I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 91: Hazuki's Lover-For-Hire ⑨

The two of them visited a family restaurant that was open until midnight, traveling in Hazuki’s car.

“Welcome! Table for two, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Hazuki nodded in response to the friendly server who came to the entrance.

“I’d prefer a non-smoking section if possible… is one available?”

“Yes! We have seats available! Please come this way!”

Although the server’s choice of words seemed slightly off, Hazuki and Ryoma followed the energetic staff member despite the late hour and sat facing each other at a table in the non-smoking section. The seats were undoubtedly made of soft material, but after sitting in the luxury seats of the GT-R, they felt somewhat hard and uncomfortable by comparison.

“Um… this is sudden, but do you not smoke, Hazuki-san? Since you chose non-smoking.”

“Fufu, that really is sudden. Are you curious about me?”

“That’s part of it. I don’t particularly mind sitting in the smoking section, so if you smoke—”

“—Oh my, trying to act mature. Secondhand smoke is more dangerous than you think, you know? Rather than worrying about me, I’d be happier if you took care of yourself.”

“Th-thank you…”

Hazuki smiled as if she had sensed he was willing to endure cigarette smoke. Was this the power of an adult woman? Just being shown this small consideration made him genuinely happy. He felt embarrassed. Ryoma was no match for Hazuki, and that was no exaggeration.

“Well, to return to the topic, do you think I smoke?”

“After saying all that… I don’t think you do. You don’t smell like cigarettes either.”

Ryoma thought to himself that she only smelled nice, but his prediction was easily proven wrong.

“I’m afraid you’re incorrect.”

“Eh?! You smoke?!”

“Fufu, everyone is surprised when I say I smoke. It might give a bad impression, but I use heated tobacco.”

Hazuki seemed amused by Ryoma’s double-take and took out a blue rectangular tobacco device from her bag, waving it slightly to show him.

The tobacco Hazuki used was called a next-generation tobacco product that didn’t require a lighter. There were broadly two types: “electronic cigarettes” and “heated tobacco products”, with the main difference being whether they contained nicotine or not. Electronic cigarettes without nicotine were classified as smoking cessation aids, while the heated tobacco products Hazuki used contained nicotine. As the name suggested, heated tobacco products worked by heating tobacco leaves.

“I smoke so infrequently that a pack often goes stale from humidity before I finish it, but it depends on the situation.”

“…That’s surprising. I’ve never once seen you smoking in front of me.”

“Even with heated tobacco, I’m careful about the smell. Besides, if I started smoking during a lover request, that would be the end.”

“What do you mean?”

Hazuki put her heated tobacco back in her bag and said something frightening with a serious expression. Few people would be able to let such a statement pass without asking for clarification.

“When I smoke, it’s because I’ve hit a roadblock at work, or I’m frustrated, or I’m mentally struggling. At those times, I can’t cope without turning to cigarettes.”

“I-if that’s why you smoke, then certainly it would mean the end for your hired lover…”

The reason for Hazuki’s smoking was likely largely related to her work, but it also meant she would smoke if she became mentally distressed. That was a terrifying possibility from the lover’s perspective.

“But I’m glad you guessed wrong. It means I can pass as a non-smoker. As I said earlier, there’s a negative image associated with women who smoke.”

“There are certainly people who think that way, but I’m different.”

“Oh, really? Then let me hear your famous diplomatic response.”

Hazuki looked at him expectantly, clearly teasing him, but that was no reason to joke around. Ryoma decided to honestly convey his thoughts.

“It’s not that I’m good at smoothing things over, but as long as basic manners are followed—like not smoking in front of children and being considerate of others—it doesn’t create a bad impression. Knowing you, Hazuki-san, I’m sure you observe these courtesies.”

“So some people see it that way… That’s educational.”

“Of course. Though personally, I’d prefer you quit for health reasons.”

That said, Ryoma’s relationship with Hazuki was financially based. He couldn’t force her with demands like “You should quit smoking!” or pursue the matter further. Even though he was concerned, interfering too deeply wouldn’t leave a good impression.

“I smoke to dispel gloominess… If I had someone who could comfort and heal me, I could quit right away, you know?”

“W-what’s with that suggestive look…”

Hazuki narrowed her beautiful almond eyes, raised the corner of her mouth, and put her hand against it. Meanwhile, Ryoma pinched the back of his left hand, which was on his knee, with his right fingernail. He was trying to maintain his composure by stimulating pain. The ability to look good with any expression was like a cheat-level skill.

“Fufu. I’ve always longed for a boyfriend. Since you understand me so well, Shiba-kun, there’s little chance you’d hurt me if you were my boyfriend… don’t you think?”

“I might be like this now, but as a boyfriend, I can be quite demanding. I’m confident no one can beat me when it comes to jealousy.”

“My, I’m the same. If you don’t love me with both heart and body, my passion will quickly cool.”

“…You talk big for someone with no experience.”

Ryoma also narrowed his eyes and changed his expression to tease Hazuki. It was payback for her earlier teasing.

“Th-that’s irrelevant! …Since you’ve probably figured it out by now, I’ll tell you—I’m actually quite needy.”

“And I crave attention.”

“We’re compatible, aren’t we? The two of us.”

“It seems so.”

The conversation flowed smoothly, as if following a prepared script.

“…Should we just start dating at this point?”

“That’s a confession with absolutely no atmosphere! …Come on, let’s stop the banter and order food.”

“Y-yes… B-before that, I’m going to the restroom. Feel free to order ahead if you decide.”

“O-okay, understood.”

As she stood up, Hazuki unnaturally held her side hair to hide her face and hurried toward the toilet.

Ryoma watched until Hazuki was out of sight, then expressionlessly raised a menu from the corner as if standing it up, and dropped his head onto the table. Taking a posture like someone trying to hide sleeping during class, he—

(W-what was that natural confession just now…! My heart stopped for a moment!?) 

He was screaming internally. Ryoma had just witnessed the essence of a veteran killer. He’d never been spoken to like that before. He was giving himself countless rounds of applause for managing to act calmly.

(I’m not used to this kind of thing…!! This is not okay…) 

Even if it was just banter or a joke, the serious tone made it especially dangerous. Ryoma was complaining in his mind that the level of teasing was too advanced.

(I can’t even think about ordering right now… I need to get my face back to normal…)

Ryoma closed his eyes tightly and covered them with his hands. He made an effort to return his face, which was likely red, to its normal color before Hazuki returned from the restroom.

—Hazuki, who had initiated the banter, was making the same effort in the restroom…

(T/N: It will be a while before I continue this further, quite busy irl)