“Yuudai-san…” Hoshi spoke up, sounding hesitant, “you’ve seen my photos, right? From the site?”

Suzu felt his cheeks heat up from embarrassment. This phone call was turning into a complete disaster.

“Y-You asked!”

“I’m just confused! That’s…” Hoshi took a breath, “it’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll be sure to pack suits for this, then.”

But then, Suzu swore he heard the other mutter again, but this time it was a bit different, “Such a shame, I just got a cute dress…”

“I still say you can dress however you feel like. I really care more about your presence than how you look.”

“Darling, how are people going to believe I’m a legit date if I’m not clearly your type? Don’t worry, I will look and play my part perfectly.”

Hoshi had a point and Suzu was too inexperienced with this to argue.

They talked for a little longer, Suzu trying not to make a bigger fool of himself than he already had. He answered the last few questions before they had everything planned and scheduled. And then, Suzu was suddenly out ¥1,250,000.

He fell back onto his bed and sighed, “I hope this is going to be worth it. Guess its instant noodles for the next… year.”

His head ached more as he thought about what he had actually just done. Never in his life had he ever made a decision like this. Never had he spent this much money!

Oh god, all of that money. He had really just spent it all.

Never in his life had he been this desperate. Why was this suddenly different? He wasn’t really even that lonely or anything. He’d only been single for like, four months. Maybe five. It had been fine!

Totally fine.

Ok, yes, he’d only been going to work and coming home for the majority of the time. And the only social outings he’d really been participating in were mandatory after-work events or Arata’s wedding parties. Anything else he had maybe been skipping out on.

But he was still technically spending time with friends! Well, Arata at least. And Mei was his friend at work. Ok sure, all the time with Arata involved the wedding.

So maybe it didn’t quite count as hanging out.

He paused.

Was he maybe less ok than he had thought?

…Even so, did that really excuse dropping so much money on what was essentially renting another person?!

Rolling over, he groaned into his pillow.

He was an idiot and this was going to be a huge mistake. A huge, very expensive mistake.