I Really Don’t Want a Girlfriend Anymore

"Tenkuji-kun, can I be honest?"

A little past 4 p.m., inside the Ferris wheel.

Chizuru lazily shook the sports drink bottle in her hand, gazing listlessly at the view outside the window.

"Honest about what?" Yuu didn't mind that she'd dropped her girlfriend act even though the time wasn't up yet.

The three-plus hours of experience had been enough, and her more natural demeanor now actually made him feel more at ease.

Chizuru sighed, shifting her gaze to his face.

"You're suited to be a rental boyfriend, but not a rental girlfriend's client."

Yuu was taken aback: "You guys are picky about clients too?"

"That's not what I mean." Chizuru shook her head, pursing her lips briefly before continuing:

"What kind of people do you think want to hire a rental girlfriend? Except for you, the anomaly."

"What kind of people…"

Yuu furrowed his brows, pondering: "People who can't get a girlfriend, don't want one but want to feel love, or those looking to satisfy their pride?"

"Roughly, yeah, but I'd sum it up like this—people dissatisfied with relationships, feeling lonely in life, and seeking a crutch to get back on their feet."

Chizuru looked at him seriously.

"Not just rental girlfriends, but rental boyfriends generally deal with clients like that."

"…"

Yuu's eyes widened slightly, a figure flashing through his mind.

Yukinoshita Haruno.

She'd once said that a rental boyfriend was just for enjoying the feeling of love, to avoid regrets.

So, the system's "fulfilling her desires" was just about covering her regret for not being able to love freely?

"…Tenkuji-kun, I'll share my feelings."

Seeing his expression as if recalling someone, Chizuru gave a faint smile, turning her gaze to the overly soft sky outside the window.

"Even though a rental girlfriend can do far less than a real one," she said softly, "I still want to be a sort of bandage that protects a wound—every time I see a client who lacks confidence, is afraid to approach others, but hasn't completely given up, this thought comes up."

"Reality is already so tough. At least let them smile happily for these few short hours."

Yuu also gazed at the cityscape slowly drawing closer.

The neon lights glowed in the city, yet somehow felt unreal.

"…Even if it's a lie, it should be the most beautiful lie?"

Mimicking Haruno's tone, he exclaimed as much.

"That's a pretty deep way to put it."

Chizuru looked at him in surprise, then smiled again: "But it's not that poetic. After all, we're just working for money, so of course we have to take our job seriously—beyond that, everyone has different experiences and gains different senses of fulfillment."

"Back to the point, I said you're suited to be a rental boyfriend because you're attentive, honest, naturally kind to girls, and with fitting acting skills, you can fulfill most of a girl's desires for a boyfriend."

Chizuru looked him up and down, then shrugged helplessly.

"But you don't lack anything emotionally. You're strong, independent, and there's always someone in your heart who keeps you going—someone like that doesn't even need a rental girlfriend, let alone a real one."

She said the last part teasingly, but Yuu responded with a serious expression, nodding thoughtfully.

"True… Taking care of my sister is exhausting enough, let alone a girlfriend."

"So, making your sister your girlfriend is the best solution?"

Chizuru pulled out her phone, mimicking a call to the police: "Sorry, how old's your sister?"

"Just kidding."

Yuu laughed, addressing the beautiful girl about two years older than him: "So, your conclusion is that my idea of spending money for a lesson was a total waste?"

"Sorry, those are your words, not mine."

Chizuru gave a dry laugh, then sighed in resignation.

Her smooth legs, stretched out under her skirt, crossed elegantly, perfectly guarding that shadowy space.

"Alright, I've shared my experiences and thoughts. Whatever you take from this is no longer my concern… At least I've kept you company for a whole day."

Her eyes suddenly narrowed like a cat's, clutching her bag tightly, looking at him warily.

"If you hadn't kept countering me with rental boyfriend moves, I wouldn't have felt so off earlier, so no refunds, okay?"

"I'm not that stingy." Yuu scoffed, leaning back lazily in his seat. "Your words gave me some insight, even if they sounded like a recruitment pitch. I paid willingly, so accept it with peace of mind."

"Good then." Chizuru sighed in relief, ignoring his comment, and turned back to the Ferris wheel's view.

Suddenly, she asked softly: "Was this date fun?"

Yuu closed his eyes, recalling the moment he made her crouch in defeat, unable to suppress a smile, answering cheerfully:

"Oh, it was a blast. Truly worthy of a five-star rental girlfriend."

"Good then."

Facing the window, Chizuru laughed, her small braids bouncing happily.

"After we get back, please give me five stars~"

"Five stars, sure, but can I offer some feedback?"

Chizuru turned, surprised: "Huh? What feedback?"

Yuu cleared his throat, raising a finger and speaking fluently:

"You lost a fighting game in ten seconds, couldn't grab a plushie, broke combos even in easy mode on a music game, and were a complete liability in the shooting game. Though you're super cute and great at talking, you don't get anime jokes, not nearly as perfect as the website claims…"

"…"

A vein pulsed at her temple. Chizuru's cheeks twitched, her face darkened, and her gaze gradually turned ferocious.

Her slender shoulders trembled slightly, as if holding something back. Finally, unable to wait for him to finish, her patience snapped, and she shouted, revealing her true nature:

"The kind of girlfriend you're looking for doesn't exist in Japan, or the entire world, got it?!"

"No, she exists."

"Where?!"

"The 2D world."

"That's not this world, got it?!"

Yuu nodded, satisfied.

"Seeing that outburst, let's pretend I never heard that feedback."

Slowly curling her lips, Chizuru flashed a polite smile, speaking softly: "I've decided. When I get back, I'll hire you for one hour. I'll write down every single true feeling I had today, in full detail—just you wait!"

"I'll be ready for your visit." Yuu shrugged and smiled.

He was booked by a rich woman for a week. If Chizuru wanted to face him, she'd have to wait at least four or five days. Yuu wasn't worried at all, got it?

The Ferris wheel slowly descended.

The cabin door opened, and the staff prepared to guide them down.

As Yuu stood, his phone received a LINE message from Haruno.

{Tomorrow, come with me to the bookstore, then eat spicy food for lunch. No problem, right?~}

Oh, a spicy adventure that'll burn his butt…?

"No problem, just tell me the time and place."

After replying quickly, Yuu pocketed his phone, gazing at the cloudy, cool evening sky in the distance.

Tomorrow, would it be this bright too?

He was slightly looking forward to it.