Ryo Kazuki stood outside Café Amour, staring at his phone for the tenth time.
[Unknown Number]: "Welcome to Love Lab."
A prank? A scam? Or worse—a blind date setup? The whole situation felt like trouble. But curiosity gnawed at him.
He sighed. "Might as well see what this is about."
Stepping inside, the familiar scent of coffee and fresh pastries greeted him. The café was quieter than usual, with only a few scattered customers. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on her.
A woman sat in the corner, stirring her tea absentmindedly. Long silver-blonde hair, sharp green eyes, and an air of quiet confidence—she was beautiful, but in a way that felt… dangerous. Like a noblewoman from an old story who could destroy a man with a single glance.
Ryo's instincts told him to turn around and leave. Unfortunately, she had already noticed him.
"You're late, Kazuki Ryo." Her voice was smooth, with a hint of amusement. "Take a seat."
Ryo raised an eyebrow but complied, pulling out the chair across from her. "I don't remember agreeing to this meeting."
She smiled. "Yet, here you are."
Ryo leaned back, crossing his arms. "Let's cut to the chase. Who are you?"
The woman took a sip of her tea before answering. "Aria Valentine. Director of Love Lab."
Ryo blinked. "Love Lab? Sounds like some kind of matchmaking service."
Aria chuckled. "Not quite. We're more like… relationship consultants. We help people with their love lives—whether it's fixing broken relationships, navigating complicated emotions, or finding the right partner." She tilted her head. "And you, Ryo Kazuki, are exactly the type of person we need."
Ryo frowned. "You want me to… what? Give love advice to strangers?"
Aria smirked. "You already did. And it went viral."
His stomach sank. "So, you're hiring me because of that video?"
Aria's fingers tapped against the table. "Not just because of the video. I did some research on you. Psychology graduate. Strong observational skills. A cynical yet brutally honest approach to romance." She took another sip of tea. "In other words, you're perfect for this job."
Ryo exhaled. "Look, I don't know what you think I am, but I'm not some love guru. That video was just—"
"A perfect demonstration of your skills." Aria's eyes gleamed. "Your words weren't just insightful; they resonated. People want honesty, even when it hurts." She leaned forward. "And we can make sure you get paid for it."
Ryo scoffed. "I'm not interested."
Aria's lips curled into an amused smile. "Is that so?"
She pulled out her phone and tapped the screen. A moment later, Ryo's own phone buzzed. He glanced at the notification.
Bank Transfer: 100,000 yen received.
His eyes widened. "You just—"
"A sign-on bonus." Aria set her phone down. "If you refuse the job, you can keep it as payment for this meeting."
Ryo narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch?"
"No catch." Aria shrugged. "Come work for us. If you don't like it, you can quit anytime."
Ryo hesitated. A hundred thousand yen for just sitting here? That was… insane.
His mind raced. This had to be some kind of scam. But if it was, they were playing a damn expensive game.
Aria watched him, amusement flickering in her gaze. "I'll make it easy. Let's do a trial run. One case. If you enjoy it, you stay. If not, you walk away—richer than you were yesterday."
Ryo exhaled sharply. "Fine. One case."
Aria smiled. "Excellent."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder.
"Your first client needs help tonight."
---
Case 001: The Fake Boyfriend Request
Later that evening, Ryo found himself standing outside an upscale restaurant.
"This is ridiculous…" he muttered.
He glanced at the client profile Aria had given him.
Name: Ayaka Tachibana
Age: 22
Occupation: University Student
Problem: Family pressure to get married. Needs a fake boyfriend for one night.
Ryo sighed. "This is so cliché."
But a job was a job. He adjusted his blazer, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
The restaurant was high-class, filled with businessmen, elegant couples, and softly playing music. His eyes landed on a young woman sitting alone at a table near the window.
Ayaka Tachibana was stunning—long black hair, delicate features, and dressed in an elegant blue dress. But despite her composed appearance, her hands were clenched tightly in her lap.
Ryo approached casually. "Tachibana Ayaka?"
She looked up, relief flickering in her eyes. "You must be… Kazuki Ryo?"
He slid into the seat across from her. "Your temporary boyfriend for the evening."
Ayaka exhaled, visibly relaxing. "Thank you for coming. I know this is weird, but… my parents are forcing me into an arranged marriage with a business partner's son." She frowned. "If I show them I'm already in a committed relationship, I might be able to avoid it."
Ryo nodded. "So, what's the plan?"
Ayaka straightened. "In five minutes, my parents and their guest will arrive. I need you to act like my serious boyfriend. If they believe it, I'm safe."
Ryo smirked. "You hired the right guy."
A moment later, the restaurant doors opened. A well-dressed older couple entered, accompanied by a smug-looking man in his late twenties.
Ayaka stiffened. "They're here."
Ryo followed her gaze. The man—her so-called fiancé—was already smirking.
"Let the games begin," Ryo murmured.
---
End of Chapter 2