Of course, the polite "don't be shy" was just a formality. After refusing several times, the two of them ordered afternoon tea sets and sat across from Mizuhara Chizuru.
"Tenkuji-san, I'm sorry for suddenly inviting you out like this. I hope it doesn't interfere with your plans."
Her tone was more formal and polite than before. Chizuru sat upright, looking at Yuu with an apologetic expression.
"This is just a casual chat. I have time for that." Yuu smiled, his demeanor relaxed. "You helped me a lot back then too—consider this my way of returning the favor."
Chizuru gave a wry smile at that. "What help? You paid me, and I merely fulfilled my duty by telling you what I knew... Well, if you insist on seeing it that way, I'll gladly accept your kindness."
"In that case..."
He shifted his gaze to Masuzu, who looked slightly stiff as she quietly sat in her seat.
Chizuru tilted her eyes downward slightly. Various ways to start a conversation with her flashed through her mind, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.
She had originally assumed that the girl with dango-style hair whom she'd seen studying together with Yuu at the family restaurant was now his current girlfriend...
Given their kindness and intimate manner, anyone with eyes could see their relationship was already beyond close friends—it only needed Yuu's nod to become official lovers.
Yet, Chizuru hadn't expected the girl she called over the phone—out of concern that her boyfriend might feel uncomfortable and wanting company—was this unfamiliar, beautiful silver-haired girl instead. In fact, this girl seemed even more attached to him than the one with dango hair.
(Seriously, do high schoolers nowadays play relationships like this?)
(Or did he, as a hired boyfriend, stray onto the wrong path and embark on a point-of-no-return journey—playing with girls' feelings?)
There were so many things Chizuru wanted to ask right now, especially about the whereabouts of that dango-haired girl… But all of it was mere personal curiosity. Of course, she couldn't possibly ask, especially not in front of his actual girlfriend.
In short, she'd completely revised her impression of Yuu.
The boy who used to be her fellow "rent-a-date" partner, hiring her as a tutor because he didn't know how to date—turned out to have a love life far more complicated than she imagined. Much more complicated than her own, actually.
From now on, Chizuru decided she should be careful and keep some distance from him, avoiding entanglement in romantic troubles…
Whether colleague or client, a rent-a-date who isn't cautious in such matters risks getting caught between parties and ends up disliked by everyone.
Although, both she and Yuu had already quit that job.
Chizuru smiled warmly, touched. Then, regaining her composure, she turned to Masuzu with a calm, graceful smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Mizuhara Chizuru, former female rent-a-date at Diamond Agency, and now just an ordinary university student."
"...I'm Yuu's girlfriend, Natsukawa Masuzu."
After replying somewhat stiffly, Masuzu seemed to realize her current behavior wasn't normal. She quickly cleared her throat, covering her mouth with her hand, adjusting her voice back to its usual relaxed and elegant tone.
"I've heard about you from Yuu. I'm truly sorry for insisting on joining when you two wanted to discuss something important..."
Chizuru waved her hands hurriedly. "No, no! Your concern is perfectly understandable. If my boyfriend suddenly went out to eat with a girl I didn't know, I'd probably care enough to want to come along too!"
"It's actually I who should apologize first. I didn't consider that he already had a girlfriend. I should've been more careful when sending that message."
Her expression was sincere, as though Chizuru genuinely felt remorseful. Her tone and manner brought comfort, like a spring breeze.
Masuzu couldn't suppress an admiring smile. She bowed gracefully. "You're too kind, Mizuhara-san... Please excuse me today. I'll try my best to behave like a decorative plant—emotionless and not interrupting your conversation."
"I appreciate that, Natsukawa-san. But please don't be so formal with me. Even though I'm two or three years older than you two, I prefer talking as equals among peers."
Chizuru glanced at Yuu, teasingly adding, "Just like your boyfriend here. When it comes to acting, he's practically my senior. Sending him formal messages makes me feel incredibly awkward... On the contrary, in our work, I was his senior, yet he never used formal language with me. Just relax!"
Yuu shrugged, showing he didn't care either way. Do whatever you want.
"I understand." Masuzu paused briefly, then asked curiously, "Mizuhara-san, is Yuu's acting really as impressive as you say?"
"Well, it's not exactly about whether he's good or not..." Recalling what happened that day, Chizuru couldn't help but pour out all the impressions, surprises, and valuable experiences she'd gained.
But noticing the mood, she adjusted her words. "If you're curious, why don't you ask him to act right now, and see for yourself how he performs?"
"Great idea." Masuzu turned to Yuu, her sparkling eyes blinking cutely as she acted sweetly. "Darling, could you show me? That thing Mizuhara-san saw?"
"Watch your tone!" Yuu slapped his forehead in irritation.
Chizuru gave a wry smile beside them. She grumbled inwardly but didn't pay much attention.
Facing the girl's expectant gaze, Yuu thought for a moment. Since they were in public and he didn't want to attract excessive attention, he could only demonstrate his acting through small gestures.
He glanced around, then suddenly picked up a butter knife from the cutlery set on the table. Pretending to be relaxed, he asked, "Masuzu, are you thirsty?"
"Hm? Kind of." Masuzu was startled. Still unaware, she replied confusedly, "I just ordered red tea—"
"That'll take too long. I can't let you stay thirsty that long."
Cutting her off gently, Yuu spoke softly. He forcibly placed the knife into her hand and brought his own wrist closer.
"Here, there's delicious drink right here. Don't hesitate—drink as much as you want."
"...Huh? W-what do you mean?"
The bizarre turn of events left Masuzu momentarily speechless. She could only stare at him, bewildered, unsure how to react.
Yet, the fingers holding the butter knife began trembling faintly, under Yuu's gentle, expressionless gaze.
Chizuru, sitting opposite them, shivered. Amidst the eerie atmosphere, she narrowed her eyes, goosebumps rising.
(...This is it—that feeling!)
(The bone-deep, chilling portrayal of a psychopath that sends shivers down your spine!)
Though her body desperately wanted to flee from the chair, Chizuru forced herself to endure the fear. Her eyes remained fixed on Yuu's expressions and movements, not missing a single detail she could use as reference.