"Is this your place?"
"Um." Sumi nodded, then apologized. "Sorry for troubling you, Nifuji-san."
Yup, while Nifuji planned to end their "fake date" in the evening at five or six so Sumi could go back easily, it took so long that, in the end, they came back a little late.
He couldn't send her home, so he left her on public transportation.
No, it was possible, but somehow, when Nifuji thought of the danger, especially for a pervert, and considering Sumi's nature, which was quiet, timid, and afraid to cause trouble, he decided to send her off.
Probably, using a taxi might be good. Still, he was afraid, with the amount of money needed for a taxi, even if Sumi came from a wealthy family, her wallet would definitely become thin, as it was clear at how ridiculously high the taxi service was, and frankly, the service was mostly for the executive and ways for companies to treat their clients, considering how expensive it was.
Still, what Nifuji was surprised by was that Sumi's place was located near his new home, which he had bought in Shibuya.
Yup, for everyone who forgot, he bought a mansion in Shibuya, which was a place where he and his women, from Mayuri, Eli, and probably Fuji, would move with him. Yet he had never thought that Sumi's home was also in this area, which showed how wealthy her family was.
If Nifuji knew the original story, he would say that Chizuru was crazy to advise Sumi to work on the rental girlfriend service, even though her family was so wealthy.
"By the way, where do you work again, Sakurasawa-san?"
"Ah, in the laundry shop."
"...do your best."
"Yes."
Sumi nodded with a smile, but Nifuji's next words left her at a loss.
"Then, see you. I am glad that we can get to know each other."
"...." Sumi.
Yes, after this, they would part ways, and by then, it would be impossible for them to go out like this anymore. After all, Nifuji was Chizuru's boyfriend, and Chizuru was kind enough to let him take her out to fix her communication disorder. So, despite all that kindness, would she do something unforgivable to Chizuru?
Sumi knew she couldn't, yet when she thought she would become nothing more than a friend of a friend with Nifuji, it left her at a loss.
Did she love him?
No, did she even understand what love meant to begin with?
Frankly, Sumi didn't know what love meant, yet she knew well that she hated the idea of having to part like this, without the chance of being connected.
Yet, even so, Sumi closed her eyes, then looked at him with a gentle smile. "Thank you, Nifuji-san."
"No, I am glad that I have met you, too, Sakurawa-san."
"S-Sumi..." Sumi somehow blurted out. "I-If you don't mind, you can call me by my name..."
"Then, Sumi." Nifuji nodded. "You can also call me Hirotaka."
"Then, Hirotaka-kun."
"It feels weird when you call me with a "-kun," even if I am much older than you."
Their age difference wasn't a lot, no, it should be a lot, as he was 27, and she should be 19, which gave them eight years of difference.
Currently, the two of them are adults, but when he was 18, how old was she?
Still, the two of them had grown up, and because of that, Nifuji could even tease her. "I don't mind if you call me an Uncle, you know?"
"That's a bit strange." Sumi smiled wryly, then said, "But if it's Papa, it might be suitable."
"....." Nifuji.
"What's wrong, Papa?" Sumi tilted her head, feeling confused by Nifuji's reaction.
"...no, just call me Hirotaka-kun, like before. I was joking."
Yup, Nifuji was joking, but even so, he was afraid something strange would be awoken with him.
"Then, Hirotaka-kun."
Sumi's face was so red, yet even so, she liked the sound of his name coming out of her thin, small lips.
"Sumi-san."
"...." 2x
It was strange, yet their eyes kept meeting for a while after they called each other by their first names, and this also made Nifuji feel as if a chance was born, especially when her eyes conveyed a certain desire to him.
Was it his imagination?
Was it just his lust?
Yet, he knew well that if he stepped forward, took her lips, she would laugh him off, saying that it was fine, and probably, she would love that feeling of a kiss, especially after what had happened between them.
It might be only a fake date for the two, yet without a doubt, they enjoyed their time so much that Nifuji even ignored the texts and calls from Chizuru and Mini, giving his full focus to Sumi, who was currently acting as his girlfriend.
Yes, he might be a little evil to Chizuru and Mini, but weren't they the ones who asked him to take Sumi on a date?
If they started to regret, then it was too late.
Currently, frankly, Nifuji felt like the wife in the NTR hentai, being asked by her husband to sleep with others because he was just too useless.
Nifuji didn't really want to do it, but unexpectedly, he enjoyed his time with Sumi.
Instead, Sumi might have given him a spark, an excitement. She was quiet, and because she was quiet, Nifuji knew it was better to part ways, since if he were with her, he was afraid she would endure everything despite the pain, as she looked at him with happiness.
Sumi was a good girl, and Nifuji couldn't promise her to be his only one, and because of that, he rubbed her hair softly, as he said, "See you, then. Your parents must be worried about you, right? You should go back now."
"Ah, yes, Hirotaka-kun."
Sumi smiled softly, yet her smile was a little lonely.
Still, even if Nifuji noticed that smile, he decided to pretend not to notice and just watched Sumi leave his car as he waved goodbye to her.
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
They probably wouldn't meet each other again, and because of that, Nifuji sighed helplessly as he drove his car, and Sumi didn't have to stop her tears anymore, feeling an intense sense of regret, as she couldn't properly utter what she truly wished.
Still, Nifuji wanted to smoke, and because of that, he went to the usual place, ready to get his cigarettes, but—
"Here! Here!"
Yamada, or Tayama, the clerk of his favorite supermarket, came to greet him again as Nifuji was about to leave.