I'll be honest. I'm suffering from writer's block. This new story is just me writing whatever. No real storyline, just random. I'm a fan of the writer 'Betrayed Dreams'. I always wanted to try a crossover story but I never had the guts until now. I have nothing else to write about. I'm stuck until I can finish my current storyline.
I mentioned in my last post that I'm working on an Arc. This arc has some personal experiences so it takes a while for me to write as I get emotional too.
In the author's note. I explain how I got the results of the random characters.
Ichinose Chizuru (Alias: Mizuhara Chizuru)
From the series, 'Kanojo, Okarishimasu'
Height: 162 cm (165 cm with heels)
Birthday: April 19, 1998
Eye Color: Light brown
Hair Color: Chestnut brown, styled with a notable braid tied into a small ponytail that often rests on either side of her head.
Measurements: Bust 92 cm (estimated), Waist 61 cm (estimated), Hips 89 cm (estimated)
Appearance:
Chizuru is a breathtaking beauty with a dazzling presence that turns heads wherever she goes. Her long, chestnut-brown hair and light brown eyes complement her almost ideal proportions. She is athletic and has a strong sense of fashion inherited from her mother, often wearing stylish outfits that highlight her stunning figure. Despite her glamorous appearance, she can transform into a more reserved, unassuming look with glasses, double braids, and simple attire, effectively concealing her striking features. This disguise is used for school.
Aliases and Roles:
Mizuhara Chizuru: Her professional name is a "rental girlfriend," where she is poised, considerate, and the epitome of an ideal partner.
Student Persona: Wears glasses, butterfly accessories, and a modest demeanor to blend into her academic environment and maintain her dual life.
Personality:
Chizuru is a complex individual who balances her professional charisma with her true self. In her rental girlfriend role, she exudes kindness, consideration, and professionalism, earning high ratings and admiration. However, her pride in her reputation makes her intolerant of mediocrity or disrespect, occasionally showing an irritable or brash side to people who test her patience.
Despite her cheerful and outgoing facade, Chizuru has built emotional walls around herself, often hard to read. This defense mechanism results from her struggles growing up as an orphan and the emotional toll of chasing her dream of becoming an actress. Her interactions with others reveal her genuine kindness and selflessness, especially in her willingness to help those close to her.
Background:
During her childhood, Chizuru was a clingy crybaby who was often bullied for her lack of parents. However, her grandmother's passion for acting inspired her to transform into the confident and resilient woman she is today. She works tirelessly to achieve her dream of becoming an actress, motivated to honor her grandparents and prove her worth.
Notable Traits:
An "iron lady" demeanor that masks her emotional vulnerability.
High pride in her appearance, fitness, and profession.
Genuine kindness and compassion for those she cares about.
A strong work ethic and a relentless pursuit of her goals, despite the emotional struggles she faces.
Interests:
Chizuru is passionate about acting and cinema, with her grandmother's films being a significant source of inspiration. She also enjoys fashion, often putting together outfits that reflect her beauty and confidence.
0000
Hikigaya Hachiman returned from his morning run, the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the pavement still echoing faintly in his mind. Stepping into his 1R apartment, he paused at the genkan, scanning his modest living space. Small and unremarkable, but his—a simple refuge that suited his unassuming bachelor lifestyle. He kicked off his sneakers, tucked them neatly away, and headed to the utility room for a much-needed shower.
The warm water cascading over his skin was a welcome relief, washing away the sheen of sweat from his run. With a towel wrapped securely around his waist, he stepped out, stray droplets tracing faint lines down his body. His damp hair clung to his forehead as he made his way toward the bed, intending to collapse for a brief rest.
That was when he noticed it.
A lump beneath his neatly arranged covers.
"Huh? I could've sworn I made my bed..." he muttered, frowning.
Suspicion prickled at the back of his mind. Gripping the edge of the comforter, he yanked it back in one swift motion—then froze.
A woman.
He blinked. Then again.
Without thinking, he slammed the covers back down over the mysterious figure, his brain scrambling to process the situation. Rubbing his eyes vigorously, he muttered, "I must be more tired than I thought. Hallucinating. Yeah, that's it."
But no amount of eye-rubbing changed the reality before him.
Bracing himself, he peeled the covers back once more.
Sleeping soundly in his bed was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Her chestnut-brown hair was soft and slightly tousled, cascading over the pillow in gentle waves. A small braid rested near her temple, delicately tied as if to highlight her serene features. Her long lashes fluttered faintly, her expression calm and undisturbed, lips slightly parted as she breathed in soft, steady rhythms.
She wore only a snug gray tank top, its fabric clinging to her form with casual boldness. The hem of her white booty shorts barely covered the tops of her thighs exposing the green fabric underneath, leaving most of her toned, slender legs exposed. Her sun-kissed skin glowed faintly in the morning light filtering through the window. One arm was tucked under her head, the other draped lazily across her midriff—a picture of unintentional allure.
Hikigaya felt his face heat up as he quickly averted his gaze. "What the hell is this? A prank? Did I die mid-run, and this is purgatory?"
His hand hovered uncertainly above her shoulder, torn between waking her up and quietly backing out of the room, hoping she'd vanish like a bad dream. But the peaceful rise and fall of her breath made him hesitate.
Who was she? And more importantly—why was she in his bed?
"Is this one of Yukino's tests?" he muttered, brow furrowing as he studied the sleeping woman. "I know she calls me a womanizer, but you can't complain when women start noticing me, right? I mean, I was never popular until I dated Yukinoshita Yukino..."
Hikigaya looks around, 'This might be those realistic sex dolls that can appear real with a motor and sound to give the idea of sleeping.' Hikigaya pokes the sleeping woman's thigh. Then rested his hand on her butt. "I see, it's warm. I thought it was a realistic doll at first."
Crossing his arms, he eyed the intruder warily. "But this? This is overkill even for her. Did she hire someone? A—"
Before he could finish the thought, the woman stirred.
Hikigaya's heart leaped to his throat as her long lashes fluttered open, revealing light brown eyes clouded with grogginess and confusion. She sat up slowly, the sheets slipping slightly off her shoulders, revealing more of her figure.
For a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.
Then—chaos.
Startled, Hikigaya instinctively took a step back—only for his towel to betray him, slipping loose and pooling unceremoniously at his feet.
Their eyes locked.
The air thickened with tension, neither of them moving.
Her gaze flickered downward for the briefest moment before her face turned scarlet.
"AHHHHHH!"
Before she could scream further, Hikigaya scrambled to snatch up the towel, hastily wrapping it around himself. "Who the hell are you, and why are you in my apartment?!" he demanded, his voice cracking slightly from sheer disbelief.
The woman, now fully awake, grabbed the nearest object—his pillow—and clutched it like a makeshift weapon, eyes blazing with embarrassment and outrage.
"I should be asking you that!" she shot back, voice sharp but tinged with panic. "Where am I? And why—"
Her words faltered as she took in her surroundings for the first time. The unfamiliar apartment, the faint smell of coffee and laundry detergent lingering in the air—it was clear she had no idea where she was. Her grip on the pillow slackened as confusion overtook her previous hostility.
Her brow furrowed as she looked from Hikigaya to the room, her breathing slowing. "What... What is this place?"
Hikigaya, still clutching his towel as though his life depended on it, leveled her with a wary stare. "That's my line. How the hell did you end up in my bed?"
A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the distant hum of a neighbor's TV through the thin walls.
One thing was certain—Hikigaya's peaceful morning was officially ruined.
o000
Hikigaya had changed into his usual attire—nothing fancy, just a hoodie and jeans—and now sat across from the mysterious woman who had introduced herself as Ichinose Chizuru. She had composed herself, sitting with her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she explained her situation.
"The last thing I remember," she said, her voice steady but tinged with uncertainty, "was going to sleep in my apartment. I work as a rental girlfriend at DIAMOND, and I'm a student at Nerima University. That's all I know."
Hikigaya rested his elbows on the table, his fingers steepled as he listened. When she finished, he set his smartphone down with a soft click and let out a long, weary sigh.
"I see," he said dryly. "So you're a prostitute paying for acting classes."
Chizuru's composure cracked. Her eyes widened, and she shot him a glare sharp enough to pierce steel. "I'm not a prostitute! I don't sleep with my clients—I'm still a virgin, for crying out loud!"
Hikigaya raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by her outburst. Without a word, he slid his smartphone across the table toward her.
"I'm sure you believe that," he said evenly, "but your story has some pretty big holes. Let's start with this: I searched for DIAMOND, the so-called agency you work for. Nothing came up—not a website, not a single mention in search results."
He leaned back, crossing his arms. "If it doesn't exist in a normal search, that leaves two possibilities. Either it's on the dark web, which means it's tied to something illegal—drugs, weapons, or worse—or it's a front for something shady. Like, say, sex work."
Chizuru's mouth opened to protest, but Hikigaya cut her off.
"Second," he continued, "Nerima University? It doesn't exist. There are four universities in the Nerima ward, and yours isn't one of them. So either you've got the worst case of amnesia I've ever seen, or something's seriously off about your story."
Chizuru stared at the phone, her lips parted but no words coming out. She swiped through the search results, her expression growing more troubled with each passing second. Everything he'd said was backed up—there was no DIAMOND agency, no trace of her workplace, and no mention of Nerima University.
"This… This doesn't make sense," she murmured, more to herself than to him. Her fingers tightened around the phone as if holding onto it would somehow change what she was seeing. "I know where I work, where I go to school. It's real. It has to be real…"
Hikigaya oversaw her, his sharp gaze cutting through her rising panic. "So, what does that mean?" he asked, calm but pointed.
Chizuru didn't answer immediately. Her grip on the phone loosened, and she placed it back on the table. When she looked up at him, her usual confidence was gone, replaced by a mixture of confusion and vulnerability.
"I don't know," she admitted softly. "But if none of this exists here… then where am I?"
Hikigaya leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table as he met her gaze. "That's a question we're both going to have to figure out," he said flatly. "Because whatever this is, it's not normal."
0o00
Hikigaya sat cross-legged on the floor, casually leaning against the edge of his bed as he watched Chizuru finish getting dressed. He admired the tan line from her underwear that she removed and the way her nipple was erected. The oversized sweatpants and baggy T-shirt he'd lent her swamped her petite frame, making her look smaller—and somewhat more vulnerable—than before.
"So, you really do the whole 'Clark Kent' thing to disguise yourself, huh?" he remarked with a smirk.
Chizuru adjusted the waistband of the pants and shot him an annoyed glare. "I told you to look away! And calling it 'Clark Kent' is completely uncalled for."
"It's fine," Hikigaya replied with a shrug, his tone dismissive. "It's not like I've never seen a woman naked before. You should be flattered that someone admires your beauty. A bust of 92 centimeters is a pretty nice view."
Chizuru froze mid-motion, her eyes widening in disbelief. How does he know my bust size?
Before she could retort, Hikigaya stood up and brushed off his pants.
"Since you're all set, let's get going," he said nonchalantly.
"Wait." She turned toward him, adjusting the oversized shirt so it wouldn't slip off her shoulder. "I have terrible eyesight. I don't have my glasses or my contacts."
Hikigaya let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Of course you don't." Without further comment, he took her hand, his grip firm but not rough.
Chizuru blinked in surprise, her cheeks coloring slightly at the unexpected gesture. He didn't seem to notice—or if he did, he didn't care—as he led her out of the apartment.
As they walked through the wards, Chizuru couldn't help but steal glances at Hikigaya. His casual attitude didn't match her initial impression of him. What caught her off guard even more was when they passed a University of Tokyo sign.
"Wait," she said, slowing her steps. "You go to Todai? The University of Tokyo?" Her tone carried a mix of astonishment and doubt.
"Yeah," Hikigaya replied, scratching his head. "Bunkyo campus. Got in on my first try."
Chizuru's mouth opened, then closed as she tried to process the revelation. The University of Tokyo? That was one of the most prestigious universities in the country. The entrance exams alone were notoriously brutal. Who exactly is this guy?
"So, where are you taking me?" she asked, trying to focus on the matter.
"Help," Hikigaya said cryptically, stuffing his free hand into his pocket. "Hopefully."
They walked in silence for a while until they reached a high-end residential area. Chizuru's sharp eyes immediately noticed the opulence of their surroundings. Sleek, modern architecture, meticulously maintained sidewalks, and luxury cars parked in private driveways—this was where the elite resided.
Stopping in front of a towering high-rise apartment building, Hikigaya gestured toward the entrance. "Well, we're here. Let's go in."
As they stepped inside, the polished marble floors and gleaming glass walls made Chizuru feel slightly out of place in her borrowed clothes. A secure glass barrier stood in their way. Hikigaya pulled a key from his pocket and inserted it into a room-call system by the door. After a brief buzz, the door unlocked.
"Let's go," he said, holding the door open for her.
They entered a long hallway, their footsteps echoing faintly against the pristine tiles. Soon, they reached the elevator. The ride up was silent, the hum of the machinery and the occasional ding the only sounds accompanying them.
When the elevator stopped on the eighth floor, the doors slid open, revealing a wide, carpeted hallway lined with evenly spaced doors. The atmosphere was quiet, almost serene.
Hikigaya walked to the door at the far end of the hall, pausing to glance at her. "Here we are," he said simply, reaching for the handle.
Chizuru's curiosity only deepened. Who does he know that lives in a place like this? And how does he know them?
As Hikigaya unlocked the door and stepped inside, she hesitated. Wait… does he have a key to this apartment too?
Removing his shoes at the genkan, he motioned for Chizuru to do the same. She complied, peering past him into the apartment. The space was elegant yet inviting, with a breathtaking city skyline visible through large windows.
The living area was spacious yet cozy, centered around a plush couch and stylish armchairs that seemed perfect for entertaining guests or curling up with a book. Large windows spanned the far wall, allowing natural light to pour in and offering stunning panoramic views of the city skyline. A private balcony beyond the windows promised a serene escape, high above the bustling streets.
Chizuru's eyes wandered, marveling at the thoughtful design. This place must have an incredible bathroom—a deep soaking tub, rain shower, and all the luxury touches you'd expect from somewhere this high-end.
Hikigaya walked further into the apartment, breaking her train of thought. Feeling slightly out of place, Chizuru quickly stepped inside and followed him.
As she entered, the kitchen caught her attention. It was sleek and modern, equipped with top-of-the-line appliances. An integrated fridge and freezer, an induction cooktop, and marble countertops gleamed under the soft lighting. Everything about the place exuded sophistication, from the hardwood floors with underfloor heating to the subtle glow of a home automation panel on the wall.
"Go ahead and take a seat," Hikigaya said casually, gesturing toward the couch. "It's soft and warm."
Chizuru hesitated for a moment before nodding and moving toward the inviting couch. She glanced over her shoulder as Hikigaya walked to a door on the other side of the apartment. That must be the bedroom, she guessed, though her curiosity about the place only grew.
00o0
Hikigaya slipped into the room and closed the door behind him. The bedroom was just as immaculate as the rest of the apartment. The neatly made bed, adorned with crisp sheets and folded clothes on top, hinted at an organized occupant.
He approached the bed, his eyes landing on the neatly folded pile of lingerie. His brow furrowed slightly as he muttered, "She's not here."
Turning to another door inside the room, he paused when he heard running water. Steam drifted from the edges of the doorframe. Opening it, he was met with warm, fragrant air as he stepped into the ensuite bathroom.
Hikigaya stepped forward, slid the frosted glass door aside, and smirked.
"Enjoying that relaxing bath, Yukino?"
The figure in the bath turned her head, her piercing blue eyes meeting his. Her long black hair floated in the water, framing her serene expression.
"Good morning, Hachiman," Yukino greeted softly, a rare, small smile gracing her lips.
Hikigaya leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a gentle kiss. Her pale cheeks flushed at the affectionate gesture, and she gazed up at him with a slightly embarrassed yet tender expression.
"Do you want to join me?" Yukino asked, her voice low and sultry as she shifted slightly in the water.
Hikigaya chuckled, shaking his head. "I'd rather have you in bed," he teased, his tone playful yet firm.
Yukino's blush deepened, and she averted her gaze, her calm demeanor momentarily disrupted by his words. Still, a small smile lingered as she replied, "Then I suppose I'll have to make it worth your while."
000o
Hikigaya and Yukino lay entwined in the soft embrace of her large bed, their shared warmth a quiet testament to the intimacy they had just experienced. The faint scent of her shampoo lingered in the air as Yukino rested her head against his chest, her damped hair spilling over his skin like a silken curtain.
Hikigaya stared at the ceiling, his mind pleasantly hazy. Their soft breathing filled the comfortable silence, and for a moment, all was right in the world.
"That was fun," he murmured, a lazy grin spreading across his face. Then, a flicker of unease sparked in the back of his mind. 'Wait… I feel like I'm forgetting something. Hm. Well, if I can't remember it, it probably wasn't important.'
Breaking the quiet, he asked, "Yukino, are you going to class today?"
"Yes, at 18:30," she replied softly, her voice steady and relaxed.
Hikigaya's eyes shot open. That flicker of unease turned into full-blown panic. 'Oh no. Oh crap. I completely forgot why I came here.'
"Ah! Yukino—"
She cut him off, her tone sharp yet teasing. "No, Hachiman. We are not having a threesome with Yui, Isshiki, or Nee-san."
His expression twisted into a mix of confusion and intrigue. "What? That does sound fun… but that's not it."
Yukino arched an eyebrow, skepticism written across her face. "Then what is it?"
He hesitated, already bracing for the fallout. "I, uh… I brought over a woman."
Yukino sat up abruptly, the blanket slipping slightly off her shoulders as her piercing blue eyes locked onto his. "You what?"
"Chizuru. I think she's, um… a sex worker."
Silence stretched between them before Yukino's voice cut through it like ice. "You brought a sex worker into my apartment. And then left her alone in my living room?"
He winced, sitting up and raising his hands in defense. "I forgot about her! You seduced me, so I—"
"Hachiman!" Yukino hissed, incredulous. "I cannot believe you." She threw back the covers and began getting dressed, her movements sharp and irritated.
Hikigaya scrambled to do the same, muttering, "She better not have touched the food in the fridge. The food is too nice to get ruined[1]."
"Forget the food!" Yukino snapped, buttoning her shirt with swift precision. "Who even does something like this?"
"Well, technically, you seduced me, so—"
"Hachiman." Her glare could've frozen the sun.
He wisely chose silence and hurried to finish dressing.
Once clothed, they rushed into the living room—only to find Chizuru still asleep on the couch, curled up in a relaxed position. Yukino moved forward, but Hikigaya quickly reached out to stop her.
"Let her sleep," he muttered, glancing at Chizuru's peaceful face. "She might have been drugged at her workplace."
Yukino paused, her gaze lingering on the woman sleeping on her couch. "I see," she finally said, though her tone carried a hint of skepticism.
With a sigh, Hikigaya turned toward the kitchen, and Yukino followed. They busied themselves with preparing lunch in silence, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables filling the room.
Yukino worked efficiently, slicing through the ingredients with practiced precision.
"What are you planning to do with her?" she asked, her voice quieter but no less curious.
Hikigaya leaned against the counter, staring at the cutting board in thought. "Not sure. I'll let her stay at my place and help her get back on her feet. She seems like she's in trouble."
Yukino glanced up at him, her expression softening with concern. "Hachiman, I'd rather you didn't have a strange woman around you… but you're too kind for your own good." She paused, her knife stilling for a moment. "Just be careful, alright?"
Hikigaya met her gaze, a faint, wry smile tugging at his lips. "I will. I always try to be."
Yukino didn't respond immediately, but the look in her eyes said it all—she was worried, but she also knew there was no stopping him once he had made up his mind.
They finished preparing lunch in a more subdued atmosphere, the weight of the situation hanging between them. Despite his usual indifference, Hikigaya couldn't shake the growing sense of responsibility for Chizuru. And though Yukino wasn't entirely thrilled with the situation, her trust in him spoke louder than her reservations.
Chizuru's eyes fluttered open, taking in her surroundings. She blinked, startled to see Yukinoshita Yukino sitting across from her. The woman exuded an aura of elegance and confidence, her piercing blue eyes assessing Chizuru with a calm yet undeniable authority. Yukino's beauty was striking, rivaling even the actresses Chizuru admired on-screen.
After a quiet lunch, they gathered in the living room for tea. Yukino sat beside Hikigaya on the couch, her posture straight and regal, as if it were the most natural thing in the world for her to be at his side. She carried herself like a queen surveying her court.
Hikigaya sipped his tea, remaining silent as Yukino turned her gaze toward Chizuru. "Hachiman has told me about you," she began her tone cool and measured. "He says you're a… companion service worker who aspires to become an actress."
Chizuru bristled at the implication. "I'm not a sex worker," she replied sharply. "And yes, I'm working toward joining a professional acting company."
"I see." Yukino's voice remained calm but carried an unmistakable edge. She set her teacup down with a soft clink and regarded Chizuru with an icy, piercing stare. "An acting company. You're relying on the fame and talent of others to elevate yourself, aren't you? That's a shallow foundation. If that's your strategy, I can only call you a fool."
Chizuru's face flushed with anger, and she stood abruptly. "I—"
Yukino cut her off, her tone unwavering and cold. "There are countless paths to becoming an actor. What path have you chosen, Ichinose-san? To blindly follow those who might exploit your ambition? This so-called mentor—what are his true motives? Does he truly care about your growth, or are you just another stepping stone for him to take advantage of?"
Chizuru froze, fists clenched at her sides. Yukino's words struck a nerve she didn't want to acknowledge. Stories of powerful directors and producers abusing their positions weren't new to her. She'd heard whispers of scandals—young hopefuls manipulated under the guise of mentorship. But she had always dismissed them, convincing herself that her situation was different.
Yukino's gaze softened, but only slightly. "Do you even care about yourself, Ichinose-san? Or are you so consumed by your dreams that you're willing to ignore the risks, no matter how obvious they may be?"
Chizuru's voice caught in her throat. She wanted to argue, to push back against Yukino's accusations, but the weight of her words held her in place. Deep down, she knew Yukino had a point—one she didn't want to admit.
The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the soft clink of Hikigaya's teacup as he set it down. "Yukino," he said quietly, his tone neutral but firm, "maybe take it down a notch."
Yukino glanced at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I'm only speaking the truth, Hachiman."
"And sometimes the truth doesn't need to be a sledgehammer," he replied with a sigh. "Let her process it."
Chizuru's shoulders sagged as she sank back into her seat, her mind spinning with Yukino's words.
For the first time, she was forced to confront the uncomfortable truths she had been trying so hard to ignore.
Chizuru's gaze dropped to her hands, her voice trembling as she began to speak. "I love my grandmother. She and my grandfather raised me after my parents passed." Her words came out slowly like she was peeling back layers of herself she usually kept hidden.
A faint smile flickered across her lips as she continued. "My grandmother was a retired actress. She starred in so many classic films—ones people still admire today. My late grandfather used to show me her movies when I was a kid. I remember the way he talked about her with so much pride... and that was when I decided I wanted to be like her."
Her voice wavered, and her expression crumpled as the weight of her emotions overcame her. Chizuru sank onto the couch, her head falling into her hands. "But what do I do?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "I just... I want to make her proud. I want to be a real actress before she's gone. But everything's moving so slowly, and I'm running out of time."
Her hands clenched into fists against her knees, her frustration and desperation spilling like a dam breaking. "I don't even know if I can do it anymore. Every day, it feels harder to believe in myself, and I can't—"
She cut herself off, her breath hitching as tears welled up in her eyes.
00o0
They waited for Chizuru to finish crying.
Hikigaya idly tapped at his phone, playing a game. While, Yukino flipped open a book, her eyes scanning the pages with practiced ease. They weren't cold or indifferent—just pragmatic. Chizuru had entered their lives only a few hours ago. There was no deep connection yet, no instinct to comfort her beyond giving her space to collect herself.
After a while, Yukino closed her book with a quiet snap. "Are you done?" she asked, her tone sharp yet controlled. To an outsider, it might have sounded harsh, but Hikigaya knew better—this was Yukino's version of consideration.
Chizuru sniffled and nodded, wiping her eyes.
"I see," Yukino said simply before standing. "Then let's go. Our university has a highly regarded theater department. You might find it useful."
Hikigaya frowned. "I'd rather not—"
Before he could finish his excuse, Yukino grasped his wrist with a firm grip, her icy blue eyes brooking no argument. "You should come. It'll benefit you too," she said smoothly, dragging him along before he could protest further.
With little choice, Hikigaya and Yukino escorted Chizuru to their university. As they approached the grand theater building, students bustled about, setting up props and rehearsing lines with practiced ease. Chizuru took in the scene, her earlier sorrow momentarily replaced by quiet fascination.
Then, Yukino dropped the bombshell.
"Hikigaya has been meaning to visit the theater department anyway. He's been avoiding it, but it's time."
Chizuru blinked. "Avoiding it? Why?"
Yukino smirked slightly, turning her gaze toward Hikigaya, who let out a sigh as if bracing for the inevitable.
"Because he's the one who wrote the screenplays they're performing."
Chizuru's eyes widened. "Wait—you're a screenwriter?"
"Not exactly," Hikigaya muttered, rubbing the back of his head.
Yukino ignored his weak denial. "He may not look the part, but he's an exceptional writer. He's been asked to enter the doctoral program in classical literature and Victorian studies."
Chizuru's mouth opened slightly in surprise. For all of Hikigaya's grumbling and sarcastic wit, she hadn't expected him to be so accomplished. The lazy, cynical man she'd met that morning was being considered for a doctorate? And he wrote something worthy of being performed?
For the first time, she wasn't just surprised—she was curious.
They walked down the rows of chairs toward the stage, where a group of actors rehearsed. Hikigaya sighed heavily as they reached the third row, his footsteps dragging as if he'd rather be anywhere else. A small group sat there, and among them, a plain young woman with glasses stood. She had no striking features, nothing to make her stand out. To Chizuru, she looked like nothing more than a background extra—someone born to be invisible.
The young woman bowed politely. "Hikigaya-senpai, you finally came. The play is progressing well. We're on schedule, and the sets are being built and painted as we speak."
"I see. Good work." Hikigaya nodded and gestured toward Chizuru. "By the way, Shigure-san, this is Chizuru. Chizuru, meet Shigure-san—she's the president and lead actress of the literature department."
Chizuru's jaw nearly dropped. Her? This boring, unremarkable girl is the best actress in the department?
Yukino's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Shigure-san, Hachiman wanted to see you perform a scene. He needs to confirm that the script fits your style."
Shigure glanced at an older man sitting nearby, who gave a silent nod of approval. With quiet confidence, she climbed onto the stage.
And the moment she started performing, Chizuru felt her breath catch in her throat.
Gone was the plain, forgettable girl she had just met. On stage, Shigure radiated an entirely different aura—her voice powerful and commanding, her movements smooth and deliberate. Even without a microphone, her voice carried effortlessly through the hall, captivating every listener.
When she finished, applause erupted, though Hikigaya clapped with a trademark lack of enthusiasm. The older man overseeing the rehearsal announced a break, leaving only Hikigaya, Yukino, and Chizuru in the room.
"Your turn," Yukino commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Chizuru blinked. "What?"
"Get on stage and act out a role," Yukino repeated, her icy stare daring Chizuru to refuse.
"But… what role should I play?"
"Any role you're comfortable with," Hikigaya said with a shrug.
Nervously, Chizuru climbed onto the stage and chose a role she thought would highlight her strengths. But as she began, it quickly became apparent that her performance lacked the polish, precision, and presence Shigure had displayed moments earlier. She stumbled over her lines, her movements were awkward, and her voice wavered.
When she finally finished, she stepped down, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Hikigaya leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression cold and unimpressed.
"You want to be an actress? Really? Because from where I'm standing, it just sounds like you want someone to hand you the spotlight on a silver platter."
Chizuru stiffened. "That's not true! I've been working hard—"
"Working hard at what, exactly?" Yukino cut in, her voice like a blade. "At pretending to be serious while letting others decide your worth? At blindly chasing a dream with no plan, no direction, and no understanding of what it takes?"
Chizuru flushed, anger bubbling beneath her skin. "That's not—"
"Save it," Hikigaya said, his words dripping with disdain. "Do you even know what being an actress means? Acting isn't just playing dress-up and hoping someone notices you. It's about making people believe a lie so deeply that they forget it's not real. Can you even come close to that? Or are you just banking on your looks to carry you through?"
Chizuru scowled. "I know that! I've been going to auditions, learning from professionals—"
"And what has that gotten you?" Yukino asked smoothly. "A temporary gig at an escort service disguised as a rental business?"
Chizuru flinched.
Yukino sighed, softening—just slightly. "Listen, I'm not saying you don't have talent. But raw talent means nothing without refinement. Have you even studied different acting styles? Do you know what makes a great actress beyond just looking the part?"
Hikigaya smirked. "Do you even know the difference between method acting and classical acting? Improvisational techniques? The psychology behind roles, or are you just parroting lines and hoping you sound convincing?"
Chizuru hesitated.
Yukino continued, "A true actress doesn't just play a part; she becomes it. She studies, understands the emotions, and adapts her performance to the medium—stage, television, and film. Stage actors project; film actors internalize."
Hikigaya nodded. "And let's not forget range. A great actress isn't obsessed with lead roles. The best actors take any part—villains, side characters, even background extras—and make them memorable. You think Meryl Streep or Cate Blanchett only took lead roles early on?"
Chizuru bit her lip. "...No."
Yukino's voice turned sharper. "Then stop acting like you're entitled to one."
Yukino's voice turned sharper. "And your obsession with lead roles? Foolish. A real actress doesn't care about the role's size or prominence. She transforms even the smallest part into something unforgettable. But you're too caught up in your ego to see that."
Hikigaya chuckled bitterly. "And don't even get me started on luck and connections. Hate to break it to you, but those matter more than anything. Talent's worthless if you can't seize the right opportunity. And if you can't back it up with skill when the time comes, you'll just crash and burn."
Yukino's expression softened, just slightly. "No one's going to hand you success, Ichinose-san. If you want to be an actress, then prove it. Study. Train. And stop expecting others to make your dream come true."
Hikigaya gave a final shrug. "Yeah. Stop crying, start acting, and maybe—just maybe—you'll figure out if this is worth fighting for. Otherwise…"
His sharp, pointed stare made Chizuru flinch.
"You're just wasting your time."
Chizuru stood there, her shoulders trembling, tears silently streaming down her face. Their harsh words still echoed in her mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. She wanted to argue, to defend herself, but no words came. All she could do was swallow the lump in her throat and follow them as they stepped outside.
But as they stepped outside into the crisp night air, she swallowed the lump in her throat and asked, "Why are we just standing here?"
Hikigaya leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. "We're waiting."
"For what?"
"Shigure-san," he replied simply.
And just then, Shigure emerged, stepping into the streetlight's glow—walking with quiet, unshakable purpose. Without a word, Hikigaya and Yukino followed. Chizuru lingered for a moment before trailing after them.
Shigure weaved through the streets before stopping in front of a modest ramen shop between taller buildings. Pushing aside the noren curtain, she disappeared inside.
Instead of heading through the front entrance, Hikigaya veered off down a narrow alley beside the shop. Chizuru frowned.
"Uh… shouldn't we just go inside?"
Ignoring her, Hikigaya knocked twice on a steel door at the back of the building. A few seconds later, the door creaked open, revealing a young man in a stained apron. His sharp eyes flicked between Hikigaya and the others before settling on him with mild recognition.
Hikigaya skipped the pleasantries. "Shigure came in here. She working tonight?"
The young man blinked, then shook his head. "Nah, she's not on the payroll. She just volunteers. Says she's preparing for a role—and wants hands-on experience by watching the master make ramen. In exchange, she cleans up and helps serve the customers."
Chizuru's breath hitched.
Hikigaya smirked. "That so?"
The man shrugged. "Yeah. Been coming in for weeks now. Even after long rehearsals, she still shows up, cleans, watches, and learns." He scratched the back of his head. "She's serious about it."
Hikigaya glanced at Chizuru. Her expression had shifted—no longer just tired but conflicted. She stared at the ground, fists clenched.
Yukino crossed her arms. "This is what true dedication looks like, Ichinose-san."
Chizuru didn't respond. But she didn't need to—her silence said enough.
0o00
Hikigaya found himself in the familiar discomfort of his cramped single bed, wedged between Yukino and Chizuru. The bed was too small for three people, but Yukino was already fast asleep, undisturbed by the situation. Chizuru, on the other hand, was restless. He could feel the tension in her body, the way she kept shifting slightly, unable to relax.
"Can't sleep?" Hikigaya murmured, his voice low in the dimly lit room.
Chizuru hesitated. "...Yeah. I just don't know."
Hikigaya sighed. "Yukino and I—we're just pushing you. That's all we can do. In the end, it's your call. Do you still want to work in that shady rental business? Or are you going to keep pretending it's somehow different from prostitution?"
Chizuru stiffened. "I'm not selling my body! How many times do I have to say it? I'm not a prostitute," she snapped, her voice sharp but quiet enough not to wake Yukino.
Hikigaya turned his head slightly, staring at the ceiling. "Maybe not in the technical sense, but does that really matter? You're letting someone else define your worth—selling an illusion for money. If you keep chasing fame this way, you might as well be auctioning off pieces of yourself to the highest bidder."
Chizuru bit her lip but didn't respond.
"There's no single 'right' way to become an actress," Hikigaya continued. "Even our advice might not be the right path for you. But tell me something—why do you want this?"
Chizuru blinked. "I already told you. My grandmother—"
"Yeah, yeah," Hikigaya cut her off. "You want to make her proud before she passes away. It's a noble sentiment. But is that all there is to it? Because if that's your only reason, then you're just playing a role in someone else's story. And when that story ends... what's left for you?"
Chizuru didn't answer. For the first time since they met, she had nothing to say.
o000
Chizuru worked harder than she ever had before. She officially moved in with Hikigaya, sharing his tiny apartment as she prepared for her entrance exams at various universities in Tokyo. Hikigaya tutored her, his blunt critiques keeping her grounded. While Yukino's sharp words served as a constant reminder that talent alone meant nothing without discipline.
To gain experience, Chizuru volunteered at a local community center's theater program. Most of the time, she was relegated to background roles—sometimes a nameless servant, sometimes a faceless extra, and on more than one occasion, a literal tree. She shed more tears than she cared to admit over those roles, but she swallowed her pride and kept going. If she couldn't make the audience remember her as a tree, she had no business calling herself an actress.
Years passed. Hikigaya eventually moved into Yukino's apartment, their relationship settling into something steady and unshakable. While he pursued his doctorate in Japanese Literature, Yukino supported him, having already begun her career. He often joked that he was living the dream—a step closer to his final form as a full-time househusband.
Then, one evening, in an apartment that wasn't quite hers anymore, Chizuru stepped out of the bathroom, steam trailing after her. A towel was lazily wrapped around her damp hair, and she barely noticed the cool air against her bare skin.
The front door opened.
She turned, blinking as Hikigaya stepped inside like he owned the place.
"Hikigaya," she sighed, exasperated. Pulling the towel from her hair, she wrapped it around her body instead. "How many times do I have to tell you not to come in unannounced?"
Hikigaya didn't so much as blink. "It's my apartment. And it's not like I haven't seen you naked before."
Chizuru groaned. "...Why did I ever fall in love with this guy?"
"I'm charming, that's why," Hikigaya replied smugly.
How could she not? Spending so much time together, and falling in love had felt like the next natural step. Not that she'd ever admit it. He was insufferable—but she was happy with him. The memories of their nights together, the quiet moments, the shared laughter... even the embarrassing ones where after having sex with him, she had kicked him out of his apartment.
But she ignored his remark, choosing instead to press a quick kiss to his cheek. "Why are you here, Hikigaya?" she asked, shaking her head.
He looked genuinely confused as he placed his hands on her waist. "What are you talking about? Did you forget? You asked me out. Another date, remember?"
"Oh." Chizuru blinked. "I must've forgotten. Let me get dressed."
"You can change in front of me," Hikigaya teased.
"I rather not. I feel that we'll end up having sex," replied Chizuru.
Chizuru started walking to the bathroom but Hikigaya took her hand and pulled her into an embrace as he kissed her. The deep kiss, that she enjoys. As they separated, her towel fell to the ground.
Hikigaya looked down, "I see, your hip looks-"
Chizuru interrupted, "My ass didn't get bigger."
"It's fine. I enjoy the feel when we have sex," said Hikigaya.
"You're a beast Hikigaya," smiled Chizuru.
She rolled her eyes, picked up her towel, and ignored him again. She heads to the bathroom.
"Wear some sexy underwear," called out Hikigaya.
Chizuru at the door frame, grins as she looks back at him, "I wasn't planning to wear anything underneath for our date."
She stepped back into the bathroom. The door clicked shut behind her.
Minutes passed. Then longer.
The bathroom remained silent. The only trace of her presence was the faint warmth in the air, a damp towel on the floor, and the lingering scent of her shampoo.
She was gone.
Just as she had appeared in his life three years ago—without a word, without warning—she vanished the same way.
Hikigaya stared at the empty space for a long moment, then let out a quiet breath.
"Maybe it was a dream. But for whom?"
1. I ran out of ideas on how to continue it with a joke or comical situation. I thought it was funny in my head.
Author's Note:
1. Ichinose Chizuru From the series, 'Kanojo, Okarishimasu.'
2. Nyotengu From the series, 'Dead or Alive.'
3. Midoriya Izuku 'Deku' from the series, 'Boku no Hīrō Akademia'
4. Investigator Hitomi from the adult film, 'PPPD-441: Busty Undercover Investigator Hitomi.'
5. Ai Ninomiya from the series, 'Bikyaku Seido Kaichou Ai.' (I didn't recognize this series, This is one of my favorite H anime and I forgot about it.)
6. Lusamine From the series, 'Pokémon: Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
As you can see from the random characters in the list above. For the first four characters, I used the prompt, 'Randomly pick a character from obscure or popular Japanese media. It works for a while but using a real person is hard, I had to change a lot by using a fake name so it can work.
For the next two characters, I change the prompt again to, 'Randomly select a character from obscure or popular manga, anime, video games, or H anime.'