Rent A Girlfriend: The Past Hurts

Part 18: After the Tears

Plop.

Plop.

Plop.

The rain hit the windows and the top of the taxi, showing no sign of it stopping. The water rolled down the glass, Kazuya staring intently as each drop did so on the window to the right of him. His mind was completely free of thoughts at the moment as he simply watched and took in what had happened at his mother's cemetery.

His eyes were a bit red, but it felt like no more tears would come for a good while. No, the sadness that had overwhelmed him earlier was engulfed by the woman he loved dearly. He could still feel her warmth from when they had hugged, but it was faint compared to the feeling of warmth coming from his left hand. Since they had left the cemetery, Chizuru kept her hand interlocked with his. Of course, he didn't mind or care to ask why, and the look she had on her face as she stared out the other window showed that she didn't question it either. When they reached the hotel, they stepped out of the car, and they walked in together, holding each other's hands through each step.

It wasn't until they were inside the room that Chizuru broke the silence.

"Kazuya?"

"Yeah?" he said, looking down to be eye-to-eye with her.

She looked to the side before starting, "Are you...", Looking back at him, she continued softly,

"Are you ok?"

This time, it was Kazuya who turned away before meeting her eyes again.

"...Honestly, I'm doing ok."

Finishing with a reassuring smile, Kazuya looked down to see that they were still holding hands, and his mind brought him to what had happened earlier in the day.

" Chizuru, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worried. I wanted to be strong like you, but I couldn't. Again, I'm sorry."

Expecting an irritated response or so, Kazuya only locked eyes with Chizuru again once he heard her laugh a little.

"I'm sorry, but that's a little ironic, isn't it?" She started with a smile, continuing as he gave her a confused look. "I remembered a certain someone telling me that crying did mean that you were strong. Or was that person just lying to me?"

Smiling in return, Kazuya told her, "Hmm.. I guess you're right. Still, I'm sorry you had to stand with me for so long under the rain... but thank you."

"I told you.. I've got your back. Always."

"...Thank you. Me too.", he responded, his cheeks getting a bit warmer.

"Yeah, I know. Thank you." Mimicking Kazuya with a small blush.

They stared at one another for some time, and it wasn't until Kazuya could hear the hardness of the rain smacking the room window that they looked away. Letting go of her hand, he walked over to the window and saw the state of the outdoor weather; Dark clouds and the heavy pouring indicated to him that the rest of the day would have to be spent indoors.

Now, looking back at the woman across from him, he started, "It looks bad out there, Chizuru." He took off his still-wet jacket and hung it on the coat hanger. We're gonna have to spend the rest of the day here. Is that alright?"

Chizuru smiled and placed her hand on her chin, as though she had been thinking long about what he had said. Then her smile turned into one of playfulness.

"I shower first."

///////////////

Inside the shower, Chizuru felt a wave of satisfaction feeling the warm water fell over her. Although she didn't mind standing in the rain for Kazuya and would do it again if she needed to, she did feel a little cold afterwards.