THE BEGINNING

The electronic beeps and the slight vibrations that permeate through my hand encompasses my daily routine. The screen flashed 'Level Up', rewarding me for my dormant lifestyle, validating the misery that drowns me. The bag of chips was empty, which meant this would be my thirdbag now. I glanced at my watch, 2 p.m. It was only the afternoon since I started, yet it felt like an entire day had passed. The computer flashed 'Sunday', and that explained it. Gaming through the entire weekend with no rest or sleep was not uncommon.

Enough is enough. Time to clean. One full day of cleaning every week was enough to keep my house from becoming a garbage dump. As I went through the house, I spotted the framed photograph by my bedside. I was 5 when that photo was taken, smiling so brightly at my first time at the arcade. Many people would usually wonder where it all went wrong, but for me, I knew exactly when that was.

The theme to RE:ONE echoed, blasting through whichever spot I left it this time. Considering how muffled it was, the best chances were that I hid it behind the couch, and alas I was right. It was my father calling; the demon. I took a deep breath and answered.

"Hello?", I said.

"Don't forget your date today. Same cafe, after school."

"How long are you gonna torture me for?", I snapped. My dam of emotions were about to burst, despite bursting several times before. It's amazing that I could cry and game at the same time.

"I'm not doing this to torture you Takashi! You need to socialize!"

"Why?"

"Because i dont want you to be a hikikomori!"

"But itt's fake! It's just a job for her! I don't want a fake relationship."

"You had a chance to get a real one before, but you messed it up! And now look at you! Complain once more and I'll stop sending you money!" He ended the call.

The phone launched out of my hands in rage, flying straight back into the couch.

School whizzed by in a flash, ending the moment I was aware it started. Soon, I found myself at the cafe, waiting for the rental girlfriend my dad kindly gave me. Funny enough, the girlfriend shared all of the worst traits with him, had he used her before me?

"Sup.", She said coldly, eyes glued to her phone. "What you wanna do today?"

"Hi, Ayane.", I cleared my throat.

"Hey, good news. Today's my last day, after this we don't need to meet each other ever again, good for you huh?"

"Really?", My eyes lit up. It should be of no surprise that spending time with a woman that bore similarities to my dad was not enjoyable in the slightest.

"Yeah. I'm done milking money from your dad, time to move on. I can't stand you for another day anyway! So, can you answer me, what do you wanna do today?"

"Um…"

"Um… what? You have a hearing problem or something? Or are you such a shallow and broken kid that you don't know what you want to do. It's my last day, can you just help me out, and just stop being so pathetic for a day?"

"I- I… uh. Ramen?"

"As always, let's go. Wanna hold hands?"

"No, I don't-"

"Ok. Cool. Just tell me if you switch your mind, I am at your service."

Oh no. What are Makato and Shou doing here? "Um… can you go away for a moment."

"Your friends nearby?"

I nodded.

"I keep telling you, getting a rental girlfriend isn't that embarrassing, it's almost expected from someone like you."

"Just go."

"K. Call me when you're done."

Lucky for me, they only spotted me the moment Ayane was out of sight. They charged towards me like rhinos, forcefully hugging me. My body wriggled in discomfort, pushing them away.

"Takashi! What are you doing here?", Makoto asked.

"I…"

"Cause we're just coming to get some coffee. You want one?"

"Already had one, thank you."

"You seem… different." Shou raised an eyebrow.

"I do?" I nervously chuckled.

"Tough week Takashi?"

"Uh… yeah, exams."

"Our exams are not till next month, why are you lying?", Makoto asked.

"Uh…"

"Talk to us man, we're here for you."

"Yeah, come on man, open up!", Shou added.

I kept quiet. I couldn't bear to talk to them, it was impossible, and stupid.

"Ok, catch you later!" They patted me on the back and disappeared into the cafe. Ayane came back soon after.

"Why is today your last day, besides...me. Can you really not...stand me for another day?"

"Yes. And since when were you interested in my life? I'm your girlfriend, not your girlfriend."

"Sorry."

The date was as painful as every other one, absorbing insult after insult, breaking me down further and further. Was it good or bad news that it was her last day? Who would my father place me with next? What if she was worse? I placed a pillow over my head as the tears began flowing, and cried myself to sleep.

I entered the cafe again tomorrow, yet the emotions that ran through my body were different. It seems I was early, which gave me ample time to anticipate the worst. Eyeing down every female that walked home, desperately wishing for her not to sit at my table, and yet wishing that she was here for me. Having anyone that was here for me would do wonders for my self-esteem.

Then, she came. She walked him, looking left and right, checking her phone. She looked in my direction, and smiled at me. She already seemed much better than Ayane. Sitting up straight, I shook her hand formally, too formally. It was weird.

"Hi! I'm your new rental girlfriend, Tomoko!"

"Hi, I'm Takashi."

"So, um, here's a list of things that you can do as my rental girlfriend, you know, just to get it out of the way… I don't wanna waste your time."

"Oh no, I don't need that, and you're not wasting my time! I'll learn about you as we date, kind of like how dating works for real!"

"Oh, oh. Ok. Cool. Yay."

"Hm, was your last rental girlfriend mean to you?"

I nodded shamefully.

"I see. That must've hurt a lot. Some girls do this job for easy money, but not me. I take it seriously!"

"Oh, thank you."

"So, we start dating officially tomorrow, I'll text you the details later!"

"Ok, bye."

"Woah, hey, not yet."Her laugh brought me pure bliss, "We can have a coffee at least! And you can tell me a bit about yourself!"

"Um… you sure? You're not on the clock yet, and I'm...pretty bored."

"It is impossible to bore me.", She placed her hand on mine, and my body recoiled. I immediately pulled my hand.

"Sorry." I said.

"It's fine, some people hurt too much to let people touch them, I get it. What coffee do you want?"

"Latte."

"Ok."

I took a deep breath. She surpassed all of my expectations just from that smile alone when she entered. It seems like I got lucky. I can finally relax and maybe even enjoy myself.

"Here you go, one latte!" She smiled again, more bliss. "So, tell me a bit about yourself."

"I'm Takashi, and um… I play... "

"Oh! What type of games?" She leaned in, I thought she was gonna kiss me, "I'm kind of a gamer myself."

'Uh… Battle Pic Fantasy 5…"

"Ooh, i played that one too, it's really underrated. What is your favourite character?"

"Batt? I guess... sorry that's so basic!"

"Nothing wrong with being basic. Sometimes the best things are basic, like this latte. Basic, yet it's your favourite."

"Um… yeah. I watch RE:ONE… if you know that anime… it's ok if you don't, it's just this-"

"Oh my god! RE:ONE? I watch that too! It's my absolute favourite show! What season are you in?"

"Season two just started recently."

"Ooh, no spoilers for you then.", She winked. My heart almost jumped out of my mouth.

The casual date, the one not even paid for, went better than expected. If Tomoko is this nice when she isn't even working, how much nicer would she be if she was working? I had my phone in hand, excitedly waiting for her text for tomorrow's date. Alas, she texted.

"Meet me tomorrow at the park, 17:00. See you!" The text was followed by a wink-emoji, and I sent one back. That night, I slept with my pillow over my head as opposed to under it.