Rent a Girlfriend Fanfic: Stepping Out of the Shadows Part II
Chapter 13:
Friday, May 3rd
Kazuya's flat was bathed in the soothing glow of the television, its quiet hum creating a pleasant mood. As he sat on the couch with the remote in one hand and a bowl of snacks on the coffee table, a blue light flashed across his face.
A faint chime reverberated through the room, announcing an incoming message on his phone, just as he was preparing to watch the latest episode of his favourite show. The unexpected interruption piqued his interest, and with a nonchalant flick of his wrist, he unlocked his phone to check who had contacted him.
To his surprise, the sender's name read "Ruka." Kazuya's brows furrowed slightly. It had been a while since they last communicated, a departure from the usual barrage of messages he would receive from her. The irregularity of the situation made him wonder what the reason for her sudden silence could be and now, her unexpected message.
"I totally forgot about her."
He opened the message with a touch, his eyes skimming the words. "Can we meet up soon? I'd like to have a proper conversation." The request's simplicity piqued his interest.
"A proper talk?" he asked himself, trying to comprehend the hidden meaning beneath those words.
A cascade of thoughts raced through Kazuya's mind.
"Was Ruka bothered by something?" "Had she made the decision to move on?"
"Only one way to find out."
Saturday, May 4th
Ruka and Kazuya were sat in a nice booth at their neighbourhood Burger King, a restaurant recognized for its distinctive red and blue colour scheme. The fluorescent lights above illuminated the plastic menus on the tables, which displayed a variety of conventional fast-food options.
The booth's maroon vinyl seats created a comfortable but simple environment, with the table between them littered with the remains of earlier meals - a lost ketchup packet, a crumpled napkin, and a throwaway cup imprinted with the Burger King emblem.
The atmosphere was a combination of rush and bustle, with customers queuing at the counter to place their orders. The aroma of flame-grilled burgers mixed with the aroma of freshly cooked fries floated through the air.
A wall-mounted menu across from Ruka and Kazuya offered vibrant graphics of Whoppers, Chicken Fries, and the trademark flame-grilled patties that had made Burger King a lasting fast-food staple. The surrounding customer banter, the beeping of the order number display, and the odd clatter of trays all contributed to the establishment's vibrant air.
As they waited for their orders, Ruka fidgeted slightly in her seat, her gaze flitting between Kazuya and the menu overhead. The cashier called their numbers, and trays with burgers and fries, they settled into the booth.
Ruka took a sip of her soda, her eyes meeting Kazuya's. A moment of silence hung between them before she mustered the courage to broach a delicate topic. "Kazuya-kun," she began, her voice almost drowned in the ambient noise, "there's something I need to share with you."
Kazuya, a fry halfway to his mouth, looked at her curiously. "Sure, Ruka-chan. What is up?"
Ruka inhaled deeply, her fingers traced the condensation on her soda cup. "I have this heart condition," she admitted, carefully picking her words. "My heart rate is usually below average, and it's tough for me to get excited about things."
"I also must be mindful of things that could cause my heart to race. If I become too thrilled, I might pass out."
Kazuya, attentive, set his fry back on the tray. "Wow, I had no idea. That sounds serious."
"It is," Ruka said, nodding. "But here's the catch. Despite this, you were the only one who could ever increase my heartbeat."
Kazuya's forehead furrowed in surprise. "Me? "How is that possible?"
Ruka laughed nervously. "I'm not sure. It is simply... something occurs when I am near you. My heart has a different reaction. You seem to be the exception to the rule."
Kazuya leaned back in his seat as he processed the startling revelation. "That's... kind of incredible, actually."
"Because of this I thought you were the special one for me. The one who I love. For me it just made sense. It made sense that the guy I love, is the only one who could raise my heartbeat."
"You were the one who made my heartbeat faster. So, I did not want to risk losing you, the one I thought I love. I did everything I could to win you over, even if it meant occasionally going beyond."
"I knew you loved Chizuru, but I wanted to split you guys and take you for myself. I wanted to be the one you loved. I felt envious and enraged at Chizuru. She had everything I was looking for."
"What irritated me the most was that you two never became a couple. I know I should be happy back then that I still had a chance. But sometimes that chance gave me unnecessary hope. I knew deep down that I could not steal you from Chizuru, but I still wanted to give it my all. It would be far more painful to let go of the boy I loved without a fight."
"Ruka... I knew you were obsessed with me, but I had no idea why. I finally get it now." Kazuya stated.
"Did you, by the way, have the opportunity to speak with Chizuru? You wanted to find some answers for yourself, didn't you?" Kazuya inquired.
Ruka shook her head. "No, Kazuya-kun. I thought about it, and it simply did not feel right. In addition, I wanted to speak with you about something else."
Kazuya leaned in slightly, curious. "What is it?"
Ruka exhaled deeply before proceeding. "I ran into someone. Someone I genuinely like. He rescued me, and my heartbeat was faster than you ever made it."
"It may appear ridiculous that I want to be with someone if that person can raise my heartbeat, but I wanted to give it a shot." I wanted to know whether I truly loved someone if they could elevate my heartbeat in the same way that I loved you."
Kazuya, genuinely happy for her, smiled. "That's great, Ruka-chan! Tell me more about him."
Ruka's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she described her new boyfriend. "He's amazing, Kazuya-kun. We started dating pretty quickly after that. I even went to your old apartment to share the news, but you weren't home."
Kazuya, though a bit surprised, grinned. "I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy."
Ruka's gaze softened. "Thank you, Kazuya-kun. That is why I wanted to meet today. It is time we officially end our trial relationship. I hope you understand."
Kazuya nodded, clearly pleased for her. "Of course," Ruka-chan says. I'm delighted everything is working well for you."
The Burger King buzzed with energy as they continued to talk about Ruka's new connection. The atmosphere, which had been heavy with uncertainty, turned into a lighter, more comfortable setting as two individuals who had been connected in an unusual way navigated a new chapter—this time, as friends.
As they continued chatting, Ruka asked about Chizuru. Kazuya, with a mixture of hesitation and sincerity, explained the recent events.
Ruka, reacting with surprise, said, "Wow, Kazuya, that's a lot to take in. No matter who you end up dating, I just want you to be happy."
"Yeah I'm still not sure what to do, but I know I will find my answers soon enough."
Sunday, May 5th
In Chizuru's residence, the soft glow of lamps creates a warm environment, creating a cosy setting. Chizuru, ever the polite hostess, poured tea for herself as well as Sumi, who was sitting comfortably on the couch.
"Sumi, I have some good news and some bad news to share with you," Chizuru said softly. Which do you want to hear first?"
Sumi responded calmly, "Let's start with the bad news."
Chizuru took a deep breath. "I've decided to stop being a rental girlfriend."
Sumi's eyebrows raised in gentle surprise. "May I ask why?"
Chizuru hesitated for a moment, then explained, "It's because of what happened to Kazuya. After seeing the impact on him, I could not continue. I don't want my clients to suffer the same way."
Sumi, understanding the gravity of Chizuru's decision, nodded solemnly.
Chizuru continued, "And, well, the good news is, I've thought a lot about the whole situation with Kazuya-kun. I decided to give it a genuine try, you know, dating him for real."
A cosy smile spread across Sumi's face. "It's fantastic, Chizuru. I am delighted for you. What was said by Kazuya-kun?
Chizuru's eyes glimmered with a mixture of excitement and doubt. "He said he doesn't know about the dating part right now, but he's okay with going on a date with me."
Sumi was as happy as Chizuru was. "Chizuru, that's a start. You will work things out, I am sure. Sometimes that's all you need, even though it's a small step."
Chizuru gave a grateful nod. The two carried on talking, exploring a range of subjects, with the tea serving as a solace for their exchanges. Chizuru could not help but feel hopeful as Sumi finally left, knowing that she was making an effort to make amends with Kazuya in her own unique way.
Monday, May 6th
The sound of exercise machine whirs and clinks filled the well-lit gym as Kazuya and Akane, both in athletic attire, worked themselves into a sweat. With perspiration dripping from his brow, Kazuya had just completed a set of bicep curls and was clearly in need of a well-earned rest.
They both took a seat on the chilly gym floor to catch their breath. Akane paused to evaluate Kazuya's development. Abruptly, she extended her hand and took his arm, her fingertips following the curves of his muscles.
Confused, Kazuya asked, "Hey, what's the deal?"
"Your first vein, Kazuya-kun!" beaming with enthusiasm, Akane's eyes brightened up. You are really coming along. Think of this as a significant accomplishment."
Perking up at the praise, Kazuya grinned and spontaneously pulled Akane into a hug. "Thanks, Akane. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
"It is nothing. I enjoy spending time with you, Kazuya," Akane grinned, brushing aside the praise.
She leaned back and asked, "Hey, are you free this Saturday, May 11th?" before changing gears.
Ever the adventurer, Kazuya happily exclaimed, "Yeah, I'm free! What is going on?"
Akane suggested, "How about watching me in my upcoming tournament?" with a cunning smile.
Eager and intrigued, Kazuya nodded vigorously. "That sounds awesome! I'd love to."
Akane, trying to downplay the significance, said, "Well, it's just a small thing. Don't expect too much."
Kazuya, genuinely impressed, countered, "Are you kidding? Participating in a tournament is incredible!"
Seizing the moment, Akane asked, "Would you mind being in my corner, sort of like a coach?"
Thrilled at the idea, Kazuya agreed wholeheartedly. As they shared a few more jokes, laughter echoed through the gym. However, Akane, ever the dedicated athlete, rose from the floor. "Already?" Kazuya exclaimed.
Akane chuckled, "The training never stops. You ready for more?"
Kazuya, still recovering from laughter, nodded determinedly, "Let's do this!"
The faint illumination of the TV created an ominous atmosphere in Akane's living room, where Kazuya and Akane were watching a horror film. The suspenseful soundtrack, the cracking of the floorboards in the picture, and the characters' screams produced a tense environment.
The eerie silence was broken as Kazuya's phone vibrated. Akane, ever interested, leaned over to have a better look at the television. The message was from Chizuru, much to her astonishment.
Akane saw Kazuya's response as he read the message. Chizuru proposed a date of next Sunday, May 12th, 2019, with a shroud of uncertainty surrounding the proposal. Kazuya questioned about the facts while maintaining a neutral expression, but Chizuru insisted on keeping it a secret. He agreed and closed his phone without saying much.
Akane, noticing an unusual lack of enthusiasm, could not help but wonder about Kazuya's emotions. It was a break from the normal eagerness he displayed for a date.
Resuming their movie, Akane realized that she needed to make her own moves.
"I know I said I wanted to go all in after the tournament, but the two of us are here together." This is the ideal time to get closer to him."
Casually scooting closer to Kazuya, she leaned her head on his shoulder and gently grasped his arm.