[Verse 1] I bought the manga in a rush Learned one phrase, said “konnichiwa” I call myself a culture buff In a varsity coat from Harajuku My room got posters, tea, and dreams A shrine of anime extremes I bow to every candy store Then book a date I’ve never done before [Pre-Chorus] I got my script, I got my grin Trying to look like the guy she’s in Paid by the hour, dressed to impress My heart’s a mess in cosplay dress [Chorus] Rental girlfriend, let’s play pretend Rental girlfriend, till the date can’t bend Say “kawaii,” then I panic again Rental girlfriend, rental girlfriend Real life version, I’m in too deep Copy the anime, one for the week Hold my bento, hold my hand Rental girlfriend, understand [Verse 2] I say “senpai” to the waiter Trip on shoes in front of the mirror I practiced poses in the hall But I still hit the wrong dramatic stall You smile like you’ve seen it all I’m one hot mess at the mall I want the scene, the spark, the cue But every line sounds borrowed and blue [Pre-Chorus] I got the flowers, I got the pose I got the pose I think she knows But when you laugh, I lose my role My otaku heart just stole the show [Chorus] Rental girlfriend, let’s play pretend Rental girlfriend, till the date can’t bend Say “kawaii,” then I panic again Rental girlfriend, rental girlfriend Real life version, I’m in too deep Copy the anime, one for the week Hold my bento, hold my hand Rental girlfriend, understand [Bridge] Maybe I’m not that flawless lead Maybe I’m just a fan in need Of a real smile, not a scene Not a perfect scripted dream You tilt your head, I lose my cool I came for fiction, broke the rule Now I’m laughing, red-faced, loud A gaijin otaku in the crowd [Final Chorus] Rental girlfriend, we played pretend Rental girlfriend, now the date can bend Say “kawaii,” then we laugh again Rental girlfriend, rental girlfriend Real life version, I’m still in deep But this one’s mine, and I can’t keep Trying to act like a manga man Rental girlfriend, I’m your biggest fan
