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

“Shiba-kun, do you have a girlfriend?”

As they were both on their third drink, Hazuki brought up a personal topic.

It wasn’t a bad thing. It simply meant that she had at least some level of interest in Shiba Ryoma as a person.

Personal conversations like these were a chance to close the distance between them.

“If I had a girlfriend, I wouldn’t be doing this kind of part-time job.”

“Oh? Is that so? I thought maybe you were working here to buy a present for your girlfriend. You seem quite used to dealing with women.”

“That’s not the case at all. I’m just desperately clinging to this job to earn money.”

“Heh, that’s a very transparent excuse. You won’t fool this big sister with that, you know?”

With a slightly flushed face from the alcohol, Hazuki took a sip of water to prevent sudden intoxication or a bad hangover and smiled.

“I’m not trying to fool anyone. I’m telling the truth.”

“But… for a twenty-year-old, you’re quite responsible, Shiba-kun.”

Even though Ryoma was stating a fact, she brushed it off lightly.

Being able to make Hazuki, the so-called “queen of veteran killers”, believe him so completely was quite the achievement, but Ryoma himself wasn’t in the state of mind to think about that.

“If you’re so desperate to earn money, you must have a goal in mind, right?”

“Well, yeah, but… I don’t know if it’s anything admirable. It might just be a stupid reason—just me wanting to show off.”

Ryoma wanted to earn money so he could pay for his own tuition and not burden his older sister, Kaya.

If he told someone that, they would probably call it admirable. But Ryoma didn’t see it that way at all.

Having lost his parents at a young age and growing up in a complicated household, he saw it as nothing more than his responsibility.

“Stupid? Like what kind of goal?”

“Uh… like wanting to indulge in luxury, maybe?”

Caught off guard by her follow-up question, he hesitated for a moment before answering.

As soon as he said it, he let out a wry laugh, realizing how ridiculous it sounded.

“That actually sounds like a really cute goal. But even that is a fine aspiration. Luxury is a privilege for those who work hard. And most importantly, no goal is ever meaningless… Right, Toma-san?”

“Considering that I was just tricked by her earlier, I’d love to disagree, but I can’t argue with that. She’s absolutely right.”

Toma, the bartender, had been working quietly in the background, minimizing noise while Ryoma and Hazuki talked.

His consideration for not interrupting was clear, but now that he had been addressed, he joined the conversation.

This two-against-one dynamic could go either way.

When being cornered, it was a nightmare. But when being given advice, it was actually quite useful.

“I don’t know… I feel like such a kid now.”

“Being twenty means you’re an adult, but it’s only the first step into adulthood. From my perspective, you’re still inexperienced.”

“That means that from my perspective, Kamishiro-san, who’s two years younger than me, is even more inexperienced, right?”

“Toma-san. I swear, I will pour this drink all over you.”

“If you do, I’ll have to report it to the boss. Attacking a bartender would likely get you banned from the bar.”

“Ugh…”

Toma stepped out from behind the counter and was wiping down a table for guests, his sharp gaze exuding an undeniable authority.

The saying “eyes speak louder than words” couldn’t be more true.

It was clear as day—he was saying, I’m serious.

(No way… The bartender actually managed to shut up the ‘queen of veteran killers’…?)

It was probably payback for the trick she had pulled on him earlier. The way he handled it so flawlessly made it hard to believe he was supposedly “dragged around” by his girlfriend at night.

“Alright then, let’s just ignore this mean guy and have a drink, just the two of us. I won’t let him join our conversation anymore.”

“That’s a shame. But if you need a refill, just call for me.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Despite sulking, Hazuki still properly expressed her gratitude. Deep down, she really was a good person.

“Hazuki-san, would it be alright if I asked you a personal question too?”

“Of course, ask me anything.”

“Then… why do you use this service? Honestly, I don’t think you have any trouble finding a boyfriend…”

This had been on his mind since the beginning.

It was rare—almost unheard of—for someone to get paid just to go out with such a beautiful woman.

“Is that part of the manual? Something to make clients feel good? Every substitute boyfriend I’ve hired has asked me the same thing.”

“No, it’s just a genuine question. You’re beautiful, attentive, and kind. I just can’t help but wonder… why?”

His curiosity overpowered any embarrassment from complimenting her. The words came out naturally.

“Hmm… I haven’t told any of the other substitutes, but I’ll make an exception for you, Shiba-kun. Since you asked properly and got my permission first.”

“…Huh?”

She said it so casually, but the implication was shocking.

So even veteran lover-for-hires had been prying into her private life without permission?

No, it made sense. They probably ended up falling for her and couldn’t help but dig deeper.

“…My work is my boyfriend.”

“Your work is your boyfriend?”

“I do want a boyfriend. I even want to get married someday. But I’m so busy with work that I just don’t have time to be in a relationship.”

Saying work is my boyfriend meant she dedicated as much time and passion to her job as she would to a romantic partner.

“I did try dating someone after I started my career. But we broke up in just a month. Of course, it was my fault. In that entire month, I only managed to meet him once…I hurt him. I was the worst.”

“…”

Ryoma tried desperately to think of something to say, to offer some kind of reassurance.

But his mind was stuck.

He couldn’t even come up with a single word.

“I use this service so I don’t make the same mistake again. The thing I hate the most is hurting others. That’s why… I can’t bring myself to like the person I was back then.”

“Hazuki-san…”

Because she was sincere and kind-hearted, she couldn’t forgive herself for what she had done. The way she spoke with such certainty said it all.

“I said my work is my boyfriend… but that’s painful too. I didn’t mention it before, Shiba-kun, but I’m in a high-ranking position. That means there are times when I have to be strict, to say harsh things. No matter how carefully I choose my words, I still end up hurting people. It’s like all the terrible things I’ve done are finally coming back to me.”

“…”

Words of comfort, sympathy, or even scolding—Ryoma didn’t know what she wanted to hear. Nothing clever came to mind.

“So when I feel overwhelmed or when work becomes too much, I use this service to distract myself, even if just a little.”

“I see…”

At that moment, concerns like Will she be satisfied? or Will my pay get cut? didn’t even cross his mind.

What did cross his mind was frustration—frustration at his own immaturity, at his inability to do anything. He instinctively reached for his drink—

—but just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Toma, the bartender, moving in a weird way, shaking his upper body from side to side.

Their eyes met.

Toma started making gestures.

He extended his hands forward, miming a head in front of him, and made a “pat, pat” motion—

He was telling him to pat her head.

“Huh!?”

Understanding the message, Ryoma’s brows twitched.

(N-no way! W-we’re not even that close!)

Trying not to let Hazuki notice, he subtly shook his head.

But—

Toma shook his head back three times as hard, his movements exaggerated. Then he mouthed, Hurry up! Do it!

(No, no, I still can’t—)

Just as Ryoma was about to resist further—

His escape route was cut off.

Toma suddenly shot him a glare so intense, so terrifying, it could have belonged to an assassin.

It was the kind of look only someone who had been with his girlfriend for eight years could give.

A look that screamed, Be a man. If you can’t even comfort a woman, you’re useless.

Now, there was no escape for Ryoma.

(I… I have no choice… If I don’t do it… I might actually get killed…)

Toma’s piercing glare was the deciding factor.

Still seated, Ryoma leaned forward over the counter. Then, hesitantly, he reached out and gently touched the soft waves of Hazuki’s brown hair.

“…Huh!?”

“Ah, um…”

Hazuki let out a startled noise, whipping her head toward him.

Her silky brown hair, glossy and voluminous like spun sugar, felt so soft and smooth that his fingers almost melted into it. It was the kind of texture that made him want to keep touching it forever.

Ryoma’s mind went blank. His hand, moving on its own, continued to stroke her hair.

“Ha… Hazuki-san…”

That small pause gave him exactly two seconds to process the situation.

“You always work so hard. But right now, you’re here with me. So I won’t let you make such a sad face anymore.”

There was no way he could manage a smile, so he said it with a serious face. That was the best he could do.

“…Shiba… kun…”

“…Yes?”

She looked up at him with those big eyes, calling his name.

And then, as time passed, the realization hit.

(W-wait… What the hell did I just say!?!?)

Because he had no time to think, he had blurted out something completely nonsensical.

“…You’ve got some nerve… for a newbie like you, Shiba-kun…”