Rent a Girlfriend: Learning Things the Hard Way (Short Story) Part 1

(A different Spin on the last episode where Mami Rented Chizuru for an entirely different reason.)

Characters:

Kazuya Kinoshita

Chizuru Mizuhara

Mami Nanami

Ruka Sarashina

Sumi Sakurasawa

Nagomi Kinoshita

Yoshiaki Kibe

Shun Kuribayashi

Sayuri Ichinose

Ultimatum:

Standing on the footbridge with Chizuru Mizuhara before her, Mami subtly looked and could just make out Kazuya's leg. Oh she knew he was there. That was the main reason she had taken Chizuru to the Karaoke Bar. She wanted him to see her with Chizuru. It all was going according to her plan. She had felt terrible about how she had treated Kazuya, last year. It weighed upon her conscious constantly, that just because she was in a boring relationship with her Boyfriend. Someone that her Parents and Brother adored to the point of obsession. That she had led Kazuya on without any intention of having their relationship going anywhere. So now as she stood before Chizuru, dodging around the Question that the Brown Haired Girl had asked her. It was now time for Chizuru to answer a question she had for her. "Tell me the truth, Chizuru. Do you love Kazuya?" She asked the other Girl and watched as the Girl paled. Then lowered her gaze. Not answering. So she pressed the issue. "Come on Chizuru. Answer me. Do you love him or not?"

"I...I can't and won't answer that." Chizuru finally said back and Mami laughed.

"Why not? You have been with him over a year now. Sure he rented you...but from what I read about you Rental Girlfriends. You never allow for a Client to rent you that long. So why are you still letting him to continue? Why not simply admit that you have fallen in love with him?" Mami could see the exposed leg of Kazuya stiffen and she smiled. Then glared once more back at Chizuru who was shifting uncomfortably.

"I do like him." Chizuru finally admitted hoping that it would get Mami to let it go and perhaps answer the question she had poised to her. Instead the Blonde Girl shook her head.

"Everyone likes Kazuya. Now come on Chizuru...in all that time. Are you saying that you have not fallen in love with him? Is that the real reason you keep having him rent you. Is that you do not want to lose him. That you are indeed in love with him." Mami stepped closer and Chizuru looked up at the Shorter Blonde Girl. She grimaced and exhaled with a deep sigh. Unable to keep eye contact again, she lowered her gaze once more downward. Wanting the conversation over, wondering how it had turned from her trying to get Mami to at least consider getting back with Kazuya. No the shorter Girl had somehow turned it around and now Chizuru was the one that was being questioned about her feelings towards Kazuya. She needed to get away. To find Kazuya and tell him about her confrontation with Mami. To do that she was about to admit to his EX Girlfriend the truth that she had been keeping hidden.

"Okay. Yes. I have fallen in love with him. I love him. Are you happy?" Chizuru asked. "Now that I have answered you. I am asking you to please do not tell anyone that I am a Rental. It would be devastating to him in more ways then one." Chizuru said pleading with the other girl not to divulge anything to anyone. Mami laughed again and then stepped to one side.

"Did you hear her Kazuya? You might want to stand up now." Mami said and Kazuya slowly stood up. Looking guilty and happy at the same time. "Well...I am leaving. So that you two can have a nice long chat." With that Mami began to walk away. "Oh by the way...I expect to be invited to the Wedding when you two tie the Knot." As she neared Kazuya. "Don't fuck this up." She whispered to him as she passed him and then she left. He swallowed heavily and decided to explain why he somehow was here.

"I had no intention of following you. But I work at the Karaoke Bar and I saw you there with Mami. I sort of panicked when I saw you two together." Kazuya quickly said and Chizuru shook her head. She was in it now. She had said it loud and clear that she had fallen in love with him. She could not even deny it or try to spin it that he misunderstood.

"That is not what I think we need to talk about right now. What we need to talk about is..." Chizuru blushed and tried not to make eye contact with him.

"That you said that you had fallen in love with me. That you love me." Kazuya said joyfully and Chizuru glared at him, then slowly nodded. "Is it true?" His voice etched with hope. She slowly nodded again.

"Yes it is true." Chizuru admitted and Kazuya smiled like a buffoon. "I am waiting. IS there something you want to say to me?" She demanded and he immediately understood.

"Of course I love you Miz...Chizuru. I love you so much that I thought that I was going crazy." Kazuya said and Chizuru stepped closer to him. "So what do we do now?" He asked her and Chizuru shrugged.

"Haven't a clue. I have never been in love before. Thought there is one thing that I have wanted to do...for a long time." Chizuru said and before he could react, she slowly moved forward, tilted her head to the left and kissed him. A real kiss and not a fake one. A real kiss and not to give him mouth to mouth. His eyes widened as she continued to kiss him. sliding her arms around his waist as he did the same. After several moments she parted and smiled. Then she frowned noticing that his face began to turn blue. "Breath you idiot. Breath." She told him and swatted him in the stomach with her right hand. He gasped for breath and a huge smile appeared on his lips.

"Wow!" Kazuya said and Chizuru giggled.

"Got to say I agree with that. Now come on...There is a lot we need to talk about privately." Chizuru took his right hand in her left, walking with him back towards their Apartment Building. They had held hands a lot before, but both knew this was way different. There were actual feelings to be associated with them holding hands. Reaching the Building. "Change out of that and come over. I will make tea and then we will have our discussion." She ordered him and he nodded. Inside her own Apartment, she glanced about to make sure that there wasn't anything particularly embarrassing. Tossing her dirty laundry basket into a closet and then rechecked her Apartment Again. Then remembered that she had underwear drying in the Bathroom, so she quickly went in there and pulled them all down. She had never really had a Boy over before. Not even when she lived with her Grandmother. So this all was a new experience to her. When she heard a light knock on her door, she opened it and Kazuya stood there for several seconds. Unsure if he actually was being invited in or not. "Come in Kazuya. I know this is another unknown for the both of us." Sure she had been in his Apartment twice already. But he had never been in hers. So it took him a few minutes. He leerily entered and she closed the door. "Sit there at my Table. I will bring the Tea." She gestured towards her small Table and he went to sit down. He was sweating bullets as he sat, having no idea what to do. Almost going into a panic attack when Chizuru sat down next to him, right after placing a full cup of tea in front of him and then set another where she would be sitting. Unable to handle what was happening, he picked up the teacup and almost guzzled half the contents in one swallow. She stared at him in shock. "Uhm...Kazuya...wasn't that...hot?" She asked him with some concern and he suddenly realized it was.

"Oh yeah...really hot." Kazuya gasped and then smiled over at her. They both started to chuckle and it seemed to soothe over the discomfort that they both were feeling.

"Do you need some cold water or something?" Chizuru asked as she finished chuckling over what he had done. Kazuya shook his head.

"No I am good." Kazuya closed his eyes briefly and shook his head, still smiling. "You know that was almost like when we were at that Spa...Remember. I had goofed and thought that the Soy Sauce was the Soup." He said and Chizuru chuckled some more, nodding. She remembered and it was one of the more wonderful memories she had when she was with Kazuya. He smiled at her fondly and then with a deep exhale. "I guess we should talk about the Elephant in the Room." He said and she fully understood. "Before you say anything. I want you to know it does not bother me at all that you...if you have to keep being a Rental." He told her and she stared at him oddly.

"I would think it would. I mean if I keep being a Rental...I will be going out with my Clients." Chizuru stated and Kazuya shrugged.

"I am used to it and it is no different then before right?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru nodded. Though before she could remind him of the rules that she followed religiously as a Rental Girlfriend. That no one else but him will ever get to hold her in his arms or kiss her. Of course at this point before she could he says something stupid. "The only thing I am worried about, is that you might take a good look at some of your Clients and think...Hell if I am going to have a Real Boyfriend and be in Love. There has to be someone better then Kazuya." He said and Chizuru reached behind his head with her right hand and whacked him across the back of the head.

"I will smack you harder each time you say something that idiotic again." Chizuru said with a small smile. "Do you even realize how hard it is for me to...If Mami had not tricked me to admit how I felt about you...I know it would have been a lot longer before..." She blushed, generally she had a firm grasp on what she wanted to say. But again being in a real relationship was a little overwhelming for her. "Perhaps I let my Rental Persona become my only Persona for far too long." She whispered with a frown. Kazuya held up his hand as she continued to try to tell him what she wanted to say.

"No I fully understand what you are trying to say Chizuru. It was the same with me. If I had not heard you say that you had fallen in love with me...then I doubt I would have had the courage to say it back to you." Kazuya said as she looked at him oddly. "I was a bit worried if I ever did tell you, then you would have not let me Rent you anymore." That was one of her personal rules she followed with others. For it had happened before. Several times before in fact. She remembered two Clients had proclaimed their love for her and even asked her to Marry them. She did not know if Kazuya had done that what her response would have been. She was extremely glad that something like that had not happened. For she knew she would not know if it would have turned out okay. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and he stiffened slightly. Another part of their new relationship that they would have to get used to. After some more discussion about her remaining as a Rental Girlfriend until she could rely on her Acting Career, they spent another two hours just talking. Ending the evening with several kisses and hugs.

The Morning After:

Stepping out of his Apartment, Kazuya glanced over at Chizuru's. He was tempted to knock on her door, but it was at least two hours too early. Not once had he ever heard her moving around her Apartment at 4 AM in the Morning. Generally he was never up this early, but he had awoken and just could not drift off back to sleep. So instead, he decided to go get Coffees and a Danishes from the Local Coffee Cafe, for both of them. When he entered the Cafe, he did not expect to see Mami sitting at a Table. She waved for him to join her. He reluctantly did and as he sat, she smiled broadly at him. "Kazuya...I was hoping to see you. I wanted to talk to you about a lot of things." She said and then told him all about everything. "Mainly why I...Last year...When we...when we were together. I never told you that I was actually in a relationship with another Boy. In fact I have been with him for almost two years before I even met you. Yes I was cheating on him by dating you." She took a sip of her Coffee as did Kazuya when his arrived. "See the problem is that I can't stand him. I hate everything about him. He is extremely boring and dull. But my Parents and Brother adore him."

"Then why did you...We dated?" Kazuya asked and Mami inhaled softly.

"Because I hate him...I wanted to...feel what it would be with someone that I...well that I might have come to want to be with." Mami said taking another sip of her Coffee. "When I encouraged you...I did so that I could have a semblance of perhaps a normal relationship with someone. Never intending it to be more then a...divulgence and nothing more then that." She finished her Coffee and then shook her head. "I did not expect that...I began to feel tempted to...Remember how you kept hinting for us to become more physical. Well I started to feel tempted. Especially since my Sex Life with him is...well it sucks. That was the primary reason I had to end it with you. If I continued then I would have succumb and taken you to bed." She shook her head. "I could not let that happen because if my Idiot Boyfriend found out or my Family. Then they would give me a load of shit that I do not even want to deal with." She bit her bottom lip and Kazuya just sat there. She had used him as nothing more then a divulgence. Never intending to ever be with him.

"You know what that completely sucks." Kazuya said and Mami nodded.

"Yes and I am sorry about that. In fact for the past year I really felt terrible on how I treated you. So when you suddenly showed up with Chizuru...I was relieved." Mami said and then frowned. "Until I found out that she was a Rental and that your whole relationship with her was fake." She smiled and shook her head. "But then I noticed something between you two. You two liked each other. Liked each other A lot. In fact I suspected that you both had fallen in love with each other and were too oblivious or naïve to do anything about it. So that is when I decided to...take it upon myself to get you two to admit it."

"I do not know whether to thank you or be upset with you." Kazuya said and Mami giggled.

"Either works for me." Mami glanced at her Watch. "Oops I got to get going and I suspect that you better as well. Might I suggest when you take Chizuru Coffee and a Danish. That you also perhaps take her a Red Rose as well." She gestured over at the Roses For Sale near the Cash Register. They both stood and with a nod, he went over to not only get Chizuru a Coffee and Danish, but a Red Rose. He turned back towards the table already knowing that Mami had left.

Outside the Cafe, Mami watched as Kazuya walked back towards his Apartment Building. Carrying two Coffee Cups, a Bag with Two Danishes and a Red Rose in his hands. She had pings of jealousy within her as she watched him leave. She had spoken the truth about her Boyfriend. He was a dullard and an Idiot. But her Parents and Brother did adore him. They had placed him upon some type platform and believed he was the perfect person for her. They were in essences delusional. He was far from what they thought he was. For one he really did suck in bed. Mainly due to he could not last more then a minute before he was done. Then there was the fact that he was boring beyond belief. His idea of a good time with her, involved sensible outings. Dinner, Movies and then some other activity that had as much appeal as a Lecture on Politics.

Outside Chizuru's door, Kazuya shifted the bag that contained two Danishes to his left hand that had the Coffee Cup Carrier and the Rose. Then knocked on her door. Within a minute, she was there and she smiled warmly at him. "I got you Coffee and a Danish." He announced holding up the his left hand towards her. "Oh and this." He indicated the Single Red Rose. She took the Rose and sniffed it. Stepping back slightly.

"Come in." Chizuru said as she held the Rose. Gesturing for him to come in. Once inside and at her Table. He handed her the Semi Hot Coffee and the Apple Danish. While setting his own right in front of him. "You know I could really get used to this. Having a Boyfriend bring me Coffee and a Danish in the Morning." She said as she sipped her Coffee. It was exactly how she took it. Two Creams and three Sugars.

"Though maybe next time I should have waited until you...well at least got dressed." Kazuya said sheepishly indicating what she was wearing. She looked down at herself and shrugged.

"So I am in my Pajamas. Who cares? You are my Boyfriend now and you have seen me in less." Chizuru said and he looked at her somewhat confused. "Oh come on Kazuya. You saw me in a Bikini and then there was when I was only wearing a Robe at the Spa. Also at some point I hope soon...you are going to see all of me and I will get to see all of you." They both blushed.

"Maybe not too soon. I do not know if I could...handle it." Kazuya said and Chizuru giggled. He decided to change the subject. "So have you any plans today?" He asked her looking over at her Cell Phone that sat on the table near her left hand. She shook her head.

"Nope. No Bookings today. Why do you want to do something?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya nodded.

"Well...I need to tell Ruka that...that I can no longer see her. Then I would really like for us to go see my Grans. There is something I want to do." Kazuya said and Chizuru smiled.

"That is right. You wanted to introduce your Girlfriend to your Grandmother. I think I would like that as well." Chizuru knew all about him wanting to do that. "Do you want to tell her the whole thing?" He shook his head.

"Not unless you want to. Because if we tell my Grans...then at some point we have to tell yours and I know you do not want to do that yet." Kazuya said and Chizuru inhaled softly and held her breath. She was not ready to tell her Grandmother about her being a Rental yet. She wanted to, but she wanted to wait until much later now. Perhaps after her Relationship with Kazuya became more then it was right now. Maybe when she had a certain Gold Diamond Ring on her Finger. Something else she eventually wanted to discuss with him.

"One thing. After seeing your Grans...I want you to take me out on a Real Date. Dinner and a Movie. With a lot of hand holding, hugging and I want some Kisses." Chizuru declared and Kazuya smiled. "In fact even with Morning Breath...I want some kisses right now." She leaned closer and placed her right hand on the right side of his cheek. Drawing him closer to her as she pressed her lips onto his. Neither really caring about the Morning or Coffee Breath.

The Day:

Ruka did not take it as badly as Kazuya expected. He had asked to talk to her Privately in one of the closets and when he told her about him and Chizuru. She actually started to laugh hysterically. "I knew it. I knew it. I knew Chizuru was in love with you. Though I was hoping to get you before she actually did something. Oh well." The Short Dark Haired Girl said with another laugh. "Guess I will have to wait until you two break up and I can swoop in there. For I am not about to give up on you." As she left the small room she leered at Chizuru with a small smile. Kazuya told her what Ruka had said and she once more thought that the younger girl was absolutely nuts.

At Kazuya's Grandmother's Apartment, it went as they both expected. Nagomi was utterly confused on why her Grandson was introducing Chizuru to her. But took it in stride. Making sure to slip a certain item to Kazuya before they left three hours later. Once outside, Chizuru gestured to his right side Jacket Pocket. with her left hand that was holding onto his right hand. "What did she give you?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya paled slightly.

"Trust me Chizuru...you do not want to know. Not yet anyhow." Kazuya replied and swallowed heavily. Chizuru already had her suspicions on what it was that he had in his Pocket and he was partially right. She did not really want to know yet. Leaving to go on their date, they soon discovered a serious problem. Neither actually knew how to act on a real date with each other. Sure they held hands, but they did that when he Rented her. At an intersection and having no idea where to go.

"This is so stupid. The only thing that is different then before is that you are not paying me." Chizuru growled in frustration and Kazuya exhaled with a deep resigned sigh.

"Do you want to...forget this and go back to..the way we used to be?" Kazuya asked sadly and Chizuru stepped in front of him.

"No you idiot! All I am saying is that we need to...I don't know stop trying so hard to be together and just be together." Chizuru said sternly and then smiled at him. He smiled back. "Let's forget this, go back to your Apartment and watch a Downloaded Movie instead. That way we can maybe not be so nervous and anxious about this whole thing." She suggested.

"Sounds good to me." With that they both walked back towards home. In route they discussed that perhaps it would be best if they had their dates at the Apartment until they became accustomed to being together. Though as they sat watching a Movie on his Television, they soon discovered that snuggling at Home was better then any Date they could come up with.

Incognito:

Within her alter persona as Chizuru Ichinose, she walked with her two Friends towards their next class. She had spotted Kazuya several times and had to fight the urge to acknowledge him openly. They still needed to keep it a secret about her being Chizuru Mizuhara, his Girlfriend. Though unlike before she was now his real Girlfriend and not a fake one. Also unlike before, she now noticed that some of the Girls that were out and about were showing subtle interest in Kazuya. Even her two Friends. So when the three of them entered their Classroom, she secretly sent him a warning text. Informing him that she did have a very vindictive jealous streak. A streak that promised him a world of discomfort if he ever cheated on her. The end of the day and once more back at her Apartment later that day, she reminded him again. Then they had another stay home Date. Finding that they were getting more comfortable with each other. As they ate dinner together they decided that was how it would be for awhile, until they could go out and not have it feel like they were forcing themselves to be a couple or having it feel like before when he rented her to go out with him.

A month or so later, they tried again and this time it did not have the same problems. Perhaps it was because a week prior they had spent the night together in her Apartment. Or perhaps it was because right before that night, he had given her the Diamond Ring she now wore on her left hand Ring Finger. Either way it did not feel odd to be out together. Though Kazuya found it somewhat funny how Chizuru continually flaunted her left hand to everyone, showing off her Engagement Ring to anyone that would look.

The End and the Beginning.