Rent a Girlfriend: Birthday (Short Story) Part 1

Characters:

Kazuya Kinoshita

Chizuru Mizuhara

Mami Nanami

Ruka Sarashina

Sumi Sakurasawa

Nagomi Kinoshita

Yoshiaki Kibe

Shun Kuribayashi

Sayuri Ichinose

The Start:

Laying in his room on his bed, Kazuya was conflicted and was in turmoil over whether or not to ask Chizuru to come to his Birthday Party. Sure, they were now a couple. A real one. She was his Girlfriend, and he was her Boyfriend. But they had only been a couple for about nine days now. So, he worried it might be too soon to ask her. As he laid there, he debated with himself whether to just ask if she would go or not. Of course, his courage waned, and he just could not bring himself to actually go ask. Fearing she would give the obvious answer. That she would inform him that it was too soon for her to attend his Birthday Party as his Girlfriend. That would almost certainly kill him. As he began to regain his courage, there was a light knock on the door. He knew exactly who it was. For Chizuru was the only other one that now lived in the house. Mimi had moved out and back to her own Apartment. Stating that the lovebirds needed their privacy. "Kazuya...Can...Can I talk to you?" Chizuru's voice said from the other side of the door and Kazuya got up and opened the door.

In the Main Room, Chizuru sat across from Kazuya. She smiled when she noticed that he was acting guilty. As if he was in some sort of trouble. "You Birthday is in two days and there is your Birthday party." She said and he nodded. Small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

"Yes...Yes it is." Kazuya blurted out still believing he was in some sort of trouble. That he had done something wrong. Then he decided to be bold. "Uhm...Do you...Want to go?" He asked sheepishly and Chizuru smiled over at him.

"Do you not want me to?" Chizuru asked back and he nodded vigorously. "I was worried that you...Did not want me to."

"No...No I do. I was worried that you...That you would think that maybe we have not been...Together long enough to...Attend." Kazuya stammered out still worried that she would think that.

"Well I want to. Kazuya you are my Boyfriend. I want to do things like celebrate your Birthday. Spend Holidays together and even go on trips together." Chizuru told him, reaching across the table with her right hand to clasp his. Giving it a gentle squeeze. Kazuya sighed with relief. He then smiled.

"I want that too." Kazuya replied, happily and felt like he wanted to dance in the street.

"Though one problem with Friday. I have to meet with a Director on Friday at 2 PM. Shoiri set it up and she said that I could land a role in his next play." Chizuru informed him. "But as I remember the Party at your Parents is at 5 PM. So, I will come back well before then and we can go together." Kazuya nodded with agreement. "For now...How about we go out? Go see a Movie." She suggested and of course Kazuya was willing.

Birthday Problems:

When Kazuya came out of his room, he found Chizuru in the Kitchen making breakfast. "One birthday breakfast almost done. Go ahead and sit down at the table. I will bring it shortly." She announced from the stove and Kazuya did as he was told. Sitting at the table, he smiled with glee.

"You did not have to do this." Kazuya said still smiling happily. Chizuru turned her head and smiled at him.

"Yes, I did. It is your birthday and as your Girlfriend...I have to do this." Chizuru said and brought over a plate with Two Poached eggs on Toast. Setting it down in front of him. While she set another plate with two others. Then sat down across from him. She was tempted to feed him some of hers. Like she had seen in some Romcom Manga and Anime. But decided that was something she wanted to do in a more Romantic time.

"This is really good." Kazuya said as he ate, and Chizuru smiled warmly at him.

"After this...My Meeting is not until 2 PM...Do you have any plans today?" Chizuru asked knowing that Kazuya's friends might want to do something to celebrate his birthday with him.

"No. I actually was hoping to spend some time with you." Kazuya said as he continued to eat.

"Good. There is somewhere I want to take you for your birthday." Chizuru said smiling broadly.

"Where is that?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru shook her head.

"Not telling. I want it to be a surprise." Chizuru said as she finished eating just about the time Kazuya did. "Go get changed and we will go." She told him and he went to do just that. While Kazuya was getting changed, Chizuru was tempted to call Shiori and cancel. She really wanted to spend the entire day with him. But she knew he would protest and almost force her to go to the meeting with the Director Togakushi. If it meant she would get another role in a Play.

First Act:

Taking Kazuya once more to the Tokyo Dome, Chizuru wanted to redo the date they had once before. Their first stop was the Arcade and the Photo Booth. There they once more stood within the booth and followed the prompts. But this time when the Prompt told them to kiss. Instead of doing the fingertip kiss, this time she kissed him for real. From there they went to several of the other rides that they had not gone on before. Such as the Tunnel of Love. At the end of the day, they once more rode the Ferris Wheel. Again, she wanted to simply call Shiori and ask to meet the Director another day. Wanting instead to spend more time with her Boyfriend on his Birthday.

Second Act:

"Isn't it almost time for you to go?" Kazuya asked as they walked away from the Toyko Dome. He was carrying a couple of bags that contained the Prizes he had won for her. Chizuru let out a resounding sigh.

"Yes. But I am tempted to cancel." Chizuru replied but already knew that Kazuya would argue against that and of course she was right.

"No, you can't. This could lead you to get more Roles." Kazuya said and Chizuru chuckled, shaking her head.

"Okay since you insist. I will go. But no matter what I will meet you back at the house by 4:30. Than we can go to the Party at your family together." Chizuru was still reluctant to go. Giving his hand one more gentle squeeze. She departed and caught a Taxi to take her to the Cafe.

It took less than a half hour for her to reach the Cafe and Chizuru hoped that this did lead to another Role in a Play. Especially for a Play Directed by Togakushi. From what she had heard, Togakushi was one of the most prominent Directors in the Country. Working for him was almost a guarantee for other better Roles. As she entered the Cafe, she saw Shiori sitting at a booth and the other girl waved to her with a huge smile. Sitting across from her, Chizuru smiled at her friend. "I am glad you came." Shiori said still smiling and then let out a long-exhaled sigh. "I am so sorry about this...But Uncle Togakushi can't get here for another hour. Though he might get here sooner. Is that okay?" Her friend asked and Chizuru shrugged.

"I guess. But I have to leave by 4 PM no matter what. It is my Boyfriend's Birthday. His family is throwing a Birthday party and I need to go with him." Chizuru stated glancing at her Cellphone to see that it was just before 2 PM. Shiori leaned closer.

"You know I was relieved that you...That you did not fall for Umi's charms." Shiori shook her head. "I had the misfortune of falling for it...And I really regret I did. I cannot believe that...That asshole left me after two weeks. When he supposedly fell out of love with me and claimed he was now in love with someone else. What really pisses me off is that I also cannot believe I slept with that...That...womanizer." She growled in disgust.

"No one really realized it until...Well not until he did it to you." Chizuru said hoping to make Shiori feel better over being doped into dating Umi. Completely relieved that she never did fall for Umi's confessions. Though she had a distinct feeling from being a Rental Girlfriend that Umi was the type to fall in and out of love with someone. But that was not the reason she had finally finished her investigation and discovered that she was in love with Kazuya.

"Still...You dodge the bullet on that one. Wish I did. Then I would not be so bitter right now." Shiori said as she took a deep sip of her Cold Malka Coffee. "Let's talk about something else while we wait. So how is...What is his name? You told me once...But I just can't remember." Chizuru smiled happy with the change of subject.

"Kazuya...Kazuya Kinoshita. He is great. I am so happy that we are together, and he is my Boyfriend." Chizuru said and Shiori chuckled.

"From what you told me, he is not anything like Umi. Which is a good thing. Maybe I should find myself one like him. Someone that does not have problems with his libido. Where it seems that every Woman he meets wants to be with him." Shiori said and Chizuru shook her head.

"Yeah well, there were at least two other girls interested in him. I was just lucky that he was in love with me. That he did not end up with either of them." Chizuru told her and she could tell Shiori wanted details. "You have to understand. Kazuya is the type to...I do not know how he does it. But he has this way that makes girls fall for him." She smiled. "That is why I am hesitant to have you meet him." Shiori chuckled again.

"I am not about to steal your boyfriend. I am not that type of person. Also, from what you told me before...It seems he completely smitten with you." Shiori said and Chizuru nodded.

"Yes, he is...Though for a long time I was an idiot. I knew for quite a while that I felt something for him. But I was just had no idea what I was feeling was romantic love. Since I never really felt that way about anyone before. So, it took me some time to investigate my feelings." Chizuru said than glanced at her Cellphone. From what Shiori told her, Mister Togakushi would be arriving in about twenty minutes.

"What clinched it for you?" Shiori asked fully curious, and Chizuru chuckled.

"It might sound weird. But it was a lot of minor things. Like when he panicked and lied about using the Shampoo as body wash. Or how great he was with kids when we went to this Daycare." Chizuru smiled and counted it off on her fingers. "Or how he..." She closed her eyes thinking fondly about him. "How he was always there for me. No matter what. He was there for me when I really needed him." Thinking back to when she had broken down and cried. He was there to console her.

"I want that. I want a boyfriend like that." Shiori stated and smiled mischievously. "If he is like that...Are you sure I cannot have him? I can wait until you break up." Chizuru scowled slightly.

"That won't happen." Chizuru said coldly. "At some point...I want him to give this to me." She reached into her blouse and pulled out a sliver chain. On the chain was a ring. The ring that his grandmother and Mother had given to her. She showed it to Shiori, and her friend gasped.

"Is that...Is that an Engagement Ring?" Shiori asked and Chizuru smiled again. Nodding.

"Yes, it is. His Grandmother and Mother gave it to me. At some point I want him to give it to me. That is why I carry it on me. Just in case he ever gets the gumption to actually ask me." Chizuru said not about to tell anyone that if he asked her even though they only been together officially for under two weeks. She would say YES without any hesitation. As Shiori about to press her for more, Togakushi arrived. As he sat down next to Shiori, he smiled at them both.

"This should only take about two or three hours at most for me to go over the Script and what I expect from you." Togakushi said towards Chizuru who looked at her Cellphone. Seeing that it was just a few minutes after 3. She shook her head.

"I am sorry sir. But I will be leaving in an hour. It is my Boyfriends Birthday and there is a party tonight I need to go to." Chizuru stated and Togakushi stopped smiling.

"Can't you call him and tell him that you will be late?" Togakushi asked and again Chizuru shook her head.

"NO! If me leaving in an hour means that I do not get the part...Then so be it." Chizuru declared sternly and Togakushi smiled again.

"I guess we can fully go over the Script later. Right now, I want to know more about someone that Shiori has recommended as the lead role instead of herself." Togakushi said and they both looked over at Shiori.

"I recommended her because I almost blew it in the last play you had me as the lead role. I know for a fact Chizuru will dominate the Role much better than I could. That is why Uncle Togakushi...I will be more than happy to be in one of the supportive roles instead of the leading one." Shiori said and the much older man chuckled.

"Alright then...So tell me some about yourself. You can start with this Boyfriend that is so important to you." Togakushi said as he ordered Herbal Tea from the Waitress that had just came over. Chizuru had no problem telling the Elder man all about her Boyfriend. Then about herself.

Third Act:

Leaving exactly at 4 PM, Chizuru was ecstatic over the fact that according to Mister Togakushi. She got the part. She would be the Lead Actor in his next big Play. Which rehearsals would start in about two weeks. She could not wait to tell Kazuya the good news. As she made her way to catch a Taxi, she thought over that he told tell her that if the Play goes as expected it might be extended for at least a month and might even be made into a Movie. Which he informed her if it is made into a Movie, then she would be the leading star in that as well. "Maybe I will take Kazuya on a weekend trip somewhere. A nice romantic weekend trip to celebrate me getting the part." She muttered with a small smile. Hailing a Taxi and as the Driver drove, she sent a text to Kazuya informing him that she was on her way home and would be there soon.

Right after Kazuya read the text, there was a knock on the door. He knew it was not Chizuru. For after she lost her Key to her Apartment once before, she started to carry two keys whenever she left. Standing he made his way to the front door. "Who is it?" He said as he opened the door and there before him was Umi.

"Is Chizuru here? I need to talk to her." Umi said peering past Kazuya to see if Chizuru was there.

"Uhm...She is not here right now." Kazuya said casually, and Umi frowned slightly. Then shook it off and smiled.

"Is she really not here or is it you do not want me to talk to her." Umi said and Kazuya shook his head.

"No, she is not here. Didn't she...Didn't she ask you not to come here anymore? So why are you here?" Kazuya asked and Umi scowled again.

"She did. But...But I...It is none of your business what I am doing here!" Umi stated partially glaring at Kazuya menacingly and Kazuya kept himself at the doorway. Plainly making it clear that he was not about to invite Umi inside. Still scowling, Umi turned. "If she is not here...Then I will wait out here for her." He walked out to the street. Right after Kazuya shut the door, he texted a warning to Chizuru about Umi being at the house and he was waiting for her outside.

Arriving, Chizuru paid for her fare and got out of the Taxi. A few meters away was Umi and he smiled at her. While she frowned at him. "What are you doing here Umi? I asked you not to come here ever again. Not after what you pulled the last time you came here." She demanded and Umi let out a long sighing breath.

"I wanted to apologize for that. I should not have kissed you." Umi said bowing slightly and Chizuru shook her head.

"Yeah, you shouldn't have. Especially after I told you that...That I am going to be with Kazuya. That he was and is my Boyfriend. It caused a lot of problems for me and for him." Chizuru said and decided that she did not want to really talk to Umi. "I do not have time for this, and I do not want to discuss that anymore. So, if you will excuse me...Me and Kazuya have plans tonight." She started to walk towards the front door of her house and Umi attempted to reach out and clasp her right forearm. She pulled it away. 'Don't touch me!" She growled and he retracted his own hand.

"Sorry. I...I want to...Can we just talk?" Umi asked and Chizuru shook her head.

"No, we cannot! Now leave and don't come back here! All you are doing is causing problems again being here." Chizuru stated and continued to walk towards the front door.

"I...I am in love with you. I love you, Chizuru." Umi declared and Chizuru let out a small chuckle as she shook her head.

"You don't even know what love is. You use love as a means to an end. You say it with no real intent or...Or feelings. You say it and don't really understand what love is." Chizuru said and turned back towards him. "Love is being there for someone. Love is putting someone else before yourself. Love is doing their best to make someone happy." She took a breath and could tell Umi just did not really understand. "Kazuya has done all of that and I know he loves me as I love him. So, go. Do your usual and find some other unsuspecting Girl that will believe that you are in love with them. Then break her heart when you find your next conquest." With that she turned and walked away. Opening and after going inside she shut the door. While Umi tried to think of a response.

Fourth Act:

Walking together, Kazuya held Chizuru's left hand with his right-hand fingers interlaced with Her's. They made their way towards his Parents and Grandmother's Apartment above the Family Store. They had decided to walk, so that they could have some time together to give them both some time to prepare themselves for what they would encounter at the Party. "Should we tell them that we are living together?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya let out a deep sigh.

"Didn't we already tell them that?" Kazuya asked back and Chizuru smiled over at him.

"That is not the same as now. Before it was different. Now we are a couple, and we are really living together." Chizuru clarified and Kazuya let out another long deep sigh.

"I am worried that Grans is going to want details." Kazuya said thinking about how his Grandmother would react.

"I just think it would make it easier on you. Ever since it was discovered that I was a Rental Girlfriend and we only pretended to be a couple. I think Grandma Nagomi and your Mother and Father...Did not fully believe back during the Vacation that we became a couple. I want to clarify that I am in love with you for real and I am really your Girlfriend." Chizuru told him and Kazuya nodded with agreement. He had to admit that it did feel like that. That they did not fully believe since he and Chizuru lied for so long.

"Okay...As long as...Let's not tell them about...Us not...Sleeping in the same room. Or that we...Are not...Yet." Kazuya stammered out nervously. They both had not gone that way yet and it was mainly due to that neither one of them were ready for that level of intimacy yet. They were barely used to being in a real relationship. Throwing intimacy into the mix made them both extremely shy and embarrassed at the same time.

"Speaking of that. At some point...We need to...Kazuya we need to...We are a couple now...So at some point...We need to sleep together and do more than just sleep." Chizuru said firmly as she blushed and while Kazuya stared at her wide eyed. He never expected her to come right out and say anything like that. It shocked him. He glanced around and noticed that they were basically alone. No one was close enough to overhear what she just said. Thankfully before he had to reply, they had arrived at his Family's home slash store.

Once again, his family seemed to be celebrating Chizuru's Birthday over his own. That is according to the banner. Her name was mostly on the banner and his was just on there. Of course, when they arrived. His Grandmother once more lavished a huge amount of attention onto Chizuru. As did his Mother and his Father. To them she was the granddaughter and daughter that they always wanted. Fully expecting that someday she would be. "If you too are together as a couple. Is it not about time you propose already." Nagomi demanded and Chizuru was quick with the perfect response.

"Grans it is way too soon for us to do that yet. Someday...Yes. But not right now. Neither of us has the financial means to...Even be engaged yet." Chizuru said and was tempted to inform the brazen older woman that she had been giving that a lot of thought for the last couple of days.

After a lot of the hoopla, Chizuru guided Kazuya out onto the Balcony for some alone time. Leaning back against him with his arms around in front of her, she sighed contently. "Can you see Grandma and Grandpa...I have a real-life loving boyfriend. I am not alone." She thought towards her Grandmother and Grandfather with a small smile. She hoped her Grandmother and Grandfather could see her or hear her from the afterlife. Know that she was happy. She turned around in his arms and looked directly at Kazuya. "Kazuya...I want...I want to tonight...Make...Have sex." She said softly, her voice barely audible and he gasped. His face paled.

"What? What did you just say?" Kazuya stammered out in shock. Staring at her wide eyed and large beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. Chizuru blushed a deep shade of red.

"You heard me. It is about time we...Do that." Chizuru stated now more audible than before. Kazuya began to waver a bit and Chizuru feared he would faint. He gulped heavily as he paled.

"Wait...Wait...Wait. We have only been a couple for just over two weeks." Kazuya unable to keep himself from babbling. Chizuru continued to smile as she placed her right index finger on his lips to stop him.

"Yes...It has been two weeks. From what I found out. We should have done it by now." Chizuru stated firmly and Kazuya shook his head. Still feeling like he was about to faint.

"You are not...It isn't because it is my Birthday...Is it?" Kazuya asked and after asking wished he hadn't. Chizuru scowled slightly.

"No. But we both have nothing to do tomorrow and...Stop questioning it already!" Chizuru growled somewhat. "Listen...When a Girlfriend loves her Boyfriend and the Boyfriend loves his Girlfriend. Then it is only natural that they...Spend the night together." She blushed again and noticed his shocked expression.

With that they spent the rest of the evening at the Party, feeling a little anxious. As they walked home Chizuru thought about the past.

Remembrance and the Game:

Finishing the first round of the game that Mimi had suggested that they play. Chizuru stared again at the Value Card she had drawn. It had a Hundred on it. During the first round she found it difficult coming up with a Proposal that gave her full value. With the next Topic she had decided even though it might embarrass her to be a little more forthcoming. "Describe who would be your perfect significant other." Mimi said reading the Topic Card. "Whoa that is a good one. Just like the last one." Watching in slight amusement as both Kazuya and Chizuru blushed and fidgeted in their respective seats. "You go first Chizuru." She declared and Chizuru scowled at her.

"If I have to." Chizuru took a deep breath and decided to give Kazuya a little hope. "Who I would believe to be the perfect Boyfriend is someone who is kind, caring, is there for me when I need him, and we get along so well. That he is completely suited for me. If I was going to have a boyfriend to be with forever it would be him." She was going to go on, but before she could he stood and left the room. She noticed that he had tears running down his cheeks and his expression was that of utter despair. She glanced over at Mimi who was glaring at her.

"That was cruel." Mimi stated and Chizuru was confused.

"What do you mean?" Chizuru asked and Mimi shook her head.

"If you were not going to...There could have been a nicer way to tell him that you have finished your investigation and decided to be with that Umi guy." Mimi said and Chizuru shook her head.

"But...But I was describing Kazuya and not Umi." Chizuru said softly and Mimi looked at her oddly.

"It sounded more like that other guy and not Master." Mimi said and Chizuru shook her head.

"No, it was Kazuya. That is who I was describing or thought I was." Chizuru said and blushed slightly.

"Then you better go tell him that. He looked really upset and we both know that he might do something incredibly stupid at this point." Mimi stated and Chizuru slowly stood.

"Yeah...I better." Chizuru said with a small smile. Making her way to his Room. She lightly knocked on the door and heard a muffled sound within. Taking it as an invitation she opened the door to find Kazuya packing his things. With his back towards her. "What are you doing?" She asked him and he continued to pack.

"I think it best that I leave...Now that you have finished your investigation...And...And you...It is best I leave since you...It was Umi you were describing? Right?" Kazuya asked trying valiantly to keep himself from breaking down like he had a few minutes ago. He did not want Chizuru see him that way.

"No...It was not Umi that I was describing." Chizuru said and Kazuya began to wonder if there was some other Guy that maybe she was interested in. Someone he did not even know. Someone that was probably more suited to be with her. He lowered his gaze downward and felt a new wave of despair come over him. That is until suddenly her arms encircled him from behind and she hugged him. "It was...You. I was describing you." She whispered almost inaudibly but he heard her. He gulped heavily and felt faint. His heart started to pound heavily in his chest, and he was worried she might hear or feel it.

"What?" Kazuya gasped out, in shock that she just said that it was him that she was describing as her perfect significant other.

"It was you I was describing." Chizuru said more confidently. "Kazuya...I...I have finished my investigation and I...I want...I want you to be my Boyfriend. My real one." She held tightly to him knowing that she would never be able to say something like that if he was directly looking at her. Maybe in the future, but right now she felt embarrassed. She was never the type that could divulge her true emotions to someone openly like this.

"Really?" Kazuya blurted out feeling like he was about to jump for joy. She clung to him even tighter.

"Yes. So, you are not leaving. You are staying here...With me." Chizuru said and released her tight grip on him. Slipping around in front of him, she moved her thin arms over his shoulders. Her face felt hot. But she needed and wanted to kiss him. Closing her eyes, she leaned upwards slightly and pressed her lips against his. After a few moments they parted, and she once more held him tightly against her. With her mouth near his right ear. She whispered something she never thought she would to anyone but family. "I love you. I love you Kazuya." She whispered barely audibly. He heard it clear as day.

Fifth Act:

Laying with her head pillowed on the right side of his chest, Chizuru smiled as she looked at Kazuya. She was utterly exhausted and worn out. But she felt also content. Content over the fact that she and her boyfriend had spent the night together. They had sex several times last night and early this morning and now as tired and worn out as she felt. She could not bring herself to actually sleep. He had his arms around her and he held her against him. She did not want to miss a moment of how wonderful it felt to be with him like this. So here she was. Awake and considering waking him so that they perhaps could do it again. She smiled as she noticed the small smile crested on his lips as he slept soundly. "You are going to have to take responsibility for this." She thought with a coy smile. "Which means I get to the Ring on my Finger from now on." Closing her eyes, she finally was able to doze off.

The Beginning and End?