It was the weekend. It was also the day to have a showdown with Subaru.
But before that, he had plans. He had scheduled a date with a special rental girlfriend.
As he stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his hair and ensuring he looked presentable, a mix of excitement and nerves swirled in his stomach.
He had always thought that Chizuru Mizuhara was really cute.
If only Kazuma was more decisive, would he probably been a fan of rent-a-girlfriend.
Arriving at the café, Ryu waited anxiously. The atmosphere was lively, filled with chatter and laughter, but all he could focus on was the door, waiting for Chizuru to arrive. When she finally walked in, Ryu's heart raced. She looked stunning in a casual yet fashionable outfit that highlighted her athletic build.
"Hi! Are you Ryu?" Chizuru asked with a friendly smile, scanning him for any hint of recognition.
"Yeah, that's me!" he replied, trying to hide his surprise. "It's nice to meet you, Chizuru!"
As she stepped closer, her eyes widened slightly. "Wait a minute… You're in my class, aren't you?"
Ryu felt his cheeks flush. "Uh, yeah. I didn't realize you were my rental girlfriend today. This is… a surprise."
Ryu, however, did know..
Chizuru's expression shifted from excitement to shock. "I can't believe it! This is against school rules. I didn't know you were my classmate!"
She took a breath, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. "You can't say anything about me!"
Ryu noticed the uncertainty in her eyes. "I promise I won't tell anyone," he assured her.
Chizuru bit her lip, a hint of indecision crossing her face. "But what if someone finds out? I mean, I didn't plan for this to happen. It could be a problem."
"I understand," Ryu replied, trying to ease her worries. "But I'll keep it to myself. You have my word."
"Okay, but just… just be careful," she said, glancing around again. "I really don't want this to affect my reputation and enrollment in the school. It's important to me."
Ryu took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension. "Look, I know this isn't exactly how you wanted to start the date. But I rented you for the next two hours, so why not make the most of it? I'm all in for a fun 'fake' date, if you are."
She blinked, caught off guard by his straightforwardness. "A fake date…? You really want to pretend this is just a regular outing?"
"Why not?" Ryu shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. "We can just act like two people who don't know each other from school and have a great time. Think of it as a little escape."
Chizuru chewed on her bottom lip, torn between the thrill of the idea and the rules she was bound by. "I suppose… But you have to promise not to mention this to anyone at school. It could cause some serious issues for me."
"Cross my heart," Ryu said, holding his hand over his heart dramatically. "Let's enjoy our time together without anyone being the wiser."
Chizuru smiled, the initial shock fading as she saw the light-heartedness in his offer. "Alright, let's do this. But just remember—this is strictly for fun!"
"Of course," Ryu replied, relieved. "So, ice cream first? Or do you have something else in mind for our 'date'?"
"I'd love ice cream!" she exclaimed, her excitement returning. "Then maybe we can walk around and explore a bit."
They made their way to the ice cream stand, where Ryu ordered a chocolate cone and Chizuru went for her favorite, mint chocolate chip.
As they walked through the park, the atmosphere felt relaxed, and Ryu took the opportunity to delve into light conversation.
"So, what's it like being a rental girlfriend? Do you ever feel like you're playing a part?" Ryu asked, genuinely curious.
Chizuru giggled, adjusting her braid as she replied. "It definitely feels like acting sometimes. I get to be whoever my clients want me to be for a few hours. It's a fun gig, but it can be lonely, too. Just a lot of pretending."
Ryu nodded, considering her words. "That makes sense. But I hope you know you're more than just a character to me. You seem like a genuinely cool person."
Her cheeks flushed slightly at his compliment, and she caught herself smiling. "Thanks, Ryu. That means a lot."
As they wandered through the park, Ryu suggested they take a few silly selfies, further leaning into the playful nature of their "fake" date. They posed with exaggerated expressions, the atmosphere becoming lighter with every laugh they shared.
"So, what's next on our agenda for this 'date'?" Ryu asked, grinning at a particularly goofy photo.
"Let's go check out that little bookstore over there," Chizuru suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I love browsing for hidden gems in places like that!"
"Sounds like a plan!" Ryu agreed, pleased with how the day was unfolding.
They strolled into the quaint bookstore, filled with the scent of old pages and the comforting silence of literature. As they explored the aisles, they exchanged recommendations, their conversation flowing effortlessly.
With each passing moment, the pretense of their "fake" date blurred, and Ryu found himself genuinely enjoying Chizuru's company.
"Let's go there. An aquarium! I thought it would be a perfect spot for our 'date.' There's something magical about watching the sea life swim around," she said, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Sounds awesome! Let's go!" Ryu replied, matching her enthusiasm.
The aquarium was a kaleidoscope of colors, with tanks filled with vibrant fish, mesmerizing jellyfish, and even the occasional playful sea otter. Chizuru led the way, her hand brushing against Ryu's as they strolled through the exhibits.
"Look at those clownfish!" she exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the tank. "They're so cute!"
Chizuru's hand interlocked with Ryu's.
Ryu couldn't help but chuckle. She played this rental girlfriend act really well.
After spending a few more moments mesmerized by the aquatic ballet before them, they turned to leave.
The day was coming to a close, and Chizuru couldn't shake the feeling that she had shared something meaningful with Ryu.
As they made their way back towards the exit, she took a deep breath, the weight of her secret pressing on her.
"Before we part ways," Chizuru said, stopping to face him, "I really need to thank you for being so understanding about everything today. It can get complicated, you know?"
Ryu nodded, sensing the shift in her demeanor. "Of course. I promise to keep everything about today between us. You've been great, Chizuru."
Her heart fluttered at his words, and for a moment, she considered revealing more about herself, but the professional wall she had built around her emotions held strong.
Instead, she offered a bright smile. "Let's keep it a secret then! It'll be our little adventure."
"Absolutely!" Ryu replied, his grin matching hers.
With a final wave, they stepped out of the aquarium, the sun setting behind them, casting a warm glow over the day they had shared.
As they walked back towards the entrance, hand in hand, Chizuru felt a mixture of relief and uncertainty.
This was just a fake date, she reminded herself, but as she glanced at Ryu, she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps it had become something a little more real after all.