Rent A Girlfriend: The Past Hurts

Part Five: The Night of the Party

Part 5: The Party

Kazuya was waiting underneath a light pole, hands in pocket as he kept scanning the area for someone in particular. He pulled out his phone to see whether Mizuhara had responded to his text, and was a bit disappointed to see that she had left him on read.
'... I hope she isn't mad at me for being early.'
He plugged his earphones in and put his hands in his pockets as he leaned himself onto the pole, and looked up into the sky.
After a while, he gets lost in the music, only returning back to reality when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns to find Mizuhara standing next to him, and he takes off his earphones to show that he was ready to only focus on her tonight.
" H-hey, Mizuhara. "
" Hey Kazuya-kun. Are you ready?" She gave him a smile which caused him to grow red in the face. He gave a nod, and the two of them began to walk, with Kazuya following behind her. He was able to sneak a few glances, taking in all of her beauty: She was wearing a black dress, which had glittered plastered in some areas, lighting up the dress as the moon shone on the pair of them. Her dress reached her knees, showing off her legs and the black heels she had on.
'She looks amazing ,just like she always does... I s-should compliment her, right? Would I come off as weird?'
Speeding up his pace to match hers, Kazuya took a deep breath as he prepared himself mentally. He clenched his hands, and slowly started to turn his head towards her.
" Mizuhara... you look g-good." he hesitantly said, causing Mizuhara to stop in her tracks. He stopped as well and saw that she was just staring at him.
"N-Not that you don't look good everyday!" He explained, "I mean, you do - I mean, as a friend I think you look good...w-which you do..I..um". Now embarrassed, he looked down hoping to hide how red his face was. He had expected her to call him a stalker or such, yet was surprised to hear Mizuhara giggling. Confused, he looked back up, staring at her as she continued to giggle while she covered her mouth.
" I'm sorry." she started, removing her hand from her face, " It's just that it's funny how awkward you can be sometimes. But thanks. You look okay as well." Giving him a smile, she started to walk again, and Kazuya watched as she motioned him to follow. " C'mon, we're almost there."

10 minutes later...

Kazuya and Mizuhara were waiting in a line, which led up to the top of some building. She had told him that the party was being held on a rooftop and how only those who had invitations were allowed up there, so they were checking for those who did and did not have one.
While they were waiting, Kazuya kept shooting glances to the people around him: they all were wearing expensive-looking clothes, the guys rocking their styles while some of the girls were fixing themselves up. At the moment, it seems that he was the only one who was wearing clothes which weren't over $100. Still taking quick peeks at them, he was unaware that Mizuhara was looking at him.
" They're Umi-kun's friends. They've shot a few movies together, but they each all play roles in independent films." She said as she pulled on his shirt. They seemed to have moved all the way to the front, and after showing the security guard their invitations on their phones, they entered the building. As they climbed up the stairs, Kazuya started to feel his palms sweat, and he started to feel a bit uneasy.
'They're all in the acting business like Mizuhara. That's why they dressed very fashionably.'
He stumbled on one of the steps, and he looked up to see that Mizuhara had stopped, watching him.
"...I'm sorry. I know that you aren't used to these types of things. I feel like you're probably very uncomfortable right now."
" No!" Making her jump a bit, Kazuya calmed himself as he continued, " I was the one that accepted your invitation... I'm happy to be here." He saw that she simply smiled at him, giving a quick nod, and they kept on walking up toward the rooftop.
Reaching the top of the stairs, they walked through a door as they were greeted by the sound of pop music blasting throughout the rooftop. There was a dance floor in the center, covered by people jumping up and down to music. Alongside the railings were tables filled with food and drinks, and there were small tables around the dance floor for people to sit and enjoy their meals. Neon lights were shooting up towards the sky, indicating to those who were walking past the building of the raving party that was happening on the rooftop. All in all, Kazuya was astounded at the sight before him, and he knew that it would probably be the last time that he would ever get the chance to attend one of these.
" Hmm.. where should we - Oh, Umi-Kun!" Mizuhara and Kazuya were approached by him, and Kazuya started to feel a bit jealous as she was pulled into a hug.
" Chizuru-san. Nice to see you again. You look splendid." Spotting Kazuya, he let go of Mizuhara. " I see you brought Kazuya-kun with you. How are you?" Umi held his hand up for a handshake, and Kazuya took it.
" Good, I guess."
" I am glad to hear that." He smiled at Kazuya, and he started to feel envious once again. Umi was seen as a cool and attractive guy to everyone, and he knew that he could probably get any girl he wanted, including Mizuhara, which worried him the most.
" Chizuru-san has recently told me about how you helped make her movie, and how she was extremely grateful to you."
" Umi-kun! I didn't say it like that!" She said quickly, and Kazuya felt as though he saw her blush a little. Umi gave a small smile before continuing.
" Well anyways, that was a noble thing you did, and I admire you for that. Not many people would give their time to do all of that, unless..." He was about to finish when a girl walked up to the three of them. Just like Umi, Mizuhara, and the other guests, she was wearing stylish clothing.
" Umi-kun, the rest of us are waiting for you..." She grabbed Umi, and surprised Mizuhara when she grabbed her as well. "... and your date as well. C'mon!"
Mizuhara opened her mouth to tell her that she wasn't her date, but she was already being pulled alongside Umi. Kazuya saw that she looked back at him with eyes that read 'I'm sorry', and putting on the best smile he could form, he gave her a nod as a sign that it was okay. She moved farther and farther away from him, up to the point where she had completely vanished from his sight. Kazuya looked around him, wondering what he should do.
His stomach growled at him, so he decided to go up to the tables to eat. He maneuvered past the groups of people who were standing between him and his destination. Though he had made it eventually, he was a bit disappointed to see that there were nothing but salads.
' Salads? I guess actors like to stay fit.' He thought as he sat in one of the empty tables.