Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [142]

Aoba Academy
Kendo Club.

Thud!

Kitahara Takeru yanked off his thick kendo uniform and the sweat-drenched shirt beneath, revealing his lean, well-toned upper body.

“Senpai, when are we finally getting an air conditioner in here? It’s way too damn hot.”

“Calm mind, cool body! And how many times do I have to tell you—in club, call me Captain!”

Higashiji Taku was also dripping with sweat, but he refused to admit it in front of his juniors. Pride came first.

“Come on, Captain—just give it to us straight. Is that AC ever actually happening?”

Kitahara dampened a towel with cold water and wiped down the sweat across his chest and shoulders.

“Believe in me one more time. This time for sure.”

Taku’s tone was firm and absolute.

“…Fine.”

“By the way, Kitahara—dude, that physique of yours is something else.”

“I think so too.”

Kitahara glanced at the mirror.

The boy reflected back at him had broad shoulders, a trim waist, defined hips, and strong, lean legs—the embodiment of youthful vitality.

He was thoroughly satisfied with his form. He planned to keep training to maintain it.

“Seriously solid.”

Taku reached out and gave his shoulder a firm squeeze, clearly impressed.

The other kendo members had been eyeing Kitahara’s body for a while. Now that the club captain had made a move, they all rushed in, poking and patting his torso like he was a prize cow.

“Hey, I let it slide when you groped me a little, but now you’re just going wild!”

“You’re even kneading now?! I worked out to impress women, not to attract you guys!”

“Back off! Hands off, all of you!”

---

Tokyo
Shinjuku Ward.

As the most vibrant commercial district in all of Tokyo—and arguably Japan—Shinjuku was bustling as always, no matter the hour.

High schoolers often came here after class to grab food or snap photos.

“Kei-chan! There’s a new dessert place that just opened. Let’s go check it out later!”

Fresh from a trendy fashion boutique, Fujiwara Chika latched onto Shirogane Kei’s arm, practically bouncing with joy.

Kei was tempted—but one glance at the shopping bags in her hand and her poverty kicked in.

She was already well over budget today.

Tossing her silver hair, Kei politely declined, “No thanks, Chika-senpai. It’s getting late. I should head home.”

“Ehh? Seriously?”

Chika pouted. She hadn’t had her fill of shopping yet.

“Come on, Kei-chan. We’re already out. Let’s walk around a little more.”

Kei looked conflicted. “Well…”

Just like her brother, she gave off a cool, aloof aura—but was soft-hearted underneath and terrible at saying no.

“Alright, sis, don’t pressure her.”

A short ponytailed girl—who bore a strong resemblance to Chika—stepped in with a rescue.

“If you want to keep shopping, I’ll go with you.”

She gently pried Chika off Kei and nudged her forward.

“What’s the point of shopping with you?” Chika muttered, unimpressed.

They lived together. If she wanted to go shopping with her, she could do it any time.

“You’ll hurt your little sister’s feelings, you know.”

Fujiwara Moeha turned and winked at Kei.

Kei winked back, grateful for the save.

As the Fujiwara sisters disappeared down the street, Kei turned toward the subway.

Just as she approached the underground entrance, a group of boys came walking up the street—laughing, talking, clearly part of a sports team.

At the center of the crowd stood a very familiar figure.

“…Senpai?”

Kitahara Takeru was in mid-conversation when he caught sight of her. He blinked in surprise, then raised a hand.

“Hey.”

...

Shinjuku Gyoen Branch
BBQ Buffet (2-2-8 Shinjuku).
All-you-can-eat. 1280 yen. No time limit.

Fried food and unlimited ice cream—heaven realized.

“Senpai, is it really okay for me to tag along? I don’t want to be a bother…”

Shirogane Kei clutched her tray in both hands and followed Kitahara step for step, afraid he’d ditch her the moment she blinked.

After running into him near the station, Higashiji Taku had invited her along without hesitation, seeing that the two knew each other.

Faced with a crowd of enthusiastic invites, Kei couldn’t refuse and found herself swept into the outing.

Kitahara was stacking crepes on his tray. “Of course it’s fine. What’s a group dinner without more people? By the way, how’s the translation gig going?”

“I finished all the files you assigned! I was just about to message you.”

“Perfect. I’ll swing by your place after this to pick them up.”

“Sorry for the trouble, senpai.”

“You free this weekend? Let’s go fishing. I just got a new rod—the grip’s amazing.”

“…Senpai, have you considered that the reason you’re not catching anything might not be the rod?”

“You mean it’s the bait? Hmm. That’s possible.”

Kitahara stroked his chin, seriously pondering.

Kei looked sideways at this persistent zero-catch fisherman and nearly said it:
Or maybe the problem… is you?

Once everyone had piled up their trays, the dinner properly began.

“Alright—cheers to the Kendo Club’s very first group dinner!（゜-゜）つロ～”

As club captain, Taku raised his drink first.

“Cheers!（゜-゜）つロ～”

For Kei, it was her first time joining a club outing. Everything felt fresh and novel.

Naturally, the others were just as curious about her.

Club vice-captain Tsuzure Kotarō was the first to ask, “Kei-chan, did you say your surname is Shirogane?”

Kei set down her chopsticks and nodded. “That’s right.”

“Are you related to Shirogane Miyuki?”

There was a pause.

She considered lying—but decided to be honest.

“…He’s my older brother.”

“You’re Shirogane Miyuki’s little sister?!”

The table exploded.

Tsuzure elbowed Kitahara and grinned, whispering, “Nice one, bro.”

“If you can’t surpass Miyuki, just conquer his little sister.”

Kitahara shot him a glare.

This guy used to be a textbook “pure love warrior”—until he got cheated on. Since then, he’d gone full scumbag. Changed girlfriends like shirts, didn’t care if they were tall, short, fat, thin—just always on the hunt.

His greatest feat? Once dated a girl over 300 pounds. A Tiger I tank in human form.

For some reason, he really liked talking to Kitahara.

“You’ve got the same scent I do,” he once said.

Kitahara had nearly punched him.

What the hell do you mean I smell like a scumbag?!

“I’m just friends with her,” he said, voice flat.

Tsuzure gave a knowing grin. “Sure, sure. Today’s friend, tomorrow’s sister, day after tomorrow—you’re calling her ‘baby.’”

Kitahara opened his mouth to argue—but was interrupted by a sudden tap tap on the window.

He turned around.

And saw an enormous dog face pressed against the glass.

Not an insult. An actual dog.

Kitahara’s first thought: What the hell? Whose dumb mutt is this?

“Kitahara-kun! Hello!”

The dog raised a paw and waved. It… talked.

Behind the dog, two green “bunny ears” poked up. Kitahara recognized Yotsuba first—and then realized the dog was his own.

It had been so long, he almost forgot he had a dog.

“Yotsuba, don’t run off!”

Four identical girls came hurrying from across the street.

The moment they saw Kitahara, each of their expressions changed.

It’s him.

Ichika’s amber eyes curved into sly crescents.

He’s so handsome. Totally my type! thought Nino, eyes sparkling.

Why him… thought Miku, glancing away awkwardly.

So hungry. I want to eat, Itsuki thought, drooling slightly as she stared at Kitahara’s heaping table of food.

---

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!