Chapter Text
Time: 15:54 KST
Day: Saturday
Date: September 9
Location: Myeongdong
Weather: Light rain
It was Park Jihyo’s first time there. She was not really that familiar with the place considering that she hoped nobody would notice her meeting up with someone. A medium-sized crowd was roaming around that weekend which was something the young girl was more or less fine with. Not knowing what to expect, she felt anxious of what is about to come. She only knew about it from a YouTube video, but here she is now. And it’s really happening.
JH: “Should I.. really be doing this?..”
The young girl brought out her phone and opened a new application she downloaded to check the profile of the person she was about to meet.
Name: Minatozaki Sana
“I like talking about almost anything! Let’s have fun~”
Birthday: December 29, 1996 Height: 163cm
Nationality: Japanese Weight: 48kg
Personality: Bubbly, Extrovert, Clumsy
Likes: Smoothies, Jellies, Spicy Food
Dislikes: Thunder, Bugs
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
JH: “..She’s really pretty. For some reason, I feel nervous..”
Jihyo locked her phone and placed it inside her pocket in anticipation of the young Japanese she was about to meet. She idly stood at one corner holding an umbrella that rainy afternoon as she waited for the girl to arrive. In a few minutes before the call time, she heard someone who seem to be speaking to her.
??: “..Eh? You’re the only one with a white umbrella here.. Are you.. user PJH21?”
Jihyo turned towards her direction and saw the beautiful woman staring at her in surprise.
JH: “Umm.. H-hi! Minatozaki Sana, right? Sorry if I surprised you.. You can call me Jihyo. Is this.. okay?”
Sana was silent for a bit as she did not expect what was going on. She shook her head and smiled at her customer.
SN: “It’s not a problem at all! Of course, I’m your girlfriend~ Shall we go now?”
JH: “Y-yeah!”
Jihyo immediately realized it. She was very pretty, as if she was an idol. A small face, captivating eyes, and a perfect nose. She had a skinny body begging anyone to hug and protect her. Besides this, Sana had a radiant smile that can easily make anyone say ‘I want a girlfriend like her.’. Jihyo walked ahead as Sana soon grabbed on her hand after catching up to her as they both walked to their first destination, which was a movie theater.
Sana was Jihyo’s girlfriend. A girlfriend-for-hire to be exact. Jihyo downloaded a rental girlfriend application and chose the Japanese girl to be her date for the day. Of course, the price does not come it cheap, and there are certain rules and boundaries that must be followed by both client and agent. However, one rule that wasn’t indicated was that the customer is limited only to males. Thus, Jihyo was able to book her.
SN: “Oh! Parasite! I have not seen this movie before~”
JH: “R-Really? You must have with other-“
SN: “Nope! As your girlfriend, I’m really excited to watch this with you~”
JH: “G-great!”
This industry has recently been a booming business for beautiful young men and women to look for a quick source of income, and a big help for consumers who wish to have some company. As with recent trends among single young and old people, finding love has been a big difficulty for many. Some don’t have the time to do so, while others would use such service to make themselves feel better as a person. There are even others who do this just to save face and not make themselves like a person who hasn’t brought their partner in a family gathering or such events. Both client and agent are able to enjoy their day, without any further commitment or development of feelings afterwards. But how about Jihyo? What was her reason for renting a girlfriend?
SN: “That was a great movie~ shall we have dinner now?”
JH: “Y-yeah.. I booked a restaurant near here. Follow me.”
SN: “Of course~”
The girl smiled at her and held on hand once again as she happily walked alongside her. Jihyo started to get distracted. She tried to reinstate in her mind that she was just her girlfriend-for-a-day. Yet, she felt that it was really nice to be around her. They arrived at an Italian restaurant and ordered their food. While waiting, Sana asked.
SN: “By the way, Jihyo.. how about the.. you know, hehe.”
JH: “..Oh! R-right. Here.”
Jihyo handed over a piece of envelop containing the sum of 150,000 Korean Won.
SN: “Thank you~ So.. what happened with your day today, Jihyo?”
This was a typical question that was asked by a lover, as Jihyo thought. She knew that Sana was just acting as her girlfriend, but felt that it was also something for her to open up.
JH: “S-sorry..”
SN: “..Eh?”
JH: “This is.. kind of unusual for you. Am I your first female customer?”
SN: “What are you talking about? I’m your girlfriend, silly!”
JH: “..It’s okay. You don’t have to put up an act, Sana. I won’t give you a low rating or something.”
SN: “..Well, if you put it that way, yeah. But it’s okay! Can I ask you a question as well?”
JH: “..Huh? S-sure..”
SN: “I know I should be minding my own business, but why did you book me today? What’s your story?”
Jihyo perfectly knew that rental girlfriends like Sana would always have this question in their minds. They meet a lot of clients, with various reasons, including loneliness as one. Jihyo had her own reasons as well. She looked down as she remembered why she even tried this service.
JH: “I-it’s none of your business!”
SN: “..Okay.”
Sana just smiled and didn’t try to ask any more questions. The Japanese beauty immediately understood just based on Jihyo’s response as to what her reasons were. Similar to a few of her customers, she knew that the younger girl dealt with something traumatic in romance, potentially a break up, losing a loved one, and such. Like a natural, she didn’t try to dwell on the topic even longer. In a bit, their appetizers have arrived.
SN: “Ah! It looks so good~ Come on babe! Let’s go eat~”
JH: “..R-right..”
During their meal, Sana would do things a sweet girlfriend would do. She asked how was Jihyo’s day and tried to learn more about her. Besides that, she would share her plate and feed the younger girl. It started to get embarrassing for Jihyo as she never experienced something like that before. Sana was definitely her ideal type of girl, as she somewhat felt sad that this was just a one-day thing with her. She thought that if only she could get a chance with her, her life would be great right now.
They went on with their date, heading next to the arcade, took a photo through a booth together and then wrapped it up at a park.
SN: “I guess that’s already three hours..”
JH: “Umm, I’ll walk you home, Sana?”
SN: “Oh, I’d love that! But it’s not allowed in our agency’s protocol. Hehe.”
JH: “..Oh! S-sorry..”
SN: “It’s okay~ but I’m definitely going to miss you. Until next time, okay?”
Sana smiled and waved goodbye as Jihyo was surprised that she left all of a sudden. The younger girl got surprised with Sana’s last words for her and had various thoughts. Did she say that because she really enjoyed being with me today? Or does she say it to any client she has? As soon as she got back to her apartment, she checked on her phone again to see reviews from previous clients.
?????
‘I had a fun time with her!’
???????
‘I’ll book her again in the future!’
????
‘She said she wants to see me again! I’m excited!’
That was then that Jihyo realized, it was all an act. There wasn’t anything special with her words. She was just good at acting as a girlfriend. Her hopes went down again as she sulked inside her room thinking that she will never find true love. It started to somewhat irritate her with how people like Sana could easily toy with another person’s feelings and take advantage of it. As she sorted out her items in her bag, she took our their photo together and looked at it.
JH: “..Seriously, she’s so beautiful and nice.. If only she didn’t have that kind of job..”
She decided to just take a rest after everything that happened that day. She just lost a lot of money for a temporary moment of happiness. Still, she can’t deny the fact that she enjoyed a lot too. And Sana was just an amazing partner that day.
The following week.
SN: “Hi, Jihyo~ You look wonderful today!”
JH: “T-thanks!” (I’m an idiot.. I can’t believe I’m doing this again..)
SN: “We’ll go shopping today, right? I’d like to pick nice clothes for you~”
Despite everything she has been saying last week, she booked Sana for another date. Seeing her smile was so refreshing for her. The way that the Japanese girl stares at her would easily melt anyone’s cold heart. Still, Jihyo thought to herself, why did she book her again? What does she want to get out of this situation?
Sana held on her hand again as they headed to the department store. People kept on looking at them and especially talked about the girl holding her hand. Yet, nobody was really suspicious of their activity. Just two girls casually holding hands as they walked at the mall. Still, Jihyo felt that she was being treated more romantically by the Japanese beauty. They eventually reached their destination and Sana took the lead in choosing clothes for her.
SN: “Can you try this on? I think this will suit you well~”
JH: (..What am I doing? If this drags on, I’ll use up all my school funds in no time..)
SN: “..Jihyo?”
The younger girl still didn’t respond to her. Sana took the initiative in getting her attention. She placed herself direct in from of her and faced Jihyo, only having a few centimeters away from each other.
JH: “W-WHAT THE!?”
Jihyo started to blush right after and backed away as her lips almost touched Sana’s.
SN: “..Just tell me if anything’s wrong babe, okay?~”
JH: “I-I’m fine! Thanks for worrying..”
Sana replied with a smile after hearing Jihyo’s response and handed over the top she chose for her. Their date went on and they ended up buying a new attire for Jihyo.
Next, they headed to a newly opened restaurant to have lunch. There was a waiting queue and took them about half an hour to get in. It didn’t feel that long for Jihyo though as she enjoyed Sana’s company who kept on asking more questions about her. After getting in and making their order, Jihyo decided to talk about something else.
JH: “..How about you?”
SN: “..Eh?”
JH: “I want to know more about you. We’ve been talking a lot about me, but.. I’m more interested about your story.”
SN: “..I see. I’m sorry, but the agency restricts us in giving a lot of personal information, hehe.”
As much as Jihyo’s hopes went up taking the first step to know more about the girl in front of her, it plummeted right after.
JH: “Be honest.. No need to turn on your girlfriend mode.. Do you think I’m.. weird?”
SN: “Nope! I do understand your preference and we are free to like anyone~”
JH: “Y-you’re right, hehe. I’m sure you’re pretty popular among your clients. You only get five-star reviews.”
SN: “Well, I guess it’s natural in this line of business? I’m just a newbie here though. I have lots to learn.”
JH: “So.. you turn them down?”
SN: “..Eh?”
JH: “When they confess to you seriously or something.”
SN: “Well, it’s in the service agreement and that should be followed.”
JH: “..I see.”
Their food arrived as they both started to eat their meal. Sana switched back to being Jihyo’s girlfriend, although the younger girl was more silent than last week. Sana let her be and tried to cheer her up, that is until her client suddenly spoke.
JH: “..I recently got rejected.”
SN: “..Eh?”
JH: “She told me that she likes another girl.. I liked her for a long time. That’s why it has been hitting me really hard..”
SN: “..Well, she’s been missing out a lot of fun then.”
JH: “..Huh?”
SN: “It feels nice being with you, Jihyo. I’m really having a blast! It’s very different unlike some people I meet. Some clients can be really weird.. Well, not all of them, but you get the idea!”
As much as Jihyo wanted to feel good about what Sana said, she can’t help but remember that their time together is only temporary. Her words might just be a facade to make her happy for now. In a way, she remembered that these males she has been talking fall prey into this industry for a make-believe of being in a relationship with someone who is too good to be true.
JH: “..Do you like what you’re doing?”
SN: “..Eh? W-well, yeah!”
JH: “..So, does it feel nice to play around with the feelings of the people who book you?”
Sana was surprised as Jihyo’s tone suddenly changed. The latter didn’t know what was going on with her as she blurted out words she knew she shouldn’t say to someone like Sana.
SN: “It’s.. it’s not like that.”
Jihyo slammed her hand on the table, drawing the attention of a few diners. Sana got worried with all the ruckus they’re causing right now.
JH: “Then what is it then!? You’re getting paid doing this while making broken people cling to false hope!”
SN: “..P-please stop, Jihyo..”
JH: “Isn’t it you who should stop doing this!? There are a lot of jobs out there that are more proper than playing with a person’s feelings!”
Sana stood up from their dining table and excused herself.
SN: “..I need to use the restroom.. S-sorry..”
The young Japanese rushed to the restroom and tried to hide her face as they were creating an unnecessary commotion. Jihyo on the other hand, felt bad for her sudden outburst. Not to mention there were several bystanders who saw them. Instead of waiting for her date, she soon followed her to the restroom. She took a deep breath and opened the door, seeing Sana in front of the mirror as she washed her hands.
JH: “H-hey, Sana.. I’m so-“
SN: “You’re really different, you know.”
JH: “..W-what?”
SN: “To say something like that in the middle of our date, you must be overthinking things.”
Jihyo knew that Sana was now not trying to appeal to her as her tone became somewhat serious.
JH: “..Sorry.”
SN: “It’s fine. Honestly, that is one thing that many people think about this girlfriend rental business. I had people I know tell me that this is a bad thing to do. Some pretty boys and girls really abuse their clients to enjoy a good life, get showered with gifts, and earn money while doing so. If you think that I’m doing the same, it’s okay.”
JH: “..So why are you doing it?”
SN: “..Sorry, Jihyo. But I can’t say those things. We are in the middle of our date too.”
JH: “..I know you’re different, Sana.”
SN: “How can you be so sure?”
JH: “I just know.”
SN: “Well, okay. So, do you want to go back to our date?”
JH: “..Yeah.”
Sana grabbed on Jihyo’s arm and smiled as she returned to the sweet girlfriend she was for her.
SN: “Okay~ let’s go back!”
It somewhat scared Jihyo with how Sana could switch her personality from that ideal girlfriend to somebody who could be so serious about her job. Despite how their conversation went, she really felt that a girl like her that would give her such answer would have other reasons beside the money. In fact, Jihyo became even more interested to know more about her. But that in a way is something that can’t easily be discovered.
As they went out the restroom, everything was fine again and the other people did not seem to mind them anymore, probably thinking it was just an argument of some sort. Jihyo returned to normal and became talkative again. She felt that she has to enjoy this moment with Sana, as holding on to false hopes will just end up hurting her even more. That is why she thought that this may very well be the last time she will rent her.
After paying their bill, they went out of the restaurant, now heading to the park where they will be strolling around for a bit. Sana held her hand as they both walked together. However, not far from their location, one familiar girl just a few meters away saw the two leave the restaurant.
??: “Huh? Is that.. Jihyo? What is she doing here? And who’s that girl with her?”