Rent-A-Boyfriend in A Reverse World

"Thanks... For renting me out, Kaede."  I say, walking next to her as she escorts me to the train station.

"... You don't have to thank me. I paid for your time, and you gave me a fun one in return."  she says, glancing at me from the side. The look in her eyes is just like the ones I've seen before; reluctance to let our date end. The desire to extend our time even if it's just one minute.

'... I shouldn't. I have to start distancing myself now, at least in my heart.'  I thought. Doing what I have to do whenever the end of a rental date draws near; emotionally detach myself.

'These feelings are only because of my fascination with her body. Her strong, powerful body that could pin me down, dominate me with ease, and-'

Clap!

"!? Adam??"  Kaede exclaims, surprised by me suddenly slapping my cheeks. My features briefly red from the impact.

'That was dangerous...'  I thought, pushing my lustful desires away. 

"Sorry. I just, thought of something embarrassing. That's all."  I say with a smile, hoping that Kaede leaves it at that.

"... Okay."  she mutters. Turning her gaze back to the front. "Ah, let's turn here. It's a shortcut to the station."  she says, pointing to what looks like a narrow alley. "Alright."  I nod, trusting in her judgement.

Entering the alley, Kaede went first and me second. But, not long after we entered, we locked eyes with a group of girls on the other end.

Loose, partially unbuttoned school uniforms, messily tied hair, and mean looks that look like they bow to no one.

They were delinquents like Kaede.

"Hah? If isn't Aida, the Orange Tiger of X Highschool. What are you doing here?"  the delinquent with dyed blonde hair spoke out. Rising from her feet, she locks on to Kaede.

"Pfft- Orange tiger? Really?"  I chuckled hearing Kaede's so-called "title."

Hearing the ridiculous nickname, Kaede became embarrassed, but mostly annoyed. "I told you bitches to stop calling me that! You all have a terrible naming sense!"

"Hah?! Orange Tiger is a cool title! It has the word "tiger" after all!"  The second delinquent, the one with a messy black ponytail, retorted.

"But Orange Tiger-"

"I said don't call me that!"

"You have quite the hottie behind you."  the third and final delinquent spoke up. Her brown bob hair blowing weakly in the wind.

At her words, the other two looked past Kaede, and at me. Their gazes intently scanning my face, and whatever else they can see.

"Could you lend him to us? It looks like you're done with him, after all."  the blonde delinquent asks with a smirk on her face.

It goes without saying what they'd do to me if they get their way...

"Kaede, should we..."

"No need."  Kaede responds before I could finish. Her tone and gaze determined. 

Determined to keep me safe from any threat we encounter.

Kaede closes her eyes, and when she opens them again, the air around her has noticeably changed. The three delinquents, and even I flinched in response. 

The hairs on my body began standing up. 'What... is this..?'  I wondered, but there are no words that can explain what's happening right now.

Well, except maybe two.

'Is this something like "Fighting Spirit"?'  I thought, putting a label on this strange phenomenon.

Kaede raises her gaze, and locks on to the three delinquents in the distance.

Yet, the look in her eyes isn't intense. If anything, she is as calm as can be. As if there is nothing that can shake her.

Slowly, without rushing, she raises her hand. Palm open to the sky. 

"Oi."  she says, not loud, but not quiet. Yet, the three delinquents heard it clearly, despite the distance between them.

"Are you picking a fight, or not?"  she says, unrushed in her words.

Kaede clenches her hand into a fist, and an unnerving noise echoed out.

The three delinquents looked amongst each other, judging whether to attack or simply walk away.

"Ahh! Damn it! What are we hesitating for?! This is our chance to grow stronger! If we win, then we become famous for having beaten the Orange Tiger! And we get a hottie as a bonus."  the blonde delinquent yelled, though muttering the last part.

At her words, the other two looked at each other and nodded. With their minds set on the same goal, the three delinquents turned their gazes towards us. Locking on to Kaede who has patiently waited all this time.

Then, stillness followed. For several breaths, none of them moved. Not Kaede, not the three delinquents. But I knew best not to utter a word. Not even a peep.

Then, without warning, the three girls charged. But with the narrow width of the alleyway, they could only come one at a time.

Leading the charge is the blonde delinquent, followed by the black ponytail delinquent, with the brown bob delinquent at the tail end.

Meanwhile, Kaede calmly got into a stance. Lowering her core, spreading her feet apart, and keeping her fists close to her chest. As she did, she never once took her eyes off the charging enemies.

"Aaahhh!!"  Arriving first, the blonde delinquent roared as she swung her fist forward.

In response, Kaede-

"Guhack-!"  

kicked her right on the stomach. The blonde delinquent fell back. Her body affecting the black ponytail delinquent directly behind her. Causing her to lose balance and fall forward.

In that opening, Kaede struck her on the nose. Crimson blood came spurting out in return.

"Aaidaa!!"  the third delinquent, the one with brown bob hair, roared as she lunged over the first two. Her outstretched first hurling towards Kaede's face.

Yet, even as a fist came close to her, Kaede didn't flinch. She raised her leg, and kneed the girl on the spot directly under her mouth.

"Kack-!"

The 3rd delinquent briefly flew up before crashing down on top of her allies.

"Incredible..."  I couldn't help but say. In just three moves, Kaede took down three opponents.

"Huuu...."  Kaede exhaled. Transitioning from battle ready back to normal.

"Kaede, you were amazing!"  I say outloud, praising my savior. 

Shortly after, Kaede stood back up and turned to me with a proud smile on her face. "Hah, they weren't even a challenge-"

"! Kaede, you're hurt!"

"Huh?"

I reach out with both hands and cup her cheeks. Turning her head to the right, I can clearly see a bruise on her jaw. Likely from the 3rd delinquent just now.

"Oh, this? It's nothing. I can't even feel it." Kaede says, shrugging off the minor injury.

"...... Come with me."

"Huh? Really, it's nothing-"

Before Kaede could argue further, I grab her wrist and head towards the train station.

Jumping over the unconscious delinquents on the way.

'I remember there being a pharmacy near the station. They should have something for Kaede's bruise.'

.

.

"Ouch- That stings a little..."  Kaede says in response to the ointment I'm applying on her bruise.

"Stay still. I can't apply it properly if you move around"  I say, leaning in so I can see the bruised area up close.

"It's just a small bruise. You're overreacting-"

"Kaede."

"Right. Sorry. No more moving."

With a reprimanding gaze, Kaede stopped her protests and stayed still at last.

"....."  As Kaede remained still, she stared at Andy's face that is mere inches away from hers. 'The look on his face when he's focused is kinda... hot.'  she thought.

Sniff

'And he smells really nice... At this distance, I can smell Adam's perfume clearly. And...'  Kaede pauses, taking another whiff. 'He smells like flowers... The mature kind.'  she thought.

 While Andy is busy treating her wound, Kaede is taking the opportunity to smell a boy's scent. Something she would later be embarrassed about when she remembers.

 "And... done."  I announce, pulling away from Kaede.

"Ah, thanks." she says. Though, she soon reaches to touch her covered bruise.

"Touch it and I'll dropkick you."  I threaten, knowing full well that Kaede intends to touch the fresh coat of ointment on her jaw.

"... Understood."  she says, fortunately listening to me in time.

"Don't touch it until it's fully healed." I say. Reaching out, I grab Kaede's hand and raise it. Turning her palm up and placing the tub of ointment in her hand. "If it's not enough, then apply a fresh layer."

"...."  Kaede looks at the item in her hand. Grasping it at experimentally. "I don't..."  she starts. Uncertainty in her voice. "I don't need this. I'm strong enough to tank any injury."  she says.

"And why would you need to do that?"  I ask in rebuttal. Kaede turns her gaze to me, her black eyes staring at mine. "Because it makes me stronger. Tougher than I was before."  she says.

I open my mouth, but close it soon after. Choosing to be careful with my words. "... I'm not a fighter, so I don't know if that's true or not."  I start, meeting Kaede's gaze, 

I wrap my hands around hers, letting me feel her heat. "But I find your clean face more attractive. It's... prettier that way. Not that scars can't be attractive, I just..."  I trail off, searching for the right words to use in this instance.

"... Like undamaged faces more than scarred ones..."

'Gosh, that sucked!'  I yelled internally. Screaming at my poor choice of words.

"... If that's what you want, then sure. I'll avoid taking hits with my face from now on."  Kaede says, a small smile decorating her face.

"O-Oh, that's good..."  My eyes widen with surprise briefly.

I scratch my cheek awkwardly. "Hahah..."

"... Hey, Adam."  Kaede speaks up. Taking on a more serious tone.

"Huh? What is it, Kaede?"  I ask, looking her right in the eye. The small smile on her face now gone. Replaced with an expression that's both determined and nervous. A mix I wasn't expecting from Kaede.

Slowly, she opens her mouth and asks, "Adam, will you marry me?"

"........ Huh?"  

"Ah, did you not hear me clearly? I'll repeat myself then. Adam, will you-"

"No, no! I heard you the first time! But why marriage already!? Shouldn't it be dating first???"  I ask, my confusion-filled brain attempting to comprehend the outlandish question from the delinquent before me.

At my question, Kaede tilts her head. "Well, I wanted to let you know that I'm serious about going all the way with you."  she says, like it reasonably explains her actions.

"No, no, no! People don't propose right off the bat! You should be asking me out first!"  I explain, trying to get my point across.

"So, will you go out with me then?"  

"! That's..."  I look away, and seriously consider her question. Though she may have skipped a few steps, it's still a confession.

An earnest confession.

This isn't the first time something like this happened.

I was able to cleanly reject past confessions.

This should be no different. 

 I close my eyes, and a take a deep breath. "Huu..."  And exhale. My nerves going out with it.

With a calm mind, I turn to face Kaede. Preparing to reject her. 'I've set up too many flags already. I can't afford to raise any more.'

With that in mind, I search for the words to reject Kaede's confession.

"Adam."  Kaede calls out. Without warning, she clasps my hands between hers. "Eh? W-What-"

"I'm certain of it. You're the only boy for me. Every one I've met before cowered in fear and refused to look me in the eyes. But you, you were never like that."  she says, staring into my eyes when she did.

Her eyes are honest, a window for her feelings. "I like you, Adam, and I promise I'll make you happy."

'!! T-That's!'  I yell internally. My cheeks growing hot as I feel them go red. 'Really cool..!'  I thought, finding her assertiveness attractive in this moment.

'No, no! I shouldn't! At this rate, I'll have too many suitors!'  I thought. Fearing the future if I can't say no when I need to.

With a burst of strength, I pull my hands out of Kaede's grasp and hurriedly turn around.

"Adam? Is... that a no?"  Kaede asks. Without having to look at her face, I can tell how disappointed she is just by her voice.

'This it it. Say no and be done with it!'

"..... Maybe when you get your life together and make something of yourself, then I'll consider it."

'FUCKING DAMN IT!'

"... So I have a chance still."  Kaede says, confidence returning to her voice. 

My ears pick up the sound of footsteps. Glancing to my side, I can see Kaede standing two meters away. Looking over her shoulder with a smirk on her face. "It's a promise then. I'll become someone good enough, no, someone incredible for you."  she says with absolute certainty in her voice.

"When I'm done, I'll come looking for you, Adam."  With those as her final words, Kaede departs. Walking away with a newfound goal in life.

'..... I'm so screwed...'

.

.

Later that day.

Kaede stands before the entrance to a dojo. Above the doorway is a plaque with the name "Shiseikan (至誠館)" which translates to "Hall of Utmost Sincerity."

She stares at the plaque for a number of breaths, her hands tightening into fists. Nails digging into her leather glove.

Finally, Kaede ascends the steps and pulls on the door. Sliding it open. Inside are several women all wearing white karate uniforms. Each one had varying traits, but only one person mattered to Kaede. An older woman with black hair tied into a messy ponytail, and a pair of black eyes that are staring right at her. 

From the window of her uniform, one can see her sculpted muscles that can only be described as fierce. A body hardened from years of battle.

The woman approaches Kaede with a calm, unhurried stride. Until she's standing before Kaede who is half a head shorter than her.

"What are you doing here, Kaede? I thought you said you had nothing more to learn from a washed-up old hag."  The woman says with a frown she isn't bothering to hide. Staring right at Kaede with a fierce glare.

"... I'm sorry, sensei."  Kaede says, bowing her head deeply at the woman before her.

"Sorry, huh? Hah!"  The woman laughs out loud like she just heard a joke.

Without raising her head, Kaede speaks, "I apologize for my previous rebellious nature, sensei. I will strive to change for the better." 

The woman's smile stiffens, dropping into a frown again. "Raise your head."  she commands.

"... Yes, sensei."  Kaede raises her head, and stands straight. She meets the woman's eyes with an unwavering gaze.

The woman looks back with an intense glare.

Suddenly, without warning, she raises her leg and swings it. Aiming for the side of Kaede's head.

Kaede tracks her movements with her eyes, yet even as the attack approached, she didn't move, didn't flinch. Just, let it happen.

With a solid thud, the attack connects and Kaede crashes onto the floor.

Kaede quickly recovered, but chose not to stand.

She looks up at the black-haired woman not with anger, but with understanding.

The woman looks down at Kaede, and meets her eyes that are more mature than they were before. "... What prompted this sudden change?"  The woman asked.

Kaede's eyes widen slightly, but soon return to what they were before. "It's nothing. I just, grew up."  she says, avoiding her gaze.

The woman smirks and says, "It's because of a boy, isn't it?"

Kaede snapped to the woman again. Her eyes blown wide with shock. "How did you..."  she mutters.

"Of course I know. After all, I went through the exact same thing when I met your father."  The woman, Kaede's mother, looks at Kaede and for a moment sees her younger self in her. 

"You... used to be a delinquent, mom?"

"Yeah. Hard to believe isn't it-"

"Nah. I believe it."

"💢 You little..!"  Kaede's mother raised her hand and was about to slap show some motherly love to her daughter, but was able to restrain herself before then.

"Ahem! So yeah. I got my act together and set myself straight so I can pursue your father."  she says. coughing into her fist.

She glances at Kaede with one eye. "Anyways. Get up already, you bum."

"Ah, right."  At her mother's words, Kaede stood back up.

"So... What kind of boy is he? A classmate? Maybe a junior, or-"

"Uh, mom, aren't you in the middle of class?"  Kaede points out, looking behind her at the young students waiting for their sensei to return.

"Oh, right."  Finally remembering her role, Kaede's mother turns around. "Class dismissed! Good work, everyone!"  she shouted, dismissing her students.

She turns back and continues her conversation with Kaede. "So, tell me about the boy who captured my daughter's heart."  she asks, curious about her daughter's love life.

Kaede raises her hand, and awkwardly scratches the back of her head. "Well... He isn't like any other boy I've met before. He can look me in the eye without flinching, he's really fun to be around, and... he's strong-willed."

"Hm~ Hm~"  Kaede's mother hums, the same way her daughter does. "I described your father in a similar way when your grandmother asked me about him."  she says, but her expression took a turn. Shifting to a reminiscent expression. 

"Your father... He was a wonderful man. Stronger than anyone-"

"Dear! Stop chatting and shower already! You too, Kaede! Dinner is almost ready!"  A man's voice echoed from down the hall, cutting her off. Kaede's mother flinched like she got caught. "Let's go before your father becomes not-so-wonderful again!"

With that, the mother-daughter pair obediently head inside to wash up before dinner.

From that day on, Kaede went under her mother's tutelage again to hone her skills in karate.

And true to her promise with Andy, she would later enter the World Karate Championship and come out as the victor.

=================

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!