Rent-A-Girlfriend Vol. 17 — Manga Raw / Buy Official

At the heart of this date lies Ruka's 'birthday wish,' a catalyst that forces Kazuya to confront her feelings head-on. By the pool, Ruka insistently presses Kazuya to feel her heartbeat, turning a simple outing into a desperate bid for his love. For Ruka, this isn't a game; it is a profound declaration of her desire to be the only one for him. While Kazuya is still haunted by his dedication to Chizuru, he cannot ignore the searing sincerity in Ruka’s gaze. She pushes him further, delivering a final, critical request that threatens to shatter the fragile status quo of their arrangement. This moment is not just about physical proximity; it is about the heavy, painful reality of falling in love with someone whose heart belongs elsewhere. As Kazuya grapples with the intensity of her devotion, the boundary between duty and genuine emotion blurs, leaving their complicated connection forever altered.