Chapter 9 New Year's Surprise

No one's POV

Currently, Nhazul was walking home from the store, when he happened to run into Chizuru, who was holding bags, having gone to the store as well. Before the two could even say anything, Ruka appeared from behind a pole, annoyed.

Ruka: Hey! What have you two been getting up to?!

Nhazul: Huh?

Ruka junped towards Nhazul, holding him, as he looked at her annoyed.

Ruka: You told me you had other plans today! It was a date with her?! Why her, when you have me?!

Nhazul: ...-_-... We weren't on a date, we literally just ran into each other...

Ruka: Lair! I don't believe you!

Nhazul: ...-_-... Shocking...

Ruka: You're going on a date with me now!

Nhazul: You do see I'm holding groceries, right?

Ruka: You can drop them off and then we can go on our date!

Nhazul: Ugh...

As Ruka started dragging Nhazul away, Chizuru just looked at them with a slightly jealous look.

Chizuru: ...

After dropping off his groceries, Ruka took Nhazul to a crepes shop, where the two got crepes together.

Ruka: Here! Say "ahh".

Nhazul just looked at the crepe and just sighed, taking a bite out of it.

Ruka: You ate it! So cute!

Nhazul just sighed again, as mine began to wander, thinking back to his time with Mami, and their first date was at a crepe shop.

Nhazul's thoughts: Again with this...? Why do I keep thinking about her lately?

(Flashback)

Mami: Nhazul...?

Nhazul: What no-

As Nhazul turned around, his immediately met by Mami, who leaned in, kissing him, making his eyes widened, shocked.

Nhazul's thoughts: Huh...? She's kissing me...? Why...?

Nhazul's hands began to shake.

Nhazul's thoughts: Get away...!

Nhazul started thinking about his old relationship with Mami.

Nhazul's thoughts: Push her away...!

Nhazul proceeded to think back to them spending time together.

Nhazul's thoughts: Get away...Get away from her...

Nhazul began to wrap his arms around Mami, as she did the same, kissing her back, with her melting into it.

(Present)

Nhazul's thoughts: I don't get it... Ever since that kiss, my hate towards her just disappeared... No... It didn't disappear. It's still there, but it just feels like it softened...

Nhazul just sighed annoyed.

Nhazul's thoughts: Why did I let her do that...? I would have been better off if she didn't...

As Nhazul was thinking to himself, Ruka looked at him annoyed, as suddenly she covered his eyes with a blindfold, making him sigh.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Now what are you doing...?

Ruka: I need to take you somewhere.

Nhazul: And this is needed, why?

Ruka didn't say anything, grabbing Nhazul's hand, dragging him off to where ever Ruka wanted to go. After 15 minutes, and elevator ride up somewhere, and heard a door open, entering a room.

Nhazul: Where are w-

Suddenly, Nhazul was pushed onto something soft, surprising him.

Nhazul's thoughts: The hell?! Is this a bed?!

Ruka: You can take off the blindfold now...

Nhazul took off the blindfold, now seeing Ruka had brought him to a love hotel, now annoying him.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... This is my day... This is my day now...

Nhazul: ...-_-... Why did you bring me here...?

Ruka sat down on the chair, crossing her arms and looking at Nhazul annoyed.

Ruka: Mind giving me an explanation?

Nhazul: What?

Ruka: Your relationship with Chizuru! You two have gone way past rental girlfriend and client! I don't even know the full story as to why you're even doing this! So tell me everything.

Nhazul: ...-_-... And of all places you chose to talk about this, a fucking love hotel was the first place that came to mind?!

Ruka: Can you just tell me?!

Nhazul sighed annoyed, and proceeded to tell Ruka the situation between himself and Chizuru.

Ruka: I see. I think I get the gist of it now.

Without warning, Ruka attempted to hit Nhazul, but he caught her hand.

Nhazul: Can you not?

Ruka: What are you thinking?! There's no way you can keep that lie up forever!

Nhazul: No shit! That's why we're waiting for the right time to end it, so it'll feel more natural!

Ruka: But what about the damage you're doing here and now?! She's a rental girlfriend, you know! You two don't have a future together!

Nhazul: Well, for now, my little brother believes it.

Ruka: There's a simple solution to that. You can just introduce me to him!

Nhazul: ...-_-... Huh?

Ruka: You have a girlfriend. You don't need to turn to Chizuru anymore.

Nhazul: ...-_-... And you think me hoping from one girl to another is any better? That'll set a bad example for him!

Ruka: Can you have sex with Chizuru?

Nhazul just looked at Ruka surprised.

Nhazul: Huh?!

Ruka: That's what it's all about, right?

Nhazul: Where did you even get that from?!

Ruka: Your little brother wants you to be in a relationship again, right? You'll set good example to him if you stay with just one girl, and eventually marry her! You can't do that with a rental girlfriend.

Ruka proceeded to get on the bed with Nhazul, getting in his face.

Ruka: No matter how long you keep it up, you and she's can only have a platonic relationship! Is that what your little brother wants?!

I'll have you know I'm ready to take it all in.

Nhazul: Take it all in?

Ruka: I'm actually thinking of the long term here! I wouldn't have brought you here otherwise!

Ruka then looked down saddened.

Ruka: Do you not like me trying to get closer to you this way...?

Nhazul just looked at Ruka, and without warning chopped her head.

Ruka: Owww! That's domestic abuse!

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!

Ruka: ...

Nhazul then proceeded to get up and go to the bathroom, but didn't realize his phone fell out

his pocket with a text from his parents, which Ruka saw, surprising her.

Ruka: ...

(Timeskip)

It's now the New Years and currently Nhazul and Chizuru were waiting together at train station to meet up with his family.

Nhazul: We're just doing lunch and a shrine visit. So it shouldn't take no more then half the day.

Chizuru: Well, not like we have a choice. I'm supposed to be your "girlfriend". It'd be too weird if I didn't see your family for New year's. But you're still paying.

Nhazul: ...-_-... How nice of you too remind me...

After a few minutes of waiting, Leo, along with Nhazul's parents walked up, meeting up with them.

Leo: Hey! Big bro! Chizuru!

Chizuru: Hi, Leo. Happy New Year.

Leo: Happy New Year! You look really pretty.

Chizuru: Aw, thank you.

???: Happy New Year!

Nhazul and Chizuru both looked back to see Ruka, completely shocking them.

Nhazul and Chizuru: ...O-O...!!!

Ruka: I'm Ruka Sarashina, and I'll be joining you today.

Nhazul's thoughts: You little...

Leo: Big bro, do you know her?

Nhazul: Uh, y-yeah, she's a friend of ours...

Ruka looked at Leo and hugged him.

Ruka: You must be Leo! You're so cute! Nhazul told me so much about you, that I've been waiting to meet you.

Leo: Really? Big bro told you about me?

Ruka: Yes. He told me how were the most amazing little brother.

Leo: Mom, dad, can Ruka join us?

Mom: Sure, I don't see why not.

As the four of them walked away. Nhazul and Chizuru just looked at Ruka dumbfounded.

Chizuru: How did she find out about this? She even knew where we were meeting up.

Nhazul: ...-_-... She must have saw the message on my phone when I wasn't looking...

Chizuru: I don't think she'll immediately spill the beans about us, but it's still risky.

After reaching the restaurant, Ruka looked at Nhazul and smiled.

Ruka: Let's go, Nhazul!

Leo: How do you know them, anyway, Ruka?

Ruka: I'm -

Nhazul: ...-_-... She's a friend of Chizuru.

Leo: Really?

Nhazul: Yep. I met her a few times with Chizuru and we became friends too.

Chizuru: Y-Yes, our parents are friends. We pretty much grew up together as sis-

Ruka: I'm his girlfriend.

Everyone: ...

Leo: Girlfriend?

Nhazul: ...-_-... Ruka...

Ruka: I'm his girlfriend. I'm Nhazul's girlfriend.

Nhazul: No, Chizuru is my -

Ruka: I'm his girlfriend.

Nhazul just looked at Ruka annoyed, as Chizuru grabbed her walking into the restaurant.

Chizuru: Excuse us, we need to use the bathroom.

As the two of them left, Nhazul ended up telling Leo and his parents a lie that Ruka is a pathological liar, which they bought. During lunch, Ruka caught on to something being up and took Nhazul somewhere private to talk, as Nhazul told her what he did.

Ruka: Huh?! A pathological lair?!

Nhazul: ...-_-... Yep.

Ruka then started hitting Nhazul, upset.

Ruka: Jeez, you Meanie! Why'd you have to give me that backstory?!

Nhazul: Why are you even here, period?!

Ruka: I knew it was weird! Your brother and parents were smiling at me like some kinda Saints! I have to fix this!

Nhazul: No, you're not! Will you just let it go?! They'll think I'm two timing!

Ruka: What's the big deal? You're lying to them about Chizuru, anyway. There's no difference between zero timing and two timing!

Nhazul: They're polar opposites!

Ruka then just looked down saddened.

Ruka: I mean, aren't I your girlfriend...? You said you'd make me your girlfriend, if only as a trial at first!

Nhazul: You say it as if I had a choice in the mater.

Ruka: But with your little brother, we have to act like Chizuru is your girlfriend, and I'm just a friend? That's just too much for me!

Nhazul just sighed, as Ruka held his hand.

Ruka: I'm your girlfriend... That's the role I want....

Nhazul just looked at Ruka, before he just took his hand away from hers.

Nhazul: You should already know. That role isn't easily accessible. Not any more.

Ruka: ...

As Nhazul walked away, Ruka checked her heart rate, seeing she was now at 92BPM.

Ruka: ...

(Timeskip)

After leaving the restaurant, everyone made their way to the shrine, as Chizuru walked up to Nhazul.

Chizuru: I heard you told your folks she's a pathological liar.

Nhazul: Yep.

Chizuru: And she's alright with that?

Nhazul: Nope.

Chizuru: I don't believe you. Way to add fuel to the fire.

Nhazul: ...-_-...A fire originally made by you.

Chizuru just looked at Nhazul annoyed, as Nhazul's parents told them Leo and Ruka got separated from them, surprising them. With Ruka, she had took Leo around to walk around the shrine, attempting to tell him the truth, but Leo spoke up first.

Leo: Thank you, Ruka!

Ruka: Huh? Why are you thanking me?

Leo: For being friends with my big brother! Something really bad happened to him to make him hate being around girls, but that all changed when he started going out with Chizuru. I'm really glad he's back to his old self, he's happy!

Ruka: ...

Leo then looked at Ruka and smiled.

Leo: So I just wanted to thank you. Thank you for help bring back his older self!

Ruka just looked at Leo surprised, now not being able to tell him the truth. She then smiled back at Leo.

Ruka: Of course.

After returning to the others, Nhazul had saw that Ruka hadn't told Leo the truth. He then just sighed, walking up to her.

Nhazul: Look, Ruka. I'm sorry about the lie. And thank you for not telling my brother.

Ruka: I'm not a liar... I am your girlfriend. And I hate Chizuru for meddling in your family's affairs as a rental girlfriend. But I couldn't do it... I knew it wasn't the right time to tell him...!

Nhazul: Still...

Ruka: Just no kissing or clinging to Chizuru!

Nhazul: ...-_-... Why would I?

Ruka: I'm not giving up, alright...? One day, your little brother will know me as your girlfriend.

Ruka then looked at Nhazul blushing.

Ruka: This is going to be a battle of endurance. You'd best be ready.

As Nhazul and Ruka continued to look at each other, Chizuru had overheard their conversation from behind a wall.

Chizuru: ...

(Timeskip)

Currently, Nhazul was at work at his job, which was at the karaoke bar, when his boss introduced a new worker, which was Ruka, shocking Nhazul.

Ruka: I'm Ruka Sarashina, and I'll be joining you as of today!

Nhazul just looked at Ruka annoyed.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Huh...?