Chapter 54: Speedrunner Karina

The next day. Yoko Hotel.

After boldly confessing to Karina yesterday, going back to work like usual the next day feels a bit... weird?

'I definitely rushed it. I could have done better.'

Recalling the memory of my previous confession, I find myself picking my own shortcomings.

Oh, and to preface, I'm not slacking off or anything. Even high-end hotels can have quiet moments during shifts.

Though the same can't really be said for back-of-the-house employees.

'There's no point dwelling on it further when it's already been done.'

Besides, there's something else that requires my attention.

'In my past life, I've never had a girlfriend, but now I have three. Life, or maybe fate is the right one? Either way, things gone in a way I could have never expected.'

And following that, I have to address the thought that has been quietly gnawing at me.

'Should I... stop being a rental boyfriend?'

The answer seemed instant at first.

I became a rental boyfriend because I wanted to give the lonely women of this reverse world a positive romantic memory.

So why should I stop?

But that's when I realized an issue, or a risk rather that comes with continuing.

'If I can't cleanly reject every confession I receive, then I might end up hurting them instead of creating a fond memory.'

It's a flaw of mine that I've come to terms with. That I'm not as strong-willed as I'd like. 

But the question is

'Would it be okay to stop?'

Would it be cruel to those who've been waiting. Hoping for their turn to come?

I started because of a grandiose reason, yet here I am. Thinking of backing out.

Permanently.

'I need to really think about this-'

*Riinggg~*

'.... Right. I'm at work right now. Almost forgot.'

Picking up the phone, I quickly bring it to my ear.

"Good morning. This is the front desk of  Yoko Hotel. How may I help you?"  I say in a calm, polite voice.

After doing this greeting countless times, the words and tone had become second nature to me.

"This is Yokoyama of room 806. Could I request Tsukishiro-san to bring me an extra pillow?" 

*-Flinch!*

Karina's mature, gentle voice echoed from the phone. Even though she'd called numerous times before, I still get surprised when I hear her voice this close to my ear.

Almost like she's whispering right next to me.

'This is already her 5th pillow, though...'

For the past week, Karina has been calling during my shift. Requesting pillows, sheets, room upgrades, and a few others. Just so we can talk during work.

'I like hearing her voice, but it's a little stressful having to keep myself in check so I don't get carried away during work.'

"Understood, Yokoyama-sama. I'll be right there with a new pillow."  I say in the practiced voice I use for interacting with guests.

"Mhm~ I'll be waiting~"

After saying that, Karina ended the call.

"Hu..."

I return the phone to its slot, and turn to Watanabe-san next to me. Already looking in my direction.

"Watanabe-san, I-"

"Hurry along now. It's best not to keep Yokoyama-sama waiting."

Watanabe-san spoke up before I could say anything else.

He's always been there when Karina calls, so he's become accustomed to this.

"I'll be right back!"  I say before bowing my head to my senior in work.

"It's okay. Take your time."  He says with a knowing smile on his face.

And I couldn't help but be embarrassed when he said that.

'He definitely knows...'

Wanting to get out of here as soon as possible, I turn around and exit the front desk booth.

'There should still be spare pillows in the linen closet on the 8th floor.'

As Andy disappeared from his sight, Watanabe had only one thought in his mind.

'I wonder when I'll have to start calling him "Yokoyama-sama" or "Goshujin-sama." At the rate those two are progressing, possibly next year...'

.

.

After grabbing a clean pillow from the linen closet, I headed for Karina's room.

My light steps on top of the carpet producing virtually no sound. A skill new employees are taught on the first day.

'This would be terrifying in a horror movie. Camera focused on the victim and behind them the killer appears from the corner. Sneaks up from behind without a sound then bam!'

Shortly after that thought, I stopped in front of a door with a plague that reads "806."

Karina's room.

'I stopped counting how many times I've come here after the 8th one.'

With my left hand clutching the pillow, I curl my right hand and knock on the door twice.

'3... 2... 1...'

*Clack*

"Andy!"

And right on cue, Karina opened the door. Greeting me with a wide smile on her face.

Before opening my mouth to reply, I do a quick scan of our surroundings to make sure there's no one nearby.

Seeing that the coast is clear, I look back at Karina.

"Karina, I really can't stay for long. I have to go back to my post..." 

With both hands, I hand her the pillow she requested.

With one hand holding the door open, she takes the pillow using her free hand.

"What do you mean? Isn't it time for your break?"  she says with a grin on her face.

"What?"

My eyes widen in surprise. I dig into my pocket, taking out my DECT handset, I check the time.

And sure enough it's a minute past the start of my break.

"..... How did you..."

"I asked your co-worker Watanabe-san."  Karina replied casually.

She steps aside, gesturing for me to enter.

"Now we can flirt for 10 minutes."  Karina says without a hint of shame.

Taking another look around, I sigh and step inside.

Karina promptly closed the door once I was in.

Without exchanging a word, I sat down on the side of her bed.

On the first day, I was hesitant to take a step inside her room.

But after her consistent pestering, I gradually got comfortable enough to sit on her bed like this.

Following behind, Karina took her seat next to me. But instead of keeping a hand's distance away like before, her thighs are closely touching mine. Making me feel her heat through clothes.

"H-Hey Karina, your thighs are touch- ING?!"

Without any prior warning, Karina wrapped her arm around my back. Her hand now resting on my waist.

She'd never done this before, but since we're officially dating now, it seems she's become bold enough to do so.

"Do you dislike it?"  Karina asked. And I know for certain if I said yes, she'll back off and return to the distance we had before.

But I

"I don't... dislike it..." 

With rosy cheeks, I voiced my consent.

If it's a lover, then of course I like it.

"~♥"

Pleased with my reaction, the corners of her lips rose. Reaching her eyes.

"You're so adorable, Andy~"  Karina purred.

She leans in, pressing a soft kiss on my neck.

"T-That's a bit..."  I trail off, stuck on what to say.

"I know."   Karina whispered.

She pulls her lips away.

"If we start, we'll go way past your break time."  she whispers.

A sultry smile on her face.

"And besides, I want our first time to be somewhere better than this."  she whispers. Confident she can take me whenever she pleased.

"Hmph." 

I puff my cheeks and look away.

"You act like I'll let you do it even though we haven't been dating for long..."

'I know Karina isn't after my body, so is she just a horn dog?'

Though I couldn't see her face, I can feel Karina's gaze on me. Silently staring for a couple breaths.

"... Sorry if I'm being too hasty. It's just, I've never had a boyfriend before." 

'!?'

Hearing that outrageous fact, I snap back to look at Karina.

"I'm, your first? But how??"

My eyes widen with shock.

'I know she was chubby before, but with her looks and personality I figured she'd have at least one ex.'

At my question, Karina's expression dropped. As if recalling a sad memory.

"Growing up, everything was controlled by my mother..."  she starts, setting the mood.

"From my birth to my first job. She had a hand it in all."

Her hand reached up, grasping her blonde locks.

"She purposely chose to get inseminated with a foreign man's sperm. Picked him out from a catalogue like she was ordering a meal in a restaurant."

Karina paused for one breath.

"She didn't want the man. Just the child born of his genes."

The confession has me shocked, yet I chose to quietly listen. Not uttering a word.

Karina looks up, and stare into my eyes.

"She kept telling me to focus on my career. Disregard unnecessary distractions. Again and again. Like a mantra."

Her mouth hangs open for a single beat.

"And I listened to her. Because I didn't have anyone else."

'That makes sense... In a single parent household, naturally the child will listen to the only adult in their life.'

"It was only after I turned 30 did I start to wonder if that was everything life had to offer..."

She lets go of her hair, bringing her hand to me.

"I used rental boyfriends to make up for the romance I lacked as a girl."

Then gently caressed my cheek.

"And that was when I found you..."   she whispered.

"The man who awakened something in me. A desire I didn't know I could have, but one I welcome with open arms."

I part my lips, but close them soon after. Carefully choosing what I should say.

 "... And what is that desire?"

Karina's lips slowly curved into a smile.

"That..."

Without warning, she pushed me down. My back flat against the mattress.

On top of me, Karina's golden hair fell down like curtains. Framing her face.

"It's the desire to be a mother."  she says in a low voice.

Her breath hot against my skin.

I lay beneath her, mouth hanging as I think of a response.

'I did that..? Because of me, Karina wants to be a mom?'

I recall our first date. 

How Karina wanted me to call her "mommy" for the better part of our date.

'Though, she hadn't asked me to call her that since then.'

"And although it was sudden, I was so happy when you said you liked me too. So much so that I lost my composure and acted differently from my regular self."

Karina's right hand, which was next to my head, slowly moved to caress my cheek.

"Takamine-san told me she's your second girlfriend. Which makes me your third, right?"

To that, I meekly nod once.

 "Heh..."

Karina's lips curl into a smirk.

"Such a sinful, greedy boy... Taking three women all for himself..."

At her words, the blush on my cheeks deepen as I look away. Separating my cheek from her palm. 

And it was then that I realized how uncomfortably hard I am down there.

Being pinned down like this by such a dominating force... 

It's more arousing than I thought.

But I'm not shameless enough to let Karina notice my erection. So I shifted my legs and hope my thighs are enough to cover it.

"... Andy."

"Yes..?"

I glance back at Karina, noticing the serious look on her face.

"Quit your job."

The statement caught me off guard to say the least.

"What?"

"You don't need to work. You can live with me. Or we could buy a house and all four of us can live together in it."

The proposal of living together under one roof in just one day of our relationship has me stun locked.

"Karina, I-"

"I'm not forcing you, Andy. If you want to keep working, then that's perfectly fine."  Karina cut me off before I could respond.

"I just, I want to provide for you... Keep you fed, clothed, everything you need and want. I want to give them all to you."

Karina stares into my eyes. The conviction in her gaze is telling that she's serious. 

I open my mouth.

Then close it again.

Open.

Close.

Open.

Close.

Without saying anything, I rose up. Karina retreated, giving me some space.

Now we're back to the way before; sitting side by side.

My gaze hanging down.

".... I, I appreciate the offer, Karina, but I don't want to quit my job. Not yet that is."  

I look up, meeting her gaze.

"When we get married, then let's talk about it again. But not now. Now is way too early."

Karina opens her mouth, but closes it soon after.

She then nods once.

"I understand. Let's wait until then."

Her lips slowly curl into a smile.

"We have plenty of time to spend together, so let's take our time. Rather, I'll stop rushing our relationship."

"Heh..."

A laugh escapes me.

Looking at it now, it's oddly amusing how Karina is speedrunning our relationship.

"Yeah. You really were rushing it. Living together? That's pretty much a proposal, isn't it? What's next? You're gonna ask me how many kids I want?"  I joke, steering the conversation to something more lighthearted.

Perhaps picking up on my intention, Karina's smile widened.

"Now that you mention it, how many do you want? I may be getting there, but I'm confident I can give you at least 5."  she asks, half-joking and half-serious.

"! Um, uh... I gotta go now. My break is about to be over..." 

With reddened cheeks, I stand up and head for the door. Intentionally fleeing from the embarrassing topic.

Right as my hand touched the handle, Karina called out from behind.

"I'll be checking out 20 minutes from now. See you then, Tsukishiro-kun~"

*Flinch!*

"U-Understood, Yokoyama-sama."

After one last exchange, I exit Karina's room and close the door after. 

"Haa..." 

A sigh escapes me as I stand there in the quiet hallway.

'Kids, huh...'

I slowly close my eyes and go into thought.

'I hope I'll be a good father...'

.

.

(Karina POV)

"Thank you for staying with us, Yokoyama-sama. Please have a wonderful day."

Andy bows his head, finishing the checkout and departure procedure he'd been trained to do.

'It feels special when he does it. ♥'

"I will. Thank you for everything, Tsukishiro-kun."

With that final exchange, I turn around and head for the entrance. Suitcase in hand.

*Brrt*

"Hm?"

It was then that I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Taking it out, I turn it on to quickly check what the cause was.

'LINE? Who could be messaging-'

(Future Husband)

[Get home safely.]

[I love you. ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡]

"Pfft-!"

My hand darts up to cover my mouth as my lips curl into a grin.

I look over my shoulder and gaze at Andy smiling back at me.

The smile is the same one he uses for every other guest, but the glint in his eyes is different. 

Those beautiful lavender-colored eyes of his are full of affection. 

Targeted solely towards me.

'Ah... This really is what I've been missing out on.'

Moving my hand, I wave at Andy. Prompting him to wave back at me.

Certain this is our last exchange for the day, I look forward and resume walking. 

Exiting the hotel, I stood still for a second to take in the bustling sight of Tokyo. 

'I wonder where I should take Andy next.'

With that thought, I turn right and begin walking.

Taking a turn at the first corner, I head down a less crowded street.

After taking another corner, I arrived at my destination.

Standing before me is a door without a label nor a handle.

I reach out with my free hand and knock twice.

Shortly after, the door opened. 

Inside is a familiar face I know all too well.

Wearing a red vest over a white blouse and a black tie. Her hair is neatly tied into a ponytail reaching her shoulder blades.

Tanaka-san, my secretary.

"Welcome back, Yokoyama-sama."

And my mother's spy.

"Thank you, Tanaka-san."  I say, responding to her greeting.

Stepping inside, she closed the door behind me.

I didn't look back as I head inside. Taking a route not many know of, especially not Andy.

"Did you enjoy being affectionate with the new hire, Yokoyama-sama?"

Tanaka-san asked as she trailed behind me.

"It was splendid. I'm tempted to do it next month."

Turning a corner, I step inside an elevator. The doors soon closed after Tanaka-san went in after me.

"You didn't inform him of your real identity?"  Tanaka-san asked, her voice echoed briefly in the enclosed space.

"... Maybe another time. When the time is right."

After that, a moment of silence hanged between us.

"I received a message from the madam."

The sudden mention of my mother caught me off guard, but I managed to suppress any visible reaction.

"... What did she say?"

Tanaka-san didn't answer immediately. Which made me think of the worst.

'If she tells me to break up with Andy, I swear I'll...'

Then, Tanaka-san finally spoke.

"I want to see my grandchildren soon."

"Is what the madam said."

"... Ha... Hahah!"

My hand flies up, resting over my eyes.

'After all these years of telling me to focus on my career, now you start acting like a normal parent?'

I was worried.

Yet determined at the same time.

If mother really wanted me to break up with Andy, then I'll cut ties with her. Severing all forms of communication between us. 

And that includes firing Tanaka-san behind me.

'She may be the one who brought me into this world, but I'm my own woman now. She can't control me anymore like when I was clueless child.'

This hotel is completely mine. She transferred all the rights to me when I took up the position of General Manager. Making me the Owner as well.

'I truly was prepared to do all of that...' 

But after what Tanaka-san said, perhaps I was overexaggerating.

*Ding!*

'Maybe I was too harsh in my assessment of mother.'

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