Rent a Girlfriend Fanfic: Stepping Out of the Shadows
Chapter 9:
"I can't believe Kazuya-kun and I just ran into each other earlier."
"He's also here with that girl." I hope I don't run across them again when I'm with my client."
Even though she is on a rental date, Chizuru keeps thinking about her neighbour. She can't seem to get him out of her head.
While Chizuru ponders the unknown girl's relationship with Kazuya, her client, Nakamura Takumi, emerges from the changing room wearing a black smoking jacket, dark grey pants, and black loafers. On his left wrist, he also wears a silver watch.
Takumi is now hunting for work, thus he needs some appropriate clothing for job interviews. He wanted the second opinion of a fashion expert, so he decided to ask the rising rental girlfriend, Chizuru Mizuhara, if his choices are appropriate.
Takumi has rented Chizuru before, but that was only just for dates. The last time he rented her was a while ago, because he has been busy and he is actively looking for a girlfriend with some highs and lows.
"How do I look?" "Is this one better than the other?" Takumi inquired.
"OMG! "You look fantastic!" A random girl screamed at him.
Takumi awkwardly nods at the young lady. He looks at Chizuru, but she doesn't react or even look at him.
Takumi is a good looking guy, his only flaw is that he is really shy with girls. Pretty much on the same level as Sumi with strangers. When the fake couple walked through the mall, everyone's attention was drawn to them because they were both attractive. Some people even began to follow them. When the crowd noticed that the guy was experimenting on clothes, a mob of college females gathered around the changing room, eager to view his various possible ensembles.
Chizuru normally would have noticed the crowd around her, but she was just too deep in her thoughts thinking about her neighbour.
"Chizuru? Are you daydreaming again?" asked Takumi quiet annoyed.
"Huh? I apologize. Yes, this outfit fits you," Chizuru said flatly.
"You didn't even bother to look. Are you certain you're okay? This isn't the first time you haven't been paying attention to me today."
"I had a strange confrontation just before I arrived, so that's pretty much all I'm thinking about right now." I apologize for not being a proper girlfriend right now. I believe it is best to shorten the date right now." Chizuru explained respectfully.
"Yeah, I understand. It is better if we cut this date short." Takumi said.
"Do you want to go on a date with me?" asked several girls excitedly.
"I apologize. I'm not in the mood for another date right now." Takumi said as he bowed.
After Takumi's statement, several girls left the establishment disappointed.
"I will send the refund later." said Chizuru.
Takumi simply nods and returns to the changing room to try on more outfits.
Chizuru starts walking around the mall, hoping to catch a glimpse of the two.
Chizuru became hungry after 20 minutes and decided to go to a café to buy some food.
She noticed them through the café window while standing in front of it, seated together and laughing. Chizuru's heart fell as she stood there watching them, feeling like an outsider watching something she no longer belonged to.
She desired to confront them, question them about their relationship, and discover the truth. But as she stood outside the café, she was unsure of herself, questioning whether it was truly her place to do so.
Chizuru gained the courage to walk inside the café, order her food and approach them after a minute of internal deliberation. However, as she got closer, Kazuya and the unknown girl noticed her and their expressions changed from happy to uneasy.
Chizuru cleared her throat, attempting to keep her voice steady. "Excuse me, could I speak with you two for a moment?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on Kazuya.
Kazuya looked irritated, and the unknown girl had a puzzled expression on her face. "What do you want, Chizuru?" Kazuya asked, his tone bordering on hostile.
Chizuru ignored his hostility and went straight to the point. "Who is she to you, Kazuya? Are you two dating?"
Kazuya's face twisted in frustration. "It's none of your business, Chizuru. And why do you care all of a sudden? You ghosted me for three months!"
Chizuru felt a pang of guilt at his words. She knew she had hurt him, but she couldn't change what had happened. "I just wanted to know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I saw you two together and I couldn't help but ask."
"Why are you even here? Are you not supposed to be on a rental date." Kazuya asked
"He had an emergency, so the date was cut short." Chizuru told a fib.
"You followed me to the hospital when my grandmother was admitted. "How come you aren't following him right now?" Kazuya inquired, doubting her words.
"He didn't want me near him, so he asked to shorten the date, and I simply obliged." Chizuru stated this.
"He was dissatisfied with your service, so he agreed to shorten the date?" While seeing through her lies, Akane said.
Chizuru was taken aback and was unable to respond.
"Your thoughts were too preoccupied with us to pay attention to your 'boyfriend?'" Akane elaborated.
Chizuru was astounded that the mystery girl saw right through her deception.
"How did you find out I was a rental girlfriend?" Chizuru inquired fiercely.
"Kazuya told me everything I needed to know about you." Akane stated.
"I am aware of your phony relationship and everything he has done for you out of love, but your response is simply you being an ungrateful brat." Akane stated vehemently.
"How come you can tell her about me but not the other way around?" Chizuru inquired of Kazuya.
"Why would I tell someone something to someone who doesn't even want me in her life?" Kazuya explained calmly.
"You don't have the right to talk to him!" Akane exclaimed loudly.
"It's not as simple as you think!" exclaimed Chizuru, increasing her voice.
"It really is simple! You either like him or not, so what will it be?" Akane said.
""Kazuya kun is really important to me, but I don't know if I like him romantically. I need time to figure out my feelings for him." Chizuru said.
"Can you please give me more time?" Chizuru lamented.
Kazuya seemed conflicted, unsure how to respond, but the girl wrapped her arm around him to ensure he could think clearly again.
"I need a little more time to think about it." With a sneer on his face, Kazuya remarked.
Chizuru wanted to react angry at Kazuya, but even she knows that would be totally unfair to him.
"I have to leave now; I have to go to work." Kazuya stated.
The two girls simply nod at him, and after Kazuya leaves, the two girls are alone.