Rent a Girlfriend: Second Chance (Short Story) Part 2
Characters:
Kazuya Kinoshita
Chizuru Mizuhara
Mami Nanami
Ruka Sarashina
Sumi Sakurasawa
Nagomi Kinoshita
Yoshiaki Kibe
Shun Kuribayashi
Sayuri Ichinose
Problems Arise and First Time:
"Don't read anything into what I said back there. That...That Girl pissed me off and I did not mean what I said. That you are my Boyfriend and she needed to stop being such a...I usually do not use that type of language." Chizuru stated and Kazuya grimly nodded. Finding it funny that this was the first time since he had came back in time that Chizuru had used her go to in situations like this. That he shouldn't read into things when she said something she meant but did not mean to say out loud.
"I suspected as much. It is okay Chizuru. I want to thank you though. For standing up for me." Kazuya said and smiled at her. She smiled back.
"How could you have dated such a pain in the ass? I mean she acts all sweet and nice. But she has a hidden dark side to her." Chizuru commented and looked back at the Bar that they had just left. Inside she had an urge to punch the other girl for insulting Kazuya so badly. She was only annoyed when Mami started to basically insult her. But when she started making Kazuya look like a sex crazed pervert and insulted him relentlessly. She had lost it. Telling Mami off.
"She never really showed that side of herself. I only became subjected to it after she had dumped me." Kazuya informed her and he was not exactly lying. Though it had taken some time for him to discover Mami's darker side. Her vindictive side.
"Well, you are better off without her." Chizuru said and then did not say much more all the way back to the Apartment Building. She felt a little embarrassed over what she had said to Mami in the heat of the moment. The thing was in truth she meant every word she had said. Now as they returned, she regretted telling him not to read anything into what she had said. She wanted him to read into it. But she was not sure if she was ready to have a real Boyfriend yet or be someone's real Girlfriend. She was worried that he would not look at her the same if he learned about what she did for a living. Her being a Rental Girlfriend. "Soon I will have to tell him and hope he does not...That he still likes me the same as he does now." She whispered inaudibly as they both entered their respective apartments after saying their goodnights. Along with a quick goodnight kiss. To Kazuya's delight, they have kissed a number of times and it seemed to him that they were growing closer.
Double Date:
Because Kazuya knew what had happened on the Beach Trip in the prior timeline. With Chizuru becoming ill and falling overboard and he almost drowning to save her. Actually, when he thought about it. He did drown and Chizuru had to give him CPR. Then there was the debacle with Mami. Something else he did not want to repeat of. He suspected that this time though, Mami would probably come on to him even more now that she found out he was dating Chizuru. Knowing all that, he decided not to let that happen this time. So, he told his group of friends that he was not feeling well and bowed out from going. It did not take much convincing for Chizuru to also cancel from going. But she used the excuse that she had a Midterm Paper to finish. Basically, they both lied and went on a date to the Aquarium while the others all went to the Beach.
It was a couple of days after Kazuya and Chizuru went with their families to the Hot Springs and due to that they both were emotionally exhausted. Mainly due to what their respective Grandmothers attempted with them sharing a Room during the weekend trip. With the excuse that they wanted Kazuya's and Chizuru's relationship to progress faster. To recover from that trip, Kazuya offered to buy Chizuru ice cream and they were walking back to the Apartment Building. That is when they bumped into Kuri who insisted that they go on a double date with him and his new Girlfriend. Kazuya knew that Kuri's new Girlfriend was Ruka and that she was a Rental Girlfriend. To his surprise, Chizuru agreed that they would go. With that set, Kuri left to make the so-called arrangements for the double date and Kazuya suspected that his friend was going to book a Rental Date with Ruka for that day.
"I owe you a date. I guess it would not be too bad for us to go on a double date with Kuri and his new Girlfriend." Chizuru said hinting at the date that she had cancelled a day ago. Because she had a last-minute Audition.
"I told you that it was alright. That Audition was important." Kazuya said not really wanting to go on the Double Date but could not think of a good reason why not to go. So, he was stuck. He would have to endure the double date, with Kuri acting so smug and not divulge that he knew Ruka was a Rental Girlfriend. He then looked over at Chizuru. He also knew that she was a Rental Girlfriend. She had not told him yet and he in return had told her that he knew that she worked as a Rental Girlfriend. He began to wonder what would happen if she found out that he knew. He wondered if the progress he had made would disappear. That worried him.
Even in this timeline, Kazuya felt like embarrassed when he fell once more onto the padded floor. He had barely gotten halfway up the Climbing Wall when he slipped and fell. Of course, just like the other timeline. Chizuru climbed it like she was an expert. He sat there watching her as she came down and sat down next to him. "You almost made it this time." She commented pointing where he had gotten to before he fell. She smiled. "How about this? If you make it to the top...I will give you a reward." She suggested and Kazuya wondered what type of reward it could be. Then he noticed Ruka was glaring at them and shaking her head, disapprovingly.
Once again, Kazuya fell after getting just a few handholds further than he had before. Landing with an undignified thud, he laid there for several moments and Chizuru came over and stood over him. "Are you alright?" She asked with concern, and he let out a long sighing breath.
"Yeah. I must be a huge disappointment to you." Kazuya said looking about to see others easily climbing the wall and after a few more moments he sat up. Chizuru once more sat down next to him and smiled warmly at him.
"Not at all. You did your best. So here is your reward." Chizuru leaned closer, using her Cellphone she blocked anyone from seeing and she lightly kissed him. Parting a few moments later, Kazuya smiled at her. Then frowned.
"Wait. I did not make it all the way to the top." Kazuya said and Chizuru nudged him with her right shoulder.
"You got close enough." Chizuru said back and now leaned against him sideways. "We should come here again...Just the two of us. This was sort of fun."
"If I make it to the top...Can I get the same reward?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru giggled. Blushing slightly.
"Maybe." Chizuru said and Kazuya looked over to see Ruka practically glaring at them. He wondered why Ruka looked so serious. Changing to her usual Rental Girlfriend persona when Kuri talked to her.
"I am sorry Ruka, but I have to go pick up something before going home. Hey Kazuya, could you and Chizuru go with her to the Train Station? If that is alright with you Ruka?" Kuri asked and of course Ruka was fine with it. Due to it was the end of the prepaid Rental time.
"I guess it will be alright. Right Chizuru?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru smiled.
"Yes, it is fine." Chizuru replied as she held Kazuya's right hand in her left. With that Kuri said his goodbyes to all three of them and promised Ruka that they would go out again some other day. Walking towards the Train Station, with Ruka behind them. Kazuya looked over at Chizuru.
"Want to come over when we get back? We can watch a Movie and order a Pizza." Kazuya suggested and Chizuru smiled.
"Sounds good. There is actually a new Movie that just came out that I want to see." Chizuru said and Ruka rushed past them and stood right in front of them.
"ENOUGH! How can you two keep up the act?" Ruka asked glaring at them and then looked directly at Chizuru. "You are breaking so many rules! You are not supposed to be so...so affectionate and flirty with a Client! Then there is going to his Apartment! You are not supposed to do that!" She added firmly and both Chizuru and Kazuya looked at her confused. Though Chizuru was concerned as well.
"What are you talking about? What rules? We are dating...So why does it matter if we are...Affectionate and if she comes to my Apartment to watch a Movie and have Dinner?" Kazuya asked though he knew exactly what Ruka was talking about. He could tell Chizuru was concerned and worried that Ruka might divulge about her being a Rental Girlfriend. Then the other girl dropped the bomb onto them.
"Your Renting her...Aren't you? You are a Rental Girlfriend. I searched for your profile when Kuri asked about us going on a Double Date." Ruka asked and Chizuru paled slightly. Looking over at Kazuya who shook his head.
"No, I am not. We are really dating." Kazuya stated and then noticed Chizuru's expression. A mix of worry, concern and annoyance that Ruka had just divulged her secret to Kazuya. He smiled at her. "It is alright Chizuru. I already knew about you being a Rental Girlfriend...For quite a while." He told her and she visibly relaxed some. She was still annoyed at Ruka. But she smiled regardless.
"I am so sorry. I...I really thought that...I am sorry Chizuru. I did not know you had not told him yet. I really thought that you and him were...That Kazuya was renting you and you were doing things that broke the rules for some sorted reasons...Please forgive me." Ruka said bowing as she realized that she had blundered big time.
"I guess it is alright. Though next time...If something like this comes up. Do not just assume and try to cause trouble. It would have been better if you asked me about this in private and not just come out and say it." Chizuru said and after another apology. Ruka headed for her train. "When we get back at the Apartments...You and I are going to have a talk about this. There are some things I still need to tell you and I have some questions I want answers to." She declared and Kazuya was concerned that perhaps he had goofed somehow. By not letting her know before now about her being a Rental Girlfriend.
The Apartment:
Sitting at his Low Table, Kazuya watched as Chizuru calmly made tea. It amazed him on how calm and collected she was. Though all the way back to the Apartment Building she barely said anything. He himself was nowhere as calm and collected. He was not about to tell her anything about the alternate timeline. Where in the future he was not in any type of relationship with Chizuru after she essentially informed him that they could not be together. In this one, he was dating her. Oh, he was in love with her. Just like before. But this time, he was dating her. That was a huge difference between the other timeline and this one. He just hoped that now he knew about her job as a Rental Girlfriend. That they can at least continue to date. "It is time to be brave." He muttered and continued to watch Chizuru making the tea.
"I want you to know that I was going to tell you about me being a Rental Girlfriend." Chizuru said as she set her teacup down onto a coaster. "But I would like to know...how long have you known?" She asked and Kazuya quickly thought about it. If he told her the complete truth. About the other timeline. How somehow his consciousness went back in time, and he was able to change just about everything. He figured she would think he was insane. Or after he proved it, she would be upset and probably angry he used subterfuge and information he obtained in the other timeline to basically trick her to go out with him. So, he decided to stretch the truth a little bit. Not so much lie but tell her something more believable.
"When I saw you on that Rental Date and pretended I did not recognize you. At first, I thought maybe you were dating others, and I was just someone you passed the time with. But I overheard him say something about renting you again. I found your profile, later and figured it out." Kazuya said and to his relief it did sound like a passable excuse.
"It does not upset you about...Me being a Rental Girlfriend?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya could hear the concern in her voice. He smiled and shook his head.
"Not at all. Especially after I read over the Rules. You are not supposed to do half the things we do. Such as kissing, us going to each other's Apartments and meeting each other's families." Kazuya said and Chizuru let out a low sigh of relief. "Uhm..Chizuru...I was...Could we maybe..." He believed that this was the moment to ask her for them to become a couple and he had rehearsed what he would say several times before. But for some reason, he found himself unable to ask. Worried she would say no or tell him like in the other timeline, she is not interested in having that type of relationship or she does not feel the same way.
"Maybe we could...What?" Chizuru asked back and may have looked calm, but she was anxiously waiting for him to ask. She already knew what he was going to ask. That they become a couple. That she be his Girlfriend. What he asked next was not what she was expecting.
"I am in love with you. Will you marry me?" Kazuya asked and then slapped his hands over his mouth. In his nervousness and anxiety, he had accidentally blurted out what he wanted to ask. But not this soon. What he intended to ask was for them to be a couple. For her to be his Girlfriend. Not propose. He noticed that she was staring at him wide eyed and in shock of what he just asked. Though what really surprised him completely was what she replied with.
"Yes. I will." Chizuru said without really any hesitation. "But...I want to wait until we both graduate College to...Actually get married. For now, I want us to be engaged and be a couple. Boyfriend and Girlfriend. Is that okay?" She asked with a small smile.
"That will be fine. Uhm..To tell the truth...I sort of blurted out that proposal...I actually wanted us to be a couple. I never want to lie to you so I thought it best you know the truth." Kazuya said not wanting to ever lie to Chizuru. Not like in the other timeline he lied to her several times and each time she was not exactly happy about it. In fact, it had caused some problems during their strange relationship.
"I thought that was it. Still regardless...You proposed, and I said yes. You are not thinking about taking back your proposal, are you?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya shook his head.
"No. Never. I told you the truth. I do love you, and I do want to marry you." Kazuya declared and Chizuru moved around the table. Kneeling next to him.
"Good. Because...Because I am in love with you too." Chizuru said leaning closer and kissing him. It being a weekday, and both had Classes the next day. They could not spend the night together yet.
The Practice Date:
It had been a week since Kazuya and Chizuru became engaged and had decided to keep it a secret from everyone but a select few. Those few included, her Grandmother, his Grandmother and Parents, Kibe and Kuri and Shinbo and Kawanaka. To Chizuru's delight the news seemed to fully reenergize her Grandmother. Though she was still sick and seemed just as weary as before. At that moment, Chizuru was at a TEA CAFE with Sumi. Her friend was having problems being a Rental Girlfriend and Chizuru was attempting to help her. Returning home or rather Kazuya's Apartment, she found him cooking Dinner for the two of them. After all, it was his turn to cook. Though only thing he knew how to make was Chicken Curry. "I'm back." She announced as she took off her shoes and set them next to his. Kazuya turned his head and smiled at her.
"Welcome back. So, how did it go with your friend?" Kazuya asked knowing all the details from what Chizuru had told him. Sumi wanted some advice on how to become a better Rental Girlfriend and of course Chizuru was more than happy to help her if she could. Chizuru let out a small sigh as she sat down at his Low Table. Watching as he stirred a pot with a wooden spoon. He then stopped and after getting a cup, he poured tea into the cup and brought it over to her. Setting it down in front of her.
"Thanks." Chizuru said and took a small sip. "She is just so shy and timid. The Clients are not complaining but she believes she is a failure as a Rental Girlfriend." She told him and shook her head. "If there was only a way to help her over her shyness and her being so timid?"
"Wish I could help somehow." Kazuya offered and Chizuru smiled coyly up at him.
"There actually is. I want you to go on a Practice Rental Date with her." Chizuru said and Kazuya stared at her wide eyed. He swallowed heavily. Though he remembered the prior Timeline where he did go on a couple Practice Dates with Sumi. He had found her so cute and really enjoyed spending time with her and for a time thought perhaps Sumi liked him. He had actually considered after he recovered from his heartbreak with Chizuru. Perhaps he might have a real chance with Sumi. Now though was different. He and Chizuru were together and what's more important. They were engaged.
"IT'S A TRAP!" Kazuya announced sounding a lot like Admiral Ackbar from the Original Star Wars Movie RETURN OF THE JEDI.
"It is not a trap. I am not saying for you to...Do anything that might even hint that you are cheating on me. Just go on a Date with Sumi. Show her that she can relax and be herself with someone." Chizuru told him and Kazuya was not completely convinced. Sitting down behind her, he put his arms around her and hugged her against him.
"If you are testing me. I want you to know I promise never to cheat on you. I love you so much Chizuru and you are the only one I ever want to be with." Kazuya said and Chizuru smiled. Turning her head slightly and kissed him. Parting she clasped his forearms.
"I know that. I am not testing you. Like I said, I just want you to go on a practice date with Sumi. It probably would give her the confidence she needs. Besides, I trust you Kazuya. More than anyone else I know...They might try something weird with her. I am one hundred percent certain...You wouldn't." Chizuru said thinking about Umi. She had heard from others in her Acting Class, that he was a complete Womanizer and tended to date anyone that caught his eye. Right now, he was dating Shiori. But that could change if someone else caught his eye. Kazuya let out a long sigh and after hugging her from behind.
"Alright. But...Make sure she knows...I belong to you and only you." Kazuya said and Chizuru smiled.
"Of course you do. You are mine and I'm yours." Chizuru kissed him again and then let him go so he could serve dinner. As he set down her plate. "Remind me at some point to teach you how to make something other than Chicken Curry."
Arriving at the designated location, once more Kazuya had memories of the first Practice Date he had with Sumi. It actually felt like DeJa'Vu. Though he actually in the other timeline, he had done it. So, when he saw Sumi, he once more had to admit she was extremely cute. Even being shy and timid. It made him and he suspected any of her Clients the feeling that they needed to protect her. Which he hoped he would not have to do against those punks again. He also hoped that they did not run into Mami again. Though both were what he discovered was predestined to happen no matter what he tried to change it.
"Come on Sumi...Let's go." Kazuya said as he ignored the three punks as they made despairing remarks about him. This timeline he had not hesitated like he done in the other timeline. This time he quickly walked over, but to look cool. He handed the bottles of water he had to one of the punks, right before he took Sumi's hand and led her away from them. Leading her over to the Elevators and again she thanked him in her soft timid voice. She then clasped his hand in hers as they rode the Elevator down to the other floors. He tried. He tried really hard for them to avoid Mami. He even did not go to where they had bumped into her at the Roller-Skating Rink. But it seemed that Mami was determined to so-called accidentally bump into them and once again asked to speak with him alone for a few moments. "This predestined crap is really annoying." He muttered inaudibly as he sat across from Mami.
"Does Chizuru know you are out with another Girl?" Mami asked with an almost hidden smirk and Kazuya easy noticed it. He decided that this time he was not going to even attempt to try to weasel out of this somehow. He also decided that he did not have to actually worry about what Mami thought about him.
"Yeah. She does and not to be impolite. But this is none of your business. You dumped me...Remember. What I do is no concern of yours." Kazuya said bluntly and Mami no longer smirked. She stared at him in utter shock. With her mouth partially gapped open. It took her several moments to compose herself and she smiled once more.
"You are right. Sorry. It is just I noticed you when I was here with a couple of friends of mine and noticed you were here with someone other than Chizuru." Mami said and Kazuya knew that was a complete lie. He had seen her earlier on the street and she was completely alone. But he decided to be civil and not point that out.
"Sumi just got dumped by her Boyfriend and Chizuru asked me to take her out so that maybe she can get over it." Kazuya said, only lying a tad bit. He was not about to tell Mami that Sumi was a Rental Girlfriend. That could lead to a whole lot of trouble. He even made sure not to tell Mami, Sumi's full name. He did not know that Mami already knew Sumi's full name. She had bribed and flirted with one of the Clerks to gain that information.
"Oh. Is that all it is. Okay, well I better get going...My Friends are probably waiting on me." Mami said as she stood to leave and as she passed Sumi she gave the other girl a small discourteous glare. Later at home she discovered that Sumi was a Rental Girlfriend and after some extensive looking, found out that Chizuru was one as well.
"Like I said before. This predestined crap is really annoying." Kazuya said as he waited for Sumi to come back. He watched as Mami left and he knew that she would not hesitate later to tell Chizuru about his date with Sumi. Believing he had lied about why he was out with her. Wanting to cause him some grief over moving on when he was supposed to pine and mourn over her dumping him. "Guess that is predestined along with that Mami has to be a complete..." He was on the verge of saying the B-word. But Sumi had returned, and he did not want to say that word in front of her.
With the date over, Kazuya noticed that Sumi did gain some confidence. She even said goodbye to him and to see him later. After a bit she called Chizuru and informed her all about the wonderful date with Kazuya.
To be continued: