Rent a Girlfriend: Alone and Lonely (Short Story) Part 1

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

Empty Nest Occurrence:

It being Friday Evening, Chizuru made her way through the Empty House to the Kitchen. Three hours ago, Kazuya had left to go do some work at his Families Store and a few hours before that Mimi had left to attend a Crosplay Event. Kazuya would be returning on Sunday Afternoon. While Mimi would be back on Monday Morning. That left Chizuru all by herself for the first time in the House since they all moved in almost three weeks ago. Before that was when she lived in the House with her Grandmother. She would be by herself until Sunday. Not that she felt completely lonely. But she did feel a little bored. "I cannot even go on any Booked Rental Dates over the Weekend. With the APP down for Maintenance." It had been that way for the entire week and Diamond had suspended all Rental Dates until the Maintenance was completed. At first, she considered contacting Shinbo and Kawanaka and ask if they would like to do something tomorrow. But quickly dismissed that idea. "The last time I did that...They spent the entire time looking for Guys to hit on us." So that left her just basically puttering around in the House this weekend. Not that she minded the solitude. At the moment.

Awakening early on Saturday, Chizuru took an extremely long Bath and decided it was time to thoroughly clean the house. Including doing the Laundry. It was more to reduce her boredom then that the House needed to be cleaned. At about Noon when she was all done with the House Chores, she debated on replying to Umi's request Text to meet up at a Cafe for Lunch. "No. The last time I did that...He confessed again." She said shaking her head. She liked Umi. But only as a friend. Going over to the Table deciding to reread the Script again. At one point while she was rereading the Script for the fifteenth or sixteenth time. She considered raiding Kazuya's or Mimi's collection of Manga. There was one that Mimi had suggested that she read. It was a ROM-COM called Yankee Jk Kuzuhana-Chan. (If interested and want to read some Manga for free. Go to mangaread. Org) Standing she went to get it and came back and started to read the first Volume. After reading one she went to get the next one. Finding that she did like. She did not like the fact that it did show a lot of panty shots on all the Girls. She still found it entertaining to read. Though for some reason Saotome the main protagonist reminded her of Kazuya. Not that Kazuya was into fashion or that he was so oblivious about all the girls that were interested in Saotome. It was the fact that Kazuya was Kazuya. Laying the book down, she let out a sighing breath. She closed her eyes and thought about her investigation.

"I just don't know if...If I feel the same way that he feels about me. Sure, like I told Mimi...I do not mind him doesn't mean I like him." Chizuru shook her head. "Come on Girl...No one is here and I am just lying to myself. I do like Kazuya...He is always there for me when I need him. Thing is do I...Do I love him?" She thought about it. For being a Rental Girlfriend she had no idea what Love felt like. "Love is not a novelty or something that can be expressed by words. It is something more grand and confusing. So ask yourself what do you feel when you think of Love?" That is what her grandmother told her once. "That does not help me Grandma." She muttered gazing towards the Room that Kazuya was using while he was staying there. She knew at some point even though he said he would wait. That he might give up on her. That did scare her and it really hurt somewhat inside her chest at the thought that if he did give up and decide to actually be with Ruka or Sumi. She would probably never see him again.

Picking back up the Volume, Chizuru tried to read some more. But her mind wandered to a few days ago. When Kazuya laid on top of her with his head on her chest. It had been an accident and they were only in that position due to that she did not want her nosy neighbor to discover them. During that she could not get her heart from pounding so heavily in her chest. She knew he was fighting the urge to kiss her. She could tell and she wondered if at the time would she have let him. She still remembered their last kiss and she liked it. The softness of his lips on hers and how it made her feel so wonderful inside. "I want...I want to kiss him again." She said wanting to deny it. But knew that what she had just said was the truth. Her thoughts were suddenly disturbed when her Phone Chimed in that it was receiving a Text. Taking out her Cellphone she looked at the text and smiled. It was from Kazuya. Just a simple one informing her that he was on his way to Work at the Karaoke Cafe. "I hope he is not overworking himself." She muttered with concern. Thinking about what he had told her. He would be restocking the Shelves at night and then in the morning about 7 AM and after getting a few hours of sleep he would go and work at his Part Time Job. Then tonight around 10 PM he would once more go restock the shelves. Working all night doing that. His Father was paying him twenty thousand Yen to do the restocking. Which was not bad money. Still she was worried about him. Glancing over at the Clock she gasped. It was 8 PM already. Standing she decided to get something to eat and then go to bed early.

Just as early on Sunday, Chizuru awoke and again all she heard was utter silence. She could not hear Mimi grumbling about it being morning and she did not hear Kazuya moving about the house. For a brief moment she felt lonely. She had gotten used to having both of them around and she began to worry about next week when they both would be moving back into their respective Apartments. She had decided to remain here at the House. She had made that decision when she discovered that it cost her less to stay at the House than at the Apartment. "I wonder if they both would be willing to just stay here. Pay perhaps half of what they are paying at the Apartments." She said as she made her way to the Bathroom and then the Kitchen. Electing on having Coffee instead of Green Tea. "Let's see it is just about 7 AM...That means Kazuya should be coming home in about five hours." She muttered than shook her head. "Wait! This is not Kazuya's home...Where he is...Is his home. Until I ask him about maybe living here and even then...This is not his home." When she said that, she felt a little upset and wondered if perhaps she should think more about whether or not she wanted to be in a real relationship with him. She had noticed recently that he was on her mind when she masturbated. She no longer used the mental image of Jason Momoa or Chris Evans when they were in their prime as fodder for her imagination. No, she found that she was using the thought of Kazuya in bed with her. Making long passionate love to her. Looking once more at the Clock she sighed and wished he was back. Realizing that she missed him.

Around Noon, Chizuru began to feel antsy and kept going to the front window and looking out. Then glancing over at the Clock again. "He said he would be back this afternoon. Well it is Noon...So where is he?" She muttered to herself as she went back to the table to try to read some more of the Manga. Three hours later she laid her head down on her right forearm, she suddenly had a thought that terrified and worried her. "Are you coming back today? You did say you would be here by now?" That was when she found herself feeling lonely. She sat back up and she pulled out her Cellphone. Seeing that it was just about 3:30 PM and she felt tempted sending him a Text or Calling him to see when he was going to come back. "If he is coming back?" She thought with panic. Just as she was about to send a text. She heard the door unlock and open. She immediately looked over at the door and smiled as she saw Kazuya enter.

"Sorry I am late...Grans had me doing some extra work and it took me until about an hour ago to get done." Kazuya said and Chizuru sighed with relief. Then shrugged.

"There is no need to apologize. It is not like I was...I knew you would be back sooner or later. So it is no big deal." Chizuru said out of habit and wished she didn't. She wanted to tell the truth. That she missed him and was glad he came back. But she just could not bring herself to say it. She noticed his sudden sullen expression.

"Oh...Okay." Kazuya took a slow steady breath. "Well, I am sort of worn out...So I think I will go rest a bit in..." He then gestured to the room he was using and before she could say anything else. He headed for the room. "Guess I was hoping for too much for her to even miss me. It does not seem that we are getting any closer." He thought feeling completely discouraged. She watched him leave and after his door shut. She thumped her head onto the Book that was on the table in frustration.

"What is wrong with me? Why couldn't I admit that I did miss him?" Chizuru muttered and knew that eventually he would probably give up on her. "Why wouldn't he...It is not like I am giving him any real encouragement." Then she had an idea. Standing she went to his door and lightly knocked on it. When it partially opened, she nervously fidgeted. "Uhm Kazuya...I know you said you were worn out...But...But I have not left the house since Friday. Would...Would you like to...Go to dinner with me?" She asked blushing slightly and the door flew open to reveal a broadly smiling Kazuya.

"YES!" Kazuya said excitedly and then realized he just probably lost a huge amount of points. Or rather he looked to eager and pathetic. She smiled.

"Okay...Give me half an hour to get changed and we will go." Chizuru said then went to get changed into something other then Sweatpants and a T-Shirt. While Kazuya changed as well.

The Dinner Date:

Once outside, Kazuya had no idea what to expect. "Sure we are going to Dinner. But is this a date?" He muttered as he waited for Chizuru to come out. When she finally did, he was a complete mess. That included when she reached out with her right hand and took hold of his left. She smiled warmly at him.

"I would not mind Chinese. Is there something else you would want?" Chizuru asked him and Kazuya shook his head.

"No...Chinese is fine." Kazuya quickly replied and they both started to walk towards a Chinese Restaurant that was about six or seven blocks away. Chizuru immediately noticed how nervous and anxious he was being. Unlike when they went to get the New TV, she knew this was a completely different situation. Since she was holding his hand and treating it like a date. She smiled over at him.

"Kazuya...I...This is a date...A short one. But it is a date." Chizuru said and Kazuya gasped. He was not expecting her to say that. Usually, she would tell him not to read into such a situation. That it was not anything relevant or that it was not what it appeared to be.

"REALLY?" Kazuya asked too loudly and Chizuru giggled.

"Yes...Really." Chizuru then blushed again. "I want you to know...I am seriously investigating...About us. About my feelings for you." She felt completely embarrassed. "So, I hope you...Can wait a little while longer."

"Of course. I told you I would wait as long as it takes." Kazuya said and then decided to also be truthful since she was. "Actually though...I am worried that while...I am waiting...You find yourself someone more suitable to be with. Such as Umi." Chizuru shook her head.

"Umi and I are only friends. I do not date friends." Chizuru stated and was not about to tell him how many times Umi had confessed to her and each time she turned him down. Still Kazuya stumbled slightly.

"So, we are not friends?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru realized she had blundered somewhat.

"I suppose we are. But it is different with you Kazuya. You are...Like a friend...But I am investigating to be more than that." Chizuru said and then sighed. "In Umi's case...He is not the most reliable person to be involved romantically with. He falls in and out of love constantly. Yes, he said that he had fallen in love with me. But I know as soon as someone else catches his interest. He will either dump me or cheat on me." While they were talking, they had arrived at the Chinese Restaurant.

After they ordered and were about to sit down at one of the Tables. Chizuru decided that since this was a date. She was going to sit next to him instead of across from him. So she sat down in a chair right next to him. Which somewhat surprised him. "Uhm Chizuru...There is something I have been not too eager to tell you." Kazuya said as he took a deep inhaled breath. Before taking a drink of his Rootbeer Soda. While she braced herself suspecting that it was bad news or something that he believed would upset her.

"Okay...What is it?" Chizuru asked hoping that it was not as serious as he was making it sound like.

"Sumi...Sort of...Called me on Friday." Kazuya said and Chizuru began to bite her bottom lip. Remembering that Sumi had a week ago asked for Kazuya's contact information right after her modified Birthday Party.

"And?" Chizuru asked and Kazuya again took a small sip of his Soda.

"She...She asked me to go...Out. On a Date." Kazuya reluctantly said and Chizuru forced herself to not react negatively. Or show how much she did not like the idea of Kazuya going out with Sumi.

"And?" Chizuru asked again now feeling a little worried that perhaps Sumi was finally making her move. Oh, she knew all about how Sumi had developed a crush on Kazuya and even knew that Sumi wanted to actually date him. Become his Girlfriend. But she never thought that the shy and timid girl would be able to ask him out so soon.

"It took a lot of...Well gumption and courage for her to ask me. So, I am unsure of whether I should or not. That is actually why I told you. Do you think I should go out with her?" Kazuya asked her and Chizuru was torn. She agreed with him on how it had taken a lot of gumption and courage for Sumi to come out and ask him out. At the same time though, she really did not like the idea. It worried her. He was already having a hard time discouraging Ruka. She doubted that he would be able discourage Sumi if the shy and timid girl continued to have the same amount of courage and gumption then confess. At that moment she would probably loose Kazuya, forever. As she thought about what to say. Their food arrived. She was saved for the time being while they ate, and it gave her the time to really think about it.

"Do you want to go out with Sumi?" Chizuru asked turning it around on him and she could easily see that he was undecisive.

"I always have fun going out with her on the Practice Dates and she is extremely cute. The problem is...Like with Ruka. I asked Ruka to wait until...Later and Ruka is being patient. Well somewhat." Kazuya said and Chizuru knew why he asked Ruka to wait. It was to wait until she was done with her investigation. That told her if she did decline and decide not to become involved with him. Then he would eventually be with Ruka and she would loose any future chance of being with him. For he probably would never Rent her again. Not being able to at least see him or have him rent her. Made her feel a tightness in her chest and it was not from the spicy Chinese Food.

"Then maybe you should go out with her." Chizuru advised and again she felt the same tightness in her chest. Really worried that Sumi would confess and worried that he would just give up on her. With the dinner date over, Chizuru barely said anything else as they went back to the house. Once there, Kazuya said his goodnights and headed to his room to go to bed. She though went to her room to sulk.

Real Date With Sumi:

It being Tuesday afternoon and basically Chizuru really did not have anything to do. She made the choice to do something she thought she would never do. Oh, Kazuya had done it once and now she believed she had the right to also do it. She decided to be a Stalker and obverse Kazuya's date with Sumi from a discrete distance. While to disguise herself, she wore sunglasses, regular Bluejeans and a black hoodie with the hood up over her head. Then followed both Sumi and Kazuya on their date. Near their destination, she grimaced. "The Aquarium. That is where he took me on our first date." She muttered disapprovingly as she after a minute or so followed them inside. She had no idea why it irked her that Kazuya had brought Sumi to the Aquarium. But it did. She felt like this was somewhere that belonged only to them. Her and Kazuya. For him to bring someone else made her also feel betrayed. While they toured the Aquarium, she spent the time fuming with a little jealousy.

Their next port of call on the date, Kazuya took Sumi to a Street that during nicer weather had outside Merchandise Stalls. "Oh so you bring Sumi to this...But not me." Chizuru said softly in frustration and was now upset over a totally different reason. She watched them from behind an Advertisement Sign and after they moved onward to several Stalls away. She began to move to follow them. That is until she nearly bumped into someone who after a moment identified her.

"Chizuru...Is that you?" Mimi asked a little loudly and then took a hard long look at Chizuru who eased the Sunglasses down.

"Yeah...Not so loud." Chizuru said and Mimi looked at her oddly then noticed Kazuya walking away with Sumi.

"Wait...Are you...You are...You are stalking Master?" Mimi said then gestured to the other Girl that was with Kazuya. "While he is on a date with...Sumi?" She asked and Chizuru blushed with guilt.

"I am not so much Stalking them." Chizuru said feeling her cheeks begin to feel a little warm.

"That is not what it looks like to me." Mimi said accusingly and tried to suppress from laughing hysterically.

"Well, I am not. I just want to make sure...Due to that this is a real date that Kazuya behaves himself." Chizuru said and knew Mimi did not believe that.

"Sure, you are. I am betting that you are worried that Sumi and Master might become a couple. Right?" Mimi asked and Chizuru frowned at her and was about to deny it. "Come on Chizuru...I know jealousy when I see it. Why not admit it...You don't like it that Master is out with Sumi on a date." Chizuru inhaled softly and then slowly nodded.

"Okay...I do not like it. I do not like it that Kazuya is out with Sumi. Happy?" Chizuru asked and then glanced to where Kazuya and Sumi were walking towards the last few Stalls. Mimi chuckled.

"Actually I am. It tells me that you might be getting to the end of your so-called Investigation. If you can feel jealous, that means you feel something for Master." Mimi said and then started to walk away. While Chizuru tried to deny what Mimi had just said. An hour later as she watched from around the corner of a Building. Kazuya's and Sumi's date ended. She sighed with relief when he did not kiss Sumi and Sumi did not try to get Kazuya to kiss her. Almost running back home, Chizuru barely made it in time to change her clothes and to pretend to be sitting at the Low Table reading a book. When Kazuya came back.

"Oh, hi Chizuru." Kazuya said as he came in and Chizuru looked over at him nonchalantly.

"Hello Kazuya." Chizuru said back and then returned to pretending to be reading her book. Noticing that she had it upside down, she secretly turned it around. When he bent over to take off his Sneakers. She was dying to ask him about his date with Sumi, though she already knew what they had done. Still she wanted to know from him what he thought about the date. He came over and sat down across from her. After several moments her need to know overweighted her wanting him to think that she had any real interest in his date. "So, how did you date with Sumi go?" She asked setting down her book that she had not even read one word of.

"It went well enough." Kazuya said and then noticed Chizuru's scowl. He let out a long sigh. "But I believe you already know that." Her eyes widened and she stared at him in shock.

"What...What do you mean?" Chizuru asked inwardly panicking and wondering if he had seen her Stalking them. He smiled and shook his head.

"Sumi saw you after we left the Aquarium...When she saw you again...She told me." Kazuya told her and Chizuru blushed a bright shade of red. Valiantly trying to think of an excuse why she was there and why she was following them. He held his right hand up towards her. "I know you probably went to make sure I did not do anything sorted with Sumi. You were just worried about your friend." He said though he no way believed that at all. He found it interesting that she not only disguised herself, but followed them on their date.

"Yes...Yes that was what I did. Sumi is so innocent and shy...I was worried you might try something." Chizuru said quickly and then used her book to block him from seeing how embarrassed she was.

"You do know I have gone out with her three times already and not once did I do anything." Kazuya told her and Chizuru blushed an even more shade of red.

"I know." Chizuru let out a deep sighing breath. "Okay the truth is...I was...Concerned. I was concerned that...Maybe you and her...Might..." She hid herself even more behind the book and did not make eye contact with him. Feeling so embarrassed that she wanted to die.

"Might...What?" Kazuya asked and found himself enjoying this. It was a side of Chizuru he had never seen before.

"GET TO TOGETHER! That she might confess and then you...Then you would forget about your promise to wait." Chizuru said in desperation and Kazuya started laughing. "IT IS NOT FUNNY!" She slammed the book down and she glared at him while he tried not to continue laughing. After a moment he forced himself not to laugh or even smile.

"It sort of is. You stalked us. You put on a disguise and stalked us and it was not to make sure that I did not do something sorted with Sumi. I find that very interesting." Kazuya said and then worried that Chizuru might either throw the book at him or smack him for making fun of her.

"Kazuya...Don't...Don't go out with Sumi again. I did not...Like it and...And I really don't...Just don't go out with her again." Chizuru said softly and Kazuya stared at her with his heart pounding heavily in his chest. Never expecting her to say something like that. Still he wanted to tease her a little more.

"Why not? I mean you say you did not like it. But you are still investigating. Until you are done. Why can't I go out with Sumi?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru closed her eyes.

"I know I am asking a lot and I know it would probably upset Sumi." Chizuru put her right hand over her heart. "It hurts...To know and see you going out with Sumi or anyone else. I don't...I can't...I...I...I have no idea what I am supposed to say or do...But I do not want...You to go out with anyone else...Only me." Her voice was low and Kazuya could hear how upset she was. He smiled and then moved over to sit next to her. She opened her eyes but did not look at him as she lowered her gaze down at the table.

"Does this mean your Investigation is over?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru could hear the hope in his tone. She took a deep inhaled breath and then nodded.

"In a way yes. I...I want to...Date you Kazuya. That we go out and...Be a couple." Chizuru was almost forcing herself and at the same time. She felt the tightness in her chest ebbing away and her heart began to pound hard in her chest. She took several deep breaths calming herself and then looked over at him. "I am not saying I...I love you yet Kazuya. But in time I believe I will." He smiled broadly.

"Works for me. As long as I can...You are my Girlfriend now...Right?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru smiled back at him.

"Yes and you are my Boyfriend." Chizuru then stopped smiling. "Though as you probably deduced...I am the jealous type. So it is me and only me. I do not want to share you with anyone else." She told him, slowly moving closer. He at first hesitated and leaned a little towards her. She then lightly kissed him and relished in the touch of his lips against hers. Feeling her heart really pound harder in her chest. Parting she smiled again.

"Even if you can't say it back yet. I am in love with you Chizuru." Kazuya said and kissed her again. During Chizuru wanted to say it, but found she just couldn't. But she suspected that he knew she did and that was enough for him.

End?