《Rent-a-Girlfriend》Is Mizuhara Chizuru a "Gold Digger"? In-depth Analysis of the Character, Profession, and Controversy

"Peeling Girl" is Fraud, Mizuhara Chizuru is a Professional: The Controversy and Misunderstandings of "Rent-a-Girlfriend"

In Reiji Miyajima's manga work "Rent-a-Girlfriend" (Kanojo, Okarishimasu), the heroine Mizuhara Chizuru (Ichinese Chizuru) is a professional "rental girlfriend." However, in online discussions, there are occasionally voices that equate her with "peeling girls" (a Taiwanese colloquial term referring to women who use emotions as a pretext for fraud, or hostesses who scam money). This article will delve into the definition of "peeling girls" and, through Mizuhara Chizuru's character setting, professional nature, and her behavior in the work, clarify the essential differences between the two, explaining why labeling Mizuhara Chizuru as a "peeling girl" is a misunderstanding.

What is a "Peeling Girl"? The Essential Difference from a "Rental Girlfriend"

"Peeling girls" and "peeling hostess clubs" both refer to illegal acts where hostess club operators or hostesses use fabricated lies, feigned sympathy, and other methods to lure customers into spending money, with the goal of defrauding them of funds. Their core characteristics are "deception" and "financial fraud," where victims are exploited for money without their knowledge or through inducement.

On the other hand, "Rental Girlfriend" (Rental Girlfriend) in Japan is a relatively new and legal service model. It provides a time-based, contractual companionship service, typically including accompanying dates, watching movies, dining, chatting, etc. The service content, duration, and fee standards are transparent and publicly available. Clients pay fees within a preset framework and receive the agreed-upon "ideal girlfriend" experience; there is no coercion or fraud due to hidden fees.

Mizuhara Chizuru: Embodiment of Professionalism and Work Ethics

In the work, Mizuhara Chizuru is a professional who views her "rental girlfriend" job as a career, not as a "peeling girl" aiming to defraud money:

1. Transparent Service and Fees: As a top member of the "Rental Girlfriend Diamond" agency, Mizuhara Chizuru's service content and fees are public and clear. Each time the client Kinoshita Kazuya pays the fee, Chizuru provides the corresponding "girlfriend" style companionship, fulfilling her contractual obligations. This buyer-seller relationship is clear and voluntary, with no deception or forced consumption, similar to booking any other service or product.
2. Clear Professional Boundaries: Chizuru always maintains boundaries between her professionalism and her clients during work. She plays the role of the "ideal girlfriend," showing tenderness and consideration, but this is within the scope of her "acting." She has never used a client's emotions to demand extra money, nor has she fabricated sad stories to gain sympathy and extract money. Her goal is to provide satisfactory service to clients, not to exploit their wealth.
3. Motivation to Strive for Her Dream: Mizuhara Chizuru's fundamental motivation for working as a "rental girlfriend" is to earn tuition and living expenses to support her dream of becoming an actress. The income from this job is an important financial source for achieving her life goals. She does not profit through fraud but earns compensation through legal and hard work. She has even felt conflicted about this kind of lover relationship maintained by deception and considered quitting.
4. Sense of Responsibility Towards Clients: Although it is a "rental" relationship, Chizuru demonstrates a high sense of responsibility in her work. For example, when Kazuya's grandmother fell ill, she appeared at the hospital as "the grandson's girlfriend" and continued to play the role of Kazuya's "fake girlfriend" to prevent the lie from being exposed. These extra efforts stem from human compassion and a sense of responsibility towards the "client," not for additional monetary rewards. She even supports and assists Kazuya when he faces difficulties, behaviors that go far beyond the scope of a "peeling girl."

Source of Controversy: Misreading of Atypical Romantic Relationships

Some readers equate Mizuhara Chizuru with "peeling girls," often due to the following reasons:

• Stereotypes About the "Rental Girlfriend" Industry: Although it is a legal industry in Japan, the concept of "rental girlfriend" itself is easily linked to gray areas. Some readers may have preconceived notions about such services, believing that their nature involves monetary and emotional transactions, which can easily be associated with fraud.
• Kazuya's "Filial Son" Image: The male protagonist Kinoshita Kazuya spends a lot of money on Chizuru, especially in the movie crowdfunding part. This gives some readers the impression that "Kazuya is being peeled by Chizuru." However, Kazuya's spending is due to his genuine love and support for Chizuru; it is a "voluntary" investment, not induced or defrauded by Chizuru. Chizuru herself has felt conflicted or overwhelmed by Kazuya's contributions because they exceed her professional scope.
• Dragging Out the Romance Plot: The slow progression of the romantic relationship between Mizuhara Chizuru and Kazuya in the manga sometimes makes readers feel it's "going in circles." During this period, Kazuya continues to contribute, while Chizuru does not give a clear response for a long time, which also intensifies some readers' suspicion that she is "using" Kazuya. However, this slowness reflects the characters' internal struggles and the author's narrative pacing, not intentional financial fraud.

Conclusion: Mizuhara Chizuru's Professional Ethics and Personal Values

Mizuhara Chizuru is definitely not a "peeling girl." She is a woman with clear professional ethics and personal aspirations. She views the job of "rental girlfriend" as a stepping stone to achieving her dreams and fulfills her duties to the highest standards. She earns compensation deserved through her time, acting skills, and emotional labor, and clients are fully aware of this and pay voluntarily.

Categorizing Mizuhara Chizuru as a "peeling girl" not only misinterprets the "rental girlfriend" industry in a one-sided manner but also severely distorts the complex inner world of Mizuhara Chizuru as a character and her resilience in striving for her dreams. Her charm and value lie precisely in her ability to exhibit "genuine" kindness, effort, and independence within the "false" service.

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