Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [143]

Inside the Shinjuku Gyoen BBQ buffet, the Nakano quintuplets didn’t join Kitahara Takeru’s table. Instead, they claimed their own nearby.

“Yotsuba! Over here, sit here.”

Nakano Nino patted the empty seat beside her, calling out eagerly.

Yotsuba carried her tray over and sat down.

The moment she did, Nino leaned in, unable to wait a second longer.

“What’s that guy’s name?”

I knew it…

Yotsuba inwardly sulked, but still answered honestly, “Kitahara Takeru.”

No matter how carefully she tried to guard against it, Nino had still managed to meet Kitahara.

Nino was a sucker for good looks.

She’d definitely ask for Kitahara’s contact info next, then start tagging along during their morning runs—and eventually inch her way in between them.

Why do they always have to take away the people I care about?

Beneath the table, Yotsuba’s hand clenched into a small fist on her skirt.

“…Takeru?”

The name brought an inexplicable flash of recognition to Nino’s mind. She suddenly remembered the bespectacled boy from last night who’d grabbed her arm and introduced himself as Watanabe Takeru.

If she’d met both Kitahara and Watanabe on the same day, she wouldn’t have spared Watanabe a second glance.

But sometimes… timing really does change everything.

What’s he doing now? Ugh, I forgot to ask for his number last night. But Miku probably has it… Would she even give it to me, though?

Nino’s thoughts drifted. Her gaze kept flickering toward Miku.

Wait a sec… Yotsuba and that guy seem way too close. What’s their relationship exactly?

Miku slurped her udon while casting discreet glances at Yotsuba.

Something’s definitely going on with those three…

Ichika scooped a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth while observing them all in silence.

At the moment, it was like this:

Yotsuba watching Nino. Nino watching Miku. Miku watching Yotsuba.

A perfect triangle of suspicion.

“Hey Ichika, how’s the ice cream? Is it good?”

Just as Ichika was trying to decode the standoff, Itsuki leaned in with a cheery grin.

At least she’s easy to read. Nothing but food in that head.

Ichika smiled and patted her youngest sister’s head.

“Senpai, I’m heading over for a bit.”

“Mm, go ahead.”

Kitahara stood up, preparing to walk over to Yotsuba’s table.

Seeing him get up, Shirogane Kei quickly followed.

“You don’t have to come with me, you know.”

Kei’s expression was calm but firm. “I want to go with you, Senpai.”

She didn’t know anyone else here—Kitahara was the only familiar face. Naturally, she’d want to stay close in an unfamiliar setting.

“…Suit yourself.”

With Kei in tow like a little sister, Kitahara walked over to the Nakano sisters’ table.

“Hey, mind if we join you?”

He patted Ichika’s shoulder casually and pulled out a chair to sit before she could even respond.

“You’re already sitting down. What’s the point of even asking?”

Ichika rolled her eyes.

Kitahara grinned. “Manners, Ichika. Gotta go through the motions.”

The two were already quite familiar—Ichika never missed a single breakfast he made.

As they bantered, Kei quietly sat down beside Kitahara.

Ichika had already noticed the beautiful girl who looked like a foreign princess. She nudged him with her elbow.

“So… who’s she? Your sister? Or your girlfriend?”

The moment those three words—your girlfriend—came out, Kei stiffened. Her folded hands tightened slightly in her lap.

“Girlfriend?! Takeru, you have a girlfriend?!”

Yotsuba suddenly looked up, clearly flustered.

“What are you even imagining?”

Kitahara flicked her on the forehead with a knuckle.

“She’s just a kouhai.”

Technically true, but the answer still made Kei feel a strange pang of disappointment.

Yotsuba, on the other hand, instantly brightened.

“Oh, that’s all? Phew.”

She rubbed her forehead and giggled, clearly unbothered.

Turning to Kei, she smiled brightly and offered her hand.

“Hi! I’m Nakano Yotsuba. I’m Takeru’s running buddy—we go jogging together all the time.”

Kei had been in the middle of raising her hand, but froze halfway, her face blank with shock.

Honestly? She wasn’t the only one.

Everyone at the table stared wide-eyed at Yotsuba.

“R-running buddy?!”

Nino’s gaze whipped between Kitahara and Yotsuba in disbelief.

So they’re already that close?!

Miku’s mouth hung open, unable to form words.

Clang!

Itsuki dropped her fork, staring at Kitahara’s plate.

Wait… does this mean I have a future brother-in-law?

Nino was the first to recover.

“Yotsuba, you sure you meant running buddy?”

“Yeah! If you don’t believe me, ask Ichika!”

Yotsuba blinked innocently.

She really didn’t understand what was so shocking about it.

“Ichika, are they really just running buddies?”

All eyes turned to Ichika.

“Uh…”

She honestly didn’t know how to respond. Technically, Yotsuba hadn’t said anything wrong.

A running buddy was someone you ran with. It was accurate.

This scumbag senpai… I actually thought I misjudged him before.

Kei stared at Kitahara like he was human trash.

For some guys, a girl’s disgust might be considered a reward—but Kitahara had enough problems. He didn’t need to add that one too.

“We just run together in the mornings. Don’t overthink it.”

Oh, so just morning jogs…

Nino, Miku, and Itsuki all let out a collective sigh of relief.

Only Kei continued to eye him suspiciously.

She vaguely remembered seeing a “Yotsuba Nakano” among the messages on his phone.

“Then just say that! Why call him your running buddy?!”

Nino smacked Yotsuba on the head with the blunt end of her chopsticks.

Yotsuba rubbed the sore spot, pouting.

“That’s what it means!”

Nino was momentarily speechless.

Just then, Kitahara extended a hand toward her.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kitahara Takeru.”

“Hi, I’m Naka—”

As soon as their hands touched, Nino’s eyes caught something—a faint bite mark on his wrist.

Coincidentally, she’d bitten a guy in that exact spot yesterday.

That guy’s name had been Watanabe Takeru.

It must’ve hurt, huh…

Strangely, she didn’t connect the dots. Kitahara and Watanabe seemed nothing alike.

Watanabe was gentle, studious, and soft-spoken—clean and obedient.

Kitahara? Sharp-featured, roguishly handsome, the kind of guy you imagined drinking, smoking, and clubbing. A womanizer.

Even if someone told her they were the same person, she wouldn’t believe it—unless Kitahara stood there and transformed before her eyes.

Did I bite too hard yesterday?

Nino didn’t see through him. She just felt a little guilty.

Kitahara turned to Miku next, flashing a sly grin.

“You’re Nakano Miku, right? Nice to meet you.”

Miku wasn’t exactly thrilled, but… he had helped her that day.

Reluctantly, she reached out her soft, pale hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

The moment their palms met, she felt it—something ticklish.

Her eyes darted down. Kitahara’s index finger was subtly brushing against her palm. His eyes sparkled like a wolf staring at its prey.

Her cheeks flared crimson. Furious, she yanked her hand back and pointed at him.

“Y-you!”

Kitahara blinked innocently and pointed to himself. “What? What’d I do?”

Everyone turned to Miku.

She wanted to expose him, but he’d been so subtle no one else noticed.

And judging by that smug, fearless expression, he already had a backup excuse ready.

“…I’m going to the restroom.”

Miku puffed her cheeks and stormed off, silently swallowing the humiliation.

That move Nagisa taught me really works.

Kitahara smirked to himself. Learned that one from Kashiwagi Nagisa—stealthy and effective.

“Sorry about that,” Itsuki said, standing to bow. “Miku’s kind of… difficult. Please don’t take it personally.”

Miku, still within earshot, nearly exploded into a pufferfish.

Why are you apologizing?! I’m the one who got groped!

Still, she couldn’t really blame Itsuki.

Out of the five, only Ichika could somewhat guess what Miku was thinking. The others… not a clue.

Kitahara waved it off, all gentlemanly.

“It’s fine. Oh, you’re Itsuki, right?”

“You know me?”

“Yeah, Ichika and Yotsuba mention you all the time—say you study really hard.”

Wait, did I ever say that?

Ichika took a sip of her coffee, trying to remember.

Must’ve been Yotsuba.

Did I ever say that?

Yotsuba thought the same, assuming Ichika must’ve mentioned it.

Neither of them had said it.

Kitahara knew thanks to his dog.

“If you’re ever struggling with anything, feel free to ask. I’m pretty good at school stuff.”

He dangled the bait.

Ichika chimed in, “Itsuki, guess what? Kitahara-kun placed third in the last national mock exam—he ranked higher than Adagaki Aki and Uesugi Fuutarō from Kamikawa.”

“Third… in the nation?!”

Itsuki stammered in shock.

She had no idea Yotsuba had such an amazing friend.

He’s that smart? Doesn’t show at all…

Even Nino’s big doll-like eyes widened.

With his delinquent looks, Kitahara seemed more like a schoolyard bully than a top student.

You tell her he bullies kids and flirts with girls? She’d believe it.

Tell her he ranked nationally? That’s like saying the class clown got into Tokyo U.

“Is that really true? Can I ask you for help if I don’t understand something?”

Itsuki’s eyes sparkled like a bronze rookie meeting a max-level boss.

“Of course. You’re Ichika’s sister—so that makes you my sister too.”

Innocent enough on the surface, but filled with subtext.

Openly baiting Itsuki… while subtly teasing Ichika.

What do you mean “Ichika’s sister is my sister”? What are you implying?!

Ichika’s cheeks flushed faintly. She dipped her spoon into her ice cream, sneaking a glance at Yotsuba.

Yotsuba, oblivious, kept happily chatting with Kitahara about her dog and how her transfer request to Aoba got rejected—so she’d settled for Asahiyama.

---

In the restroom.

Miku lathered her right hand in soap, scrubbing it over and over again.

“Ugh. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.”

“I thought he was a good guy—turns out he’s trash.”

“And poor Tiny, stuck with someone like him. Must be suffering…”

“Does this count as sexual harassment? Can I sue?”

She didn’t stop until her hand was red and raw.

After drying it with a paper towel, she turned—and froze.

A hand gently pinched her cheek.

Her lips puckered slightly—pop!

Miku blinked. Still processing.

Kitahara leaned against the tiled wall, smirking as he pinched her cheek again and again.

“Wanna wash your face too while you’re at it?”

When she finally snapped out of it, she pushed him away and took a step back.

“Why are you acting like I’ll eat you?”

Kitahara stayed put, arms crossed.

Miku stayed wary, eyes sharp.

“What are you even doing here?”

“To tease you.”

He said it with maddening confidence.

Miku blinked in disbelief, then glared.

“Why?”

“Because I like you.”

Kitahara tilted his head and smiled.

“Nakano Miku, I like you. Go out with me.”

The sudden confession caught her completely off guard.

“B-but… we’ve only met twice!”

“So what? Ever heard of love at first sight? Let’s just see where it goes.”

He acted like it was no big deal. Careless. Flirty. Completely not her type.

“I don’t like you.”

Miku clutched her skirt, scowling.

“Please stop bothering me or I’ll call the police.”

“…Alright then.”

“Eh?”

Even she hadn’t expected him to back off so quickly.

“Guess I’ll just go talk to one of your sisters. They all look the same anyway.”

“W-what?!”

“Ichika, Nino, Yotsuba, Itsuki… hmm… tough call. Maybe I’ll date all four.”

Kitahara turned to leave, looking smug.

“No!”

Miku lunged forward and grabbed his shirt, refusing to let him go.

He turned back, grinning wickedly.

“Nakano Miku… you wouldn’t want me to hurt your sisters, would you?”

---

T/N: hes fully transitioned to the dark side all these events... mustve gotten to him

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!