I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 6: Date ③ - Caught by Friends

(What the hell am I even saying?!)

Ryoma pressed both hands against the sink in front of the washbasin, struggling to suppress the overwhelming urge to scream, consumed by embarrassment.

He hadn’t come to the restroom because he needed to pee. He just wanted to calm himself down.

If he had stayed there any longer, he would’ve surely slipped up.

He wasn’t used to dating. He wasn’t even used to complimenting women.

If that happened, instead of leaving a good impression, she might think, “What’s with this guy?” and feel dissatisfied.

If Himeno reported back to the company that she wasn’t satisfied, she wouldn’t have to pay the 10,000-yen referral fee. In that case, Ryoma would have to transfer half of today’s date earnings back to the company. Essentially, his profit would be cut in half.

He didn’t want to rely on his sister, Kaya. That’s exactly why he was determined to do whatever it took to earn his own income.

Even if he wasn’t used to giving compliments, he’d summon the courage to do it.

“Himeno has hobbies, and she’s not afraid to express what she likes, right?”

“I’m the complete opposite of you, Himeno. I don’t have any hobbies, and I can’t really think of anything I’m passionate about. If I had to say something, it’d probably be making money.”

“Yeah, that’s why I admire the way you live, showing your interests so openly. People on the outside might have things to say, but I think worrying about that is pointless.”

That was why he’d complimented her. Because, in truth… he really did think that. But—

(How full of myself can I get?! Trying to act all cool! I went completely silent afterward—she definitely thinks I’m some weirdo…!)

Ryoma washed his hands, even though he hadn’t actually used the restroom. No, he just couldn’t stand still without doing something—anything—to distract himself from the situation.

It was true that he thought Himeno was cool. He only said it because he meant it. But still—

“That’s not even like me! No matter how you look at it…!”

The words slipped out loud before he could stop them. Luckily, the restroom was empty, so no one was around to think he was a lunatic.

He couldn’t calm down. He didn’t want to face Himeno again.

But he couldn’t afford to whine about it. If he wanted to make money, he had no choice but to pull himself together.

“…Sigh. Guess I’ll grab a coffee or something…”

Lost in his frustration, Ryoma had completely forgotten he’d bought a Japanese chestnut smoothie. Reaching for his wallet from his back pocket—

“Huh? My wallet… Oh, I left it behind. Ugh…”

He let out a weary sigh, his shoulders slumping at the irony of wanting to buy something only to find himself unable to.

“You trust Himeno too much…”

Ryoma had no idea that Himeno had said something like that.

The only reason he’d forgotten his wallet was because he was flustered. Anyone careless enough to leave valuables with a person they’d just met would inevitably face misfortune at some point.

(Guess I should head back…)

It was an unusual situation—a date with someone he’d just met.

Staying in the restroom too long wouldn’t leave a good impression.

Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, Ryoma dried his hands and made his way back to Himeno.

Never suspecting that someone besides Himeno would be waiting for him.

＊＊＊

“Th-this isn’t… what you think!”

“Oh, really? Then what exactly is different here? There’s clearly a guy’s stuff right here!”

“Way to go, Himeno!”

“I’m telling you, it’s not like that…”

Near the chair where Ryoma had been sitting, there were three girls.

One of them was, of course, Himeno… and the other two were strangers.

They seemed to be having an animated conversation.

(Friends…?)

Ryoma wondered, slowly making his way back toward Himeno.

“Ah…”

Himeno let out a small gasp, her eyes locking with Ryoma’s. In that instant, her expression froze as if she’d turned to stone, her face clearly screaming, “Why are you showing up now of all times…?”

“Oh! That must be him!!”

“No way… He’s totally my type, though…”

Ryoma couldn’t hear these comments due to the distance, but he didn’t slow his pace. He walked straight up to the table.

“Uh, h-hi, nice to meet you. I’m Ryoma. Um… you’re friends of Himeno, right?”

“Yep, yep! I’m Ami! The three of us go to the same university!”

“I’m Fuuko! So, uh, I’ll just ask right away—are you on a date with Himeno-chan right now?!”

“Huh!?”

Fuuko quickly closed the distance between her and Ryoma, beaming at him with a bright, cheerful smile.

(If this Fuuko girl worked a job as a pretend girlfriend, she’d definitely be super popular…)

Ryoma found his thoughts drifting, but he kept his expression composed. No—he had to stay composed.

This was exactly the kind of situation where slipping up was not an option.

“Haha, I never expected to run into Himeno’s friends here. Hey, do me a favor—could you keep this a secret from everyone else?”

Reading the mood and noticing how Himeno had been silently staring at the floor, Ryoma made his request, pressing a finger to his lips in a shhh gesture.

Truth be told, Ryoma didn’t want anyone knowing he was on a date either.

This was just a pretend relationship—a paid date. If word got out, it would be inconvenient for both of them.

“Oooh, I get it now! So that’s why you’ve been saying you don’t need a boyfriend—it’s ‘cause you’ve got Ryoma, huh? Right, Himeno-chan?”

“…Ugh…”

Ami grinned wickedly, teasing Himeno without mercy. Just watching her, it was obvious she was having the time of her life.

(At least they don’t seem to be suspicious about me being her boyfriend…)

Ryoma was about to let out a small sigh of relief when an unexpected ‘attacker’ charged in.

“Hey, Ryoma-kun! How did you and Himenocchi meet? Tell me, I need the details!”

“Y-You’re really direct, huh… Not that I mind, though.”

“Ooh, sounds like I’m getting a good review!”

The other girl—Fuuko. To Ryoma, she was the final boss. If he didn’t handle her well, today’s date fee would go up in smoke. He had to navigate this perfectly.

“Honestly, you’re my type!”

“W-What…? Y-You mean me…? Right?”

“Yep!”

Ryoma felt a slight jolt in his chest. Even though he knew she was probably joking, it was the first time someone had come at him so boldly and directly.

“Fuuko. What are you doing hitting on a guy who’s taken…? And not just anyone—Himeno’s boyfriend, at that. You’ve got a boyfriend too, don’t you?”

“How about we go for a double affair then!?”

“Quit saying dumb stuff. Ryoma-san, could you say something to her, please?”

Thankfully, Ami stepped in like a cushion, throwing Ryoma a much-needed lifeline.

If Ami hadn’t been there, there was a good chance he would’ve slipped up.

“Sorry, I can’t do that. I’m dating Himeno, after all.”

It was a safe, non-committal response—the only thing Ryoma could think to say in the moment.

“Hmm, so that means you like Himeno, right?”

“Well, yeah… we’re dating, so… I love her.”

“Shiba! Stop right there!” Himeno’s sharp voice shot out, but it didn’t reach Ryoma, who was too focused to notice.

“Aw, see, Himeno? Thanks to Fuuko, we got to hear how he feels!”

“Ughhh…!”

Ryoma didn’t have the presence of mind to see how Himeno was reacting. Right now, all his attention was locked on Fuuko.

“Say it one more time!”

“…I love her.”

“Haaah… That’s nice.”

“Nice?”

While Ryoma was blushing slightly, Fuuko looked utterly content, like she’d just soaked in a hot spring, basking in the warmth of his words.

“Ryoma-san, you can ignore Fuuko now. She just wanted the experience of having a guy she finds attractive tell her he loves her.”

“Th-That’s completely insane…”

Ryoma finally found enough composure to mentally reflect on Fuuko’s antics, even feeling a twinge of pity—‘Doesn’t that make her kind of sad?’

For a brief moment, Fuuko’s overwhelming energy overshadowed the tension of possibly being exposed as a fake couple.

“Ami, Fuuko…If you came to buy bubble tea, then go. Just head home after that.”

Himeno suddenly made this declaration, her tone slightly irritated.

Honestly, Ryoma felt relieved by it.

Dealing with Fuuko had been exhausting, as anyone could see. She was simply too overwhelming, and Ryoma couldn’t afford to slip up. The sooner she was gone, the better.

“Y-Yeah, you’re right. We shouldn’t get in the way of your date…But in exchange, you’ll tell us all about how it went later, okay? Right, Himeno?”

“…Yeah.”

“Guess it can’t be helped. Himenocchi, if you ever get tired of Ryoma-kun, just let me know anytime!”

“I won’t. I won’t get tired of him.”

“Haha…”

Even to the very end, Fuuko stayed true to herself, walking off with Ami to join the bubble tea shop’s line.

“They’re… pretty unique friends, huh…”

Ryoma chuckled awkwardly as he sat back down.

“I didn’t expect to run into them,” Himeno’s was mood clearly dampened—it was obvious just from the atmosphere around her.

“This bubble tea shop must be really popular, huh? Even your friends came all the way here.”

“Yeah. That’s their second time.”

“Huh? Second time…?”

“They came back for a refill. They had some earlier.”

“A refill!? Just one cup is pretty filling already… That’s impressive.”

They say there was always room for dessert, and it really seemed to be true.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have thought of going for a second cup so quickly.

“…Hey, this might be a bit late to ask, but… were you okay with lying to your friends about being in a relationship?”

“It’s fine. When you get a boyfriend, you get teased like this. I’ve experienced it now.”

“I think you’ll be teased for a little while, I’m sorry about that.”

“Mm, Shiba’s response wasn’t wrong. It’s okay.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.”

Himeno had chosen to go with the fake relationship route. If she had answered, “We’re just friends” back at that moment, it would have ruined the vibe entirely.

She wasn’t dissatisfied with Ryoma’s response. In fact, she seemed to be content with it.

“Let’s go.”

“Haha, your friends are gonna keep teasing us again.”

Ami and Fuuko, now at the front of the bubble tea line, were getting closer to the order counter.

It was likely they’d come back this way once they got their bubble tea… especially Fuuko.

Following Himeno’s cue, Ryoma held his sweet chestnut smoothie and moved along with her.