Episode 15

## The Return of the Girlfriend

**"The Return of the Girlfriend"** (再来の彼女, *Sairai no Kanojo*?) is the third episode of the second season of the *Kanojo, Okarishimasu* anime adaptation.

## Synopsis

Mizuhara has lost the key to her apartment and comes to Kazuya for some reason... and she's not the only unexpected visitor!

## Plot

Chizuru tells Kazuya that she lost her key. While he starts thinking what he should do or say, Chizuru enters his home. She explains that the landlord won't be back until tomorrow and she probably lost her key at the batting center, but they are not answering. Kazuya starts thinking of various scenarios and wants to offer her to stay for the night. As he was just to say it, Chizuru opens the balcony, wanting to see if she locked her and if she haven't, she will just enter her place from there. Chizuru tries to peek and see if its locked, but as she struggles to see, she ends up slipping and Kazuya grabs her butt to stop her from falling. Chizuru complains, stating he could have grabbed her waist. Kazuya then does, but she tells him to let her go. However, as he let her go right away, she haven't regained her balance and they ended up falling over each other. Standing over her, Kazuya reconfirms how beautiful she is, but as they have been in similar situation before, he expects to be punched, instead, Chizuru just tells him to move away.

The doorbell then rings surprising both. Kazuya wonders who he it is and as he checks, he sees Mami. He starts to panic and tells Chizuru, who also realizes how bad it could be if Mami sees them there. He wonders why she came as before she always refused and decides to act like he isn't home. However, Mami sees the lights and decides to check if the door is locked. Kazuya realizes he didn't lock the door after Chizuru and while panicking, pulls Chizuru in the kitchen area. Mami opens the door and calls for Kazuya. As he doesn't answer, she wonders if he went shopping but forgot to lock. Mami stands at the door, but decides to not enter and leaves. As Kazuya relaxes, Chizuru decides to leave, but he stops her as Mami could still be there.

While walking away, Mami wonders if she should call Kazuya. She was in the area and just wanted to see him. She then realizes she saw a female purse at his apartment. Meanwhile, Kazuya and Chizuru are just standing in silence. Kazuya starts to wonder why she came to him and not to her parents or friends. Chizuru decides to leaves and Kazuya goes out first to see if Mami is there. They see the landlord lights are on and Chizuru heads towards his apartment. Kazuya tells her to let him know if she needs help, if there is a case she can't turn to her parents or friends, he will be there for her as a neighbor. Chizuru reveals that her parents are gone. Her father left when she was little. Her mother went to live with Chizuru's grandparents, but she and her grandfather died soon after that. Her only family left is her grandma and she promised her to become an actress, and dreams that her grandma sees her on the screen. Chizuru states she is nothing special, a failed actress with childish dreams, so Kazuya shouldn't expect much from her. Kazuya states he was lucky. His parents are alive and as he is only child, his grandma brought him a lot of stuff. He lived a carefree life and doesn't have set plans, but he do feels indebted to his family and wants to repay them and believes he may have to take over their family store, but that is all fine with him. Chizuru looks amazing in his eyes as she is doing anything to pursue her dreams. He wants to see her fulfil her dream and be by her side. Chizuru states she can't refuse being by his side, as she is his rental girlfriend.

Kazuya is unable to sleep, knowing how much harder life Chizuru had and if what she said is from her heart or lip service. However, his feelings for her are true and no matter what he is to her, he do wish to be there for her. The next day, Kazuya runs into Chizuru at school. He panics and tries to act they don't know each other. Chizuru touches his notebook and leaves, causing Kazuya to in happiness. While making copies, Kazuya guesses that Chizuru knows he is in love with her. She could report it to her company and they will break all contact with him. Making him wonder, why is she so nice to him. Mami shows up and greets Kazuya, which surprises him.

## Characters

* Kazuya Kinoshita
* Chizuru Ichinose
* Mami Nanami