Rent a Girlfriend: The Crucial Date That was Not Done (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
Umi Nakano
Before:
"You will have to be the one to invite her. If I do it...Then she might not come." Umi said with a small smile and Shiori let out a small sigh.
"I do not know. I mean...I agree that she has been working really hard and I also agree that she needs to have some fun. But if this is her only day off in the past couple of weeks. Maybe she already has plans." Shiori said not quite convinced that they should trick Chizuru into meeting them.
"All you have to do is send her a text telling her that the Director has decided to have a Cast meeting today. Once she is here...I am sure we can convince her to hang out with all of us and have some much-needed time off." Umi said and a couple of the others that had come also agreed with his idea and asked Shiori to send the text. So reluctantly Shiori sent the text. He smiled coyly when Chizuru replied that she would be there as soon as she could.
"I just hope she doesn't have any important plans today." Shiori said almost suspecting that Chizuru did.
First Real Date: Which Almost Wasn't
It was the 17th and Chizuru was in her room getting ready for her real date with Kazuya. She hoped that the date would aid her in completing her investigation. That was one of the reasons she agreed to go out with him. "This might be the last chance." She muttered thinking about the fact that he was moving out tomorrow. Mimi had already moved out yesterday. So, soon he would as well. She had decided to dress moderately. Nothing too fancy or flashy. So, she would not be the center of attraction from others. She smiled. "To think I am actually looking forward to going out with Kazuya." She said as she finished putting on the last of her make-up. Just as she was about to go out to meet him in the living room. She got a text. Reading it she let out a long sigh. It was Shiori and she informed her that there was a Cast Meeting set for today and it was for as soon as everyone could arrive. It was short notice but also crucial. With another long sigh, she went to tell Kazuya.
"If it is that crucial...Then you have to go." Kazuya said and tried to smile. But even as he tried all he could think about was this was his last chance to convince Chizuru to be his real girlfriend and now that chance was gone.
"I am sorry Kazuya. I promise that sometime later on some other day...That we will go on...This date." Chizuru said and then noticed Kazuya's expression. He gave a soft chuckle as he shook his head.
"You better get going then. You don't want to be late for your Cast Meeting." Kazuya said evenly and then went towards his room. Chizuru frowned.
"We will go on that date Kazuya. I promise." Chizuru said more firmly than she intended, and Kazuya simply shrugged as he neared his door.
"Sure. Later. Some other day." Kazuya said and Chizuru could tell from his tone he did not really believe her. Before she could say anything else, he entered his room and shut the door. In his room, he slumped on his bed and had an urge to cry. He had this feeling that there would not be another date. That this had been his only and one chance to somehow convince Chizuru to be his real Girlfriend. That in the end, she would conclude her investigation and decide that he was nowhere good enough for her. Or that she really did not feel the same as he did for her. "I was so looking forward to today." He muttered as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. He had not slept much last night in anticipation of today's date with her.
Taking a Taxi, Chizuru arrived at the Cafe where the Cast Meeting was supposed to be held. Still, she felt a little guilty over prioritizing the meeting over going out with Kazuya and vowed to make it up to him no matter what it took. "Only problem is...When can I make up that date?" She muttered to herself thinking over her schedule and his for this next week or so. She had several rehearsals, along with a couple of Auditions this week and of course School. All that would take up most of her time. She wanted to have a date where they would spend a good five or six hours together and right now, she did not have more than two hours of actual free time during the day. Other than after six or seven at night. Which would not work with them both having classes during the day. Walking into the Cafe she spotted Shiori and Umi and a few others from the Play waiting at one of the tables. Though there was no sign of the Director. At that moment she suspected something was wrong as she neared them.
Fuming Chizuru glared at first Shiori and then over at Umi. Right after Shiori admitted that they had asked her there under false pretenses. That there was no Cast Meeting. She suspected that Umi was behind it all. Suspecting that he knew that she would never come if it was him who invited her. Especially when he knew that she was going to go on a date with Kazuya. "I am leaving. Do not ever do something like this again." She announced as she stood. Purposely glaring at Umi to make sure he understood clearly.
"We only tricked you so that you could have some fun. You work all the time and we all thought that it would be nice to relax and have some fun." Umi said as he tried to ignore the glare Chizuru was giving him. Hoping to charm or convince her into going along with the idea.
"Well, you are wrong. I am so annoyed and angry right now. Do you even know what this...What you have done? I had to cancel my date...A very important date. One that I was looking forward to so much and now...Like I said do not ever do something like this ever again!" Chizuru stated angrily and left not wanting to even listen as Umi tried to say anything else unimportant. Outside, she hailed a Taxi and asked the driver to possibly get to her house as soon as possible. Offering a large tip.
In his room, Kazuya slept not so soundly or restfully. Because he had not slept much last night, he dozed off when he laid down to mourn over the fact that his one chance to convince Chizuru to be his Girlfriend was now gone. He knew that. He had known that the moment he had asked her to go on a real date with him. She had even suggested that when she mentioned that she would be using the date as a means to make her decision in her investigation. He also knew that after today his chances were actually slim to none that he probably would never actually see her again in this context. Especially since she had decided to remain in the house and not return to her Apartment. Tears ran down his face as he slept. He did not even hear when someone knocked lightly on his door or when it opened a few moments later.
Returning back at the house, Chizuru was fuming over being tricked by Umi into cancelling her date with Kazuya. She was so angry at the time, she almost told Umi to never talk to her again. This date was something she had been looking forward to and more importantly it was going to help her make her decision about her investigation. She let out a long sigh as she opened the front door. "Haven't I already made my decision." She muttered to herself letting out another sigh as she looked over at what was Kazuya's room until tomorrow. She closed her eyes. "It is time to...I am done with this farce." She stated firmly and walked towards the door and lightly knocked on it. When she heard no answer, she eased it open and peered inside to see Kazuya sleeping on his Bed. Almost tripping on a packed bag, she noticed that most of his possessions were all packed and ready for him to move out. That sight saddened her. She did not want him to move out. She smiled coyly. "After today...You are not going anywhere." She declared sternly as she reached out gently to touch his shoulder. It was time for her to be bold and there was nothing going to stop her now.
Blinking his eyes, it took Kazuya several moments for his eyes to focus on the one that just woke him up. "Oh, your back. What time is it? Have I been asleep the whole time you were gone? You said you would be gone for about six or seven hours." He asked sitting up and Chizuru shook her head.
"No. It only has been about an hour. Can you join me in the other room. There is something I want to talk to you about." Chizuru said turning and left the room. Kazuya let out a long-exhaled sigh. He already knew what she wanted to talk to him about. It was about tomorrow, when he would be leaving.
Turning Point:
Reluctantly Kazuya sat down where Chizuru indicated and what surprised him was, she then sat down right next to him. To him this was an unusual situation that made him even more nervous than he had been before. He suspected it was her last time of being considerate and nice to him. As he waited for her to discuss when he would be moving out tomorrow. He had planned it for when she left to attend her morning Classes. While his own were later in the day. Actually, he only had one and he hoped that it would not take him long to move his things. The only thing that would take him some time was his Two Fishtanks. She took a soft breath and did not look at him. "First, I want to apologize about today. It turned out that there was no Cast Meeting with the Director. It was all a ploy from someone to cancel my date with you. I am sorry."
"It is alright. I sort of knew something like that would happen." Kazuya said evenly already suspecting who that someone was. Knowing it had to be Umi. No one else was so adamant about him not being with Chizuru.
"No. It is not alright, and I am sorry about cancelling our date. I want you to know I was looking forward to us going out and we will go out soon." Chizuru said sternly and Kazuya now believed that she fully intended for them going on that date. "But that is not all I want to talk to you about." He let out a low sigh. Waiting for the other shoe to drop with a loud thud. "Kazuya...Do you love me?" She asked softly and just loud enough for him to hear her. He gulped, closed his eyes and nodded.
"Yes." Kazuya replied just as softly and then heard her chuckle.
"Good." Chizuru turned to look at him as he looked at her. She could tell he was not expecting her to say that and she knew he was not expecting for her to say what she was about to say next. "Because...Because I love you too." That floored him as he suddenly began to weave back and forth as if he was about to faint. "Steady there...Let me finish what I need to tell you." She reached out with both of her hands to steady him. She had come this far and she bound and determined to finish. She blushed a bright shade of red and felt just as unsteady as she suspected that Kazuya was. "Kazuya...I do not want to be your Girlfriend." That shocked him and it looked as if he was about to cry. He was completely confused.
"Wait. You just...You said you...You loved me too. I do not understand." Kazuya stammered out and Chizuru smiled at him coyly.
"I do not want to be your Girlfriend. I want...I want you to be...I want to be your Wife. So...Will you marry me Kazuya?" Chizuru asked forcing herself to ask him. Then watched as he fainted.
Kazuya could not fully comprehend what Chizuru just asked him. He could not believe what she just asked him. It was too much of a shock to his system. So, his consciousness shut down. He felt the minor bit of pain as his head bounced on the floor and after some moments, he awoke in a confused daze to find that the back of his head was lying on something soft. Then realization dawned on him. "Oh...I am still in that room and what I heard was all a delightful, wonderful dream. It was all my imagination. Nothing more than that." He said and then heard a soft chuckle.
"Nope. Not a dream." Chizuru said and he opened his eyes to look up to see Chizuru. His head in her lap as she smiled down at him. "You know...I am still waiting for your answer." His eyes widened and he blinked a couple of times.
"I might have heard you wrong. Can you repeat...What you asked me?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru chuckled again and shook her head.
"You heard me. I want you to marry me Kazuya. I do not want to date you. Or be your Girlfriend. I am done not...I have been an idiot for so long and I am done. Remember you did once tell me that you wanted to be with me forever. To my understanding that means you want to be my Husband. So, do you want to marry me?" Chizuru asked again and Kazuya once more felt faint. He looked at her to see her blushing a bright shade of red as she waited for his reply.
"YES! OF COURSE!" Kazuya said a little too loudly and Chizuru laughed instead of chuckling. She then leaned down and kissed him. He felt the same jubilation and wonderment from the other times she had kissed him along with once more feeling his heart pound so hard in his chest he feared she would hear it. Parting she smiled as did he.
"When you are able...I have one of those Marriage Registration Forms in my Room. We will fill it out, then take it tomorrow and submit it." Chizuru told him and then noticed his expression. "What? We are doing this now...Not later. I want nothing to stop us, and I do not want to wait anymore. Oh, by the way...You are not moving out. You are staying right here with me. Forever." He sat up and Chizuru went to her room to retrieve the License coming back. She held it out to him and sat once more besides him. Watching as he quickly filled it out. He signed and put his seal on it. She then took it and did the same. She stood and reached down with her right hand. "With that done...There is something else we need to do right now." She helped him up and then led him back to her room.
The Dream or is it a Nightmare:
In the mist of her dreams, Chizuru found herself on the College Campus and before her was herself. But this dream self was different. From what she could tell her Dream Self had an air of sadness and loneliness. Which she found odd. Watching as her dream self-walked with several books within her arms. Keeping herself far from anyone and everyone. When someone accidentally bumped into her, her Dream Self dropped several of her books. Just then someone else approached and Chizuru smiled fondly. It was Kazuya and he began to pick up the books. Then Chizuru saw the expression on the other Chizuru's face and was shocked and confused. "I told you to stay away from me." Her Dream Self stated with a scowl.
"I know. Sorry. All I was doing...I was only going to help you." Kazuya said and held out two of the books towards the Chizuru's Dream. That Chizuru shook her head. Refusing to even take the books from him.
"No one asked you to. Now leave me alone." Chizuru said still scowling and Kazuya set the books down right in front of her. Standing, he let out a sighing breath. "Just stay away from me. I told you I do not have any intention of being with you or being your Girlfriend. It would interfere with my intention of becoming an accomplished actress. That is more important to me than anything and anyone." She stated and Chizuru was seething as she watched a heartbroken Kazuya slowly walk away. What Chizuru wanted to do is grab her Dream Self and beat the living crap out of her.
"You bitch! You Fucking Bitch! Why would you hurt him like that? Do you know how much he loves you? How much I love him?" Chizuru growled angrily and then noticed that the Dream Chizuru was looking up at her. She then realized that the Dream Self could hear her and see her. She also realized that this event could have happened if she had decided not to be in a relationship with Kazuya. To follow her heart and be with the love of her life. "You are an idiot. I pity you. You will never understand how wonderful it is to be in love with him or have him tell me how much he loves me." She took an imaginary breath and shook her head with a small smile. "I pity you. That you will never feel what it feels like to hold him in my arms or have him hold me in his. How wonderful it feels to kiss him and be kissed by him. How wonderful it feels to sleep next to him at night and waking in the morning and having him there besides me. Knowing that he would be there for me when I need him. I completely pity you. For you will never feel the way I do. Then when you do finally realize your mistake, you will have to live with him being with Ruka, Sumi or even Mimi. That you gave away the one person that you would meet in your life that you love more than anything. Even your desire to become an Actress. Though he does support me and wants me to succeed. That is how wonderful he is and...And I just pity you." She turned and left, leaving the dream Chizuru behind. Knowing that she had chosen right path when she allowed herself to fall in love with Kazuya.
Awakening, Chizuru looked over at the other side of the bed. No one was there. She then remembered that it was Kazuya's turn to make breakfast. She could smell the slight aroma of Coffee being brewed and that of bread being toasted. She chuckled lightly. "I wonder what he is making." She muttered already had an idea. Since he only knew how to make three different things. Poached eggs on toast, Poptarts or Eggo Waffles. That was it. "Maybe I should teach him how to make other things." She sat up and reached over to pick up her robe. Right now, she was only wearing her panties and her Pajama Shirt. Standing she put on the robe and went towards the Kitchen. She found Kazuya standing at the stove diligently making Poached Eggs. Moving, she came up behind him and put her arms around him. Turning her head to the left, she hugged him tightly.
"Oh. Good morning Chizuru." Kazuya said knowing who it was and not too alarmed that she did that. "Is there something wrong? You usually don't hug me like this unless there is something on your mind." He asked her and she let out a small sigh.
"Good morning. You think you know me so well, don't you?" Chizuru replied softly and held him tighter. "Just had a weird dream and needed to do this." She explained as she hugged him tightly. He reached over and turned off the stove. He knew there was more to it and if she was hugging him like this. It would not end for a while. He also knew that whatever it was, was more than just a minor thing. Something was upsetting her. She hugged him a lot of times. But not like this, where she just wanted to hold onto him and not really tell him why until she was ready to do so. That was just how she was, and he loved that part of her.
"Well actually I love all parts of her personality and her quirks." Kazuya muttered inaudibly. After a few moments longer, he reached down and tapping her arms. She loosened her grip, and he turned around to face her. Putting his own arms around her as she retightened her own. She placed her head in the center of his chest and let out a long deep sigh of content. She liked to hug him when she was troubled, but she really liked it when he hugged her back. It gave her a sense of comfort. "You ready to tell me what is wrong?" He asked and after a few more moments, she nodded into his chest.
"I dreamed that we...That I lied and told you that after I conducted my investigation. That all a relationship was to me was a distraction from me being an accomplished actress. Telling you to stay away from me. Then I was really cruel to you when we saw each other on campus." Chizuru told him and small tears began to form in her eyes. He noticed.
"Hey, it was just a dream. You did not do that. You admitted you had fallen in love with me and wanted to be together." Kazuya said reassuringly and Chizuru held onto him tighter.
"Yes, and I am so happy I did. But at the time, I was actually considering going that route and that is what really upsets me." Chizuru said thinking that the dream was like an omen. If she had chosen wrongly, she knew she would have been just like that Dream Self. A bitter and miserable wretch. She still wished she could have at least punched that Dream Self for hurting her Kazuya. "You are mine. My Kazuya." She whispered then frowned slightly. True, right now he was hers. But that could change if she was not careful. Ruka, Sumi and even Mimi all admitted they had feelings for him. They could continue try to take him away from her. So, she needed a way to make sure that did not happen. She smiled coyly when an idea came to her. Loosening her hold, she looked up at him. "Kazuya...I love you so much and I want to be with you forever." He smiled down at her.
"I love you just as much and I feel the same. I want to be with you forever." Kazuya told her back and she leaned upwards slightly to kiss him. Parting, after a few moments and she again smiled.
"We once talked about...After we graduate and if we are still together. That...That we would get married. I do not want to wait that long." Chizuru stared intently at him. "Kazuya...I want...I want to marry you now. Not later. But now. Right now. Today. I want to fill out the Marriage License today." She informed him and Kazuya felt faint. He smiled broadly and nodded enthusiastically. With that as an answer, she could not take it anymore. With breakfast now essentially forgotten. She stepped back a few paces, she reached down and clasped both of his hands in hers then proceeded to pull him back towards the bedroom. She wanted sex and she wanted it now. A sort of precursor and delay from them going to the College Legal Office to fill out the Marriage License.
What Comes Next:
Walking together, while holding hands with their fingers interlaced together. Chizuru and Kazuya made their way to the Legal Office on Campus. Years ago, the College had the idea to put a Legal Office on Campus to help with any legal affairs that the Students might have. Mainly it dealt with minor legal issues. Such as if a student needed a new ID or if a student was cited for various reasons. Though it also dealt with any students that decided to get married. Since it was on Campus, most of the part-time staff comprised of any of the Students that attended College to become Lawyers or were interested in the Law itself. Arriving they found the License with the other Legal Documents and Chizuru began to fill in her information. She then stamped and signed it. After she was done, she handed it to Kazuya to do the same. All in all, it only took them ten minutes to complete the form, have it notarized. Out of the three copies, one was filed, one was sent to the Main Office of the Government Legal Office and they had one for them. Now it was on to their next destination. While their time in the bedroom, Chizuru demanded that as soon as possible she wanted a Wedding Ring and Kazuya to have one as well. So, they were now heading towards a local Jewler in hopes to find two affordable Wedding Rings.
"I want these." Chizuru announced pointing at a set of Silver Wedding Rings that were being sold for just over Forty thousand Yen.
"How about the gold ones over here. Yes, they are more expensive...But they are gold. Most newlywed Couples prefer Gold Rings over Silver." The Saleswoman suggested and Chizuru shook her head.
"No. I want these." Chizuru stated and the Saleswoman gave up on trying to convince her otherwise. Taking out the rings the older woman checked the size.
"These might be a little too tight for you. If you would like and can give us an hour, I can have them resized to fit both your finger and your husbands." The Saleswoman said and Chizuru smiled warmly. Feeling a wave of happiness flow through her. Really liking hearing someone else refer Kazuya as her husband.
"Thank you. We would appreciate that." Chizuru said then after the Saleswoman measured both her and Kazuya's ring finger. "How about we go get something to eat nearby." She suggested to him, and he nodded. Once outside, he turned towards her.
"Are you sure that the Silver ones are, okay? I know I already said that you can pick them out...But I can afford the Gold ones if you want them instead." Kazuya asked as they walked towards a Diner. She smiled at him.
"They will do for now. I just want a wedding Ring. Something that signifies that we are married. Later when we can afford something better...Then we will get better ones." Chizuru informed him and then let out a small sigh. "Besides we have to be a little thrifty right now...Since I am going to quit being a Rental Girlfriend and will need to find another job that has a flexible schedule."
"Why not come work at the Karaoke Cafe? The Boss is always looking for Hostesses." Kazuya suggested as they entered the Diner. They had a whole hour to kill so they decided to sit and eat rather than do take out. What they did not know was the Saleswoman at the Jewelry Store already had a set of rings that were their size.
Once the Newlywed Couple left, the Saleswoman went into the back room. Opening a drawer of one of the File Cabinets. She picked out two identical Silver Rings that were premade and pre-sized already. From the over fifty or so others that were the same as the two at the display case. The Woman, smiled. Each pair sold for forty thousand Yen and the store basically made about Ten thousand Yen from the sale of each set. Her commission was about Five Thousand Yen. Not bad for about ten minutes of work. The Store sold about Fifteen to Twenty sets each week. "Ah, Young Love." She muttered as she took the rings out to the Counter to await the Newlywed Couple to come back.
With a ring now on her left ring finger and one now on her husbands, Chizuru walked along holding his left hand with her fingers intertwined with his. As they walked, she could not help but admire the silver ring on her finger. She smiled as she looked at it. "Got to remember to go tell Grandma, Grandpa and Mom. Maybe even introduce Kazuya to them." She muttered inaudibly. Wanting to go to their Graves soon to let them know. "Oh, by the way Kazuya. We really should go tell your family about us getting married." She told him and Kazuya winced.
"Do we have too? We could just send a text or something." Kazuya suggested and Chizuru chuckled while shaking her head.
"No. We have to go tell them." Chizuru stated and Kazuya let out loud sigh.
"Grans is going to punish me for not telling her sooner. Like the minute we filled out the form or the second right after you proposed." Kazuya said and Chizuru chuckled again.
"I'm sure she will. So, we better go there now and let them know. The sooner the better. Right?" Chizuru said as they headed for the nearest train station. It was time for her to meet her new Grandmother, Mother and Father.
The End?
