Rent a Girlfriend: Bad Date (Short Story) Part 1
Introduction: Friday
Believing it would bring him closer to Chizuru Mizuhara, he had agreed to go on a Practice Date with Sumi Sakurasawa. But if Kazuya Kinoshita knew what that entailed he would have refused. Though he doubted that since he was so smitten with Chizuku he would have agreed to be a Crash Test Dummy if she asked him. He met Sumi at one of the Local Diners with the intent of having a nice Dinner and when she arrived he was pleasantly pleased. "Wow she is Cute." He whispered and bowed to her introducing himself. She did as well.
"Thank you for agreeing to do this." Sumi said shyly and he smiled at her.
"No problem...I thought first we might get something to eat and then go bowling...if that is alright?" Kazuya said to her and Sumi smiled. Both were easy enough activities that did not really put her in the spotlight too much. Entering the Dinner they found a corner table and sat. From that point on, the date was a disaster.
The Aftermath:
Standing outside of the Good Samaritan Hospital, Sumii bit her bottom lip and reluctantly called Chizuku. How was she going to explain all that had happened and how was she going to get Chizuku to forgive her. Though she also would need to gain Kazuya's forgiveness. Dialing the other Girl and when she answered the first words out of her mouth. "I am so so sorry." Sumi blurted out.
"Whats's wrong?" Chizuku asked over the Speaker and Sumi winced.
"Uhm I kinda...I might of...I hurt Kazuya..." Before Sumi could say more Chizuku cut her off.
"Did he try something and you had to defend yourself? If he did then what you did to him will pale to what I will do to him!" Chizuku growled angrily, she had warned him and she would take great delight in punishing him if he did do something inappropriate.
"No...No...he was actually...maybe you better come to where we are and I will try to explain." Sumi said and began to feel really guilty for what she had done.
"Okay...Where are you?" Chizuku asked and Sumi reluctantly responded.
"Good Samaritan Hospital." Sumi replied and she could distinctly hear Chizuku gasp. Pacing back and forth in front of the Hospital, she waited and after about 20 Minutes Chizuku arrived. "I am soo Sorry Chizuku...I did not mean to..." She began to cry and Chizuku calmly touched her right shoulder.
"Lets sit down on that bench and you can tell me what happened. Uhm where is Kazuya now?" Chizuku suggested and led Sumi over to the Bench. The pink haired girl using a tissue offered to her by Chizuku to wipe her eyes.
"They want to hold him overnight for observation." Sumi said sadly and Chizuku looked over at the Hospital.
"Take your time and tell me exactly what happened and why is he being held overnight?" Chizuku asked and Sumi looked over at her friend and fellow Rental.
"Okay." Sumi inhaled softly and then with a deep sigh. "When we went into the Diner I believed I was going to be alright...I mean Kazuya is a really nice guy...I see why you like him." She said and Chizuku groaned.
"I do not like him like that." Chizuku said defensively and Sumi wondered about that, normally a Rental would not be this concerned about one of her Clients. "Please go on."
"Well while we were waiting for our Appetizers...the Waitress brought us Hot Tea...Chizuku I sort of get a little clumsy when I get really shy or nervous...now it was just and accident and..and..." Sumi did not have to continue, with a small smile.
"You dropped your tea on him..didn't you?" Chizuku asked and could just imagine it happening. Sumi nodded.
"Right in his Lap...he was able to keep himself from being seriously burned by dumping his Water on his lap...but it still hurt him." Sumi winced at the memory of the teacup slipping from her fingers, landing on the table and the hot liquid pouring onto his lap. "He had to spend a few minutes in the Bathroom and I was tempted to just leave. When he came out...I apologized and he said it was fine...it was an accident and they happen. He actually forgave me right then and there. Like I said he is really nice and forgiving." Chizuku gestured for her to continue. "After we ate...he took me to a Bowling Alley and I was doing fine because no one was really looking at me." She then swallowed heavily. "We were having fun and I was really finding myself liking Kazuya...unfortunately some passing boys commented on how Cute I was...I got nervous and...and I...I sort of let go of my Bowling Ball in the wrong Direction." She said and Chizuku could almost guess what had happened.
"How badly was Kazuya hurt?" Chizuku asked and Sumi looked over at her sadly.
"The Ball broke his left ankle." Sumi replied. "So we came here to get him some medical attention and again he forgave me." Chizuku looked at her oddly.
"So they are keeping him here for that?" Chizuku asked and Sumi shook her head.
"No the Doctors said it was a clean break and after they put a Cast on...they gave him crutches...they also told him that in about two or three weeks they will put on a walking Cast and by another Month after he should be healed." Sumi told her and then placed her hands over her face. Tears forming around her hands. "He asked if he could just follow me out...and...and I decided to hold the door for him." Chizuku closed her eyes and groaned.
"Oh no...you didn't?" Chizuku asked hoping that what she suspected that happened did not happen. Sumi moved her hands from over her face and nodded.
"The door slipped and...Chizuku I did not mean to...it just slipped right out of my hand...I do not know what is wrong with me?" Sumi asked sadly and Chizuku shook her head.
"How badly was he hurt and you did apologize right?" Chizuku asked and Sumi bit her bottom lip.
"The Nurse told me as soon as he wakes up...she will let me know so I can...as to...I broke his nose and gave him a hell of a bump on the head." Sumi said and Chizuku groaned again.
"That is why they are keeping him overnight." Chizuku said then silently thought. "Or perhaps to keep you from inflicting any more injuries on him." She did not want to make the other girl feel any more guilty then she already did. Sumi nodded. Chizuku placed a reassuring hand on the other girls shoulder. "He is a forgiving person...I am sure he knows that all of those...they were accidents...it could happen to anyone." She stood. "I better go check on him...uhm you might want to wait a bit before seeing him again." Sumi nodded and stood herself.
"Okay...if he is awake...please tell him how sorry I am." Sumi said and Chizuku watched the Pink Haired Girl reluctantly leave. Then she chuckled shaking her head.
"Oh God...he is not going to let me forget this one." Chizuku could not help but feel guilty herself, she had arranged for Sumi to go on a Practice Date with him and she basically placed him in front of a firing squad. Walking inside she stepped up to the Reception Desk and asked about Kazuya. Telling the heavy set woman that she was his Girlfriend. The Nurse who was slightly confused pointed outside and she quickly explained that Kazuya had gone out with Sumi to help her get over a bad breakup. The Nurse fully understood then and allowed her to go to his Room. When Kazuya saw Chizuku standing at his Hospital Room Door, he inhaled sharply.
"Thig ig gor magging yug pwedend to ve my Giwfwiend, izn't it?" Kazuya asked and Chizuku had to really listen to understand him. It was like listening to Elmer Fudd from Looney Tunes trying to talk with a head cold.
"I can't quite understand you." Chizuku said and Kazuya frowned. Placing his index and thumb over his nose, he pinched and then winced painfully.
"This better?" Kazuya asked and she nodded. "I said...this is for me making you pretend to be my Girlfriend, isn't it? You getting back at me for Renting you and putting you through all of what has happen. So you set me up with...her to get back at me." He stated and then released his nose, then pinched it again. Chizuku tried not to smile. But did when he chuckled.
"I would not do that...so are you alright?" Chizuku asked and he grimaced.
"Other then she burned me, broke my ankle and nose, along with giving me a mild concussion...oh I am great." Kazuya replied and Chizuku placed her right hand on his shoulder. Smiling down at him.
"I am so sorry about this...uhm so what are you going to tell everyone?" Chizuku asked and he smirked.
"How about I say that I got you angry with me and you had a friend of yours beat me up?" Kazuya asked her and she gave him a scowl.
"That is not funny...okay it is...but seriously. I mean your Grandmother or mine along with your Parents or your Friends will not believe that you fell down some stairs. So what are we going to tell them and not that I did this to you." Chizuku said and Kazuya gave a soft laugh.
"My Gran would probably believe that I deserved it if I said you did it." Kazuya said and Chizuku smiled. His Grandmother would be except just about anything when it involved her. She bet that if they were serious and told the older Woman that she had to inflict some punishment on Kazuya. His Grandmother would shrug it off as a Lover's disagreement. At the same time not even being cross at her.
"Any chance you would want to try again to help Sumi get over her shyness?" Chizuku asked with a huge smile and Kazuya looked over at her wide eyed.
"I knew it! You want to punish me even more." Kazuya said and Chizuku shook her head.
"I was kidding...I'm sorry I put you through this...I really thought that you could help her...I appreciate you for trying." Chizuku felt bad, she had asked him fully knowing he would and then he trudged on even after she had burned him with tea. Forgiving Sumi for breaking his ankle with a bowling ball and if he had been conscious probably would have forgiven her for letting the door slam into his face. She had to admit but only to herself, she did like him more then she should. That was the reason she at first had deserted him when he had been forced to Date Ruka. She felt upset and jealous of how the Younger Girl clung to him, so to hamper those emotions she kept a safe distance. Which had been a mistake, it made her miss him so much that when he finally was able to book another Date. She came close to admitting to him that she liked him. Her Dates with him were the only ones that felt normal to her. Almost if she was his Real Girlfriend and not a Rental.
"Hey up to the point of her dropping her Tea on me...I was having a good time...then I actually was having a great Time bowling until she threw her Bowling Ball at me." Kazuya said and once more Chizuku felt bad.
"I will make this up to you...you went above and beyond to help Sumi." Chizuku gave his shoulder a light squeeze and he beamed up at her. When a Nurse ducked her head into the room, telling them that visiting hours were almost over. "Guess I better go...uhm...if you like I could maybe help you get home when they release you tomorrow." She suggested and he smiled broadly.
"That would be great...could you tell Sumi that I do forgive her for hitting me with the door...I know she did not mean it and it was an accident. I would but they took my Phone." Kazuya pointed out the door towards the Nurse's Station. She nodded. Then did something she at first believed she would regret. Deciding that he had earned it. Leaning down she kissed his forehead and he gasped audibly.
"See you tomorrow." Chizuku softly said and then after giving his shoulder a final squeeze she turned to leave. Outside the room, she laughed when he spontaneously said YAHOO. "Adorable Dork." She whispered, smiling as she left. As she was about to pass the Receptionist.
"So is your Boyfriend alright?" The Woman asked and Chizuku nodded. "I was here when that Poor Girl let the door slip out of her hand. She cried for about half an hour, worried that she might have seriously hurt him this time. Took a while to calm her down. Gotta say he must Love you a lot to go through all that. Anyone else would be..I don't know upset for all that happened to him. At you and at her." The woman smiled warmly. "Wish I was a dozen or so years younger...might give you a little competition for him. He is a definite keeper." Chizuku thanked her and left to find Sumi waiting for her.
"I thought you went home." Chizuku asked and Sumi looked at her with red rimmed eyes. Indicating that she had probably cried for the past half hour that Chizuku had visited Kazuya.
"I was going to but I felt so guilty for what I subjected him to that I just needed to know if he..that he forgave me." Sumi said sadly and Chizuku nodded.
"Like I said before he is the forgiving type...he knows it was just another series of accidents." Chizuku's mind though was on what the Receptionist had said. She could tell by the looks she received from the Nurses within the Receptionist's view was shared by a good number of them. A similar view of his merits was shared by Ruka and from what she could tell Mami was really regretting dumping him. So what was she going to do. She needed to ask what she should do from someone that would have the right answers and that someone was the One that helped her when she first started being a Rental. Keiko Misigari. "Tomorrow I am coming to help him get home...if you would like I plan on stopping off at that Diner over there at about 10 AM so he can get something other then Hospital Food...you could join us and apologize personally to him." She suggested and Sumi smiled.
"Thank you Chizuku." Sumi turned to leave and had this bewildered look in her eyes. Chizuku knew that look, it was the same that Ruka gave when the strange Girl was with Kazuya.
"Oh great another one." Chizuku whispered as she watched Sumi depart for real this time. Taking out her Phone she called Keiko.
The Conversation:
As she walked, Chizuku dialed Keiko Misigari's number. She had not talked to her Mentor for about six months, a few weeks before the mess with Kazuya came to light. She had been tempted to ask the elder Woman for advice on how to deal with the whole situation. But decided not to and it was not because she was concerned that Keiko would be cross with her. It was because she did not really want a solution. "CHIZUKU! It has been ages since you called me!" Keiko's voice said happily over her phone.
"Am I calling at a bad time?" Chizuku asked hearing some Music in the background. Keiko chuckled.
"No not at all...I am actually home...I have checked your Account the other day...well done girl. One of the top Amateur Rentals. I knew you had potential. So what's up?" Keiko asked and Chizuku exhaled sharply. Then told her the whole story. It took about five minutes and she was a little shocked that it was not that long as she thought. "Wow. When you mess up. You really mess up." The other woman laughed.
"It just sort of steamrolled. One thing led to another and then another." Chizuku said and again Keiko laughed.
"Sounds like this Kazuya is making your life a little interesting. You do know doing this can be a Monotonous and Mundane. Boring is the best word to use." Keiko said and Chizuku had to agree with that. It did seem that way. Then she met Kazuya and it presented her with a challenge. "So tell me. Do you like this kazuya? Truth now." The other asked and Chizuku sighed softly. "Ah you do. I know that sigh all to well."
"I followed your Rules you suggested I use. I kept it purely professional. I did not let myself get emotionally involved. I kept myself distant from any of my Clients and I made sure that none of them learned about the real me. AAARG. Then I met this...he just. He did not rent me for the reasons most did. At first he rented me because he was lonely and then after that to keep up the appearances with his Grandmother and mine." Chiizuku said in frustration. Keiko laughed again.
"So he was not superficial like most that Rent us. He generally cares about you. If what you told me is true about him jumping off a Ferry to save you. You do know not many Clients would do that. Hell I do not know any of mine that would do that for me." Keiko said and Chizuku had to agree with that. She did not know any of her other Clients that would do that either for her. But Kazuya did not hesitate. "What I find is interesting is that he is more concerned about you then himself in this situation you are in. From what you told me this Ruka used Blackmail to get him to go out with her. Then again he was more concerned about you then himself."
"Yes. He has continued the Relationship to keep her from telling anyone. Not that it would really effect him if she did." Chizuku had time to think about that. If Ruka did divulge about her and Kazuya and their fake rented relationship. At most he might get teased and his Grandmother would be a little cross with him. But he would be able to introduce the Extremely Cute Ruka as his Girlfriend and after some time the whole thing would be forgotten. For her though it would be a disaster. Her own Grandmother would learn what she did and a lot of people on Campus would also learn. She doubted that even sworn to secrecy out of his friends there was one that would never promise not to tell anyone. Mami his Ex-Girlfriend would take delight at telling everyone what she was.
"Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your tone?" Keiko asked and Chizuku grimaced, then shrugged.
"Okay..a little." Chizuku admitted and Keiko chuckled. "I just do not know what to do. If I...I get involved with him. Then my entire strategy is gone. I had no intention of..Falling in...ahem and here I am actually feeling like I have." She said and Keiko inhaled softly.
"Hey it was bound to happen. Listen Chizuku. Nothing says that when you find the right guy that you cannot fall in love with him. I never told you that it can happen and one out of a million chance it does happen." Keiko paused and then continued. "Also I never told you...I am Married Chizuku. Have been for about three years to a wonderful Guy. He was one of my Clients." She said and Chizuku gasped.
"But the rules." Chizuku stated and Keiko chuckled.
"Were made to be broken. Besides I told you those Rules to help you stay safe. I did not want you to fall prey to some slick and smooth jackass that would take advantage of you. I made sure you knew all about those types and to keep a good distance from them." Keiko said and Chizuku had actually came across some of those. They would really lay on the Charm and flattery. Not really the type that anyone would suspect that would rent a Girlfriend. But they did for one reason. To get in between a pretty Girls legs and once they did. Goodbye. The Girl would never see that Boy again. "Want some free advice Chizuku...do not wait too long. At some point he probably will come to the conclusion that he has no actual future with you and then he probably will move on. Maybe even to that Ruka Girl you told me about." That caused her to grimace at the thought of the two of them together.
"You gave me a lot to think about...thanks Keiko for listening and giving me once more some sound advice." Chizuku said and her Mentor laughed again.
"Glad I could help...oh by the way when you two get Married...I want to be invited to the Wedding." Before Chizuku could protest, Keiko hung up.
Saturday:
Meeting with Kazuya with the intention of helping him get home, Chizuku was still thinking over what her Mentor had told her. As he fumbled with his Crutches and they slowly made their way to the Diner. She had not told him that Sumi would be meeting them there, fearing that he would decline and just want to go home. The poor Girl needed to Apologize otherwise the Guilt of what she had done to him would really effect her. As they entered and he saw the Pink Girl waiting, he looked over at Chizuku. "Tell the truth. You hired her to torment and then assassinate me." He whispered to her and Chizuku shook her head. Sumi gasped in shock upon seeing him. He had a good sized bandage tapped on his forehead to cover the bump, his nose also had tape across the top and he had two black eyes. All in all he looked terrible.
"Don't joke around too much with her...she is really feeling guilty about what had happened." Chizuku warned him and he nodded. When they sat, he was overjoyed that he got to sit next to Chizuku.
"I am really, really really sorry about hitting you with the door last night." Sumi said immediately and Kazuya smiled at her reassuringly.
"It is alright Sumi...accidents happen." Kazuya said and Sumi smiled sweetly at him.
"Okay well Brunch is on me...order whatever you want." Sumi said quickly and as the Waitress came over carrying a Pot of Coffee. Kazuya put up his left hand.
"No hot beverages please. Lets not take any chances okay." Kazuya said and both Sumi and Chizuku laughed.
"Good idea." Chizuku said still chuckling as was Sumi. He had to order Toast since he could not really eat anything heavy. Chizuku had a Bagel and Sumi went with the Same. But instead of Cream Cheese, she went with hard butter that came in a Hard Plastic Packet. Which once more ended in disaster. When two Young Men were passing just as Sumi had placed her Butter Knife into the Half Inch Butter Packet. The Two Men commented upon how attractive the two Girls were and She became once more shy and nervous. The knife slipped out of her hand and as it hit the table the Packet flew off the knife and struck Kazuya on the tip of his nose. Normally such a thing would not be that painful, more startling. But with a Broken Nose it was extremely painful.
"AAAAHHHH!" Kazuya gasped in pain, placing his right hand on his nose and squeezing his eyes shut. Small tears ran down his face and he rocked his head back in pain.
"SUMI!" Chizuku said in alarm, shocked at what she had just witnessed. The Pink Haired Girl groaned with horror. Looking over, Kazuya quickly grabbed several napkins and put them under his nostrils which was now bleeding.
"Oh my...I am so..." Sumi was about to apologize again, but Kazuya held his left hand out to her stopping her.
"I knob...I knob...you ard Zorrie. I better...bathroom." Kazuya picked up one of his crutches and hobbled towards the bathroom. Chizuku had put her hands over her mouth so he did not see her smiling. It was not funny but it was also funny that he kept being the victim to Sumi's accidents. Who was weeping.
"I swear Chizuku I am not doing this on purpose...I have no idea what is wrong with me." Sumi declared and Chizuku shook her head. Amazed at what she had just seen and feeling frustrated. If Sumi kept hurting him, then she would not have the opportunity to admit she wanted him as her Real Boyfriend.
"I know...we have to do something soon about that because you can't do that to any of your Clients." Chizuku commented and Sumi paled. Thankfully so far it only had been Kazuya that she clumsily had harmed. Otherwise everyone would believe that she was some type of jinx.
To be continued