Rent a Girlfriend: End of an Era (Short Story) Part 1

Characters:

Kazuya Kinoshita

Chizuru Mizuhara

Mami Nanami

Ruka Sarashina

Sumi Sakurasawa

Nagomi Kinoshita

Yoshiaki Kibe

Shun Kuribayashi

Sayuri Ichinose

The Fight:

Stepping out of his Apartment, Kazuya almost ran right into Umi and just stood there staring at the other in utter shock. "Hey...I recognize you...You are that...You made a complete idiot out of yourself last Christmas." Umi said chuckling as he shook his head. Then he smirked. "Though thanks to that little scene you made...I had almost was to the point of...and you blew it for me." Kazuya looked at him wondering what the other was saying.

"What do you mean?" Kazuya asked and Umi laughed.

"What do you think I mean? She was having a wonderful time with me and at some point that night...I was going to invite her back to my place. Well that scene you put on...Ruined any chance I might have of that happening." Umi said and then looked towards Chizuru's door. "Tonight is going to be different...So don't get any funny ideas. Otherwise I might have to...But I suspect that you are not going to interfere again. That is if you know what is good for you...you won't." Kazuya grinded his teeth together.

"Leave her alone." Kazuya said softly and Umi laughed again.

"Or what...Listen you pathetic loser. Girls like her want someone like me. I am Refined. Cultured and Handsome. To me Girls like Chizuru are nothing more then someone...She is nothing more then a one night one time thing. Someone that I can spend a few hours with. I may have to lay on the charm and lead them to believe I want a relationship with them." Umi smirked again and licked his lips. "But in the end...I get what I want from them and then...Bah Bye. You know once I am done...I bet she will be more willing to be with you. After all she will need someone to console her afterwards." Before Umi was able to even know what is happening. Kazuya decked him hard. Falling backwards, Umi hit the cement balcony and then came right back up. Throwing a punch as well at Kazuya. The two exchanged punches and soon they were both fighting. What seemed like forever but was only actually a couple of minutes Chizuru came out to see what the ruckus was about and found the two beating on each other.

"STOP THAT! RIGHT NOW!" Chizuru screamed and neither heard her as they continued to hit each other. So she turned went back into her Apartment and filled a Pot with Cold Water. Coming back out she threw it on the two idiots that were fighting. They stopped and looked over at her. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?" She yelled and Umi gestured towards Kazuya.

"This Jackass attacked me! For no reason at all! I came by to tell you about a new Commercial that you might be a perfect match for and he came out of his Apartment and attacked me for no reason." Umi said accusingly and Kazuya glanced at the other then looked over to see Chizuru glaring at him.

"Is that true Kazuya? Why would you do that?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya knew no matter what he said he suspected that Chizuru would not believe him. Reaching up, he wiped the blood off his lip and just could not bring himself to look at her directly.

"No matter what I say...I doubt you will believe me. But this guy is...Scum." Kazuya said and then turned and went into his Apartment. Closing the door behind him. Chizuru watched him go and then after a moment looked over at Umi. Who was using a handkerchief to stop his own lips from bleeding. At the same time he tried to straighten out his disheveled Clothes.

"I cannot believe that asshole...Why the hell do you put up with him...You know what...You need to stay away from him. In fact I do not even know why you would want to live right next door to that Loser?" Umi asked and Chizuru glared at him.

"What really happened Umi? Why did Kazuya attack you?" Chizuru asked and Umi gave a soft chuckle.

"It was exactly as I said. He just came out of his Apartment and hit me." Umi said and Chizuru exhaled softly.

"He would not do that without reason...So why did he hit you?" Chizuru asked again and Umi began to wonder if perhaps it would be best to leave before she pressured him further to tell her.

"I told you. He just came out and..." Umi stopped when she glared at him.

"I know he would not do that. Now tell me why he hit you!" Chizuru said more forcefully and Umi once more considered his options. If he should just leave. But if he did, then he knew any chance with Chizuru would probably be over and he still wanted to go to bed with her.

"Oh so you actually think I am lying? Is that it? You are going to believe him over me." Umi asked and Chizuru looked towards Kazuya's door.

"He has never lied to me and what's more...I...I know exactly what type of person he is and what type of person you are." Chizuru said thinking about the fact that Kazuya had never lied to her that she did not know that he had lied to her. She fully knew he had lied to her when she asked him if he had fallen in love with her. She knew for a fact that he had and tried to lie to her that he hadn't. "So yes...I think you are lying to me." She declared and Umi scowled.

"Okay fine...The truth is I came over to ask you out and after I told him that...He attacked me." Umi said and Chizuru shook her head.

"Still he would not attack you over that." Chizuru said and Umi shifted uncomfortably.

"Well he did. He attacked me because he is nothing more then a Jealous. Pathetic. Loser. Who should realize that you are way out of his league. That someone like me is better suited to be with you." Umi said and Chizuru glared at him again.

"Do not ever and I mean ever! Call him a Pathetic Loser again! He is not any of those!" Chizuru stated sternly and Umi suspected that he really had messed up. There was no way she would go out with him and there was equally no way he would be able to do her. Then he noticed her clenched fists. "By the way...I will never go out with you. I already heard all the...well they are not rumors...But I have heard exactly what you expect from someone that goes out with you." With that she went back to her own Apartment and shut the door. With a grumble, Umi reached into his pocket and then put his Wedding Ring back on. He had convinced his Wife to keep their marriage a secret with the excuse that it would negatively effect his acting career to let it be known he was married. The truth was he still wanted to fool around with those like Chizuru and most of those would not if they knew he was married.

"Well since Momo thinks I am at Work...I might as well hit the Strip Club." Umi muttered mostly to himself and headed for the closest one. Pausing briefly at Kazuya's Door debating on whether to finish their fight. Though the way it was going, he doubted he would have won. With another grumble, he left and decided once at the Strip Club he would go into the Bathroom to clean up before he enjoyed the lavished attention he would get from the Girls there. Knowing if nothing else he should be able to sway one of them to go a Hotel with him.

Repercussions and the Accident:

Inside his Bathroom, Kazuya used a washcloth to wipe away the blood on his face. Wincing somewhat as the warm water on the cloth rubbed against some of where Umi had landed a blow. His knuckles felt tender as well for when he had landed his own blows against the pompous jackass. Throwing the Cloth into the Laundry Basket, he then took off his Bloodstained shirt. Some of the Blood was his and he bet some of it was Umi's. "What you and Umi did was incredibly stupid." Chizuru said from the open Bathroom door and he spun towards her staring at her in shock. Blinking a couple of times to make sure he was not seeing things.

"What...What are you...How did you get in here?" Kazuya asked still stunned that Chizuru was in his Apartment. She chuckled and gestured with her right hand to the Back Balcony Door.

"I wanted to talk to you...But you were not answering when I threw woods chips at the door. So I simply slipped around the wall. You know you should really lock that door." Chizuru said and still Kazuya stared at her in disbelief that she would just simply enter his Apartment without hesitation that way. "So...Do you want to tell me why you and Umi were fighting?" He shook his head.

"What is the point? Like I said I doubt you will believe me anyways." Kazuya said and came out of the Bathroom and headed for the Kitchen. He needed an aspirin for the headache that he knew was coming. She blocked his way.

"Just tell me." Chizuru demanded and he did. Kazuya told her almost exactly what Umi had said and what he intended to do. She shook her head again. Then plunked him in the forehead with her index finger. "You idiot. Do you think I would be stupid enough to fall for his bullshit. Or that I would let him charm me into doing that. I have had more scumbags try that so many times that I have lost count." Chizuru said and then plunked him again. He jerked his head as he felt her right index finger strike his forehead. "I do not need you to try to protect me...Especially since I am...I am just a Rental and you are my Client. Save that crap for your real Girlfriend." She told him and noticed his sadden expression and wished she stopped telling him that. She actually liked that he cared about her enough to protect her. That she knew he loved her enough to fight a womanizer in an attempt to keep the creep away from her. She then smiled. "Thank you...anyhow." Her saying that sort of threw him off. He at most was expecting for her to yes say that she was just a Rental Girlfriend and to chew him out. But for her to thank him, once more added to how much he was in love with her. She plunked him again.

"Hey...What was that for?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru shrugged.

"Does not matter...I figure I owed you one more plink." Chizuru said not telling him it was for adding to her falling in love with him. She did not want that, but it was happening. Each time he did something like this or when she really thought about it. She was falling for him. She took a good look at him and rolled her eyes. "You barely took care of...Go sit down...Where is your First Aid Kit?" She asked him and he gestured to his Bathroom Drawer. While he sat down, she got his First Aid Kit and then joined him. Kneeling in front of him, she used some Cotton Balls soaked with Alcohol and wiped where some cuts and abrasions were. She then used small Bandaids on the ones that were still oozing blood.

"Ow." Kazuya muttered feeling the sting of the Alcohol and Chizuru smiled.

"That is what you get for being an idiot. Now hold still...I am almost done." Chizuru said and after she was done. She took his right hand in hers and checked his Knuckles. Rubbing her thumb against them. "You got lucky that you did not break any of your Knuckles...You Idiot. Didn't anyone tell you not to punch someone with your fists. Especially against bones. You could have broken a knuckle or a finger doing that." She told him and he shrugged.

"I lost my temper." Kazuya replied blushing slightly as she then checked his left hand. Every time he held her hand during one of their Booked Dates he had the same reaction. Feeling both nervous and anxious at the same time. She let go of his hand and began to walk towards the door.

"Still that was really...Well stupid. Okay I am done. Now I have to get back...Before you two idiots started fighting...I was working on my Midterm Paper." Chizuru told him not mentioning the fact that for the past three days she had been working on her Paper, Studying her Lines and had gone on five Booked Dates. Only sleeping at most three hours each night. Tonight was going to be no different. He looked at her in concern.

"Would you like a cup of Coffee?" Kazuya asked her, not really wanting her to leave yet. She shrugged.

"Sure...I am actually out of Coffee...So why not." Chizuru moved over to his Table and sat down. While Kazuya went to the Kitchen to brew her a Cup of Coffee and him a Cup of Tea. While he was doing that, Chizuru sat there and her head slowly drooped down onto her chest. She felt so tired and even the two Red Bulls she drank not more then an hour ago had stopped working. When her chin rested upon her chest, she dozed off and by the time Kazuya brought her cup of coffee she was completely asleep.

"Chizuru?" Kazuya lightly touched her right shoulder in an attempt to awaken her. When she did not awaken, he lightly tapped her shoulder a couple of times and still she did not awaken. He said her name a couple more times with no response. "She must be exhausted." He said mostly to himself and considered his options. He tried again to awaken her while he was thinking. "I could try to get her Key out of her pocket. No that might not be a good idea. She might think I am attempting to feel her up." He glanced over at his Rolled up Futon and grimaced. Then with a deep sigh, knew what he had to do. Unrolling his Futon and placing his pillows on the one end. He swallowed heavily and reached down to pick Chizuru up. Sliding his right arm under her knees and his left at her lower back. He gently lifted her up and hoped that she might wake up. But when she didn't he carried her over to his Futon. "She is just so beautiful." He thought as he looked at her sleeping face that was on his left side of his chest as he carried her. Lowering her down on the Futon with her head on one of his pillows. He straightened and pulled the Blanket over her. She sighed contently and remained asleep. Picking up another pillow and another Blanket, he headed for the Bathroom and laid down on the Bathroom Floor.

Awakening in the Morning, Chizuru yawned heavily. "Crap! I never thought I would fall asleep...Wait a minute. This is not my...Oh God!" She sat up and immediately noticed that she was not in her Apartment and she was not in her Bed. Gasping, she glanced about and after seeing the Fish Tanks. Knew exactly where she was. "I fell asleep in...His Apartment!" She stated then looked around for Kazuya. The first place she looked was the other side of the Futon and sighed with relief that he was not there. But at the same time felt a little disappointed that he was not there. She knew he would not have tried something perverted. Mainly due to that she did trust him a lot more then she would trust any of her other Clients. All because she knew he was in love with her and he also respected her. Getting up, she continued to look for him and then found him in the Bathroom. Sleeping uncomfortably on the floor. She was tempted to simply tap the bottom of his foot with her own. Instead she knelt and lightly touched his shoulder. As he awoke she shook her head. "Why didn't you...Wake me up?" He sat up.

"I tried...But you...You are not mad at me for...I had to carry you." Kazuya said and again Chizuru shook her head.

"No I am not. I am sorry about that...I guess I was more tired then I thought. Thank you for...Well thank you." Chizuru then stood up and offered her hand to him to help him get up as well. He stiffly did. Rotating his shoulders and stretching.

"I think the fight hurt less then sleeping on the floor." Kazuya commented with a small smile. Chizuru was about to depart but before she could. "I...I am going to make breakfast. Pouched Eggs on Toast. Uhm...Do you want..." She was about to say no. But her stomach grumbled and both of them chuckled.

"I might as well...That does sound good." Chizuru said, deciding that she had already broke the rules so why not take him up on his offer for Breakfast. He went over and rolled up his Futon and then placed the table back in the center of the Floor. She sat down at it and after he went into the Kitchen he returned a few moments later with a cup of Coffee. Setting down the mug in front of her, along with a carton of Milk and Sugar. She thanked him and he returned to the Kitchen to make Breakfast. Taking out an Egg Poacher and filling the bottom of the pan with water. Setting it onto the Burner of his Stove. She watched and began to think that this was really nice. "This almost feels and seems like...No I can't let myself even think that. I can't let myself even consider what this feels and seems like. It deviates from my plan. I want to be an actress and having a Boyfriend. A real one would hamper me from fulfilling my plan." She thought shaking her head negatively. Accepting the Plate of Two Poached Eggs on Toast. Eating them basically in silence. Afterwards she thanked him for Breakfast and headed for the door with the excuse that she needed to go work on her Paper.

Confrontation 2:

Standing at her door of her Apartment, Chizuru removed the Key from her Shorts Pocket and was about to use it when she heard someone she recognized approach. Turning her head towards the new arrival. "So have you finally admitted it Chizuru?" Ruka Sarashina asked. "I saw you leave Kazuya's Apartment."

"Nothing happened. I...He invited me for Breakfast. That was all it was." Chizuru said in defense. Not mentioning that she had fallen asleep and had spent the night in his Apartment. Deciding that it was none of the other Girl's business and not wanting the other Girl to think anything sorted happened.

"I want to talk to you. Privately." Ruka demanded and Chizuru reluctantly let the other Girl into her Apartment. Once inside Ruka turned towards her. "I hate this. I hate how close you and Kazuya are. Do not deny it. I know he...I know he is in love with you and as much as you deny it. You are in love with him."

"That is not true. He is nothing more then a Clien..." Chizuru was about to say and Ruka glared at her angrilly.

"BULLSHIT!" Ruka said loudly. "You know what I pity you Chizuru. Kazuya is a wonderful Guy. Someone that would make me...or you happy. Why I pity you Chizuru is that eventually you are going to want to be with him and by that time...Your chance will be gone. But you rather be a Rental and make money then...Then stop being a Rental and be his Real Girlfriend. Which I think is completely stupid. So this is how it is going to be. If that is true and he is nothing more then your Client. You are going to break it off with him completely. No more letting him rent you. End it completely." Chizuru inhaled softly.

"We can't yet...Our Grandmothers..." Chizuru was going to continue with how the two Elder women believed that she and Kazuya were a couple. But again Ruka cut her off.

"I have that all figured out. You two are going to tell them that you are breaking up...Then in a couple of weeks...Kazuya will tell his Grandmother that we are dating. That you suggested we go out. That I am now taking medication to take care of my...Issue." Ruka said hinting towards when Kazuya had told his Grandmother that she was a pathological Liar to sway his Grandmother into not thinking that he was cheating on Chizuru. "Your other option is that you actually tell me that you are in love with him. Those are your only options. If say you are not and do not stop this whole stupid thing. Then I will tell everyone that you are a Rental. No matter the consequences. So tell me what is it going to be?" She demanded and Chizuru was tempted to hit Ruka right in the face. Instead she stared at Ruka intently not noticing that the other Girl had her Cell Phone hidden within her hand.

When Kazuya's Cellphone Rang, he at first grimaced. It was Ruka. He answered but did not get an immediate response, instead he overheard Chizuru and Ruka having some sort of conversation. Sitting down and turning up the volume, he listened and within a few minutes he went out of his Apartment to stand outside his door. Then her's.

"So which option are you going to take?" Ruka demanded again.

"I...I am...Not...I am not doing this." Chizuru stated and Ruka chuckled.

"Oh yes you are. Like I said...You tell me right now! Are you in love with Kazuya or not? Otherwise I will tell everyone about you being a Rental Girlfriend regardless." Ruka said and Chizuru glared at the other girl angrily. Knowing if Ruka did tell everyone, she was sure she could defuse the situation by telling her Grandmother about her being a Rental. But for Kazuya it would be a complete disaster. His Grandmother would be extremely upset with him for lying and not being able to actually find a real Girlfriend. Mami would use this to humiliate him even more.

"If you did tell everyone...Imagine what that would do to Kazuya. I am not...that concerned about myself. So please don't." Chizuru said and Ruka shook her head.

"I know. But like I said you have left me no choice. So what is it going to be? Are you in love with him or not?" Ruka asked and waited for Chizuru to answer.

Standing there, Chizuru thought about how she could answer Ruka's demand. if she denied it. She had a feeling Ruka would make Kazuya move out of his Apartment next door and it was possible she might never see him again. That upset her. Ruka was right about one thing. At some point her chance with Kazuya would be gone. She knew she would then be lonely. "I am lonely now." She thought silently. "With only my Grandma...I really do not have anyone else important to me." That was the reason she did not really mind that Kazuya lived next door. It gave her someone she could talk to if she needed it. "But if Ruka gets him to move out eventually...Then that option is gone. I really enjoyed having breakfast with him. it felt so nice and almost natural." She was considering asking Kazuya for them to do that more often. Then this happened. "Back on topic. What do I do? Do I actually admit that I have fallen in love with Kazuya? I know I have and I also know he is in love with me." She looked over at Ruka and the other girl was still waiting for her to answer while she had the internal debate with herself. With a final exhaled sigh. She made her decision. "What harm would it do to actually admit it? After all Kazuya would not hear me say it." She smiled finally and Ruka did as well.

"So...Are you or are you not in love with him?" Ruka asked again.

"Fine! You are right Ruka...I am in love with Kazuya. I have fallen in love with him. Happy?" Chizuru said and then both of them heard a loud thud from outside her Door.

"Oh my...I am guessing that Kazuya had just fainted." Ruka chuckled and then held up her Cellphone. Chizuru stared at it in shock. Clearly seeing that it was on. "I called him before and he had just heard you admit you are in love with him." She told her and Chizuru gasped.

To be continued.