I Really Don’t Want a Girlfriend Anymore

Staring at each other, Chizuru looked like she had a lot of questions but didn't know where to start.

Yuu placed his hat on the table, taking the initiative to break the ice: "I didn't cause you any trouble yesterday, did I? My body reeked of barbecue, and I was so close to you. It's impressive you didn't show the slightest bit of disgust."

Pausing for a moment, Chizuru brushed the hair by her ear, then said with a wry smile:

"Sorry, I was so focused on acting that I didn't even notice the smell."

"That's good then." Yuu picked up the menu, glanced at it briefly, then set it down, sliding it toward Chizuru. "What do you want to drink? My treat."

"Oh, thank you." Chizuru nodded, slightly surprised, her long eyelashes lowering as she glanced at him almost unintentionally.

Like a cat tensing up to observe an unfamiliar creature, her movements were no longer as carefree and cheerful as before, now tinged with slight awkwardness.

"Mizuhara-san, you're in charge of today's date schedule, right?" Seeing her like this, Yuu didn't dwell on it, getting straight to the point.

He had invited Chizuru just to see how a "rental girlfriend" would plan a date and what actions they'd take—after all, he'd never dated and couldn't find someone to date on short notice.

Yuu could only spend money for a lesson.

"No problem. I've prepared a few schedules. You can pick the one you like best." At this, Chizuru's demeanor turned professional. She pulled out a small notebook and slid it toward Yuu.

"But it's only four hours this afternoon. Including travel time, there aren't many places we can go… So it's better to stay around here and avoid taking transportation too far."

After speaking, she raised her hand to call the waiter.

"One cold brew, please…" She hesitated, then corrected herself, "No, a hot coffee instead."

Holding the menu, Chizuru turned to Yuu: "Tenkuji-kun, what would you like?"

"Iced latte, thanks."

Answering casually, Yuu looked down at the notebook's pages, filled with neatly handwritten date schedules. The more he read, the more he understood.

Truly a professional…

Since she didn't know his interests, she'd listed attractions around Chiba City—exhibition guides, aquariums, amusement parks, even arcades, all meticulously planned. For afternoon tea, Chizuru included several highly recommended shops from the internet, with notes beside them (all above are for reference; the priority is going where the boyfriend wants).

For a four-hour date, she'd spent the whole morning preparing, trying her best to consider the client's preferences—this was the professionalism of a rental girlfriend.

In contrast, Yuu was just dragged along by a rich woman. Forget planning, compared to competing, he'd directly overwhelmed the rich woman, with no intention of being sweet…

Well, he wasn't a professional, and Haruno wasn't exactly a typical client either.

Someone as "deviant" as her might just happen to suit him, right? And now that Haruno saw him as a "boyfriend," her attitude might change, so Yuu needed to adapt accordingly.

"Study"—Yuu's mind raced, memorizing and analyzing the notebook's contents.

While the other party was busy, Chizuru observed the young man before her—her date partner today, her temporary boyfriend.

Casual clothes styled similarly to yesterday, neat features, fair skin. Though his eyes were sharp, his temperament was calm and approachable, seeming easy to get along with.

An ordinary, fairly handsome guy—that was her first impression. But when Yuu took the "stage," his presence was so commanding it was like he'd become someone else.

Thinking of this, Chizuru suddenly reminded him: "Tenkuji-kun, Morikawa-san said the scene we performed yesterday might not air. Did you know?"

"Just found out… That's a pity." Setting down the notebook, Yuu sighed for Sora, who was looking forward to the excitement, though he himself seemed indifferent.

"Your acting was great too. If a producer with an eye for talent sees it, they shouldn't miss someone like you."

"Haha, coming from you, it feels like a backhanded compliment…"

Sighing in resignation, Chizuru perked up, asking cautiously but unable to suppress her curiosity:

"Though it's a bit rude to ask… Tenkuji-kun, your acting is so incredible. Are you from a major theater group? Shiki? Takarazuka?"

"Nothing that grand. I'm just an ordinary guy with a bit of talent."

Yuu clapped his hands, looking at her amusedly: "Alright, let's end the 'Ichinose Chizuru' talk here. I invited 'Mizuhara Chizuru' for a date, 130 yen per minute."

Chizuru snapped to attention, quickly bowing in apology:

"Sorry, really sorry! I got too caught up thinking about it and accidentally… Ahem!"

Clearing her throat, Chizuru suddenly shifted her expression. Her small head tilted slightly, she flashed a sweet smile, speaking in an equally sweet voice:

"So, should I call you Souji-kun or Yuu-kun now?"

Is this girlfriend mode? Yuu observed her curiously.

"Tendou Souji was a username I threw together. Just call me by my name."

"Alright, Yuu-kun then!" Chizuru nodded with a cheerful smile, stretching out both hands, palms up, her eyes and gestures full of hints.

"So, can I trouble you?"

"Of course."

Yuu took out 39,000 yen from his wallet and placed it in her hands.

Of that, 32,000 was the hourly fee, 5,000 for the appointment, and 2,000 for transportation—nearly 40,000 yen, quite expensive.

If not for the system's generosity and his serious approach to the mission, Yuu would never touch this "money pit."

Wouldn't it be better to spend that money on his sister? 40,000 yen on a rental girlfriend would, at best, get him hand-holding. For Sora…

Ahem, maybe they could play FF14 together under the same blanket?

"Thank you~" Chizuru smiled as she accepted the money, continuing in her perfectly professional, bright, and sweet tone.

"Then, I'll be counting on you today, Yuu-kun!"

"…If it's just us, you can use your normal mode. It's fine."

Yuu thought for a moment, then said, "After knowing you're 'Ichinose Chizuru,' this act feels weirder to me."

"Uh… If you don't mind, then okay."

(So, knowing the client is someone familiar feels awkward…)

Muttering to herself, Chizuru dropped her work mode, interlaced her fingers, stretched them forward, and relaxed.

"Honestly, when I found out today's client was you, I was a bit worried you were targeting me and approached me this way~"

Yuu paused slightly: "Hey, that stalker was just acting."

"I know, but your acting was so good? Even now, thinking back, I still get chills."

Giggling a few times, Chizuru showed the goosebumps on her fair arm, then naturally lowered it back under the table.

Her movements were indeed much more relaxed than before.

"Well, we agreed not to talk about yesterday!"

"Yuu-kun, you must be popular and don't seem to lack girlfriends. Why hire a girlfriend?"

She paused, worried he'd misunderstand, then added seriously: "Just want to chat with you. If you don't want to say, we can start the date now."

The waiter approached, placing a hot coffee and a latte on the table.

Yuu lifted his latte, took a sip, and said slowly:

"I'm kind of a rental boyfriend too."

"A rental boyfriend… Huh?!"

Chizuru's mouth gaped, her expression as shocked as Gin seeing Vodka pull out an FBI badge.

"You're saying you're a rental boyfriend? My colleague? And you're hiring a girlfriend?!"

"That's about it."

Yuu nodded, sipping his latte, enjoying the girl's disbelieving expression.

After a moment.

"Haaa…"

Pressing her forehead, Chizuru let out a slow breath, calming her emotions, though her gaze at him turned very strange.

"May I ask… what's this for?"

"Mainly to see how a 'real rental girlfriend' handles a date with a target."

Yuu gave her a humble smile:

"I'm still a newbie. I hope Senpai can give me plenty of guidance."

"…You're the client. I'm not your Senpai."

Rubbing her cheek, easing her stiff, shocked expression back to normal, Chizuru couldn't help but exclaim:

"Someone with acting skills that amazing is working as a rental boyfriend, even spending money to hire someone just to learn how to date…"

Her voice trailed off, and she suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you have perfect acting and a handsome face. Why not just become an actor? Wasn't yesterday a great opportunity… Even if it's just for money, wouldn't that be an easier way to earn?"

Seeing Chizuru's confused expression, Yuu smiled faintly:

"Everyone has their own goals."

—Especially in the entertainment world, it might not be as easy for him as the system.

After all, compared to money and skills, special statuses and physical qualities—if you weren't too greedy for cash—were clearly more important.

"…I see."

Pursing her lips, Chizuru looked at him, as if seeing someone wearing her dream outfit but carelessly dirtying it.

After taking a few deep breaths, she finally shed her admiring and complex gaze, showing a friendly, cheerful smile.

"Well, sorry for asking so many questions."

"As compensation, let me, as your girlfriend, give you an unforgettable date!"