Rent a Girlfriend Fanfic: Stepping Out of the Shadows Part II
Chapter 3:
Saturday, April 20th.
The soft morning light gently filtered through the curtains, coaxing Kazuya awake. Blinking away sleep, he sat up and stretched, taking in his surroundings. His surroundings were unfamiliar yet strangely inviting. Then, his gaze landed on the figure in the kitchen, and a flicker of recognition passed over him.
"Morning, Kazuya-kun," Akane's voice greeted him, her tone warm and inviting.
Kazuya rubbed his eyes, returning her greeting with a mumbled "Morning."
He swung his legs over the side of the futon and sat up, letting out a yawn. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and he followed it to the kitchen where Akane stood. A mug in her hand, she turned to him with a welcoming smile. "Coffee?"
Kazuya nodded, grateful for the invitation. "Yeah, sure, thanks."
As he accepted the cup, he took a seat at the kitchen's small table, and Akane followed him, her own cup of coffee in hand. The soft morning light produced a pleasant glow around them, making their talk more comfortable.
Akane began by laying out some basic house rules and her daily agenda. Kazuya listened intently, carefully noting the points she brought up. When she was finished, he gave a slight smile and began telling her about his own daily routine.
When the subject of payment was brought up, Kazuya furrowed his brow, concern etched on his features. "How much do I have to pay to stay here?"
Akane's response was gentle, her eyes soft as they met his. "For now, you don't need to worry about payment. You can stay here without any rent or fees. However, there is one condition."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"
A playful smile danced on Akane's lips. "You'll have to help out with the house chores. Fair trade, don't you think?"
Kazuya chuckled, a sense of relaxation sweeping through him. "Yeah, that sounds more than fair."
As they finished their coffee and conversation, Kazuya's thoughts turned to his next task – telling his parents about the breakup. His heart clenched at the thought of their disappointed faces, but he knew it was a conversation that needed to happen.
Standing up from the table, he cleared his throat and looked at Akane. "I need to head to my parents' place now, to talk to them about the breakup."
Akane nodded in agreement. "Of course," she says. Do what needs to be done. You know where to find me if you ever want to talk or need anything."
Kazuya smiled gratefully, moved by her understanding. "Thank you, Akane-san. I'll notify you if anything comes up."
He excused himself and he sent a fast message to his parents, informing them that he wanted to speak with them urgently and that it was critical.
The morning sun cast a soft glow on the front porch as Kazuya stood before his parents' home. His heart drummed in his chest, a mix of nerves and a sense of impending seriousness gripping him. With a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked on the door, the sound echoing with his apprehension.
His father's solemn look greeted his gaze as the door cracked open. There was a heaviness in the air, a subtle acknowledgement that this would not be a light-hearted talk.
"Kazuya," his father said, his voice a mix of concern and sternness. "Come on in."
The aroma of home enveloped Kazuya as he stepped inside. As he entered the living room, he was surrounded by the soothing and bittersweet warmth of memories. His mother and grandma joined him a few seconds later, their presence providing some solace.
Kazuya sat in the living room, feeling the weight of the moment press against him. His grandmother sat on a chair, her gaze focused and attentive. "Well, Kazuya, what brings you here for such a serious talk?"
As he glanced at his family, the ones who had always supported him, Kazuya's throat clenched. He took a deep breath and began to speak, his eyes welling up with tears. "I... I think I need to tell you something about Chizuru-san and me."
His grandmother leaned forward; her gaze fixed on him. "Go ahead, sweetheart. We're paying attention."
A deep quiet fell over the room as he revealed the heart-breaking truth, his voice breaking at moments. "Chizuru-san and I... we've split up." And she's... she's found another."
The brows of his grandma wrinkled in concern. "Oh, my goodness, sweetie. "Did she cheat on you?"
Kazuya shook his head, his voice heavy with grief. "No, it's not like that. We actually broke up about a month ago, but I could not find the strength to tell anyone. When I found out about her new relationship, I knew I had to talk to you."
His grandmother's expression softened, and she reached out to touch his hand. "You've been carrying this burden alone?"
Kazuya nodded, his voice catching. "Yes, I thought if I kept it to myself, it wouldn't hurt as much. But it's real, and I couldn't keep it inside anymore."
As he looked at his family, their responses were not positive, anger flared in their eyes, directed squarely at him.
How could you possibly let a girl like that go?" His father's voice was stern and disappointed.
"Kazuya, you'll never find another girl like her again," his mother said, her voice frustrated and concerned.
The weight of their remarks slammed against Kazuya's heart. Their emotions were harder than he had anticipated, with each passing phrase making him feel smaller and smaller.
"I'll never have grandchildren," his mother lamented.
He took it all in, his silence an attempt to bear the weight of their disappointment without crumpling under it. His emotions were a tempest within him, a storm of heartbreak, frustration, and guilt.
"It hurts, but I'm okay. I'm used to this."
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Chizuru's room as she stirred awake. Blinking sleep from her eyes, she reached for her phone on the nightstand, her fingers moving with a sense of urgency. She had to talk to Kazuya, to clear the air, to mend the rift that had grown between them.
Dialling his number, her heart raced in anticipation, but her hopes were dashed when she heard the familiar automated message: "The number you have dialled is not available."
Her brows furrowed as she tried to suppress the frustration that threatened to bubble over. She tapped her fingers rapidly, opening the Diamond App, only to find that Kazuya's account had been removed. Her lips tightened into a frown as she realized the extent of the situation.
Determined to reach out, her steps taking her to her front door. She needed to see him, to talk to him in person, to understand why things had taken such a drastic turn.
Her heart was racing in her chest as she walked down the hall to his door. She knocked, the sound resonating with a mixture of worry and hope. But there was no response, just an unnerving silence in the air.
The sound of footsteps echoed on the stairs just then. Chizuru turned to see Mini ascending the steps, her face surprised. Mini's eyes widened with surprise as she noticed Chizuru standing there.
"Chizuru-san, you're up early," she says. Mini said hello, her voice tinged with interest. "Is everything okay?"
Chizuru's eyes narrowed, and her tone became more urgent. "Have you seen Kazuya-kun, Mini-san?" "Has he returned?"
Mini furrowed her brows as she examined the question. "I haven't seen him since last night. He hasn't returned home."
Chizuru's heart plummeted as she felt a wave of dread rush over her. "Do you have any idea where he could possibly be?"
Mini paused for a split second, her lips quirking into a knowing grin. "Well, I might have an idea."
Chizuru's eyes pierced Mini's, a mixture of hope and eagerness in her expression. "Tell me."
Mini's grin grew, her voice tinged with mischief. "I believe he might have stayed at Akane sans place."
Chizuru's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Akane's name, her thoughts racing. "Do you know that for sure?"
Mini's grin faded slightly, replaced by a more cautious expression. "I mean, I don't know for sure, but it's a possibility."
Chizuru's gaze sharpened, her resolve solidifying. She stepped closer to Mini, her voice firm. "We need to talk. Now."