Chapter 18 The Ex And The Current

No one's POV

It's currently the morning of the next day and Nhazul began to stir awake, holding his head due to how unbelievably bad his hangover is.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-...My head is on fire... I've never had a hangover this bad...

Nhazul would slowly sit up in his bed, still holding his head.

Nhazul: Jeez... I don't even remember anything after the fifth Bamboo Shooty...

Nhazul would grab his phone to see the time, however he soon saw that he was invited in a group chat with everyone who were drinking last night.

Nhazul: A Group chat? Are we that buddy buddy now?

Nhazul then sees that Chizuru is invited too and it's with her private number.

Nhazul's thoughts: Her private number? Not her rental one? I guess since her friends are in it she'd use it...

Thinking really nothing of it, Nhazul would get out of bed to get ready for class and went to his fridge to get something to drink when he sees a drink that Chizuru had left him for hangover and realizes she indeed had helped him last night.

Nhazul: Huh? She really was here?

As Nhazul would pick up the drink, he would let out a sigh, looking towards his wall in the direction of Chizuru's apartment.

Nhazul's thoughts: Guess I should thank her next time I see her...

Elsewhere with Chizuru, and looks at her phone and at the group chat and wonders if she should add Nhazul's private number as a friend.

Chizuru: ...

(Timeskip)

It's the next day and currently at work within Karaoke Village, Nhazul and Ruka were washing dishes together when he would notice how happy and cheerful she was, more then normal.

Nhazul: What's got you so happy?

Ruka: It's because I'm still so happy from the other night and cuddling with you!

Hearing this, Nhazul would roll his eyes as she spoke up again.

Ruka: I can't wait to snuggle up with you again!  You were so cuddly and warm!

Nhazul: I was in a good mood that night. You shouldn't expect me to do it again.

Upon hearing this, Ruka looked at Nhazul surprised and upset.

Ruka: Huh?!

Suddenly, the two would hear a bell to signal that someone was at the counter and Nhazul would make his way there and as he goes to greet them, upon realizing who it was, he looked surprised to see it was Mami, who also looked surprised.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... You're kidding me...

Mami: Nhazi? I didn't know you worked here.

Nhazul: Yeah, I've part time here for over a year now.

Mami: Aww, still the hard worker, I see.

Nhazul's thoughts: What is with her...? It's like our last conversation never happened....

As Nhazul would just look at Mami and sigh, before he spoke up.

Nhazul: Since you're alone, I assume you're looking to rent out room?

Mami would pull out her laptop with a smile.

Mami: Yep. I'm here to finish up my report. Using this as my study room.

Nhazul: I see...

Nhazul would pull out the menu with the different prices and show them to Mami.

Mami: Hmm... Okay, 2 hours in a Joyfound room. I might extend.

Nhazul: We have free time plans as well.

Ruka who had walked out saw Nhazul and Mani talking, and seeing how casual and friendly Mami was talking to him confused her, knowing the other only Nhazul talks to is Chizuru.

Ruka: Nhazul, do you know her?

Both Nhazul and Mami would look back, having noticed Ruka had walked out.

Nhazul: Yeah. We go to the same college.

Mami: Wow, you're a real cutie! Are you in school?

Ruka: Uh, yeah...

Nhazul: Come on. Let me take you too your room.

Mami: Oh, sure.

Upon taking Mami to the Karaoke room, Ruka would hear Mami call Nhazul "Nhazi" again, causing her to immediately get suspicious and goes with them to the Karaoke room. Within the room, as Mami set up her laptop, Nhazul would bring her the food and drink she ordered.

Mami: Thanks a bunch. And sorry about this. I got part of this done back home, but I kept getting lazy. I remember how mad you used to get when I did the same in high school.

Upon hearing this, Nhazul would unfortunately think back to his high school days, before looking away.

Nhazul: I see...

Mami: We always went to Karaoke together with just the two of us after submitting a big project, remember?

Again, Nhazul would look down, thinking back to those times.

Nhazul: Yeah...

Nhazul's thoughts: Why does she keep bringing this stuff up...?

Feeling a piercing gaze behind him, Nhazul would look back to see Ruka poking her head in the door with an irritated look on her face.

Nhazul: ...-_-... What are you doing...?

Being caught, Ruka would yelp in surprise as Nhazul spoke up once again.

Nhazul: What is it? If you need help with something, I'll be there in a minute.

Ruka: No...It's nothing like that.

Ruka said, staring directly at Mami, before turning to Nhazul, seeing his uncharacteristically passive, almost docile look on his face, surprising her.

Ruka's thoughts: Why does he look like that...? He's never looked that way with me or even Chizuru...

Soon Ruka would look back to Mami, wanting answers.

Ruka: So, what kind of relationship do you two have?

Hearing this, Mami looked at her surprised, before speaking up with a smile, as Ruka simply narrowed her eyes.

Mami: What kind? Just normal classmates. Right, Nhazi?

Nhazul: Yeah...

Mami: Why do you ask, though? Wait, I get it! You like Nhazi, right, Ribbons? You're such a playboy.

Nhazul: ...

Hearing this, Ruka would grow more annoyed.

Ruka: No. it's more then that. I'm his-

Without warning, Nhazul would cover Ruka's mouth, surprising her and confusing Mami.

Mami: Nhazi? What was that?

Nhazul: It's nothing... She just needs to get back to work...

Ruka's thoughts: Nhazul... Why...? Why are you hiding it...? Because we're at work? No... He's too passive for that... And there's what I heard earlier...

(Flashback)

Mami: We always went to Karaoke together with just the two of us after submitting a big project, remember?

(Present)

Soon Ruka's eyes would widen in realization remembering what Sai told her about Nhazul's Ex girlfriend hurting him deeply and causing him to hate women.

Ruka's thoughts: Her! She's his Ex, isn't she?!

Upon coming to this realization, Ruka began to grow even more irritated towards Mami.

Ruka's thoughts: If she is, then what is all this?! That damn attitude...! Those damn eyes...! And asking if I like him! What's her deal?! She's acting as if Nhazul still belongs to her! After all she's put him through?!

As Nhazul went to talk Ruka outside, but she gets back inside holding Nhazul's arm, surprising him and looking directly towards Mami.

Nhazul: Ruka, wait-

Ruka: I'm his girlfriend! We're dating! I'm Nhazul's girlfriend!

Upon hearing this, Mami would look at Ruka with a blank stare.

Mami: "Girlfriend"...? Really..?

Nhazul would just sigh, looking towards Ruka.

Nhazul: Ruka, that's enou-

Ruka would then walk up to Mami, slamming her hands down on the table and getting in her face.

Ruka: Yes, really! You're his Ex that broke his heart, aren't you? Too bad for you, you had your chance! I'm his girlfriend now!

Mani: Huh...?

Ruka: Nhazul doesn't belong to you anymore! He belongs to me now!

Nhazul: Ruka, stop!

Ruka: I also think you have the wrong idea about something! Acting all cool and pretending you've done nothing wrong! Like you didn't put him through so much crap! Seriously, what's your deal?! You show up at your Ex's workplace? You're the one who can't let him go, huh? You're a thing of the past! So who don't you just get out of his life already and let him be-

Nhazul: ENOUGH!!!

Ruka would quickly yelp, looking back at Nhazul who was looking at her.

Nhazul: That's enough...

Mami: I'm sorry...

Nhazul and Ruka would both look towards Mami, who was away.

Mami: I didn't mean to cause trouble... But if you have a real girlfriend, who do you need a rental?

Hearing this, Ruka looked surprised and looked towards Nhazul, who nods to her, telling her that Mami knows about Chizuru. Nhazul would then look towards Mami.

Nhazul: I told you before. I have my reasons for why I'm doing this. But I'm willing to tell you why, if you're willing to do the same...

Upon hearing this, Mami wouldn't say anything, before she apologizes and decides to leave, again disregarding Nhazul's proposal, making him just look down and sigh, sitting down on the seat.

Nhazul: ...

Ruka would just look at Nhazul wanting to say something to him, but decided not and walks off to let him be alone. Elsewhere, with Mami, as she was walking down the sidewalk after leaving, a couple of guys start to hit on her.

Guy#1: Yo, you by yourself?

Guy#2: Let me carry your-

Without warning, Mami would shatter the glass bottle her drink came in, surprising the two guys.

Mami: Fuck off...

Creeping the two guys out, Mami would continue to walk down the street before going to the train station and getting on the train, still angry. She didn't expect Nhazul to have a girlfriend, but feels something is off. She know about the rental girlfriend and didn't mind it and the bag she saw was for a more adult woman then something a teen would have.

Mami: ...

(Flashback)

Chizuru: Please, tell me! Why did you do it?! Being a rental girlfriend helped me realize just how important love really is! And being with Nhazul helped opened my eyes to how hard it is to love and trust! You have to realize the pain and hurt you put him through, the pain he's still in! And he doesn't even know why! If you no longer love him, then so be it, but you can't just forget all you've been through with him! Don't you think he deserves some sort of closure to help him move on, just like you've have?!

(Flashback)

Ruka: I also think you have the wrong idea about something! Acting all cool and pretending you've done nothing wrong! Like you didn't put him through so much crap! Seriously, what's your deal?! You show up at your Ex's workplace? You're the one who can't let him go, huh? You're a thing of the past! So who don't you just get out of his life already!

(Present)

As Mami continued to think to herself, she would become more annoyed with both Ruka and Chizuru, clinching her fist.

Mami's thoughts: Closure...? Let go...? You two have no idea what I had to sacrifice....! What I had to do for him...

As she continued riding the train, the next station is Nhazul's station, but to Mami surprise, she sees Chizuru getting on the train

with the bag that was at his apartment, making her eyes widened.

Mami: ...

Chizuru: Er... It's been awhile...

With a smile, Mami calls Chizuru to sit to next to her and tells her she needed to do something around here. Mami wonders if Chizuru lives around here, but Chizuru explains she also needed to do something around there. Mami then compliments Chizuru's bag and asks her from how long she had her. As Chizuru tells her she had it for a while, Mami laughs. When they got of the train, before going their ways, Mami spoke up.

Mami: You're not seeing Nhazi anymore, right?

Upon hearing this, Chizuru would just look towards Mami with a straight face, as the two stared each other down before Chizuru spoke up.

Chizuru: Yes. That's right.

Upon hearing her answer, Mami would look at Chizuru for a few moments before smiling.

Mami: Okay. Got it. Bye.

As Mami began to walk from Chizuru, she would watch her disappear into the crowd, a shiver running down her spine.

Chizuru's thoughts: Was that a coincidence...? It was, right...?

With Mami, as she's walking away, she's sure that the bag belonged to Chizuru. She wonders if she forgot the bag there or she was actually there when Mami visited Nhazul those night. She believes they are closer than rental girlfriend and client. However, she can't understand Ruka.

Mami's thoughts: What the hell is with that kid... Even if they're more then client and rental, Nhazul would never two time.

(Flashback)

Nhazul: I'll tell you my reasons for renting Chizuru, and in exchange you tell me why... Why you broke my heart and destroyed my ability to trust...

Upon hearing this, Mami's eyes widened, as she would just look down.

Mami: You... You left me no other choice...

(Present)

Mami would then look down saddened, thinking about Nhazul.

Mami's thoughts: That was no excuse... You really left me no choice...

Mami's thoughts soon drifted to both Chizuru and Ruka, growing more irritated.

Mami: What ever the reason he's involved with those two, I'm not going let them take away MY Nhazi....