Rent a Girlfriend Fanfic: Stepping Out of the Shadows

Chapter 14:

Kazuya had just returned from a gruelling workout session at the gym, accompanied by his friend Akane. They had pushed their limits, sweat pouring down their foreheads, as they strived to achieve their fitness goals. As he bid farewell to Akane at his doorstep, Kazuya's tired body yearned for a restful sleep.

He stepped into his vacant flat, which enveloped him in silence. He slid into his comfortable pyjamas after a quick shower and prepared to relax to the embrace of his soft bed. His phone buzzed, indicating a new message, just as he was about to close his eyes.

To his surprise, the sender was none other than Sumi, the sweet and reserved girl he had met by going on a practice date with her. Kazuya's heart skipped a beat, wondering what could have prompted her to reach out to him after all this time. His eyes scanned the message, and he discovered that Sumi was asking if they could go on a practice date once again, for her sake.

Kazuya's mind raced as he recalled their previous practice date, which had been an endearing experience. He had helped Sumi build her confidence and overcome her shyness. The memory of their time together made Kazuya smile, remembering how much fun they had and the bond they had formed.

Kazuya responded quickly, stating his readiness to go on another practice date with Sumi. He told her that he would be delighted to assist her and that they could schedule it for the following Friday, March 15, 2019.

Kazuya's veins tinged with excitement as he awaited their meeting. His mind was preoccupied with their approaching date, which filled him with both worry and excitement. He contemplated the ideal things they could partake in, thinking about how he could make the event memorable for Sumi.


The anticipation had been building in Kazuya's heart since Sumi had proposed their second practice date. Now, the day had arrived, and the familiar setting of their first meeting brought a sense of nostalgia. Kazuya stood at the designated spot, his eyes scanning the surroundings for Sumi's arrival.

Suddenly, he caught sight of her walking towards him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, curious about what surprises awaited him on this mysterious date. Sumi approached him with a twinkle of excitement, her voice laced with an air of secrecy.

"Kazuya-kun, I have something special planned for us today," Sumi whispered, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "But it's a secret, so you'll have to follow me."

Kazuya's interest was peaked, and he nodded, eager to put his trust in Sumi's judgment. Sumi led the way as they set out on their adventure through the downtown streets. The road she picked remained a mystery, which thrilled and interested Kazuya.

They arrived at a vibrant karaoke bar, unlike the one where Kazuya worked, after a short stroll. Music and laughter flooded the air, immersing them in a sense of exhilaration and freedom. Kazuya's eyes widened as he realized their hidden destination would allow them to express themselves through song.

Sumi's eyes twinkled with delight as she gave the microphone to Kazuya. "Let's sing together, Kazuya-kun!" Let's have some fun and forget about the rest of the world for a time."

They chose songs in turn, their voices mingling and filling the space with melodies. Kazuya kept a tight eye on Sumi, her fervour clear in every note she sang. Her voice was pure and had a strong connection to the music.

As the karaoke night progressed, Sumi's voice reverberated through the air, carrying a mix of joy and vulnerability. Each song she sang seemed to peel away the layers of hesitation that had shrouded her dreams. And as the final notes of a heartfelt ballad faded, Sumi turned to Kazuya, her eyes brimming with gratitude.

"Kazuya-kun, I want to tell you something," Sumi confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "Do you know anything about my dream?"

"No, I don't actually." Kazuya stated after some thought.

"Ever since I was a child, I've dreamt of becoming a JPOP artist. Singing makes me feel alive, and it's the one thing that sets my soul on fire."

Kazuya became fascinated by her ambitious dream and listened closely. Her dreams, which she had kept hidden for so long, were suddenly laid bare before him. He was impressed by her bravery and vulnerability in disclosing her deepest desires.

Kazuya stretched out and gently took Sumi's hand, his voice full of warmth and support. "Sumi, your dream is lovely, and I have faith in you." Your voice is great, and your enthusiasm shines through every time you sing. Do not allow anything or anyone stop you. "With all your heart, pursue your dream."

"That's not everything, Kazuya-kun."

"But there is one major issue: my shyness."

"Yeah..." Kazuya replied gently.

"Since the day we met, I've experienced tremendous growth as a person, and it's all thanks to you."

Kazuya's eyes widened, his heart fluttering with astonishment and pride. He had not expected to hear such touching words from Sumi. He leaned in closer, his whole concentration on her.

"When we first went on that practice date, I was so timid and shy," Sumi added, her voice becoming more powerful. "But you were so gentle with me, so patient with my doubts." You made me feel protected and encouraged me to try new things. I never imagined I'd be able to do something like this."

Sumi's eyes sparkled with tears as she remembered their first meeting, a tremendous sensation of appreciation sweeping over her. She took a deep breath to gather her thoughts before continuing to pour her heart out to Kazuya.

"Kazuya, that first date with you meant the world to me," she admitted, her voice brimming with emotion. "I was overjoyed to have found someone as lovely as you. Your kindness and excellent character taught me that I could be more than I thought I was. It gave me the confidence to go after my aspirations."

Kazuya sat there, his heart bursting with a mixture of excitement and humility. Sumi had always had potential but seeing her express her progress and thankfulness gave him a feeling of purpose and joy.

"So, to demonstrate my progress and gratitude to you, I'm going to sing a song I wrote."

"Wait really?" Kazuya said shocked

Sumi took a deep breath and, with a voice filled with love, began to sing a heartfelt love song. The melody wrapped around them, creating an intimate space where their emotions could intertwine.


Rent a girlfriend Favourite lover

It was decided 15 billion years ago

Even greater than Adam & Eve, it's just fate

No matter the time or place, I'm the greatest girlfriend

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Favourite Lover!

Ah, you are looking away on a date, unbelievable

Mm, the only thing you should be looking at is my face

Uh, even if every other girl in the world likes you

Ha, I'm the one who loves you the most!

How does my hair look?

My heart won't stop pounding

I will be positive

You're the only one I think about

The Big Bang has led us to this point, it's destiny!

It was decided 15 billion years ago

We love each other even more than Romeo and Juliet

There are plenty of rivals

In this scramble for love, but

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Favourite Lover!

The secret to being cute is youth and charm

Mm, if you want something, I'll ask you what it is

Uh. huh? Kazuya-kun is dissatisfied with another girl?

Ha, if you'll have me, I'll be your partner

I won't forgive you if you love anyone else

Maybe second place?

No!

Let's go to a night pool next time

I can't accept this pain in my heart

The Big Bang has led us to this point, it's destiny!

It was decided 15 billion years ago

Even greater than Adam & Eve, it's just fate

No matter the time or place, I'm the greatest girlfriend

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Favourite Lover!

Ah, well you are a man

We were enjoying sweets

It's amazing when it's just the two of us

Let's become an old man and an old woman together

Is that okay?

It was decided 15 billion years ago

We love each other even more than Romeo and Juliet

There are plenty of rivals

In this scramble for love, but

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Favourite Lover!

No matter the time or place, I'm the greatest girlfriend

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

Favourite Lover!


Sumi locked eyes with Kazuya as the final note lingered in the air, her voice now filled with unwavering assurance. "Kazuya, I love you," she said, her words full of real vulnerability and passion.

Kazuya's heart skipped a beat as his mind struggled to accept Sumi's words. He was taken aback by the intensity of the confession. He searched her eyes for answers, but his own emotions were knotted in a web of doubt.

He examined Sumi's statement carefully, recognizing the depth of her feelings, but he needed time to comprehend this information. His head was filled with contradictory thoughts and feelings, and he was confused how to respond.

"Wow she loves me! This must have taken a lot from Sumi to confess like this."

"But... I don't love Sumi-chan."

"I love Chizuru..."

However, as Kazuya tried to focus his thoughts on Chizuru, a strange phenomenon occurred. Memories of Chizuru began to blur, replaced by fleeting recollections of his time with Akane. A sense of unease washed over him, as if his mind were playing tricks on him.

"Wait, Akane?"

Kazuya was taken aback by this unexpected shift in his thoughts. Akane, the enigmatic woman from the gym, had never occupied such a prominent place in his mind. The sudden intrusion of her memories startled him, leaving him feeling confused and unsettled.

A wave of anxiety crashed over Kazuya, his thoughts spiralling as he grappled with his own emotions. He needed clarity, a moment to sort through the tangled web of his heart. He realized he had to be honest with himself and those around him.

"I... I need a moment to process this, Sumi," Kazuya finally said, his voice filled with remorse as much as honesty. "Your confession caught me off guard, and I need to process my own emotions." Please bear with me."

Sumi's eyes were filled with understanding and disappointment. She nodded quietly, her voice sweet and sympathetic. "Of course," Kazuya says. Take as much time as you need. I just wanted to be completely honest with you."

They found themselves wandering together on the streets after they finished singing. Sumi's tears flowed down her cheeks, and her voice trembled with vulnerability as she summoned the strength to address a question that had been on her mind for a long time.

"Kazuya-kun," she forced out between sobs, "do you love Chizuru?" she asked.

The question hung in the air, full of hope and terror. Kazuya's mind raced, his emotions torn between his actual affections for Chizuru and the lingering recollections of Akane. He struggled to find the appropriate words while dealing with his own bewilderment.

"I... I do not know," Kazuya finally said, his voice strained and full of anguish and confusion. "I used to believe I loved her, but now... everything feels so complicated."

Sumi's eyes widened and her tears froze in place as horror washed over her. She had hoped for a better response, one that confirmed his feelings for Chizuru. His indecision devastated her heart, leaving her feeling lost and defenceless.

Sumi had the courage to ask one more question, her voice wavering. "Are we still friends, Kazuya?" Even if it is not exactly what I had hoped for?"

Kazuya looked at her, his heart heavy with remorse. He knew he had unintentionally caused her pain, and the thought of losing her friendship pained him even more. With a sigh, he nodded, unable to find the words to express the depth of his regret.

"Yeah, Sumi," he whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "We can still be friends. I value your presence in my life."

The rest of their journey back home was enveloped in silence, broken only by the distant sounds of the city. Each step carried a weight of unspoken emotions, a reminder of the tangled web of relationships and desires that had entwined their lives.

A/N:

So the first one has fallen. What did you think of this chapter? You can find the song on YouTube btw. Here is the link: watch?v=ViHdK_eldQE