Renting a Girlfriend Again

I bowed.

It wasn't a lighthearted thing.

It went all the way to the ground.

"I'm so sorry... but would you let me rent you one more time?!" I asked desperately.

My forehead was almost touching the concrete of the campus.

My heart was beating so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my throat.

Silence.

— Huh …? — Mio reacted.

I lifted my face slightly.

Mio stood there, completely unresponsive.

"What were you thinking...?" she asked, confused.

(I know… I know this is ridiculous.) — I thought.

"I know what I'm saying is embarrassing," I said quickly.

" Sakura invited me… me, my two friends, and some of her friends for dinner tonight… and she asked me to invite you too. If you don't go, she'll definitely find it strange. If she and my friends find out I rented a girlfriend… they'll hate me. They'll despise me," I explained the situation.

Mio frowned.

"Didn't we have a conversation about this earlier?" she asked ironically.

"I know! I know I'm wrong!" I replied , still bent over.

She took a deep breath.

"We can't get so deeply involved in our clients' personal lives. That's one of the company rules. And it can also cause a lot of problems later," she explained.

(Damn…) — I already knew this wasn't going to work.

"I understand…" I murmured, still with my brow bowed.

Silence returned.

I slowly raised my face.

She seemed... torn.

"But…" she began.

My heart raced.

"Are you sure you want to refuse here?" I asked with a mischievous smile.

" Huh ?!" Mio reacted in a somewhat angry manner.

"In the middle of the university. People could hear. That would be bad for you... and for me," I continued.

She stared at me seriously.

"You're clearly desperate. And I don't like it when clients get to that point," he continued .

(She realized…) — I thought, relieved.

" I was just going to call my mom! And now this has turned into a scene!" she said, annoyed.

"I didn't mean to appeal like that!" I replied quickly.

She crossed her arms.

— Fine. Just this once. — she agreed.

My whole body froze.

"In return... after this, we'll have nothing to do with each other. No talking at the university. No calling my name in public." She raised her finger.

She took a step closer.

"After that, we're even," she finished speaking.

(This… this is basically a definitive end.) — I thought, relieved.

"Agreed?" she asked.

I swallowed hard.

"Agreed," I replied.

She held out her hand.

I touched her hand.

She pulled her hand back immediately.

"Then let's do it the way we've always done it. Professionally," she said.

Mio turned his back.

"Goodbye... for now," she finished.

She began to distance herself.

Without looking back.

I stood there for a few seconds, feeling the weight of the agreement fall upon me.

(I got what I wanted… but why doesn't that feel like a victory?) — I thought.

The signal echoed across the campus.

Students began to move in all directions.

Mio adjusted her bag on her shoulder and headed for another building.

I took a deep breath and turned my face to the opposite side.

Each one went back to their room.

Walking among so many people…

But with the strange feeling that something important had ended there.

And, for the first time since it all began…

I was afraid of what would come next.

Finally, it was 5:00 PM and classes ended for today.

I left campus with a heavy head.

(Just this once… after that, it's over.) — I thought.

I repeated this to myself the entire way home, like a mantra.

When I entered, the house was too quiet.

— Mom…? — I called out , out of habit.

No response.

I saw Akane organizing some things in the living room.

" Akane-san , have you seen my mother?" I asked .

" Hana called," she replied .

"She said that Ms. Ayane will arrive around 6:40 PM," Akane explained.

"I understand," I said.

Suddenly I felt two arms wrap around my waist from behind.

A familiar voice whispered in my ear:

Did you miss your favorite maid?

My body gave a little jump of fright.

"Hey, Himari ," I said quickly.

"I need to talk to you. Alone. Urgently, " I finished.

She froze.

Her face turned completely red.

Akane stopped what she was doing, confused.

" Riku-sama ... can't I hear too?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, Akane , but unfortunately I can't," I replied .

She blinked a few times, confused.

"I don't understand... but I'll respect your wishes. I'll tidy up your parents' room," she said.

Akane left the room.

The door closed.

Now it was just me and Himari there.

I sighed deeply.

"The problem... is not over," I said.

Himari tilted her head slightly, curious.

"What do you mean?" Himari asked.

I ran my hand through my hair, trying to organize my thoughts.

"I was determined to end this rental girlfriend thing. I was going to lie to everyone, saying I broke up with Kurokawa …" I began explaining.

She frowned.

"But?" she asked.

"There was a huge problem at the university today," I replied.

"What kind of big problem?" she asked, curious.

" Sakura invited me, Haruto , and Kenta to dinner tonight. It seems she's bringing some friends," I continued explaining.

Himari blinked.

"I still don't understand where that's a problem. Explain it better," he said . Himari is confused.

"She asked me to bring my girlfriend. Kurokawa Mio. If I show up there without her... it's going to be bad. Very bad," I explained.

The silence lasted for half a second.

After…

Himari put both hands on her stomach and began to giggle.

— HAHAHAHAHA! — she laughed heartily.

"Hey! You idiot, why are you laughing at that?!" I complained .

She tried to control herself, but failed miserably.

"I'm sorry... but the mess you've managed to create is impressive," she said , still laughing.

"That's not funny at all!" I said angrily.

Gradually, her laughter faded until it became just an amused smile.

"But you didn't just tell me this to vent, did you?" she asked.

— Actually… I just told the story for the sake of telling it. — I scratched the back of my neck.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Liar," she said.

I sighed.

" Okay ... I also wanted to know what you and Kanzaki talked about yesterday," I said.

Himari 's smile widened even further.

"Ah~ this?" she said with a smile.

She turned around.

"I have something to show you on my phone. I left it on the dining room table," she said excitedly.

Himari walked away.

A few seconds passed.

One minute.

Two.

"…Taking too long," I murmured.

I went to the dining room.

And I froze.

Himari was crouched down, searching for something under the table.

The angle... didn't help at all.

My face instantly flushed.

(This morning I saw her sleeping in that nightgown… and now this… get out of here, Riku .) — I thought, embarrassed.

I turned my back immediately and went back to the main room, walking as quietly as possible.

A minute later, Himari appeared.

"Sorry for the delay," she said.

"My cell phone was under the table and I couldn't find it," she explained.

" I understand ... but what did you want to show me?" I replied , looking away.

She unlocked her phone and turned the screen towards me.

It was a contact from LINE.

Kanzaki Mio.

— …Why did you get her contact information? — I asked .

Himari smiled, clearly pleased with herself.

"I thought you'd like it. Hehehe ," she said cheerfully.

"You're impossible..." I said, speechless.

"Thank me later," she replied, winking.

I grabbed my backpack.

"I'm going to get ready. I arranged to meet Kanzaki at the coffee shop before we go to the restaurant," I explained.

"Good luck," said Himari .

"You're going to need it," she continued, in a sarcastic tone.

I went up the stairs towards my room.

(Tonight… this story is going to get even more complicated.) — I thought.

But now…

There was no way to escape anymore.