I Really Don’t Want a Girlfriend Anymore

July 27, still summer vacation.

With no side jobs and Haruno not inviting him out, Yuu opened a rental girlfriend website. Two female avatars appeared on the page.

Mizuhara Chizuru, Sakurasawa Sumi.

The experimental and control groups he specifically noted while searching for "colleagues."

Side by side, their differences were clear from the photos—Chizuru's profile pictures were meticulously crafted with careful camera angles and lighting, while Sumi's were just ordinary life snapshots.

The difference between a seasoned pro and a newbie.

Though both were beautiful and cute, sensory-wise, as long as cost wasn't a factor, most would choose the more mature and striking Chizuru as their rental girlfriend.

And Yuu was among the few who wanted both.

But not now.

"It's been two or three days, and no one's booked her. That's too sad."

The rental girlfriend industry was indeed fiercely competitive.

With a bit of sympathy, Yuu clicked the "Book a Date!" button on Sakurasawa Sumi's profile, its design resembling a gacha game, enough to trigger PTSD.

A notification suddenly popped up.

[This girlfriend (Kanojo) is on leave today. Please, dear boyfriend (Kareshi), choose another time~]

Yuu wasn't surprised.

"You do have to book in advance, huh? They have their own lives, after all."

He glanced at his empty schedule after quitting his job—so the real schedule to check was Haruno's.

After all, she was the one "paying" him.

"Next time, I'll ask when she's unavailable, then go out and find another girl that day."

Deliberately using scumbag phrasing, Yuu chuckled twice, happily closing Sumi's page, leaving Chizuru, who seemed busier.

With a try-it-out mindset, he booked a slot for this afternoon, and unexpectedly, it went through immediately. A notification appeared with details to note and a rental girlfriend agreement—all very similar to the rental boyfriend process.

After agreeing, a notification popped up: "Mizuhara Chizuru is now your girlfriend! Wishing you a pleasant date~"

…It felt like ordering food delivery.

"That's it?" Yuu flipped through the website, about to gather more info, when his phone lit up with an email notification.

The sender's name—Mizuhara Chizuru?

[Hello, I'm Mizuhara from the girlfriend rental service! Thank you for choosing me. I'll accompany you as your girlfriend…]

After a formal opening, she asked about the date location and explained the fee structure—1 p.m. to 5 p.m., four hours total, 32,000 yen, payment upfront, no refunds for tardiness.

Reading the email calmly, Yuu took a deep breath, then gave a wry smile, slightly gritting his teeth:

"System, why didn't I get an email like this before… Are you just deciding things are fine on your own?!"

System: "…"

Of course, this dog of a system, which did nothing but issue missions, money, and rewards, ignored him.

Feeling annoyed alone, Yuu could only swallow his frustration, confirm the date location with Chizuru, and inform her what he'd be wearing this afternoon.

After arranging this "rental date," Yuu looked back at the webpage. The woman named Mizuhara Chizuru smiled warmly and brightly in the photo, so convincing that no one would doubt it if you called it an idol's promotional image.

"But this face…"

The longer he looked, the more Yuu felt something was off.

Her eyes, facial features, face shape—too many things makeup couldn't alter. With sharp enough eyes, he'd quickly notice differences or similarities…

Yuu narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed on the photo—after all, it was someone he'd seen just yesterday, leaving a strong impression. He quickly realized, then smirked.

"What a coincidence… And she didn't even change her name. Not afraid of friends recognizing her?"

Mizuhara Chizuru, Ichinose Mizuhara.

(I didn't expect the girl with twin braids and glasses to be a fellow worker!)

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

A summer afternoon, even the buildings seemed to warp in the heat.

Chiba Station was bustling, the crowd moving forward with hot air, the gray stone floor feeling like steaming iron plates. Even the lightest outfit couldn't dispel the heat.

Yuu arrived five minutes early, standing under the Starbucks sign, adjusting the brim of his hat to block the sun, watching passersby with a complex expression.

This was his second time meeting a woman outside—both were college students, both stunningly beautiful.

The difference was, last time he was the one "hired," this time he was the one "hiring"… ahem, the difference between being rented and renting shifted his mindset slightly.

"Speaking of which, Yukinoshita Haruno is filthy rich. A newbie rental boyfriend only gets 4,000 yen per hour, but she paid 30,000 yen a day to rent my entire time…"

Maybe the system was deliberately messing with him.

Still, to him, a rational person like Haruno wouldn't foolishly waste money like that.

"Sorry, are you… Souji-kun?"

A melodic, familiar female voice came from the side.

Yuu, disguised as Tendou Souji, turned his head.

Long hair cascaded down her back, a sweet face, a captivating figure, a short skirt fluttering, and knee-high socks creating an "absolute territory" of beauty. The stunning girl tilted her head, looking at him curiously.

Yuu smiled and nodded, "Hello, I'm Tendou Souji."

"Thank goodness, I was worried I got the wrong person~" Chizuru flashed a relieved smile, her fingers gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

The gesture made many passing men turn their heads, staring at Yuu with envious looks.

Being greeted by such a beautiful girl, whether there was a close relationship or not, was envy-inducing.

"It's still so hot today~ You didn't wait long, did you?" With a friendly tone that didn't feel forced, Chizuru stepped closer, tugging his sleeve, smiling brightly:

"Souji-kun, don't just stand here. Let's go inside, enjoy the AC, and chat! We can decide where to go for our date later~"

Yuu nodded, his fingers pressing the brim of his hat, the corners of his lips curling as if suppressing a laugh.

"Alright."

They entered Starbucks, chose a corner spot, and sat down.

Chizuru was about to ask what he wanted to drink when she saw Yuu slowly remove his hat, looking at her with a meaningful smile.

"What a coincidence, meeting again, Ichinose-san."

Chizuru blinked in shock, her mouth slightly agape, frozen in place, her face full of disbelief.

"Te-Tenkuji-kun!?"