【Interlude: Rental Instruction (Day 94)】

"I'm gonna go with a serious distance between me and Usa-kun. Also, someone gimme Grain."

The day after the encounter that was like an accident—no, was the accident itself. At the reception table of the staffing agency Roll Worker.

I, Utakata Tsukino renamed Utamaru renamed, the blonde young man "Usa Itsuki," was attending a meeting again with the board game cafe clerk, Takanashi Mifuru.

—While enjoying the super classic board game "Settlers of Catan."

"Hmm, if you give me Brick."

The one who responded was Marisa Tatsumi—my former master and aunt, and the president of this company.

"Oke oke."

"Ai-yo."

Based on the negotiation, Takanashi-san and Master exchanged their cards. Incidentally, the reason we are playing Catan during this important meeting is extremely simple. It's because Master started saying "I want to try board games too." So Takanashi-san brought "Catan" from the cafe saying "Then, the one I remember the rules for among the few," leading to the present.

Master finished her turn and finally returned a question regarding the actual contract.

"Ah—, so what does 'serious' mean?"

"Yup, basically, I want him to become my Kare-pi rather than Kare-pippi."

"Hah? What was that?"

Looking up from her hand, Master looked blank. As always, she seems to have bad chemistry with Gals. From both Takanashi-san and Master, gazes seeking help simultaneously flew—a request to serve as an interpreter for the two.

However, my essence is a female Shogi player to the core. Even if I am close to Takanashi-san in age, there is no way I have a deeper knowledge of Gal language than Master.

So Master, knowing that, quickly averted her gaze as if withdrawing the translation request to me, but the one in trouble was Takanashi Mifuru.

After all, looking at the me reflected in her eyes right now—

"This nuance gets through to Usa-kun, right?"

"...O-Of course."

I brushed up my flashy blonde hair with a fwasa, and responded pretentiously. Yes, primarily because my current appearance is that of a flashy boy of the same age.

And regarding the character setting too, since I pushed the "modern youth feel" to the forefront at the first meeting, making it the exact opposite of my true self—it was hard to say I didn't understand Takanashi-san's words.

Result—

"Then, try explaining. The difference between Kare-pi and Kare-pippi."

"OH..."

The female Shogi player and the former female Shogi player were about to be checkmated by a Gal, together.

"Heh, I would certainly like to hear it too, the difference between Kare-pi and Kare-pippi. Also, someone give me Ore, Ore."

Or so I thought, but Master, whose turn came around again, started provoking while enjoying Catan as if it were someone else's problem. Th-This person is really...!

"I have Ore now, but what comes out from there?"

"Hmm... Lumber, one card?"

"Ha, hilarious. Then this proposal is a no-go after all—"

"No wait wait. Umm..."

Master and Takanashi-san are engaging in Catan resource negotiation. During that time, I desperately deploy high-speed thinking regarding "the difference between Kare-pi and Kare-pippi."

"(Difference between Kare-pippi and Kare-pi... Well, thinking normally, it's the number of 'pi'. But what about it... Hmm? Difference in number of pi? I definitely recall that... long ago in music class...)"

"PP... Pianissimo..."

"Yes?"

Although the two stopped their negotiation hands and looked blank at my monologue, I accelerated my thinking regardless.

"(Pianissimo represented by PP means 'very weakly'. And the stage before that, P is Piano. Its meaning is 'weakly'. The more Ps increase, the weaker it becomes. And perhaps that can also be said for 'Pi'! In other words—)"

Having finished those thoughts in an instant, I answered in the tone of "Usa Itsuki."

"Kare-pi means boyfriend, exactly as it is. Kare-pippi is—a little before that. A state like 'more than friends, less than lovers' often found in rom-com manga, I guess."

While answering with an attitude of composure, internally my heart was pounding. Actually, it's a deduction vague enough to have limits. But if I miss, I miss, and I'll just dodge it in a flashy direction next time—

"Corrrrect!"

"Correct!?"

We were surprised enough for our eyes to pop out. Takanashi-san stared at me suspiciously.

"No, why does Usa-kun look surprised?"

"Eh, ah, no, um... kinda, getting influenced by Mast—President."

"Hmmm. Well, fine. You're good, Usa-kun. Nice."

"Th-Thanks."

I don't know what was evaluated, but anyway, she seems to have opened her heart slightly.

Then, Master poked my arm with her elbow, grinning.

"You're good, Usa-kun."

"I'll kill you."

I responded with a smile. Yeah, the rough words just now came out amazingly naturally for me. In fact, Master's face is going pale.

"(I see, rather than acting a character firmly like an actor, visualizing pushing 'this element' originally within me to the forefront might make the Rental Boyfriend smoother...)"

Thanks to Master's unnecessary remark, I understood that unexpectedly. Chōjō chōjō.

Actually, the exchange between the President and me just now seemed to have some points Takanashi-san should evaluate too.

"So, so, Usa-kun."

Completely with the vibe of treating me like a friend, she advanced the conversation while enjoying Catan.

"Even though it's rental, I want to ask for a vibe as serious as possible."

"Serious means... in other words, you're telling me to be touchy-feely in public?"

Even if same-sex, that is a bit... As I recoiled slightly, surprisingly, Takanashi-san denied it with a bitter smile.

"No no. I mean, that's rather not serious, is it? Usa-kun, despite your visuals, do you unexpectedly have little dating experience?"

"...W-Who knows."

I brought Oolong tea to my mouth to wash it down. Master grinning is unbearably annoying.

Takanashi-san continued.

"Anyway, I don't want a template, cheesy lovey-dovey couple, but a natural closeness."

"Ah... well, I get what you're trying to say. Ah, building a road."

Placing the road piece on the board, I looked at Takanashi-san.

"Isn't that actually a quietly super high hurdle request?"

"Well yeah. But Usa-kun, you're a pro, right?"

"No..."

Far from a pro, I'm worse than a rank amateur. Not only do I have no dating experience, I haven't even led an average teenage youth life.

"U-Um, anyway, turn end."

As I proceeded with the game completely troubled, surprisingly, Master threw me a lifeline while rolling the dice.

"Certainly our Usa is a pro, but it is a fact that the difficulty of your request is high. No matter that it's just the time for daily pick-up and drop-off—no, precisely because of that, meticulous preparation will be necessary to act out a real relationship. But then the binding hours will be—"

Master seems concerned about the impact of the part-time job on my Shogi activities and board game time. The fact that she's strangely meticulous only about these things is a bit hateful.

However, Takanashi-san seemed to have anticipated that response, and floated a devilish grin nii. Master involuntarily stopped her words. Confirming that, Takanashi-san suddenly threw a topic that seemed unrelated at a glance to me, saying "By the way."

"Usa-kun, is Catan fun?"

"Hah?"

Takanashi Mifuru-san asking an unexpected question suddenly. Her expression overlapped with that of my mother who played Dobutsu Shogi with me in my childhood, making me slightly shaken.

"Th-That question, what relation does it have to this talk..."

"Just answer, just answer. Catan right now... I mean, do you like board games?"

...How should I answer? In the sense of me myself, of course I like board games, but...

I hesitated for a moment between the two choices—but ultimately concluded, "For natural acting, unnecessary lies should be eliminated as much as possible."

"Yeah, I like them, board games. They're fun, aren't they?"

That was roughly the first and greatest heartfelt word since I put on the character of Usa Itsuki.

Did it get through? Takanashi-san also flashed a cheerful smile nika.

"Then Chōjō!"

"?"

Takanashi-san using phrasing influenced by me—or rather, likely "Utamaru." While Master and I looked at each other not understanding her intent, she continued triumphantly.

"Usa-kun, when you're free in the future, in addition to picking me up, come hang out at 'Kurumaza' as much as possible."

"To the board game cafe where you work?"

"Yup. And Banjō... ah, my coworker. Play board games together with him and me, the three of us. Then, our distance will naturally get closer, right?"

"That is true, but..."

"Ah, of course, have the cafe fees and such put on the expenses there."

"Waaiiiit wait wait wait."

Master interrupted the talk, seemingly unable to overlook the proposal. Takanashi-san widened her eyes.

"Ah, I won't give you Ore, okay?"

"No, we're not talking about Catan now, but the proposal of Rental Boyfriend visiting the cafe. Increasing Usa's binding hours, and on top of that, asking us to pay for it? That is..."

"Ahaha, guess this negotiation proposal is a bit too much?"

"Obviously. Even setting aside the binding hours issue, if you really want Usa—the Rental Boyfriend—to accompany you in board games, it is only proper that you bear that fee."

"Right—. Hmm, but honestly my wallet situation isn't that..."

"Then, that proposal is rejected after all—"

It was when Master was about to say that. I inadvertently leaned forward and interrupted.

"Ah, wait a moment please, President."

"? What is it, Tsuku-cha—Usa."

"A word, please."

"?"

Master and I brought our faces close so Takanashi-san couldn't hear, and started consulting quietly.

"The current proposal, for Ore—no, for me, Utakata Tsukino, it is very chōjō, so I definitely want to accept it. I mean, the cafe fees can be deducted from my part-time pay, so."

"? What does that mean again?"

"What do you mean 'what'? Have you forgotten? To begin with, the purpose of me working under Master."

"That is, well, to cover the cost of Tsuku-chan's board game cafe visits... ...Ah."

"Correct. So there is absolutely no problem if my salary is directly applied to the board game cafe fees, and furthermore, the problem of binding hours is practically non-existent."

"Ah, originally you just wanted a short-time job to secure time for board games."

"Yes. Furthermore, being able to go in and out of Kurumaza with this perfectly disguised 'Usa Itsuki' character is grateful. After all, regarding 'Utamaru' with the thin disguise until now, the identity was about to be exposed recently..."

"In other words, for Tsuku-chan, Takanashi-kun's current proposal is killing three birds with one stone?"

"Yes. Therefore..."

"Umu."

When the secret talk ended, we turned back to Takanashi-san. Master cleared her throat kohon and addressed her.

"After all, we will gladly accept that proposal."

"Why though."

The Gal immediately retorted in mysterious Kansai dialect. She continued vigorously.

"Until a minute ago, the flow was completely rejection!"

"Are you dissatisfied?"

"N-No, rather grateful, but. But that makes it super sus, you know!"

A natural doubt. After thinking a little, I decided to fabricate a plausible reason.

"Ah—... Takanashi-san. Actually, that proposal has more merits for Ore personally than for the company."

"Whaddya mean?"

While Takanashi-san tilted her head, Master also looked at me suspiciously. Probably unable to gauge how much I intended to say.

While looking at the Catan hand and board, I responded to Takanashi-san.

"The story is that enjoying board games while acting as your boyfriend seems likely to become nourishment for Ore's 'main profession.' Also, won't you give me Sheep?"

"Won't give. I mean, main profession? Ah, so Usa-kun is actually an aspiring actor or something?"

"Well, I'll leave that to your imagination. Then, I'll just build a road and end my turn."

I shrugged while enjoying the board game. ...Actually, I'm not lying. Rather, I'm speaking almost entirely the truth, just blurring the important core.

While Master looked impressed, Takanashi-san nodded as if convinced.

"If that's the case, well, I'm convinced... maybe?"

"Then, contract established. As for specific duties, in addition to daily pick-up and drop-off as your boyfriend, showing my face as a customer when I have time. Is this okay, Takanashi-san?"

"Oke oke. ...Ah, but 'that' is already a bit of a problem for acting as Kare-pi."

"? That?"

"'Takanashi-san'."

"Ah—"

Master and I leaked voices simultaneously. Neither of us had noticed at all.

Takanashi-san sighed as if truly exasperated.

"Hey hey, get it together, jeez. You're a Rental Boyfriend dispatch agency, right?"

"No, not exactly specialized in Rental Boyfriends..."

"Even so. ...Haa. It seems better to Ore this out properly."

"Ah, I agrees on that point too, Takana—. ...Mifuru."

"Oh, nice! Somehow uselessly natural. Hilarious lol."

I didn't understand the meaning of uselessly natural, but I'm glad she liked it.

Confirming that the Catan turn came around to me, I rolled the dice, looked at the calculated resources—and declared.

"Ah, I'll build more roads with the Brick that just came out."

Seeing that move, Takanashi-san laughed as if mocking me.

"Ahaha, this is why board game amateurs are. Listen? Usa-kun, this game Catan is basically a game to earn points by making houses and cities, so even if you just build roads, points won't..."

However, I continued as if interrupting Takanashi-san's remark.

"So, with the current road construction, the road I built became the Longest road on the board, right?"

"Eh? Ah..."

Takanashi-san's face went pale saaa. The reason being...

"And in this game, the road itself doesn't become points, but if I recall, the player holding the Longest road on the board is awarded the 'Longest Road' title card... a card with 2 Victory Points attached, right?"

"Eh, u-um... ho-how was it again?"

"No, Takana—Mifuru explained so at the beginning. Moreover, that title moves between players. In other words..."

"Ugh...!"

Takanashi-san hid something on the table with her hand sasa. She's a sore loser. I smiled niko, pointed at the Longest Road card visible through the gap in her fingers, and announced.

"That 'Longest Road Card' moves from Mifuru to me, and at this moment, mine's total score is 10 points—in other words, reached the goal of this game. It's my win."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The moment I declared victory, Takanashi-san held her head and collapsed onto the table. Master further added insult to injury.

"Ah, since Takanashi-kun was robbed of the Longest Road—the Victory Points, consequently, the second place becomes me."

"Ahhhhhhhhh! I lost completely in an 'Instruction Game'! Even without Banjō! I thought I could go Musou on experienced players here!"

Yeah, when she proposed playing a simple board game while meeting, which was rare for her, it seems she just wanted to show off to amateurs. How shallow... And she has no way of knowing, but even if beginners at board games, we are a female Shogi player and a former female Shogi player. The opponents are too bad to underestimate. And...

"(As I thought, her usual strength might depend on Banjō-san...)"

I realized that again. Always as "Utamaru," when playing with the three of us including her and Banjō-san, she is untouchably strong. Because Banjō-san is thoroughly sweet to her. Or rather, if he isn't sweet, she's too weak and it doesn't become a game. In other words, as a board game cafe clerk, it's fatal but... strangely, the board games played with her are the most fun.

As proof...

"Hmm, these board games are surprisingly fun. Maybe I'll go to the cafe too."

Rarely, Master was interested. I inadvertently felt warm at that reaction but... in the midst of that, Takanashi Mifuru-san, who continued to throw a tantrum, said something outrageous.

"Somehow... having victory snatched away by Usa-kun at the end in things related to Banjō (Banjō - Board), I feel a weird implication—"

"Geho, geho."

I choked inadvertently. While Master watched me grinning, I fixed my throat and retorted.

"W-What stupid things are you saying. This is why, Mifuru is..."

"Oh, the name calling just now sounded like a serious Kare-pi. Nice."

Takanashi-san raised her face from the desk pyokon and smiled. Truly, a girl whose expressions change rapidly. I understand well why she is liked by customers at the cafe. Even I, of the same sex, get a little shy.

"I-Is that so?"

"Yup. Ah—, but that taste doesn't seem like something you can put out naturally by default, right?"

"Ah—... that might be so."

Certainly, my acting is at a level where it is finally established only when accompanied by "reality."

Then, Master, who was listening to our conversation, said "In that case," and gave advice casually while looking at the Catan manual.

"Wouldn't it be better to interact with the 'Boyfriend Setting' even in meetings like this, or even when you're alone? That way, the acting will adapt faster."

"Ah—"

The two of us looked at each other, convinced. That might be a good idea. Rather than switching "On/Off" between me at the meeting and me acting as a boyfriend, it might be more efficient to stay On all the time.

Takanashi-san seemed to think so too, and jumped on board saying "Nice."

"I think I could get into it more that way too. Well, only if Usa-kun is okay with it."

"Ah, of course. Counting on you, Mifuru."

When I made a smile befitting a boyfriend like that.

Takanashi-san also tried to respond to it—

—Suddenly, she made a pose shina and moved her body kunekune.

"Ahaan, likewise! Aahn, Usa-kun, I wuv yooou☆"

"......"

Immediately, the female Shogi players held their heads. ...It seems the one who really had a problem with acting wasn't me after all.

"Eh, what what? What's wrong, both of you?"

"...Um, I think we should redo today's negotiation after all..."

"Hmm? About Catan?"

"...Haa."

"Wait, what what? What is it, jeeeeez!"

In the end, this day's meeting—aka acting instruction—continued until the sun went down.

＊

We finished the unexpectedly lengthy acting instruction and Catan session, and as we were each preparing to leave.

"Ah, Takanashi-kun. Can I just confirm one thing before you go home?"

Master spoke up from the president's desk, looking at the notes she took during the meeting.

"Yes? What is it?"

Takanashi-san stopped cleaning up Catan and looked up, puzzled. As I was cleaning up the drinks, I perked up my ears to their conversation, and Master slowly opened her mouth.

"What is the true purpose of this Rental Boyfriend request?"

"? True purpose?"

"Yeah. If I recall correctly, you said you wanted to show off a boyfriend to a coworker at your part-time job, right?"

At Master's words, Takanashi-san nodded.

"Ah, yes, that's right. To Banjō..."

"Why is that?"

"Heh?"

"No, I mean. The reason why you want to go out of your way to show off a boyfriend to this Banjō-kun character. I feel like we got sidetracked by board games today and didn't really hear that part."

"...Is it necessary to say that?"

Takanashi-san responded with a rarely seen defensive attitude. Sensing that slightly prickly air, I instinctively stopped washing the dishes completely, while Master responded as if to follow up.

"No, of course, I have no intention of forcing an answer out of you. It's just that if we can share the detailed circumstances around that, I thought the acting might become more refined accordingly."

"...Whaddya mean?"

"Hmm, let's see. ...For example, don't you think the acting plan would be totally different for a request where you just want to brag about a handsome boyfriend to a friend, versus a request where you want to hire a fake boyfriend as a countermeasure against a stalker, even if they are both 'Boyfriend Rentals'?"

"Ah, makes sense."

Takanashi-san showed signs of understanding. Actually, I was also impressed internally thinking "I see," but I managed to suppress showing it. If I did that, it would expose that I'm an amateur at acting.

Master continued.

"So, how about it? Is it okay to interpret that your purpose is simply to keep up appearances?"

"Keep up appearances... Ah, hmm, guess so, appearances huh..."

Takanashi-san showed signs of slightly hesitating to answer. Then, suddenly, she muttered quietly.

"...Ahaha, if anything, maybe it's putting up a 'bluff'..."

"Bluff?"

"Yup. Like, I kinda wanna show off that I'm being happy..."

At that somewhat uncharacteristic attitude of hers, Master and I instinctively looked at each other.

However, Takanashi-san immediately patched up her expression saying "It's nothing," and returned to her usual tension, continuing.

"Well, in terms of the acting plan for Usa-kun's side, it's totally not a misinterpretation to think of me as a customer who wants to 'keep up appearances'! Anyway, just bang out some handsome boyfriend moves I can brag about, and it's all good!"

Takanashi-san requested cheerfully. Master responded "Understood" and turned her gaze toward me.

"Then, Usa is fine with that too, right?"

"Yes, no problem. As per today's meeting, a 'slightly cocky handsome boyfriend' seems to be fine. I can do it, yes. I will perform my duties with all sincerity."

When I responded and nodded seriously, for some reason, both of them closed in on me looking very dissatisfied.

I responded while flinching slightly.

"Eh, what is it?"

"What is it? Not that, seriously. Does my Kare-pi talk like that?"

"Ah."

I finally realized it after Takanashi-san pointed it out. ...Yeah, I had just spoken completely in my natural self.

Takanashi-san sighed grandly.

"Hey, get it together. We decided today, right? When talking to me from now on, whether we're alone or whatever, you'll always stay as 'Takanashi Mifuru's Kare-pi, Usa Itsuki' even in daily life."

"That was so, Takanashi-san. Apol..."

"Haaan?"

"Th-That's right, Mifuru. My bad, my bad."

I hurriedly constructed "Usa Itsuki." Then, Takanashi-san also switched modes instantly.

"Nope, it's totally fine, my beloved Usa-kun!"

...Hmm... although it's much better than at the beginning, her acting still feels weird too. We both need to actively converse and get used to this from now on.

Watching our awkward state, Master muttered in exasperation.

"Good grief. No decent fee is generated, the boyfriend role and the customer are giving each other acting instructions, and in the end, the fake lover relationship is invading halfway into private conversation. Truly, you two are a complexity hard to describe as just rental partners."

"Indeed."

I instinctively nodded at Master's words. However, Takanashi-san resumed cleaning up Catan and presented a simple answer typical of her, saying "No, no."

"Like, isn't it fine to just call us 'friends' normally?"

At that unadorned expression, my heart skipped a beat internally. No, having lived a life dedicated solely to Shogi, I've never been frankly described as a friend by a girl of the same age... ...Honestly, it is exceedingly chōjō. Friends, huh... friends. Fufu.

But Master—no, the President was ruthless.

"No, unfortunately, that's not good. The moment you use that expression, the business collapses."

"Ugh, there it is, the bad part of adults. Annoying."

"A-Annoying, you say? Listen, Takanashi-kun, this kind of thing is—"

"Hai hai, I get it, I get it. Usa-kun and I are not friends."

Guh. I take quiet damage to my heart.

"As long as you understand."

Mari-san looks pleased... but honestly, having "friend" denied, I was harboring some gloomy feelings.

As a result... I involuntarily asked a question, forgetting my acting slightly again.

"Then in the end, is the relationship between Ore (Me) and Takanashi-san okay as business partners?"

"Ehh, somehow that's not cute. Something more like... this..."

Having said that far, Takanashi-san suddenly stopped her words. Looking over, she was staring intently at the two dice rolling on the table.