Hiroshi Tanaka, proud owner of a perpetually messy dorm room and a platinum collection of vintage video games, was having a truly terrible day. First, his online raid in "Eternal Quest" had ended in a humiliating defeat thanks to a laggy internet connection. Then, his favorite pair of glasses (the ones that actually made him look semi-intelligent) had snapped in half after a disastrous encounter with his dorm room door. And to top it all off, Aiko, the girl he'd been crushing on since freshman year, had just laughed in his face when he'd finally worked up the courage to ask her out.
"You? Go out with me?" Aiko had choked back a giggle, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently on her designer handbag. "Seriously, Hiroshi? You're more likely to win the lottery."
Hiroshi's cheeks burned with shame as he retreated to the sanctuary of his dorm room, the echo of Aiko's laughter ringing in his ears. He collapsed onto his bed, burying his face in his pillow. "This is hopeless," he groaned. "I'm doomed to a life of solitude, surrounded by nothing but pixelated princesses and dusty textbooks."
As if summoned by his lament, Hiroshi's phone buzzed with a notification. It was an ad for "Diamond Dates," a new app that promised to connect lonely hearts with the perfect companion. Intrigued, Hiroshi clicked on the link.
The app's sleek interface showcased a dazzling array of beautiful women, each one more stunning than the last. "Find your dream girl today!" the tagline proclaimed. Hiroshi scrolled through the profiles, his heart sinking with each swipe. These girls were way out of his league. They were all glamorous and sophisticated, while he was… well, just Hiroshi.
But then, something caught his eye. Tucked away in the corner of the screen was a small banner advertising a special service: "Rent-a-Girlfriend."
"Rent a girlfriend?" Hiroshi read the description, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "For real? Is that even legal?"
Apparently, it was. For a hefty fee, Diamond Dates would provide you with a beautiful and charming girlfriend for any occasion.
The app guaranteed complete discretion and a "genuine dating experience," though the terms and conditions clearly stated that any physical intimacy was strictly prohibited.
Hiroshi hesitated.
Was this really the answer to his problems? Was he truly that desperate?
Remembering Aiko's cruel laughter and the sting of her rejection. "Okay, maybe just a little desperate," he muttered.
With a deep breath and a pounding heart, Hiroshi clicked on the "Rent-a-Girlfriend" button. His journey into the chaotic world of rental romance had begun.
To be continued…