In July of this year, or perhaps even earlier, Haruno realized she didn't have the fate to choose her own freedom.
An older sister must be wise, mature, and pave the way for her younger sister's future… Her parents never said it explicitly, but she knew better than anyone that this was her duty.
Though she'd been called a genius by those around her since childhood, Haruno's future was already decided by so-called responsibilities. She could only accept it with a smile.
But there was nothing wrong with that.
After all, her younger sister was so naive and innocent. Forget building connections in social settings—she probably couldn't even refuse a drink. She could easily get drunk, be tricked into going home with someone, and foolishly lose the Yukinoshita family business, forced to become someone's mistress.
A pure snow lotus shouldn't leap into a dyeing pool like that.
In contrast, she, whose heart was already blackened, could do it. Let her handle it. Acting childish and causing trouble wasn't her personality—after all, she'd never used the family's wealth for reckless fun.
Whether it was taking over the family business or entering a political marriage with a stranger, twenty-year-old Haruno was already mentally prepared.
Because from the past until now, she could always easily meet everyone's expectations. As long as she hid her sincerity deep inside and offered beautiful lies to others, she could gain endless benefits for her family.
Even so, Haruno had things she wanted to do and secrets she didn't want others to know.
That was to experience the sweet and sour taste of love before her youth truly ended.
Perhaps it was a spur-of-the-moment idea, or maybe it was fate. During a break in the summer vacation, she opened a website for renting boyfriends and, for some reason, chose a new seventeen-year-old boyfriend.
He didn't even have a self-introduction. Haruno had no idea how he was accepted, nor why she picked him, essentially throwing money down the drain.
And thinking about it, he was a high school boy the same age as her sister! Eating such young grass was a bit absurd…
But Haruno didn't care. Her finger had already clicked. Of course, she'd back out after testing the merchandise. At most, she'd just waste a little money.
Even if she couldn't taste the sweet and sour of love, finding amusement to pass the time was a good option.
And so, in front of the Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station, she and the teenage boy met for the first time.
He was thin and tall, likely having worked part-time under the sun for a long time. There was a clear tan line between the inside and outside of his short-sleeved shirt. He was fairly handsome, but his eyes, uninterested in anything and only pretending to be enthusiastic, docked him a lot of points.
His hands were the type hand-fetishists would love, making people want to take them off and play with them…
But that was it?
Haruno smiled on the surface but muttered in her heart.
(You won't make a living from this job. Change careers quick! No, at your age, you should study hard. Why are you a rental boyfriend? Aren't you afraid of getting punished if the school finds out?)
Of course, she only thought it. Haruno wouldn't say such things easily. She just lost hope for the taste of love and shifted to having fun with this boy her sister's age.
Facts proved that the boy named Tenkuji Yuu—likely still a virgin—was a great target for fun.
After the first parting, Haruno grew slightly interested and decided to keep in touch with him, purely out of a cat's mischief playing with a mouse.
After the second parting, the more she got to know him, the more she saw him differently. The thought of finding a good toy unconsciously changed. She started wanting to know more about him and had certain expectations.
After the third parting, Haruno reached a base with him at a speed that shocked even herself. Though it was only the third base of a kiss, from that day, the term rental boyfriend was deeply etched in her heart, making her sink further without realizing it.
After the fourth parting… Damn, it seemed she couldn't live without him.
After the fifth parting… Kissing felt so good. When could they move to the next stage?
After the sixth parting… The word rental was a bit annoying, but since this relationship started with a lie, it could only be this way.
The seventh parting… The eighth parting…
In just one month, Haruno's heart felt filled with beautiful memories spanning over a decade.
He once finished the curry she didn't like, just for her.
He once promised to come immediately if she asked for help.
He once traveled a hundred and thirty-three kilometers to find her.
"His smile is more beautiful than any scenery I've ever seen. His smile is the brightest view of this summer."
Unknowingly, Haruno loved seeing him smile, loved smiling with him, and had grown used to smiling together.
"Goodness. He's just a rental boyfriend, why is he working so hard for me?"
"Because you've done this, I have no choice but to get serious."
So, after realizing her own feelings, she decided to surpass the boundaries of rental and lies, to pursue something real that belonged only to her.
On this path, Haruno had been worried and confused, but far more were the happiness and security of having Yuu always by her side.
Because that person never disappointed her.
Because that person shared her thoughts.
Because that person loved her back.
Because she trusted him so deeply, Haruno could break free from the shackles of responsibility, shed her mask of lies, and, like a little girl in love, sincerely enjoy the feeling of dating him.
Who cared if he was a rental boyfriend? Haruno loved Yuu, that was all.
So, that amusement park date was truly fun.
They rode various attractions together and saw Tokyo's romantic night view together.
She received a gift from him, and Yuu carried her, escaping from her mother.
Every word Yuu said was like wrapped candy, hidden in her heart. When Haruno dug them up, her mouth was full of sweetness.
How could she love someone like this? How could there be someone who made her fall so deeply in love?
After all—the first person she loved was him, and that was truly wonderful!
The path to happiness stretched into the future. The warmth in her chest overflowed. With the resolve to entrust her heart to him for life, Haruno even took the underage boy to a hotel, ready to turn rice into cooked rice and make him grow up early.
Giving her body was also a way to show her love.
So, from now on, no more lying.
So, from now on, no more renting.
So, from now on, she could be immature, she could be weak.
Because Haruno, at her core, wasn't a mature or strong girl.
"Yuu-chan?"
Haruno had just come out of the bathroom, but the teenage boy was gone.
Yuu left a note saying he went to the convenience store to get something, leaving her alone in the empty, quiet room. Haruno looked around anxiously.
"Incompetent boyfriend~"
Holding the cheap wooden comb, Haruno lay on the bed. She thought about giving him an exciting punishment when he returned. She thought about asking him to brush her hair again when he returned. She thought about saying more sweet words when he returned. She thought about…
While thinking, she entered a dream world where Yuu was.
While thinking, she entered a world where Yuu wasn't.
Since that day, Haruno lost the most important thing.