Depth Perception

I arrived at the meeting spot five minutes early, leaning against a building and scrolling through Tiktok on my phone. It was a habit from my old life, a way to pass the time.

"Black polo and jeans..." a voice called out, interrupting my vine-induced reverie. I looked up to see a stunning girl in a cream-colored sundress, sky-blue cardigan, and cute pink accessories. Her hair flowed freely, and her face had just a touch of blush. She was a vision of understated beauty.

I flashed her my most charming smile. "Yeah, that's me. Kazuya Kinoshita. And you must be Chizuru Mizuhara, right?" 

She nodded. "Mhm, that's me."

I let my gaze linger on her for a moment. "I love your sundress. It's beautiful."

"Thank you, you look good too, Kazuya-kun!" Her response was polite, almost scripted. I chuckled inwardly. Time to break the script.

I gestured to a nearby cafe. "Shall we grab a coffee and chat?"

She hesitated for a beat before taking my outstretched hand. As I led her inside, I noticed how easily she fell into step with me. It was like she was caught in my rhythm, swept along by my lead.

I pulled out a chair for her, a gentlemanly gesture that seemed to catch her off guard. Settling in, I caught the eye of a waiter. "Two coffees, please."

Chizuru fidgeted with her napkin, her perfect girlfriend facade slipping for just a moment. I leaned back in my chair, studying her. She was probably used to dealing with desperate, socially awkward clients who bought her act without question. But I was a different breed. I'd played this game before, on a much grander scale.

As the waiter brought our coffees, I took a sip, never taking my eyes off Chizuru. This date was going to be interesting. A chance to test my skills in a new arena, to see how far I could push the boundaries of this rental girlfriend arrangement.

But more than that, it was a reminder of the world I'd left behind. The thrill of the chase, the rush of conquest. Even in this peaceful life, those old instincts died hard.

I set down my cup, pushing aside the thoughts of my past life. "So, Chizuru. Are you in college?"

She nodded, her perfect girlfriend smile firmly in place. "Yeah, I'm in my first year."

"No kidding? Me too." I leaned back, studying her. 

Chizuru hesitated, a carefully crafted look of uncertainty on her face. "Um... If you don't mind..." She gestured, a polite reminder of the money I owed her.

I bit back a laugh. Right. This wasn't a real date. I was paying for her time, like some sad sack who couldn't get a girl on his own. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I reached for my wallet anyway. "Yeah, sure."

As I handed over the cash, I thought about how weird this whole situation was. Paying for companionship, but not even getting the fun parts? It was like hiring a prostitute for a tea party.

Chizuru took the money, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she looked at me. I could practically hear her thoughts. Why was a guy like me, who clearly didn't need help getting a date, using a rental girlfriend service?

But she was too professional to ask. Instead, she plowed ahead with the small talk. "So, Kazuya-kun, what's your major?"

I decided to have a little fun with her. "Literature. I love diving into classic novels, picking them apart and finding the hidden meanings."

Her eyes widened, a genuine spark of interest breaking through her perfect facade. "Really? I was thinking about majoring in literature too, as a backup plan."

We fell into an easy conversation as we finished our coffees, trading thoughts on books and authors. I had to admit, it was nice to talk to someone who shared my interests, even if she was being paid to do it.

After settling the bill, we headed out, making our way to the nearby aquarium. As we walked, I reached for her hand, intertwining our fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Chizuru didn't seem to notice, too caught up in our conversation. I was telling her about a friend from my past life, a guy who'd had his entire backyard flooded thanks to a plumbing mishap.

"-And after that, they just left the water pipes like that. Can you believe it?" I grinned, waiting for her reaction.

She brought her hand to her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh. But it was no use. A snort escaped, followed by a fit of giggles that she couldn't contain.

I laughed along with her, amused by her valiant attempts to maintain her perfect girlfriend image. When she finally caught her breath, she looked at me, eyes sparkling with mirth. "What happened then?"

I shrugged. "The company reimbursed him for the damages and fixed the pipes. A boring end to a hilarious story."

She smiled, shaking her head. "Well, at least there's a happy ending."

I stopped walking, turning to face her. My expression turned serious. "You know, not everyone appreciates that kind of humor. Finding joy in others' misfortunes."

Chizuru's face fell, panic flashing in her eyes. "I'm so sorry if I offended you-"

But I couldn't keep a straight face. A grin broke through, and I laughed. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. You don't have to be the perfect girlfriend 24/7. You're more fun when you're being yourself."

She blinked, surprised by my words. I could see the gears turning in her head, trying to figure me out. But I just smiled, tugging her hand as I started walking again.

"Well, here we are. Sunshine Aquarium."

Chizuru blinked, seeming to realize for the first time that we'd walked the whole way hand in hand. I gave her fingers a gentle squeeze before pulling her inside.

"Ever been to an aquarium before, Mizuhara?"

She shook her head, a hint of excitement in her voice. "No, this is my first time. And I'm glad it's with you."

I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Whoa there. Careful with your words. Someone might get the wrong idea."

Her eyes narrowed, annoyance flashing across her face. "I was talking about the aquarium."

I laughed, enjoying the way her perfect facade crumbled when I pushed her buttons. "I know, I know. You're just too easy to tease."

She pouted, the expression so cute I almost felt bad for riling her up. Almost.

I led her to the first exhibit, a tank filled with glowing tetras. Leaning in close, I whispered in her ear, "Since it's your first time, you're lucky you're with me. I'll be gentle."

I pulled back before she could react, but not before catching the blush that colored her cheeks. She opened her mouth, ready to scold me, but I cut her off.

"Look, aren't those tetras adorable?"

She glared at me, unamused. I held up my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry for invading your space. I'll ask next time."

"Next time?"

I winked. "Don't worry about it."

As we wandered through the aquarium, I found myself less interested in the fish and more focused on Chizuru. The dim lighting and soft glow of the tanks created an intimate atmosphere, making it easy to forget this was just a rental date.

We talked and laughed, the conversation flowing naturally. Her professional demeanor melted away, revealing glimpses of the real girl beneath the perfect girlfriend act.

"So, do you have a dream? Something you want to do with your life?" I asked, curious to know more about her.

She hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "I want to be an actress."

I studied her, seeing the passion in her eyes. It was a look I recognized, the same fire that burned in me when I thought about my own goals.

"An actress, huh? That's a tough industry to break into."

She nodded, a rueful smile on her lips. "I know. But it's what I've always wanted to do. To bring stories to life, to touch people's hearts..."

I couldn't help but smile. Her dream was so similar to my own - to entertain, to inspire, to make a name for myself in the spotlight.

"Well, I believe you can do it."

She looked at me, surprised by the sincerity in my voice. "You think so?"

"Definitely. All you need is a chance to show the world what you can do."

A smile bloomed on her face, bright and genuine. "Thanks, Kazuya. That means a lot."

I grinned. "Anytime. And hey, maybe we'll be co-stars someday. The two of us, taking the entertainment world by storm."

She laughed, shaking her head. Then, a realization seemed to dawn on her. "Wait, you want to be an actor too?"

I chuckled, enjoying the surprise on her face. "Not just an actor. I'm aiming for the top - music, movies, the whole shebang."

Her eyes widened, a mixture of awe and disbelief. "Wow, that's... ambitious."

I shrugged, a confident smirk on my lips. "Go big or go home, right? I've got the talent, the drive, and the charm to make it happen."

She studied me, as if seeing me in a new light. "You know, most people would think that's crazy. To aim so high, to want it all."

"Most people settle for mediocrity. That's not me."

A slow smile spread across her face, a glimmer of respect in her eyes. "No, I guess it isn't."

After we left the aquarium, I turned to Chizuru. "Hey, want to grab some dinner? I know a great sushi place nearby."

Her smile lit up her face. "Sure, Kazuya-kun. Lead the way."

As we walked, I couldn't help but be curious about her perspective on our date. "So, Mizuhara, how did I do today? You've been on plenty of these rental dates. How do I stack up?"

She tilted her head, considering the question. "Honestly? You're nothing like my usual clients. You're confident, easy to talk to, and you actually make eye contact."

I chuckled. "Let me guess, your other clients are desperate, socially awkward guys who can barely string a sentence together?"

She hesitated, not wanting to speak ill of her customers. "Well, yeah. Pretty much. Which makes me wonder why you even booked this date. You clearly don't need help in that department."

I sighed. "What can I say? A sad guy makes some weird choices at night. I don't regret this though. I had a lot of fun with you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly changed the subject. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I have to keep things professional. The app's rules are strict. I can't meet clients outside of work."

"Ouch. Rejected before I even asked. I get it though. You've got your dreams to chase."

"Thanks for understanding. And honestly, it was hard to keep up the perfect girlfriend act with you. I kept getting caught up in the moment. You have any feedback for me?"

I pondered for a moment. "Your perfect girlfriend persona is impressive. Almost had me falling for it a few times. But it can come across a bit... artificial at times."

Her face fell. "What do you mean?"

"Don't sweat it. Most guys won't notice the little things. They'll be too busy picturing themselves as your boyfriend. Just dial back the enthusiasm over small stuff. It's cute, but a little over the top."

She nodded. "Got it. Thanks for the tip."

As we left the restaurant, I took her hand in mine. "I'll walk you to the station. Wouldn't want anyone seeing where you live."

"Appreciate it." Her smile was dazzling, but I could see the mask slipping back into place.

We walked in comfortable silence, my mind wandering. The date had been fun, but it left me feeling a bit empty. Maybe it was time to try for something real.

At the station, she turned to me, her perfect girlfriend smile firmly in place. "Thanks again for today. I had a great time."

"Me too, Mizuhara."

"If you ever need advice or just want to talk, feel free to rent me again." Her words were sweet, but I could see the professional distance in her eyes.

I shook my head, turning to leave with a casual wave. "Take care of yourself."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that this would be the last time I'd see her. But that was okay. I had bigger things to focus on.

My dreams, my goals, my quest for fame and success. Chizuru had been a fun diversion, but it was time to get back to reality. To put in the work and chase my ambitions with everything I had.