Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [148]

Same height. Same build. But the face didn’t match.

Not seeing the face etched in her memory, Kasumigaoka Utaha’s brief flicker of hope was utterly extinguished.

Just moments ago, she’d been wondering—Could it be that Takeru came, after hearing about my signing event?

Utaha… what are you even hoping for? Why would he come?

Wasn’t it you who hurt him the most?

Utaha mocked herself inwardly.

She’d thought that after Takeru left, she might feel a bit lonely, sure—but her life wouldn’t really change.

It’s not like I liked him anyway. So what if he’s gone? It’s not like I can’t live without him.

That was what she’d thought, at first.

But some people are like pure, tasteless spring water—so simple, so quiet, their presence barely noticeable. You don’t realize what you had until it’s gone. And by then, regret is all that’s left.

That was what Takeru had become to her.

Now, every morning when she woke up, she’d unconsciously open Line—just to see if there was a message from him.

Even though he’d already deleted her.

When her cramps hit, her first instinct was still to dial his number—though it never went through.

Whenever she saw the kanji “尊” (Takeru) in a book, her eyes would freeze on the page, unable to look away.

Every night when she closed her eyes, all she could see was the look on his face, pleading with her to let him go.

She had always thought Takeru couldn’t live without her.

But in truth—it was she who couldn’t live without him.

“Kasumi-sensei? Kasumi-sensei?”

Machida Sonoko noticed Utaha zoning out and quickly whispered a reminder.

Utaha blinked, returning to herself. She apologized to the fan waiting in front of her, then continued signing.

After a few more people, it was Kitahara Takeru’s turn.

He said nothing, quietly handing over his pristine copy of Love Metronome.

Even though she knew this wasn’t her Takeru, Utaha couldn’t stop herself from staring at him.

For some reason, he gave her a sense of familiarity. Of warmth.

She took the book and asked casually, “What did you think of this one?”

Takeru paused.

He hadn’t expected Kasumigaoka Utaha to speak to him.

He wasn’t the only one surprised—Shijō Maki, Aki Tomoya, and Machida Sonoko all froze in place.

He gave a vague, noncommittal answer. “It was… good.”

Utaha signed her name slowly, carefully. “Good how?”

How the hell would I know?

Takeru had read Love Metronome before, sure—but it hadn’t stuck.

He found it so boring he could barely get through it.

He preferred action-heavy web novels like Reincarnation Paradise, Reverend Insanity, or Order of Peace. Not these saccharine, stomach-turning love stories.

Oh—and it was a light novel too.

Chinese web fiction and Japanese light novels were different beasts altogether. He didn’t know how others felt, but they just didn’t click with him.

Forget it. I’ll just wing it.

Having nothing to genuinely praise, Takeru began to spew absolute nonsense:

“There were a lot of great moments, but what really moved me was the love story between Wu Song and Diao Chan. And the part where Zhang Fei betrayed the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun to save Wang Mang... Oh! And when Guo Jing gave up the position of Sun-Moon Cult Leader and hit the road with Gentleman Sword Yue Buqun—man, I was in tears.”

There was no way the old Takeru would’ve dared say something this ridiculous.

But that was then, and this was now.

He didn’t have to keep her happy anymore. His mouth was his own—he’d say what he wanted.

Utaha stared at him, completely stunned.

What the hell is he talking about?

Those weren’t characters she’d written.

Zhang Fei and Diao Chan? Weren’t they from Three Kingdoms?

“You didn’t read it at all, did you?”

Her tone was exasperated as she handed him the signed book.

Takeru tucked it into his bag with a shrug. “I was planning to read it later.”

Another lie.

He had no intention of opening it—he’d probably just toss it in some forgotten corner at home.

“What’s your name?”

“Sensei!”

“Senpai!”

Both Machida and Aki spoke up at once, trying to stop her. There were still fans waiting behind him.

A normal light novel author might’ve listened.

But Kasumigaoka Utaha?

Takeru knew her too well for that.

She was incredibly headstrong.

Utaha ignored them completely, her gaze fixed on Takeru.

What’s with this woman? Why’s she asking my name? Isn’t Aki Tomoya standing right there?

Takeru felt uneasy.

Utaha was acting strangely today.

She’d never gone out of her way to ask someone’s name before.

Wait—could it be that she’s into the Tanuma type?

He had no idea what she was thinking.

But with Shijō Maki standing right there, he couldn’t exactly make up a fake name.

Even if it risked exposure, Takeru could only bite the bullet.

“My name is Watanabe Takeru.”

Clatter!

The pen slipped from Utaha’s hand, falling to the floor and rolling beneath the table.

She didn’t move.

She just stared at Takeru, as if trying to pierce through the mask on his face.

It made him incredibly uncomfortable.

Both Machida and Aki froze as if struck by lightning, staring at Takeru like he’d just risen from the grave.

Why are they all looking at me like that?

Takeru didn’t get it. But his unease deepened.

“What’s wrong with that name?” he asked, pretending not to understand.

“Takeru…”

Utaha repeated it softly, like she hadn’t heard his question.

“All right, Takeru! Let’s go.”

At that moment, Shijō Maki—who had been silent the entire time—suddenly sounded irritated.

She hated the way Utaha was looking at Takeru.

Her instincts screamed at her: This woman is here to steal my man.

She grabbed Takeru’s hand and pulled him away.

He had been thinking of leaving anyway, so he let her.

“Wait—”

Utaha parted her lips, but before she could say more, Maki turned and shot her a glare.

A silent warning.

He’s mine. Try and take him, and you’ll regret it.

They were both women. Utaha understood that look instantly.

She watched as the two walked away.

“Utaha, stop looking. He’s not that Takeru. Maybe it’s just someone with the same name,” Machida said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

A coincidence? Really?

Utaha didn’t believe it.

Sure, people could share the same name.

But the odds of the same name, same height, same build—and running into him like this?

Unreal.

Even if their names were just a coincidence, how would she explain their identical silhouettes?

There’s something there, Utaha thought. There has to be a connection.

Her mind began to race, though her face remained emotionless.

“Take your hand off me.”

Her voice was cold.

Machida quietly withdrew her hand, her expression dark.

She knew Utaha was lashing out.

It was her voice—too loud, too careless—that had caused the misunderstanding that drove Takeru away.

She felt it was unfair. All she’d done was urge Utaha to choose between Takeru and Aki.

Utaha had chosen Aki.

Now she regretted it. And Machida was the scapegoat.

Still, she stayed silent.

She didn’t think it was all her fault—but part of it was.

And seeing Utaha’s current unstable mental state, she knew now wasn’t the time to argue.

---

Meanwhile—

As they exited Kadokawa Bookstore, Maki suddenly snatched both signed copies from Takeru’s hand and tossed them into a nearby trash can.

Takeru chuckled. “Why are you so worked up over a stranger?”

“You’re still laughing?”

That only made her angrier.

Without warning, she twisted the soft flesh at his waist.

Takeru winced. “Ow, ow—Maki, I was wrong!”

“Tell me—what’s your relationship with that black-stockinged old hag!”

She sounded like a jealous wife catching her husband flirting with someone else.

“Old hag? She’s barely older than us.”

“Oh? So you are close. You’re even defending her.”

Wrong move.

Maki twisted harder.

Takeru raised three fingers solemnly. “I swear! If I have anything going on with that woman, may I be struck by lightning—let it pour down on Tokyo right now!”

BOOM!!

Before he even finished, the clear sky suddenly turned dark.

Within thirty seconds, a torrential downpour began.

People looked out the window—then looked at Takeru.

Their eyes said it all: Liar. Scumbag. Caught red-handed.

Seriously? Are you kidding me right now, heavens?

Takeru stared at the storm clouds blanketing the sky, feeling an odd sense of dread.

So this is the guy who brings rainstorms every time he lies.

...And it was him?

“Any last words?”

Maki wasn’t even mad anymore—she just smiled sweetly.

Frankly, Takeru preferred her when she was yelling.

“Yeah.”

It was time for the ultimate move.

“Well?” she asked, cracking her knuckles.

“There’s something I’ve been hiding for a long time—I like you.”

Takeru gently placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

BOOM!!

Thunder exploded overhead, louder than before. As if the sky itself was crying: LIES!

“I’ve liked you since the first time I saw you.”

BOOM BOOM!!

Spectators began murmuring:

Bro. Stop. Please.

At this rate, Tokyo’s going to sink.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

BOOM BOOM BOOM!!

The sky lit up with lightning.

Maki’s face turned beet red. She stammered, “Wh-What’s with the sudden confession?!”

“I… I only see you as a friend!”

“Don’t get the wrong idea!”

BOOMMMMMM!!

Takeru raised an eyebrow. “Just a friend?”

“O-Of course.”

“Then swear it.”

“I, Shijō Maki, swear on Roppongi itself: if I have even a hint of weird feelings for Kitahara Takeru, may Tokyo be hit with an earthquake!”

No sooner had she spoken than the ground gave a faint tremble.

Not strong—but definitely noticeable.

“…”

Takeru looked down. Then at her.

His eyes twinkled with amusement.

As he watched, Maki’s porcelain cheeks flushed a deep red, the color creeping toward her neck.

Seriously? Now of all times?

She cursed the timing in her heart.

Face burning, she muttered, “Th-That one doesn’t count. Let me try again.”

Spectators: “…”

Are you two trying to bring the whole city down with your flirting?!

Stop. Please. For all of our sakes.

“Neesan—stop! No, shut up!!”

Shijō Tei rushed over, trying to intervene.

But there was no need.

Takeru looked at Maki with a warm, gentle smile.

“Mm. Doesn’t count.”

“I-I really don’t like you…”

“Not even a little?”

Their eyes met. His gaze was bright, tender.

Maki couldn’t bring herself to say “yes.”

Not even a little? Yeah right.

Her first real date with a guy.

Her first time holding hands.

All with him.

If she didn’t like him—none of that would’ve happened.

“…It’s not like I have no feelings for you.”

She turned her head, voice barely audible.

“I just… feel like, until my heart is truly clean, asking you in would be unfair.”

“If I’m going to like you, I want it to be you—not because you look like someone I once liked.”

“I know that’s unfair to you… but Takeru, will you wait for me?”

Takeru gazed at her.

She kept sneaking glances at him—and each time their eyes met, she’d quickly look away.

“Okay.”

He reached out, gently patting her head like an older brother.

His voice was soft. “I’ll wait.”

“No matter how long it takes.”

Maki… I won’t move into your heart.

Because one day, you’ll still end up with Tanuma Tsubasa.

---

T/N: LMAOOOO almost brought down tokyo

This is a fan translation of 不是说只拿我当替身的吗？by 雪碧加冰. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!