Chapter 19 New Appreciation

No one's POV

2 Days Later...

Currently, Nhazul was in his room working on his essay for one of his classes while eating, however as he was, his mind drifted back to the other day.

(Flashback)

Ruka: 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)

Nhazul: ...

As Nhazul would remain lost in thought, he would receive a call from Ruka. Answering, he would put it on speaker, as Ruka would tell him about her day.

Ruka: Then Haruka was like, "Did somethin get ta yer head?!" And I was like "Why the sudden Fukuoka accent?"

Nhazul: Heh. Wow...

Hearing his tone, Ruka could quickly tell

that Nhazul has been feeling down lately, especially since the encounter with Mami.

Ruka: Nhazul, are you feeling down about something?

Nhazul: Down?

Ruka: I'm sorry about the other day... Ex or not, she's your classmate. I ignored the college implications and said all sorts of rude things to your friend in a fit of rage...

Nhazul: Friend...? No... We may be on very thin talking terms, but I wouldn't go that far... But it's fine. Things with her are already annoying and complicated...

Ruka: What do you mean?

Nhazul: Well... Before, I used to get so angry with her... How she always acts so nonchalant about everything. But in all honesty, it's to the point where I'm not even angry anymore... I just... I just want to know why...

Ruka: Nhazul...

Nhazul: When it comes to her, I'm always too afraid to push... One half of me wants to know the truth, while the other half is afraid of the answer... But you're the second person to stand up for me to her... So thanks...

Hearing this, Ruka would begin to blush, before gaining a determined look.

Ruka: W-Well, don't worry! I won't let you feel lonely. Here, I just sent you a cute selfie!

Nhazul would sigh, looking at the selfie Ruka had sent, chuckling.

Nhazul's thoughts: Well, at least she's back to normal and not getting too hung up on it...

Ruka: Wanna switch to chatting on PC? I have time tonight. I could go two hours easily.

Nhazul: No, that's fine. I need to finish this essay before I go to sleep...

(Timeskip)

After hanging up with Ruka and finishing his essay, he'd lay back on his bed, remembering what Leo had asked him.

Nhazul's thoughts: That's right, Leo still wants to go to Tokyo Dome City this week. She never really gave me an answer due to the Ruka crap.

As Nhazul would check the app, he sees that Chizuru had ranked up and is now in Regular Class, and is no longer in the Rookie Class.

Nhazul's thoughts: Oh? She ranked up? I guess being a rental for over year would do that for you.

Soon, Nhazul would see that her hourly fee also increased by a thousand yen, annoying him.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Great, she's even more expensive... With all her Simps, I'm sure she's going to make a killing...

(Timeskip)

It's currently the day of the date and currently Nhazul and Leo were waiting at the station, waiting for Chizuru arrive.

Leo: Hey, big bro! I'm super excited for today! Let's be sure to go on all the rides!

Hearing this, Nhazul would chuckle.

Nhazul: All the rides? You sure about that? Still look pretty short to me to get on.

Hearing this, Leo would look back at Nhazul with an annoyed look.

Leo: Hey! I've definitely gotten bigger!

Nhazul: Whatever helps you sleep at night.

???: Oh, there you both are.

Looking over, both Leo and Nhazul would see that Chizuru had arrived, walking up to them, making Leo smile.

Leo: Chizuru! You came!

Chizuru: Of course I came. I couldn't say no when Nhazul said you were coming along.

Leo would look back at Nhazul with a smirk.

Leo: Better be careful, big bro. I'm going to steal Chizuru when you're not looking.

Hearing this, Nhazul would just roll his eyes.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... By all means... But she's pretty expensive...

Without warning, Chizuru stepped on Nhazul's foot.

Nhazul: Owww!

Chizuru: Oh, I'm sorry.

Chizuru would lean towards Nhazul with an annoyed look.

Chizuru: I know you were thinking something smart in your head.

Chizuru would then smile at Leo.

Chizuru: Shall we get going, Leo?

Leo: Yeah!

Nhazul: ...-_-...

(Timeskip)

Once the three would arrive at Tokyo Dome City, they'd stop by a food stand that sold churros for a quick snack.

Nhazul: Which one do you both want?

Leo: I want a chocolate one.

Chizuru: I'll go with chocolate too.

Nhazul: Excuse me, can we get three chocolate dipped churros?

Stand worker: I'm terribly sorry. But we only have enough chocolate left for two churros...

Hearing this, Nhazul would just sigh.

Nhazul: That's fine. We'll just take the two.

After placing the order and paying, Nhazul would hand the churros to both Leo and Chizuru, surprising her.

Nhazul: Here.

Leo: Yay! Thanks big bro!

Chizuru: You're not going to get another one?

Nhazul: Eh, I'm not crazy about the other ones. But it's fine. You should eat it while it's still hot.

Chizuru: Oh... Thanks...

As Leo began eating his churros, Chizuru would look at hers before noticing another couple sharing food, making her blush a bit, before looking towards Nhazul.

Chizuru: Do you want a bite...?

Nhazul: Hmm?

Chizuru: A bite... Do you want one from mine..?

Nhazul: It's fine, you don't have to-

Chizuru: I feel bad eating by myself...

Seeing Chizuru offer it to him, Nhazul couldn't help but blush a bit, before sighing and taking a bite. Afterwards Chizuru would blush again, taking a bite herself.

Chizuru: Wow, this is good!

Nhazul: I know, that's why chocolate is my favorite.

Leo: Big bro, Chizuru, what are you two doing?

Nhazul: Hmm?

Chizuru: What do you mean, Leo?

Leo: Why are you both indirect kissing when you can just kiss for real?

Upon hearing this, both Nhazul and Chizuru would blush intensely, before he looked at him annoyed, only for Leo to smile at him.

Nhazul: ...-_-... You are such a little brat...

(Timeskip)

After spending their time at Tokyo Dome City, playing different games, riding all the rides and stopping to get lunch, Chizuru suggest they get on the ferris wheel, as there no one will find them. Before getting on, a woman takes a photo of them and Nhazul wonders why. On the wheel's cabin, Leo would see how high they were and was amazed.

Leo: Wow! Look how high we are! It's even higher then the roller coaster!

Seeing this, Chizuru would look at Leo with a smile before speaking up.

Chizuru: Did you know? The world's first Ferris wheel could carry 60 people per car?

Leo: Huh? 60 people?! Why so many?

Chizuru: Yep. It had 36 cars, so 2,000 people could ride at once. Isn't it amazing?

Leo: Yeah! That's cool!

As the three had begun to reach the top, Leo who had tired himself from the day had fallen asleep on Nhazul's lap. Seeing this, Chizuru would speak up.

Chizuru: How's he been?

Nhazul: Hmm?

Chizuru: You know, with...

Nhazul: Oh, yeah. He's been doing good. Mom said he's had a cough that lasted for a bit and he lost a little weight, but he's still doing better than the last time he had to stay in the hospital.

Chizuru: I see... That's good.

Looking out the window, Chizuru notices a concert below them. As Nhazul laid Leo down, he moved over to her side to see, however he's unable to see it. Chizuru guesses they are under an angle he can't see it now, however slipping, Nhazul stumbles and touches her boob by mistake, making them both

blush before Chizuru unconsciously slaps him.

Nhazul: Ow...

Chizuru: Sorry... I didn't mean to hit you...

Nhazul: Yeah, it's fine...It was my fault...

Nhazul said rubbing his face as he sat back down next to her, looking at a still sleep Leo.

Nhazul: Thanks for today, by the way.

Chizuru: Huh?

Nhazul: For coming out. He seems to have a better time with you around. Even though you're technically just a rental. But I guess it's a bit rough too.

Chizuru just looks at Nhazul confused.

Chizuru: Rough? What do you mean?

Nhazul: I've seen the section where clients could make special requests and what not. Have you never run over trouble with creeps and stuff like that?

Chizuru: Hmm... I don't think so. The clients are surprisingly gentlemanly. But there was that one time...

Nhazul: One time?

Chizuru: He wanted to show me a picture he really liked and he whipped out his phone, but there was porny stuff on the screen...

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... The hell...? Was he watching porn and forgot to close the tab...?

Chizuru: That was kind of awkward.

Nhazul: I bet it was...

Chizuru would then look out the window and start speaking with sarcastic tone.

Chizuru: Oh yeah... There was this one time I got review bombed after I gave them the perfect date.

Nhazul: Oh? That must of sucked.

Chizuru: My guess, he was being petty.

Nhazul: My guess, it was probably worth it.

Hearing this, Chizuru just looked at Nhazul annoyed, but she would soon speak up in a genuine tone.

Chizuru: But, I'm hooked.

Nhazul: Hooked?

Chizuru: Yeah. I'm in love. More so then before. After being with you, I gained a better appreciation for this job. I get to meet all kinds of people and learn, and I go to all kind of places and have so many experiences. When guys who were timid and couldn't hold a conversation at first get more talkative and tell me they got a girlfriend, it kind of makes me happy too.

Hearing this, Nhazul just looked at Chizuru surprised, as she continued speaking.

Chizuru: All I can do is pretend, but when I learn that even that lie can bring happiness to people, it's such a truly fulfilling moment. Sometimes I think it's similar to my acting work... Or maybe not.

Hearing this Chizuru, Nhazul looked at her genuinely surprised, thinking back to what he said to her when they met at the hospital.

(Flashback)

Chizuru: What is your deal?!

Nhazul: My deal? My deal is that stupid facade you put up, as well as your job as a whole.

Chizuru: Huh?!

Nhazul: You act like you care, like you're interested. You get into fake relationships with people you have no interest in just for money.

(Present)

Nhazul's thoughts: She takes so much pride in this job... I always thought this job was nothing but a job to pray off people's loneliness... But after everything's she said, all the people she's helped to find true love... I can't speak for the others, but at least for.. I was wrong...

(Timeskip)

At the ride ends, the photograph woman tells them that their picture is ready and they can get it in a photo album for a thousand yen. Nhazul pays it for Leo, feeling as he'd want it. As its getting dark and they leave with Nhazul carrying a still sleeping Leo on his back, Chizuru would speak up.

Chizuru: By the way, I need to tell you something.

Nhazul: Hmm?

Chizuru: It's about that play... I actually got contacted later by a different producer who came to watch. I'm rehearsing with them now.

Upon hearing this, Nhazul looked at Chizuru surprised, before smiling.

Nhazul: And here you said, you thought you weren't good enough. Congratulations. I'll definitely check it out. I'm sure this one will want to too.

Hearing this, Chizuru would look away blushing a bit.

Chizuru: Thanks... We've talked about my acting work before, so I figured I should tell you... But there also that other thing...

Hearing Chizuru say this, Nhazul immediately knew what she was referring to.

Chizuru: This next play is a minor one, so it won't have an immediate effect, but eventually we're going to have to come clean and end this.

Nhazul: Yeah... I know.

As the two continued to walk, Leo began to shuffle in his sleep getting comfortable as the two made their way to the station.