SRental Girlfriend: A Problem Arises (Short Story) Part 1

Characters:

Kazuya Kinoshita

Chizuru Mizuhara

Mami Nanami

Ruka Sarashina

Sumi Sakurasawa

Nagomi Kinoshita

Yoshiaki Kibe

Shun Kuribayashi

Sayuri Ichinose

Umi Nakano

The Decision:

After drinking at another Bar right after he had left with Kuri in hopes of finding any Girl that might date him or his weird friend. He had no real luck at all. Kibe sat there at the Table as he watched as Kuri tried to talk to a Girl at the Bar and he knew his friend was about to shot down again. So as he sipped his beer, he thought about how Cute Chizuru Ichinose was earlier. "Without her Glasses...I bet she would be a hottie on equal level to Chizuru Mizuhara." He muttered mostly to himself. He had given up on hoping that Kazuya his other friend would eventually be dumped by his Girlfriend Chizuru. Believing that when that did happen, he could swoop in and have a shot with her. Even if it meant losing Kazuya as a friend. "Lucky bastard! You would think a girl as great as Chizuru would have dumped him by now...Just like Mami did. But no...those two make me really jealous on how close they are." He said as he gulped down half of his beer in irritation. He began to wonder if he could ask Chizuru Ichonise out. From what he had overheard, it was obvious that she did not have a Boyfriend or even was dating anyone. "I think I might ask her tomorrow." He then drank down the last of his beer about the same time Kuri got slapped by one of the Girls he was hitting on.

The Problem Mounts:

"How can everything turn out this way?" Chizuru asked herself thinking about yesterday and how Kazuya had drank himself into a stupor. Just to make sure she did not get drunk and slip up. Though she was more worried about slipping up and saying something to Kazuya then letting it be known that she was a Rental Girlfriend. It bothered her how relieved she was when Kazuya had written that small note. That he had not done anything inappropriate with Ruka. Though it really bothered her when she thought that he did. She knew what she felt then and tried to deny it. But it was so obvious what it had been and she recognized what it had been. Jealousy. Remembering she had that same feeling a couple of times already. She knew she could not help it. Due to that Ruka had been right when they had talked outside the Bathroom during New Years. She had fallen for Kazuya and did not want anyone to take him away from her. It confused her on how she could she have such feelings for him. It was not like he was as attractive or diviner as Umi. Though she found herself never really attracted to guys like Umi. "I cannot count on two hands how many times Umi has asked me out." She muttered and then thought about how she had used Kazuya as a means to say no to Umi and not have to explain to Umi reasons why she did not want to go out with him. Not wanting to upset her friend with that she already knew he was a PLAYER. That he only wanted to go out with her. So that at some point he would want to take her to bed. After that he would dump her and move on to the next conquest. So she simply would tell him that she had a Boyfriend and his name is Kazuya. When her Phone Chimed, she almost dropped the Script she had been studying. Looking at the Screen of her Phone and seeing an unfamiliar sender of a Text. She was a bit weary about reading it.

"Hi...This is Kibe Yoshiaki...I got your Number from Kawanaka and...and I was wondering if you would like to go out with me?" The text read and Chizuru frowned. Then shook her head. Even if there was not the chance that Kibe might identify her as Chizuru Mizuhara who he knew as Kazuya's Girlfriend. So instead of simply sending NO as a response. She thought up a good refusal.

"I am sorry Kibe...But I really do not have time to go out with anyone right now. Actually in truth there is someone I really like and when I eventually can...I would want to be with him." Chizuru typed and then sent the Text. Not expecting him to text back.

"Who is it? Do I know him?" Kibe texted back and Chizuru knew why he had asked. It was a male ego thing. He wanted to know so that it would soothe his ego over being rejected. So she went with something somewhat in a way was not a total lie.

"I can't tell you...He has a Girlfriend. So please don't ask." Chizuru texted back and then decided to be a little devious. "Besides I know for a fact that Kawanaka likes you. So I could not in good conscience go out with you." She smiled thinking again that was not a complete lie. She knew for a fact that Kawanaka did like Kibe. The only thing stopping her friend from going out with him was that he had not asked her out yet.

"Wait! She likes me?" Kibe texted back and Chizuru chuckled.

"Yes she does. So get some gumption and ask her out already." Chizuru texted to him.

"Thanks for telling me...Oh don't worry I won't tell her or anyone that you have a thing for someone else's Boyfriend." Then there was a small pause and another text came through from Kibe. "It is Kazuya...Isn't it?" Chizuru stopped smiling and bit her bottom lip.

"I plead the fifth." Chizuru then ended the text and put her Cellphone down. She knew she had made a serious mistake with that reply. For it basically confirmed that she did have feelings for Kazuya. That she liked him. But it was not a lie. She did like him. "Crap! How could I have fallen for that...Goof?" She muttered and tried to deny it but couldn't. With a deep sigh, she went back to rereading the script and tried not to think about Kazuya.

Looking at the last text from Chizuru Ichonise and Kibe inhaled softly. "Kind of figured. The way those two...were the other night. I knew I was not imagining things." He said and then groaned audibly. "How is it even possible that he not only has the hottest girl I have ever seen and he also has an extremely cute girl also interested in him?" He chuckled and then sent a Text to Kawanaka asking her if she would meet with him later. Deciding that perhaps he should give it a shot and ask her out.

Flopping the Script down onto her stand, Chizuru sat heavily back against her chair. She had reread the same line eight times and just could not concentrate. "This is all your Fault Kazuya." She grumbled. Ever since Kibe had texted her. She had not stopped thinking about Kazuya the whole time. Interrupting her need to study the lines. Not that she actually needed to. She had read them before now so many times she could say them by heart without any real problems. But she wanted to be able perfectly.

Another Problem Arises:

She had tried and failed. She knew it and no matter what she thought of trying it just did not work. No matter how she tried to get closer it just did not pan out to the way she expected or suspected that it would. "I got to face reality...Kazuya is head over heals for Chizuru and no matter what I do...That is not going to change." Ruka said as she sat at her Desk at School. Her friends looked at her oddly.

"Boy trouble?" Momo Ishnagi asked and Ruka smiled then shrugged.

"Yep...Big time...Boy Trouble." Ruka said to them and her three friends shook their heads in unison.

"Want to talk about it? Maybe we can help?" Kyoka Migora asked and Ruka thought about it for a couple of seconds. Each one of her friends had at least one boyfriend that they had dated for a prolonged amount of time and then moved onto another. While she sat there obsessed over a certain older boy.

"Why not? Maybe you three will have an idea that I have not tried yet. Okay let me tell you the gist of it." Ruka then told her three friends all about her troubles. She did not tell them that for a brief few months she had been a Rental Girlfriend or that she had met Kazuya by a trick of fate. Just that she had basically bumped into him. What she did tell them was all about Chizuru. Leaving out that Chizuru was a Rental Girlfriend. Rather she told them that Chizuru was Kazuya neighbor and they had gone out platonically. Her three friends listened intently and by the time Ruka was done with the abridged version of the tale. They had sat down heavily at their desks.

"Uhm...Ruka...If what you are telling us is true...I hate to say this...But if they had gone out for over a year...Platonic or not...They probably are a lot closer then that." Momo said reluctantly. Not wanting to hurt her friends feelings.

"Yeah...That was what I was thinking also Ruka. From what you told us...You have tried just about everything to be with this Kazuya...Even trying to seduce him." Kyoka looked at her crossly. "Girl what were you thinking...Staying the night at his Place...Geez if you Mom ever found out...She will ground you until Graduation in four months."

"What do you think Mina?" Ruka asked looking at the very quite girl who barely spoke and only did speak when she had something important to say.

"Does this Chizuru actually like Kazuya? I mean when you see them together...What is your impression?" Mina Aiwaza asked and Ruka frowned heavily. Then let out a deep sigh.

"They look like a couple...If you saw them together...On a Date...They look happy and like they were...really together and not on a Platonic Date. A perfect...Loving Couple. It sucks though...I do not understand why he...She is not right for him. I know he wants more from her...But she...She wants to keep it platonic." Ruka said in frustration. "While I want to be with him and be his Girlfriend."

"Are you sure she wants to keep it platonic? It does not sound like it to me. In fact I bet if you...Press the issue...in some devious way...She would...From what you told us...She probably will admit it that she likes him." Momo said and Ruka frowned again. Then let out another sigh. Her friend Momo had the most experience when it came to Boys. Along with being able to tell when another Girl likes a certain boy within the class and vice versa. On more then four occasions she had pointed out four different boys that had huge crushes on Ruka. Though Ruka did not like any of them. All four were players. They tended to date a girl just long enough to get them to have sex and then move onto another. Of course Momo knew this too and mentioned that to all of her friends. "What really is impressive to me is that this Kazuya did not...You stayed the night and I bet you...Tried like hell to get him to...do it?" Momo added with a small smile and Ruka blushed. Confirming Momo's statement.

"So you think I should test her...See if she does like him more then she will admit?" Ruka asked and her three friends nodded. "Now the hard part...How?" She asked and then at that moment on her Cellphone came a text from Kazuya that provided her the perfect method of testing Chizuru. A plan began to form in her mind. As she was about to stand to begin her plan. Mina put a restraining hand on her left forearm.

"Wait Ruka...Are you sure you want to do this? I mean if...If this Chizuru admits it...You might end up losing Kazuya to her." Mina said and Ruka let out another deep sigh.

"Yeah...I know. But I have to...I know there is a huge risk of that happening. But maybe...Maybe she won't and then I will know that I do have a real chance with him. Right now...I...I just don't feel like I do." Ruka had thought about it while talking to her friends. That and they pointed out some very hard facts that she did not want to really admit herself. So with a heavy heart she stood to implement her plan.

The Plan:

Believing that it was a good idea, Kazuya sent Ruka a Text informing her about the trip he was taking. Mainly so that she did not accuse him of running off with Chizuru. He made sure that the text relayed that it was for a Job Interview. Nothing more then that and that he would be gone for two days. One day there by Plane and after spending the night. One day back by Plane. All paid by the Company. What perplexed him was the fact that the position was actually in Tokyo. But the Main Office where he was being interviewed was in Okinawa. Looking at his Phone, he considered sending Chizuru a Text telling her about the trip. Then decided not to. Mainly due to that it was only two days and he did not have a scheduled date for those days. Not wanting to bother her that much. Kibe already agreed to come by to feed his fish so that would not even be a good excuse to tell Chizuru. Already packed, he went to bed early so he could get up early to catch his flight.

In the morning, Ruka waited in seclusion behind a dumpster until Kazuya got into a Cab and drove off. Then she went up to Chizuru's door and rang her bell. "Let's see if I can fool an Actress." With a deep breath, she moved a plastic bag that contained a Yellow Onion up near her nose. Wincing she felt the effects immediately. Her eyes began to moisten and tears began to stream down her cheeks. She then put the bag back into her pocket just as the door opened. Chizuru looked at her curiously. As if wondering why she was at her door.

"It is all your fault!" Ruka blubbered out pretending to be upset and again Chizuru looked at her and she could tell that the other girl was utterly confused.

"What do you mean...My Fault?" Chizuru asked still somewhat wondering why Ruka had come to see her.

"Kazuya...Kazuya is leaving...He left! He...He sent me a text...Telling me that he cannot...He is leaving and...I do not think he is coming back! It is all your fault!" Ruka then let the tears fall. She found it was hard to keep herself from appearing upset. She wanted to laugh and feel proud of her performance. But she had to keep up the appearance of being saddened and upset. She thrust her Cellphone at Chizuru were she had edited the Text that he had sent to her. This one plainly said that he was leaving of Okinawa by Plane. Nothing about a job interview or that he would be back tomorrow night. Chizuru stared at the screen wide eyed. She grabbed her own Cellphone and checked to see if he sent her a message as well. Ruka held her breath for that brief moment. "This is the only...Problem. If he sent her a Text too...Then my whole scheme...Is done for." She thought as she waited on pins and needles. But when Chizuru slumped slightly, Ruka let out a small sigh of relief.

"What do you mean...He...He left?" Chizuru asked inwardly panicking. She went to his door and rang his Bell and after several minutes. She knocked. With no answer, looked at her Phone. Debating whether to call or text him to find out if it was true.

"Like...Like I said...He left and from what I...I do not think he will be coming back and it is all your fault!" Ruka stated and then pretended to sob heavily. Placing her hands over her face. "I...I got to go before I..." With that she left once more pretending to sob heavily. Once out of sight of the Apartments, she smiled broadly. "And the Academy Award for best performance goes to...Me." She whispered and then chuckled. Especially when she saw Chizuru rush towards an awaiting TAXI CAB. "CRAP! I really thought she would not...CRAP!" No longer smiling or laughing. She shook her head. "CRAAAPPPP!"

When Ruka left, Chizuru returned to her Apartment. Standing in the middle of her Apartment, she stared at the wall that divided her Apartment with his. "So what...He left. It is no big deal to me. He is just a Client...Nothing more then that. I...I am...not his real Girlfriend and he is not my...My boyfriend." She said and she knew everything she said was a complete lie. Using her Phone to check Flight information. She sighed with relief. The next and earliest flight was not for another three hours. "That means...He is still there at the Airport." With that she quickly grabbed her purse and after using an APP. She ordered a CAB to take her to the Airport and rushed out her door. Thanking whatever deity she could think of that there was a CAB nearby. "I can't let him...Go." She whispered as she got in the Cab and offered the Driver an extra 2000 Yen tip to get her to Terminal B at the Airport as fast as he could.

"I knew I got here too early." Kazuya muttered to himself as he sat in the Lounge. He could not even Check in yet. So that left him waiting in the Main Terminal Lounge for his Flight Number to come up at the Reception Desk. Which was at least another hour. What had drove him to come early was the anxiety of possibly getting his dream job after he graduated College. Though from what the Human Resources Manager told him was that he could work on his Days off from College and on Weekends. Making almost ten times the Money he made at the Karaoke Cafe. The downside he figured was that would not give him too many opportunities to Rent Chizuru. Oh he would have the Money. But time. No. Sipping his Coffee he once more thought about Chizuru. He could not help it. He had fallen hard for her. "Hmm...I could always secretly drop some Money in her Mail Slot anonymously to help her fulfill her dream." Then he shook his head. "No...Bad idea...She would know it was me and she would...chew me really badly." He chuckled and then almost dropped his Coffee when he saw Chizuru stalking towards him. She had this look on her face that made him want to run for it. She approached and before he could stand up. She grabbed the collar of his Jacket and glared down at him.

"WHY? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" Chizuru demanded angrily and Kazuya looked at her somewhat confused.

"What do you mean and what are you doing here?" Kazuya asked nervously as she continued to glare down at him. Then he saw it. Small tears began to fall down her cheeks.

"Why didn't you tell me that you...That you are...Leaving and...And not...Coming back?" Chizuru asked sadly and Kazuya had no idea what was going on. He shook his head.

"WHAT?" Kazuya asked now really confused. "Who told you that I was leaving and not coming back?" Though he suspected that it had been Ruka. Wondering why Ruka would tell Chizuru that he was leaving and not coming back. Chizuru sobbed and used her left hand to wipe some of the tears from her cheek.

"Is it true?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya shook his head.

"No...I am coming back tomorrow night...I...I have a Job Interview that is in Okinawa...That is where their Main Office is. The job is here." Kazuya quickly explained and Chizuru seemed to slump with relief. Releasing the collar of his Jacket. "I would have told you...But...But I sort of figured that...Remember the Rules." He added and she let go of his jacket and sat down heavily next to him. She blushed after realizing she had drawn attention from several others in the Lounge. Closing her eyes she knew now that Ruka had tricked her. "Uhm...Chizuru...Why would it matter if...I did leave and not come back?" He asked her and Chizuru lowered her head as she opened her eyes.

"It does matter...You made a promise to me remember and it has nothing to do with the Rules. You promised to...to help me...Fulfill my dream." Chizuru said sullenly valiantly trying to regain her composure. She had come close to breaking down when she found him in the Terminal Lounge. Pleading with him not to leave her. Telling him that she could not let him leave her and worse of that. She came close to telling him that she had fallen in love with him.

"Yeah...But...You said you don't really need my help in that." Kazuya had no idea what was going on. For one he never expected that Chizuru would be so upset about him leaving. She continued not to look at him. Still fearing she would say something that she would not regret. She had made that decision while coming here. That if necessary she would tell him and not regret it at all. If it meant him not leaving forever. She inhaled deeply.

"I lied...I need and want your help. I need...and want you to help me and not just from...Renting me." Chizuru whispered the last two words so that no one around them could hear her. At that moment his Flight was posted for check in. They both saw it. "You better go check in...What time is your return flight?" She asked him and Kazuya checked his Phone.

"It is supposed to get here at 6 PM...Why?" Kazuya asked back and Chizuru slowly nodded.

"I have heard that it is really hard to get a Taxi here at the Airport...So I was thinking that I will come by one and pick you up right out front." Chizuru told him and he hesitated for a moment.

"I have to know...Why was it so...You came to the Airport to...Why would you do that?" Kazuya was so confused and at the same time hopeful. That he just did not know what to ask her. So he blundered out what he could. But Chizuru seemed not to want to answer him. Instead she stood.

"Well I better go...See you when you get back." With that she quickly left and he noticed that she was still blushing. Later on board his Plane, he sat in his seat and he went over what had happened. Then it dawned upon him. Chizuru had been worried that he was leaving and not coming back. Wondering if that meant that she would have missed him or even better. That she had real feelings for him. So he barely realized when the Plane had landed in Okinawa and it was time to get off. The interview did not go over that well due to he just could not concentrate fully. Not with the possibility that he had a chance with the Girl of his dreams.

Riding back in home in another Cab, Chizuru had an overwhelming urge to locate Ruka and beat the stuffing out of her. She first though wanted to know why the other girl would do that to her. Make her think that Kazuya was leaving. But she already knew why. It had been a test. A test to confirm what Ruka had accused her of back on New Years. That she had real feeling for Kazuya and did not want him to be taken away from her. "Idiot. I am such an idiot." Calling herself that and not because that she had fallen for that test. No it was because she had the perfect chance to confess to him at the Airport and had not done it. "I will. The time is coming when I will." She said with a small smile and decided to go visit her Grandmother at the Hospital. So she asked the Cab Driver to take her to the Hospital instead of back home.

To be continued: