Volume 1 - Prologue

TL: sleepy Pop

“I want a boyfriend! I want a boyfriend!” (Ami)

The sobbing sound comes from my best friend Ami, who is sitting next to me. Her preaching sounds exceedingly filled with emotion, but honestly, I’ve heard this line so many times that it has become annoying.

“I want to experience youth! Where should I go to have such an encounter, Himeno!?” (Ami)

“I Don’t know.” (Himeno)

“I don’t know. ……!　Don’t be so naive, you want a boyfriend too, don’t you? A boyfriend?” (Ami)

“I don’t want a boyfriend.” (Himeno)

The way this conversation flows has always been the same, with Ami bringing up the same topic repeatedly.

“Huh? I’m pretty sure you should change your mind. Experiencing youth firsthand should be fun. Having the boys take you out for a drive or doing various things during a room date!” (Ami)

“Well, that’s fine. I have a hobby after all.” (Himeno)

“You’re cutting it all off!　It’s a waste of Hime’s cuteness. It’s a shame that you don’t use that weapon because it’s a real treasure in our eyes! I’m sure you’ll be able to make one soon because your seniors are talking about you. …… Don’t you want me to tell you what they’re saying about You?” (Ami)

“No.” (Himeno)

“Well then, let me tell you all about it! It goes like this… She’s tiny, has a baby face and is as cute as a doll! Her expressionless face is so cute!　I want to walk next to her! I want to cuddle her! I want her to be my girlfriend!” (Ami)

“I told you not to say anything.” (Himeno)

“Haha, sorry, sorry.” (Ami)

Himeno Isn’t good at talking like Ami. Instead, she is the total opposite. She has a hard time expressing herself, So if she doesn’t say much or smile, people might assume she’s in a bad mood. But Ami is different. She understands many things about Himeno. She may be noisy, but she’s also an excellent friend.

“So, after I apologize, I’m going to say this: …… You want a boyfriend too, right? Just like me?” (Ami)

“Why would you think that?” (Himeno)

At this moment, Himeno did her best to restrain her shoulders from rising in fear.

“Well, this has been on my mind for a while now, but aren’t you radiating girl energy? Light makeup, bracelets and beautifully tidied bangs along with a hint of sweet perfume.” (Ami)

“We all want to look cute. What’s wrong with that?” (Himeno)

“Well, if you say it like that, you’re right. However, I find it weird that you try so hard to look cute. At this rate, it seems like your working harder than me, a person who wants a boyfriend.” (Ami)

“It’s your imagination.” (Himeno)

“I don’t think it’s just my imagination because you’re working so hard.　That’s why I kept asking you.” (Ami)

“You’re just paranoid.” (Himeno)

“I am?” (Ami)

“Yeah.” (Himeno)

This conversation needs to end here, any further, and Ami might found out. Plus, I’m not very good at lying. With this thought in mind, Himeno immediately stood up from her chair.

“Oh…? Where are you going?” (Ami)

“To the bathroom.ALONE.” (Himeno)

“I’m going to…..by myself. Got it! Remember, you ‘have’ to wash your hands.” (Ami)

“I don’t need Ami to tell me that.” (Himeno)

“Hey, that makes it sound like I’m not washing my hands!

Don’t you start any strange rumours!” (Ami)

********

After finishing her business with Ami, Himeno proceeded to wash her hands with liquid soap. There was no one around. Only the sound of running water could be heard.

There was something that Himeno has been holding back from talking about earlier all this time. She was lying to herself all this time and only came upon the realization since she was alone in the bathroom.

………….There was no one who doesn’t want a boyfriend.

The reason Himeno declined the thought of ever wanting a boyfriend was purely to keep up appearances.

Certainly, Himeno has a hobby. She values her hobbies and makes them a reason for living. However, her hobby and desire to have a boyfriend were about the same.

Himeno was already in her first year of college and was 18 years old. It’s natural for her to be interested in a boyfriend ……. But there was a reason why it was so hard for her to find the courage.

When Himeno was first confessed to by a boy, she felt happy. However, the boy who confessed to Himeno was a fresh face, which she hadn’t seen before. Since Himeno was uncomfortable going out with someone she didn’t know, she rejected his confession.

It was the first time Himeno had received a confession from a senior in the third grade when she was in her first junior high school grade. She felt happy, but it was the first time she had talked to that person.

Since Himenon was uncomfortable with going out with someone she didn’t know, she refused

“I’m sorry.” (Himeno)

The next day a rumour was going around: Man…! It feels so refreshing to be rejected in a punishment game!

Those were the words of the senior who confessed to Himeno.

Himeno felt shaken. No, she felt like an idiot for receiving his confession.

She felt that he should have never confessed to her in the first place.

That was the start of it all.

Since then, I’ve been afraid of confessing my feelings for fear that it might be a punishment game. It’s cheeky, but it’s true. ……

That was why I’m still reluctant to accept any confessions. I’ve never been in a relationship with anyone. I’m too embarrassed to talk about it in college, so I falsely claim that I’m not interested in finding a boyfriend.

Himeno turned off the faucet and wiped her hands with a handkerchief as she left the bathroom. As she was heading straight to her classroom, a couple was chatting amicably by the window in the hallway.

“We’ll go home together again today, okay?　I’ll whip up something tasty for you today, too.”

“Really?! Then I want curry!”

“What? But I made the curry yesterday? …… Didn’t you eat all of it?”

“Because everything you make is delicious. I live alone, so it really helps.”

“Hey, I told you not to praise me out of the blue. ……”

“You’re always embarrassed, aren’t you? That makes me embarrassed as well…”

“Shut up, ……! I can’t help it if you’re happy!”

The boyfriend proclaimed with a facial expression that can only be seen as a joy. Both of them are in their own worlds enjoying themselves…

I’m jealous …….

It was rude to stare, as I thought to myself while sneaking a look. However, Himeno was so focused on the couple that she didn’t notice what was in front of her. The timing was horrible.

“Don!

“Ugh!

“Whoa!

Himeno felt a strong impact hit her, along with a man’s voice. The impact was so strong that it made Himeno drop the handkerchief that she had in her hand.

The boy immediately stood up, witnessing what he had done, shouted, “I’m sorry!!” while running away from the crime scene.

Mou……. I was clearly at fault for not looking ahead, but for me to be treated like that hurts me so much.

As I was about to pick up my handkerchief from the hallway, a man from the couple Himeno had seen earlier walked up to me.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Hmm……” (Himeno)

“That’s terrible, that guy. When you bump into someone, you usually have to stop.”

The man followed up with Himeno. Picking up the handkerchief that fell before Himeno, he dusted it and handed it to her.

“Oh, thank you …” (Himeno)

“It’s not something you should be thankful for. Be careful this time.”

“No, I’ll be careful …” (Himeno)

The man warned Himeno and went back to his girlfriend.

Himeno replied with a bow while looking slightly happy and proud.

“Welcome back, Himeno!” (Ami)

“Hmm, I’m back.” (Himeno)

As usual, Ami called out to me as I entered. However, I felt that Ami seemed more excited than before, and I quickly understood the reason.

“Hey, look at this! It’s a photo that Fuco sent me out of the blue.” (Ami)

Ami shows me her smartphone while brimming with excitement. What was displayed there-

“Lovers acting … service?” (Himeno)

“Yes, yes. I heard that there was a company that allows you to simulate the experience of a lover! It’s through a company, so it seems to be safe and has a good reputation!” (Ami)

“……” (Himeno)

Without replying to Ami’s words, she concentrated on that image and looked at the LCD of her smartphone.

“I’m over 18 years old, and I’m single, so I’m wondering if I should call them next time! For me who can’t get a boyfriend, this service is a godsend!” (Ami)

“…………”(Himeno)

“Hi, Hime? Hey.”(Ami)

“No, nothing.”(Himeno)

“Well, that’s fine, but ……, that’s it!　I heard that you could use the service for 20◯◯◯◯ for an hour plus 10,000 yen for the company’s brokerage fee, but since it’s Christmas season, the brokerage fee is 8◯◯◯◯.　That means the first hour of your time is free, so it’s not a bad deal at all!” (Ami)…[◯◯◯◯ i have no clue what these symbols represent]

“Maybe for Ami. (Himeno)

“Don’t say maybe for me! I’m not sure if you’re really interested in this or not, Hime.”(Ami)

I’m sure you’re not the only one. You can’t help but feel that this was the way to go if you respond to the topic of conversation. I feel guilty for being so vain, but I can’t say I want one now. I can’t say that I’ve never had a boyfriend. And it was almost time for my lecture.

“Ami, the lecture is about to start. Let’s get ready. (Himeno)

“No way! It’s already that time! Thank you for telling me! (Ami)

“Hmm.”(Himeno)

That day at the university, even though she was concentrating on her lectures, Himeno couldn’t get the words “lover agency service” out of her head.

That night, Himeno was searching on her smartphone while lying on her bed at home. She looked up the website of “Lover’s Agent Service” that Ami had shown her.

As Ami had said, it goes through a company, so you don’t have to worry. Besides, I wouldn’t be afraid of this. You can go on a date without having to confess. ……

Himeno was working, so she has little money to spare. However, she felt like she could try it out once as she wanted to experience what it felt like as much as Ami did.

Himeno looked up the service structure on the website and, for the time being, took a screenshot of the phone number.

That was about it for today’s preliminary research. I’ll make some time tomorrow to continue my research.

While taking a break, Himeno then opened up Twitter. She was posting her daily routines, the events of the day, on her work account.

‘A guy picked up my handkerchief today. It made me happy.’

This is what made me the happiest today. I didn’t use any emoticons or emojis, but this is the basis of Himeno.

A notification will be displayed when you post and spread the likes of your peers’ posts. This is also something Himeno looks forward to. When she would receive a notification, she would check it right away.

“Who is that guy? I’m so jealous that you touched her handkerchief!”

“I’m sure it smells great.”

“That guy is great! I’d pick up the handkerchief and run away immediately.”

The replies, which included stories, came in real-time.

Himeno’s account, which I’m ashamed to name, is ……, and Biru-chan’s followers have grown to 300,000.

Today’s post also got a lot of responses. It made me happy.

Middle East National University, 2nd-year Faculty of Economics Ryoma Shiba was scouring employment applications on his smartphone during lunch break.

“It’s hard to find an excellent place to work at after all”…….(Ryoma)

“Hmm? Ryoma works at a bookstore, right? Are you planning to start a new part-time job again?”(Yukiya)

“I just found out yesterday that it’s moving away in six months, so I’m looking for a new part-time job now while I still can. If you want to get adjusted to your new part-time job, I believe it is best to start looking for one now.”(Ryoma)

“Relocation? That’s a tough one, ……. Isn’t it possible to continue working there?”(Yukiya)

The first person to have a friendly conversation with Ryoma at the university was Yukiya Nakamura, who was the first person to become close to him.

“That’s what I thought so too at first. However, it seems that the new place is an hour’s train ride away, so that’s an out for me. (Ryoma)

“I see. I see. It’s better to find a new place than to spend two hours on a train there and back.”(Yukiya)

“Yeah. I’d consider it if the wages were higher compared to other places, but sadly that’s not the case.”(Ryoma)

Well, I think it’s a good idea to look for a job as soon as possible because it will affect your overall income. College tuition is expensive as hell.

“I’m debating whether or not to work the night shift. What are your thoughts? The night shift pays more per hour, and it’s already November, so I’d like to make as much money as possible while still have the opportunity. With winter vacation coming around, that would also be an excellent time to make money as well.”(Ryoma)

“Working the night shift is not something that I would recommend. You may lose your life’s balance and be unable to keep up with your studies, resulting in the loss of a year’s worth of school fees and, eventually, being expelled out of college.”(Yukiya)

“Yeah, that’s true….”(Ryoma)

This was not an uncommon occurrence at a university. Ryoma mused to himself while showing a bitter smile on his pale face.

It was okay to repeat a year. That’s what some would people say. But he was not one of them, according to Ryoma. No way could he afford to stay another year.

All of this was due to Ryoma’s difficult familial circumstance. Ryoma’s mother, who was physically frail, died when he was a youngster. When he was barely an adolescent, his father died as a result of overworking. As a result, Ryoma’s older sister opted to drop out of college and decided to find a job to help support the family.

It was all because of his sister’s prioritization on earning money and the money she had worked so hard to achieve that Ryoma could now attend this university.

Thanks to his part-time job, Ryoma fully understands how hard it was to earn money and how painful it was for his sister Kaya. That’s why Ryoma doesn’t want his sister, Kaya, to go through as much pain as before. He wants to make as much money as he can while still making her feel at ease. This was how Ryoma felt about the entire situation.

Even if Ryoma were to be held back in school, Kaya would not be displeased and would still wish him “Good luck next time” and pay for his tuition. Having spent twenty years under the same roof, she could easily understand how Ryoma would act. I was powerless to go against my sister’s good sentiments.

“You’re looking for a job during your lunch break. Aren’t you in a bit of a pinch? How’s the money?”(Yukiya)

“To tell you the truth, I’m in worse shape than I was last year. I believe that getting a higher-paying job is the only option for me to catch up on my previous year’s savings.”(Ryoma)

“Wow, that’s pretty bad.”(Yukiya)

“Yukiya, do you have any suggestions for a part-time job? If you do, I’d appreciate it if you could introduce me to one…”(Ryoma)

“Don’t be unreasonable. I’m confident that you’ll discover something that works for you. No way!”(Yukiya)

“Haha, if such a job existed, everyone would be doing it…….”(Ryoma)

“I’m sure you’ll get paid handsomely and get off the night shift if you work as an event staff member or assist with office relocation, so how about that?”(Yukiya)

“I know that seems pricey, but aren’t those positions just for a single day? I’d rather have a location where I can register with a business. It’s like working on a project that never ends.”(Ryoma)

“Huh. Don’t be so silly.”(Yukiya)

What a remark, but Ryoma was well aware that he was referring to opulence. Yukiya, on the other hand, sighed, not because he was surprised by Ryoma’s comment, but as a preamble to a specific offer.

“There is…… one if you are in such severe difficulties. There is a particular part-time job that pays well, is off the night shift, and may be done daily, depending on your skills.” (Yukiya)

“Oh, really?”(Ryoma)

“I’m not sure if I’m comfortable recommending it to my friends. This isn’t your run of the mill type of job.”(Yukiya)

“You’re not saying it’s familiar, but you’re also saying it’s dangerous? Is it against the law?”(Ryoma)

“Certainly not! It’s definitely legal! But I’m not sure whether you could consider it ethical.”(Yukiya)

“Ethical?”(Ryoma)

Ryoma was full of questions, but he could not help it. It was Yukiya who continued to speak in a hazy manner after all.

“I’ll explain it to you since it’s a waste of time to rush it, but… it’s called a lover’s substitution service. You’ve never heard of it, have you, Ryoma?”(Yukiya)

“Yeah, what’s that?”(Ryoma)

“It’s something a childhood buddy of mine did until recently, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a part-time job in which you take on the role of a client’s lover in exchange for money.”(Yukiya)

“What?”(Ryoma)

Ryoma’s brows wrinkled as he let out a tone-deaf wail as soon as he heard Yukiya’s voice all the way through. This was not a standard part-time employment, as he had stated previously. Ryoma, who had never heard the term “lover’s agent” before, responded instinctively.

“Yep, your reaction doesn’t surprise me. After all, that’s how the majority of people responded when they first heard about it. But well, it is how I described it.”(Yukiya)

“Sorry to be the one to say this, but doesn’t it smell a little fishy to you……? To be honest, that makes me skeptical.”(Ryoma)

“According to my childhood friend who actually had this job.

I’ve heard that the company is pretty reliable and there have been no problems. For an hour, you can even get paid 20,000 yen.”(Yukiya)

“What?! You can get that much?”(Ryoma)

“And depending on the client, you can get extra rewards, too. Extra money, gifts, etc.”(Yukiya)

“What a heavenly job ……. It’s too good to be true.”(Ryoma)

“I heard that the clients are not always the best, but it’s a win-win when you get the right one. You get a date with a cute girl and get paid for it.”(Yukiya)

“Well, I won’t deny that, but ……”(Ryoma)

“That’s correct. I’ve heard that if you match Lori Lynn’s winning quota to the pupils here, you’ll get a female on par with her. For a novice, it’s difficult to believe.”(Yukiya)

“Yeah, …… I’ve heard that nickname before. She’s a freshman, right?”

(Ryoma)

“Aren’t you a first-year student? She’s a well-known figure at this university. So what makes you think you don’t know her? Lori Lynn is a name I’m sure you’ve heard of. She’s a buddy of mine with whom Foo-chan has been talking to. But, unfortunately, I have no idea what she’s thinking because she doesn’t speak much, and her facial muscles are dead.”(Yukiya)

“What a horrible thing to say.”(Ryoma)

Lorilyn is the most prominent person at this institution and the cutest female on campus. Yukiya’s girlfriend is “Fu-chan,” since it naturally popped out of his tongue.

“That isn’t a horrible thing to say, though. Because she has a high-level babyface, tiny stature, an essential face, and a wonderfully peaceful disposition, Lorilyn is really popular. You’ve probably heard of her.”(Yukiya)

“Well,…It’s just incredible that you can date someone like that and get paid 20,000 yen per hour.”(Ryoma)

“This position, however, does not have a set shift. It appears that you must amuse the client in order to get consumers. Cabarets and hosts use the same system. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, but it all boils down to talent.”(Yukiya)

“When I heard what you just stated, I was about to give up. That part-time employment, for example.”(Ryoma)

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no You’re an excellent communicator, and as long as you don’t blow off like that, you’ll be fine. I’m confident you’ll be able to outshine my childhood pal in terms of personal attractiveness.”(Yukiya)

“Thanks for the compliment.”(Ryoma)

“I’m serious about this! So, instead of wearing stupid glasses, why don’t you switch to contacts and style your stupid hair the same way you do in your private life? It’s like a treasure trove for me, Ryoma.”(Yukiya)

Yukiya scratched his cheeks with his index fingers, visibly distressed.

He is not exaggerating in any way regarding Ryoma. He isn’t making any jokes, which explains why he is behaving so serious.

“That concerns me……. Wax is costly, and if you use it every day, it will rapidly run out, and glasses are more convenient than contacts.”(Ryoma)

“That is why you are… It’s preferable for me if you’re an off-duty Ryoma so I can stand out beside you, okay?”(Yukiya)

“Yes, yes.”(Ryoma)

Yukiya flashed his white teeth and gave him a lovely grin as he smiled at him, but Ryoma ignored it. We’ve developed a good friendship in this way, which permits us to be disrespectful to each other.

“I’ll provide Ryoma with the URL for the agency’s website, so you may phone them if you like. I’ve heard they’re hiring for the Christmas season, so you should have a decent chance of being hired. Oh, and make sure your hair is well styled, okay?”(Yukiya)

“It’s nice of you to say so, but ……, why does Yukiya have that URL?”(Ryoma)

“A childhood buddy of mine kept recommending me a fantastic part-time job that paid nicely. But, because I’m dating Fu-chan, I kept refusing.”

“Ah, I see. So Yukiya’s sentiments towards her are as predicted.”(Ryoma)

“of course, you’ll be murdered if you don’t.”(Yukiya)

Even though he was kidding, Yukiya’s face was serious.

“So, let’s move on to the next classroom, shall we? We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”(Yukiya)

“Agree”(Ryoma)

And so the two of them went about their schoolwork as usual.

It was after school, and the university lectures had just ended.

During his lunch break, Ryoma was browsing the job postings when he hit the URL Yukiya had supplied him.

He went to the girlfriend agency service’s website and read the material.

The part-time job that Yukiya had told him about was still fresh in Ryoma’s mind.

As a result of my investigation into this part-time profession, it appears that the agent sets the time when he or she is available to work on behalf of the client, and the customer agrees.

In other words, there would be no night shifts and no interruption to my life balance, as Yukiya had stated.

Ryoma’s academic courses would be unaffected. Ryoma had been seeking a part-time job with high pay and benefits.

This was unlike any other job I’d ever have.

“It looks terrifying, but there’s no harm in trying……. It’s a fantastic way to earn money after all.”(Ryoma)

You have no control over how you make money. It was such a logical approach to thinking.

Since the phone lines were closed for the day, Ryoma decided to call tomorrow – he was ready for the interview.

The interview took place on a computer over the internet, but it was far too simple to acquire the job as they were recruiting employees swiftly.

So I enrolled as a cast member by filling out a web page with basic personal information such as my name, age, employment, residence, and personal qualities such as interests and particular abilities.

A brief counselling session was done as a result of this procedure to validate the required conditions and personality. Five days later, on Saturday, a request arrived that matched Ryoma’s request much sooner than expected.

The purpose of utilizing Farfalle, a lover agency service firm, is as straightforward as the name implies. The company does not provide help with moving, nor does it assist in arranging parties. Instead, it’s a business that caters to those who wish to date and socialize with persons of the opposite gender.

Of course, there are regulations for both the client and the agent when operating as a lover’s agent.

There are three main rules for the client.

First and foremost, the client must arrive on time. If you are going to be late for any reason, you must notify the company.

Secondly, the client is responsible for the entire cost of the date.

Finally, other than holding hands or joining arms, the client should avoid excessive contact with the agent.

The same applies to the agent as with the customer, in which the agent has to adhere to three rules strictly.

Always be on time. As the lover’s representative, who is also a company representative, this is carefully enforced.

Do not save two-shot photos or exchange contact information. This is to reduce the risk of problems that may arise due to the unique nature of the service.　

It also implies that the agent cannot have feelings for the client, which are sexual in any way possible.

… even though I represent a lover? Although this may appear to be a contradiction, it is a requirement of the position. It indicates that you should act as though you care about the client for a higher rating of sorts.

The agent’s mission is to entertain the client, and by entertaining the client, the client will become a loyal customer. As a result, the system was created with the intent to generate lots of income.

＊＊＊＊

I heard the familiar sounds of the front door opening and closing. The familiar sound of the front door opening and closing echoed as the sound of footsteps approached the living room.

That person was the person Ryoma knew best.

“Huh~”(Kaya)

“Welcome back, sister Kaya. Thanks for your hard work today.”(Ryoma)

“I’m back—good work at university, Ryoma.”(Kaya)

“Wasn’t it cold today? It was really chilly when I came home.”(Ryoma)

“It’s always cold! But the wind felt more chilly today.”(Kaya)

It was 19:40 when the long and short hands of the clock coincided with the number seven.

Kaya, Ryoma’s sister, entered the living room, massaging her hands, which were undoubtedly chilly due to the November weather. But, of course, Ryoma kept the agency’s existence hidden.

“I’m making your favourite curry today, so cheer up. It’s going to be filled to the brim.”(Ryoma)

“Really? That’s such a nice thing for you to do!”(Kaya)

“But because I’m still cooking, I’d prefer it if you took a bath first… Of course, by the time you get out of the shower, it will be ready.”(Ryoma)

“Okay!”(Kaya)

“But there’s no need to rush, okay?” (Ryoma)

I was already used to living without my parents.

Ryoma was twenty, and Kaya was twenty-four years old. They had no quarrels and were able to form a casual connection because they were both adults.

“I’ve prepared a bath for you, so please take your time. There are lavender bath salts in there.”(Ryoma)

“You’re as considerate as ever. That’s my brother over there! I’ll take your word for it, and I’ll have a good time.”(Kaya)

“Have a wonderful day.”(Ryoma)

Kaya flew to the bathroom after putting her work bag on the sofa. Kaya, who enjoys a hot soak in the bathtub, cut the duration in half so that it does not become too chilly.

“She’s amazing … Kaya onee chan.”(Ryoma)

Ryoma was alone in the living room, muttering to himself as he stirred the pot of curry.

For Ryoma, Kaya was the person he aspires to be and respects.

Kaya’s company required her to start work at nine sharp in the morning, and there was no shortage of overtime. As a result, sometimes, she would occasionally return home about 22:00.

There is no doubt that she is tired, but she has never shown it on her face or in her attitude. She may be unhappy or unsatisfied with her work, but she never complains about it at home.

Her expression and tone of speech were always the same: “I worked hard today!” She always acts cheerfully and doesn’t say anything negative to avoid worrying Ryoma. The money earned from her hard labour goes to Ryoma’s school expenses as well as their living expenses.

Kaya also prepares meals, cleans the house, and does the laundry. I try to help her, so she doesn’t have to worry about chores, but I still don’t think it’s enough.

I have to do my best…

The first thing I want to do is to save as much money as possible.

My current source of income is a bookstore. And I have a part-time job as a girlfriend substitute coming up in five days. If you’re solely concerned about the amount of money, the latter should be your top priority because you may make a lot of money in a short period of time. This is a job where failure is not an option as it is directly related to your income.

While seasoning my dinner according to my taste, I was thinking about how to get return customers.

“What? a way to get the opposite sex to like you?”(Kaya)

“Yes, that’s right. I know it’s out of the blue, but I wanted to see if you have any advice”. (Ryoma) This was after finishing the curry and rice for dinner that Ryoma had asked Kaya this question.

Ryoma had been mulling over it for a long time now, but sadly no good thoughts had come to mind. He was embarrassed to ask Kaya, who was related to him by blood, about such a sensitive topic ……, but he felt so threatened that he had no choice.

This is Ryoma’s first part-time job as a girlfriend substitute. It’s not like your conventional part-time job, where you get instructions from your seniors at work and are taught things to do. Instead, you have to think and act on your own.

The only way to wipe away my anxiety and gain peace of mind was to throw away my shame.

“What’s wrong with you, Ryoma? Is it possible that you’ve found someone you like?”(Kaya)

“Yeah…I did.”(Ryoma)

I reply awkwardly, making a bitter smile. The whole “I like someone” thing is a complete lie. The whole purpose is to get repeat customers for my part-time job as a lover’s agent. Women are the ones who know best about women. For Ryoma, Kaya was the only person he could talk to.

I’m sure you’re right. I’m sure you’re very serious when you ask me for advice on your love life.

“I’m ashamed to say this, but…ha ha ha.” (Kaya)

It’s quite rare for a 20-year-old brother to seek love advice from his sister. This is the first time he has sought such assistance.

“Well, I can give you some advice, but it’s only common sense, okay?”(Kaya)

“Thank you, that’s good enough.”(Ryoma)

Ryoma took out his phone from his pocket and immediately started the memo application.

“What? Are you taking notes?” (Kaya)

“Yes. Yes, since I can’t absorb information just by listening.”(Ryoma)

“You look desperate. Your eyes are so intense.”(Kaya)

“If I don’t take it seriously, the results won’t arrive.”(Ryoma)

“You’re right, You’re right.”(Kaya)

Understandably, individuals take their love relationships very seriously, but Ryoma is possibly the most unique of them all. Ryoma is making an effort to sound serious about persuading his client to like him on his behalf. It’s nothing to do with love impulses, and he’s solely interested in making money from repeat clients.

“Then I’ll give you a shortlist of ways to get the opposite sex to like you…….”(Kaya)

“Yup.”(Ryoma)

“Whenever you can, give praise. Changes in dress and hairdo should be noted. It’s equally crucial, in my opinion, to perform modest acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. It can be as simple as having a cup of coffee after work.”(Kaya)

“Please take it a little slower, your speaking too quickly.”(Ryoma)

Kaya has been babbling non-stop. The only things I could make out so far are ‘praise where you can’ and ‘notice changes in clothing and hairstyle’.

“So, the Caligula effect, the Zion effect, cognitive dissonance theory, the law of similarity, the suspension bridge effect…”(Kaya)

“You’re contradicting everything you’ve said previously. What are those perplexing words?” (Ryoma)

Meanwhile, Kaya has just outlined a psychological strategy for garnering favour. If you could convey all of this, there is no doubt that you will be able to put in a tsukkomi saying, “What are you !?”

“To obtain a woman’s favour, Ryoma, you just need to know three or four ways.” That’s why I stated all those things previously in order to emphasize this point.

“What? Three or four is enough ……? From what I’ve heard, there seems to be a lot more.”(Ryoma)

“I know I’m speaking out of turn, but women are such obnoxious creatures. If I were to list all the details of how to get a woman to like you, there would be no end to it. That’s why everyone is telling you to understand the female mind.”(Kaya)

“Oh, you could say that…”(Ryoma)

“That’s because there’s so much information that men can’t swallow when you explain it to them. Its for this reason, they say, “Understand the female mind. Because it’s too much of a bother to explain, or they don’t feel like articulating when they want you to act this way or that way, they always end up saying, “You have to comprehend the feminine mind.”

Perhaps it’s because Kaya is a woman, but she seems to have been hit with a hefty dose of persuasion.

“I’m not sure whether it’s just me, but I’m confident it’s a relatively large amount of people. Another thing you may do is clean her up and chat to her about how calm she is. Men are straightforward, but women are comparable in certain aspects. Therefore I believe you should be aware of that initially. After you’ve completed that part, I’ll provide you with some more advice.”(Kaya)

“Okay, okay. Thanks.”(Ryoma)

In addition to “praise where you can” and “notice changes in clothing and hairstyle,” Ryoma added “create a sense of cleanliness” and “read the atmosphere and talk about it. Believing in Kaya’s words, he set these four points as his first goal.

“Well, the most important thing is where to show your unique skills and drop them. In the case of Ryoma, you can’t use it until you get close to the other person, but it’s best to demonstrate your household skills. Because it’s the most powerful … Well, it would be nice if the other person made a porridge of white fish and took care of you while you are sick.”(Kaya)

“How come white fish porridge is certain? I believe egg porridge is simpler to prepare.”(Ryoma) When Ryoma said this, it meant he was still a child. However, Kaya has a strong reason for choosing white fish.

“It’s to demonstrate that you put in the time and effort to look after people. I want to show that I am concerned about them. If it’s egg porridge, you just plop it in, but if it’s fish, you have to remove the tiny bones, correct? What’s significant here is that the removed bones aren’t thrown away but rather placed in the triangle corner.”(Kaya)

“That will make the job harder for them,” Ryoma predicted. You should dump them in the garbage rather than leave them there since they have a cold.

“It’s the only way to ensure that you get the respect you deserve. Because you’ll always be seen in the kitchen, they’ll notice that the little bones have been removed, right?”(Kaya)

“Oh.”(Ryoma)

“That’s correct. That is what they believe. “You tried your best to remove the little bones for me, who has a cold,” the other person will think. He went out of his way to make eating simpler for me.”(Ryoma)

“You sound too clever right now!”(Ryoma)

“Love is a knowledge war.” The more information you have, the more empathetic you may become, and the more innocent your partner is, the better. A common cold is an excellent target. When your weak, the kindness you get is unfathomable.”(Kaya)

I’m absolutely terrified…This is a methodical approach to getting others to like you. Despite Ryoma’s claims to the contrary, this is the most crucial approach for making money.

“You should take her to a bowling alley if you want to offer her a pair of shoes. You’d better remember that because you can use them right away.”(Kaya)

“I don’t understand anymore. Why bowling?”(Ryoma)

“First of all, when you rent bowling shoes, you get some idea of your foot size, right? When you rent bowling shoes, you get some information about the size of your feet, and you can naturally say, You have small feet. What size are they? It’s easy to get information from them.”(Kaya)

“What?”(Ryoma)

“If I bring up the subject of shoe size outside of that, she’ll assume that I’m going to give her a gift, and if that’s the case, she’ll be less than happy to receive it, right? You know what’s coming to some extent.so if you worry about how she’s going to react, you’ve already disqualified yourself..”(Kaya)

“……”(Ryoma)

At this moment, Ryoma realized the depth of love.

“Kaya onee chan……. What kind of love experience have you had so far?”(Ryoma)

I? That is a secret. Ryoma should do his best as Ryoma for the time being. With this knowledge, several individuals at my level can just simply drop it.”(Kaya)

“….”(Ryoma)

Kaya could easily say all this. Thus it’s an ideal term for her. While Ryoma kept his lips half-open, he jotted down all this information in his notes.

Ryoma, who had plenty of time on his hands, was frantically reviewing the notes till Saturday, the day of the request.

It was a Saturday at the university where there were only morning classes. The lecture had just ended, and the classroom was buzzing with activity.

Himeno was placing her study materials back into her bag with the other students who were getting ready to go home.

However, Himeno’s appearance, on the other hand, was different from usual. She was looking around restlessly, clasping her hands together while her amethyst-coloured eyes repeatedly darted back and forth to the clock. There was only one possible explanation as to why this was happening.

A few days ago, Himeno had made an appointment with Farfalle, a lover’s agency service, At 16:00, which is today.

It was relatively easy to make a reservation.

Navigate to the request page at the top of the Farfalle website and enter the desired age and appearance of the substitute. You may, of course, leave it up to the company. After that, you decide your preferred date, time and meeting location, inform the agency what you are wearing on the date, and pay the agency fees. When you arrive at the meeting location on the scheduled day, notify the firm. Following the date, you will be contacted within an hour to answer a questionnaire about your impressions and assessments of the agent.

Farfalle, one of the lover’s agent service benefits is that the firm dispatches the correct individual to the customer. The standard agency charge is 10,000 yen, but the firm provides reassurance: “If you are not satisfied, the company will fully reimburse the agency fee.”

Despite the fact that it is a replacement, you will be spending time with someone you have never met before. It’s reassuring for Himeno to know that the firm has faith in its dispatchers, but there are only around three hours before the deadline. Himeno is becoming increasingly concerned as time steadily approaches.

“Hey, what’s wrong with Hime?”(Ami)

“What?”(Himeno)

That’s when Ami, who was sitting next to me, suddenly called out to me.

“I’m not saying what, but what’s the matter with you. Ever since a while ago, you were acting so nervous. Are you putting off going to the toilet? Why don’t you hurry up and go now that the lecture is over?”(Ami)

“I’m not using the restroom.”(Himeno)

“Then what’s wrong? You look completely different from usual.”(Ami)

“…… Ami’s mistaken.”(Himeno)

“Well, it’s definitely not a mistake. I can tell that much just by looking at you.”(Ami)

Ami was the first friend Himeno made when she entered this university. Ami’s observational abilities were above average. Perhaps because of that ability, Ami could detect the emotions of the quiet Himeno.

“Well, I hope it’s not too bad in the direction of your health, okay? I want you to be completely honest with me about this.”(Ami)

“I’m feeling fine.”(Himeno)

“That’s good.”(Ami)

By her direct remarks, she had already deduced that there was something wrong with her. Ami, on the other hand, was concerned about Himeno’s health and called out to her. I nodded to ensure that I didn’t dismiss Kokuri’s worry.

“Yeah, yeah! If you’re not feeling sick, I’ll ask you! Do you have any business to attend to, Himeno?”(Ami)

“Why?”(Himeno)

“You know what? I heard that the tapioca shop inside IYON had released a Japanese chestnut smoothie! But, unfortunately, it’s only available this time of year, so I think I have no choice but to drink it!”(Ami)

“…..?!”(Himeno)

As soon as she heard Ami’s words, Himeno’s face lit up with dismay. Her amethyst-coloured eyes opened wide and blinked repeatedly.

“What? What’s wrong with your reaction? Aren’t you acting really strange today?”(Ami)

“No, I’m not. I’m fine.”(Himeno)

“So, what are your plans for today? No plans?”(Ami)

“I have…….”(Himeno)

“Oh, you do? Really? Damn, you have ……? Then I guess I’ll have to invite another friend…….”(Ami)

Ami’s shoulders slumped as she heard the mimetic word “gaan”, but she quickly changed her mind.

“I’m definitely going to have a Japanese chestnut smoothie today! “(Ami)

Himeno felt Ami’s strong will through her words.

“Are you going today, Ami?”(Himeno)

“Well, I’ve been curious about it for a long time, and today is a perfect Saturday for a day out!　So if we can have our favourite Japanese chestnut smoothie topped with tapioca, we have no choice but to go!”(Ami)

“Ami, tapioca makes you fat.”(Himeno)

“I’ll exercise, so I’ll be fine!”(Ami)

“Tapioca has the same calories as tonkotsu ramen. It makes you fat.”(Himeno)

“You’re unusually eloquent. What? Is there something wrong if we go to that restaurant? Hmmm… Maybe it’s not about the restaurant, but about Iyon?”(Ami)

“It’s …… nothing special.”(Himeno)

It’s not that I don’t like it,” she muttered, curling her forefinger around the strand of her silver hair, which extended to her cheeks. It’s a very obvious reaction.

“Hmm, there are inconvenient things..”(Himeno)

Even if you don’t have a sharp intuition, you can quickly notice this. However, it is Himeno who has decided to keep this matter a secret. Himeno, who kept saying that she didn’t need a boyfriend, is planning to date in Yeon today.

“Hey, what is that inconvenience?”(Ami)

“nothing”(Himeno)

“I see, I see. It looks like you can’t tell me.”(Ami)

“……….”(Himeno)

Himeno used an effective technique, silence, when she was in a bad position. She tried not to give away any more information.

“Well, maybe I can meet Himeno if I go to IYON today? Himeno usually wears Gothic Lolita fashion, so I’m confident that I’ll find you soon.”(Ami)

“Oh, I can’t meet you.”(Himeno)

“So you don’t think it’s wrong for us to go to IYON?”(Ami)

“I didn’t say it was wrong.”(Himeno)

“That’s true, but you’re giving off a vibe like ‘Don’t ever come to Yi-Yeon! “(Ami)

“…… No, that’s not true.”(Himeno)

Although she denied it with her mouth, Himeno wanted to complain, saying, “Why today ……?

You can’t help but imagine what they would say if they saw you on a date.

I’m not sure if it’s because they would misunderstand that I have a boyfriend or because they found out that I was using a substitute. Either way, it would be a very awkward situation.

“Well, I’m shocked about a lot of things. It means that Himeno is prioritizing her friends over us.”(Ami)

“I had planned it first. Then, of course, I would prioritize that person.”(Himeno)

“Oh, that’s right! I’m sure it can’t be helped!”(Ami)

“Hmm.”(Himeno)

Even though she convinced Ami, Himeno couldn’t shake off her anxiety. She had already told Farfalle, her boyfriend agency, where she was going on a date and what she would wear.

There was no way she could change her mind now, and as she had never been on a date before, she had no idea where else to go except to a large commercial facility or IYON. All she could do was hope that she would not meet Ami.