The System Won't Work Unless I Have Girlfriends

(First pov)

Grandpa and Mrs. Sayuri's marriage was simple. After registering their marriage, we all went to a restaurant for dinner to celebrate the occasion.

Besides, I got along well with Sayuri, who is now my grandma, and her granddaughter, Chizuru. They are both good people. Sayuri-san is a warm person, and I think that with her by Grandpa's side, he won't feel as lonely.

After long holiday. They plan to settle on the outskirts of Chiba and spend their time farming.

On the other hand, Chizuru is a proud, self-made woman. My first impression of her was that she's confident and doesn't try to take advantage of others, as she refused the money. Even though she looks a bit nerdy, I was surprised to learn that she has a boyfriend.

She's actually quite humble and down-to-earth, which is rare these days. Grandpa always tells me how hard she works, holding down a part-time job while studying and living on her own. She never asks for money or tries to use Grandpa's name to get ahead. Very impressive.

After we met a few times, I realized Chizuru is a genuinely kind person too. I still remember; It was amusing how awkward she was when we all had dinner together at the fancy restaurant I had arranged.

Now, it's been two days since then. I got her contact information when I met her at the hospital, but we haven't been in touch.

"Onii-chan, your acting needs more emotion. It feels like you're just reading the script, and your character seems shallow," Chinatsu pointed out.

I sighed inwardly. We'd been practicing my acting seriously. The producers told me there were only two weeks left until casting, and now, there's probably just about a week left before the audition.

"But I think Onii-chan has improved since before. You're not self-inserting as much anymore, which is a good thing."

I hummed. "So, what should I do next?"

Chinatsu sighed, frowning as she shut her eyes, deep in thought.

"I don't know... well, I'm not an actress to begin with. I think this is about as much as I can do to help you, Onii-chan. It would be great if you joined an acting school, but your schedule would have to match theirs, which seems impossible for you. Do you know anyone famous who could help?"

I hummed again. I actually have a lot of friends in Hollywood, but I don't know anyone famous in Japan entertainment industry.

"No, I don't have anyone."

Chinatsu crossed her arms. "That's kinda weird. Why not use your wealth and good looks to get some beauty for yourself, bro?" She shook her head.

"Well, I'm pretty self-aware and careful not to exploit my status around women."

"Ugh, that's not what I meant!"

To be honest, I haven't tried the system since I used it with Chinatsu. Sigh, I wish I've a free time.

"Don't worry, bro," Chinatsu continued, focused on her phone. "I have a better plan for you. Since training with Chika-nee isn't the best idea, why not hire a rental girlfriend? I mean. While you're dating her, you can act as a different persona, right?"

I nodded—wait, rental girlfriend?

"That's it, Chinatsu! You're a genius!"

She shuddered when I grabbed her shoulder, but this is a win-win solution. This might actually work since all I need is a girlfriend to get a gacha!

"Eh... for real? Well, I don't know why you're so hyped, but I'm glad to help you, Onii-chan." Chinatsu smiled at me, tapped my shoulder, and then clearing her throat. "Kuhum!" She opened her palm, still smiling at me.

"What is it?"

"Don't be dumb, bro." She pouted. "You taught me this line, remember? If you're good at something, never do it for free."

Rolling my eyes, I took some money from my wallet, which Chinatsu accepted gladly.

"Glad to do business with you, bro."

"Yeah, yeah..."

---

The day after school, I went to meet the rental girlfriend.

Since it was Chinatsu's idea, I let her choose the girl for me. She reassured me, saying, "Don't worry, I picked the best girl for you." Still... Damn, this is so weird. It feels like a form of prostitution—but without the sex. Why is Japan's service industry so strange?

Dressed in simple clothes, I waited at the entrance of Ikebukuro Station. Chinatsu told me this was where I'd meet the rental girlfriend.

The plan was for me to act like the main character from Sweet Today. Chinatsu believes this will be good practice, considering this rental girlfriend is a stranger anyway. Still, when I heard the price, I balked—5,000 yen for just one hour?

The price felt like a scam. However, if I can get a gacha from this, 5 grand will be worth it! Let's just hope the girl has a good system rating.

"A white hat, black shirt, and pants..."

Turning my head, I saw a girl bent slightly as she smiled and tucked her hair behind her left ear—it was then that I had a "Wait, hold up" moment.

"...You're Hayase-kun, right? Hello, I'm Mizuhara Chi—"

When the girl realized, her smile turned to shock, her mouth slightly agape.

[Would you like to see your potential partner's rating?]

.

.

.

.

Soon, we found ourselves sitting across from each other at the nearest cafe.

"You're Ichinose Chizuru, right?" I asked, still somewhat in shock.

The girl in front of me took a deep breath, her cheeks turning slightly red, and nodded. "Wh-wha-whatever your reason for renting a date…," she began, growing serious. "I hope you won't tell anyone, especially our family."

I hummed in response, sighing inwardly.

Last time I checked, I thought she was just a nerdy college girl who seemed destined for an awkward college life—a simple, modest existence. Turns out, she's a rental girlfriend! Now, that reminds me.

"Chizuru, if I remember right, you had a boyfriend. Does he know about this... job?"

At the question, Chizuru averted her gaze for a moment, then sighed. "Since you found out about my job, there's no need to hide it…." She exhaled, sounding weary. "Kazuya is actually my client too."

I smacked my forehead inwardly. What kind of twisted situation did I just walk into? No wonder that guy didn't have the backbone to walk Chizuru home. But how did he even have the nerve to meet Grandpa? Unbelievable. He's dead to me.

"How many people know about your 'boyfriend'? Or—" I paused, looking her straight in the eyes. "Do your other clients have a similar situation?"

"No!" She quickly covered her mouth when she realized she'd raised her voice. "I swear, it's just Kazuya. Sigh... That's correct. Even his family thinks I'm his real girlfriend."

Well, since she's just a stranger who coincidentally became my step-cousin, I don't need to get too involved in her problems. Still, lying to Grandma Sayuri and Grandpa about her relationship…

"For how long, exactly?"

"Um... I think it's been six months…"

That's crazy....

Anyway.

[Would you like to see your potential partner's rating?]

A floating screen appeared before me. When I mentally selected "yes," a smaller screen displayed additional information.

[A]

So, my step-cousin has an A rating. Does this mean she's another kind of heroine in some anime? Guess I'll find out.

[Would you like to pick Ichinose Chizuru as your potential partner?]

Yes.

[Confirm!]

[Name: Ichinose Chizuru]

[Age: 19]

[Rating: A]

[Likability: Unavailable]

[Current Status: Unavailable]

[Spoiler: Unavailable]

"Wait, Masamune. Will you listen to why I'm doing this?" Chizuru looked at me worriedly.

"First… let's just continue our date, Chizuru."

"Eh? Don't tell me you actually want to continue?"

"Yes, today you're my girlfriend."

Chizuru looked dazed and blushed for a moment. Suddenly, she took a deep breath, and somehow, the air around her changed, as if she'd become a different person.

"Sure, Masamune-kun~ Let's continue our date," she said in a cheerful tone.

I chuckled—so this is Chizuru when she's in rental-girlfriend mode.

"Hey, why are you giggling at me?" She pouted cutely.

"I'm just surprised at how quickly you switched."

"H-Huh? S-Switch, you say?"

Ah, she's back to normal.

Anyway…

[Relationship has been confirmed!]

[Ichinose Chizuru has accepted you as her lover. Start processing…]

[All options are now available]

[Name: Ichinose Chizuru]

[Age: 19]

[Rating: A]

[Likability: 20%]

[Current Status: I'm doomed!]

[Spoiler: Rent-a-Girlfriend S1, S2, & S3]

HAHAHA! I didn't expect much, given we barely know each other. When I used the system the first time with Chinatsu, she started at 70%—for obvious reasons.

"Hey, you're thinking something rude, aren't you?"

Snapping out of my thoughts, I saw Chizuru quirking an eyebrow.

"You're just overthinking, Chizuru."

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

I smirked. "I wasn't looking at you."

Chizuru tilted her head, as if a question mark had appeared over her.

[Congratulations!]

[You just gained x1 SR Gacha Roll]

[Would you like to open it?]

Not bad! HAHAHAHA! This gacha is more exciting than the date.

[Unpacking…]

[Congratulations!]

[SR Package: [Acting] Ryan Gosling has been obtained!]

NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOO! I wanted the Batman gacha!

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