Rent a Girlfriend: The Week After (Short Story) Part 1
Characters:
Kazuya Kinoshita
Chizuru Mizuhara
Mami Nanami
Ruka Sarashina
Sumi Sakurasawa
Nagomi Kinoshita
Yoshiaki Kibe
Shun Kuribayashi
Sayuri Ichinose
Third Real Date Not a Disaster After all:
They both had hoped that the Weather Forecast had been wrong when they had gone on their third real Date. But unfortunately the Forecast unlike so many times before it had been spot on and now it was now pouring down rain. Which caused Kazuya and Chizuru to seek cover within a Phone Booth. A Phone Booth that could barely contain one of them. So they were forced to stand extremely close together. Though neither was really upset about that. With her hands on his chest and his arms around her. She peered up at him and even though it was chilly. He was sweating. She giggled at him and he looked down at her. "What is so funny?" He asked and she shook her head.
"I just find it a little funny how nervous you are right now." Chizuru replied and smiled at him. "Now the forecast said that it should stop raining in about forty minutes. So I think we should talk. There are some things I want to discuss with you and this seems like the perfect time to do that." She told him and he swallowed nervously. Silently praying to any deity that the rain would stop. She noticed his expression which caused her to giggle again.
"Okay...What did I do wrong this time?" Kazuya asked with concern. Worried that perhaps he had done something that Chizuru was upset about.
"Nothing. I just want to talk to you about some concerns I have and I know you have some of your own that we should discuss." Chizuru said and watched as he seemed to sweat even more. "Let's start with yours." He swallowed again.
"Why mine first?" Kazuya asked in alarm and she giggled.
"Because yours are probably unfounded and simple. While mine are complicated." Chizuru said and then took a deep breath. "Kazuya I want to know something. I know you have been concerned since I came out and told everyone that we are really together. That you are my real boyfriend now and not your Rental Girlfriend anymore. I want to know why you have been acting so...You are not acting like yourself ever since then and I want to know why?" She demanded and he exhaled with a deep sigh. Then slowly nodded.
"Remember back when...You told me once that no Girl will ever want to be with a...Loser. Well Chizuru...That is what I am. I am a Loser. So I have been...Worried that you are going to figure that out and then we will go back to...being just...What we were before. I do not think I can...Do that." Kazuya told her and Chizuru stared at him wide eyed in shock.
"I...I did not know that was one of your concerns. I thought it was something else that you were being so...so strange about." Chizuru stammered out and then shook her head. Reaching up with her right hand she plunked him in the middle of his forehead with her index finger. "First and foremost...You are not a Loser. Do not ever think or call yourself one ever again. Second and this is extremely important I would not want to be with a loser and I repeat myself...you are not a loser. Also I do not want to go back to the way we were before. I...Won't be able to do that either." She blushed heavily and pushed herself more against him. "Okay on to the next one." She said after a moment.
"Are you alright with not being a Rental Girlfriend anymore. I mean...You are no way making the same money working at the Karaoke Cafe part time. I am okay with you going back to working as..." Before Kazuya could continue Chizuru put her right hand over his mouth stopping him.
"Now that is the one I thought you were having a hard time with. Sure I am not making the same money...But I am not just working there to make money. I am working there to be with you. Or did you think it a coincidence that I am working the same shift and days as you are." Chizuru said and then smiled. There was another reason that she had. That being was to keep an eye on him. She did not trust Ruka one bit. Along with any of the other Girls that tended to go there. In her opinion Kazuya was hers and she was not about to loose him to anyone else. She planned to voice that one when it was her turn. "As for me going back to being a Rental. Ain't going to happen. For one I can't because...Because I just can't do it anymore. I would feel like I am cheating on you if I did and...And I...I just can't do it." She shrugged. "Oh by the way I am not as broke as you might think...I still have a...My Grand...Grandma's Life Insurance Money." She chocked somewhat when she said Grandma. Still finding it difficult even thinking about her Grandmother. Kazuya lightly and gently hugged her and she melted against him. Small tears welled up in her eyes and she was profoundly happy that he was there holding her in his arms. She looked up at him. "Okay the next one."
"What makes you think there are more?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru smiled.
"Oh I know there are more. Shall I now tell you the one I know about?" Chizuru asked him and he nodded. Wondering what else could there be. Those two that he mentioned were the only ones he could think of. Though they were also the ones that ate at him. He had a constant worry that at some point she would find someone more suitable then him. That was why he thought himself as a loser. A person no way good enough for her. "I know for a fact that one of your concerns is the future. Sure you dated...Mami...But neither of us actually ever been a real relationship before. So neither of us...knows how to be in one." He gave her a look that told her that he realized that he did have that concern.
"You are right...I never really have been in love before." Kazuya said then paled. "Whoops. I did not mean to say that word out loud." He gasped and she looked up at him wide eyed. Since they had gotten together neither had said the L Word to each other yet and he had just said it outright. She slowly smiled and placed her head once more sideways on his chest.
"Hmmm...You need to say that more often. I like it. By the way...I feel the same about you. I...I..Lo...I...Lov...I can't say it like you did yet...But I do feel the same." Chizuru said hoping that she did not upset him. She wanted to say that crucial word but just could not say it yet. He tightened his arms around her gently.
"That is okay..It sort of slipped out anyhow. But I do feel that way." Kazuya said and Chizuru smiled.
"We have gone off topic...I think it might be best we go onto mine. My Concerns." Chizuru said and inhaled softly. She was a little nervous about voicing her concerns to him. But due to their being stuck in the cramped Phonebooth she thought this was a good time to voice them.
"I am really surprised that you would have any...Especially...About me." Kazuya said and Chizuru took another soft inhaled breath.
"Of course I have some concerns and of course I have them about you. This is a first for me...Being in a real relationship with someone. Having a real life boyfriend that I...That I care about." Chizuru told him and then felt him gently tighten his arms around her. Again she melted inside as he held her. "This feels so good." She thought as she relished in him holding onto her this way. "My first big concern is...Is other Girls. It seemed really easy for you to...Ruka liked you a lot and so did Sumi. All it took was you being yourself and boom...They both...Well Ruka was a whole lot more brazen about it. But I am concerned that either of them could sway you away from me." This time Kazuya chuckled and she had an overwhelming urge to plunk him in the forehead again. "What is so funny?" She demanded.
"Like anyone could sway me away from you. Come on...You have to or had to know how badly I fell for you. There is no one that I want other then you." Kazuya said and Chizuru smiled. Then looked up at him. She drew herself up some and with a lot of problems from the cramped space. Kissed him.
"Say stuff like that all the time. Along with that word you let slip out." Chizuru whispered right after she slumped back down where she could rest her head once more on his chest. She then looked out to see that the Rain was beginning to let up. "Hey the rain has stopped. We can get out of here." She said but Kazuya did not let her go.
"What about your Concerns you wanted to talk about?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru smiled.
"I have them...But we can talk about the other ones later. Mostly I wanted to get yours out in the open. You tend to overthink things and I wanted to make sure you do not overthink about our relationship too much." Chizuru said and still he didn't let her go.
"That ain't fair. I got to voice mine and we only covered the one of yours." Kazuya said and Chizuru gave a soft chuckle.
"Okay...Later after we get back home...I will tell you the other three that I have." Chizuru said and Kazuya reluctantly let her go. She opened the door and they walked quickly back home. Just in case it decided to start raining again. She did not tell him that she intended not to tell him her Concerns until much later. She had already voiced the one that she really felt anxious about. The others were trivial and to her not that important.
0000
In Chizuru's Apartment, Kazuya felt extremely nervous. This was only the second time he had been in her Apartment and again he felt like he was about to faint. "Will you calm down...Geez Kazuya...You are allowed to be here. So stop looking so...so...anxious." Chizuru commented as she handed him a cup of tea. With shaking hands he took it and she at first worried that he might drop it on his lap.
"Can't help it. This is your Apartment. I feel like I am intruding or I am not supposed to be here." Kazuya told her and Chizuru chuckled then sat down next to him. Taking his left hand in hers, she interlaced her fingers into his.
"You are supposed to be here...You are my Boyfriend and I need and want you here." Chizuru leaned her head onto his shoulder and he stiffened slightly. She decided not to chastise him again. Figuring in time he would relax. Though when his Cellphone chimed. It startled him so badly that she could not help but laugh. Until she noticed who had texted him. It was Mami. "What does she want?" She asked coldly and Kazuya paled. He knew that Chizuru did not want him to even talk to Mami. That was actually another one of her concerns. That Mami would once more make his life miserable in some way.
"Don't know. She wants me to meet her at Donny's Tomorrow...Seems she wants to talk to me about something. Alone." Kazuya said giving her the highlights of the Text. Chizuru scowled.
"That is not happening. You can tell her I am coming with you. That is if I even let you go talk to her. If she doesn't like it...Too bad. I am not about to let her cause any more problems or give you a hard time." Chizuru said defensively and Kazuya knew better to argue with her. So he sent a reply saying that Chizuru was coming too. Mami sent one back stating that was fine.
At Donny's Mami watched as Kazuya and Chizuru entered. Of course the latter got a lot of looks from some of the male patrons. More then she did when she came in. Which made her a bit jealous. What really bugged her though was the way that Chizuru clung to Kazuya. As they approached and was about to sit down across from her. "You two can cut the act." She told them and they continued to hold hands as they sat down.
"What act are you talking about?" Chizuru asked and Mami smiled her most vindictive smile.
"I know what happened at the Pool was just another act. That you are not really together and that you are still lying to everyone about you two being together for real." Mami said and Chizuru started laughing which threw her off completely.
"For one...This is no act. We are dating for real and we are really together. Two...and most importantly...I am not a Rental anymore." Chizuru declared and then glared at Mami. "So why did you want to talk to Kazuya and I hope it was not about this?" She asked sternly.
"It was...But now. I have to know something since you are here. How could you even want to be with him? You could have anyone you want and you want me to believe that you are with him. Come on." Mami said and Chizuru looked over at Kazuya to see him slump slightly. She could see the sadness in his eyes and that annoyed her. Giving his hand a gentle squeeze she smiled at him. Then she glared at Mami.
"Why should that even matter to you? You were the moron that dumped him. I gave my reasons why I want to be with him and they were all true. He is...He is...Well he is Kazuya and I...Fell for him. So why should you care if me and Kazuya are a couple?" Chizuru asked and Mami scowled again.
"Because...I do not like the fact that for over a year...You both lied to everyone. That he paid you so much money..." Before Mami could continue Chizuru cut her off.
"Enough! Like I asked. Why should that matter to you what he did? So what he lied so did I. Big deal. It is none of your business and neither I or Kazuya need to explain anything to you. Or is it that you are so vain that you cannot stand that he moved on from you. Found someone that really cares about him. That wants to be his Girlfriend. You know what...I have had enough of this...Come on Kazuya we are leaving." Chizuru told him and began to rise. Making sure that Kazuya was coming with her.
"Wait. Let Kazuya stay if he wants. Also he has not said a word since he arrived and I still want to talk to him about..." Again Mami was cut off. This time by Kazuya.
"No Mami...I am sorry that I lied to you and everyone else. I have not said anything because I agree with her. She is right...It is none of your business. I do not understand why you would even care that we lied...What happened was between me, Chizuru, my Family and...Well my Friends. I hate to be crude or impolite...But we are not really friends are we? You dumped me and then...then...Sorry...Please don't contact me again." With that Kazuya stood with Chizuru and they left. Mami sat there glaring at them as they walked out the door. She despised this whole situation. Sure she had just picked him and planned on using him as a divergence. But it irked her that he so easily moved on from her. Then she discovered that Chizuru was a Rental What really irked her even more. That somehow after all that time. The two of them was in a real relationship. Standing she left as well.
"Geez...Can she not be such a bitch?" Chizuru asked hypothetically outside the Cafe. Not really expecting Kazuya to answer. She was frustrated and annoyed at how Mami had only wanted to talk to Kazuya to once more make his life miserable. As they walked away holding hands, she shook her head. "Doesn't she have anything better to do then want to torment you?" Again she was not expecting an answer and he knew all she wanted to do is vent.
"How about we...Go see a Movie?" Kazuya suggested. Thinking perhaps it might get Chizuru's mind off Mami.
"Sounds alright...As long as I get to pick the Movie." Chizuru said and Kazuya groaned. Already suspecting what Movie Chizuru would want to see. It was one of the ones she had auditioned for and did not get the role. Not even one of the extras. She had told him the major problem and he discovered it was one of her concerns. There were so many young Girls that wanted to be an accomplished Actress. He had come to that realization when he had gone to one of her Auditions with her. There were at least two dozen beautiful Girls there for the same part that she was there for and even though he did not believe it. Silently voicing his objection over her telling him that most there were a lot prettier then she was. He could not say it to her due to they were not a couple yet. He was just a Rental Client then and if he had said that then. She would have chastised him relentlessly.
"Are you sure you want to see that one?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru nodded.
"Oh so you already have a guess on the Movie I want to see...Yes I want to see who they selected and...and if she was any good." Chizuru said and Kazuya doubted whoever the Director and Producer had chosen would anywhere as good as Chizuru would be. But of course he was biased in that regard. Sitting together in one of the COUPLE's Seats. She snuggled against him, sitting on her feet underneath her and with his right arm draped over her shoulders. As the Movie started he looked over at her and chuckled softly.
"Don't fall asleep." Kazuya whispered to her and Chizuru exhaled in a soft sigh.
"I will try not too...But I am so comfortable right now." Chizuru whispered back with a content smile. She really loved this. It felt so good to be like this with him. That even though the Movie was an ACTION ADVENTURE. She just could not keep her eyes from feeling heavy. Ten minutes into the Movie, she drifted off to sleep. Only awakening when he kissed her forehead. Outside the Theater she pouted. "I can't believe you let me sleep that long...I missed the whole Movie." Kazuya chuckled.
"It is alright...The Movie was not that good anyhow. So are you hungry?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru smiled.
"Yep...How about we hit Pizza Hutt, get a to go order and head back to...Well your Apartment. Eat and watch a little TV?" Chizuru suggested and Kazuya was all for that idea.
"That is good way to round out this date." Kazuya said and Chizuru then realized that this was a Date. She had just gone to a Movie, they would get a Pizza and then spend a few hours in his Apartment. Obviously it would be considered a date. Which meant she could get him to kiss her a couple of times. She had been tempted to kiss him again right in front of Mami. Just to piss the other girl off. But she wanted to kiss him only when the mood was right and not kiss him just to annoy Mami.
00000
At the Karaoke Cafe that they both worked at. Chizuru actually liked her job there. The Manager had hired her as a HOSTESS. Much like what Ruka did there. But on request from some of the Customers, she would go in and sing a song or two. Though like Ruka, a great number of the Male Customers asked her out almost daily. She would simply smile at them. "Sorry...I have a Boyfriend." She would tell them and that would be it. But Ruka did not have that option. So Chizuru almost laughed out loud when another Boy was in the process of asking Ruka out and Ruka's response was so hysterical that she barely was able to contain herself.
"Sorry...I am into Girls." Ruka stated to the would be suitor. What made it funny for Chizuru was that Ruka said it so easily and so straightforward that Chizuru wondered if perhaps Ruka might be considering becoming an Actress. Or that Ruka had actually switched to going with Girls. The boy in question stared at Ruka wide eyed and stumbled away in a mystified daze. "I'm not. You know into girls." Ruka said over at Chizuru. "In fact...As soon as you and Kazuya break up...I am there. He then will be mine." She told her and Chizuru shook her head.
"That I am happy to say...Is not going to happen." Chizuru said back and then chuckled some more at what Ruka had said to the unsuspecting boy. She then wondered if it would be easier to say that she was into girls. Then tell the ones that hit on her that she had a boyfriend. Though that might cause more problems then it would be worth doing. The other option was to put on a certain item that Nagomi had given her to hold onto until in the elder woman's words. "WHEN KAZUYA GETS THE GUTS TO ASK YOU!" That too could cause her some problems. One being she doubted that Kazuya could handle seeing her with that item on her finger. She knew he like her was no where ready for that yet. "The time is coming though." She whispered with a small smile. Thinking about that time fondly and a little impatiently.
Shopping Trip:
Kazuya could not understand at first why he needed new Clothes. New Fashionable Clothes. But he was not about to argue with Chizuru as she nearly dragged him into one of the Department Stores and right to the Men's section. Then after he really thought about it. It finally dawned upon him. Chizuru dressed fashionably most of the time. While he did not. So in relation when he was with her when she did get dolled up. He basically looked like a slob. Once in the Men's section of the store. She began to grab shirts and matching slacks. Handing them to him and directing him to go try them on. He went without argument. "Come on Kazuya...You have been in there a good five minutes." She said and after a minute he came out in one of the outfits that she had selected for him to try on. When he did, she gasped audibly with her hands over her mouth. He was wearing a multi-colored black, green and purple shirt. With matching black slacks. "Holy...Crap!" She whispered as she gazed wide eyed at her boyfriend approvingly.
"I do not know about this...Chizuru. Don't I look kind of...Weird?" Kazuya asked looking down at himself and shaking his head.
"NO! Not at all Sir." A Clerk said from just behind Chizuru and Kazuya looked back at the other girl and then over at Chizuru. She turned her head to see three other Girls. One other Clerk and two Customers. All four were staring at Kazuya approvingly which bothered Chizuru immensely.
"That...Looks really good on you." One of the other Girls said with a huge smile and Chizuru scowled. Not liking at all that other Girls were basically drooling over her Boyfriend. "You brother looks really nice in that." The Girl said to Chizuru and Chizuru scowled.
"He is my Boyfriend...Not my Brother." Chizuru declared sternly and watched as all four girls slump with disappointment. "Now Kazuya...Try on some of the others." She ordered him and he quickly went back into the dressing room. The four other Girls slowly departed and Chizuru clearly overheard them as they left.
"That ain't fair...A hottie like him and he has a Girlfriend." One of the Girls whispered to another and the other responded.
"It sure isn't. Did you see what he was wearing when he came in...Talk about a transformation...From whatever to complete hunk." The other girl whispered back and Chizuru noticed that the Three Girls that were Customers did not go far. Just far enough to be partially out of sight. The Clerks went behind the nearby counter and she could tell that all of them could clearly observe Kazuya when he came out. She groaned with distaste as she waited for him to come out. An hour later, she stalked towards the exit clutching Kazuya's hand tightly in his.
"Is there something wrong Chizuru?" Kazuya asked wincing slightly as she glared over at him.
"NO! There is nothing wrong! Why do you ask?" Chizuru growled angrily and Kazuya was tempted not to say anything else. Fearing that she might turn her wrath upon him. But he was about to loose all feeling in his fingers of his right hand.
"Well...You are crushing my hand and... we didn't buy anything. I thought you wanted me to get some fashionable clothes and there is the fact that...well...You just look...a little angry." Kazuya said and Chizuru looked over at him. Untightening her grip on his hand and he let out a sigh of relief as he wiggled his now stinging fingers to get the circulation back in them. She inhaled sharply.
"I have every right to be...upset...I am not angry. Those other girls...barely looked at you when we came in and then...then you put on something fashionable and...and then those same girls...fawned all over you." Chizuru stated with a lot of bitterness in her tone. She then continued on partially dragging him with her. "By the way...Next time I complain about or say something about you dressing more Fashionable...Remind me of today." She told him determined not to let him do that again for awhile. Maybe after they were married she would then let him. Until then she was more then happy to let him dress unfashionable. She had been somewhat amazed that no matter what Kazuya had tried on looked good on him and by that time. More Girls had arrived to see. Which had added to her annoyance.
"Is that the reason why we didn't buy any of those Clothes?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru did not answer. Instead she continued walking holding his hand possessively.
Maybe Continued or this could be the end?