Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [105]

“You’re kidding, right, Utaha? You’re still in touch with that stand-in?!”

Machida Sonoko’s loud voice turned heads immediately.

Including Kitahara Takeru’s—and Adagaki Aki’s.

Aki glanced over briefly, then turned her gaze back without much interest.

What’s she doing here?

Kitahara, on the other hand, nearly had a heart attack.

He panicked so hard he broke into a cold sweat, desperately wanting to vanish on the spot.

But when he realized Kasumigaoka Utaha hadn’t noticed him at all, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Okay, stand right there, princess! The light’s better here.”

Kitahara called out to Adagaki Aki as he adjusted her pose, all while subtly edging closer to Utaha and her editor—trying to eavesdrop.

He’d just barely heard Machida mention his name.

“What’s with the shouting?” Utaha frowned, annoyed by the curious glances around them. “Trying to attract an audience?”

“…Sorry.” Machida apologized reflexively, but then added, “Utaha, be honest—are you still not done with that stand-in?”

Just as I thought.

Kitahara perked up his ears, completely dialed into the drama.

Utaha bit her lip, hesitated… then nodded softly. “…Yeah.”

“Oh my god. My god. My grandmother’s quilt, my coat—it’s all unraveling!”

Machida grabbed her head like she was having a breakdown.

“Girl, what are you thinking?”

“Didn’t we agree you’d only use him as a rebound? So why are you still in touch?”

She knew about Kitahara and Utaha—because Utaha had confided in her.

Even their first date? That had been her idea.

From a certain perspective, Kitahara owed her big time.

But!!!

She only made that suggestion because Utaha had been wallowing in heartbreak, too depressed to function, refusing to write, completely stuck.

“And not only are you still talking to him—you came all the way here to pick out a birthday present for him?”

You said he was a stand-in. A tool to help you get over Aki Tomoya.

Now you’re catching feelings?

If you’re really in love with the guy, fine—Machida wouldn’t stand in your way.

It’s not like stand-ins can’t be promoted.

But the problem is—you’re still in love with Aki Tomoya. You just can’t bring yourself to cut ties with Kitahara.

“Do you know what you look like right now?”

“You look like the female version of Haruki Kitahara!”

“You want to be with Tōma, but you can’t bring yourself to break up with Setsuna. Trying to have it both ways.”

Utaha’s face darkened.

She wanted to retort—but couldn’t think of anything to say.

Because it was true.

She didn’t want to be with Aki anymore. But she also couldn’t let go of Kitahara.

Is this what Aki felt, too?
As that thought surfaced, Utaha suddenly found herself understanding Aki Tomoya’s indecisiveness.

This is the same dilemma he’s been stuck in all along.

Judge him. Understand him. Become him.

“Utaha!”

Machida grabbed her shoulders, speaking with firm sincerity. “If you still love Aki Tomoya—then cut ties with Kitahara cleanly.”

“If you choose Kitahara—then stop clinging to Aki.”

“People who want everything… usually end up with nothing.”

“……” Utaha lowered her gaze again, staring hard at the floor. Her soft lips pressed into a straight, unreadable line.

“You’ve got a date with him soon, right?”

“Why not take this chance to set things straight?”

Not far away, Kitahara had been eavesdropping the whole time.

As he heard those words, his gaze flicked toward Utaha.

So… this is it, huh?

He’d known this day would come.

But now that it had arrived—he couldn’t help feeling a little… reluctant.

Sure, it was fake from the beginning. Just a game. But all those nights of texting, all those little outings—Kitahara had developed some feelings for her. Maybe not love, but still.

It was normal to feel a little unwilling. He was human, not a machine.

But it wasn’t like he couldn’t live without her.

What he really regretted losing… was a generous sponsor.

As Kitahara looked at Utaha—

A voice, sharp and sour, snapped beside him: “Enjoying the view?”

Shit.

Kitahara stiffened.

He slowly turned—and there stood Adagaki Aki, dog leash in hand, towering over him like a queen addressing a peasant.

She stared at him like he was scum on her shoe.

“You begged me to model for you, so I graciously agreed. And now you’ve got the nerve to stare at another woman right in front of me?”

Her expression darkened with every word.

“Want me to call her over for you?”

“Wait, I can expl—” Kitahara started.

But just then, someone yanked hard on the back of his shirt.

He turned around.

Yukinoshita Yukino had somehow appeared behind him, gripping his clothes tightly.

“Ow—what are you doing?!”

Kitahara was losing his mind.

Can’t you see I’m already knee-deep in hell? And now you show up with gasoline?

“You think I want to?” Yukino snapped, eyes darting nervously.

Every time a puppy wandered near, she instantly repositioned herself behind Kitahara like he was a human shield.

“The cat exhibit is on the other side. I have to pass through this section.”

“You’re afraid of puppies?”

Kitahara was speechless.

He never imagined Yukinoshita Yukino was this scared of dogs.

They’re like eight inches tall. You could punt them across the room. What are you so afraid of?

“Is this your way of asking for a favor?”

“Favor?” Yukino huffed. “I’m doing you a favor by letting you protect me. Be grateful.”

“Second Daughter, the only thing you’ve got going for you is a sharp tongue.”

Suddenly—STOMP!

Pain shot through Kitahara’s foot.

He looked down.

Adagaki Aki was smiling as she ground her heel into his shoe.

“You really are something else,” she said sweetly. “No one’s ever ignored me this many times.”

“Enjoying your little chat?”

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

It was terrifying.

“Um… Miss Adagaki, would you mind lifting your foot a bit—?”

“You don’t like it?”

Instead of pulling back, she pressed harder.

“I thought you’d be into this sort of thing.”

Maybe for people with certain kinks, Adagaki Aki’s “punishment” would feel like a reward.

But Kitahara wasn’t into being stepped on.

“I—” he began.

Before he could finish, a loud shout came from behind:

“KITAHARA TAKERU!!”

Miura Yumiko stormed toward him, fuming.

“You said we were just friends? Fine. Then what was all that ‘concern’ for, huh?!”

What is this, a dramatic reenactment of a jelly commercial?

Please, I beg you, not now!

“What’s going on between you, and her, and Yukinoshita?!” Yumiko shouted, pointing from Yukino to Aki, voice full of righteous fury.

“Kitahara-kun! Make that dog go away!” Yukino cried out in a panic as Aki’s Doberman came closer, waving her hands as if fending off death.

“…Whose dog are you calling that?”

Aki’s expression turned cold. Her sharp eyes narrowed into dagger-like slits.

Take me now, prison warden. I'm done.

Kitahara’s head throbbed.

He hadn’t even blown his cover—so why did it already feel like he was in a full-blown harem battlefield?

He looked up—and locked eyes with Kasumigaoka Utaha across the crowd.

His heart skipped a beat.

But then he remembered: she doesn’t know who I really am.

So… what was he worried about?

He forced a smile.

Utaha stared back across the crowd, eyes glinting like wine, and mouthed two cold, precise words:

“Scum. Bag.”

Kitahara Takeru: “……………”

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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!