Rent-A-Boyfriend in A Reverse World

After narrowly escaping the clutches of mom and Akari, I escaped to my room and locked the door.

"Phew..."  I breathed a sigh of relief whilst I lean against the door. My backpack sitting idly next to my feet.

"But.. now that I think about it, even if I do manage to win Andy over, I doubt I'll be the only girlfriend. He's too amazing for a weeb like me to keep to herself..."  I accepted the reality of my situation.

For a short while, I stood there asking myself, "Am I even worthy of chasing after him?"

"I'm not 6 foot, I'm only average at best when it comes to strength, I don't make six figures yet as a software engineer, a-and my breasts are laughably small... Besides money, what do I have to offer..?"  I thought to myself. I racked my head, thinking what else I can bring to the table.

Until finally...

*thud*

I fell on my ass, the realization hitting me.

With a shaky voice I muttered, "Am I... the self-insert in this story?"  

It makes sense, really.

The weeb girl just so happens to be the first client of the male lead who's too good to be true. And after the date, they become friends? What kind of trashy romcom is that?

"It's laughable really..."

I'm not worthy of such an angel...

"I should be satisfied just being his friend. Watch from the sidelines as he gets with better, more suitable women than me. And in the end, maybe he'll let me get artificially inseminated with his sperm"  I start to wallow in the murky feeling of my own inadequacy.

Until a muffled, cheery sound broke the silence.

"Huh?"  I dig into my backpack and take my phone out.

Turning it on, I look through my notifications for the cause.

"What am I doing... just a second ago I was having a depresso momen-"  the words died in my mouth as I read the message.

[Andy: "Good night, Hina! Good luck with work tomorrow!"]

Followed by a selfie of Andy sitting cross-legged while in his cute lavender flower-print pajamas.

And I stared dumbly at this message for way too long than I'd like to admit it.

"Hah! Ahahahah! I'm an idiot!"  I laughed aloud like a maniac.

"Was I really about to become that stupid character who distances herself from the love interest because she feels inadequate? What a hilarious joke!"  I yelled to myself.

I got back on my feet and stepped in front of my mirror.

And I stare intently at my reflection.

"If I'm not good enough for Andy now, then I just need to do better! To be better than I am now!"  I vowed to myself. My expression full of determination.

"To start, I'll start going to the office instead of working of from home! A-And I'll bike all the way there instead of taking the train! I should apply for a gym membership too-"

Interrupting my self-improvement planning, I received another notification.

"Eh? Could it be another message from Andy?"  with a hopeful heart, I turn on my phone again and go through my notifications.

[Yokoyama-san: "How did my recommendations go? Did you enjoy yourself?"]

Instead of Andy, the message this time is from Yokoyama-san who recommended me three rental boyfriends before I found Andy.

["It's a long story. Could I tell you via call instead?"]  I texted back.

Shortly after, a call request came through from Yokoyama-san.

I answered the call and brought the phone to my ear.

"Good evening, Yokoyama-san."  I greeted. My tone almost business-like.

"Yahallo, Takamine-san!"  Yokoyama-san greeted back in a cheery, unreserved voice.

'Right. I forgot she's like this.'  I thought to myself. A smile naturally forming on my lips.

"How was your day, Yokoyama-san?"  I asked. My tone casual this time.

"Eh... Just the usual manager stuff. But forget about me! I want to hear how my recommendations treated you!"

"Well..."  I went into depth about how Yokoyama-san's three recommended rental boyfriends treated me.

Afterwards, she yelled, "Those pricks!"  anger evident in her voice.

"It's okay-"

"No, it isn't, Takamine-san! I recommended those guys to you because they treated me well, but then I hear they didn't do the same to you? Of course I'd be mad!"  she yelled. Though, I'm flattered she feels that way.

"It's really okay, Yokoyama-san! Not everyone likes hotpot and anime movies."

"... Ha... It's probably my fault they treated you that way, Takamine-san."

I instinctively tilt my head. "? How is it your fault, Yokoyama-san?"

"I took them to expensive places and gave them pricy perfume, so they likely expected something similar from you..."  she confessed. Her tone almost guilty.

'Oh... So they felt like I wasn't worth the effort...'  I felt dejected for a moment, until a certain figure came to mind. My frown shooting back up to a smile.

"It's alright, Yokoyama--san. Because I found an angel who healed my soul the day after."  I replied. A slight blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Huh? What do you mean? Did you rent a different boy?"  Yokoyama-san asked. Privy to the details.

"Mhm! His alias is Adam and he registered on Dreamers last night!"  I say in a bright, delighted voice. Time to brag about my (future) boyfie!

"I was mindlessly scrolling through the app when I found him. And I just felt like I had to at least message him. And guess what? It was his first time as a rental boyfriend! I was his first! Heheh!"  I couldn't help myself from giggling like a little girl at the end. Recalling the memories I made with Andy gives me a fuzzy, warm feeling.

"Um, Takamine-san? Are you sure he was telling the truth? I've had that tactic played on me a few times before. Guys pretending be fresh so they can entice women."  Yokoyama-san asked. Concerned that I was tricked.

I immediately shake my head, even though no one can see me.

"No. There's no way Andy lied to me. Everything he did was genuine."  

"If he acted the whole time, then he deserves an oscar!"  I continued.

"Hm... Alright.. As long as you enjoyed- Wait. Did you just say Andy? I thought you said his alias was Adam." 

"Oh, Andy is his real name. I asked him to be my friend after I took him to the station and he said yes! We even exchanged phone numbers and so far he has texted me first twice!"  I explained with a smile on face.

"Wait-"

"Let me send you the photos I took of our date! You'll believe me then!"  I swiftly move my fingers to send Yokoyama-san the pictures I took of my date with Andy. From the standing clock to our photoshoot!

"Haa.. Alright. Since you insist."  after a big sigh, Yokoyama-san reluctantly agreed.

[Successfully sent 50+ attachments]

"What the?! This many??"  Yokoyama-san asked aloud. Shocked at the large number of photos I took.

"Heheh.. I might have been a little trigger happy with my camera.."  I awkwardly scratch the back of my head, slightly embarrassed.

"Whoa... Yeah this guy is definitely one of the best looking ones I've seen."  Yokoyama admired Andy's appearance. 

"Heh!"  I stuck my chest out in pride.

"Usually guys like this are snatched up before they even reach adulthood. Claimed by either childhood friends or by family. For one to be a rental boyfriend like this, its either by pure coincidence or he has circumstances."

"So I hit the SSSSR pretty much?"  I ask with a smug tone.

"Judging by his expressions, I'd say you hit the lottery. I've seen plenty of fake faces and I can tell his are real." says Yokoyama. Genuine in her assessment.

"See? I told he's an angel!"  I boasted once more. 

That's when an idea popped in my head.

'Should I recommend Andy to Yokoyama-san? Though they didn't treat me well, she did recommend me guys she thought were good. And Yokoyama-san is a kind person, so I doubt she'd do something bad to Andy..'

"Yokoyama-san, would you like me to recommend him to you?"  I offered.

"Huh? I thought you were trying to keep him to yourself. Am I wrong?"  Yokoyama-san is puzzled by my offer. 

Even though Yokoyama-san can't see, I shook my head side to side again.

"No. I'm not worthy of keeping an angel all to myself. I'm not the psycho yandere who wants to tie Andy down in a basement somewhere. Even though the image of Andy tied up is kinda hot... Guheh~"

"Hm..."  

Yokoyama-san took her time considering my offer. Though, I don't know whether she was checking her schedule or something else in the meantime.

"Alright. I'll take you up on that offer, Takamine-san. It wouldn't hurt to try out this 'angel' of yours."  she replied, but I can't tell by her voice whether she's just curious or has other plans.

Her tone is so.. neutral.

It reminds me of my boss at my work. A woman who doesn't show her true feelings. I'm starting to whether her friendly attitude is real or just a facade.

"Okay. I'll text Andy and ask when he's available for a new client. I'll introduce you as a friend then."

"Kay~"  Yokoyama-san returned to her usual friendly, almost carefree demeanor.

"Good night, Yomoyama-san! I'll text you Andy's answer as soon as I get it!"

"Thanks a bunch! And good night, Takamine-san!"  she responded with equal enthusiasm.

With a soft beep, I ended the call.

.

.

Meanwhile, in a penthouse in Tokyo.

"Hm..."  a blonde beauty leans back on her chair.

Golden locks resting on her shoulders as they catch the faint moonlight peering through her 2 meter tall windows.

Her white blouse and denim blue bell bottoms envelop her plump figure perfectly.  

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"I have high expectations for this 'angel' Takamine-san speaks so highly of..."  her lips growing into a subtle smirk. A curious glint in those blue eyes as she glances at Andy's rental boyfriend profile on her phone.

"I wonder..."  her dialect shifts as she speaks in fluent English.

"Will he really not seek me out after our date?"  she says with unabashed confidence.

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