Rental Girlfriend: Mixer Mayhap (Short Story) Part 1
Characters:
Kazuya Kinoshita
Chizuru Mizuhara
Mami Nanami
Ruka Sarashina
Sumi Sakurasawa
Nagomi Kinoshita
Yoshiaki Kibe
Shun Kuribayashi
Sayuri Ichinose
Shinbo and Kawanaka
Plot:
Once again while working on the Crowdfunding Movie, Kazuya is convinced by Kuri and Kibe to go out for a drink. With the promise of both that this was not another Mixer like before. Of course they lied. For when he arrived Chizuru, Shinbo and Kawanaka were already there. Because Chizuru had been lied to as well.
The Night Begins:
Due to that the room was smaller and contained one large couch and one loveseat couch. It was decided that Kazuya since he already had a Girlfriend would sit on the large four person couch while Kibe and Kuri sat on the two person loveseat. That meant he had to sit right next to Chizuru. Watching as Kuri and Kibe flirted and hit on Shinbo and Kawanaka. Neither of his friends seemed interested in Chizuru and he was both relieved and confused. "Maybe they don't see it...But Chizuru is even cute in her Ichonise persona." He muttered inaudibly with disbelief. Though from what he could tell, Chizuru was not put out over not receiving any attention from Kibe or Kuri. By the time the first round of drinks arrived. The four were so engrossed in each other that he and Chizuru could easily leave and none of them would miss them.
"Want to sneak out of here?" Chizuru suggested with her voice just loud enough for him to hear her. He chuckled and reached for his Beer.
"We should. Why the hell did they invite me if all they were going to do is hit on Shinbo and Kawanaka?" Kazuya ask mostly towards his two friends that still ignored him. Chizuru let out a sigh.
"Yeah...Well it is the same for me. They insisted and invited me along and here they are doing the same thing with Kuri and Kibe." Chizuru said back and she too said it towards her own friends. She and Kazuya then finished their drinks and after another five or ten minutes of being basically ignored. She stood. "I am leaving...Want to come with me?" She asked and Kazuya nodded. So when he stood as well it drew the four others attention.
"Where are you two going?" Kibe asked and Kazuya gestured towards the door.
"I am leaving...Or rather we are leaving." Kazuya said and Chizuru made her way towards the door with him following her.
"Hey...Wait. Uhm Chizuru...You do know Kazu there has a Girlfriend...Right?" Kawanaka asked and Chizuru looked back at her friend.
"We are not...We are just both leaving. You don't need me here...And I have no interest in watching you two flirt with Kibe and Kuri all night." Chizuru told her friends and opened the door. Kazuya was about to follow her out but the four all stood.
"Please stay...How about this?" Shinbo said reaching over to one side on a stand and picked up an large cup with a bunch of Chopsticks in it. "Lets play the KING GAME." Chizuru reluctantly turned back from the door.
"I guess...But nothing perverted or sorted." Chizuru declared deciding to remain. She had never really played the KING GAME so she was somewhat interested.
"Fine...Fine. Nothing perverted...But truth confessions...Okay." Kawanaka said and both Chizuru and Kazuya came back to sit down. As Shinbo took out the sticks and then put back the KING Stick and five others. One thru Five. Placing the other four off to one side. She shook them up and put them in the middle of the table. Then after anothe round of drinks arrived via a Waitress. They began to play.
The KING GAME:
"Alright...I am the King." Shinbo announced proudly holding the designated stick out before them all. "Okay...Lets see...I know. I order number two to drink down their drink and then burp. Loudly." She ordered and Kawanaka groaned.
"I am number two...Shinbo that is disgusting...But okay." Kawanaka then downed her drink. After a few moments she then belched as loudly as she could. Grimacing over how embarrassed she felt doing that in front of three guys. One of them she had a mild interest in. Everyone snickered and she openly glared at all of them.
"Hey that was pretty good. Just about what a guy could do." Kuri said and Kawanaka turned her glare over at him. She huffed and crossed her arms in front of her.
"Yeah well that was disgusting. I think we should not be able to order anything like that from now on." Kawanaka said and continued to pout over how embarrassed she felt. Subtly glaring at Shinbo for making her do that.
"Lets go on to another Round." Kibe said putting all the sticks back into the Cup. He shook it and held it out to the others.
Each took their turn and almost everyone was THE KING at least once. Each had the designated number do some extremely odd things. From making a Prank Call to the College Operator to conducting some type of chore that was embarrassing. All in all they all were having a good time. Including Chizuru. That was until Kawanaka became King. "I order number four to kiss number two on the lips for the count of ten." She announced and Shinbo clapped her hands then giggled.
"Won't it be funny if it is two guys that have to do that?" Shinbo asked with glee until Chizuru held up her stick indicating she was number four. Then to her partial relief, Kazuya held up his showing he was number two.
"Wait! We said nothing perverted or sorted...Remember." Kazuya quickly said hoping that there was somehow they did not have to do that. Knowing Chizuru would not want to kiss him no matter what. Even though they were not on a Rental Date, he was still her Client and it was against the rules for her to kiss him.
"This is not perverted or sorted and the King's orders are absolute and must be followed. Don't worry Kazu...We won't tell Chizuru that you kissed another girl." Kibe said with a huge smile and Kazuya had an urge to hit him. Turning towards Chizuru hoping she might know a way out of this. He was not prepared for her to reach up placing both of her hands on the side of his face. Then tilting her head to the left she kissed him. While the others counted down. The kiss put Kazuya into a daze as he felt her soft lips on his. To his shock and disbelief, she actually deepened the kiss and he just sat there relishing in the embrace. When the count reached ONE. He expected her to stop, but she continued for another three of four seconds. Parting she sat back and blushed. While Kazuya hyperventilated.
"I am jealous...That was really intense." Shinbo said with a huge smile. "Never knew you had it in you to kiss anyone Chizuru."
"Can we move on already to the next round of this stupid game?" Chizuru asked feeling extremely embarrassed. But she also felt her heart pounding heavily in her chest. She could not believe she liked it. She liked kissing Kazuya for real and to her utter shock. She wanted to do it again.
So they had another round. This time Kibe became the King and he smirked when he glanced over to see Kazuya's number. "Okay. Since I am the King. I want number 3 to confess if they are in love or not." He said still smirking and Kazuya glared at him.
"You cheated and saw my number." Kazuya said accusingly and Kibe shrugged.
"Hey if you let me see your number then that is not cheating...Right?" Kibe asked the others. Chizuru shifted uncomfortably and said nothing. At the same time looking at him curiously as if wanting to know as well. While the others agreed with Kibe.
"I...I rather not say." Kazuya said hoping that perhaps he could somehow not confess that he was indeed in love with Chizuru. Especially since she in her Ichonise persona was sitting right next to him.
"You can't do that. The KING's Orders cannot be disobeyed. So spill. You and Chizuru Mizuhara have been together for over a year. So dude are you in love with her or not?" Kibe asked and Kazuya glared over at him. Then let out a sigh. Knowing once he told the truth. Then later Chizuru was going to tell him that it was over. He would not be able to rent her anymore. In fact she probably would block him from even trying to rent her.
"Fine! Yes I am...I am in love with her. Happy?" Kazuya said and dared not to look over at Chizuru. Fearing what he would see there. He spent the rest of the next three rounds doing the same thing and he noticed that she said nothing to him as well. When the game was over, everyone else decided to leave and go to a local Diner. Kazuya told them instead he was heading for home. To his dismay Chizuru said the same thing and after everyone else was out of sight. She moved over by him.
"We get back...I need to talk to you." Chizuru stated firmly and then proceeded to walk towards their Apartment Building eight blocks away.
"Okay." Kazuya said reluctantly. Then at a short distance followed Chizuru home. When they arrived, she stopped and waited outside his Apartment. Then once inside and after Kazuya brought her Tea. She indicated for him to sit across from her.
"Sit. Let us discuss exactly what happened during that Game." Chizuru said and Kazuya swallowed heavily. He began to sweat. "First...Let us discuss about that...Kiss." She blushed slightly and did not look directly at him.
"I know already...It was all part of the Game. It meant nothing...Right?" Kazuya said sadly and Chizuru slowly shook her head. Still unable to look directly at him.
"It must have meant something to you...Because of what you confessed in the next round. Tell the truth...What you said...You have fallen in love with me." Chizuru asked him and he nodded sullenly. She chuckled. "Don't get too weird about it. Because I already knew that. But to hear you say it out loud like that...It was...Not how I wanted you to confess to me." She then looked at him. Smiling. "I want you to know the kiss was...I...I liked it." He gasped loudly in shock. Then she held up her right hand towards him. "I do not want to be in a real relationship with anyone right now...So don't...Please don't ask or assume that we are...Together. When I am ready though...I do want to be in one with you. I want you to know that." Still Kazuya beamed with delight. "I thought you would be upset. Not this happy." Which confused her why he wasn't.
"Nope. Now I know I have a glimmer of hope to be with the Girl that I am in love with. This has been a great day after all." Kazuya said excitingly and Chizuru shook her head.
"You are such an idiot." Chizuru said with a small smile. "Just do as you promised and...And be by my side until I am ready to be your real Girlfriend." She pleaded hoping herself that he would and not succumb to at some point taking Ruka as his Girlfriend. They both said nothing for several minutes and Kazuya decided that they should talk about something. So he came up with what he was having some difficulty with.
"Not to change the subject and since you are here...I have a small problem that maybe you can help with. It is about the Crowdfunding Movie." Kazuya told her and then indicated the stack of papers on the other end of the Table.
Other:
"So what is the problem?" Chizuru asked and he picked up three folders and handed them to her.
"These are the three possible Transcripts for the Movie. I am having a hard time picking one of them. Maybe you could look them over and pick the one that you would be interested in doing." Kazuya said and she flipped the first one open a and began to read it over. When she was halfway through,
"This one is not too bad." Chizuru commented as she continued to read.
"I thought so too...But one drawback about that one. The adding of Special Effects will cost at least half a Million Yen. I would have to locate more Funding and it took me almost three weeks to get what I got now." Kazuya told her and Chizuru closed the folder putting it to one side. Picking up another, she began to read that one.
"I would like to know...Where did these come from? Who wrote them?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya shifted uncomfortably.
"Uhm...I sort of met someone as a hobby writes Movie Transcripts. Those there are some of her better ones." Kazuya said and Chizuru looked over at him.
"SHE? She who?" Chizuru asked with a small glint of jealousy in her tone.
"Kyoko Jirno. She is in my Financial Management Class." Kazuya replied and Chizuru slowly nodded her head. Fully knowing who Kyoko was. Instantly remembering what the Girl looked like. Slender build, Purple Tinted shoulder length Hair, Bluish Purple Eyes and had a tendency to wear Goth Like Clothing. All in all Kyoko was considered to be cute. She also knew that the Other Girl was also a Rental Girlfriend. "She found out that I was researching Crowdfunding Movie and offered those Transcripts. For Free. All she asks is that she be involved when we start filming next week." He quickly told her and Chizuru somewhat scowled at him. She wondered if perhaps Kyoko was also interested in Kazuya. That would make three girls plus herself. Two of them were Rental Girlfriends and one was a one time Rental Girlfriend. She went back to reading and after a few more lines put it aside as well.
"This one...I do not like it. The Ending is too...I don't know." Chizuru said and Kazuya nodded.
"Yeah...I don't like the ending either. It is not what I would call a happy ending. The Main Protagonist confesses and then the Co-Protagonist Dies. That is not a good ending is it?" Kazuya commented and Chizuru agreed. "I could ask Kyoko when I see her tomorrow afternoon to rewrite it to have a happy ending." He suggested and Chizuru partially scowled again.
"Are you...Maybe...Dating her?" Chizuru asked with some mild concern that perhaps Kazuya might be interested in Kyoko. But still due to what they had just talked about it felt like he was cheating on her. He shook his head vigorously.
"NO! I have enough trouble right now with Ruka and I am not really...Kyoko is nice enough...And she is cute and all. But she is...Well she is...Another Ruka. She is a bit outspoken and I do not need another Girl like either of them." Kazuya said trying to explain why he was not dating Kyoko or having any intention to do so. "Besides I am in love with you and want to be more with you then just a Client. Now that I do have that glimmer of hope" He noticed that she was blushing as she began to read the last one and lightly gasped.
"Wow this one is dark. Let me get it straight. I would be the...Serial Killer that is going around Killing Men?" Chizuru asked as she indicated one of the Scenes where she picking a random man and then killed him in the most gruesome way possible.
"Yep. That one Kyoko told me she wrote when she had...in her words...A real Scumbag Rent her. I guess he tried to get her to go home with him several times during their Date. Even offered her more Money." Kazuya informed her and Chizuru thought back to the two that had done the same thing to her when she had first started to be a Rental Girlfriend. The two men thought because she was new at being a Rental she had no idea that she had memorized the Rules or that she was so desparate for money she would agree to basically prositute herself. She reported and blocked them from ever trying to Rent her again.
"That can sometimes happen." Is all Chizuru said and she read on. She actually liked this one. It called for a small cast. Five or six others and a couple back scene extras. The others called for a much larger cast. So she was considering this one. Even though she would be portraying a Psychotic Psychopath. "If nothing else this one might be interesting to do." She finished her Tea and Kazuya refilled her cup. Then she looked up and gasped. "Has it really been two hours?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya nodded. Taking out her Cellphone, she grimaced. Shinbo and Kawanaka had texted and called her twice. The last text was hinting at perhaps she had gone home with Kazuya for a tryst with him. Along with reminding her that he had a Girlfriend. She chuckled. "Well they are half right." She muttered and sent them both a reply that informed them that she was not having anything sorted with Kazuya. Not about to mention that she indeed had gone back to his Apartment.
And Then There Was Another One:
Meeting up with Sumi at the Coffee Hutt once again, Chizuru sat across her shy and timid friend and waited. Sometimes it took at least ten or fifteen minutes for Sumi to be able to speak and today was a little different. Especially when she said something that shocked Chizuru. "I have a crush." Sumi said in almost a whisper. Chizuru inhaled softly.
"Who...Who is it?" Chizuru asked and Sumi seemed to almost blush even more a brighter shade of red.
"Kazuya." Sumi finally said and Chizuru noticed that her friend could barely look over at her. "I am sorry Chizuru...I know he is one of your long time Clients...But I like him...I like him a lot. He is just so nice and kind and patient and...And...And I just like him." For a brief few moments Chizuru just looked at her friend. Somewhat amazed that her friend had said so much at once. Usually that much was from a longer time.
"What is it with him and Rentals? How is it that he seems to...be so wanted by Rentals." Chizuru mumbled inaudibly and began to think about how now there was three Rentals including herself that likes Kazuya. She almost suspected that in time Kyoko would also find herself liking Kazuya. She knew the answer to her own question. Kazuya was what most Girls wanted as a Boyfriend. Including herself. "It is alright Sumi...Uhm...Is that the reason you asked to meet me? Was to tell me you like one of my Clients?" Chizuru asked and Sumi shifted and lowered her gaze down at the table.
"Could you...Maybe ask him if he would go out with me? On a Real Date?" Sumi asked and Chizuru had an urge to instantly say no. Sure she was not ready to be in a real relationship with Kazuya yet. But she in no way wanted someone else to swoop in and sway him into being with anyone other then herself when she was ready. That included Ruka and now Sumi.
"I...I guess I could." Chizuru said reluctantly and Sumi smiled. Later that same day, Chizuru stood on her back balcony with a woodchip in her right hand. Then with a resigned sigh tossed it against his Balcony Window. It took three more to finally get his attention.
"You know you do have my Phone Number now. So you could just text me instead of tossing woodchips at my Window." Kazuya suggested. "So what's up?" He asked and still Chizuru was reluctant to tell him.
"Sumi...Sumi wants to go out with you." Chizuru said sullenly.
"Oh...Does she want to go on another Practice Date?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru closed her eyes. Not wanting to tell him.
"No. She wants to go on a Real Date with you." Chizuru said and Kazuya gasped.
"Huh?" Kazuya was mystified and completely confused. Though he was also intrigued. Chizuru let out a sigh.
"She wants to go out with you on a real date." Chizuru said again and leaned closer towards the dividing wall. "So are you interested in going out with Sumi or not?" She asked sternly and Kazuya no longer felt intrigued. Instantly noticing the slight jealous tone in her voice. He actually now could tell where before he was unsure.
"Are you still waiting until you are ready to be with me for real?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru bit her bottom lip. She wanted to say no but she still was unsure if she was ready to be in a real relationship with Kazuya yet. At the same time she knew she did not want now Sumi to be his Girlfriend.
"Yes. I told you...I want to wait. I never told you why. I guess I owe you that at least. I want to be able to be an Actress first and then...And then Kazuya...After...I then will want to be with you for real." Chizuru said and hoped he understood her reasoning and would wait.
"I am willing to wait. I would wait as long as it takes." Kazuya stated firmly and Chizuru smiled. "Problem though...The way Sumi is...If I say no...We both know she will not take it well. She might even revert back to the way she was before." He told her and she nodded with agreement. Then realized he could not see her nod. She let out another sigh.
"You are right. She has improved so much and if you turn her down. She could go back to being even more shy and timid. I know it must have taken a lot of gumption to ask me to ask you to go out with her." Chizuru admitted and then threw her arms upwards in frustration. "I guess you will have to go out with her after all."
Two days later, Chizuru watched from the front walkway as Kazuya walked away to meet up with Sumi for their date. Three times already she was tempted to tell him that she no longer wanted to wait. That she wanted to be his Real Girlfriend and be with him for real. Even now a hint of jealousy welled up inside her as she watched him walk off into the distance. A few moments later she went back inside and picked up a Script for an Audition she had in another couple of days. Opening it via a bookmark, she tried to reread the lines again. Then glanced at what she used for a bookmark. It was the Photos from the Photobooth at the Amusement Park. The ones that she and Kazuya had to leave behind. She had found out that the Staff kept any Photos left for twenty four hours and she had returned to get them. Keeping them and never telling Kazuya. They were special to her. Before too much time passed she heard his door open and she quickly went to his door. Wanting to know why he had cut the date with Sumi so short. Inside his Apartment, she sat across from him.
"It was going fine...But after about an hour...Sumi sort of figured out that...I am in love with you. I was a little worried that she might be upset but it didn't. She was actually happy for me and for you. So we cut the date short and she does want to be my friend." Kazuya told Chizuru reluctantly and Chizuru could not help but feel relieved.
"Good. But there is something I want to ask you to do. I don't want you to go out with anyone else again. Not even Ruka." Chizuru told him and Kazuya was a bit confused over that request.
"Why? I mean when I go out with Ruka it is just to keep her from telling anyone about you being a Rental." Kazuya said and Chizuru pouted slightly.
"I just don't want you to. I am worried that you might become impatient and not want to wait. That since Ruka is there and willing you might decide to be with her instead of me." Chizuru said and Kazuya smiled then shook his head.
"I promised to wait and I will wait. I told you that I love you Chizuru and if I have to wait to be with you. Then I will wait as long as it takes." Kazuya declared and Chizuru smiled. Once again tempted to just become his real Girlfriend.
The Night After:
Returning her tired Grandmother back to her Hospital Room, Chizuru felt happy. Her Grandmother got to see her in an Actual Movie. Even though it was a Crowdfunding Movie it was still a Movie and she owed it all to Kazuya. The only thing that partially upset her was the Doctor that was taking care of her Grandmother had asked her out again. It bothered her that he would do that. Since he was supposed to be Married and all he wanted from her was for her to become his Mistress. Though like all the other times, she turned him down with the excuse that she had a Boyfriend. Though this time unlike the other times. This time it was true. "Well almost." She muttered and as she left the Hospital she saw Kazuya waiting for her.
"Is she doing alright?" Kazuya asked with concern and Chizuru smiled.
"Yes. She is just worn out." Chizuru replied and they both got into an awaiting Taxi. They were on their way to the Party to celebrate the viewing of the Movie. That was when Chizuru decided that she was going to tell Kazuya that the wait was over. That she wanted to be his Real Girlfriend. That she was in love with him and wanted to be with him. Not really caring if it upset Ruka or it pissed off Mami. At this point she could care less what either felt. The only thing she did feel was important was how she felt about Kazuya and how he felt about her. If it was necessary she would confess about her being a Rental Girlfriend. But that was mainly to reassure everyone that she indeed was Kazuya's Girlfriend now. "The wait is over." She whispered inaudibly with a small smile.
The End and the Beginning?