Rent a Girlfriend: Themed Somewhat Different (Short Story) Part 2

Characters:

Kazuya Kinoshita

Chizuru Mizuhara

Mami Nanami

Ruka Sarashina

Sumi Sakurasawa

Nagomi Kinoshita

Yoshiaki Kibe

Shun Kuribayashi

Sayuri Ichinose

Harumi and Kazuo Kinoshita

Mimi Yaemori

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Standing and using as much concentration and Magic as she could focus. Chizuru projected a Defensive Magical Barrier in front of her. Then to add to her concentration, she summoned a low level attack spell at the target ten meters away. Today was The Offensive and Defensive Class that was a requirement. Something she wished she did not have to attend. Mainly due to she was only a Level Four Mage. At most her desires on becoming a Mage was to use her Magical Powers so she could become a better Actress. "That was pitiful Ichonise. If you are ever forced to defend yourself. You would surely lose." The Magical Combat Teacher informed her.

"I will try harder." Was all that Chizuru said as she continued to cast the same low-level spell against the Target. Not really caring what the Teacher said. Not after having the same Teacher make some snide remarks to several of her Classmates. About her Boyfriend. It had been a week since she started being courted by Kazuya and of course a good portion of her Fellow Students and even the Teachers were making snide remarks and comments about who she decided to be with. Not that she really cared. The problem she did care about was the fact she had no idea of what it meant to be in a relationship. Sure, she knew how to be a Rental Girlfriend. But that was not the same as being a real Girlfriend. While she mused over how she could solve this dilemma. While at the same time pretending to participate in the Class. The class ended and Chizuru made her way to her next class. "Great another useless Class. This one is about as useless as the last one." She muttered as she walked with Shinbo and Kawanaka towards their next Class. This one was another Course that focused on combative Magic.

"Are the Teachers stupid or something. To have us go through these stupid classes that do not make any sense. We all are Level Fours. At most we just need to be able to defend ourselves. It is idiotic for us to take a Class that are basically worthless." Kawanaka commented as they continued walking. Then suddenly someone stepped right into their path and the Girl openly glared at Chizuru.

"You there! I understand you are being courted by that worthless Commoner. Do you not have any dignity? Do you not have any Noble Pride? To openly date a Commoner...It is disgusting." The Girl said with a sneering tone. Chizuru looked and noticed that the Girl had two others with her. Both were lightly chuckling. As if the one that had questioned her choice was telling some type of joke. Instead of replying, Chizuru attempted to step around the obnoxious Girl and her two Cronies. But the Girl moved to stand in front of her again. "Perhaps I should have my own Boyfriend challenge him to a Duel. I doubt this Commoner can defeat him...Since he is a Knight and already is in line to become a Sword Master." The Girl then smirked at her and Chizuru did not want to cause Kazuya any trouble. So she just stood there hoping that her not responding would make the other Girl to just give up and leave. Internally though she wanted to slug the bitch. But held her temper.

"Come on Chizuru...We will be late to Class if we delay any longer." Shinbo said taking hold of Chizuru's left arm. While Kawanaka took hold of her right. Then they both lightly pulled her along. Past those that had confronted her and once far enough away. Both of her friends exhaled in relief. Letting go of her arms.

"I am glad you did not respond. That was Daphne Orchness. The Daughter of Count Von Richard Orchness. It would have been a utter disaster if you had lost your temper and insulted her in some way." Kawanaka said leaning over putting her hands on her knees to keep them from shaking. Chizuru took a deep cleansing breath.

"Thank you...You Two. For getting me away from her. I was about to slug that bitch and if you had not done that. I would have if she kept up her shit." Chizuru said and her friends were grateful that she had not relented to that impulse. She had not cared that the Bitch insulted her. But when she threatened Kazuya. That was when she was tempted to do something rash. As she walked with her friends, she suddenly remembered about tomorrow and she paled slightly catching the attention of her friends.

"What's wrong Chizuru?" Shinbo asked before Kawanaka could.

"Tomorrow...Tomorrow...I am going to...Go meet Kazuya's Family. Tomorrow. For the first time." Chizuru said nervously and both her friends laughed.

"Geez Chizuru...You did not bat an eye when that Bitch confronted you. But here you are acting a little timid about meeting your Boyfriend's Family. It should be no big deal." Kawanaka commented and Chizuru partially scowled at her.

"Yeah well...It is his Parents and his Grandmother. It is completely different then dealing with some bigoted Noble pain in the ass. This would be meeting his Family. I have never done anything like this before. This is a huge deal. What if they do not like me? Or worse what if they do not like that I am being Courted by him?" Chizuru asked as her two friends tried to convince her that it would be fine. Still for the rest of the day she sat in her Classes and even at the Acting School nervously thinking and worrying about tomorrow.

Meeting the Kinoshita's:

"You know I am supposed to be the nervous one...Not you." Chizuru commented as she noticed that Kazuya had sweat beading on his forehead and was acting extremely anxious. "Is there something that I should be concerned about?" She asked him and Kazuya nodded.

"Well my Grans can be a little...She is the Matriarch of the Family. She can be a little domineering and opinionated. Also she told me she wants to talk to you alone and I am completely freaking out." Kazuya admitted and Chizuru stopped walking. Lightly tugging at his right hand that she was holding with her left hand.

"What do you mean? She wants to talk to me alone? What does she want to talk about with me...Alone?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya paled slightly.

"Actually I have no idea what she wants to talk to you about. But it can't be good." Kazuya said and Chizuru now felt even more nervous. Upon entering the Kinoshita home and after being introduced to his Parents. His Grandmother asked to speak with her alone in another room. At first Kazuya tried to accompany them. But one stern look from his Grandmother and he faltered. Leaving Chizuru alone with his Grandmother. Fully not expecting the Elder Woman to drop to her knees and with her face on the floor between her hands.

"I beg of you. Please don't...Please don't break Kazuya. If you intend to like that other girl to lead him on and then...Use him. Then I beg of you to just end your Courtship now before you...I do not believe he can take another blow to the heart." Nagomi said and Chizuru could hear how upset the Elder Woman was. Kneeling herself, she used her right hand to gently raise Nagomi's head to look at her.

"I am not going to do that to him. I Lo...I care deeply for Kazuya and I am not going to do what the other girl did." Chizuru said and Nagomi finally smiled. Then hugged Chizuru and cried. For several minutes all Chizuru did was stroke the Older Woman's back until the torrid of tears ended.

"I am sorry about...Being so upset. But you must understand Kazuya has not had an easy life." Nagomi told her and Chizuru sat back onto the floor. As Nagomi also sat back on the floor before her.

"Could you...Kazuya does not talk much about his past. Could you tell me?" Chizuru asked and Nagomi reached over to one side and pulled out a picture from one of the Drawers. Handing it to Chizuru who looked at it. In the picture was a little boy holding a Wooden Sword possessively. Nagomi smiled warmly.

"That is Kazuya when he was just about two years old. He found that Practice Sword in one of the Closets and from then on he never let it go. In fact when we tried to take it away from him. He would cry and carryon until we gave it back." Nagomi told her and Chizuru chuckled.

"That sounds like Kazuya." Chizuru said and Nagomi nodded with agreement.

"When he was five...His Father Kazou found a Local Sword Master that agreed to access whether it would be feasible to train him." Nagomi chuckled and shook her head. "Thing is the Sword Master later told us that Kazuya was a natural with the Sword. A savant as it were. Someone naturally gifted. So the Sword Master took him on as a student." Nagomi took a breath and frowned deeply. "Unfortunately that was when Kazuya's troubles began. A lot of the Nobles that had their Children training there took exception of having a Commoner learning how to use the Sword. But what really bothered these same Nobles was that none of their Children could hold a candle or even match Kazuya's skills. He beat them all during Mock Duels." Chizuru saw small tears began to flow down Nagomi's face. "Since they could not do anything directly...These same Nobles had Older Children torment Kazuya. From bullying him to outright beating him. But Kazuya never complained and never quit. He endured that for five years. That is until the Sword Master promoted him to the Senior Class and Kazuya started winning every Duel against boys that were five or six years older then him."

"When did he start to win the Tournaments?" Chizuru asked. Though she had found the Newspaper Articles and some Media News Coverage of some of the Tournaments. Nagomi smiled again.

"When he was sixteen. He won two Local Regionals. After that he kept competing and kept winning. One Regional after another until he was about Seventeen. That was when he won the National and a year later competed in the International at Eighteen. He has not lost one Match or Duel since he was six." Nagomi told and frowned deeply. "But all that time...He has had to endure so much. From being bullied by those he could not fight back against. Because they Sons of Nobles and it is a crime for a Commoner to raise his hand against a Noble. He could have easily beaten those same Bullies into the ground. But if he had...He would have been the one punished." The Elder Woman began to cry again.

"I have never thought it just that someone's status should dictate what is moral and ethical." Chizuru told her and Nagomi smiled at her and then again frowned.

"I am still concerned though about your relationship with Kazuya." Nagomi admitted and Chizuru looked at her.

"Why? I told you that I deeply care about Kazuya. Why would you be concerned?" Chizuru asked and Nagomi shook her head.

"You are the Heir to a Barony. At some point the Nobles will...You will be forced to...End your relationship with Kazuya. Or you may loose your Title. Your Grandmother might even disinherit you for letting Kazuya Court you." Nagomi said sadly and Chizuru laughed.

"We do not have any holdings or lands. My Great Grandfather...My Grandmothers Father had gambled away all of my Family's assets. As for my Grandmother...She was an accomplished Actress...That is the only reason she was able to hold onto her title." Chizuru told her and Nagomi stared at her in disbelief. Chizuru smiled. "If they want to take my Title away when I do inherit because I am with Kazuya. Then they are more then happy to. I love to act and I want to be like my Grandmother and become an accomplished Actress. Also I want to be with Kazuya." Nagomi laughed and before Chizuru could react. The Elder Woman grabbed her again and hugged her. When Nagomi as more composed. They both stood and rejoined Kazuya and his Parents.

"She is a splendid Girl. Someone that is way too good for my Grandson." Nagomi announced with a huge smile.

Meeting Grandmother Sayuri Ichonise:

"Do I have to do this?" Kazuya asked as Chizuru somewhat lightly dragged him along with her.

"Yes you do. I met your Family last week and now...You are going to meet my Grandmother." Chizuru declared sternly and Kazuya groaned. She laughed as she walked with him towards her Grandmothers house. As they walked Kazuya looked about at the Houses and was little confused.

"Uhm...Chizuru...There are...Commoners live in these houses." Kazuya said and Chizuru nodded.

"Of course they do. This is where my Grandmother's house is. She once told me that only an idiot spends all their Money to keep up appearances. That is why some Nobles end up declaring Bankruptcy. They spend a huge amount of money just to keep up appearances." Chizuru told him and Kazuya nodded with agreement. It was no the News at least once a week. Where some idiotic Noble was being taken to Civil Court somewhere around the World. In an attempt to keep their holdings or lands from being confiscated by some debtor, bank or even the Government.

"So if...So if someday we...If someday we..."Kazuya coughed and paled somewhat. "If we...Get Marri...Live together." He could not bring himself to say Married. Not yet anyhow. "I still have a lot of Money...You are not going to want some...ridiculously large house or Mansion. Are you?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru shook her head.

"No way. In fact if...And when we...I would like to actually live in my Grandmother's House or maybe one of these here." Chizuru gestured around her at the other Houses. A few here or there had FORE SALE signs in front of them. "I want to have a place where we can feel at home and not worry about keeping up some idiotic appearances."

When they reached Chizuru's Grandmother's House, Kazuya gazed at the house for several minutes. It was much like the ones around it. Not a large house, but big enough for a family to live in and he could understand why Chizuru would want to live in that house or one like it. It was a home and not some showpiece. Like most of those with Money or Noble Status had. "This is it." Chizuru announced as she opened the Gate to the Fence and guided Kazuya inside. Then walked up to the Door and rang the buzzer. In moments an elderly woman opened the door and hugged Chizuru affectionately. While hugging Chizuru, she looked over at Kazuya.

"Ah this must be the young man that is courting my Granddaughter." Sayuri said and Kazuya bowed at the waist.

"Yes Milady...I am. My name is Kazuya Kinoshita and I am a commoner." Kazuya said and the Elder woman pouted.

"None of that. I hate being called Milady. It sounds so...It is not something I like being referred as. Call me..." Sayuri smiled coyly. "How about Grandma. After all someday you two are going to tie the knot...Right?" She looked over at Chizuru to see her blushing a bright shade of red.

"Grandma! We just started courting and dating! We are no way ready for that yet!" Chizuru declared still blushing madly.

"Okay...But still call me Grandma and I could care less that you are a Commoner. All I care about is that...You are with my Granddaughter and she seems extremely happy enough to be with you." Sayuri said and then reached out to grab Kazuya's hand while still holding somewhat onto Chizuru. "Let's go inside. I got like a million questions I want to ask both of you." With that she dragged them inside and shut the door. Most of the questions were just normal ones. Ones revolving around their relationship. But when she asked about Kazuya's long-term goals. The Elder Woman almost chocked on her tea.

"ARE YOU INSANE?" Sayuri asked right after Kazuya had informed her of his planning on becoming the Sword Saint.

"You know Grandma...I asked him the same thing and I really never got an answer to that." Chizuru said somewhat teasing him.

"I did tell you and no I am not insane. You asked me what my long-term goal is and I said I want to gain the Title of the Sword Saint." Kazuya said and Sayuri shook her head.

"I am not sure of that. Do you even realize how impossible it would be for you to...I mean you have to duel against the Ten High Sword Masters. In front of the Five Grand Sword Masters. I remember when I was ten and...And a Sword Master tried to...It was a...Those High Masters are the best of the best. Since then no one has tried do to...It could be deadly." Sayuri started to wonder if Kazuya would even be able to have a future with her Granddaughter. She did not mention that the Sword Master that had tried to gain the Title died in the Hospital with severe internal injuries. None of the High Masters held back. They had gone all out and the Sword Master was thoroughly beaten badly. Even though she did not mention it. She was sure that both Kazuya and Chizuru knew about it.

"Yes I know. But still that is my goal. I am not ready yet...But I believe within the next five years I am going to take the Challenge." Kazuya said and for several moments neither Sayuri or Chizuru said anything. But he could feel the tension in the air. He was sure Chizuru was thinking about the consequences of what could happen if he was severely injured. That he could die.

"Alright...Enough of...Let us discuss something less...Suicidal. So Kazuya what are your intentions towards my Granddaughter?" Sayuri asked and from there the discussion flowed away from Kazuya's goal of becoming the Sword Saint.

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On the Walk back towards the Apartment Building Chizuru did not say much. She had actually forgotten about what had happened to the last person that had tried to become the Sword Saint. But now she could not stop thinking about what could happen. If something went wrong. Kazuya could die or be so injured that he would be basically an invalid. Crippled in some way that he would never be able to hold a Sword Again. Kazuya also did not say much. For he was musing over the questions Sayuri had hit him with. From Marriage to how many Children they should have. Both barely paid attention they almost bumped into someone Kazuya knew. "Hey there Kuri. So how are you doing?" He asked and his friend smiled.

"I am doing great Kazuya. So how are you doing?" Kuri looked over at Chizuru and smiled. "Seems it was true about the Rumors going around at the Academy. Hello...I am Shun Kuribayashi...A friend of Kazuya." The other said to her and Chizuru frowned.

"Is the same person that is the Son of a Baronette that shuns you at the Academy?" Chizuru asked and Kuri frowned.

"That is because I told him and Kibe to. Remember." Kazuya said and Chizuru looked at Kuri disapprovingly.

"Yeah...And both me and Kibe still do not like it. Listen Kazuya we are friends...Both me and Kibe do not care what any of those Noble Idiot thinks. It is not like either me or Kibe have that many Noble Girls willing to be courted by the sons of Baronett's anyhow." Kuri stated and Chizuru softened her expression. She knew to some Baronett's were seen just about the same as Commoners by some higher Nobles. Due to that most of the Baronets were nothing but descendants of those that bought their Noble Ranks. Though only a few of the Girl descendants could use Magic. It seemed that only Nobles could use Magic. While for some reason it was only possible for Nobles to become Belted Knights.

"You know he is making a good argument Kazuya. It is only you that is worried about appearances." Chizuru said hinting towards the fact he had tried to distance himself from her in the beginning. Now they were Courting and she suspected that he was still worried about appearances. Mainly how it affected her being in a relationship with him.

"I still think it is a bad idea if others find out that you and Kibe are my Friends. Doing so will definitely ruin any chance of you...Finding any Noble Girls that will...Ever want to be with you." Kazuya said and Chizuru lightly chuckled with a huge smile.

"Actually I have an idea. Say Kuri how would you and Kibe like to meet...Two friends of mine. They are Daughters of Barons." Chizuru suggested and Kazuya wondered if him courting Chizuru had opened the Pandora's Box in some way. Especially when Kuri excitingly agreed for him and Kibe. Without even contacting Kibe. Agreeing to meet her friends tomorrow at Donny's Cafe at Noon.

"Do you think it was a good idea to...I mean Kuri and Kibe are not the...They are both considered strange. So are you sure subjecting them to your friends is a good idea?" Kazuya asked as they walked away from an overly excited Kuri who was giving all the details to Kibe over his Cellphone. Chizuru shrugged.

"I do not see why not. Both Shinbo and Kawanaka have not had too much luck in finding anyone willing to court them. Also...They sort of already asked me...If you had any friends that I could have you set them up with." Chizuru said and Kazuya chuckled.

"I think they might be completely disappointed...But sure why not. After all...Kuri and Kibe are really great guys." Kazuya said as they neared the Apartment Building. Out of reflex he guided her by her hand to climb the steps first. Then he followed her, once on the Landing. She retook his hand.

"How about coming to my Apartment for Dinner? We can Rent a Movie and...Just relax." Chizuru suggested and Kazuya was more than willing.

Triple Date:

"I still think this is a bad idea." Kazuya commented as he sat with Chizuru at one of the larger tables at Donny's Cafe. Both sets of their friends had not arrived yet and Kazuya was tempted to suggest that as soon as introductions were completed. That he and Chizuru just left. Let the four of them deal with what he believed to be a disaster ready to happen.

"It will be fine." Chizuru said calmly as she looked over the Menu. Pondering on what she would like to have. The Waitress had come over already once. But that was not to get their orders. It was to get an Autograph from Kazuya. Along with trying to subtly pass him a slip of paper with her contact information on it. Chizuru had intercepted the paper and incinerated it with a minor bit of Flame Magic. Dropping the charred paper into the nearby ashtray. Then glared at the Long-Haired Blonde Waitress menacingly. Causing the girl to beat a hasty retreat. A moment later Shinbo and Kawanaka arrived and Kazuya stood up. Slightly bowing at them.

"Greeting Milady's and Welcome." Kazuya said formally and the two Girls sat.

"Enough with that. Kazuya. My friends are like me...We all hate that formal stuff. So, sit down and stop calling them Milady's." Chizuru declared and both of her friends smiled warmly at him.

"Yeah...Chizuru is right. Call me Shinbo and her Kawanaka. From now on." Shinbo said and Kazuya slowly sat down.

"You got to tell us about these friends of yours Kazuya's?" Kawanaka asked with a small smile and Kazuya let out a sigh.

"They both are weirdos. You probably could do so much better than them and I believe you are going to be sorrowfully disappointed." Kazuya said and Chizuru giggled.

"Stop trying to scare them off Kazuya. I met one of them yesterday and...Well he is a pleasant enough fellow." Chizuru was not about to confirm or deny that she believed Kuri to be a bit strange. She only met him briefly and had not got a chance to assess whether Kazuya's statement was true or not. Before Kazuya could attempt to dissuade Chizuru's friends from meeting Kuri and Kibe. They arrived and it was too late.

Leaving the four to get acquainted with each other, Chizuru allowed Kazuya so they could make a hasty retreat. "Whatever happens...Happens. If they get together then that is your friends problem and not ours. Agreed Chizuru?" Kazuya said as he walked with her along attempting to get as far away as possible. Chizuru chuckled.

"I guess so...Still I feel a little bad about just leaving like we did." Chizuru looked over at him. "So. I got to know what was that important phone call you just mysteriously got just now?" She asked him and Kazuya showed her his cellphone. "Hey! That is only...You set your Alarm to go off and used your Ringtone as the alarm...Kazuya that is so devious." She accused him and Kazuya smiled at her.

"I do not want either of us to be blamed when my Idiot Friends blow it. That I have no intention of watching them crash and burn." Kazuya said and Chizuru still scowled at him. Then shook her head and chuckled.

"You are really sure that your two friends are going to do something that makes them blow it." Chizuru said and Kazuya nodded.

"Yeah...Well you saw a side of Kuri that...He is not like that normally. In fact if it was not for his Father wanting him to become a Knight. Then Kuri would be living on their Orchard basically being a huge slacker." Kazuya then gave a soft chuckle. "As for Kibe it is the same...If it was not for his Father also wanting him to become a Knight. Then he probably would be a shut in neet. He would spend countless hours in front of his Computer and never leave his Apartment."

"Is Knighthood that important to both of their Fathers?" Chizuru asked thinking about the downsides but also the benefits. With Knighthood. Even as being sons of Baronets, they could strive to have a better life then what they have now. Both could join the Military and become Officers and eventually become high Command Officers. Or they could strive to become Sword Masters. If so, at that point they could enter into politics. Knighthood was a stepping stone to a very prosperous career. The major downside was that it took a lot of effort to become a Belted Knight. It was not easy. Especially the end Test slash Trials. Though It was the same for Mages. Being a Mage could also open a lot of doors. That is unless the Mage is a low level. Like her being a Level 4 Mage. The only doors it might open for her and anyone else that was below level 6. Was to work in civil service. Only Level 7 and above got the illustrious careers and opportunities as Mages. That was one of the many reasons she wanted to become an Actress. She would hate working at some Civil Service job that basically went nowhere.

"It is to their Parents. Since neither had the opportunity to go to the Academy. Kuri and Kibe would both be the first in their Family to become Knights. That is if they pass that is." Kazuya told her and she nodded with understanding.

"Well let's hope they don't blow it. I think it would be nice if the four of them got together. I do not think you noticed but Kawanaka was a little interested in Kibe." Chizuru said and Kazuya laughed.

"What is she into balding guys or something?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru chuckled. "So want to go see a Movie? We did ditch them...Why not go on a date?" Chizuru smiled and nodded.

"Sounds like a plan." With that they headed for the local Movie Theater.

To be continued: Maybe