him. That she had fallen in love with him. But she was so confused and unsure if he felt the same, she just could not bring herself to say it. With those few words she watched as he broke down in front of her. Collapsing on the Walkway right in front of his Apartment Door. Ruka was there as well and she glared at her menacingly.
"I let this farce go on for far too long. There is no reason for me to let it continue." Mizurhara declared and was about to go back to her own Apartment. Wanting both Kazuya and Ruka believe the discussion was over. Where in truth she too wanted to break down, tell him that she was wrong and comfort him as well. She also wanted to cry. But she had to hold strong until she could reach her Apartment. There was a reason for her doing this and it had nothing to do with her not wanting to become involved with him for real. Mami had threatened to tell all, if she did not comply and no longer let him rent her. That she could not allow. She no longer feared if her Grandmother found out. For she had disclosed that information a few days ago. She also no longer cared if others found out. Since she discovered that her two Friends at School were actually Rental Girlfriends as well. Though they only did it part time on Weekends for some extra Money. So all in all it did not effect her at all. But Kazuya was a different matter entirely. There were so many repercussions that would effect him if others found out. Which included his Grandmother. She was not about to let Mami do that to him. Turning to leave.
"That was beyond cruel. To say it like that." Ruka said kneeling to comfort Kazuya as he began to cry. She had basically given up on him and elected to be instead a really good close friend. Then to hear Chizuru say that, she could not fully understand how Chizuru could do that to him. Chizuru kept her composure.
"Wait...Mizu...Chizuru...Please." Kazuya begged and Chizuru stopped. Forcing herself to hold it together for a bit longer. She did not look down at him, worried that she would succumb and be unable to do this. "I understand why you do not want me to Rent you anymore." He said sadly and she closed her eyes. "It is because...it is like Mami had said...I am nothing but a Pathetic Loser." He said sobbing slightly as he said that and she could not take it anymore. She had to go.
"You...You are right. You are." Chizuru said and then walked away. Ruka stared at her in utter disbelief and shock. Kazuya now was crying so badly that he had to crawl into his Apartment. Not wanting her to see him like that. Standing she growled and stormed after Chizuru. Before the other girl could shut her door, she forced her way inside with her.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!" Ruka screamed angrily, she could not believe what she just heard. "No one is that fucking heartless! Do you realize what you just did to him? You...You just destroyed him! He may never recover from this! You have to know he loves you and for you to...that was...cruel!" She said clenching her fists tightly and tempted to hit Chizuru. Then noticed the other Girls expression and the tears running down her cheek.
"I know." Chizuru sobbed uncontrollably and Ruka stared at her in shock. "I know...I...I had to do it." She wailed throwing her arms around Ruka and began to cry. Ruka had no idea what was going on as Chizuru let loose a flood of tears.
"Why?" Ruka asked and Chizuru continued to cry. Then moved away from Ruka. Turning towards the Balcony door. Her whole body shook with frustration. "Why would you...do that? There has to be a reasonable explanation for you to do that to him." Chizuru slowly nodded regaining control of herself.
"There is a complication." Chizuru inhaled sharply. "Mami...Mami Nanami...She...She threatened to tell everyone that I am a Rental and that Kazuya for the past year has Rented me to be his Girlfriend. If she did that it would be worse then what I just did to him." She said and Ruka shook her head.
"No it would not be. Listen Chizuru...I stopped pursuing him not because I went too far with blackmailing him to go out with me on a Probationary Period." Ruka told her and Chizuru looked back at her. "No I stopped because I knew that he was so much in love with you that no one could take your place in his heart. I tried. But anyone with half a brain could see that you two are meant for each other." She shook her head as Chizuru slumped.
"And I just ripped his heart out of his chest." Chizuru closed her eyes. "I...I broke him...I broke the Man that loves me so much that he would endure anything...you are right...he may never recover. I broke the heart of the Man that I have fallen in love with. The Man I love. How do either of us recover from that?" She asked the younger Girl who had no idea.
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Sitting on the Floor of his Apartment, Kazuya did not even have the energy to move away from his Door. If he had any energy left within him then he would be able to go to his Kitchen, take a Knife from the Drawer and end it right then and there. But he did not even have the motivation to even think about committing suicide. Since he was already dead inside anyhow. When his Cellphone pinged indicating he was receiving a Text, he pulled it out and noticed it was from Mami. She was on her way to talk to him. He actually was not in the mood to talk to anyone, but she really wasn't giving him a choice. So getting up he went to the bathroom to wash the tears off his face. By the time Mami arrived, he was only partially able to answer the door. She came in smiling broadly and proudly. She then told him what she had done and why she had done it. Along with the fact that if he continued to Rent Chizuru, then she would ever so happily tell everyone what she was and how he had lied to everyone for the past year. She was not prepared for him to burst out crying.
"Why? Why would you do that to me?" Kazuya asked not being able to understand why Mami could do that. She shook her head.
"I did it for you. So that you can get out of this weird relationship and maybe find yourself a real one." Mami told him, though that was a complete lie. She did not like that he had basically made a fool out of her. Making her so jealous that she almost took him back at the Beach and then obsessed over him since the beginning. He had in essence made her feel as though she was the pathetic loser instead of him being that.
"But...But I was happy. Chizuru is the best Girlfriend anyone could have. Fake or not." Kazuya said trying not to completely break down again. Forcing himself not to drop to the floor and turn into a complete basket case.
"That was what it was. It was fake. Nothing of that was real." Mami smiled slightly. "You have to know she did not really care about you at all. In fact the only thing Girls like that care about is Money. That was all you were to her. Money. Nothing more then that." She stated and Kazuya closed his eyes.
"Please leave." Kazuya said and Mami decided she had done what she had set out to do. Make him pay for the embarrassment he had caused her. Neither realized that the Balcony Door was open and that two people next door had overheard it all.
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"That fucking bitch! That was complete bullshit! She did not do it for him! She did it because she has this thing about making Kazuya suffer!" Ruka said, wanting to go next door and confront Mami right in front of his door. Beat the living crap out of the Blonde Girl for doing what she had done to him. Turning instead towards Chizuru. "Go on Girl...He needs you. Go over there and tell him the truth. Tell him that you have fallen in love with him." She ordered her and Chizuru stood there, unsure if she should or not.
"Do you actually think he will forgive me for what I said earlier?" Chizuru asked and Ruka laughed.
"Oh yeah. You know he loves you. So get over there and let him tell you already." Ruka then gave her a light push towards the door and followed her out of the Apartment. Mami had come out and she smirked at them. Really tempting Ruka to knock that smirk right off the other Girl's face with a right cross. The Blonde girl strutted over to the Steps. Then stopped when she noticed that Chizuru was at Kazuya's door and about to knock on it.
"No you don't! If he continues to Rent you then I will make sure you both regret it!" Mami declared and Chizuru did not even bother to look over at Mami. She chuckled and then shook her head.
"Go ahead. I do not care if you do. All I care about is Kazuya and if you try to hurt him again...You and me are going to have a real problem." Chizuru said softly and Ruka chimed in.
"Yeah...I will too. Now get out of here you Bitch before I decide to rearrange that face of yours to match your ugly personality." Ruka took a step towards Mami ready and willing to do just that. "Go ahead and knock Chizuru. Don't worry about this Bitch interfering...because she even tries to go in there...I will teach her what it means to bleed." With that Chizuru lightly knocked on the door and after a few moments Kazuya opened it. To say he was surprised to see Chizuru would be an understatement. Before she knocked she had stood there having doubts. Doubts about it all. She wondered if she truly did love or had fallen in love with Kazuya. Sure he was different. But she had learned from their year together that his differences were actually what she liked. He made her laugh and feel good about herself. He never judged her or tried to use what he knew about her to take advantage of her. She knew if she needed him, he would be there without hesitation. Ready and willing to help her in any way without wanting anything in return. He had saved her life back in the beginning and it took her awhile to remember what had happened. He had almost drown keeping her head above water as he swam to shore. Barely making it and only by a trick of fate and near drowning he got her up on the bank. None of her other Clients would have done that. Even those that told her that they had fallen in love with her. She knew that they really hadn't. They had fallen in love with her Rental Persona and not the real her. All these thoughts raced through her mind as she knocked and when he opened the door, staring at her in confusion and shock. She did the only thing she could think of. Not saying a word, she lunged and threw her arms over his shoulders. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she then kissed him. Really kissed him.
"Oh my God. I am kissing Kazuya. I am really kissing him." Chizuru thought to herself as she did not stop. He returned the kiss and she pushed herself against him. After several moments, she parted and he stared at her. Then she saw it within his eyes. Hope had returned to them and she smiled.
"Uhm...Chizuru?" Kazuya looked at her still confused and having no idea what was going on. She smiled at him.
"I...I have fallen in love with you Kazuya...I love you. I want to be with you for real. No more of this bullshit we keep doing. No more of either of us saying one thing and meaning another. No more." Chizuru admitted and felt a sensation of relief flow through her. He swallowed heavily and his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wait...Do you mean that?" Kazuya asked and she gave a short laugh.
"Of course you adorable idiot. I am in love with you." Chizuru said again and found it extremely enjoyable to say that. She then stared at him, realizing he had not said it back.
"YAHAHOOOEEE." Kazuya yelled loudly and then smiled like a buffoon. "I love you too...I admit it and I have been for a long time. I...I love you Chizuru with all my heart. That is why it...hurt so much when you said those things to me. I do not think I could go on...I can't go on without you. I want you as my Real Girlfriend and will do anything to prove to you how much I love you...I..." She moved her right index finger up and placed it on his lips.
"Shhhh...you are babbling again." Chizuru said then leaned closer, pecking him on the lips with hers. Neither of them noticed when Ruka shut the door, then with a smile walked towards the steps. She passed Mami Nanami who was standing there gawking at Kazuya's Apartment angrily.
"Ha...Bet you did not think that would happen...did you?" Ruka asked as she proceeded down the steps. "You know if all goes right...Eventually maybe Kazuya will ask me to be his Best Person or Chizuru will ask me to be her Maid of Honor. Either works for me." She whispered as she made her way to the Train Station to head for home. Mami remained there fuming with frustration.
"This was not what I planned. They were not supposed to...No...it is impossible. She is a Rental. She isn't supposed to fall in love with him. He is a loser. Nothing more then a Pathetic Loser." Mami said then walked down the steps. She pondered over if she should just tell everyone about Chizuru Mizuhara and how Kazuya had rented her. How for the past year their whole relationship was nothing more then a Sham. That it was not real. She just did not understand how it had happened the way it did. She did not count on that Chizuru would actually fall in love with him.
Disclosure:
"I think it would be a good idea that we tell everyone about what I do for a living or rather did. I just quit for I do not have to do that anymore." Chizuru stated as she held onto Kazuya tightly. She did not want to let him go, in fear that he would vanish or something would take him away from her. If she could have her way, she would never let him go. "It is up to you though." He looked at her slightly confused.
"Why up to me? You once said you do not want anyone talking about you behind your back and you know some would." Kazuya asked thinking about what that would entail. There would be those that would gossip about her. Making the assumption that she was not just being a Rental Girlfriend, but also taking money to do other things. Sorted things that would make her appear to be nothing more then a Prostitute. Which anyone that knew her would never think that.
"Everyone that means something to me...already knows. My Grandmother Knows and so do my Friends who by the way are Rentals...Well Part Time Rentals." Chizuru told him and he stared at her in shock. He had met her two friends and he believed her. They both were cute enough to be Rental Girlfriends. "So all we have to do is tell your Friends and your Family." She then smiled. He was reluctant to do that. Knowing that his own Grandmother would probably smack him for lying to her. Of course she would not do anything to Chizuru. Him though he would be the subject of a severe smacking and a long lecture. As for his two Closets Friends, only Kibe did not know. Kuri already knew and was sworn to secrecy.
Before they left Chizuru's Apartment, Kazuya called his Grandmother, Mother and Father. Informing them that they would be coming for a visit. He had an urge to tell them over the Phone to save himself from being Smacked or Lectured. But then believed that at the very least his Grandmother would come over to punish him. He rather face them there rather then at his Apartment. Chizuru noticed his sullen expression and smiled. "Come on Kazuya...I doubt they will be too angry about this. After all we are together now for real." She told him and still Kazuya looked like he was on his way to the Gallows.
"My Grans is not going to be too forgiving that I lied to her about you. I wish there was something other then us telling them that for the past year...our relationship was not real. That it was nothing but you pretending to be my Girlfriend." Kazuya said and Chizuru shook her head. Then an idea came to her as they walked towards the Train Station.
"I think I know of a way." Chizuru said and then thought about it. "Am I actually ready for that? Is he? I do care and love him and he cares and loves me. Can I see myself being with him forever. Yes I can and want to." She thought as he waited for her to tell him. She smiled. "How about we tell them that...Kazuya...Would you Marry me?" She asked him and he nearly tripped over his own feet. He spun towards her staring at her wide eyed. Looking like he was about to faint.
"HUH? Chizuru are you serious?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru chuckled. Then nodded.
"Yep. So how about it? Will you Marry me?" Chizuru asked again and Kazuya smiled broadly.
"Of course I would. I love you. But wait. I thought a guy was supposed to ask?" Kazuya was too stunned and shocked to care if she asked him. She chuckled again and then pulled him into a kiss. Not caring anything about PDA or if anyone that was nearby protested. He returned the kiss.
"Does it really matter who asks as long as one of us asks?" Chizuru asked him and Kazuya shook his head. Continuing to smile.
"Nope not at all." Kazuya replied and then dug into his pocket for his Wallet. "Okay...Grans gave this to me about four months ago." He told her as he opened his Wallet and pulled out a small Ring with a Diamond on it. "This was hers. Given to her by my Granddad years ago." He held out the Ring and Chizuru smiled. Moving her left hand out towards him, he slipped it onto her Ring finger and then kissed her hand. She moved her hand towards her to take a good look at it. Then kissed him once more.
"Good thing you had it with you. So we are engaged." Chizuru stated and reached down to take his left hand once more with her right. Before she held his right hand with her left. But now she wanted to keep her left hand free so she could flaunt the Engagement Ring to anyone that happened to see it. After a thirty minute Train Ride and a short walk, they arrived at his Family home. Before they even made it up the walk, Nagomi burst out the door and made a beeline to Chizuru. Hugging her and barely acknowledging that Kazuya was there. He glanced back to the front door to see his Parents standing and waiting for Nagomi to let the young Girl come into the house. Once inside, Kazuya had them sit down and Chizuru hid her left hand from view. She would only show them after they told the three elders the whole story and after her own Grandmother arrived. To highlight the tale, Kazuya used his Cellphone to show her closed Rental Girlfriend Account on the Diamond APP.
"So you lied to us. You paid Chizuru to pretend to be your Girlfriend." Nagomi said though she still looked at Chizuru the same way she always had. She deeply cared about Chizuru and nothing was going to change that. "I take it that Sayuri knows about this?" She asked and Both nodded. Then Chizuru checked her Phone, her Grandmother according to the last TEXT would be arriving in about ten more minutes.
"I asked my Grandmother to keep it a secret." Chizuru said and then glanced again at her Cellphone. She was dying to tell them, but she wanted her own Grandmother there when they did.
"That is not what is bothering me. What is bothering me is that my own Grandson lied to me for the past year." Nagomi said and looked over at her Son and his Wife. They both just sat there letting her be the main protagonist. By the time Sayuri arrived, Chizuru was busting at the seams. She did not want to wait any longer and before Nagomi could say anything else. She thrust out her left hand. Both Grandmothers stared at her hand and the Ring on it. As did his Parents. "Does...Does that mean...?" The Old Woman asked and Chizuru nodded as did Kazuya.
"Yes it does." Kazuya said before Chizuru could. They both stood there as the Parents and Grandparents continued to stare at the Ring. Then at her and then him.
"Are you telling us that...Okay let me get this straight. You were what they call a Rental Girlfriend and Kazuya had been renting you for a year. This is not another lie is it?" Nagomi asked and Chizuru shook her head.
"No Grandma Nagomi...We are engaged. We are in love and plan on getting Married." Chizuru declared and at that point no one cared about the circumstances on how it happened or that she was a Rental Girlfriend. Both she and Kazuya laughed when the two Elder Women conducted a High Five and then hugged them both. At that point Sayuri decided to also divulge a secret that she had not told her Granddaughter. Something that only she, Nagomi and Kazuya knew.
"I think it is time I also tell you a secret. Chizuru do you remember two months ago when I needed a Bone Marrow Transplant?" Sayuri asked already knowing that her Granddaughter did remember and that she was not a match. Chizuru slowly nodded. "I believe you should know that it was not an unknown donor that donated." She looked over at Kazuya and smiled. "Kazuya was a 89 Percent Match and donated so that I could have the Transplant." She told her and Chizuru quickly looked over at Kazuya. Then she understood the reason why back then he had cancelled their Wednesday Scheduled date. He was recovering from donating.
"Oh you darling. Thank you so much. But why didn't you tell me?" Chizuru asked though she gave her Fiancé's hand a tight squeeze and smiled at him fondly. Kazuya shrugged.
"I was not sure if you would like me to do that. Remember you told me not to talk to your Grandmother too much. Though you should know now that I actually talked to her on the Phone at least once a week." Kazuya admitted and Chizuru pouted.
"Oh really! And what did you two talk about?" Chizuru asked worried that her Grandmother might have told him something personal or embarrassing.
"Mostly about what you were up to and how you were doing." Sayuri informed her with a small smile. "Then when I told him about me needing a Bone Marrow Transplant. He came to be checked to see if he could." She said and that soothed Chizuru worries.
"Still...Well I guess that is alright. Especially how wonderful you were to do that for my Grandmother." Chizuru then gave him a certain look that told Kazuya that later they were going to discuss about him keeping that secret from her. Though right now, she reached up and gently maneuvered his face towards her. "Thank you Kazuya. Thank you for doing that for my Grandmother." She said softly and then kissed him. As they parted she looked over to see her Grandmother, his Grandmother and his Parents all smiling broadly.
"Do that again." Both Grandmothers ordered, so what could Chizuru and Kazuya do. But kiss again.
"Okay. Let's have dinner and then discuss when you two are going to get married." Nagomi said smiling broadly at them.
"Sounds good. We also need to discuss when you two are planning on giving me a Nagomi some Great Grandchildren." Sayuri said and the two Old Women both chuckled when their Grandchildren scowled at them.
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Mami Nanami opened the APP on her Phone and gasped audibly as she rode back towards her House on the Train. She could not believe it. Chizuru Mizuhara was no longer available due to she had quit. Then what shocked her was that Chizuru had put down the reason in great bold letters. "No it can't be possible. They are going to get Married. How the hell did this happen? They were supposed to break up...not get together and not get Engaged." She said shaking her head in frustration. All of her plans had gone up in smoke. Even if she did tell everyone about that Kazuya had rented Chizuru to be his Girlfriend. No one would care due to that they were engaged and going to get married. She closed the link and sat back. Having no idea what to do now to get her revenge against Kazuya for making her feel like a Pathetic Loser once more.
The End and the Beginning.