Chapter 12 Talent

No one's POV

It's been a few days since the Mami and Chizuru confrontation and currently, Nhazul was laying down on his bed looking up at the ceiling lost in his thoughts of his current situation with everything. Doing so, he would think back to his conversation with Chizuru quitting being a Rental Girlfriend.

(Flashback)

Chizuru: How would you feel if I quit being a rental girlfriend?

Nhazul: Quitting?

Chizuru: Remember that directer Umi was talking to? I landed a role on his play. It's pretty famous and my agency says it'll lead to more role's down the line if I deliver.

Nhazul: That so, huh?

Chizuru: I've been at it, for a year already. And if I can make enough money as an actress, I can devote all my time to it. So I figured it's about time to move on.

Nhazul: Hmmm.

Chizuru: What do you think?

Nhazul: Why are you asking me?

Chizuru just rolled her eyes.

Chizuru: Well, we are helping each other out. So I felt I should talk to you about it.

Nhazul: Well, at the end of the day, regardless of what I say, it's your decision. When it comes to your career as an actress, it's up to you to make the final decision.

Chizuru just looked down.

Chizuru: So you think I should quit?

Nhazul: If it's to help towards your dream, then I say yes. But like I said, it's up to you. You have the final say so.

Chizuru: I see... Can I ask you one more thing?

Nhazul: What?

Chizuru went to say something, but ultimately didn't.

Chizuru: Never mind... I have to get up early, I have a date booked.

Nhazul: Right. Have fun with that.

(Present)

Nhazul's thoughts: If she's really going to quit being a Rental, then we'll need to end this facade and soon.

Drifting back to Chizuru, his mind drifted to a conversation he had with her the other day. Of how a famous director will be at her next performance looking for an actor to join her cast.

Nhazul: Thinking of it, when is this play?

Curious, Nhazul began to look up and see what Plays are scheduled to for a showing and the one that came up was for a show called "The Heron Princess".

Nhazul's thoughts: "The Heron Princess". Not gonna lie, they could've done better with the name...

Looking at the poster, Nhazul would see Chizuru's picture on it as one of the main actors.

Nhazul: So she's a part of the main cast, huh?

Looking at the start time, Nhazul would see it was to start in the next 2 hours.

Nhazul: 2 hours, huh? I could make that.

(Timeskip)

After getting dressed and making his way towards the theater, Nhazul would by a ticket and make his way towards his seat, but on the way to his seat,

however unbeknownst to him, Sumi who is also there, noticed him, by was too quiet to get his attention. As he was sitting, Nhazul overheard a conversation with an older man who was being helped to his seat.

Man: This way, sir.

???: Thank you.

Getting a better look, Nhazul was surprised to see the man and recognized him.

Nhazul's thoughts: Rin Togakushi? He's the director she was talking about scouting? I haven't him seen since-

Before he could finish his thoughts, the lights would dim, signaling the start of the play. When the play starts, for a moment, Nhazul thought that Chizuru is the lead actor and playing the princess, before noticing the Shogun enter the scene and despite wearing a bold cap, he could tell who he was.

Nhazul's thoughts: That's the guy from before. Umi, was it?

As the play continued, Umi The shogun calls his trusted Kunoichi Nene and much to

Nhazul's surprise Chizuru comes out. As she is nothing like her usual self making him snicker.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... I get she's acting, but once you know her true personality, seeing her like this takes you back a bit... Still...

As she continues with the play and starts making jokes, the audience starts laughing, and even he couldn't help but laugh as well. At the same time, Nhazul couldn't help but be impressed by her acting.

Nhazul's thoughts: This script isn't even that good, the plot isn't all that interesting, the line delivery isn't the best, it's like they're reading from an invisible script and sounds unnatural and the choreography is abysmal...But even so...

As the play continues, Chizuru manages to catch the audience's eye with her movements, timing, expressions, and everything. And Nhazul notices that even when the other actors are talking, the audience have their eyes on Chizuru, causing a small smile to form.

Nhazul's thoughts: Even being held back by a subpar script, she still makes herself shine. The signs of an actor who's going to go far...

The play ended within 30 minutes of Nene's death and Nhazul believes that everyone realized who the MVP was. Nhazul remains on his seat after the play, recalling the cheers, feeling a bit of nostalgia from them.

Nhazul: ...

As Nhazul continued to remain seated, Sumi was about to greet him, but decides not to, leaving with a smile.

(Timeskip)

After leaving the theater, Nhazul would stop at a smoothie shop before going home, and on his way there, he would bump into someone by mistake, before realizing it was Chizuru, who looked at him surprised.

Chizuru: What are you doing here?!

Chizuru then noticed that Nhazul had a playbill of the show, surprising her even more.

Chizuru: Is that a playbill of my show?!

Nhazul: Yep.

Nhazul said extremely casually as he took a sip from his smoothie, irritating Chizuru who just glared at him.

Chizuru: I didn't even mention what the show was or where it was at...! How did you even manage to find it?!

Nhazul: ...-_-... You do realize Google is very much a thing, right? Wasn't really that hard to narrow it down.

Hearing this, Chizuru just looked at Nhazul more irritated before she would just sigh.

Chizuru: I know I can't stop you from buying a ticket and watching. But I've told very few people that I'm pursuing acting. And considering my other clients, you really shouldn't be here. It's unfair to them.

Nhazul: ...-_-... You act as if this play was for a select screening and you gave me a ticket...

Chizuru: You know what I mean!

Nhazul: Anywho... I still thought you were great.

Chizuru: Don't change the-Huh?

Chizuru said, looking at Nhazul surprised.

Nhazul: All pettiness aside, I thought your performance was great.

The entire show as a whole wasn't all that great, but you still gave it your best performance and it clearly showed. You were easily the highlight.

Chizuru surprised just looked at Nhazul, before putting her hands on her hips and giving him a look.

Chizuru: What would you know about acting?

To this, Nhazul would just look away, making Chizuru a brow before speaking.

Nhazul: I know a thing or too, that's all.

Chizuru would just look at Nhazul, before looking down, blushing slightly.

Chizuru: Thanks...

Nhazul: You don't need to thank me. You should be thanking Togakushi Sensei. With that performance, there's no doubt he'll give much better roles.

Hearing this, Chizuru wouldn't say anything, looking down and away from Nhazul saddened.

Chizuru: It didn't work out.

Hearing this, Nhazul genuinely looked at her surprised.

Nhazul: What?

Chizuru: A different actress got the role... I was overlooked because I don't have the talent compared to her.

Hearing this, Nhazul would continue to look towards Chizuru, who would give him a fake smile.

Chizuru: It is what it is. Competition is fierce in showbiz.

Hearing this, Nhazul would unconsciously think back to a moment in his life when something similar happened to him. How he was overlooked and watched as the next person was chosen over him, despite how hard he worked.

Nhazul: ...

Chizuru: Shiori's super pretty, after all. I'll just have to take this in the chin. Oh, but I might get another chance, so I'll try harder next time. But now I can't quit my Rental Girlfriend job for awhile. I'll need to keep working hard. I was actually staggering a little during the fight scene. I should work on my core.

Chizuru would continue to look down.

Chizuru: In the end, there are plenty of 19 year old actresses stealing the show out there... Pursuing a dream comes at a price, and I take the money I get from playing a dreamy girlfriend... But the dream I keep paying for will never come true with my lack of talent.

Nhazul: Are you done?

Chizuru: Huh?

Nhazul: This pity party. Are you done?

Hearing this, Chizuru looked at Nhazul annoyed.

Chizuru: Pity party?!

Nhazul: That's right. I understand not getting chosen sucks and it's alright to be upset about it. But beating yourself up about it, belittling yourself and your dream won't make it come true. A lack of talent? The way you can switch between girlfriend mode and your normal, blunt and annoying personalities at the snap of your fingers isn't something someone without talent could do. Your performance today was amazing and everyone in that audience agreed. I saw them, all eyes were on you and you alone. The best actor on that stage.

Upon hearing this, Chizuru's eyes widened hearing Nhazul's words, tearing up a bit, before he continued speaking.

Nhazul: So you best pick yourself up, get over it and keep moving forward towards your dream. Don't stand here and tell me you're going to give up over a setback.

Chizuru: ...

Nhazul: And besides.

Chizuru looked up at Nhazul, who just smirked.

Nhazul: If your dream has a cost, then you'll make plenty with your high ass prices.

Chizuru: ...

Without warning, Chizuru would step on Nhazul's foot with hers, causing him to drop his smoothie before running away from him.

Nhazul: OWW!!!! What the hell?!

(Timeskip)

Getting home, Chizuru receives a call from Umi, since Shiori wanted to talk with her. Shiori thanks her for warming up the crowd, which made her performance much easier. After hanging up, Chizuru opened up her script and proceeded to look through all the notes she had left for herself.

Be load and clear...

Don't get distracted by the other's movements...

Play Goal: No Regrets...

Chizuru: ...

(Flashback)

Nhazul: So you best pick yourself up, get over it and keep moving forward towards your dream. Don't stand here and tell me you're going to give up over a setback.

(Present)

Soon, Chizuru starts crying, having thought back to Nhazul's words, which have revigorated her goal and to keep moving forward, before smiling with a small blush on her face.

Chizuru: He's such a jerk...