Rent a Girlfriend: The Reunion (Short Story) Part One
Characters:
Kazuya Kinoshita
Chizuru Mizuhara
Mami Nanami
Ruka Sarashina
Sumi Sakurasawa
Nagomi Kinoshita
Yoshiaki Kibe
Shun Kuribayashi
Sayuri Ichinose
Umi Nakano
Shinbo and Kawanaka
The Journey:
Sitting in the Passenger seat of a Car on the Ferry that ran from Osaka to Tokyo, Chizuru idly looked out the Window at the Sea and began to reminisce about the past. Thinking about all the changes that had occurred over the years since she had graduated from College almost seven years ago. "Mommy...I'm bored." A whiney voice said from the backseat and Chizuru exhaled with a deep sigh. Turning her head she looked at the young Girl in the backseat strapped in a Car Seat.
"Kyoka it is a three hour trip and it has only been thirty minutes. Didn't your Daddy make you some Movies and TV Shows to watch on your Portable DVD Player?" Chizuru asked then looked over at her husband in the Driver's Seat accusingly.
"I put about twelve hours of Movies and her Favorite TV Shows on four Discs." Kazuya said in defense and Chizuru looked back at their four year old daughter.
"I do not wanna watch anymore...I am starving." Kyoka Kinoshita said with a huge whine and pout. Crossing her arms in front of her chest. Chizuru rolled her eyes and then looked once more over at Kazuya.
"Reminds me of her Mother." Kazuya mumbled and Chizuru scowled at him.
"Does she now? How so?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya chuckled.
"Uhm well...You both are rather...Uhm...determined and of course...stubborn." Kazuya said and Chizuru finally smiled at him.
"Yeah well I have to be. How else would I now we an Associate Director for YTC. (Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation). One does not become an Associate Director without being a little stubborn and determined. Along with I have a husband that I have to...well I have to keep a...well I have to love him." Chizuru said and Kazuya smiled. "Could you go get our Daughter something at the Snack Bar before she starves too much?" She asked him with a sigh and Kazuya nodded.
"Can I come too Daddy?" Kyoka asked and again he nodded. Getting out of their Car, he was about to let Kyoka loose from her Child Seat.
"Do you want anything?" Kazuya asked her and Chizuru nodded.
"Fruit and Juice if they have them." Chizuru replied and then watched as Kazuya walked away towards the Snack Bar with their Daughter. Holding just tight enough to her small hand that she would not wander off. She watched them enter through the doors and once more began to reminisce about the past. She shook her head. "How is it even possible for me to be this...Blessed. To be this happy." She thought and then smiled. "Everything that I have is because of him. Everything that has happened to me is because of him." From her being Married to a loving and Wonderful Husband. For them to have such a beautiful four year old Daughter. To that of her being an Associate Director for YTC. It was all because of Kazuya. From the moment that she came to her senses and they became a real Couple. When she became his Real Girlfriend and then three months after they both Graduated College. She became his Wife. Sure she had changed her Dreams somewhat. Sure she only Acted for about two years. But then when she was offered a Script Editor Position at YTC, he told her that it was up to her. That he would support whatever choice she made. She knew she made the right choice in accepting. Both him and the job, for it led her to become an Associate Director within only about three years. Again she believed it was because of him. "He is always there for me." She muttered with a small smile. Upon seeing him and Kyoka return, she smiled and waved at them. Kyoka immediately waved back and after getting in the backseat once more with her snack and juice box. Which Kazuya put the straw into. He handed Chizuru her juice and a Fruit Bowl. He then got into the car and drank from a Can of Mountain Dew. She smirked. "You are not setting a good example for our Daughter." She told him and pretended to frown at him.
"Remember you are allowing me to have One Can per day. At least it is not that Energy Drink that is really bad for me." Kazuya said as he took another drink. Chizuru put the kybosh on him drinking Energy Drinks since he used to drink about five to ten of them per day. Not healthy at all. She speared a chunk of Banana with the small Toothpick sized eating utensil and put it into her mouth. She then stabbed a piece of Mellon and presented to him. Neither cared about the indirect kiss. Not like back when he rented her and they had done that with a Soda they once shared. They both blushed when that happened, realizing what they had done and at the time she thought he was about to have a heart attack. She looked at him as he chewed the Mellon and she smiled fondly at him. Thinking back once more about what being with him and being married to him has made her life so wonderful.
"Kazuya." Chizuru said and he looked over at her. She continued to smile. "I love you...so much."
"I love you too Chizuru...Uhm is there something wrong?" Kazuya asked somewhat confused. She shook her head.
"No. Nothing is wrong. I just want to make sure that I say it more often. Say that I am truly in love with you. That I have...Well I was going to say no Regrets. But I can think of one." Chizuru said and Kazuya began to wonder what that could be.
"It is not something I did wrong is it?" Kazuya asked worried that perhaps he had done something that caused her to regret. She shook her head and chuckled.
"No. Actually my Regret is entirely my fault. I should not have been such an idiot. I should have not been so stupid and...and when I started to have feelings for you. I should not have fought against them and told you sooner then I did. A whole fuc...fracken year that we could have been together." Chizuru glanced quickly back and exhaled with relief. Kyoka was asleep. So their daughter would not have heard her almost say a bad word. She did not want to hear her Daughter tell on her. That she had said a bad word or almost did. "That is my only regret I have that regards you." She leaned closer towards Kazuya and kissed him.
Arrival:
Driving into the Parking Spot in front of their Grandmother Nagomi's Townhouse. Kazuya went to release Kyoka from her Car Seat while Chizuru intercepted the two Grandmothers that basically burst from the house. Her Grandmother Sayuri was a step ahead of Nagomi and after getting hugged by one. The other was there to get her hug as well. Then the two Elder Women descended upon their Great Granddaughter. "I got everything set up in the backyard." Nagomi said while she pandered to her Great Grand Daughter. Lavishing a lot of hugs and kisses upon her.
"You have gotten so big." Sayuri commented and Chizuru chuckled.
"Grandma you just saw her less then a month ago...She has not grown that much since then." Chizuru said and both Grandmothers scowled slightly.
"Well if you come for a visit more often then when we do get to see Kyoka. Then we would be able to see that she is growing or not." Nagomi countered and both Kazuya and Chizuru knew it was a losing battle to point out that both of them had their careers in Osaka. Kazuya with being an Assistant Manager at Osaka Sea Aquarium and Chizuru with her job. "Even so...I guess she is healthy enough." The Elder woman said, subtly slipping Kyoka a piece of candy. Chizuru rolled her eyes and let the Grandmother get away with it. Once in the backyard. Nagomi gestured to the Chairs and the nearby Table. "So who is coming to this impromptu reunion?"
"Well I think Shinbo and Kawanaka are coming." Chizuru said and Kazuya thought for a second.
"So is Ruka, Sumi, Kibe and Kuri...oh and I think Takeshi and Imai said they will try to come. I do not know if anyone else can. None of them got back to me when I sent them the Email." Kazuya informed his and Chizuru's Grandmothers. "Is Mom and Dad coming?" He asked and Nagomi nodded.
"Yes they will be by later...After they close the store." Nagomi replied and an hour later most of them arrived. With a series of hugs and handshakes, they made their way over to the seats. Getting cups, bottles and cans of drinks on the way. As the two Great Grandmothers continued to fawn over their Great Grand Daughter off to one side.
"You know it is really hard to believe that you and Chizuru are actually happily married." Kibe said as he took a slug of Beer from his bottle.
"Well we are. Though you know what is hard to believe is that there is your natural hair and not an implant of some sort...Or perhaps a Toupee." Kazuya said gesturing towards Kibe's now not rescinding hairline. Where once it looked like Kibe was balding, now he had hair. Everyone chuckled and Kibe returned to just drinking.
"What I can't believe is that you two look exactly the same as you did the last time we saw you. Geez Chizuru...I thought having a baby...Would...You know add some pounds to you. But you look absolutely incredible." Shinbo said and Chizuru smiled at her friend. As they continued to talk and learn about what each was up to. Takeshi and Imai arrived along with someone else that Kazuya nor Chizuru did not think would come. Mami Nanami. Before anyone could inquire why she was there.
"Oh I hope you all don't mind...But I invited Mami. She has been down in the dumps lately since her last divorce. So I thought hanging out with all of us might help." Imai said making her way to a nearby chair as did Takeshi. Mami looked at everyone and shrugged.
"I can leave if you want." Mami suggested and Chizuru stood from her chair.
"No...No. Please stay...Here sit here." Chizuru said gesturing to her seat. Mami shook her head.
"It is alright I can stand." Mami said glancing about and noticing that there was no more chairs or seats. Chizuru smiled warmly.
"No go ahead and sit down...I can just sit here." Chizuru stepped over to Kazuya and then sat comfortably across his lap. Putting her right arm across his shoulders while he put his arms around her waist. "See it is no problem." She said and then Mami tentatively sat down. She looked over at Kazuya and Chizuru. Both were smiling happily and Mami could not help but feel envious. She glanced over to the Old Women off to one side playing and talking with a young Child. Who Mami knew was Kazuya's and Chizuru's Daughter. Then again back at the happy couple as all those there talked about this or that. Mami's began smiled and replied here or there. But her thoughts were on other things.
"That could be me. I could be sitting there on Kazuya's lap. I could be the one happily married to him." Mami thought as she looked again at the young little girl. Imagining the girl with blonde brown hair. "That could be our daughter. If I had not messed up back then. If I had not let my Brother and Parents influence me...If I had instead...not broken up with Kazuya." She inhaled softly and knew she had made a huge mistake back then. Realizing she had been the one that by a trick of fate, drove Kazuya to rent Chizuru and then when she tried to get Chizuru to stop being rented by Kazuya. Only caused them to get closer. Then before she could actually do anything else. Kazuya and Chizuru started to Date for Real. Chizuru became Kazuya's real Girlfriend. In time she learned from Iami that the two were engaged and then they were Married. She considered her own life so far. Married to a Dullard for under a year. A Messy Divorce and then almost three years later she met another Dullard and married him. Again another Messy Divorce. "I was such a fool." She muttered and then fake laughed when others did.
"You know what...I think it is a little odd that here everyone else here is drinking Beer, Wine and Soda. But you Chizuru keep drinking Water and Juice." Kawanaka mentioned and then it dawned on some of the others. Including the two Grandmothers. Chizuru gave Kawanaka a scowl and then smiled. Kazuya paled slightly and looked guiltily towards his Grandmother. Who stepped closer with Sayuri.
"Thanks a lot Kawanaka...I was going to wait until Mom and Dad got here." Chizuru said still finding it wonderful that she had a Mom and Dad again. Even though they were actually her Inlaws. Something else Kazuya gave her. Parents. Someone she could call Mom and Dad. She exhaled with a deep sigh and looked at Kazuya who simply shrugged. "I guess I might as well tell...I am pregnant. About five weeks." Everyone there cheered and offered their congratulations. All but Kyoka who knew but had been sworn to secrecy with the promise if she did not tell. Then her Parents would take her to Mcdonalds later. Upon hearing the news, Mami burst from her chair and almost ran over to the fence a good twenty meters away. Tears ran down her cheeks as she slumped with her back turned towards everyone. They all watched this and Chizuru eased off Kazuya's lap and went over to her.
"Are you alright?" Chizuru asked with concern. Far enough away that no one overheard them. They all decided not to stare and make Mami feel embarrassed by what she had done. To reduce the tension, Kibe smirked and teased Kazuya about if it is a boy that he hoped it did not look like Kazuya. Which caused Kazuya to once more chide him back with a mention that the new Baby would probably have more hair then Kibe has. Mami slumped her shoulders.
"Yes...No I am not." Mami sorrowfully said and closed her eyes. Chizuru placed a reassuring right hand Mami left shoulder.
"I know we are not...Well close. But if it helps to talk to someone...I am willing to listen and help if I can." Chizuru said soothingly and Mami took a small inhaled breath.
"It was not that I...Hated you back then or even now." Mami said softly. Then looked over her shoulder at Chizuru. "I actually hated myself. I hated that even from the beginning any idiot could tell that you two...You and Kazuya...were sort of meant for each other. Even after I discovered that you were a Rental and tried to get...well to stop him from Renting you. Anyone could tell...I could tell that you two were just...Well perfect for each other. As I said...Meant to be." What could Chizuru say. It was true. She and Kazuya just were from almost the beginning meant to be together. Though she resisted it way too long and wished she hadn't. Mami took another sorrowful breath. "I hate myself because if I was not such...an idiot or fool...What you and him have...It would have been me. I would have a wonderful loving husband. Not two failed Marriages and two Divorces." She could not help but envy Chizuru in that regard especially since if she had not dumped Kazuya. That would be her and not Chizuru.
"Mami...You need to find that special someone that...Well like what Kazuya was to me. He just...I do not know how to explain it. He is just always there for me. Sure we love each other...But that is not...not entirely all it takes." Chizuru had really no idea what to say other then that. Thinking perhaps Mami was looking from the vantage point with rose colored glasses. That the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. "Think of it this way...We both know Kazuya is far from perfect and he was even further then that when he was younger. It took the two of us to make each other...into what we are. Yes he basically made it possible for everything I have today. But that is because...Well to sound corny...We love each other. Don't give up on perhaps finding that special person...oh and do not let your Parents or Brother influence you." Everyone including Chizuru had learned that Mami's first husband. The one that she had broken up with Kazuya over. Due to she was actually dating the other while going out with Kazuya. Her Parents and Brother adored the boring moron. Believing that he was perfect for Mami. Even though she hated him with every core of her being. Her Second Husband was the same thing. Since he was one of her Brother's friends. But he two was not someone that Mami could find herself being with. Still she married him and then after discovering that he was cheating on her. She Divorced him as well. Mami smiled.
"Any chance you and Kazuya can split up...So I can have him?" Mami said with a smile and then laughed. As did Chizuru as she shook her head.
"Nope. Sorry." Then to reduce the tension even more. "You know Kibe is still single and so is Kuri. They are almost like Kazuya." Mami shook her head vigorously still laughing.
"No way. Those two are...They are nothing like your Kazuya. For one that Kuri is still a huge pervert and Kibe...Yikes." Mami said and they both continued to laugh. Then rejoined the others. By that time Kazuya's Parents had arrived and were told the good news.
When the reunion was over. Kazuya and Chizuru left their Daughter with the Grandparents and went to Donny's for Supper. Though before leaving they informed the Grandfather about the promise to get Kyoka a Mcdonald's Happy Meal for being good and keeping the big secret. As they made their way to Donny's, Chizuru chuckled. "I think it is funny how we have to bribe our Daughter to behave or keep secrets."
"Whatever works. I believe you came up with bribing her." Kazuya said and Chizuru shrugged.
"Like you said...Whatever works." Chizuru looked over at her husband and smiled fondly. "Any chance we could...I don't know leave Kyoka with Mom and Dad until...Tomorrow and we...Get a Hotel Room?" She asked him giving him a certain look and Kazuya smiled broadly.
"I will call Mom and ask. I am sure they would not mind." Kazuya was more then willing. It would elevate the worry they had back home when they tried to be intimate and have to be concerned that Kyoka might walk in on them. He had once suggested that Chizuru put a COWBELL on Kyoka before tucking her in. So that they would hear her coming when she needed help in the Bathroom or wanted a Glass of Water.
Close to Desperate:
Mami could not fully believe she had accepted and agreed to go out with Shun Kuribayashi (Kuri). But before she and the others had left the Party. He had asked her out and due to that she did feel a little depressed and lonely. She actually agreed. Though as she sat there thinking about it. Kuri might be exactly who she needed to go out with. Sure he was nowhere near like Kazuya. But Kuri was unlike anything close to being like her Ex-Husbands. For one she doubted that she would be bored going out with Kuri and the worry that if they did become involved. That he would cheat on her with a Eighteen Year old Yoga Instructor. As she walked behind Takeshi and Imai not really listening to them talking about perhaps it was time they took the leap. Mami could not stop thinking how different her life would have been if she had not broken up with Kazuya. "Might as well give Kuri at least a chance. He might surprise me." She whispered and then smiled.
The End. Or not. Who Knows. THE SHADOW THOUGH KNOWS (Very Old Reference. If you do not understand Watch the SHADOW Movie or Look it up.)