Chapter 29 Birthday Outing

No one's POV

It's now August 26th and Nhazul had handed over the movie footage to the editors, so that they can complete the movie, in time for the film festival which is scheduled for the end of September.

Nhazul's thoughts: Alright. Glad I can depend on them for the editing. Now all we need to do is-

Suddenly, Nhazul's doorbell rings, causing him to sigh.

Nhazul: Right on time, I see...

Nhazul would get up and open the door and immediately would be met by Ruka who pops party poppers.

Ruka: Happy Birthday!

Nhazul: I already wished you happy birthday at midnight and this morning, is a third time really necessary? Also don't pop poppers at the door.

Ruka: It's fine. These ones don't leave a mess.

Nhazul: ...-_-... But they do make noise...

Ruka: It's my first birthday since we started dating!

Nhazul: ...-_-... We're not dating...

Ruka: You promised to make it a memorable one, right?

Nhazul: Yeah, yeah. I'm going to keep my promise. But like I said, within reason.

Ruka: Of course!

Ruka said happily, walking inside Nhazul's apartment, making him sigh, but gain a small smile.

Nhazul's thoughts: Always the loose cannon.

Soon, Ruka would run to Nhazul's closet, opening and starting to go through it.

Nhazul: Any particular reason why you're going through my closet?

Looking back at Nhazul, Ruka would give him a big smile.

Ruka: Swim. Suit. Time!

Hearing this, Nhazul would just look at Ruka and sigh a bit irritated.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Here we go...

(Timeskip)

After reluctantly agreeing to Ruka's request due to not wanting to break his promise, the two would go to a water park, with Nhazul waiting for Ruka to get changed.

Nhazul's thoughts: Normally I would have said no, but she helped out a lot during the movie and she missed the trip. And I guess this is within reason. But knowing her, she most definitely has more in store.

Nhazul would then think back to when Ruka had kissed him on his birthday.

Nhazul: ...

Ruka: I'm here...

Nhazul would look back towards Ruka, seeing her in her swimsuit, causing him to blush a bit.

Ruka: How does it look...?

Nhazul would rub his head sheepishly.

Nhazul: It...Uh... It looks nice on you....

Hearing this, Ruka would smile at Nhazul happily.

Ruka: Really? I'm glad. I didn't know what kind of swimsuit you preferred. It was my first time buying a bikini and all.

Nhazul: That so.

Ruka: A friend of mine came here before and let me know there was a really pretty pool! So I wanted to come check it out with you!

Nhazul: I see. Well, since you wanted to come here, I'm sure you have all the spots you wanted to go marked. So lead the way.

Hearing this, Ruka would look at Nhazul surprised before smiling happily and taking his hand.

Ruka: Yay! Then let's go!

As Ruka would drag Nhazul along to the places she wanted to go, including the different water rides, such as a Fishpipe, Log flumes, water coaster and river rapids ride, with the two overall having a good time. While waiting in line for a ride, Nhazul would notice all the perverted looks Ruka was getting from different guys behind them, causing him to move her in front of him, irritating them. However one glare from him, caused them all to go about their business.

Ruka: Nhazul? Something wrong?

Nhazul: No, it's fine. Come on, we're up next.

After awhile, Nhazul takes a break to go to the bathroom, however when he returns, he finds Ruka sitting backwards on the chair.

Nhazul: Ruka? What is it?

Ruka: Can you help me out...?

Nhazul: Hmm?

Ruka: It's starting to get hotter now and I didn't want to get sunburned... Can you put sunscreen on my back...?

Hearing this, Nhazul would just look at Ruka and sigh, agreeing with the hotter statement.

Nhazul's thoughts: It is getting a lot hotter then it was when we first got here.

Nhazul: Alright...

As Nhazul would put the sunscreen on his hands and rubs it, he he touches her back, causing her squeal, causing him in turn to look at her annoyed.

Nhazul: ...-_-... If you're to make weird noises, I'm not going to do this...

Ruka: S-Sorry... It was just a bit cold...

Nhazul would just sigh again, rubbing sunscreen on Ruka's back and after a minute, he was finished.

Nhazul: There. All done.

Ruka: W-Wait...!

Nhazul: What?

Nhazul looked over and saw Ruka lay flat on chair, her backside to him.

Ruka: Now my legs...

Hearing this, Nhazul would just look at Ruka annoyed with a blush on his face.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Now you're starting to push it...

Ruka: Please...?

Hearing this,

Nhazul would continue to blush, looking at her legs but would sigh annoyed, beginning to rub sunscreen on her legs, making her cover her mouth to avoid squealing from Nhazul's touch. After wards, when Nhazul had finished he went to go wipe his hands, however when he came back, he saw Ruka on her phone, looking at her heart rate, however couldn't see the percentage.

Nhazul: ...

(Flashback)

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...

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..

(Present)

Nhazul: ....

Nhazul's thoughts: I can't keep doing this...

(Timeskip)

After spending a few more hours at the pools, later Nhazul takes Ruka to a restaurant to eat dinner, along with giving her her birthday gift. After dinner, they go to a seaside park, where they sit down in the grass together.

Ruka: Wow, it's so pretty! And the sea breeze feels great!

Nhazul: Yeah, it does...

Noticing Nhazul's tone, Ruka would look at Nhazul confused.

Ruka: Nhazul? What's wrong?

Nhazul wouldn't say anything for a few moments before speaking up.

Nhazul: I'm sorry...

Ruka: Huh?

Nhazul: All of this trial nonsense... It isn't far to you... To make you go so far out of your way for someone like me...

Hearing this, Ruka would look at Nhazul annoyed before slapping his arm.

Nhazul: Ow!

Ruka: ...-_-... Stop saying that. I'm not going out of my! We've already had this conversation before, so stop bringing it up.

Nhazul: Huh?

Ruka would soon pull out her phone, pulling up all of her heart rate tests, showing Nhazul that out of at least 30 of them, they were all below 50. She then would go on to pull up the latest one, the one she took earlier, showing it was over 90, surprising him.

Ruka: You're the only one for me. The one and only, who've I've waited to meet all my life.

Despite this, Nhazul would still look down.

Nhazul: Still... Letting this continue is just leading you on... I even dragged you into this movie project as well...

Hearing this, Ruka would crawl next to Nhazul, getting in his face.

Ruka: Nhazul, do you like the Yamanote Line or the Chip Line more?

Hearing this, Nhazul looked at Ruka confused.

Nhazul: Huh?

Ruka: Which one?

Nhazul: The Chuo Line.

Ruka: Is that so...

Nhazul: Why the sudden question?

Ruka: You see, this one time, I wanted to spend longer on the train, so I took the Yamanote Line on purpose. Shinjuku to Tokyo only takes 15 minutes on the Chuo Line, but I rode the Yamanote Line for 35 minutes instead. I really thought I was doing something pointless... Temporarily, at least.

Nhazul: Temporarily?

Ruka: Nishi Nippori.

Nhazul: Huh?

Ruka: In spring, the riverbank to the south there is full of blooming Sakura trees. I fell in love with the Nishi Nippori right then and there. Ever since, I've been taking the Yamanote Line the long way around in spring.

Nhazul: Ruka...

Ruka: It may seem pointless at first, but taking a detour can bring you wonderful new encounters end experiences. I felt the same way about the movie, too. "Why am I even doing this," I thought. I did sympathize with Chizuru and her grandma, but my main motive was to not leave the two of you alone.

But then, the filming started. I saw the staff, the other actors, you, Chizuru and even Leo work so hard. And it made my heart race, too. So please don't apologize.

I, Ruka Sarashina had an amazing time helping out!

Upon hearing Ruka say that, Nhazul would once again feel a tightness in his chest.

Nhazul's thoughts: This girl...

Nhazul would soon feel Ruka's hand reach for his, and before she could even ask, he would grab and hold it, surprising her and making Ruka smile. Taking it a bit further, Ruka would simply lay her head on Nhazul's shoulder. Eventually, she would end up falling asleep, causing Nhazul to look at her.

Nhazul: ...

Whether he wanted to admit it or not, just like Chizuru, Nhazul feelings for Ruka have definitely changed, however to what extent and capacity is yet to be seen.