Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [88]

Noon, after lunch.

Kitahara Takeru, Ōtani Shōta, and Tanaka Kōta were leaving the cafeteria when they noticed a crowd of students gathered around the first-floor announcement board.

Ōtani suddenly recalled, “Oh right—scores for that test from a couple days ago come out today.”

“Takeru, you going to check yours?”

Takeru yawned and didn’t even slow his pace. “What’s there to check? It’s first place again.”

He had already estimated his score after the test.

Out of 800 total points, he figured he’d probably scored between 797 and 799.

As for why not a perfect 800? The essay.

No matter how well you wrote, essay graders always knocked off one or two points—just on principle.

“Ugh, this smug bastard,” Ōtani grumbled. “Just wait, Takeru. Before we graduate, I will surpass you once.”

“I hate genius students. Relying on talent is so unfair. Try competing on hard work instead. You prodigies make me sick.”

The two grumbled on as Takeru ignored them and headed straight back to the classroom for his usual post-lunch nap.

Ōtani and Tanaka elbowed their way through the crowd to check the board, curious not just about their own ranks—but also hoping, perhaps, Takeru had slipped.

They craned their necks, and right away, there it was at the top:

NO.1 Kitahara Takeru – Score: 798

The two exchanged a dry smile.

Of course. In Aoba Academy, Kitahara Takeru’s throne remained untouched.

Ōtani muttered with a complicated tone, “Seriously, how’s that guy’s brain wired?”

They all studied the same hours, hung out the same amount, even went to cram school secretly while Takeru was out working part-time—and still, he scored that much higher.

Tanaka sighed. “That’s what they call natural talent, I guess.”

“Well, if he’s first, second must be Rie, right?”

In school, people loved pairing up classmates.

Even though Takeru and Kamikawa Rie hadn’t made things official, everyone more or less assumed they were already a couple.

Ōtani squinted at the board. “Guess again. Rie’s third this time.”

“Nani?!”

Shocked someone had outscored her, Tanaka turned to look.

NO.2 Yozakura Hitomi – Score: 791
NO.3 Kamikawa Rie – Score: 790

“Yozakura Hitomi? Who’s that?”

---

Aoba Academy
Student Council President’s Office

The chair meant for the student council president was now occupied by a silver-haired girl with a high ponytail.

“If I remember right, you were already confirmed to attend Phillips Exeter. Why the sudden switch to Aoba?” asked an older gentleman with side-swept hair and a classic British vest, seated across from her.

If Takeru were here, he’d instantly recognize him—this was the principal of Aoba Academy, Nagatani Osamu.

“Just changed my mind.”

Yozakura Hitomi’s tone was calm, expression unreadable. Even in front of the principal, she spoke as if talking to a stranger.

With her legs casually crossed and elbow resting on the chair’s armrest, she cradled her chin in one hand, cool and poised.

“Your father was furious about it.”

“Pfft.”

Hitomi let out a half-laugh—part scoff, part sneer.

“I’m guessing a certain Aoba student is the reason for your change of plans?” Principal Nagatani said, slowly rotating the teacup in his hand like it was a rare antique.

Hitomi raised the cup to her lips, letting the steam brush her face.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” Nagatani smiled when she didn’t deny it.

“Kitahara Takeru, correct?”

Hitomi arched a brow. “Aren’t you sharp.”

Nagatani chuckled. “Not exactly a tough guess.”

Takeru was the most outstanding freshman and was known to be close with Kamikawa Rie. Easy enough to put two and two together.

With a crisp clink, Hitomi set the cup back on its saucer.

“I hadn’t planned to claim him this soon.”

Originally, she intended to let him enjoy his single life until marriage.

After that, she'd make sure every inch of him bore her imprint.

That was why she’d never taken Kasumigaoka Utaha, Sawamura Spencer Eriri, Hiratsuka Shizuka, or even Nakano Yotsuba seriously.

In her eyes, they weren’t even rivals.

The ones who did make her wary were later arrivals—Shijō Maki, Kashiwagi Nagisa, Shinomiya Kaguya, and Ryūtō Momo.

Maybe they hadn’t fallen for him yet, but Hitomi’s instincts as a woman told her they would.

If she didn’t act now, someone else might steal him away.

She would never allow that.

If Hitomi wanted something, she’d rather destroy it than let anyone else have it.

“You know Rie likes him too, right?”

The idea that the two of them liked the same boy was giving Nagatani a headache.

Hitomi remained unfazed. “I know. So what?”

“Then why—?”

“Just because she’s younger and has a crush on him, I’m supposed to back off? Based on what exactly?”

Seeing her unwavering resolve, Nagatani knew reasoning was pointless. He stopped pressing.

---

3:30 p.m.

The school bell rang.

Kitahara Takeru packed his bag neatly and headed to kendo club.

He was technically a member now. Had to show up occasionally to keep up appearances.

As always, Kamikawa Rie chirped happily at his side like a bird in spring.

“Kitahara-kun, you’re here!”

He gave Tōchi Taku a polite smile.

“Kitahara-kun, I’ve washed your kendo armor,” said Tōchi Rina, beaming as she handed him the freshly laundered, floral-scented uniform.

“Manager! That’s not fair!”

“Why does only Kitahara-kun get special treatment? I want mine washed too!”

“Yeah, me too!”

Rina planted her hands on her hips and glared.

“If you can beat my brother, I’ll wash yours too.”

Tōchi Taku grinned. “Who’s first?”

The crowd instantly dispersed.

“Thanks.” Takeru was just about to accept when—

“Don’t trouble yourself. I ordered him two new sets,” said Kamikawa Rie, stepping in and shoulder-checking Rina aside.

This fake nice girl... knew it!

“You’re not even in the kendo club,” Rina snapped. “What are you doing here?”

“Who says I’m not?”

“I never got your membership form!”

“And you’re just the manager. Your brother’s the captain.”

“Bro, why’d you let her in?” Rina glared.

Didn’t you promise me you’d keep her out?!

Taku avoided her eyes.

He didn’t want to either... but she bribed him with an air conditioner!

“Because I have money,” Rie said smugly, folding her arms beneath her chest. “Let me teach you something, little potato. There’s nothing money can’t solve.”

“If there is, it’s just because you didn’t spend enough.”

“Who’re you calling little potato?! I’m just a late bloomer—I’ll grow!”

Rina hated people making fun of her height.

“I’m just being honest. You are short, aren’t you?” Rie said sweetly.

Rie believed that lies never hurt—but truths were lethal.

“I’LL DUEL YOU!” Rina screamed, grabbing a bamboo sword and pointing it at her.

“So scary~” Rie squealed mockingly, dodging behind Takeru and peeking out coquettishly. “Big brother, she’s bullying me~”

Takeru felt his skin crawl at her forced baby voice. “You’re real good at that. Go catfish online, why don’t you?”

“Wanna be my online boyfriend? CPDD, you’re the one~”

“Hard pass.”

Takeru ignored their bickering and began swinging his sword in a corner of the dojo.

...

Outside, the evening sun spilled across the floor like a crimson wave, and the faint cries of the track team echoed in the distance.

He stayed until 5:30.

When practice ended, he grabbed his bag and left with Rie.

“One-two! One-two!”

As they stepped outside, Takeru noticed the track team’s calls were even louder now. The soccer team was running drills too.

Now that’s real youth.

Not like the ridiculous teen dramas filled with abortions, clubbing, and cheap thrills.

This was normal life. Earnest. Grounded.

Takeru walked out of the school with that thought in mind.

The next few days, he stuck to routine: class, club, home.

He knew that, with his system, training wouldn’t actually improve his swordsmanship anymore.

But strangely, he enjoyed it.

Being around people. Having normal routines.

That peace lasted until Friday.

Takeru had already asked Tōchi Taku for leave.

He had a date—with Shijō Maki.

Well, technically she had a date with Tanuma Tsubasa. She just asked him to come along.

Was he just the bag boy?

Still, he agreed.

Not just for the points—Maki was genuinely kind.

He wanted her to be happy.

He never intended to ruin any actual relationships.

Takeru didn’t take his bike today.

If he ever showed up at Aoba without his disguise while riding it... disaster.

He’d learned his lesson after forgetting to filter viewers on social media.

On the train, he stood one-handed on a ring strap, eyes closed.

The train rocked gently.

Is he asleep again? Komi Shōko wondered as she boarded.

She saw him there, dozing peacefully, one hand holding the strap.

What does he even do all day? He always looks so tired...

Should I wake him?

It looked dangerous, standing like that half-asleep.

Just then, the train jolted and Takeru swayed forward.

Without thinking, Komi reached out and caught him.

Takeru’s eyes fluttered open.

“Thanks. But I wasn’t sleeping.”

He closed his eyes earlier only because his eyes were strained from staring at his phone.

“What, you’re the girl I dozed off on last time, right?”

He remembers!

Komi’s heart jumped. Her eyes curved into delighted crescents.

“Why didn’t you message me after that?”

“I…”

She opened her mouth, then pulled out her phone.

Her fingers tapped rapidly.

[I was too scared.]

“Scared? Why?”

[I get nervous talking to people.]

“Social anxiety?”

She nodded hard.

After a moment, she typed:

[Hi, I’m Komi Shōko. Can we be friends?]

“You want to be my friend?”

Komi nodded again, eyes full of hope.

Takeru grinned wickedly. “Being friends with me isn’t cheap.”

“Friendship costs money, too.”

A lightbulb lit up above her head.

[So if I pay you, we can be friends?]

“Of course.”

Takeru was just teasing.

But to his shock, Komi actually took out her wallet.

[How much?]

Takeru: “...”

Wait, she’s serious?

That was clearly a joke!

“You really gonna pay me?”

[Didn’t you ask for money?]

“What, you just give it 'cause I ask?!”

[Then what do you want?]

So I give, and you complain?

Is it fun to bully me?

Takeru burst out laughing.

Looking at her pitiful face, he couldn’t help it.

Ice princess?
More like loveable idiot.

“Alright, you can owe me. I’ll collect later.”

Never before had he felt so righteously shameless about sponging off someone.

“Shin-Yotsuya Station. Shin-Yotsuya.”

“Passengers transferring, please disembark in an orderly fashion.”

---

T/N: LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO anyway uhhh seijo is switching to Aoba because fuck u im tired and im tired and im tired and im tired

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!