Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [147]

Who is that?

Overwhelmed by curiosity about what his sister looked like when in love, Shijō Tei had secretly followed her.

He had assumed her crush was Tanuma Tsubasa.

But when he arrived at the scene, he realized that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Though Kitahara Takeru and Tanuma Tsubasa bore an uncanny resemblance—like twins, even—Tei recognized at a glance: This wasn’t Tanuma.

Don’t tell me my sister couldn’t get her first choice and found a stand-in to replace him?

Staring at that eerily familiar face, Tei had a gut feeling.

And, truth be told, it wasn’t that far from the reality—at first.

---

Elsewhere, Shijō Maki had no idea her nosy little brother was tailing her.

After meeting up with Kitahara Takeru, the two headed toward Roppongi Hills shopping center.

Roppongi Hills, located in the heart of Tokyo’s bustling Roppongi district, stood alongside Ginza and Shinjuku as one of the city’s premier urban complexes.

Its concept was a “vertical garden city” and “cultural heart,” an attempt to form an interconnected forest-like space in the city. In its development, efforts were made to preserve as much green space as possible.

From its terraced plazas to lush urban greenery, the walking experience was vastly different from places like Shinjuku or Ginza.

“Lately, Nagisa’s been acting weird. She and Tanuma started some kind of 'Supporters Club,' and she even invited me to join.”

“Did you?”

“To be honest, I really didn’t want to. I get the feeling she only invited me so she could show off how lovey-dovey they are.”

“So… you knew you were walking into a sugar-bomb trap, and still joined?”

“Yup.”

They strolled through the summer streets, warm breezes brushing their skin, the leaves rustling overhead, as Maki shared bits and pieces of her school life with Takeru.

Though they now chatted daily over text, with Maki telling him everything from her random musings to frustrating mishaps, talking in person was just… different.

What surprised her the most was how much she wanted to talk to him.

With Takeru, it felt like there was always something to say. The conversation never dried up.

Once, her days had felt repetitive—bland, uneventful, unchanging. Nothing made her laugh, nothing made her cry. She barely posted to social media, and even if someone tried to share something with her, her cool demeanor often scared them off.

She’d never understood why couples—especially girls—had to talk about every little thing.

But after meeting Takeru, she got it.

Because suddenly, she wanted to share. She had someone she wanted to tell things to.

Someone who would listen, who cared—even if what she said was trivial nonsense.

At first, she’d worried that sharing everything with him might be burdensome. Everyone has their own life, after all. Who wants to be bogged down by someone else’s minutiae?

But Takeru never showed a shred of impatience. He responded to every message with care.

To her, he truly gave his full attention.

Little by little, she’d opened up. There was nothing she wouldn’t tell him now.

Is she really just using him as a stand-in? Tei thought, tailing them from behind.

At first, he’d assumed his sister had latched onto this guy because he looked like her white moonlight.

But the more he watched, the more something felt… off.

She actually… seems to like him?

Still, if he had to guess, they weren’t a couple—yet. It felt like something more than friends, but not quite lovers.

But if it keeps going like this… who knows.

Who is this guy, anyway?

Shijō Tei grew more curious by the second.

He’d never met anyone who could handle his tyrannical sister.

Not even their parents. She only pretended to behave in front of them.

No way I’m backing off now. Gotta keep following and see what else I find.

Ignoring the judgmental stares of passersby who clearly thought he looked like a creep, Tei continued his covert surveillance.

Takeru and Maki entered the first floor of Roppongi Hills. After a lap around the shops, they decided to head upstairs.

The second floor housed a large bookstore.

As they stepped off the escalator, Maki immediately noticed a crowd gathered outside Kadokawa Bookstore.

“Takeru, look—what’s going on over there?”

Kadokawa Bookstore…

Takeru suddenly remembered that Kasumigaoka Utaha was a contracted author under their label.

Though it had been less than two weeks since they’d parted ways, it felt to him as if their “breakup” had happened a lifetime ago.

So long ago that if nothing reminded him of her, he almost never thought of her at all.

Not that he’d deliberately avoided things related to Kasumigaoka Utaha—it just happened naturally.

And that, in itself, was the scariest part.

Because trying to forget meant you still cared.

Now, he could barely remember how sad he’d felt back then.

People really are frighteningly good at adapting.

“Takeru? What are you thinking about?”

Maki had noticed his absent look and tugged on his sleeve.

“I was thinking about someone.”

“Someone important to you?”

She was curious about his social circle, too.

“…I’m not sure if she was important.”

Takeru replied slowly, “But now, I can barely remember her.”

She?

In Japanese, the words for “he” and “she” are different—and Maki caught the nuance immediately.

Her mood dipped just a bit.

Why are you thinking about another girl when you’re with me?

Unaware of it herself, a sense of possessiveness had crept into her heart.

To her, Takeru had already become someone she didn’t want to share.

“If she’s so easily forgotten, she couldn’t have been important.”

She said it deliberately, hoping to steer his thoughts away.

“Yeah,” Takeru nodded. He agreed.

If she had truly mattered, there was no way he would’ve forgotten her this easily.

“Wanna line up and check it out? Looks like a signing event for a light novel author.”

“Sure.”

Seeing that he wasn’t avoiding it, Maki’s subtle frown relaxed slightly.

He was facing it directly. That meant he really had let go.

They headed over together.

Up front, a middle-aged woman—probably a store employee—was fumbling through some announcements. Whether it was her first time hosting or just inexperience, she took five full minutes to read a dry list of rules.

Finally, the partition curtain lifted, and the author of today’s signing appeared to applause.

Takeru, being tall, could clearly see the woman in a white summer dress seated inside: Kasumigaoka Utaha.

She hadn’t changed much, though she looked thinner—her aura slightly more worn, a touch more faded.

Beside her stood a man and a woman.

The woman was Machida Sonoko. The man—Aki Tomoya.

So she’s moved on too.

Takeru’s eyes lingered on Aki Tomoya’s position—once, he had stood there.

Just as Utaha’s seat had once been replaced by Katsura Kotonoha, now his had been reclaimed.

Reclaimed, not replaced.

That spot had always belonged to Aki Tomoya. Takeru had merely been borrowing it.

He felt no great wave of emotion. After a moment, he turned away and resumed his conversation with Maki.

---

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat expressionless, like a machine—handshaking, signing, her elegant signature flowing across dozens of copies of Love Metronome.

Machida Sonoko and Aki Tomoya stood to either side, maintaining order.

She’d once almost been kissed by an overzealous fan at a signing event.

Luckily, back then, Takeru had reacted fast, slugging the guy right in the nose just before contact.

From that day forward, Utaha had insisted on keeping Takeru beside her during every signing.

But that was all in the past.

“Takeru, I’m thirsty. Water.”

Beautiful, talented, a debut author who sold over 500,000 copies—Kasumigaoka Utaha had every advantage.

The turnout today was massive.

After half an hour of nonstop signing, her hand ached, her throat was dry. Without even turning, she called out behind her.

Machida instinctively glanced toward Aki Tomoya.

His expression soured.

“Takeru, I said I’m thirsty.”

Utaha turned to look—but the name she called out wasn’t his.

It was his.

Aki Tomoya’s face twitched. Still, he handed her a bottle of water.

“Senpai… here.”

Utaha stared at the bottle. She didn’t take it.

After a long pause, like a lagging android, she tilted her head slightly. Her inky-black hair flowed like a waterfall.

“Takeru, I’m on my period today. Didn’t you know?”

“Why would you give me bottled water?”

“Have you been too busy lately? Whatever. I’ll let it slide this time—but don’t forget next time.”

Aki’s hand tightened around the bottle, his expression dark.

“Senpai… I’m Aki Tomoya. Not Watanabe Takeru.”

He’d said this countless times in just the past week.

For reasons unknown, Utaha kept mistaking him for that guy.

He’d heard the name Watanabe Takeru from Machida before.

Only now did he realize—without even knowing it, someone else had quietly taken his place.

And that infuriated him.

But what could he do?

Could he blame Utaha?

If he hadn’t rejected her back then, there’d have been no opening for Watanabe Takeru.

Knowing his own decision had created this opportunity, Aki couldn’t even be angry at her.

He hadn’t worked on his game in days—just stayed close, hoping to support her.

He figured: the guy was just a rebound. They hadn’t known each other long. Now he was gone—shouldn’t be hard to forget.

After all, I’m the real one.

But he was wrong.

No matter what he did, he couldn’t shake the shadow of Kitahara Takeru.

It was like he’d rooted himself deep in Utaha’s heart.

Every time Aki tried to throw away or hide the things related to Takeru, Utaha would stare at him with those haunting, wine-red eyes.

Aki had no doubt: if he ever dared to erase Takeru from her world, Utaha would snap.

“Her mental state is fragile,” the doctors had said. “Any provocation could lead to impulsive behavior.”

Even Aki didn’t dare test the limits.

Even if it meant being mistaken for someone else.

Again and again, he’d gently remind her: I’m Aki Tomoya. Not Watanabe Takeru.

“Oh… Aki.”

The light drained from her wine-red eyes.

Her voice turned cold.

She glanced at the bottle in his hand. “If it were Takeru, he’d have remembered I’m on my period. He’d have brought me brown sugar tea—not whatever came out of a vending machine.”

With that, she ignored his stormy expression and resumed signing.

If Takeru had heard her, he might’ve laughed.

Because once, she’d said something similar—but reversed.

Back when they’d just started dating, and Takeru brought her care items when she was on her period, Utaha had scoffed, “If it were Tomoya, he’d never go to this much effort. You’re trying way too hard. Guess all you’ve got going for you is his face.”

If he heard that now, he’d probably find it bitterly ironic.

Once, the girl he’d loved fiercely had belittled him with the same words.

Now she was using them to dismiss someone else.

But Takeru didn’t hear any of this.

He was still waiting in line—too far to catch the exchange.

---

The signing event continued smoothly.

Soon it was their turn.

Both Takeru and Maki had bought a copy. Yes, even Takeru.

After all, she'd invested so much into him—he figured the least he could do was support her a little.

He already had two sets, though. Not ones he’d bought—gifts from Utaha herself.

“Takeru, want to check out the Mori Art Museum after this?”

“I have zero artistic sense.”

“I can’t make sense of that stuff either. Just something to kill time.”

“If it’s time-killing, I recommend the arcade.”

“Arcade? Can we even go to those?”

“Why not? You’ve never been, right? Wanna try?”

“…Sure.”

They chatted idly while they waited.

Hearing their laughter, Kasumigaoka Utaha’s pen suddenly froze.

Something like light flickered in her dull eyes.

And she looked up.

---

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!