A/N: Wishing to keep this story framed in reality everything I describe Kazuya can do as a rental is true for rental boyfriends in Japan. I have left sources at the bottom of the chapter.
Chapter Two: What Exactly Can You Rent?
Kazuya smiled as he shook his head looking down and laughed just a little.
"What's so funny?" Mizuhara asked a little bewildered.
"As nice as that sounds I'm not allowed to do that," Kazuya said with a small smile.
"What? Why not?" Mizuhara asked a little confused.
Rolling his eyes Kazuya said, "Article 3(C) of the Sapphire Agreement states, 'Demanding that our talents accompany the user to their workplace, their residence, or other private spaces is strictly forbidden' so I can't do that...nor should you ask it."
Taken a little aback Mizuhara said,"W-what? Listen, I know that your agreement states that...I re-read it... However, you're not on the clock, you're not my 'boyfriend' right now. You're simply, what did you call it? You're just my 'ticket to get inside' from a cold night. Is that right? If so shouldn't that rule no longer apply? Shouldn't no rule apply?"
Kazuya smiled a little and said, "That's true. However, my own set of rules don't allow me to interact with clients, be they past or present, while not working. I am aware I am breaking my own rules, but I couldn't let you stay locked out after today's events."
Bowing a little Kazuya turned to head down the path towards the stairs to the third floor when Mizuhara dashed after him.
"Wait! What about hospitality? I am trying to show appreciation. You were nice to me, you went above and beyond. I know you're not 'my boyfriend' now, but isn't dishonorable to turn aside this kind of gesture? Isn't conducting yourself with 'Behavior becoming of a gentleman at all times', as it states you must in Article 4(A), for how a talent is supposed to act being violated?" Mizuhara asked as she kind of laughed.
Kazuya stopped in his tracks and without turning around asked, "Just what exactly are you studying? What's your major? If it isn't legal work it should be, you'd make a good lawyer."
Smiling Mizuhara said, "How about we go the Donny's? Surely going there is okay...come on out and I'll tell you what I'm studying."
Turning around Kazuya said that would be acceptable and he'd meet her downstairs in a minute.
Mizuhara waited at the bottom of the stairs as Kazuya returned wearing his beret with his hair tousled, in his jeans jacket, and carrying a backpack. With a nod from Kazuya the two set off along the path from the apartment building into town. Inside Donny's the two sat and Kazuya kept his beret on as the two ordered tea. Kazuya rubbed his eyes saying allergies were getting to him and can't wait until fall really kills off pollen.
"Aren't you worried rubbing your eyes like that could affect your contact lenses? I have some eye drops if you'd like some," Mizuhara said as she opened her purse.
"Thank you, but I don't wear contact lenses," Kazuya said smiling as he took the eye drops.
Mizuhara looked at him confused and said,"But you're not wearing your glasses from earlier-"
Kazuya smiled as he took out his glasses from his backpack and handed them to her and said her to look through them.
Mizuhara looked him strangely, took off her glasses before putting his on, and looked shocked.
"They're fake. Why would you wear these?" Mizuhara asked realizing the answer.
"They're not 'fake', they're 'costume glasses'...they're just for when I am that boyfriend. You just didn't notice I took them off when we arrived at the hospital or you assumed I didn't need them since we weren't viewing paintings up close."
Mizuhara rolled her eyes, "So even what you wear is fake too huh? Why do you have them with you?"
Rolling his eyes Kazuya said, "Taking them with me is force of habit, you never know when you may get an offer of a short-notice date. Short-notice dates carry a premium and earn you extra if you accept. I have to be ready to switch into any persona...I carry a change or two of clothing with me at all times. I just have to hope to have the clothing for 'that Kazuya' with me. ."
"I see...just who exactly is 'the real Kazuya'?" Mizuhara asked
Kazuya smiled and said, "I ask myself the same question sometimes."
Mizuhara rolled her eyes and said, "I'm hungry. I never got a chance to have any dinner. I'm gonna get some toast and eggs...would you like something?"
Kazuya said he would love to get some tortillas and salsa, but made sure to note they need to get two checks. Mizuhara looked at him saying again his professional side was really antagonizing.
Kazuya laughed a little and said,"So what are you studying?"
"Business management with a minor in marketing and promotions. I want to learn how to conduct a business and promote it with advertising. What about you?"
Their food arrived and Mizuhara happily ate feeling the evening's earlier disaster averted and her apartment being unlocked.
"Me? Drama and theater. I want to be an actor. I know many do & competition is fierce, most don't make it, but I love it. I acted in high school plays, usually got the lead role, and I want to do it professionally. A recruiter from a prestigious school for acting even approached me my senior year, told me of a moderately sized scholarship program, but my family can't afford the difference. They made me a deal: If I can save up enough money to split it 50/50 they will send me. I am working some 'specific shifts' at this very Donny's," Kazuya said.
Mizuhara looked strangely at him and said, "I've never seen you here before, not ever. When do you work?"
"I work late at night cleaning up. Actually...that's not true, it's a cover. My friends are both assistant managers here and tell my family I work here as a cover for my work as a rental boyfriend. Speaking of which I need to be very clear about something: No one at our school knows of my profession and I need to keep it that way. Since the odds of us being next door neighbors would be 'anime-grade' I didn't think I'd see you, but living a floor above you was a situation I didn't think would occur, even if a lot more plausible, either. However, I like to keep my 'other life' private. My friends don't even know of my profession. They both think I just tutor privately and they just think I like my family to feel I have steady income," Kazuya said nodding.
"You're not even leading a 'double-life'...you're leading a 'triple-life' and that'd before you even leave your apartment for your cringe-worthy 'profession.' This is all on top of wanting to be an actor? Aren't you worried you'll get lost in all your little disguises, personas, and 'covers'?" Mizuhara asked.
"I told you: I sometimes ask myself who I am at times. I want to act, preferably in television. I figure with all the independently produced stuff, all the streaming services you see on like NETFLIX, hulu, and YouTube, there is a new market for actors. Who knows? If that goes well lead to supporting roles in movies and onto larger parts."
"I see," Mizuhara said with a little nod.
"Yeah. Hey, what did you tell grandmother and my parents once I left?" Kazuya asked with a little apprehension.
"I told them the truth: you needed to leave to console a friend...and I said I'd accompany you. They all applauded 'our dedication to one another'...it's gonna be hard to tell them we suddenly broke up," Mizuhara said looking down.
"I know...I got an email shortly after I left. My parents love you. I told them they were jumping the gun, by a lot, but they see in you a lot of good character...they trust my grandmother's opinion. I'd argue they see more in you than your grandmother sees in me. If she feels something is good it means I am acting well, but my parents liking you? That means you're a better actor than I am since I know you're acting too right? After all if you had feelings for me in any way we'd have a problem."
Kazuya looked Mizuhara straight in the eye and stopped talking.
Mizuhara looked back at him with some degree of anger and said, "I have no feelings for you."
Kazuya nodded a little, looked both ways and then straight into Mizuhara's eyes as he said, "So...when was it?"
Mizuhara looked at him confused and said, "When was what?"
Kazuya looked at her harder and asked, "It. When was it?"
Mizuhara looked back at him incredulously and asked,"When was what? I'm not sure what you mean?"
Kazuya looked at Mizuhara with a softer look and smiled before asking, "When did your boyfriend leave you?"
Mizuhara got defensive and angrily responded, "What?! What makes you think I had a boyfriend leave me?"
Kazuya looked at her with slightly warmer eyes and said in a friendly voice, "When was it? Come on, you think this is the first time I've encountered someone like you? Sadly I see it more often than I'd like to and that is why there are so many disclaimers and pages to the Sapphire client agreement, they're so many pages I feel vaccines have less. Most people don't read all of them, but claim they have and it gets hard. You get guarded when you're in my line of work. I know it happens in the rental girlfriend industry. I have some industry colleagues and we all know what it is like. I will tell you something: my female colleagues have encountered it from both male and female clients too. Your troubles and feelings are nothing unique, so don't feel too bad, you're not alone. Sadly for us there are things we cannot provide."
Mizuhara lowered her head a little and nodded. Looking up she said, "You see a lot. What exactly can you rent? What exactly can you 'provide'?"
"Well, there are degrees of what 'boyfriends' can offer. You already know about holding hands, but I can offer hugs and hold you in some very platonic ways. Some levels, which take certification, allow for cuddling to a certain degree and even sleeping in one's bed if requested. No sexual contact of course, but for lonely women who feel safe when someone is in their bed they can even pay to have someone hold them in their arms as they sleep. It is meant for comfort and security, peace of mind. It must take place in a hotel or a client's apartment and before you ask I am certified and have explored it, but I don't like it requested."
Mizuhara looked at him and asked the obvious question: "Why?"
"Why don't I like it? Simply put because I see more harm than good. I have found that while it can provide good things like comfort it can also cause confusion and for those on the mend really produce misguided beliefs. I feel I will know your exact frame of mind if you answer my one question: When did your boyfriend leave you?" Kazuya asked again.
"You truly must see this often. Well he left me a little over a week ago. We were together just over a month before he left me. If it were mutual 'break-up' I suppose I would feel differently. It was just so sudden. He wasn't condescending, hurtful, or the like. It was just...one minute we were together and the next he told me he'd met another."
"So? People break up all time. People get dumped too. You're beautiful, you're sweet, you're caring, and you'll surely meet someone else. Why did this one cause you to lash out? What made him so...he was your first wasn't he?"
Mizuhara nodded again and looked down.
Kazuya looked both ways, lifted her chin a little, and let go saying, "You had a piece of toast there. Listen: I am sure this guy made you feel special on some level, but…if he left you for someone else he clearly didn't take the time to get to know you or he was confused...or perhaps had expectations which weren't, and shouldn't have been, met."
"What do you mean?" Mizuhara asked.
"Let's just say I feel you're more 'ladylike' than he'd hoped...and that's a good thing," Kazuya said nodding a little.
Mizuhara smiled and said in a soft voice, "Thank you."
"You're welcome and don't worry about the lock-out service. Consider that a gesture of being a good neighbor...neighbor. On the note of our 'being together' it doesn't have to be immediate, but we do need to 'break up' at some point as our 'relationship' is already in violation of several rules and too close to violation of others. We could just say our schedules are too much in conflict and we realized we were happier as friends or something," Kazuya said.
"I guess," Mizuhara said as she shrugged.
Finished with their meal the two walked back to Mizuhara's door and with a small nod Kauya said goodnight.
Saturday afternoon Kazuya stood by a bench next to a dog run dressed in his "older brother's friend" persona with hair tousled, a green shirt, jeans, and wore a light brown leather jacket. At exactly the specified time a coed in a red school uniform walking a dog came up to him all smiles.
Kazuya looked her over with a huge smile and asked,"Miss Sukurasawa I presume?"
Sumi happily nodded and motioned Kazuya to look at her phone when he saw a message typed: "I'm so happy to meet you. Forgive me, but I can't talk right now! I'm too excited and will stutter."
Kazuya laughed gently and sat down on the bench and patted the space next to him. Sumi sat down besides him with a smile almost shaking with excitement.
Smiling softly Kazuya said, "I won't start our date just yet. Why are you so excited? Surely not for me."
Sumi smiled ear to ear and turned flush as she nodded. Calming a little Sumi motioned for Kazuya to come closer and whispered into his ear. Kazuya smiled widely and laughed a little.
"I'm cuter in person? Well thank you and allow me to say you're more beautiful that I could have imagined," Kazuya sat back up smiling.
Sumi turned the color of the setting sun and said, "T-thank you K-Kazuya-kun. Thank you very much."
Kazuya said in a soft voice almost whispering, "I see that you used a 'free date' voucher due to referring others to join me today. Thank you very much, you honor me for the privilege to be your 'boyfriend.' Shall we be off?"
Sumi motioned to Kazuya to come close once again and Kazuya leaned in to listen finding it cute.
"You want me to pat you on your head? Why?" Kazuya asked while smiling softly.
Once again Sumi blushed and said softly, "You look my childhood crush. We were inseparable and the two of us showed affection for one another by patting each other on the head. I promise I won't request anything else, and I don't know if that violates policies, please don't be angry, and I hope this doesn't feel strange or-"
A moment later Sumi stopped short as Kazuya gently pat her on her head a few times softly saying she was precious. Sumi closed her eyes and smiled softly. After a few moments Kazuya said they needed to start their date. Opening her eyes Sumi smiled, stood up, and led Kazuya from the bench as she took his hand. Feeling Sumi's smile without even glancing towards her Kazuya smiled all the more and interlaced his fingers with hers.
Together they walked with Sumi's dog and spoke about no specific topic. Sumi had seemed to have calmed a lot and spoke about her dog, her studies, her love of humanities along with the music from various eras, doing calligraphy, and more when she's not in class. Kazuya noticed she was actually just below "chatty" in levels of being talkative. Sumi's dog loved Kazuya and she offered to let him walk him for a little while. Stopping at the other end of the park they got ice cream and Sumi smiled widely and blushed as red as the setting sun once again as she was offered to share some of Kazuya's ice cream. Sumi smiled saying she has to have mint chocolate chip next time. Kazuya said he likes this vendor as he has great ice cream and said her cookie dough was great. Walking back to the bench where they met Kazuya's phone vibrated indicating time was up.
Kazuya bowed and said,"It was a pleasure to enjoy time with you today. I hope to see you again in the future."
Sumi bowed and suddenly got a little flush as she said softly, "It was really quite special to me. Thanks...thanks again…and please call me 'Sumi'."
Smiling Kazuya switched out of his "boyfriend mode", turned to her, and said, "I'm nothing special, but you truly are. I would love to tell you what reviews from other Sapphires say about you. I'm not supposed to tell you, but I could. I would trade you something small for it."
Sumi was eager to see if she was making progress quickly said, "Yes, please. What do you want?"
"Tell me: What happened to your crush? I'd like to bust him up for not being with you today," Kazuya said looking like an older brother ready to fight for his little sister.
Sumi smiled and laughed a little before saying, "Thank you. His family moved to England for business. We kept in a touch for a while and it was nice, but we drifted apart as we grew older. It was just nice to relive a nice feeling, something special. Thanks again and I hope you didn't violate any polices for me."
"Well Miss Sumi...one of the other boyfriends said of you: 'A sparkling little lady. Accept a date from her ASAP. She's very cute and while shy she can be talkative when talking about music or her dog.' Another colleague of mine said you are one of the best 'dates' he's ever had and wished he didn't meet you as his client."
Sumi smiled and said that makes her confidence grow and knows she will meet someone special before saying, "I just hope they're as nice as you."
Kazuya smiled widely and said," Thank you again. You flatter me, you're quite a charmer. I'd like to give you something for all the nice sentiments which you have bestowed upon me. Oh and don't worry, I didn't violate any polices."
Kazuya motioned Sumi towards a local flower cart and the vendor gave a small nod to Kazuya and winked the moment Sumi looked at all the flowers with bright eyes. Kazuya asked for a orange rose and a pink rose and handed them both to her saying they were for the beautiful colors of her hair and smiled as he motioned towards a bench and sat down.
Sumi thanked him for the flowers telling him they were lovely and immediately took a photo with her phone. Reaching into his pocket Kazuya pulled out a voucher for 50% off a date with him and told her to put the code in at checkout should she want to see him again. Sumi said to count on it blushing just a little.
Wednesday evening Kazuya attended to his studies when a ring on his intercom got his attention. Going to his door he saw Mizuhara holding with a backpack slung over her shoulder and jumped. Quickly exiting his apartment he ushered her to the far end of the level by the staircase and looked her with angry eyes.
"What are you doing here?! Don't contact me by coming to the door! How did you even know it was my unit?! I took the nameplate down the day I moved in!" Kazuya said exasperated.
Mizuhara rolled her eyes and pointed to his sneakers by the doormat. Kazuya rolled his eyes and asked what she wanted.
"Sorry, but I had to talk to you and I didn't want to do it through Sapphire," Mizuhara said looking a little panicked.
"Well what is it?" Kazuya asked while looking at her with little patience.
"...Uh...my grandmother is being let out of the hospital tomorrow night. Her doctor determined the bruising she got from her fall is okay enough to go home," Mizuhara said in a scared voice.
"That's wonderful. What does this have to do with me?" Kazuya asked as he softened his tone even though he knew.
"She wants to see you! She wants to see my 'boyfriend' again. That's not all, your family is expected to be there too. Check your email!" Mizuhara said.
Pulling out his phone he checked and saw a recent email saying as much and they were going to the restaurant which allows you to cook on your own in-table grille. Kazuya mused he likes that restaurant.
With a small smile Mizuhara pulled out her phone and went to the Sapphire app and said, "It's more than 24 hours away, it's not a 'short-notice' request...I am sending a booking request. I'll see you tomorrow night my 'cool and cultured' 'boyfriend'."
Kazuya stood looking at her with a deadpan expression on his face and said,"Seriously? I am just going to decline. I told you I didn't want you to rent me anymore."
"I thought you may say that. I brought a little incentive, an act of desperation really," Mizuhara said as she put her backpack down and pulled out a blue plastic food container.
Rolling his eyes Kazuya asked, "What? What could you have brought me you think would change my-"
With a slightly-devilish smile Mizuhara opened it to show a large slice of fresh marble-cake. Kazuya tried to hold back and hide a smile which quickly grew. Kazuya gently took the food container with a bow as the alluring aroma of the fresh treat filled the air.
"This looks delicious. I'll have it later and return the container tomorrow night & I'll meet you downstairs by the bus stop at 18:00, sharp," Kazuya said with a smile and look of being outdone.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'," Mizuhara said smiling.
Kazuya accepted the date and asked, "How did you know this would work as a 'payment'...excuse me...an 'incentive'? It smells great. There's nowhere near campus you can buy these and this is not from a box. Where did you get this?"
"You had it at the museum...and I have easy access to freshly baked ones, the best in the area," Mizuhara said figuring she'd found her "cheat code" for Kazuya.
Exiting her apartment a few minutes before 18:00 the following night Mizuhara saw her food container waiting on her doormat with a thank-you note saying the cake was really good. Smiling Mizuhara put it on her counter and hurried downstairs wearing a nice red sweater, pearls, gray skirt, and hair in twin-braids. Kazuya was waiting for her at the bus stop dressed in a gray turtleneck and hair combed in his "refined" persona and called for an Uber. Inside the car they got a text their families had arrived.
Kazuya handed Mizuhara an envelope and said, "Here, sign this."
Mizuhara looked over and was shocked by seeing a pretty envelope and found a nice greeting card. The card read:
"Welcome home, we're so happy you're feeling better. Your strength is quite great, but it would be even better if we don't have to see you show us your power again. Let us know if you need anything."
Mizuhara signed the card and smiled before saying."That...that was really nice. You didn't have to do this Kazuya. I'm touched and I know she'll be too."
"Hey, I'm your 'boyfriend' and one has to show 'conduct becoming of a gentleman' right? It wouldn't be gentlemanly to not acknowledge someone's recovery. Anyway, I am getting ready for a good night out. I'm going to impress your grandmother, mine, and my parents a lot. I don't get to come to this restaurant often as it is pricey, but I always love the chance to show off. I guess it will be easy for you to be impressed, my guess is your ex never took you here," Kazuya said already knowing.
"He never did. How did you know?" Mizuhara asked.
"You'd be more excited," Kazuya said smiling.
Getting out of the taxi and walking down the street Kazuya took Mizuhara's hand warmly and interlaced his fingers. Mizuhara looked at him in some amount of shock asking what he was doing. Kazuya replied they were entering as a couple and needed to maintain the appearance as one. Kazuya felt Mizuhara's heart beating fast, but knew instinctively it wasn't from being nervous.
As the young "couple" entered everyone started to stand up and Kazuya quickly told Grandmother Ichinose to not get up. Everyone smiled at Kazuya and Mizuhara genuinely did too.
"I'd like to offer to cook for everyone. I have been here with friends once or twice, maybe three times," Kazuya said as he winked towards Mizuhara who suddenly smiled in a goofy way.
After being brought drinks Kazuya ordered a sampler platter of chicken cutlets, beef strips, shrimp, various vegetables, seasonings, skewers, and a kettle of hot water with various teas. The entire table smiled as Kazuya cut slices of chicken and strips of beef with a chef's knife with the precision of a surgeon and grilled various portions for people. When Mizuhara was asked what she wanted she was speechless.
"Kazuya-kun you've got her so impressed she cannot talk. She'd love chicken and shrimp with light seasoning of some garlic powder," Grandmother Ichinose said with bright eyes.
Kazuya smiled and prepared a skewer extra care just for her and bowed at the table as he handed her freshly grilled piece. Mizuhara's look was frozen on her face and Kazuya couldn't help but laugh a little. Mizuhara took it and with a little hesitation bit into a piece of chicken while the table watched.
"It's...it's really quite good. It's delicious. Exactly how many times have been here Kazuya?" Mizuhara asked shocked.
Kazuya just winked and started pouring hot water from the kettle over fresh tea leaves with care.
"When did you learn how to cook Kazuya? I've never seen you do it before," Kazuya's mother asked.
"Oh you know...I learned it while studying acting. We did a small bit of pantomime for a drama class. I wanted it to be more authentic so I told the teacher we should observe a chef in action a few times," Kazuya said with a straight face.
Mizuhara knew he was "acting", but went along with it.
When the meal was finished and grill extinguished Kazuya brought out the card and gave it to Grandmother Ichinose.
Putting her hand over her heart she thanked them both and latched onto Kazuya's arm.
"Hold onto this one Chizuru-son...he's quite something," Grandmother Ichinose said.
Mizuhara looked on smiling on the outside while almost jealous on the inside and angered that Kazuya wasn't making things any better.
"I'm nothing special Sayuri, Mizuhara is the special one. I do, however, thank you for the meal and more importantly the honor to cook for you and all present," Kazuya said with a smile.
Kazuya knew he wasn't making things better, but did want at least one good memory of him feeling this was a special occasion.
The following Monday morning Kazuya saw that Mizuhara had left a tip for the exact amount of his meal at Donny's. The week progressed with Mizuhara smiling to herself figuring she had overcome a huge night and figured the rest they could work on with a gradual coming down from their level and maybe even start to seek out other guys...at least when she felt she was ready. Heading to class she passed by the wing of the lecture hall where she met "the other Kazuya" that morning following their first 'date' and glanced down the hall. Almost an instant later she felt a hand on her shoulder and a small yank. She suddenly found herself on the other side of the wall back to the hallway and out of the main wing staring Kazuya in the eye.
Kayuza was dressed as his "college persona" with his rose-colored glasses and beret and asked with a straight face, "What are you doing here? I know for a fact you don't have classes here, this is drama only so unless you're looking for a friend of yours you shouldn't be here. I need to make something clear: If you see me on campus you don't know me. Just walk past me, don't make eye-contact. People wouldn't believe someone as angelic as you would talk to someone as degenerate as me and it will draw attention."
Mizuhara looked back at him looking shocked and said, "I've never been accosted, questioned, ordered, and complimented all in under a minute! Since you can clearly see things others can't I admit I was looking for you, but don't worry it isn't out of love. I figured here would be a lot better than your door and you're not any of your other-"
Kazuya looked at her with strong eyes and told her to be lower her voice.
Looking exasperated Mizuhara angrily responded, "Just what is your problem?! I came here to tell you something so I am going to say it and then get the hell out of here. Geez...I'm not worried about 'breaking up with you' anymore, I can be truthful and say you're a real jerk at times! Uh, seriously!"
Kazuya rolled his eyes and asked, "Are you done? What did you want to tell me and from now on we'll find a new way to communicate until such time as we're done."
Calming herself Mizuhara said, "Listen: thanks again for Wednesday night. My grandmother is 'over the moon for you', but at least I can leave you and have a good reason to it. However, I was going to tell you that I am stressed out and want to rent you again. I know from your agreement that you can decline any client-request, but also know 'clients be blocked as a result of displaying less than honorable behavior if so requested from any talent', I just hope you haven't done that to me. I was too scared to really check on the app."
Kazuya rolled his eyes and said, "Well you're not breaking any rules, you are doing things I don't like, but I can't really refuse you. It's my job as a 'rental boyfriend.' You will have to book me through the app though. So I can better prepare...do you know which one of me you want to see?"
Mizuhara looked at the ground and said, "No, not really. Just...just not the 'suave one'...I have seen him three times already."
Kazuya laughed a little as Mizuhara looked back up and laughed too.
Thinking for a moment Kazuya said, "Well you could ask to see me as my 'older brother type' and we could go to A&W. Sometimes a large burger and root beer makes you feel good. One of my clients loves root beer. Or...or...you can click the question mark which makes for a random choice. There are two new 'personas' I am trying out. I'll tell you what: I'll give you half off both dates if you try one of my two new personas out...it can allow me to audition them to you...since I already know you a little I feel you can be honest with me after the date. Does that sound good?"
Mizuhara nodded and Kazuya pulled out two 50% vouchers and said, "Don't get used to these. I only get three every six months and just used my last two on you."
"Just make sure 'that Kazuya' isn't a vegetarian as you just put me in the mood for a burger now," Mizuhara said genuinely.
Kazuya smiled and walked off.
A week passed and Kazuya began to wonder if Mizuhara had decided to write off seeing him altogether. During the week he even passed by her in the hallway and she blew right past him so fast he didn't know if she was making a point to avoid him or was moving so fast she didn't see him. Things began as they normally would the following week and Kazuya was received a notification of a date Thursday evening. Seeing the request was from a userid he'd never seen before he wondered if it was Mizuhara again, but when he clicked on her profile it showed her customer profile with reviews boyfriends had left about her.
Realizing he hadn't put in any reviews for Mizuhara he set out to write one:
"Educated and alluring she is fun to be with and she likes marble-cake too so you can get that if you're in a café with her. Also she loves a pretty iris. Really nice girl."
Kazuya shook his head a little as he confirmed submission and saw the review appear. He wondered if there'd be a need for other boyfriends to see it. Finishing up on the app he saw the notes said the date was to visit a local café and bakery about 20 minutes from campus he'd never been to the following evening.
Thursday evening Kazuya walked into the café dressed as the 'older brother' version of himself and looked for a young lady with a local high school uniform of a yellow V-necked shirt, blue jacket, and green tie. Looking past the refrigerated cooler full of pastries and delights he saw a girl fitting the description at a booth eagerly stand up waving enthusiastically. Kazuya smiled happy to have a client not scowl at him and walked over.
Giving a bow Kazuya said, "Sarashina I presume?
The girl nodded happily and sat down before saying, "You're cuter in person."
Kazuya smiled widely and said, "Your description doesn't do you justice. Your beauty exceeds what I imagined. I'm Kazuya and I am honored to meet you. I love your ribbon...it is really cute," Kazuya said as he bowed.
The little girl with the blue ribbon blushed and said quietly, "I...I...don't know how much of what you just said is as my 'boyfriend' and how much is you...but I truly don't care. Thank you so much. You're brightening a rather harsh week. Please...for tonight anyway...call me 'Ruka'...I wish to be addressed that way."
"What happened?" Kazuya asked slipping out of character a little.
Ruka started to cry and said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I really didn't-I didn't mean to start off this way, but something bad happened to me recently."
Kazuya frowned and came over and sat beside her. He quietly whispered he wasn't starting the date just yet and asked if he could put his arm around her. Ruka looked up, dried her eyes, and nodded quickly with soft eyes.
Pulling her towards him a little he said softly, "Thank you. I realize this is quite unorthodox, but I wanted to offer some comfort after all you showed me good favor by choosing me as your 'boyfriend' when there are many from whom to chose and a lady such as you could have any number of suitors."
Ruka smiled and thanked him before saying, "I can tell you more another time, but she short version is this...uh...'guy I was dating' as I don't like to think of him as a 'real boyfriend', even as an ex, recently caused me to break up with him...dump him...when I caught him with another woman. A text came up while he had left his phone in my hands when I was helping him install an app for food delivery. I waited at the karaoke club they were going to meet up at and after confronting him he came clean as I dumped him. The only consolation? The 'other woman' quickly dumped him for cheating on her. In a twist of irony and sadness...with a little humor...the two of us came here and she showed me the Sapphire app. I didn't even think of ever looking on this kind of uh 'service', but she referred me and I found you and you just look so well...innocent and unassuming, just a sweet guy."
"I am a sweet guy and you deserve one too and I know you'll find one when you're ready," Kazuya said with honest eyes.
A moment later Kazuya smiled and asked if she was feeling better. Ruka said she was after thanking him again discreetly took out the money for the date and Kazuya gave her the envelope and after taking it got up to the other side of the table. Turning on his "boyfriend mode" he asked if she knew what she wanted to get.
Seated at another table at the other the café Sumi gasped. Mizuhara sat with her back to the other side of the café and asked what was wrong as she took a sip of tea.
"N-nothing...um...we should get going. I have an exam I need to study for and thanks again for the slice of cake. You really do make the best in the area."
Mizuhara smiled at her as she stood and thanked her before heading out not seeing Kazuya and Ruka ordering food at the counter.
Sources:
Since you can't post hyperlinks in a story I have included three articles I use for source material for one to see.
1. Duck Duck go: "Boyfriends that women can hire to sleep daily mail" for an article called:
"Boyfriends that women can hire to sleep with them take off in Japan… but that's ALL they'll do in bed"
2. Duck Duck go "A 'true gentleman' for $200 daily mail: for an article called:"
A 'true gentleman' for $200 an hour? New service allows women to 'rent' handsome, well-educated escorts who WON'T sleep with you"
3. Duck Duck Go : ""gizomodo Japanese Website Lets You Rent A Boyfriend For 364" for an article called: "Japanese Website Lets You Rent A Boyfriend For $364"
Hey everyone,
Thanks for returning to my story. Some of my fans know I am a prolific writer may have wondered if I had given up. Not exactly, but I do envision this taking longer than stories in the past. Whereas in the past my "Rent a Girlfriend" stories were basically "What ifs" and I had a story in mind before writing them this is different. With this story...it is open-ended. I don't know how often I'll be writing this continuing story. I have ideas I am ready to start writing, but I need to envision it and I need to do some more storyboard work.
I don't know the time frame for my releases, I hope to have a chapter monthly, but could well take longer at times so bear with me on this journey!
Proofreading my work needs to be done to make sure I didn't miss anything and nothing is grammatically incorrect or misspelled. It is too easy to miss them when you're writing for enjoyment and not for school.
Warmest regards,
The Westchester Wolf
PS: Please check out my other "Rent a Girlfriend" stories. Reviews there may be able to help me as I write this story.