Episode 26

## Girlfriend Next Door

**"Girlfriend Next Door"** (隣室の彼女, *Rinshitsu no Kanojo*?) is the second episode of the third season of the *Kanojo, Okarishimasu* anime adaptation.

## Synopsis

Ruka demands an explanation from Kazuya and Chizuru, and Mini overhears it all going down! What will she do with this information?

## Plot

Ruka sees Chizuru coming out of Kazuya's apartment. She starts yelling at him asking when they got together, but Kazuya denies it. He wonders why is Ruka here and Ruka reminds him that she told him she will come to return him his manga. Ruka continues to rant about them and states that they even got into truce, thinking that Chizuru isn't doing well due to her grandmother, but it appears Chizuru is totally fine. She then reminds her that she is a rental girlfriend and shouldn't meet privately with customers, even more in relationships with them. Chizuru states the same for Ruka, but Ruka explains that she quit being a rental girlfriend few months ago. They try to explain, but Ruka doesn't want to listen anymore. She enters Kazuya's apartment, and sees some left over home made food and how messy the apartment is and gets the wrong idea. Ruka then cries and tries to leave, but Kazuya stops her, however he can't just tell her about the movie. As he wonders on what to do, Chizuru decides that they tell her and asks Ruka if she can listen and they enter Kazuya's apartment to talk. Mini, who was going home, ended up accidentally hearing everything and learned that Chizuru is a rental girlfriend.

Inside, Chizuru reveals that they are working on a movie. As they need to save money, they can't go out and talk in a restaurant and talking on the balcony disturbs the neighbors, so they had to meet in the apartment. Kazuya apologizes to Ruka, as he didn't want to stress her, and explains that he respects Chizuru as an actress and as her grandma doesn't have much left, he really wants to do this. Ruka understands the situation and accepts it, but states she will help too. That way she can also spend more time with Kazuya and they will also get extra help. But if they don't want to, it means she is getting in their way. Chizuru understands her position and both Chizuru and Kazuya agree. Ruka wants to know one more thing and asks Kazuya which he liked more, Chizuru's omelet rice or Ruka's curry. Kazuya feels this is a trap and whatever he says is bad, but since if he doesn't chose the curry, Ruka may put a stop to the project. He states its the curry and Ruka gets happy. Since they have resolved the problem, Chizuru decides to leave, while Ruka wishes to stay a bit longer.

Kazuya goes to Teppei Shimizu, to show him the revised project. Meanwhile, Chizuru visits Sayuri and tells her about the movie. Sayuri laughs, but realizes it must have been Kazuya's idea as he probably learned that Sayuri wanted to see Chizuru star in a movie. Sayuri is fine with whatever they want to write about her and is even ready to act even more sick. Chizuru asks her what she though of her boyfriend. Sayuri didn't expect that she would bring a boy, but explains that people are not perfect, which is why they have others in their life that provide what they are lacking. Kazuya isn't perfect and has plenty of failings and weaknesses, but there isn't anyone in the world who is better match than him for Chizuru.

Kazuya runs home. He sees Chizuru and tells her that Teppei Shimizu approved their project. Chizuru takes it calmly and tells him that Sayuri also approved it and they can write what they want for her. Before going into her apartment, Chizuru tells Kazuya that he is a nice guy. Kazuya gets excited and after going home, he publishes the project.

In the morning, Kazuya checks the project and sees that there are 33 backers and have gathered already 120,000 yen. While he leaves for school, he sees Chizuru also leaving and tells her the news. Kazuya gets enthusiastic, but hears some noise from Mini's apartment and they decide to calm down a bit. Chizuru states they shouldn't be too optimistic as they don't even have the script yet.

At school, he meets with Ruka and tells her the news and that they can't go to professional for the script as it isn't in their budget. Ruka sends him a link to a webnovel site, stating that there are a lot of passionate people there. Kazuya again apologizes for the movie, but thanks her. Ruka isn't happy about it, but doesn't wish to go against his wishes. Ruka likes his blind, single-minded passion and is happy to be the girlfriend of such person.

Later, Kazuya checks the webnovel site. He finds a lot of great ones, but they all don't seem suitable for this movie. He feels hungry and decides to go get gyoza. However as he passes by Mini's apartment, she pulls him in. As Mini ended up on him, Kazuya feel uncomfortable and attempts to leave, but Mini stops him and apologizes. She then shows him a video of last night and Ruka revealing that Chizuru is a rental girlfriend. Kazuya panics and starts wondering what Mini wants, but is prepared to give her anything to keep Chizuru's secret. Kazuya apologizes and tells her the whole story. Mini learns that this whole thing has been going for a year and gets excited believing that he really loves Chizuru. Hearing how much he spend on Chizuru, Mini is even more impressed by him, since she often stops herself from spending that much on her favorite things. Mini then wishes to call Kazuya, "Master". Kazuya wonders if she plans on blackmailing him with the video, but Mini states she only filmed it in self-defense, if she was to be dragged into something.

Mini then lets him into her room, which is full of stuffed animals and clothes. She reveals that she is a cosplayer and streamer, going by the name Cornetmaru. Mini likes Kazuya's story as it feels like a movie. His romance began with a rental relationship, but eventually it grew into actual love and they couldn't live without each other. Mini then wants to know more about Chizuru and as Kazuya tells her, she feels that Chizuru is an angel. Mini hopes things work out for them, but Kazuya states that he doesn't expect anything in return and that Chizuru probably doesn't even like him, however Mini states that she obviously loves him. Kazuya doesn't believe it, but Mini explains that she has been with him for a whole year, even though he is such a loser, and that she won't be hanging out with a problematic customer, unless he has some feelings for him. Kazuya still refuses to believe. Mini then states that Chizuru is probably lying in bed wondering why she can't be honest with him. Mini decides to support him and make sure that the two start dating.

Kazuya heads back, but still can't believe what Mini said. Meanwhile, Chizuru is at her balcony, drinking tea and listening to music. She checks Kazuya's balcony, but as he isn't there, she decides to stay for one more drink.

## Characters

* Kazuya Kinoshita
* Chizuru Ichinose
* Ruka Sarashina
* Mini Yaemori
* Teppei Shimizu
* Sayuri Ichinose