Rent a Girlfriend Fanfic: Stepping Out of the Shadows
Chapter 21:
Friday, April 19th.
The room was softly lit, with only a sliver of sunlight streaming through the drawn curtains. Stacks of books and papers covered every accessible surface, and clothes were thrown across the floor. Kazuya's room, while not as disorderly as it had been during his ghosting phase, bore the weight of his emotions.
Kazuya sat on his futon in the corner of the room, his phone beside him. The screen flashed a slew of unread messages. He felt lost and defeated, unable to confront the outside world.
A wave of grief rushed over him as he scrolled through social media. Knowing that Chizuru and Umi were now dating made him feel betrayed. It was not the same passionate love he had had before the ghosting, but the aching in his heart was palpable.
The previous few days had been a tornado of emotions, and Kazuya could not muster the strength to answer to his friends' messages, especially Akane's. He was not sure he could take any more shocks or heartache.
"Do I really need to see those two on stage?"
In that moment of despair, he longed for someone to talk to, someone who could understand the weight on his heart.
The doorbell rang, and Kazuya slowly dragged himself to answer it. It was Mini, who had come to accompany him to the play they both got tickets for, courtesy of Chizuru.
As Mini entered Kazuya's room, her eyes widened at the sight of the mess. It reminded her of the dark times during Kazuya's ghosting period. Concern etched her features, and she could not help but ask, "Master, what happened? Your room looks... not great."
Kazuya sighed; his shoulders slumped in defeat. "I saw Chizuru-san and Umi-kun walking hand in hand in the mall while shopping for their birthdays." Mini-san, it just hurts. I mean, I knew they were close, but this surprised me."
Mini's eyes tightened in wrath and anguish. "Did she ever tell you about them dating?"
Kazuya shook his head, a hurtful tone in his voice. "She didn't." I had to figure it out on my own, and it hurts that she didn't trust me enough to be truthful."
Mini's hands clenched, her rage increasing. "That isn't right, Master. She should have told you the truth. You deserve to know that after everything that happened."
Kazuya appreciated Mini's help, but he could not get rid of his despair and bewilderment. "I'm at a loss for what to do now." For the previous few days, I have not answered to any messages, even Akane's. I'm not even sure whether she wants to talk to me anymore."
Mini's concern about Kazuya grew stronger. "You can't disconnect yourself like this. It is not good for you. "Have you discussed this with Akane?"
Kazuya shook his head in frustration. "No, not at all. I haven't talked to anyone after I saw Chizuru-san and Umi-kun together."
Mini laid a kind hand on Kazuya's shoulder. "You can't hide forever, Master. Talk to Akane-san and be honest with her about this. She cares a lot about you and is probably wondering why you do not respond to her. Do not abandon her like this. You are better than this. Go to her after the play."
"It also would probably be awkward seeing Chizuru-san and Umi-kun together at her birthday. You know what, can I come with you towards Akane sans birthday?" Mini said with a small smile.
"Um, sure, just go with me." "I'm hoping Akane-san doesn't mind." Kazuya stated.
"Just meet me after the play, because we don't sit near each other." Mini said, smiling.
With their plans set, Kazuya got dressed, determined to face the evening's events head-on. Together, they left his room and headed to the play.
Kazuya sat alone in a dimly lit room, engaged in reading the draft of "Cyrano de Bergerac." The script was on his lap, its pages brimming with the poetry phrases and emotional dialogues that would soon be brought to life on stage.
Kazuya's gaze drifted across the room, taking in the opulence of the setting where they were meeting. He noticed people dressed up and drinking champagne, and he could not help but feel out of place. The opulence of the surroundings just added to his growing sense of inadequacy.
He looked down at his own clothes, which felt basic and ordinary in compared to the gorgeous ensembles surrounding him. This setting, this gathering, was well out of his league, he realized. He felt insecure, as if he did not belong in this refined world of thespians and high society.
As he read on, the lines from the play came back to him, dragging him deeper into the plot. Kazuya was moved by Umi's portrayal of Cyrano, and he could not help but wonder if Umi's sentiments for Chizuru's Roxane mirrored his own feelings for her.
Kazuya became lost in his thoughts, caught between wanting to be a part of Chizuru's world and believing he was not worthy of her. He pondered if, like Umi's Cyrano, he should hide his emotions for fear of rejection and the likelihood that he did not fit in her world.
The room seemed to slip away as he reflected, and he felt a profound sense of loneliness. He knew he had to tackle his doubts and his affections for Chizuru, but the fear of being out of place and unworthy loomed huge in his heart.
As the words of the play continued to dance in his mind, Kazuya felt both drawn to and alienated from the world portrayed in "Cyrano de Bergerac." In that moment, he longed for the courage to step out of his comfort zone, to take a chance on love, and to find his place, not only in the story but in the complexities of his own heart.
The theatre was buzzing with excitement as the lights dimmed and the curtains slowly parted to reveal the stage. The audience fell silent, enthralled by the unfolding drama of "Cyrano de Bergerac".
As the lights gradually dimmed, throwing a lovely glow over the audience, the enormous theatre was filled with an air of expectation. Whispers faded to silence, and all eyes went to the stage, anticipating the start of the show. The heavy curtains parted, revealing a superbly staged setting that transported the audience to 17th-century France.
As the performance began, Umi, who was playing Cyrano, walked onto the stage with confidence and charisma. His insightful words and beautiful gestures captivated the audience, bringing to life Cyrano's passion for Roxane. Every heart-breaking letter and impassioned statement of love rang true, and Umi's portrayal was riveting.
Umi's Cyrano faced a key dilemma towards the drama's climax as the play progressed. The test came when he had to decide whether to expose his true identity and confess his feelings for Chizuru's Roxane. His emotions weighed heavily on him, and he struggled with the fear of rejection and the uncertainty of her response.
As Umi put his everything into his performance, the stage became a battleground of emotions. Each syllable was tinged with hope and fear, matching his real-life predicament. The audience was captivated, empathizing with Umi's internal conflict, and hoping for a resolution.
As the drama reached its finale, the theatre was filled with emotion. Umi's Cyrano stood on the stage, divided between his dread of rejection and his need to profess his love to Chizuru's Roxane. His mental struggle was palpable to the audience, and their hearts raced in time with his.
The stage is furnished with a lovely backdrop of moonlit gardens as the drama reaches its finale, giving a sense of enchantment to the ambiance. Umi's Cyrano stands in front of Chizuru's Roxane, his pulse hammering with a mixture of hope and dread. The tension in the air is apparent as Umi's character wrestles with a decision that has the potential to change everything.
Umi's Cyrano musters the strength to expose his true identity and confess his love to Chizuru's Roxane during an emotional high point. The audience is intrigued because they can feel the weight of his emotions, which are split between dread of rejection and hope for reciprocation. Umi's honest sensitivity tugs at the hearts of everyone who watch, dragging them further into the mysteries of love.
Meanwhile, Kazuya sits among the audience, his eyes fixed on the stage, yet his thoughts drifting into his own heartache. With every passing scene, he realizes how far apart he and Chizuru truly are. The kiss shared between Umi and Chizuru is like a bittersweet dagger, reminding Kazuya of the unattainable love he has harboured for her.
As the play concludes, and the applause fills the theatre, Kazuya is left feeling more hopeless than ever before. The echoes of his own unrequited feelings resonate in his mind as he utters softly, "I guess it was never meant to be."
Akane's room was bathed in soft, warm light, which created a pleasant glow. The walls were covered with bookshelves and photos of her training progress, to remind herself where she came from. But on this particular day, the atmosphere was bittersweet, and the air was tinged with regret.
Akane sat alone on the side of her tidy bed, a modest birthday cake in front of her. The candles on top of the cake danced, illuminating her serious countenance. Her heart was heavy, and her features were tinged with grief.
She had been looking forward to her birthday, intending to spend it with Kazuya, the one person who had brought her delight and excitement. But his silence in recent days had left her dejected, and she could not help but worry whether he had made his decision.
Her phone was next to her, the screen dark and devoid of notifications. Each unanswered message seemed like a weight on her heart, as if her hopes were gradually disappearing.
Her gaze was drawn to the birthday cake, which reminded her of the day she had intended to spend with him. The candles kept flickering, nearly matching the flame of hope within her.