I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me

“Sigh… As expected from Himeno. She won’t reveal a single thing. It’s already been two or three days…”

“Secretive to the core! If I were in the same department as you guys, I could chat with her more and maybe break down that stubbornness!”

During a university lunch break, Ami, who studied economics, and Fuko, from the logistics department, sat on the terrace, unpacking their bento boxes. The cool breeze balanced out the warmth of the sun, making for a perfect midday temperature.

The very person they were discussing, Himeno, had disappeared the moment lunch break started. Since Fuko, from a different department, would join them at this time, Himeno had likely slipped away to avoid their interrogation.

“No one escapes Fuko’s Inquisition!”

“My boyfriend sure can’t! The other day, I caught him sending a vertical acrostic message that spelled ‘I love you’ to another girl.”

“Wait, what?!”

That was awful. Ami frowned. Even as just a friend, there was no way she could ignore a potential cheating scandal.

“Relax, it was a complete coincidence.”

“Oh, come on! I just wasted my concern on that!”

“Felt like dropping you into the abyss for a second.”

“That made zero sense… And honestly, you interrogating your boyfriend? The same boy-crazy Fuko? That’s rich.”

“Apparently, I’m the type to keep my man under control. Of course, I’d never cheat myself.”

“Haaah… Still, I feel bad for your boyfriend. You’re gonna be a nightmare wife someday. Maybe you should take notes from Himeno—she’s probably the devoted type.”

Ami eagerly munched on the homemade bento her mother had prepared while enthusiastically expanding their conversation. Since both of them were naturally talkative, their chatter rarely came to a halt.

“I’m the devoted type too, you know? Just in a bit of a special way.”

“That special part is the problem…”

“But, but! I have to be unique to survive. My boyfriend is pretty popular, so I figured I should make myself popular too—to keep him on edge!”

“There she goes again—Fuko’s boasting, out of nowhere.”

“But it’s true! Haven’t you heard of Yukiya-senpai from the second year?”

“…Honestly? Yeah, I have.”

“See! But well, he’d never beat Himeno’s boyfriend.”

“Wow, way to drag him into the abyss with that one…”

Ami skillfully flipped Fuko’s own words against her, showcasing her quick adaptability.

“By the way, where does Ryoma-kun go to university? I don’t think he’s not a working adult…”

“Well, he’s definitely not at this university. If he were, there’d be rumors about him, just like with your boyfriend.”

“Yeah, that’s true…”

“Hey, have you ever considered the opposite possibility?”

Just then, Ami threw out an unexpected idea, as if making a strategic counterplay.

“Maybe her boyfriend, Ryoma-san, ordered her to keep their relationship a secret. You know how Himeno is—she’s the type to keep her promises, right?”

“!! That has to be it! The only reason Ryoma-kun would make Himeno keep things under wraps… is because he’s already two-timing with another girl—”

“Fuko, I’ve heard that theory a million times already. Why are you so suspicious? I keep telling you, it’s rude—to both Himeno and Ryoma-san.”

“But still… The more I think about it, the more frustrated I get! How did he handle that pushiness? I mean, any normal person would’ve backed off at first sight! How did he not get overwhelmed by that?”

Back then, Fuko had been trying to gain the upper hand, hoping to mess with him a little. But looking back now, she saw the reality of the situation.

“I was completely the one getting played, wasn’t I?! Saying stuff like, ‘I don’t dislike girls like you.’ And then, ‘I love Himeno.’ Like—what even is that high-level technique?! Himeno was totally thinking, ‘Oh wow, look at Shiba dodging that effortlessly. Fuko is so dumb, she doesn’t even realize it. Puhihi~’ or something! Ugh, it’s so frustrating!”

To Fuko, that whole encounter had been nothing short of a complete and utter defeat.

“Hey, cut it out with that line. You’re ruining Himeno’s character. And what even is that ‘puhihi’ laugh? You don’t sound human…”

“For the record, I usually get a lot of attention from older guys! But I’ve never been toyed with like that before!”

Fuko had been thrown off for days by Ryoma, who had only been acting for the money. It was frustrating to the point that it even made her mess with Himeno’s usual demeanor.

“You’re talking a lot today. Must be a good day for you.”

“More like a terrible one! I’m so frustrated!”

Fuko let out all the pent-up irritation inside her. Her voice had so much energy that it wouldn’t have been out of place in an anime.

“Hey, if you yell like that, you’re gonna get spit all over your lunch.”

“Wouldn’t that be a reward for you, Ami?”

“Like hell it would!”

It was a lightning-fast exchange, on par with a conversation between celebrities. Just another normal day for Fuko and Ami.

Less than five minutes remained before the end of the lunch break.

Having finished their meals, Ami and Fuko left the university terrace and walked down the hallway.

“Ahh, I feel so much better now!”

“Maybe you do, but I’m the opposite…”

Even after that, Fuko had kept venting her frustration. Stuck in the passive role the whole time, Ami had ended up emotionally drained.

“Sorry, okay? I’ll listen to your problems next time!”

“More than that, I want a boyfriend! Ugh… I wonder if Ryoma could introduce me to one of his guy friends. Maybe if I ask Himeno, she can make it happen.”

“That’s cheating… And you really shouldn’t. If it’s one of Ryoma’s friends, there’s a chance they’ll be just like him.”

“Wouldn’t that be fine?”

“No, no! If that happens, you’ll end up in a completely one-sided relationship. Trust me, I know from experience.”

“…Yeah, but I think that kind of relationship could be fun too… Wait, am I being too greedy?”

“Way too greedy!”

As if to say obviously, Ami smacked Fuko on the butt—right before Fuko’s eyes suddenly widened.

She raised one hand and called out in a louder-than-usual voice.

“Oh! Ryoma-kun! Hey there!”

“Oh! Ryoma-san, long time no see!”

“Oh, you two. I’m surprised you recognized me.”

Following Fuko’s lead, Ami and Ryoma both raised a hand in greeting, naturally stopping in the hallway.

“Ryoma-kun, you’re not wearing hair wax today? And you’re wearing glasses! You look completely different from when we saw you at the mall!”

“It’s like you’re a totally different person… Amazing…”

“I can’t be bothered every day… I only use it when I go out.”

“Ah, I see! But honestly, you look way better with the wax and no glasses. No offense, but you don’t look as put-together like this! That day at the mall, you looked super sharp! Right, Ami?”

“Yeah. I think you should definitely do your hair like that all the time. Or maybe get a haircut!”

“Haha, well, I don’t mind hearing that. I’ll think about it.”

With about five minutes left until their next lecture, the three kept their conversation brief.

The thought I should head to class soon was something ingrained in every student’s subconscious.

“Alright, I have class, so I’ll get going. You two, do your best.”

“You too, Ryoma-kun!”

“We will!”

—Just a casual exchange among acquaintances.

—Natural, effortless.

—Ryoma simply turned his back and walked away.

And just as he took a few steps down the hallway…

“Huh?”