Host-Crazy Girlfriend

This is the story of my girlfriend, Tomoko...

My name is Tomoko Kawakami. I'm 31 years old, and after graduating from university, I worked as an accounting clerk for a construction company. But I quit that job five years ago, and now I work at a cabaret club in Shinjuku under the stage name "Ayaka."

I've been working hard to become number one, but it's been quite a challenge. Still, three years ago, I managed to rank within the top three.

Lately, though, the number of customers requesting me by name has decreased, and I've been assigned to help other girls more often.

"Hey, Ayaka? Your ashtray is full."

"Oh, uh... Sorry..."

"Kawabata, sorry... This helper girl is spacing out."

"I-it's fine, Nozomi. Don't worry about it."

(Damn! That Nozomi, she's getting full of herself just because she's number one. She's just young, that's all...)

Nozomi is 20 years old and the number one girl at this club.

(But lately, all I feel is frustration. I have fewer customers willing to accompany me, and the ones who do try to drag me to a hotel afterward. Ugh... I need to find some way to relieve this stress.)

"Hey, Ayaka? Your glass is empty."

"Huh?"

"Come on... You're a veteran, so be more attentive."

"Sorry..."

Approached by a Host

One night, as I was walking home after work, a man who looked like a host called out to me.

"Good evening, miss!"

"What...? I'm not looking for a job if that's what you're offering."

"No, no! I was wondering if you'd like to grab a drink with me now."

"Huh? Are you a host?"

"So, are you a high-class club hostess, miss?"

"Me? Do I look like one?"

"Yes, you do~ Your aura is completely different from that of an ordinary woman. You're a first-class lady."

"Well, aren't you quite the observer."

"So, how about it? My place is just over there, and your first drink is on the house!"

"Hmm, free, huh..."

(I've never been to a host club before. Maybe it's worth trying out...)

"Alright... I guess I could use some fun. Let's go for a bit."

"That's the spirit! Right this way, please!"

The interior of the host club was luxurious and glamorous, a world apart from my daily life.

Thirty minutes later...

"Yeah! This alcohol is delicious~!"

Ayaka was guzzling the house whiskey, which was included in the all-you-can-drink option.

"Miss, you sure can drink!"

"Never mind that. Introduce me to the number one host here!"

"Of course, please give me a moment."

"Hurry up and get him!"

After a while, the number one host joined them at their table.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Shunsuke, the number one host here."

"Shunsuke, huh? Here, drink up!"

"Of course, let's toast to this wonderful encounter..."

"What a cheesy line. Any woman who falls for that is a fool."

"I want to be a knight for all the ladies."

"A knight? Are you serious?"

"Of course, I am. Deep down, that's what you desire, isn't it?"

"You think I desire that...?"

"Yes, a prince on a white horse..."

"No way. I'm a realist."

"Really? But you're so beautiful."

"Hey, stop it..."

"In my eyes, you're a true princess."

"A princess... Me?"

"Yes, a wonderful princess."

(This guy knows how to make me feel good. I always have to be so careful with my words when entertaining male customers at the cabaret club, so it's nice to be on the receiving end for once. Being treated like a princess isn't so bad!)

"Alright! Let's drink more~!"

Becoming a Regular at the Host Club

The next day at the cabaret club...

"Come on, it's fine just this once. It's not like it'll disappear, and it's not like you're a minor. Let me touch your chest, please? It's all about the touch with cabaret club hostesses, right?"

"That's not okay, sir. You've had too much to drink."

"What's the harm? I'm paying good money!"

"That's enough! You're out of control! Get out, or I'll have you banned!"

"Oh, so your breasts aren't that big, huh?"

"Shut up, old man!!”

Ayaka doused the customer's face with whiskey!

"Wow! What the hell are you doing?!"

"I should be asking you the same question! Get out of here, you pig!"

The hall manager rushed to mediate the situation.

"Sir, what's the matter?"

"This woman suddenly poured whiskey on me!"

"I apologize..."

"What kind of establishment are you running here?"

"My sincere apologies."

Ayaka tried to explain herself...

"Manager! This man was touching me without my consent!"

"Quiet, you!"

The hall manager wouldn't listen to her side of the story.

"I'm never coming back to this place!"

The angry customer stormed out.

After the customer left, Ayaka was reprimanded by the cabaret club manager for her poor customer service.

Frustrated, Ayaka headed to the host club and poured her heart out to Shunsuke.

"Wow, that's rough. You must have had a tough time."

"I know, right? And then the manager says it's my fault for providing bad customer service. It made me so mad!"

"Customers with such terrible manners shouldn't be allowed in."

"You're telling me. I never want to see that guy again."

"Yeah... But they don't appreciate you here."

"They don't appreciate me...?"

"That's right. Because you're so beautiful and hardworking."

"Th-thank you..."

(When Shunsuke compliments me, I forget all the unpleasant things. Even work-related stress melts away with his sweet words.)

"Should I open a bottle of champagne?"

"Are you sure? Don't push yourself."

"No, I'm fine..."

"Thank you."

(Shunsuke says exactly what I want to hear. It feels so good...)

"Attention, everyone! We have a bottle of Dom Pérignon at table number three! Gather around, everyone!"

And so, the champagne call began.

The only time Ayaka felt joy was when she was drinking at the host club, and her debt gradually grew.

Eventually, she maxed out her credit card loan...

(This isn't good. No matter how much I repay, the principal never seems to decrease...)

At this point, Ayaka should have cut ties with the host club, but that option never crossed her mind. The reason? Visiting the host club to see Shunsuke had become her only source of happiness.

Nozomi and Shunsuke?!

One day...

Ayaka tried to borrow money from her colleague, Shizuka.

"Hey, Shizuka... Could you lend me some money? Just a little..."

"What do you need it for? There are rumors going around, and I hope it's not for a host."

"Huh?"

"I knew it. If it's for a host, I can't lend you any."

"Why not...?"

"I heard you're into this host named Shunsuke, but is that true?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"Don't do it. He's a notorious player, according to the rumors. He gets cabaret club hostesses to spend a ton of money on him, and then he dumps them."

"Th-that can't be true! Don't bad-mouth Shunsuke! He's not that kind of guy."

"Wake up, Ayaka! You're being deceived!"

"Never mind, I won't ask you then."

"Ayaka, wait..."

With no other options, Ayaka turned to a loan shark.

She managed to borrow 500,000 JPY, and with that money, she headed to the host club...

However, even after making a reservation, Shunsuke didn't come to her table, so she took the opportunity to look around while pretending to go to the bathroom.

And what did she see? None other than the number one cabaret club hostess, Nozomi, being entertained by Shunsuke.

Feeling frustrated and anxious, Ayaka asked why Shunsuke wasn't at her table, only to be told that he was tied up with Nozomi, who had ordered an expensive bottle of champagne.

Spurred by rivalry, Ayaka instructed the host club to bring out an even more expensive bottle of champagne than Nozomi's.

Shunsuke immediately came to her side.

"Is it okay to open such an expensive bottle?"

"Of course! So stay by my side..."

"Of course, Ayaka. Thank you..."

(Take that, Nozomi. I'm not giving Shunsuke up...)

The 500,000 JPY she borrowed from the loan shark vanished in an instant, and she added the remaining balance to her tab at the host club.

The next day, in the cabaret club's dressing room...

"It's ridiculous for someone your age to be spending money on hosts. It's pathetic. Do you really think he's into you?"

"Are you talking to me?"

"Of course not. But the fact that you're taking it personally means you're aware of it, right?"

"That's just you trying to save face."

"Huh?"

"Shunsuke has been sticking to me like glue lately!"

"Th-that's because you keep ordering so much champagne..."

"No, it's because I'm better than you."

"Are you doing okay financially? Ordering all that champagne, I don't think your salary here is enough to cover it."

"Mind your own business!"

"You're not, like, sleeping with customers, are you? Even older women can find buyers."

"Say whatever you want! Shunsuke is mine... I'm celebrating his birthday next month, too!"

As Ayaka and Nozomi fought over Shunsuke, their tabs at the host club grew to a staggering amount.

The total amount? A whopping 5,000,000 JPY.

And then, it was finally Shunsuke's birthday.

Ayaka asked one of the staff members at the host club...

"Hey, how many tiers of champagne did Nozomi order for the tower?"

"Let's see, Nozomi ordered five tiers."

"Okay, then I'll do eight tiers, please!"

"W-wow, okay..."

(Shunsuke was overjoyed.)

"Thank you, Ayaka!"

"Happy birthday, Shunsuke!"

"You're my number one, Ayaka."

"Am I? Then I guess I'm your number one♥"

"Of course, you are."

Cheers!

(Hey! Everyone, pay attention to me! I'm number one here! I'm a princess that no one can beat!)

Shunsuke's True Colors

"Shunsuke... Ayaka's tab is getting pretty high... We should probably do something about it soon..."

That day, Shunsuke was called in by the owner of the host club to discuss Ayaka's outstanding balance.

"I know... Okay."

That night, Ayaka came to the host club.

"Ayaka, about your tab... Can you pay at least part of the 5,000,000 JPY?"

"Huh? But I don't have any money..."

"Then I'm going to have to ask you to stop coming here. Please pay off your entire tab first!"

"You're suddenly saying this now..."

"Just go home, please. I can't let you keep drinking on credit."

"B-but you called me your princess..."

"Are you feeling alright, ma'am? You will pay the full 5,000,000 JPY."

"Th-that's... I can't pay that much right now. I don't have the money..."

"Then I'll introduce you to a place where you can make more money. Quit this cabaret club and go work there."

"W-what?!"

Conclusion

And so, Ayaka ended up quitting the cabaret club and is now reportedly working at a soapland parlor catering to married women.

She continues to repay her host club debts, and once she's done, she plans on going back to the host club.

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