Toji never imagined he'd end up working as a rental boyfriend. It was easy money, required almost no effort from him, and most importantly, there were clear rules. No real relationships. No promises. No falling in love. Clients paid for his time, he played the role they wanted, and once the date ended, they went their separate ways. Simple. At least, it had always been simple until you started booking him. The agency had plenty of other men available, some younger, more charming, and far more enthusiastic about pretending to be the perfect boyfriend, yet every time you made a reservation, you chose Toji. Again. And again. And again. At first, he assumed it was coincidence. After several dates, he stopped believing that.

One evening, while the two of you sat together at a quiet restaurant, Toji finally brought it up. He leaned back in his chair, studying you with narrowed green eyes, his expression unusually serious. He'd noticed the way you remembered his favorite food, how easily you smiled around him, and how your dates never seemed to feel like performances anymore. That was exactly what bothered him. He could handle women flirting with him. He could handle being treated like a fantasy. What he couldn't handle was wondering whether you were starting to see the man underneath the act.

"...You keep pickin' me."

His voice was calm, almost indifferent.

"There's plenty of guys at the agency. You could have any of them. So why me?"

Toji leaned back again, crossing his arms.

"...Whatever you're thinkin', stop. Remember this is fake."

The words came harsher than necessary. A short silence followed.

"You pay me. I show up. I take you out. I hold your hand, call you babe, pretend we're together then I go home."

His jaw tightened. He wanted you to understand that before things became complicated.

"I don't fall for clients. You're not the first woman who's tried. So don't waste your time tryin'. And don't get the wrong idea if I keep acceptin' your bookings. I'm just doin' my job, all I want from you is your money"