HeartBeats - Ruka Sarashina (Kanojo, Okarishimasu)

I wake up with a painful blow to my ribs, followed by a strong elbow. I get up half-dazed, and turn to see my sister, Aiko, looking at me with a mischievous smile.

"A-Aiko... why did you do that?..." - I ask, still rubbing the painful spot.

She laughs and sits on the edge of my bed. - "Sorry, little brother, but I need your help!"

I sigh, still half-asleep. - "And did you have to wake me up like that, dammit?!... What happened?"

She hesitates for a moment, her eyes shining with a mix of excitement and nervousness. - "S-So... there's this guy I like, and he's going on a date with another girl. I thought about making him jealous to get his attention. And then I thought you could pretend to be my boyfriend on this date." - She spoke naturally.

I stay silent for a moment, trying to process what she just said to me. - "Wait, what?! You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?! That's crazy, Aiko!"

She rolls her eyes. - "Please, little brother. It's just one time. And I know you owe me."

"I owe you? Since when?"

"Since forever!" - she answers, with a smug smile. - "And there's one more thing I'd like to say... I'm a rental girlfriend."

I gape, the surprise leaving me speechless for a moment. - "You... what?"

"I'm a rental girlfriend." - she repeats, more serious now. - "I help people by pretending to be their girlfriends for a while. It's a job like any other."

"Seriously, Aiko? And you thought it would be a good idea to get involved in this?"

She sighs, the amusement disappearing from her face. - "I know it sounds weird, but it's important for me. And you're the only person I can trust to do this."

I put my hand over my face, trying to think clearly. - "Okay. Let's say I agree. How exactly is this going to work?"

"Well..." - she starts, explaining the details. - "The date will be at a local cafe. You just have to show up with me, act like we're dating, and be nice. Nothing out of the ordinary."

I still feel hesitant, but I see the determination in Aiko's eyes. She really wants to do this. - "Okay," I finally say. - "I'll do it for you. But just this once."

She smiles, beaming, and gives me a tight hug. - "Thanks, little brother! I knew I could count on you."

"Okay, okay... I'll go to the bar early, when's the date?" - I ask her.

She turns to me. - "It'll be this Saturday, okay?"

"Sure... I'm going." - I say, heading for the exit. - "And don't forget to lock my apartment."

She salutes. - "Understood!"

After I left my apartment, I walked through the streets, a little distracted by everything. That strange event that happened at the bar had never happened again.

I looked up at the sky. - "I wonder who this guy is..." - I thought about the man my sister likes.

While I was thinking about things, a girl ran towards me with her cell phone in her hand, as if she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings. Everything happened so fast, we bumped into each other and fell to the ground.

"H-Hey! Pay more..." - When I looked at the girl in front of me, it was her. The girl from the bar. It seemed like fate. - "Attention..."

It had been so long since that event that I didn't even remember her name. It's not like she would remember me.

The girl with the blue ribbons and her school clothes opened her eyes after feeling the pain of the impact. She looked at me, a little furious. Seeing that I was looking at her, the girl quickly covered her skirt, thinking that I was looking in 'that' direction.

I stand up, seeing the situation I found myself in again. - 'I hope this doesn't happen again...' - I thought to myself.

I extend my hand to help her up. - "I'm sorry..." - before I could say anything. The girl with the blue ribbons stuck her tongue out at me.

As if she was cursing me. - "You pervert!" - She stood up on her own and turned around.

While I stood there, standing still. I was stunned, not much to say about what had just happened. - "I was called... A pervert?!" - There was no way I couldn't be offended by that.

"Her attitude is completely different from what happened at the bar... She probably didn't even recognize me either..." - I said that to comfort myself.

After what happened, I went to the bar and did what I had to do. It was a bit more tiring than usual, and I was a bit shaken by being called a pervert for no reason.

After I got home, I got another message from my sister saying, "Tomorrow, bring a pair of sportswear." - as if I had any. I just ignored it and went to bed to sleep.

We get ready for the date. Aiko chooses an outfit that makes her look sophisticated, and I put on something decent, although I still feel weird about the whole thing. On the way to the café, she gives me instructions on how we should act, explaining that we should look natural but affectionate. - "It's not hard, act affectionate, you don't have to kiss me or anything! Just stay close, preferably holding hands."

"Um... Okay. I'll TRY to be affectionate with you without throwing up, okay?" - she says sarcastically.

"Okay!" - Aiko says while laughing a little.

When we get to the place, I see the guy Aiko mentioned. I feel a knot in my stomach, not only because of the strangeness of the situation, but also because of the expression on Aiko's face. She really likes him.

Aiko approaches him. - "Hi, Kenji!" - she answers, smiling sweetly. - "I'm here with my boyfriend, Ryo."

He looks at us for a moment, clearly confused. - "Boyfriend? Since when do you have a boyfriend?"

Aiko laughs softly. - "A few weeks ago. Ryo is amazing, you know?"

Kenji looks at me, his expression unreadable. - "Nice to meet you, Ryo..." - he says, extending his hand. I shake his hand, feeling the tension in the air.

"Nice to meet you, Kenji..." - I reply, trying to sound confident.

Kenji turns to Aiko, his expression softening a little. - "Well, it seems like you two are happy together. You already know what we're going to do today, don't you?"

My sister turned to me. - "Sure, we're going to that climbing place... What's it called... I think it's called Boulder."

"Ah, free climbing, right?" - I said to the two of them.

"Yes, exactly. That's why I asked you to get the sports clothes, my dear." - Aiko said with a fake smile on her face.

"A-Ah, y-yeah..." - I'm dying inside. - "But Kenji, have you been to this place before?"

Kenji adjusted his glasses. - "Well, it ended up becoming a habit. I like coming here. I end up coming here to make up for the lack of exercise." - His phone started to vibrate.

"Oh, great! You guys go ahead. I'm going to look for my girlfriend." - Kenji said, turning around and leaving the room.

"Girlfriend, right?...." - After Kenji left, Aiko and I were silent for a moment. Finally, she let out a deep sigh. - "Thanks, little brother... This is really helping me."

"It's okay, Aiko. Let's just have fun today." - I answer, feeling a mix of relief and concern. - "But will you be okay?"

She smiles, a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. - "I will be. I just needed a little push. And you gave me that."

A few minutes passed

Kenji came back with his girlfriend. They were both far away, but Kenji waved at us. - "Hey guys... I found her here!" - the guy said as he put his hand behind his neck.

When I stopped to analyze who his girlfriend was... It was her. The girl with the blue ribbons who had called me a pervert.

'What?! It's not possible!! This isn't destiny at all! It's a premonition!' - I thought to myself.

The girl was wearing the same blue ribbon that looked like a rabbit's ear on her head. A wool blouse, a black skirt and brown flats. Not to mention the same blue pendant from that day at the bar.

"This here is Sarashina Ruka." - Kenji said as he introduced his girlfriend.

"Nice to meet you." - Ruka spoke with absurd naturalness. I don't know if she recognized me, and that's what scared me.

"The pleasure is all mine." - my sister said trying to hide her anger.

"Wait... Aren't you that girl who bumped into me?" - I said to her with a trembling voice, fearing the answer.

"Oh, so you two already know each other..." - Aiko said, pinching me from behind.

"Oh... Yes, you did..." - Ruka seemed like she wanted to say something, but was interrupted by her boyfriend.

"That's cool, man! Then it'll be easier for us to socialize." - Kenji said, laughing a lot.

'I can't lie... Ruka is really pretty. But could that be why he wanted to go on a double date?... To make my sister jealous?' - I thought to myself as I looked at the girl with the blue ribbons.

I couldn't help but feel a deadly look coming from my sister Aiko. I'm in danger in so many different ways...

We went free climbing, the climbing walls are the center of attention. The climbing wall is so high. The surface is covered with several colorful holds of different shapes and sizes, organized into routes of different difficulty levels. Each route is marked with a specific color, making it easier to identify the path. There are protective mats on the ground, there are thick, padded mats that cover the entire fall area to cushion any falls and ensure the safety of climbers. These mats are removable and adjustable for different route configurations.

To start, there was the warm-up area, where there is a dedicated warm-up area equipped with stretching and fitness equipment, such as pull-up bars, resistance bands, and foam rollers. The area is well-lit, with lights positioned to minimize shadows and highlight the climbing routes. The ventilation is adequate, with fans and exhaust systems to keep the air fresh and prevent dust from accumulating.

We join Kenji and Ruka, exchanging greetings and smiles. Kenji looks at Aiko, and I notice a hint of jealousy passing over his face. Ruka, on the other hand, seems enthusiastic and excited about the activity. She greets me with a smile, but there is something in her gaze that seems to know the truth.

"So... You hold on to the finish line with both hands..." - I didn't want to admit it, but Kenji was excellent at climbing. Within a few minutes, he was already at the top. - "That's more or less it!" - Kenji said with a smile.

He seemed a little dim, but he was quite athletic. Ruka and Aiko clapped their hands, as if they were enchanted by it. - "Wow! That's awesome!" - They said.

I feel like he just wanted to show off, but I didn't think much about it. - "How about we try now?" - I said to Aiko.

"So, do you want to try, Aiko?" - Kenji said, trying to irritate her.

"Hmm... Sure!" - Aiko said.

"Let me help you, then." - Kenji approached her and the boy began to teach her.

'I hope you don't do anything stupid to my little sister...' - I thought as I glanced sideways at Kenji.

In a few minutes, without realizing it, I saw that my sister learned very quickly, she climbed so quickly and agilely, that I wondered where all that strength came from. - "Damn genetics..." - I thought too loudly.

"What did you say?" - Kenji turned to me.

"N-nothing! She's just amazing." - I said to him.

While Aiko climbed, I couldn't help but look at Ruka. She was looking at my sister, but she seemed so restless. Could it be because I'm here?

Aiko quickly climbed down. - "That was fun. Come on, it's your turn, Ryo!" - my sister said while pointing at me.

"Um... Okay..." - I said extremely nervously. I approached the rocks and started climbing one by one.

I wasn't at the same level as Aiko, but it was still something. When I was almost halfway up, I ended up stepping wrong and my fall was inevitable. The good thing is that I landed right on the mattress.

"Are you okay?" - my "girlfriend" said.

"Y-Yes..."

-An hour later-

Aiko and Kenji seemed to be having fun while climbing a lot, I tried to catch up to them both, but it was impossible for me. They were both too good. But Ruka, she seemed to have a lot of difficulty, she didn't even get halfway.

When she fell for the fourth or fifth time, I just waved at her. As if I understood the same pain as her. - "It seems I'm not the only one, huh?" - I said while smiling at her.

For a moment I could almost see her smile appear, but she just turned her face away furiously. - 'Tsundere...' - I thought...

Kenji approached Ruka and extended his hand. I saw those two and I thought... - 'They really seem to like each other... I don't think my little sister will have a chance with him.'

Aiko approached Ruka. - "Ruka, come try to climb with me!" - my sister said, socializing.

"I would love that, Murata-san." - Ruka said, bowing in a sort of way.

"Ah, you can call me Aiko." - the two said, moving away from us.

"Ah... They're awesome, aren't they." - Kenji said, trying to talk to me. I don't know why he wanted to start a conversation with me, but I told him the same thing.

"Hey! what... What do you think about my sister?..." - I said to him while looking at him seriously.

Kenji froze for a moment, he didn't know what to say exactly. - "W-What? Sister?"

I stood up and looked at him closely. - "Yes... She's my sister, not my girlfriend. She did this because she wanted to make you jealous, but with your stupid way of being, I doubt you'd be able to understand."

"Ah, that's why you two are so similar..." - He really was stupid.

"Listen... I just want to know one thing, do you really like my sister or not?" - I said, getting straight to the point.

Kenji was silent for a moment, absorbing the information. Finally, he sighed, running his hand through his hair. - "I knew there was something strange about all this. But, to be honest, it's not easy."

"Isn't it easy?" I ask, curious.

"Yeah..." - he answers, looking at me with a serious expression. - "I like Aiko, but she deserves someone who is fully committed to her."

"So, what are you going to do?" - I ask, feeling the tension in the air.

Kenji sighs again. - "I don't know, Ryo. It's not fair to either of them. I need to think about this carefully."

"I understand..." - I say, realizing the seriousness of the situation. - "But you need to be honest with both of them. They deserve to know the truth."

We returned to the group, and I noticed the concern in Aiko's eyes. She looked at me, trying to decipher what was said. I sat down next to her and gave her a reassuring smile, although inside I was equally worried.

Aiko approached me with a can of some random drink. - "Here, have a drink."

I took it from her hand. - "Thank you very much..." - she said, a little uncertainly.

Ruka approached us. - "Aiko, can you come here quickly?..." - I didn't know what she wanted to talk to my sister about, but I let it go.

"Oh, sure!" - Aiko moved away from me and approached Ruka.

The two walked together, Aiko was in front of Ruka. - "I love exercising... What about you, Ruka? Don't you like it very much?"

Seeing that Ruka stopped walking. The empty ambient sound filled the whole place, leaving discomfort hanging. - "Ruka?" - my sister turned to her.

Ruka looked seriously at Aiko. - "Answer me... You're a rental girlfriend, aren't you?" - the mood began to weigh heavy.

Aiko, seeing how the situation had changed drastically, tried to hide it. - "Huh? What are you talking about? Rental girlfriend? What is this, how strange." - Aiko said while laughing.

Ruka just walked past her without saying anything else. Her steps seemed stiffer now, as if she was stepping on metal.

The situation got ugly, Aiko returned to the main place and ran towards me. - "Hey, little sister. Kenji is far away, so-" - I was interrupted.

"She knows."

...

"What?"

"She knows I'm a rental girlfriend!" - she said worriedly.

"What?!" - I stood up worriedly. - "What do you mean?!"

Aiko crossed her arms. - "I don't know! She's the one who started this out of nowhere!"

Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind. Before Ruka lost her memories of me, she had told me that she was a girlfriend for hire. - "That's right... Ruka is also a Rental girlfriend."

Aiko was shocked. - "WHAT?! How do you know that?! And why didn't you tell me this before?!"

I choked. - "L-long story... But I just forgot to tell you, I didn't even know she had a boyfriend in the first place."

Aiko changed her shirt to her usual clothes. - "Boyfriend... Wait. If she's really a rental girlfriend., that means Kenji... Not him... That bastard!" - Aiko said, biting down in anger as she popped a can in her hand.

"That Ruka is a time bomb..." - I said to Aiko as I adjusted my shirt. - "So, what are we going to do?" - I asked her.

Ruka was sitting on a yellow mattress a little away from us, my sister just left without saying anything to me. - "Ruka..." - Aiko said as she approached her.

"Fuck..."

"About that Rent-a-Girlfriend thing you told me... I think you just mistook me for another girl. Ryo and I are actually dating." - Aiko said, speaking sweetly.

"Then kiss." - Ruka said.

"Huh?" - we both said at the same time.

"Since you're actually dating... I want you to kiss in front of me." - Ruka said, speaking with boundless naturalness.

'no no no no no! I need to think of something!' - I feel my stomach churn, but not because of Ruka's request. Kissing my own sister? That's impossible. I look at Aiko, who is clearly panicking, and an idea starts to form in my mind.

"Oh, sure, Ruka." - I say, trying to sound casual. - "But first, I need to tell you something... that can of soda Aiko gave me earlier... I don't think it did me any good."

Before anyone can answer, I start doubling over, putting my hands on my stomach and making an exaggerated grimace of pain. - "Ouch... ouch... I think I have a horrible stomachache. Oh, Aiko, what was in that can?"

Aiko, taking the cue, quickly joins in. - "Oh no, Ryo! Could it be that weird soda? I shouldn't have given you that!"

Ruka raises an eyebrow, visibly confused. - "Seriously? A stomachache now?"

"Yes, yes, it's terrible!" - I say, increasing the dramatization. - "I need a bathroom, quick!"

Aiko supports me as I pretend to writhe in pain. - "Come on, Ryo, let's find a bathroom before it gets worse!"

Ruka is still watching us, clearly doubting the veracity of my performance. - "Do you think I'm going to fall for that? It seems pretty convenient to have a stomach ache all of a sudden."

"No, seriously, Ruka, this is... urgent!" - I say, feigning desperation while holding my stomach.

At that moment, I make a point of making a loud and inappropriate sound with my mouth, as if it were a kind of "preview" of what could happen if I don't get to a bathroom soon. Aiko gives me a light push, and we both start to move hurriedly away from Ruka and Kenji.

Kenji starts to laugh, putting his hand on Ruka's shoulder. - "I think we have to give him a vote of confidence, Ruka. Come on, let's not let a bathroom incident ruin our day."

Ruka seems less convinced, but nods. - "Okay..." - Ruka said. - 'I'll keep an eye on you guys.'

As we walk away, Aiko and I exchange a look of relief and start to laugh softly.

"Good performance, little brother." - Aiko whispers, trying not to burst out laughing. - "That was close."

"Yeah!" - I reply, still faking a slight stomachache. - "But we need to think of something better if Ruka asks for another test. I don't know if I can fake another stomachache."

My sister's expression changed. - "Honestly, Ryo... I'm tired, let's go" - Aiko said smiling.

That expression surprised me. - "But what about Kenji?"

Aiko sighed. - "It's obvious he doesn't want anything to do with me... I'm not going to humiliate myself like that."

"I see..." - I hug my sister, trying to comfort her a little.

"I'm sorry to put you in this situation, little brother..." - Aiko said sadly.

I flick her on the head. - "Oh, don't worry. You can go, I'll take care of the rest."

After we both came back from the bathroom, we went to Kenji and Ruka. - "Oh, you're back." - Kenji said.

"We're back... So, while we were in the bathroom, I remembered something. Aiko, you told me you were going to visit your grandmother, right?" - I said to Aiko.

Our connections aligned, she understood what I said.

Kenji looked worried. - "Is it true, Aiko?"

"A-ah, yeah... Yes. Sorry about that, guys, but I have to go." - Aiko said, continuing our lie.

"Okay, see you later then..." - Kenji said, speaking a little restlessly.

Aiko started to walk away from us. - "See you later, guys." - my sister said as she left.

It was just the three of us this time. But I simply didn't know what to do now.

"Well, since she's already gone, it's time for us to go." - Kenji said, scratching his head.

As we walked towards the exit, I felt like someone was watching me, it was probably Ruka. What an enigmatic girl...

Some time later...

The three of us were walking towards the subway. But there was something that was bothering me. - 'How did she know about Aiko's job? If she uses this trick to burn my sister, I'll have to stop her... But how?'

"See you later, my love." - Kenji said, speaking in the silliest way possible.

"Ah, see you later!" - Ruka said while smiling. She turned to me and her expression changed completely. - "Bye, Ryo... It was a pleasure."

I couldn't help but shiver a little at her sudden change in personality. - "Uh... See you later..." - 'I can't tell what she's thinking.' - I thought to myself.

Ruka walked down the stairs towards the subway, leaving only me and Kenji.

"Okay, I'll stop by somewhere else. See you later Ryo." - Kenji said, leaving me alone.

"Well... Now I have to make that girl keep quiet about this!" - I walked down the stairs frantically. - "I think there's still time to catch up with her!"

After going down the stairs, I turned the corner and there she was, practically waiting for me. She looked irritated with both hands on her waist. - "What do you mean, there's still time to catch up with me?... Are you following me? I've been finding you strange since I bumped into you yesterday... I think I know you..."

'Oh no! She remembered me?!' - I froze, I didn't know what to do now.

"You're that guy from the bar who woke me up, aren't you?!" - Ruka said, pointing at me.

'Phew!... She didn't exactly remember me...' - I thought. - "Y-yes..."

"Can I consider that you just admitted it?... Fake boyfriend?"

End of Chapter 1