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You probably shouldn't have done it. It occurred to you that maybe becoming a rental girlfriend was a very...VERY bad idea. But you really needed the money and they promised it wasn't like being a hooker. You really didn't want to be a hooker, you had too much dignity for that.
With a sigh, running a hand through your hair, you stepped out of the small office building in search of your first client. Apparently they wanted to give you an exceptional case that was supposed to challenge you, the one client who continuously signs up and pays out of his way for a rental girlfriend.
His name was Matsuno Karamatsu, a name that those who've worked there said with absolute disdain. Since you were completely new to the business, you only knew of the horror stories the other girls would tell each other whenever you walked by the break room on your brief tours. This caused you to grow a little fearful of the date to come.
You headed cautiously to the park and sat down on an empty bench. Your grip was tight on your purse, your body shivering out of fear. 'He can't be that bad...' you thought hopefully, recalling all the stories you were unfortunate enough to eavesdrop onto.
"There you are, my Karamatsu girl."
You snapped your head over to see who had spoken. A man of average height stood beside you, a large smirk on his face. You eyed him for a moment, taking in all his features. He had black hair in the shape of a bowl cut, black sunglasses, a black leather jacket over a blue tank top (was that his face on it?), black boots and pants that were blue with shiny sequins embedded into the fabric. You gulped, immediately regretting your decision to take on this client. Figuring since he was paying good money for a date and feeling the need to be kind, you stood up and held out your hand.
"You must be Matsuno Karamatsu." you smiled politely, "I'm ______ and I'll be your rental girlfriend for today. Please take care of me." you bowed your head. You felt a tight grip on your hand as you were tugged forward. You looked to see he had pulled you closer to him, a bouquet of roses pressed under your chin. You blinked, peering over the crimson plumage to see Karamatsu was on one knee, smirking off to the side.
"______, heh." He adjusted his glasses a bit, "What a name filled with beauty." He turned to face you, holding the bouquet a bit higher, "Roses almost as vibrant as your smile." Karamatsu pulled down his shades enough for you to see his eyes, eyes that sparkled beneath his obvious colored contacts.
You stared at him as you took the bouquet in your shuddering hands. 'W-what is this g-guy?' you thought, biting your lip to hold back the need to bust out in laughter. 'Is...is this how he flirts? What, are we in a romance movie? Am I getting punk'd right now?'
"Um." you cleared your throat, smiling down at the man. "These are very lovely, thank you." You hugged the bouquet to your chest, "So Karamatsu, where to first?" you asked, holding out your hand for him to take. Karamatsu took it gratefully, standing up to attention with his other hand in the pocket of his leather jacket. He squeezed tightly.
Although on the outside he was seemingly brimming with confidence bordering on narcissism, his hands were clammy and sweaty. You could have swore they were shaking too. With a very soft giggle, the two of you began walking while he searched for his reply.
"Dinner? Movie? A trip to the stars?" he looked up at the night sky, eyebrows exaggeratedly furrowed. "There's nothing that will compare to when I first laid eyes on you, my Karamatsu Angel." You almost...almost slammed your palm against your face. But, somehow, you managed to stop yourself. He was just too much! You could see why all the other girls flinched whenever his name was brought up on the client list. For some strange reason though, you couldn't help but feel...flattered. Wait, flattered?! You froze in place, causing Karamatsu to look over at you in surprise. 'Guess he really isn't that bad...this might be fun after all.' You continued walking when a devious idea popped into your mind. You decided you wanted to test him. So you walked just a bit closer, pulling your hand out of his clammy grasp to hug his arm tightly.
Looks like the air of confidence was a lie.
Immediately after feeling the arms around his, he had flinched (did you just hear a yelp?) and started sweating profusely. Again you had to keep yourself from giggling in amusement, not wanting to embarrass him and stop this display of weakness. 'How cute.' You smiled, stealing a glance at his fearful expression and sweat rolling down his face from every pore of his body. You couldn't help but feel rather proud of yourself, your confidence boosted to amazing heights.
"So...how about dinner?" you suggested, staring ahead. There was a short pause, long enough for you to steal a glance at him over your shoulder out of concern.
"Heh, of course. Anything for you, my Karamatsu girl." He put on the same smug smirk, pulling his sunglasses up enough for it to gleam under the streetlights. You giggled a bit.
"Okay, follow me then." You said, leading him to your favorite restaurant.
It wasn't expensive, you didn't really like going to expensive places anyway, and it had the best home-like feel. The two of you stepped inside, a host immediately hurrying over. You've been there enough times for most of the staff to remember you.
"______! I haven't seen you in ages!" The host exclaimed, smiling brightly. "Where have you been?" You smiled at him, stepping away from Karamatsu.
"Oh I just got a new job!" you replied. Out of the corner of your eye you saw Karamatsu's eyes widen in shock before slowly filling with sadness. Your host friend was better looking than most guys and he had a very comfortable aura about him. He was responsible and even had a good paying job.
"Oho I see." He chuckled, "Hm?" The host looked over to your side, spotting Karamatsu. "Who's your friend?" Karamatsu flinched, looking at you sadly. It was as if he was awaiting your rejection, eyes welling with tears.
"Ah..." you turned to Karamatsu and skipped over, wrapping your arm around his again with the widest smile on your face. "Boyfriend. Matsuno Karamatsu." you said with pride.
"Eh?" Karamatsu stared at you, eyes as wide and shocked as he could muster. "B-b-boyfriend?" he stammered. You smiled at him and nodded. You could see the tears that were welling in his eyes from under his glasses get bigger, his returning smile wide.
"Boyfriend?" The host blinked, "You told me you'd never settle down in a relationship for as long as you lived."
"Guess I changed my mind." You beamed, peeking up at Karamatsu's reaction. He had a dopey look on his face, obviously in pure bliss. His head was facing the ceiling, a hand clenched into a fist and shaking as tears streamed down his face. You didn't know why, but it was really adorable seeing him so happy like this. "Anyway, we're ready to be seated."
The host nodded, smiling a bit as he lead the two of you towards the back of the building where the most intimate booth seating was located. You sat down first, finally relinquishing your grip from around his arm before patting the cushion beside you and smiling up at Karamatsu. He stared, then hurriedly scrambled to your side. He was shaking. Shaking as hard as humanly possible. You didn't even really need to look at him to know, you could feel the cushion shuddering like a scared mouse. To your great disappointment he wasn't sitting very close to you, you just HAD to remedy this. Once you noticed him pick up the menu, you put your plan into action.
"Hmmm...I think I know what I want to get." you smiled, scooting closer to him. "So...what looks good to you?" you asked, pressing your shoulder against his. You were seemingly peering over his shoulder at the menu, but your eyes were affixed onto him.
You could feel your cheeks reddening then.
Karamatsu's confident exterior was cracking so deliciously. He kept glancing between you and the menu, obviously trying to find a way to respond. He was having such a hard time that you couldn't help but want to make things just a bit worse, when did you become this sadistic?
You picked up your head a bit so that you were still peering over his shoulder but your lips were inches away from the side of his neck. His body tensed, you knew he could feel your warm breath against his skin.
"Can I...suggest something?" you asked, purposely speaking huskily so he could feel your warm breath easily against him. As you peered over at his neck, you relished seeing the little goosebumps that had begun to form. His body was even shuddering violently, his hands gripping tightly onto the menu.
"Y-y-yes!" Karamatsu sat up stiffly, his cool exterior all but shattered.
You grinned fiendishly, reaching your arm over to point at something on the menu. You made sure to brush your hand against his, feeling just how sweaty he had gotten. Your body was quaking, trying so hard not to burst out in a frenzy of laughter. You couldn't help but find this display absolutely adorable!
The waitress headed over, pen at the ready for your order. You pulled away from him then, nonchalantly telling her your order. Karamatsu was almost wheezing as he tried to relay what he wanted, only getting what he thought you had suggested (You were just pointing at anything, really). In the time the waitress had taken the menus and headed away, Karamatsu had calmed down enough to snap back into his cool-guy routine.
"So," He began, raising a brow with a smirk, "how do you feel about becoming more than a rental girlfriend?" He asked cheesily, cupping your chin with his hand. You blinked, thinking it over. You were about to give him your answer when the waitress had placed your food in front of you respectively. You graciously began to eat, unsure yourself of the answer. You kept glancing at him though, watching as he ate his food pretty normally. 'How...DO I feel about it?' you thought while chewing. For some strange reason, you didn't hate the idea at all. He was really nice, his cheesy lines were becoming more adorable than annoying, and he seemed to be someone you'd have fun dating. 'I can easily say I've never went out with someone like him before...' you giggled.
"You've got something on your lip, my honey." came Karamatsu's voice from close beside you. You turned, seeing him leaning in for what looked like a kiss.
'Oh my gosh, is he really doing the you've-got-something-on-your-face trick? That's so cheesy!' you thought, laughing inwardly. 'Well, let's see if he actually manages to do it.' You felt his hand press onto your head behind your ear, gripping very slightly onto your hair. You smiled, closing your eyes and slightly puckering your lips as you waited to feel his.
They never came.
You blinked, staring at him. He looked to have stopped inches from your face, eyes wide with shock.
"What's wrong?" you asked, feeling very disappointed.
"Well usually this is where you would slap me across the face or make an excuse why you can't..." he explained, as if this happened every single time. You figured it probably did. With a smile, you placed your hands on his cheeks, stroking his left with your thumb. He looked from your thumb to your eyes, his mouth gaping open.
"I haven't said anything yet, have I?" you asked, a light blush on your cheeks as you looked at him with a sultry smile. "Go ahead, try it." Karamatsu gulped, his grip on the back of your head loosening a bit as he began to shake. His other hand rested cautiously on your waist, eyes watching you like a hawk in wait of the inevitable face-slap. He continued to hover his lips just an inch over yours, puckered pretty cartoonishly at that, trembling and unsure of himself. You smiled, deciding it best to take the initiative in a situation like this. Your hands gripped at his cheeks, forcing him forward.
Your lips finally met.
You closed your eyes, enjoying the closeness. You could feel his breathing, ragged and coarse, against your face. His hands were still trembling against your body, not daring to pull you any closer. You opened an eye slowly to gauge his reaction. He was pale, his eyes wide in complete shock, and his body was as stiff as a board. A smile formed on your lips, slowly pulling away.
"There. See? That didn't hurt." you grinned.
"H-haaa hahaaa..." Karamatsu chimed. He looked to be in absolute bliss, a dopey smile on his face as his body went limp. He fell backwards onto the booth, face as red as a beet and his eyes dizzy.
He fainted.
You blinked, staring at him. A large smile grew on your face before you burst out into laughter you had been holding in for the entire night. "He's too cute." you commented, pressing a hand over your lips. You leaned over and lightly kissed his cheek. "You're horrible, Matsuno Karamatsu...for making my heart beat this much." You smiled sheepishly, moving a piece of his squared bangs to the side affectionately.
Karamatsu woke up a while later, snapping up in his seat. When you were nowhere to be found, his heart clenched. 'I blew it. And she was so perfect. Ah, goodbye my Karamatsu Goddess!' he thought with despair, reaching out to no one in particular.
"Karamatsu?"
He blinked, looking over to see you standing there confused. "Ah, you're awake? I just went to the bathroom." You sat back down next to him, his eyes following you closely.
"I-I thought you left." He said in disbelief.
"Hm?" You blinked, "Why would you think that?"
"The other girlfriends did that, taking my wallet with them." He pulled it out, a finger pointing at it, "I made sure to fill it with money this time." He said almost matter-of-factly.
You stared at his innocent expression, growing angrier by the second. 'What assholes. Someone this pure shouldn't have to go through that!' You thought angrily, gritting your teeth behind slightly pouted lips.
"Don't you think I'm a loser?" he asked truthfully, looking at you with the saddest puppy-dog eyes. Your brows knitted sadly, you had the overwhelming urge to walk over to him and coddle away what other people had told him. You stopped yourself from doing so. Because that might be weird.
"Hmmm..." you turned away, staring ahead. "Nope."
"E-eh?"
You turned to face him with a bright smile. "I think you're pretty cool." You watched as Karamatsu flinched, his eyes sparkling as tears welled in his eyes. He grabbed your hands, causing you to blink and look at him curiously. He took off his sunglasses then. You looked into his eyes, yours widening as you saw the absolute passion he had in them. Your breathing became a little harsh, your face going red.
"Karamatsu g- I-I mean ______ would y-" he was interrupted by harsh beeping. You pulled your phone out of your pocket.
"Oh...times up..." you said, disappointment lacing each word as you did so. Karamatsu withdrew his hands, pressing them onto his legs dejectedly.
"Ah, that's right." he said rather sadly. You wanted to reach out and hug him, to give him another kiss or just continue the date at hand...but this was your job and you just couldn't. Karamatsu slid out of the booth, looking through his wallet. You could see him sweating profusely.
"What's wrong?" you asked.
"I'm sorry!" He clapped his hands together and lowered his head. "But I don't have any money to pay for the food and the extra services!"
"Extr- oh!" you remembered. Certain services such as hand holding, hugging and kissing were extra. You forgot all about that. You frowned a bit, slightly disappointed that he thought the hug and kiss were just an excuse to get more money out of him. You guessed it was to be expected though, this was your first time and the other girls probably tried to milk him of all he was worth. You didn't feel that way though... "Ah don't worry about the extra services." You put a smile over your hurt, "Since it's my first time I won't charge you." Karamatsu looked up at you, smiling gratefully.
"Thank you." He was about to go in for a hug, but stopped himself short, probably remembering the time was up. "Anyway. Can I at least escort you back to the park? It's too dark and dangerous outside for you, my Karamatsu girl, to walk alone." To your dismay, he put back on his sunglasses and that smug smirk.
"Okay..." you said with a smile, though your tone was a bit sadder than you had intended. After he put money for both of your meals on the table, you headed out the door.
It was very awkward. Karamatsu was walking a few feet in front of you, hands in his jacket pockets. As if you weren't there. And all you wanted to do was start the date over and hold his hand. You didn't expect to get so attached to this leather clad, sunglasses wearing, hopelessly romantic...handsome...Your eyes welled with tears, your shoulders shuddering as you tried your best to hold in your grief. Your arms clung onto the bouquet tightly, the plastic shaking in tandem with your sniffing. Your walking was slowed down to a stop, tears now rolling down your cheeks. Karamatsu blinked, turning around to see you slightly hunched over.
"Eh? Ah!" he rushed over, hovering his hands over your body. He didn't know whether to pull you into a hug or just leave you be, now that your services were up. "K-Karamatsu girl are you okay? Am I too painful? I'm sorry! Don't cry."
You wiped your tears, your head still hung low. There was a moment of silence before you looked at him with determination on your face. He blinked, caught off-guard by you grabbing his collar and pulling him in for another kiss. His glasses fell off his face, hitting the ground lightly. His eyes were wide, his face the reddest anyone had ever seen. You pulled away, wiping your face of more tears.
"E-eh? What? But...but my time is-"
"I don't care."
"Huh?!"
You looked at him, smiling brightly, while wrapping your arms around his neck. He stared at you in disbelief, his body shuddering. You grabbed his quivering hands and pressed them onto either side of your waist. "I don't know how or why it happened...but I like you Karamatsu." You played with a bit of his hair, twirling it affectionately around your finger. "I actually...don't want this date to end." You stuck out your tongue, eyebrows knitted sadly. "I guess I really want to be your Karamatsu girl."
"You...you want to be...Karamatsu...you really...be...K-" And like before, he fainted.
"Karamatsu?!" you dropped to your knees, your hands on his shoulders as you tried your best to wake him up. "Geez..." you smiled, stroking his cheek lightly. "You're so troublesome, Karamatsu." You giggled, "But I think that's what I like most about you." You leaned down to kiss his cheek, brushing a bit of his squared bangs to the side. "Well, better get you up before there's complaints." Grabbing his arm you hoisted him up, wrapping it around your shoulders. "Come on, Karamatsu."
You walked Karamatsu, with a bit of trouble mind you, back to the park. You lied him down on the bench, cradling the bouquet like a precious treasure. 'Hmmm...' you smiled, getting a great idea. 'I can't believe it. I fell hard for the worst client Rental Girlfriend has ever had sign up.' You giggled, 'Heh...sleep well Karamatsu.' And with that last thought, you headed home.
Karamatsu awoke not too long after, rubbing his head. Upon realizing where he was, he gasped. 'Stupid stupid!' he slapped his face a few times, letting out a sad sigh. He blinked after hearing the wind rustle something against his forehead. 'Eh?' He reached up and pulled off a sticky note. Karamatsu's eyes widened, his hands shaking. 'C-could this be...?!' Quickly getting to his feet, he ran home.
Karamatsu stood in front of the phone, his sweat soaking the sticky note in his sweaty palm. Cautiously he reached for it, dialing. His every pore was leaking sweat as he waited to hear the dial tone or for it to be a disconnected number.
"Hello?" your voice sounded from the other end. Karamatsu froze, it was real, you were real, it wasn't a dream. Osomatsu stepped through the sliding doors, about to go to the bathroom.
"Karamatsu? What are you doing?" he asked, raising a brow. But Karamatsu just stood there, clutching the shaking phone in his hand. Osomatsu stepped forward and grinned mischievously, snapping the phone out of Karamatsu's hand and putting it up to his own ear.
"Hi hi, who's calling?" he said, picking his nose with his pinky finger. Karamatsu was soon pulled out of his initial shock, wrestling his brother for the phone.
"Huh?" Osomatsu's eyes widened upon hearing a female voice, Karamatsu managed to slap the phone out of his brother's hand.
"Y-yes this is Karamatsu! I-I got your note. Mmhmm, yes this is my number." he said nervously, "I'll call you back." Karamatsu hung up the phone.
"Karaamaaatsuuuuu..."
The second eldest brother gulped, turning his head to face his older brother who had a raised eyebrow and hands on his waist.
"Who was that, Karamatsu?"
Karamatsu cringed before putting on his glasses, smirking as he stood up confidently. "Heh. My Karamatsu girl." Osomatsu raised a brow.
There was a pause.
Then Osomatsu burst out into hysterical laughter.
"Ah, so that's it." He grinned, rubbing the underside of his nose, "For a second there I thought you actually managed to get a girlfriend before me." Karamatsu blinked.
"Well-"
"I'm going to go take a dump." Osomatsu said before heading to the bathroom.
Karamatsu sighed with relief. This was okay.
His brothers might not believe him...but he knew you were real. Karamatsu held the note up to his face, pulling off his glasses to smile at the little heart next to the number.
His brothers are going to eat their words when he brings you around, he smirked, and it's going to be sweet.