I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 65: Shared Umbrella and Aira ①

“…”

“…”

The only sounds that could be heard were the pattering of the rain and the noise of passing cars.

Silence. That was the most fitting word.

Aira, who was usually talkative, was unusually quiet. The reason, of course, was the shared umbrella they were using, standing shoulder to shoulder.

“Wow, this is way more nerve-wracking than I thought…”

Her tone was the same as usual, but the forceful and assertive Aira, who always showed up at Ryoma’s workplace, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she had a girlish reaction, trying to put some distance between them.

“Hey, don’t try to move away. That defeats the purpose of using the umbrella.”

“Ugh…”

The reason they were sharing an umbrella was because it was raining. If she moved away, even if it was just a light drizzle, she would inevitably get wet. Ryoma grabbed the handle of Aira’s tote bag and pulled her closer.

If he were someone more used to situations like this, he might have placed a hand on her shoulder to draw her in. But for Ryoma, this was the most he could manage.

“You’re being too forceful. I can’t win against you in strength, you know…”

Even though Ryoma hadn’t exercised or done any sports since entering university, just a slight exertion of force was enough to close the distance between them.

Looking slightly frustrated, Aira bumped her shoulder against him with a soft thud.

“You’re not getting wet, are you?”

“W-why would you say something like that now… That’s so unfair…”

She glanced up at him once, and the moment their eyes met, she quickly turned her face away.

“There’s no need to get flustered. You were the one who suggested sharing the umbrella in the first place.”

“W-why is Ryoma-senpai so unfazed by this? That’s weird…”

“I’m just more focused on making sure you don’t get wet.”

Coming out of the heated convenience store made the cold outside feel even harsher due to the temperature difference. Naturally, his determination to keep her dry grew stronger.

“Here, drink some tea and calm down.”

Ryoma reached into the plastic bag hanging from the umbrella handle and pulled out a warm bottle of tea, handing it to her.

“Ah, thanks… Though your composure is seriously annoying… Why am I the only one getting all flustered?”

“Well, I mean, I’m with you too… Don’t make me say embarrassing stuff.”

Ryoma wanted to calm down as much as she did. As he reached into the plastic bag to take out his honey lemon drink, something yellow suddenly popped out. It didn’t flutter down like paper—it simply dropped silently to the ground.

“Huh…?”

Still holding the umbrella, Ryoma bent down slightly and picked up the small yellow object.

“Hey, Aira… Something crazy was in the bag.”

“Something crazy? What do you mean?”

“Look, mustard.”

“Mustard? That’s ridic—wait, it’s the real deal! Why!?”

Her reaction was only natural. After all, mustard had come with their hot drinks.

It wasn’t the kind of situation you could bring up to friends and expect them to understand.

“No, I wanna know that too. If we had bought oden, maybe, but mustard with hot drinks…?”

“Maybe they’re telling us to mix it in?”

“I don’t even wanna imagine having a friend who puts mustard in honey lemon or tea…”

Apparently, chili in cocoa was surprisingly good, but this was mustard.

Just imagine it—someone at school or work squeezing mustard into their drink. They’d instantly become the talk of the place.

“I’m giving you that mustard, Ryoma-senpai. It’s a gift from the store clerk, right?”

“You’re just trying to push something unwanted onto me… Well, I guess it won’t go to waste, so fine.”

“Oh, do you cook, Ryoma-senpai?”

“I’m the one who cooks for my family, so I’d say I can cook at a decent level.”

Ryoma wasn’t bragging as he spoke. Maybe that was part of why Aira found him so mature.

“Can you make nikujaga?”

“I can.”

“What about hamburg steak?”

“I can.”

“Katsudon!”

“I can… But why is it all meat?”

If Aira ever learned how to cook, her meals would probably be nothing but meat every day.

Unless her future husband took over the kitchen, he might end up experiencing a small taste of hell.

“…Hey, Ryoma-senpai, I bet you’re super popular, right?”

“Being able to cook doesn’t automatically make you popular. I mean, I’m sure it helps for some people.”

“Then… how many girlfriends have you had before?”

“Where’s this coming from all of a sudden?”

“Well, you seemed so natural about sharing an umbrella… So? Tell me.”

“Ugh, I just know you’re not gonna drop this…”

She must’ve regained her usual attitude after the mustard incident. Aira had returned to being stubborn and pushy.

“I don’t mind telling you or anything… Just one, back in high school.”

“Yeah, right! No way! I bet you’ve had at least enough to count on both hands!”

“No matter how you spin it, that’s impossible. I really only had one.”

“Oh, was your ex-girlfriend super cute, so one was enough?”

“…Aira.”

“Ah… Sorry… I asked too much…”

Revealing the number of past relationships wasn’t an issue for Ryoma. However, he absolutely didn’t want anyone to dig any deeper.

For once, that feeling showed in both his voice and expression. The fact that Aira immediately sensed it and apologized was one of her good traits.

“…Well, all I can say is, when you choose a partner—or rather, a boyfriend—make sure it’s the right one. There’s nothing more painful than betrayal from someone you truly cared about.”

“…Ryoma-senpai, that sounds seriously dark.”

“Yeah, maybe it’s ridiculously dark. About this much…”

Ryoma closed his bottle, tucked it under his arm, freed up a hand, and then firmly grabbed Aira’s head, messing up her hair with a rough rub. It was payback for the gut punch she had given him earlier.

“Hey!? My hair’s getting all messy! If you’re gonna do it, do it gently!”

“Oh? So you’re fine with me patting your head?”

“…Resisting won’t stop you anyway. Might as well set some conditions.”

“You’re saying that since you have no way to fight back… Smart choice.”

Knowing she couldn’t win in terms of physical strength, Aira instead set her own terms.

Her way of thinking was on another level—far beyond what a typical high schooler would come up with.

“But if some creepy guy did this to me, I’d fight back, even if I knew I’d lose.”

“…So, I’m different?”

“Obviously, Ryoma-senpai isn’t creepy. That’s why I’m saying this.”

That was when Aira made her move—a counterattack, a payback for the head rub.

But it wasn’t physical. Instead, she aimed to fluster Ryoma with words, teasing him. This way, their physical differences wouldn’t matter, making it a fair fight.

It was a logical strategy, one only possible due to Aira’s quick thinking.

However, she had underestimated Ryoma’s strength.

Ryoma worked as a lover-for-hire. Through that, he had naturally built experience, developed an unshakable composure, and learned plenty of lines straight out of shoujo manga.

“Since Ryoma-senpai isn’t creepy, really.”

“Yeah? Well, I didn’t find it unpleasant either, which is why I patted your head. Really.”

Ryoma’s deadpan expression practically screamed, What are you even saying?

“…”

“…”

Their gazes locked. The battle was decided in an instant.

“H-Haa!? That counter was so annoying! You should’ve been the one to get flustered first!”

“I win. Think about why you lost by tomorrow.”

Ryoma imitated a certain pro soccer player as he calmly delivered his line, while Aira, face flushed red, raised her voice in frustration. It was obvious which of them had the upper hand.

“You’re seriously the worst! Don’t taunt me! And your impression sucks, which makes it even more annoying!”

“I knew you’d try to counterattack due to your character. That’s what it means to be older.”

“…Whatever. I won’t lose next time.”

“There’s a next time…?”

At that moment, Ryoma already knew he was doomed. Aira was already sharp, but if she started preparing in advance, she’d be nearly unstoppable.

Even physical strength couldn’t guarantee victory—one well-planned move could turn the tables in an instant.

“Yep. So, for that reason, there’s something I want to do with you, Ryoma-senpai.”

“If it’s anything indecent, I’m rejecting it immediately.”

“As if you’re not actually holding yourself back.”

“I’m ignoring that comment… So? What do you want to do?”

“…W-Well, I… I want to exchange contact info.”

Despite being this close, the two of them didn’t even have each other’s numbers.

Aira really did want to exchange contacts. She looked up at Ryoma, slightly hesitant, but still determined as she mumbled her request.