Dating Game - Chapter 91st task of [week 1] — Convince as many as people as possible that two of you are a real couple* [LAST PART]
FLASHBACK — Some Time Before The Show
Matsui Rena POV
It was just one of those regular days of tiring job and no perspective. As a bonus for my overtime my boss let me out earlier on Friday and I decided to surprise Kai.
Usually I called my boyfriend before going to meet him but for a change I thought ‘what the hell’ he has surprised me many times before. Why couldn’t I?
At first I considered cooking something but no to waste time I just bought some cupcakes in the shop near Kai’s home. I remembered keys that he gave to me about a year ago in case of emergencies. That wasn’t an emergency but instead a perfect pretext to use it.
I went to his place thinking that the guy is probably still at work. He has always worked longer on Fridays, sometimes we couldn’t see each other for that reason and meet up only on Saturday or Sunday. I knew that I work too much… but he… well he is certainly a workaholic.
Or at least that’s what I thought and that’s what I believed in… only after everything what happened I realized how actually naive I was all this time. Believing all his lies of staying up late to do some work that he couldn’t finish through the day.
All those times he was screwing one of my best friends. Suda Akari and I knew each other from preschool. I’m not sure what hurt me more… the fact that my boyfriend was cheating or the fact that he chose one of my friends.
Probably the most hurtful thing in this whole situation was the fact that she decided to fool around with him and lie to my face.
That same evening I found both of them in bed. Before opening the doors I already knew what was happening… moaning could be heard in the corridor of his apartment. I just didn’t know that the one making all those sounds was my friend.
I remember throwing cupcakes at them and running away. Kai still tried to chase me and explain himself. Like there was something to explain after finding him in such situation.
At least Akarin realized that there’s nothing that she could tell me to change the facts that our friendship is definitely over. Maybe she didn’t even care about being my friend…
Kai still searched for me… I even had to change my phone number because of his constant texts and phone calls. Every single time I turn him down and he tried to pin it on my. Like I made him cheat on me… how more pathetic that guy could have been?
I started wondering why I dated him in the first time… actually, it got even scary as he didn’t give up no matter what I told him.
Finding out about this show and the fact that I’m taking part in it was infuriating for him. Once again I heard the same old story that’s exactly what he always feared of. That I will get bored with him and search for a girl instead. Many times before…when we were still in relationship I convinced him that its not true and when I date someone I care about that one person. This time I had no reason to try and make him believe me.
I even liked the idea that he imagines stuff happening. Especially me spending time with so many girls — every day — for three months — 24 hours a day. That was the perfect situation.
Also, I knew that I don’t have to see him for that long… or at least… that’s what I thought.
PRESENT TIME
General POV
[BACK TO Matsui Rena+Takayanagi Akane]
Takayanagi looked at the guy who was closing the distance between them and asked a bit surprised realizing that Rena probably knows him “who’s that?”
“My ex-boyfriend”, Rena whispered silently and bit her lip feeling a bit helpless about this certain situation.
Takayanagi opened her mouth in *O* shape and looked around awkwardly not sure what she should do in situation like that.
Rena’s ex Kai rushed to the girl stopping in front of them. Firstly, he looked at Churi but for some reason didn’t find her dangerous or didn’t consider her as competition and looked back at Matsui “so you’re playing this stupid game? Are you doing this just to annoy me?”
Rena looked back at him without giving an answer and squinting her eyes a little bit. Probably wondering how she could end this conversation sooner but at the same time knowing that its not an option.
“Really? You’re not going to comment on this? How about that… what’s her name… Jurina? Had some fun in that closet?”
“am…you’re Rena’s ex?” Takayanagi questioned a bit confused because Matsui wasn’t giving this guy any answers and he got more impatient by a second.
“I am. I could still be her boyfriend if she knew what forgiving means”.
“I don’t think that people normally FORGIVE for someone who sleeps with one of their best friends. Repeatedly.”
Churi expression couldn’t have been explained better than in emoticon *0*
“You’re not going to comment on how much fun you had? That girl… she’s a player isn’t she… playing with fire, Rena? Trying to get my attention? You know she’s probably the only one that would piss me off this much and the only one I could notice from the crowd”.
“Oh…I can take a compliment”, Jurina and Sayaka appeared out of nowhere and Jurina commented after hearing Kai’s words.
The girls were walking pass them and noticing the weird scene Jurina decided to check it out dragging Sayanee with her. Jurina looked at the guy and then at Rena “Don’t look at me like that… I know I’m good looking… or should I get offended? What did we miss?” she questioned acting in frivolous way.
“You miss the fact that my girlfriend doesn’t know what she wants and does the most stupid stuff”
“Ex-girlfriend”, Rena finally said her first words from the very first moment since she met with the guy.
Jurina pretended that she couldn’t read the situation and put one hand on Rena’s shoulders lightly “oh ex… well then where’s the tragedy… Rena can DO whatever or whoever she likes… and yes… I also mean the sexy stuff”.
Kai couldn’t control his face expressions and pushed Jurina lightly “who do you think you are?” after which Sayanee kind of step up blocking the girl.
Actually stepping in front of both Matsui “touch her one more time and you can gather your teeth from the ground”.
Kai laughed at the threat but stepped back a little. “I’m being stupid… its not like Rena could actually be interested in someone like you…a player… I am being stupid for even considering it”.
“Player or not… I wouldn’t go around screwing others while dating a girl like that. Also, I don’t see a reason why she couldn’t be interested in me…”
Jurina pointed a finger at herself as self-confident as even. “Right, Rena?” she also asked while looking at the girl who was still glaring at her ex.
Jurina looked at Kai and then at Rena while those two shared intense hate stare contest. “Oh come on…” Jurina whispered under her breath and unexpectedly for four of them (Sayaka, Churi, Kai and Rena herself) kissed older Matsui on the lips.
Rena tried to pull back at first but Jurina kept her in the place just proving a point which Kai somehow got. “If that’s what you really want! That’s your choice! Don’t run away crying and searching for me when this one dumps you!”
After the comment the guy immediately walked away not wanting to see their kiss any longer. Mayu and Yukirin witnessed that whole scene and even though they haven’t heard the conversation Mayu knew that her friend is in trouble now.
[AFTER THE FIRST COMPETITION]
Watanabe Mayu POV
Jurina is certainly playing with fire. I will try asking her later but for the moment I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know what she is doing. I guess she didn’t get slap across the face only because Rino and Micchan appeared out of nowhere commenting that the time is over and we all need to head back.
Ride back in a bus was quiet. Even Miyuki looked worn out from the day. I guess no one found it easy to pretend being helplessly in love with someone they knew for two days.
The only thing that I have learnt from that half an hour was that Atsuko has given Haruna new nickname. Nyan-Nyan. Yuko seemed too eager to start and use it. I think she even tried teasing Haruna not noticing that the girl didn’t mind.
After getting back I hoped to get some rest but instead our two ‘lovely’ hosts decided to torture us a little longer. They decided to tell us the rankings of our competition…To leave some intrigue they skipped the winners and the losers. So second place went to Jurina and Sayanee. Apparently they were one vote away from winning if not that whole incident with Rena.
I’m not so surprised though… Jurina looks good with anyone. I guess there weren’t trouble convincing people that she and Sayaka are together. I don’t know what part Sayanee played in it… but she seems like someone who doesn’t like losing.
Third place went to Miyuki and Yui which was also no surprise to no one.
While Yukirin and I shared fourth place. Not bad, I guess… at least we didn’t lose.
Fifth place went to Haruna and Atsuko and the six one to Takayanagi and Rena.
The only two pairings left where Airi-Rie and Yuko-Takamina. Once again no one were surprised that Airi and Rie won, while Yuko and Takamina ended in last place. Rino commented something about the fact that most people thought that they were sisters, even twins.
Rino and Minami haven’t told us anything about the punishment, we only knew that Yuko and Takamina were out of competition.
“The winners can chose first next week… you can decide between the two while using janken who’s going to pick first or you can chose each others. Either way Rie and Airi will be the first ones who chose their second half for next week.”
You know that saying ‘the winner takes it all’, that could probably be applied to this situation too because its quite convenient to be the first one who chose with whom they want to spend the week.
After our hosts left everyone kind of whispered awkwardly while stealing glances at Jurina. I wasn’t the one who told others but somehow all the girls find out the kiss she stole from Rena. Maybe Yukirin told them… I have seen her talking with Yuko, Atsuko and even Airi.
My friend is no fool so she noticed everyone’s looks and whispers. Jurina raised both of her hands in giving up stance “I get it… I’m the elephant in a room, right?”
“Are you two an item now?” Takamina question a bit confused about the situation.
I could see that Rena wanted to face palm herself while Jurina sighed “no… I tried helping out which could be interpreted in…well I guess wrong way. But one kiss means nothing”
“And a kiss without feelings means nothing”, Rena added a bit annoyed by this situation. I wish I could read both of these girls minds now. But unfortunately I was just another witness of what was happening.
“Exactly! I could kiss anyone and that would mean nothing! For example…”, Jurina looked around with wonder and I guess I have never felt so thankful in my life that she didn’t chose me as example.
Instead she stole a short kiss from unsuspecting Rie that kind of froze off in her place. Couldn’t blame the girl. I think I heard her whispering “am I in some crossfires… first that ‘flirt’ incident and now…” with disbelief written all over her face.
“See! Nothing. Can we now relax and enjoy the rest of our evening?”, Jurina smiled innocently while grabbing my hand and dragging me after herself. I think everyone relaxed a bit after finding out that Jurina hasn’t left her mark on Rena left. Or maybe… they were relaxed after realizing that Jurina is still on the market. Either way…all I wanted was for this evening to end. And some sleep…sleep sounds good right now.
A/N: First of all, thanks to everyone that commented! It means a lot. Secondly, I remember that Atsuko was the one who gave Haruna Nyan-Nyan nickname so decided to use it here.