The day I moved on from my crush — who worked as a rental girlfriend — I ended up with a yandere

Tsumiki-san felt like a mystery to me, even though I felt like I knew her.

When she started liking me, or why, I honestly didn’t know. But when she insisted on those shoes—so that the next time I visited the store I would think of her—it became clear that she wasn’t confused about her feelings at all.

“Where are we going?” she asked as we kept walking, with no clear direction from her side.

However, I had a place in mind. “Somewhere you’ll like,” I said.

I knew she didn’t enjoy crowded places. And while I knew it was important for her to interact with people, I didn’t want to force her today.

Today was meant to be fun.

As we walked, Tsumiki-san spoke again. “Kazuki-kun… please don’t take this the wrong way, but is your wallet okay after that expensive purchase?”

The way she asked made me chuckle. “Don’t worry. I came prepared.”

When I went out with Satsuki, I usually paid for everything. Because of that habit, I had taken out most of my savings for today’s date.

Tsumiki-san didn’t say anything after that. Thanks to her flat shoes, we reached our next destination fairly quickly.

Smash House.

She tilted her head and looked at the sign. “Kazuki-kun… you didn’t bring me to some shady place, did you? I should tell you, I’m not into exhibitionism.”

I froze for a moment before hurriedly saying, “It’s not what you think! Come on, you’ll enjoy it.”

She gave me a dry smile. “Bad choice of words. You don’t sound very trustworthy, Kazuki-kun.”

Even so, she followed me inside without hesitation.

I could tell she was joking, and that was a relief. Still, the name really needed to be changed.

A man at the counter asked, “Hour and category?”

I looked up at the board for a moment before saying, “A private room for one hour.”

It was a bit expensive, but if we only went for simple ramen afterward, I could survive without embarrassing myself.

The man gestured toward a room beside the counter.

I turned to Tsumiki-san with a grin. “Let’s go.”

Blinking in surprise, she followed me as we entered the changing room.

…

A few minutes later, it was hard to tell who was who.

Both of us were wearing oversized yellow bodysuits that covered us from head to toe. Thick transparent face plates allowed us to see outside.

And when I say see…

“What… in the world?” Tsumiki-san muttered as she looked around.

Everything inside the room was carefully placed—vases, tables, chairs, antiques, and countless items that were clearly meant to be broken.

I picked up a baseball bat and tossed it toward her.

She caught it, slightly startled, as I said, “That’s it. Just… smash whatever you want.”

She paused for a second. “Anything?”

I blinked. “Yeah. Anything.”

For a brief moment, I felt her staring at me through the face plate, a strange sharp light in her eyes.

Then she suddenly turned and raised the bat.

“Here goes—”

DOOOOM

A huge vase nearly three feet tall shattered into pieces.

I whistled. “Nice hit, Tsumiki-san.”

She let out a smug little kukuku. “I already feel like you’ve made my day.”

I chuckled. “Don’t celebrate yet. There’s plenty more to break.”

She looked around, and the room was full of things people usually handle with care.

Weapons and targets were everywhere.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, I said softly, “Don’t hold back. Let it all out.”

Her grip on the bar tightened. She stepped forward.

And after that… it was pure chaos.

I stood there, watching the same girl who barely spoke when we first met now swing a bat, shout, cry, and smash things with such raw joy that I couldn’t stop smiling.

Years of anger. Frustration. Pain.

She was letting it all out.

Every cruel word. Every betrayal. Everything that had been building inside her until now.

That’s why I brought her here.

The one place where Tsumiki-san didn’t need to hide her feelings.

CLANG.

I flinched as she struck another statue—and then collapsed to her knees.

I rushed over and knelt beside her. “Tsumiki-san? Are you okay? Did something—”

I stopped mid-sentence when she suddenly hugged me.

Her small body trembled in my arms.

“Thank you… Kazuki-kun,” she whispered. “Thank you for not leaving me.”

At that time, I didn’t understand the weight of those words.