Chapter 15 Date Night

No one's POV

It's now been a couple days since the incident with Chizuru losing her Key, along with Mami almost catching her in his apartment. Currently at his job, upon clocking out, Nhazul grabbed his bag and was getting ready to leave, before being stopped by Ruka.

Ruka: Wait, Nhazul!

Looking up and from his phone, Nhazul would look back her.

Nhazul: Hmm? What is it?

Ruka: I'm going to cook for you tonight!

Upon hearing this, Nhazul just raised his brow.

Nhazul: I'm sorry?

Ruka: I said I want to cook for you tonight!

Nhazul: Why?

Ruka: You look like you've been losing weight. Have you been eating right?

Nhazul: I've been eating fine. I don't need you to-

Ruka: It'll suck if you were malnourished.

Nhazul: I'm not malnourished...

Ruka: So as your girlfriend, I can't ignore it!

Nhazul: You're just ignoring everything I'm saying, aren't you...?

Ruka: Okay, it's a plan! Time for shopping!

Ruka said happily, as she would walk away towards the store, annoying Nhazul.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Lovely, this is my night now. But I can definitely tell she's up to something...

After leaving Karaoke Village, Nhazul would reluctantly go along with Ruka cooking, knowing she wouldn't give up until he did. As the two go shopping, Nhazul would watch Ruka pick up ingredients, happily humming to herself.

Nhazul's thoughts: Someone's definitely having fun.

Walking over, Nhazul would see the different ingredients she had picked up, including Turtle meat, confusing him.

Nhazul's thoughts: Avocado? Garlic and Soft-shell Turtle meat?

Nhazul: And what exactly are you making?

Ruka would yelp in surprise and looked back towards Nhazul.

Ruka: C-Curry! I was going to make curry!

Hearing this, Nhazul raised a brow, with a skeptical look.

Nhazul: What kind of Curry requires Turtle meat?

Ruka would soon pout at Nhazul.

Ruka: You do for some Curries! Am I not allowed to want my boyfriend have a nice meal?

Nhazul: ...-_-...

Ruka: What? That's all I want! Nothing more! Honest!

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-...Doubt...

Sighing, Nhazul would let Ruka continue her shopping in peace. Afterwards, Nhazul ends up paying for the ingredients, with more than half of the bill being for the turtle.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-...Why the hell is turtle meat so expensive...?

(Timeskip)

After paying for everything, Nhazul and Ruka would return to Nhazul's apartment, and upon entering Ruka would take off her shoes, leaving them at the door.

Ruka: Thanks for having me, the girlfriend, over!

Nhazul: Are you really trying to make your presence known...?

After getting settled, Nhazul would sit down at his table, while Ruka would take off her school blazer and put on a apron she pulled out from her bag.

Ruka: Nhazul, you just sit there and watch. You'll see how cute I am while cooking!

Hearing this, Nhazul would just sigh, complying with her request.

Nhazul: Just don't make a mess...

Ruka: Right! I'm going to do my best!

As Ruka went into the kitchen, she would take out all the ingredients and began preparing them.

Ruka: First, 200cc of water. Get the ingredients ready!

As Ruka continues her prep, Nhazul would just close his eyes, leaning back on his chair, his mind wandering to what Chizuru said to him at the Batting Center a few days ago.

(Flashback)

Chizuru: You know, you're also a far cry from last year as well.

Nhazul: Huh?

Chizuru: Would the you from last year willingly be here with me?

Upon hearing this, Nhazul's eyes widened in realization. It's as his animosity towards her and women now as a whole is almost essentially nonexistent.

Nhazul: ...

(Present)

Nhazul's thoughts: The me from last year would have never let her do this... I honestly didn't notice until she said it... I don't know if that's a good or bad thing though...

Ruka: Oh, right.

Nhazul: Hmm?

Being brought out his thoughts, Nhazul would see Ruka walk over to him, placing a beer can front of him.

Ruka: Here, some pre meal beer.

Nhazul: Thanks, but I'm good.

Ruka: Oh, really? That's too bad.

Taking the beer, Ruka would open it and pour it into the pot.

Ruka: Glug, glug, glug, glug.

Nhazul: ...-_-...What the hell do you think you're doing...?

Ruka: It's for the Curry! I forgot to buy cooking wine, is all.

Nhazul: I don't think beer is supposed to be a substitute...

Soon, Nhazul would get up and walk behind Ruka, seeing her look at some notes and instructions she had written down and it was for a dish known as "Turtle Curry".

Nhazul's thoughts: Turtle Curry?

Upon looking it up on his phone, Nhazul saw it was actually a real dish.

Nhazul's thoughts: Huh. So it's actually a real thing.

Nhazul: I've been playing along, but I guess it's safe to assume that you planned all this.

Ruka: ...

Nhazul: And me losing weight was a bunch of bs too, right?

Caught, Ruka avoids the question, playing dumb and innocent.

Ruka: Uh, who can say? Maybe I just gained weight myself.

Nhazul: If that's the case, maybe you she be making salads instead of curry.

Annoyed, Ruka would attempt to stab Nhazul with the chopsticks she was using.

Ruka: Leave me alone! Shoo! Shoo! I'll stab you!

Rolling his eyes, Nhazul leave Ruka to continue cooking, however as he was walking away, she would speak up.

Ruka: So this is how it feels...

Nhazul: Hmm?

Ruka: I've never fallen in love before... Til how it feels to cook a meal for your boyfriend...

Hearing this, Nhazul would look at Ruka surprised, especially by how pure and genuine that sentiment was.

Nhazul's thoughts: Does she really...?

Some time later,

when the curry is ready, both Nhazul and Ruka sit to eat, with Ruka excited to see Nhazul try her cooking, waiting eagerly, as Nhazul tastes it.

Ruka: ...

Nhazul: Wow... It's really good. You did a great job on it.

Hearing this, Ruka's eyes widened in surprise.

Ruka: Really? Yay!

After the two would finish eating, they would sit and watch a movie together. As they did, Nhazul would unconsciously think back to the past where he would do the same thing with Mami.

Nhazul's thoughts: It's been so long since I've done something like this... Genuinely enjoyed my time being with girl like this... I've forgotten how nice it felt..

Bringing himself out of his thoughts, Nhazul would look over and notice Ruka texting someone.

Nhazul: Texting someone?

Ruka: O-Oh, don't worry about it...

Nhazul: ...-_-...

Immediately being able to tell she was up to something,

Nhazul looked over her shoulder, seeing she was texting her mom, saying she will be staying over at Yuka's place.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... And... She ruined it..

Nhazul: What do you think you're doing...?

Yelping in surprise, Ruka would push Nhazul back with her foot as she finished sending her text, as Nhazul attempted to grab her phone to stop her.

Ruka: Come on, what's the big deal? I let you go on dates with Chizuru.

Nhazul: That's not the point here!

Ruka: But I'm your girlfriend! I wanna be lovey dovey with you too...

Nhazul: ...-_-... You talk as if Chizuru and I are constantly doing crap like that...

Nhazul would gather Ruka's things, leading her to the door.

Nhazul: You're not staying here. I'm taking you home.

Ruka: But-

Nhazul: No. This isn't up for-

As Nhazul opens the door and pushes her out, the two sees its heavily raining, surprising them.

Nhazul: Huh?! When did...?

Nhazul checks his phone and sees on the news that a typhoon is coming, irritating him.

Nhazul: You have got to be kidding me...

Nhazul would look over towards Ruka, who has a smirk on her face, annoying him.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-...Great...

(Timeskip)

After being left with no other option due to rain and all the trains not running, Nhazul had no choice but to allow Ruka to spend the night. Since she got wet from the rain, Ruka takes a bath and wears one of one of shirts.

Ruka: Ta-da! How do I look?

Nhazul: Put on the shorts I left you.

Ruka: What? But those pants aren't cute! And you know-

Nhazul would then cover Ruka's mouth.

Nhazul: Will you keep it down?

Ruka: Huh? Weally?

Nhazul: Other people do live at this complex, you know?

Backing away, Ruka would look hurt, before falling out on the bed, getting annoyed thinking Nhazul was thinking of Chizuru.

Ruka: You meanie! You're thinking about Chizuru, even now! Do I mean nothing to you?!

Nhazul now annoyed, would cover up Ruka's mouth.

Nhazul: Will you be quiet, I have other neighbors other then her!

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Still, I don't feel like dealing with her bs if she found out she spent the night...

Moving his hand away, Ruka would speak up.

Ruka: I get it. Jeez, fine. I'm one step ahead of her just by getting to spend the night with you. I'll obey the tenant here.

Hearing this, Nhazul would just sigh.

Nhazul: Thank-

Ruka: I SWEAR!!!!

Without warning, Nhazul would cover both Ruka's mouth and nose, causing her to be unable to breathe, as he looked at her annoyed.

Nhazul: Stop it, now.

Ruka: I get it, I get it!

As Nhazul let go of Ruka, she would speak up again.

Ruka: Sheesh, fine. Relax. I'm not going to do anything. I still remember what you told before.

Nhazul: Before?

(Flashback)

Nhazul: Do you think just throwing yourself at me the way you are is the way to get closer to someone? That may work for some, but not everyone. You can't rush a relationship!

(Present)

Ruka: I have no intention of throwing myself at you. I truly want to get closer to you and have you see me as your girlfriend. But just being able to stay over, I've fulfilled one of my goals....

Hearing this, Nhazul would just sigh, before leaving her to take a shower of his own. Later, while working on some assignments on his laptop,

Nhazul noticed Ruka watching one of her videos on social media that reached 80k likes. Nhazul isn't surprised as guys would find her really attractive and like it for that fact alone. After awhile, Nhazul decides to go to bed, turning the lights out, as he noticed Ruka had gotten into his bed under the covers smiling, making him sigh.

Nhazul: ...-_-... You better not trying anything...

Ruka: I won't! I promise!

Nhazul: ...-_-...

Nhazul would soon get into the bed with Ruka and under the covers facing away from her closing his eyes and trying to sleep. However, 30 minutes later after dozing off, Nhazul then feels something rubbing on his back, stirring him awake.

Nhazul: What did I say...?

Ruka: ...

Not hearing a response, Nhazul would look confused.

Nhazul's thoughts: Is she sleep?

Soon, Nhazul would feel Ruka's arms wrap around him, making him sigh.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Nope...

Ruka: I...I was born with Bradycardia...

Upon hearing this out of nowhere statement, Nhazul would look surprised.

Nhazul's thoughts: Bradycardia?

Ruka: Due to my irregular heartbeat, I'm always tormented for being treated differently from others because I can collapse if I perform any hard working activity... I always feel alienated because of it... It's why I became a Rental Girlfriend... I wanted to have someone who can make my heart beat faster without any trouble...

Nhazul's thoughts: Seems like everyone has a reason for being a Rental.. Chizuru with her acting... Sumi with her shyness and now Ruka with her heart...

Ruka: All the people I'd met with had no effect on me... Until I met you... You're sincerity and selflessness made me fall in love with you... I know that sounds like a dumb reason for someone to fall in love that way, but I can't help it..

Nhazul's thoughts: It isn't dumb... Everyone loves differently.. I'm no different...

Ruka: I know I've gone on and said that I'm ready to take things seriously and help you trust again... But I get it... I can talk the talk all I want, but it won't matter if I'm not attractive enough for you... I'm not mature like Chizuru... And I've never held a special place in your heart like your Ex and I have zero sex appeal... I'm sure you only see me as some kid who's trying way to hard. I know I'm being a bother... I know I'm turning you off like this... But...

Soon Ruka would hold Nhazul tighter, pressing her forehead to his back.

Ruka: I can't control myself... Even if you think I'm pain, or that I'm too clingy... Just being with you like this... It makes me so happy, I could cry...

Upon hearing this, Nhazul would look down, feeling bad, before speaking up in response.

Nhazul: I'm sorry...

Ruka: Huh...?

Nhazul: I'm sorry your first experience with love is with someone like me... Someone who's still broken inside... But at the same time, you're wrong. Very wrong. You are a beautiful woman. Any person would be blessed to have you as their girlfriend. And I won't lie to you. I thought as you as irritating and a bother, and you still have your moments, but at the same time... You're one of the people who's been slowly changing me... Helping me heal from this pain...

Hearing this, Ruka's eyes widened in shock.

Ruka: Nhazul...

Nhazul: But at the same time... I don't know if I'll ever be capable of loving again... So it isn't fair to make you wait for a day that may never come...

Ruka: I'll wait. No matter what, I'll wait for that day. Even if it's in the next life. I'll wait for you no matter what...

Ruka said hugging Nhazul's tightly. However hearing this, Nhazul would just sigh.

Nhazul: I see...

(Timeskip)

It's now currently the morning and Nhazul was the first to stir awake and when he attempted to sit up, he quickly felt something holding onto him. Looking down, he's quickly met with the sight of Ruka holding and cuddling with him, still sound asleep, making him sigh and lightly blush.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... I swear, this girl...

Sometime later, after waking and having breakfast, Ruka would get dressed and gather her things, ready to leave as Nhazul walked her to the door.

Ruka: You know... You made me really happy.

Nhazul: Hmm?

Ruka: I'd always thought you only found me as a nuisance. So it felt like you told me I could stay by your side...

Nhazul: ...

Walking up to Nhazul, Ruka would get on her tip toes, kissing him on the cheek, surprising him as she would blush and smile at him, making him sigh.

Ruka: Bye bye! Thanks for having me over.

Nhazul: Yeah.. Just be careful on your way home.

Ruka: Right!

As Ruka took her leave, Nhazul would back into his apartment. However unbeknownst to either of them, Chizuru who was about to throw away her garbage had seen Ruka leave his apartment and was shocked.

Chizuru: ...