Highlights
Kazuya feels guilty about lying to Sayuri and realizes the facade he's been putting up in front of her has been for his own gratification.
Due to Sayuri's deteriorating health, tensions have arisen between Kazuya and Chizuru. Realizing the urgency, Kazuya is determined to confess about their sham relationship before it becomes too late. Additionally, he is determined to arrange a screening of the movie for Sayuri, enabling her to witness Chizuru's dreams coming true. This not only demonstrates Kazuya's personal development but also his selflessness in doing what is right without any expectations in return.
Attention: The upcoming information will reveal crucial details about Episode 8, "Family and Girlfriend," from Season 3 of Rent-a-Girlfriend, which is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
While Kazuya and Chizuru's romantic connection remains stagnant, other aspects of their lives continue to evolve. As the movie premiere approaches, tensions between them reach unprecedented levels. Moreover, Granny Sayuri's deteriorating health intensifies the situation, exposing the weaknesses in Kazuya and Chizuru's relationship.
Gratitude for Kazuya
Although Sayuri's demise is yet to be officially confirmed, the show strongly suggests that her remaining time is limited. The notion of fulfilling her grandmother's desires could potentially prompt Chizuru to finally confront her own emotions, but it also carries the possibility of jeopardizing the stability of their relationship.
During most of the show, Grandma Sayuri has been confined to the hospital, but in this particular episode, she finally gets a chance to shine. Chizuru takes her to the screening venue, a cinema in Itabashi that can accommodate more than 200 viewers. The sight of the venue and the prospect of Chizuru's film being showcased on the big screen brings tears to Grandma Sayuri's eyes, a touching and unprecedented moment for her character.
With her emotions overflowing, she expresses her gratitude to Kazuya for the successful movie and for making Chizuru's dreams come true. This heartwarming moment serves as a reminder to Kazuya that he has been pretending in front of her, as they both kept her unaware of the truth behind their fake relationship.
Although Kazuya has always felt remorseful about lying to Sayori and his grandmother, this sincere moment acts as a wake-up call for him regarding the entire deceptive situation. Realizing that he has deceived a kind-hearted woman fills him with guilt for his self-serving actions.
Sayuri’s Deathbed
Sayuri's health has deteriorated since the beginning of Season 3, and Chizuru has openly expressed that her grandmother's time is running out. This suggests that Sayuri is suffering from a chronic illness and her death is imminent. Chizuru, however, believed that there would still be some time left for Sayuri, but she was proven wrong when she discovered her grandmother's almost lifeless body on the ground.
Sayuri's sudden decline in health has significantly impacted the storyline, causing Kazuya and Chizuru to be at odds once again. Realizing that Sayuri's time is limited, Kazuya feels the need to be honest and confess about their fake relationship. He is driven by the guilt of lying to Sayuri for such a long time, as well as the understanding that Chizuru would also regret keeping this secret until the very end.
A Final Act of Kindness
Despite Chizuru's objection that disclosing the truth would permanently breed hatred towards them, Kazuya remains resolute in his determination to reveal it to her. Chizuru's flustered response to the prospect of overcoming this truth undeniably confirms her remorse for dishonesty towards Sayuri. Nevertheless, she remains steadfast in her resolve to keep the secret, compelling Kazuya to seek assistance elsewhere in his endeavor to aid Chizuru.
Seeing Chizuru in such a vulnerable state, Kazuya felt compelled to act, as was his usual instinct. Although the scene ends abruptly, it is implied that the film editing has been completed, prompting Kazuya to rush off and fetch the final copy from the editor. It is evident that his intention is to organize a screening of the movie for Sayuri, allowing her a chance to witness Chizuru's pursuit of her dreams before it's too late.
Kazuya and Chizuru went through the entire process of making a movie so that Sayuri could see her granddaughter on the grand stage. If Sayuri were to pass away before the screening, all their hard work and effort would be in vain. Recognizing Chizuru's regret over the delay in screening the movie, Kazuya is now racing against time to retrieve the edited copy and screen it for Sayuri.
Should Kazuya succeed in this daring act, Chizuru would undoubtedly feel a surge of emotions for him. However, it is evident that this act of kindness is not driven by a desire to win over Chizuru, but rather by Kazuya's own sense of rightness. The first two seasons of Rent-a-Girlfriend have lacked proper development for Kazuya, but this scene demonstrates how much he has grown since the beginning of the series. While the guilt and regret of deceiving Sayuri may also play a role here, it does not diminish the fact that Kazuya is willing to go to great lengths without the intention of winning Chizuru's affections.