TV-Series
Description
Kazuya Kinoshita is a 20-year-old college student living alone in Tokyo. He is a second-year student majoring in business administration at Nerima University, having required an extra year of preparation before entering. Standing at 175 centimeters with a slender build and light complexion, he has light brown hair styled in a messy, spiky fashion and brown eyes that often appear lackluster. He typically wears an orange t-shirt with a black spiral design over a black long-sleeved shirt, paired with trousers featuring white stripes and white shoes with red laces and black soles. He celebrates his birthday on June 1st. His family runs a sake shop in his hometown, which has since been converted into a convenience store.
Kazuya is characterized by pronounced indecisiveness and low self-esteem, often evaluating himself harshly while being able to genuinely appreciate the strengths of others. He has a tendency to lie impulsively, particularly to avoid uncomfortable situations or to maintain a facade of happiness for those around him, especially his family. These deceptions frequently spiral into complex webs that become increasingly difficult to untangle. Despite this flaw, he possesses a fundamentally kind and caring nature, demonstrating a willingness to stand up for friends and family when circumstances demand it. His emotional volatility and lack of assertiveness often lead him to irrational actions, though he is typically aware of the potential consequences of his behavior. He holds a deep, pure affection for the people he cares about, even if he struggles to express these feelings effectively.
Initially, after being dumped by his first girlfriend Mami Nanami following a one-month relationship, Kazuya seeks solace by using a rental girlfriend service called Diamond, through which he meets Chizuru Mizuhara. What begins as an attempt to ease his heartbreak evolves into something far more complicated when his grandmother is hospitalized and mistakes Chizuru for his real girlfriend. Unable to disappoint his family, he maintains the pretense, leading to an ongoing fake relationship that blurs the lines between performance and genuine emotion. Throughout the series, he grapples with his growing romantic feelings for Chizuru while navigating the expectations of his family and friends.
His primary motivation becomes supporting Chizuru in achieving her dream of becoming an actress, particularly after learning about her promise to her ailing grandmother. This drives him to take on significant challenges, including producing an independent film for her. He also wrestles with feelings of inadequacy and a desire to become someone worthy of the people in his life, though he often struggles to take decisive action.
The most significant relationship in his life is with Chizuru Mizuhara, the rental girlfriend who becomes his neighbor and the focus of his genuine romantic affection. Their relationship begins as a transactional arrangement but gradually deepens into mutual support and unspoken feelings. Mami Nanami is his ex-girlfriend who broke his heart; she remains a complicated presence who knows the truth about his rental relationship and periodically disrupts his life. Ruka Sarashina becomes his temporary girlfriend after she develops genuine feelings for him, creating a love triangle that forces Kazuya to confront his own emotions. His grandmother Nagomi is a driving force behind his deception, as her happiness and health are deeply important to him. He also maintains friendships with Kibe, a childhood friend who has called him clumsy but persistent, as well as relationships with Sumi Sakurasawa, a shy rental girlfriend who becomes a trusted confidante, and Mini Yaemori, an energetic junior who actively supports his efforts with Chizuru.
Over the course of the story, Kazuya demonstrates notable character development. In early episodes, he often comes across as purely pathetic and self-absorbed, but he gradually reveals more admirable qualities. A significant turning point occurs during the film production arc in the third season, where he stops rushing thoughtlessly into situations and begins thinking strategically to help Chizuru. He uses his business administration knowledge to plan and produce an independent movie on a tight budget, showing initiative and dedication that surprised even himself. When Chizuru suffers the loss of her grandmother, Kazuya goes to extraordinary lengths to fulfill her wish, rushing to the hospital with a projector and laptop to show the completed film before she passes. He continues to support Chizuru as a neighbor and friend, offering her emotional support during her grief. While he retains certain immature tendencies throughout the series, his capacity for selfless action and genuine care for others becomes increasingly apparent.
Aside from his academic focus on business administration, which he applies practically to film production, Kazuya has a notable ability stemming from his passion for marine biology. He possesses extensive knowledge about aquatic life and keeps a lungfish as a pet in an aquarium at his home. This interest is significant enough that his first date with Chizuru took place at an aquarium, and his username on the rental girlfriend platform references his love of fishkeeping. He begins working part-time at a karaoke establishment after spending most of the money his parents gave him for tuition on rental girlfriend services, demonstrating a willingness to take responsibility for his financial decisions.
Kazuya is characterized by pronounced indecisiveness and low self-esteem, often evaluating himself harshly while being able to genuinely appreciate the strengths of others. He has a tendency to lie impulsively, particularly to avoid uncomfortable situations or to maintain a facade of happiness for those around him, especially his family. These deceptions frequently spiral into complex webs that become increasingly difficult to untangle. Despite this flaw, he possesses a fundamentally kind and caring nature, demonstrating a willingness to stand up for friends and family when circumstances demand it. His emotional volatility and lack of assertiveness often lead him to irrational actions, though he is typically aware of the potential consequences of his behavior. He holds a deep, pure affection for the people he cares about, even if he struggles to express these feelings effectively.
Initially, after being dumped by his first girlfriend Mami Nanami following a one-month relationship, Kazuya seeks solace by using a rental girlfriend service called Diamond, through which he meets Chizuru Mizuhara. What begins as an attempt to ease his heartbreak evolves into something far more complicated when his grandmother is hospitalized and mistakes Chizuru for his real girlfriend. Unable to disappoint his family, he maintains the pretense, leading to an ongoing fake relationship that blurs the lines between performance and genuine emotion. Throughout the series, he grapples with his growing romantic feelings for Chizuru while navigating the expectations of his family and friends.
His primary motivation becomes supporting Chizuru in achieving her dream of becoming an actress, particularly after learning about her promise to her ailing grandmother. This drives him to take on significant challenges, including producing an independent film for her. He also wrestles with feelings of inadequacy and a desire to become someone worthy of the people in his life, though he often struggles to take decisive action.
The most significant relationship in his life is with Chizuru Mizuhara, the rental girlfriend who becomes his neighbor and the focus of his genuine romantic affection. Their relationship begins as a transactional arrangement but gradually deepens into mutual support and unspoken feelings. Mami Nanami is his ex-girlfriend who broke his heart; she remains a complicated presence who knows the truth about his rental relationship and periodically disrupts his life. Ruka Sarashina becomes his temporary girlfriend after she develops genuine feelings for him, creating a love triangle that forces Kazuya to confront his own emotions. His grandmother Nagomi is a driving force behind his deception, as her happiness and health are deeply important to him. He also maintains friendships with Kibe, a childhood friend who has called him clumsy but persistent, as well as relationships with Sumi Sakurasawa, a shy rental girlfriend who becomes a trusted confidante, and Mini Yaemori, an energetic junior who actively supports his efforts with Chizuru.
Over the course of the story, Kazuya demonstrates notable character development. In early episodes, he often comes across as purely pathetic and self-absorbed, but he gradually reveals more admirable qualities. A significant turning point occurs during the film production arc in the third season, where he stops rushing thoughtlessly into situations and begins thinking strategically to help Chizuru. He uses his business administration knowledge to plan and produce an independent movie on a tight budget, showing initiative and dedication that surprised even himself. When Chizuru suffers the loss of her grandmother, Kazuya goes to extraordinary lengths to fulfill her wish, rushing to the hospital with a projector and laptop to show the completed film before she passes. He continues to support Chizuru as a neighbor and friend, offering her emotional support during her grief. While he retains certain immature tendencies throughout the series, his capacity for selfless action and genuine care for others becomes increasingly apparent.
Aside from his academic focus on business administration, which he applies practically to film production, Kazuya has a notable ability stemming from his passion for marine biology. He possesses extensive knowledge about aquatic life and keeps a lungfish as a pet in an aquarium at his home. This interest is significant enough that his first date with Chizuru took place at an aquarium, and his username on the rental girlfriend platform references his love of fishkeeping. He begins working part-time at a karaoke establishment after spending most of the money his parents gave him for tuition on rental girlfriend services, demonstrating a willingness to take responsibility for his financial decisions.