The Prince Who Wasn't in the Game (POV Reina)

Meisei University is one of the best universities in Japan.

Tokyo's Top 3.

I know this because I study there.

My name is Akabane Reina, I am 20 years old and I am studying Applied Psychology & Digital Communication.

I was able to get into Meisei thanks to my aunt, Akabane Nana, who always believed in me more than I believed in myself.

My family has never been… normal.

My father, Sakamoto, has died.

My mother, Niina , is in prison for murdering her own husband.

When I was a child, before everything fell apart, she used to say:

"You will find your prince charming," she said.

I believed that for a long time.

Perhaps that's why I like Otome Games so much.

Stories where love always arrives... no matter how crooked the world is.

It was out of curiosity, and a little bit of hope, that I became a rental girlfriend.

I thought it would be interesting.

Perhaps, amidst these fake encounters, I would meet someone different.

But in nine months…

Nothing.

I was rented out several times.

Always polite.

Always professional.

And always empty.

Over time, "love" became just a service.

I didn't have any friends.

My colleagues thought I was strange.

Too distant. Too calculating.

Until the day that Shibasaki Kenta rented me.

He was... different.

Gentle. Nervous . True.

Everything happened according to the contract.

When time was almost up, he asked:

"Hey... can I rent you again?" he asked.

"You can. You weren't disrespectful to me," I replied .

He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Would it be a problem if it were a couples' meeting?" he asked.

"A friend of mine recently got a girlfriend," he explained.

"No problem. We rental girlfriends are hired to make our clients happy," I replied .

He smiled.

"Then I'll rent you out for this Saturday," Kenta said.

We said goodbye.

I thought it would just be another job.

I was wrong.

On Thursday, I was going to university.

I took a shortcut by jumping over a high wall that led to a smaller, faster alleyway to Meisei .

I managed to jump.

But when I came out on the other side…

I hit someone.

We fell.

And then…

His hands touched where they shouldn't have.

My face burned.

My heart started racing in a strange way.

Not out of anger.

Shocking.

He stood up too quickly.

Reporters showed up.

He hid behind a trash can.

I helped.

When it was all over, he apologized.

But I was confused.

Disoriented.

Angry at him.

I kicked him three times.

In a place that no man would ever forget.

And I left.

I thought I would never see him again.

On Saturday, Kenta introduced me to his friend outside the park.

When I looked closer…

I recognized him immediately.

The blonde wig was unmistakable.

Aoyama Riku .

The famous actor.

The boy from the alley.

He was accompanied by a girl named Kurokawa Mio.

We entered the park.

Fishing for small fish.

House of terror.

Target shooting.

Churros.

Cotton candy.

And finally… the Ferris wheel.

I started to feel unwell.

(I feel dizzy… was it the fear of heights? Or did I eat the wrong thing?) — I thought, confused.

I placed my hand on my stomach.

"I'm going to the bathroom. Urgent," I said.

"Okay," Kenta said.

"We'll wait here," he continued . Kenta .

I started walking.

But my vision became blurred.

(Where am I…?) — I couldn't see properly.

I kept walking without noticing where I was going.

And then…

Water.

Cold.

(Sound of water…? (Did I get wet? (No… don't tell me I left the park…) — I thought, becoming somewhat aware of the situation.

My body sank.

(What a pointless life… I haven't even met my prince charming yet…) — I thought sadly.

I deleted it.

When I woke up, I was coughing desperately.

I spat out water.

It was soaked.

And then I realized…

I was lying on the grass.

In someone's arms.

Aoyama Riku .

He was crying.

"You woke up... I was already desperate," he said , his voice trembling.

"Impossible…" I murmured.

"How did you know I was here?" I asked, surprised.

"I thought it was strange when you got off the Ferris wheel. I decided to follow you. When I saw you falling into the river... I dove in," he replied.

My chest hurt.

Not out of fear.

Full of emotion.

I started to cry.

"Hey! Does something hurt?" he asked desperately.

I smiled.

A genuine smile.

"No... I'm fine," I replied with a smile.

"Then why are you crying?" he asked.

"Because I'm very happy," I replied happily.

And I thought, with my heart pounding:

Mommy…

I found my prince charming.