Rent a Girlfriend Fanfic: Stepping Out of the Shadows Part II
Chapter 6:
The sunlight flooded through Akane's apartment windows, providing a warm and pleasant glow. She was filling her gym bag with practiced accuracy, neatly putting her workout gear. The sound of the doorbell rang through the room as she zipped up the bag. She approached the door, glanced through the peephole, and smiled when she saw Kazuya there on the other side.
Akane's gaze swept over Kazuya, noting that he was already dressed in his gym clothes. "You're all set for the workout, I see."
Akane silently eyed Kazuya as they walked down the corridor towards the gym. She could tell he was thinking about something, something that was dragging him down. She decided to bring up the matter after a few moments of companionable stillness.
"Did you happen to see Chizuru-san?" Akane inquired softly, her gaze fixed ahead.
Kazuya responded with a polite nod; his shoulders slightly slumped. "Yeah, I did."
Akane looked at him with anxiety in her voice. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Kazuya's gaze shifted to her before returning to the road ahead. "No, not yet. I need some time to think about everything before I can speak about it."
Akane nodded thoughtfully, her pace mirroring his. "Take as much time as you need, Kazuya-kun." If you ever want to talk, I'm available."
Kazuya gave a modest but grateful smile. "Thank you, Akane-san." That's very kind of you."
The familiar sound of clanking weights and the hum of activity filled the air as they arrived at the gym. Akane shifted her focus to their fitness regimen, directing Kazuya through the exercises and routines they had planned for the day. She easily moved into talking about their workout, as if offering him a little break from the ideas that were bothering him.
Kazuya stood amidst the activity, his focus on a set of squats. However, his movements were laboured, his thoughts preoccupied by the recent conversation he had with Chizuru. The weight on his shoulders was not just from the barbell; it was the emotional turmoil within him.
Akane's observant gaze did not miss his struggle. As she moved to his side, she gestured for him to pause. "Kazuya-kun, take a break for now."
Kazuya straightened up, his breathing becoming somewhat heavier. He wiped the sweat from his brow and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I guess I'm not really in the zone today."
As she looked at him, Akane's voice was warm and compassionate. "Is it still Chizuru-san?"
Kazuya's gaze fell, and he sighed deeply. "Yeah, it's hard to get my mind off of it."
Akane leaned gently against an adjacent machine. "You know, some people use heartbreak as motivation to hit the gym even harder."
Kazuya's lips twitched into a rueful grin. "I suppose that makes sense." I just need to figure out how to harness all of my angst."
As he found himself in the throes of a physical release, Kazuya's emotions raged like a tempest within him. As he sank into a squat, the weight of his thoughts appeared to bore down on him, his muscles contracting and straining in time with his mental anguish. His mind rushed over the past with each repetition, the memories of his efforts engraved firmly in his head.
He wrestled with the feeling that he had not done enough, that he had not earned Chizuru's love. Doubt gnawed at him, throwing a pall over his confidence. The feeling of inadequacy hung thick in the air, and he squatted again, each movement echoing his inner battle.
But then, as if a ray of light broke through the mist of self-doubt, his gaze moved. His gaze was drawn to Akane, a friend who had witnessed his difficulties. A stream of recollections came forth, like a floodgate of confidence.
The times he had spent with Akane, the shared laughing, the genuine talks presented a stark contrast to his apparent failure with Chizuru. His thoughts wandered through the tapestry of their exchanges over the last two years, moments when he had borne his heart, moments when he had given his everything.
A fire sparked within him in the midst of his squats. The simmering rage exploded into a ferocious determination. He let forth a fierce, primal scream, his face distorted with resolve. It was a statement to himself, a stern reminder that he had done everything he could. The weights on his shoulders felt lighter, and he rose from the squat with renewed ease.
His form improved with each repeat, and his movements became more fluid. The rage within him spurred his determination, transforming his workout into a representation of his willpower. The looming picture of Chizuru began to fade, overpowered by his newfound confidence in himself.
Akane took a step back, taken aback by his unexpected outburst. However, something in the sheer intensity of his voice struck a chord with her. His rage was real, and she could feel the heat within him.
Kazuya's expression stiffened, his resolve blazing. He returned to the squat rack with renewed vigour. He took a deep breath and changed his expression as he grasped the barbell. His features were chiselled with purpose and zeal.
With a fierce yell, Kazuya began his squats anew. The weight seemed to lift more easily this time, his movements fluid and controlled. Each repetition was fuelled by his frustration and the realization that he had given his all to Chizuru. He was not responsible for her decisions or her choices.
Akane watched as Kazuya completed his reps, his form impeccable, his face a portrait of determination. As he finished his set and placed the barbell back on the rack, she approached him with a mixture of curiosity and understanding.
"You know, that fire you just showed is a powerful thing, Kazuya-kun," she said with a faint smile.
Kazuya's breath was heavy, yet his face was filled with sudden clarity. "Yeah, I think I'm getting it. It is not my fault. I did everything in my power."
Akane's smile broadened, her eyes shining with real warmth. "Continue to channel that energy, and you'll find your way."
Kazuya nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. He had tackled his concerns, and he was beginning to realize that he has the ability to move forward. He took a big breath and looked at Akane. "Thank you, Akane-san." This was just what I needed."
Akane's smile persisted as she rested her hand on his shoulder. "Of course, Kazuya-kun. Remember that you are in command of your journey."
The sun set low on the horizon, illuminating the downtown streets with a warm golden glow. As she neared Kazuya's apartment building, Ruka strode briskly along the pavement, her gaze fixed forward. Her steps were deliberate, her emotions a mix of determination and uncertainty.
Ruka had not spoken to Kazuya in a while, and a knot of nervousness clenched in her chest as she climbed the stairs to his apartment. Thoughts flew through her thoughts, recalling their previous chats and the lingering unspoken tensions between them. She was resolved to deal with them.
"I really hope he is home. It has been a while since we last talked, and I cannot let these feelings stay unresolved. It is strange, though. I have noticed that he has had different shifts from me at work. Could it be intentional? Did he want to avoid me? No, that is probably just my imagination."
"I remember back then, telling him that I would talk to Chizuru. I wanted to bridge the gap between us, to finally have a conversation that could potentially clear the air. But as life went on, that conversation never happened. And the reason for that is simple – I started dating someone else."
"My feelings for Kazuya were always a bit complicated. The main reason I liked him was that he raised my bpm. There was something about his presence that made my heart race. Of course, I noticed how well he treated Chizuru, but it was that racing heartbeat that drew me to him the most."
"I knew from the start that the battle for Kazuya's heart was almost impossible. Chizuru was a formidable opponent, and the odds were stacked against me. But that did not stop me from fighting for a chance to win him over. Even though I was well aware of the challenge ahead, I kept pushing forward."
"Kazuya never told me directly what happened, but I had a feeling something wasn't quite right." I went to his flat on occasion to clean his room. His room's state spoke volumes, and it was evident that he was going through a difficult period."
"When I saw him at work, being cleaned up. I knew something changed. He finally did not look like a zombie, and he could actually put up a real smile at work. I saw this as my big chance. I tried to talk to him again and even suggesting going on a date. Even though I gave it my all with Kazuya, I know I can't impose feelings on anyone."
The day after I made that promise, my friends and I decided to hit the bowling alley. It was a fun outing, and for a while, I forgot about the complications in my heart. But then my friends went to get some drinks, leaving me alone.
That is when a group of three obnoxious men approached me. I tried to deflect their advances by claiming that I had a partner, but they seemed unconcerned. They persisted in bothering me, and as one of them grabbed my arm, panic set in.
But then, almost out of nowhere, a man emerged and rescued me from those three. He claimed to be my lover and demanded that they leave me alone. I was stunned and relieved that someone had rushed to my aid.
When my friends returned with their drinks, I was holding hands with Nakamura. They were intrigued about who he was, so he told them calmly that he had pretended to be my boyfriend in order to protect me.
When those guys left, I thanked him and had a brief conversation with him.
When my friends returned with their drinks, I was holding hands with Nakamura. They were intrigued about who he was, so he told them calmly that he had pretended to be my boyfriend in order to protect me. He then left with his friends.
When I arrived home, I looked up Nakamura Takumi on the internet. I messaged him when I found him, hoping to get to know the person who had saved me. He was the second person who increased my heart rate.
We started talking, and over time, we began dating. And now, we are a happy couple, navigating this new journey together.
As she reached Kazuya's apartment door, her hand hesitated in mid-air before finally rapping against the wood. The anticipation bubbled within her, a mix of hope and trepidation. She could not help but wonder if he was even home, considering their infrequent interactions lately.
The door remained closed, and she shifted her weight from foot to foot, waiting anxiously. When the door did not open, she knocked again, her brows furrowing in a mixture of concern and curiosity. After a moment of silence, the realization hit her that Kazuya might not be home after all.