Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [68]

When Kitahara Takeru’s final score—97.1—flashed across the screen, his victory was all but guaranteed.

Second place went to Hoshino Ai with 94.5.

Third was Watanabe Akari, scoring 87.

After the event, the organizers pulled them together for a group photo. Then came the prize selection.

Takeru chose the couple mugs.

Originally, Hoshino Ai had been eyeing the bath bomb set, but the moment she saw the shopping voucher, she changed her mind without hesitation.

It was a 10,000 yen gift card—not some cheap five-yen Rolls-Royce coupon.

Back when she was still an underground idol, Ai’s monthly income didn’t even reach fifty thousand yen. Even now, though she looked glamorous on the surface, ten thousand yen was still a big deal.

Watanabe Akari, meanwhile, chose a lipstick.

After slipping it into her purse, she glanced around the crowd until her eyes found Kitahara Takeru.

Her lips curled subconsciously into a smile as she walked toward him with a bounce in her step. “Kitahara Takeru! You big liar! You said you couldn’t sing—”

She didn’t finish.

Because she saw Kamikawa Rie.

The kind of girl so flawless, even other girls would feel self-conscious next to her.

That delicate, palm-sized face; those playful, cat-like eyes gleaming with crystalline clarity.

A refined nose and cherry lips combined to create a picture of beauty worthy of a museum.

Her skin glowed a pearlescent pink under the sunlight, radiant and dewy.

Her long, jet-black hair flowed down her back like a still river. A single white ribbon tied a small strand at her temple, lending her a hint of playfulness.

She wore a black short-sleeve blouse from Miu Miu, paired with high-waisted black jeans and combat boots.

Simple. Minimal. And yet, more eye-catching than Akari’s flashier ensemble.

In every category—face, figure, presence—Kamikawa Rie had her beat.

“Hello there!”

Rie gave her only a cursory glance, but her greeting was warm and open.

“H-hi,” Akari replied awkwardly, her voice cracking slightly.

Just a basic “hello,” and she’d already stumbled.

“I’ll let you two talk. I’m gonna get you some water,” Rie said, seemingly sensing Akari’s discomfort and deliberately stepping away to give them space.

Takeru blinked.

Wait, what? Usually when he even looked at another girl, Rie’s gaze was sharp enough to cut steel.

Did she get body-snatched?

Rie caught the way he was looking at her and immediately understood what he was thinking. She shot him a death glare, snatched the couple mugs out of his hands, and marched off in a huff.

Takeru turned back to Akari. “Did you want something?”

There was a pause before she spoke. Then: “Is she your girlfriend?”

“No. But she is chasing me.” Takeru didn’t bother sugarcoating it.

“Do you like her?”

This time, her voice didn’t hesitate.

Takeru looked away, gave it some honest thought, and finally said, “I’m fond of her.”

To say he felt nothing would’ve been a lie.

If someone cared for you sincerely, asked for nothing in return, and loved you unconditionally—who wouldn’t be moved, even just a little?

Not that it matters to you guys.

People who’ve never been loved like that… they can’t understand.

“…”

Akari fell silent.

Her face, partly covered by pink hair, made it hard for Takeru to read her expression.

He frowned slightly. “Wait—you’re not into me, are you?”

Akari snapped her head up, her expression visibly disgusted.

“What are you even talking about?! Me? Like you? Don’t flatter yourself. You lie constantly, and the only thing halfway decent about you is your face. Like you? Don’t kid yourself.”

Takeru stared at her for a moment.

Still unsure, he quietly pulled up her profile screen.

Yep.

Her crush was still listed as Kamiki Hibiki.

Not him.

Takeru exhaled in relief. “Good, good.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Akari shouted, and then stomped on his foot with her thick-soled leather shoes.

“You’re insane!”

“You’re insane—your whole family’s insane!” she shouted even louder, drawing the attention of nearby passersby.

And then she turned and ran.

Leaving Takeru standing there, completely baffled.

“What the hell’s her problem?”

He really didn’t get what he’d said wrong.

Definitely need to keep my distance next time.

He glanced down at his now-scuffed white sneakers, grimacing at the footprint left behind.

It felt like a greasy stain on a white shirt—tiny but visibly irritating.

Just as he was about to buy some wipes to clean it off—

“Um… excuse me…”

Several young girls—probably elementary schoolers—timidly stepped in front of him.

Takeru’s furrowed brow softened immediately.

“Can I help you, little ladies?”

He crouched down, offering them a warm smile.

“Onii-san, your singing was really good! Can you sign this for us?” One pink-haired girl, her bob just brushing her shoulders, shyly handed him a notebook and pen.

Takeru accepted it and signed neatly.

“Here you go. You’re my very first fan to get an autograph~ Better keep it safe. When I get famous, you might be able to sell this for a fortune.”

He winked playfully.

“I won’t sell it! I’ll keep it forever!” the girl declared seriously, her cheeks puffed up in earnest.

Cute…

Takeru couldn’t help but pat her head.

“Onii-san, can I get one too?”

“Me too!”

“Can I take a picture with you?”

…

Every time he was surrounded by adorable little girls like this, Takeru felt a strong urge to settle down and get married.

If I ever have a daughter, not a single punk in a thousand-mile radius is coming near her.

Come to think of it, you can get married right after high school in Japan...

“Alright, don’t worry. I’ve got enough for everyone.”

Takeru signed their notebooks one by one, then pulled a camera from his bag and looked around for someone to take a picture.

Just then, Kamikawa Rie returned.

He waved. “Rie, can you take a photo for us?”

She walked over and saw the crowd of little girls gathered around him, then smirked as she took the camera. “Are they part of your harem now?”

Takeru picked up the pink-haired girl who’d asked first. She made a peace sign, and he mirrored her with a two-finger pose.

“Three, two, one—cheese!”

Just as Rie snapped the photo—

“Chu!” The little girl planted a kiss on Takeru’s cheek.

Rie’s smile vanished instantly.

The hell? We’re taking pictures now? Why are you kissing him too?!

Do you even know what you just did?!

Takeru gave the girl a mildly helpless look and gently flicked her nose with his finger. “You shouldn’t kiss people so casually, okay?”

“I only kiss Onii-san and Papa,” said the girl in her soft, squeaky voice.

“Alright, alright—that’s enough. You planning to stay in his arms all day?” Rie stepped in, picked the girl up, and plopped her down.

“Come on. Back to our date.”

She ignored the death glares from the other girls as she dragged Takeru away.

“…You’re really jealous of a child?” he said, exasperated.

“Yes! Totally jealous! Why does she get to kiss your face when I haven’t even kissed you yet?!” Rie grumbled, eyes practically glowing green with envy.

Having a boyfriend with charm was usually a good thing. It proved she had taste.

But Takeru was too charming.

From married women to little girls—he was a universal threat.

Rie had made up her mind: once they got married, she was keeping him locked in the house with the kids. No guests. No visitors. No excuses.

Takeru didn’t want to argue. He changed the subject.

“Hey, earlier—you left us alone. That’s not like you.”

He still remembered how she used to go toe-to-toe with Shinomiya Kaguya. So why give Watanabe Akari space?

Rie smiled. “Because she’s not worth my time. And I know you would never fall for a girl like her.”

If it had been someone like Kaguya or Kashiwagi Nagisa, she wouldn’t have moved an inch.

But Akari?

No threat.

She knew—Takeru would never fall for that type.

Takeru narrowed his eyes. “You think you know me that well?”

She looked back at him. “Would you?”

He stared at her for a moment… then smiled and shook his head. “Nope.”

Most guys wouldn’t want a girlfriend who dressed like that.

And Takeru had zero patience for airheaded girls.

Dating someone with no common ground meant the relationship would fall apart quickly.

Rie smiled too. “Exactly.”

They attended one of the best high schools in Japan.

All the students around them were top-tier.

If Takeru did fall for Watanabe Akari, she’d seriously consider getting his head checked.

...

At 5 PM, after saying goodbye to Kamikawa Rie, Takeru didn’t head straight for Chiba.

He went home first, put away the clothes they’d bought, and began changing.

“This’ll be the last date for today.”

As he swapped outfits, he thought about how each girl liked different styles.

With Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sawamura Spencer Eriri, he dressed full otaku.

With Shijō Maki, casual fashion.

With Hiratsuka Shizuka, he went for the pure-hearted college boy look.

One pattern he’d noticed?

The older the woman, the more they liked younger, sweeter types.

Meanwhile, girls his age tended to prefer the older, dependable types.

For tonight, he picked a white hoodie, straight-leg jeans, white sneakers, and a crossbody bag.

Then he moved to his wig collection.

After scanning them all, he picked one with messy fringe.

Hiratsuka Shizuka wasn’t into domineering guys—she liked softer, more delicate types.

The kind that “yielded rather than resisted.”

Then he picked a sleek, black half-rim pair of glasses.

After a careful check in the mirror, Takeru gave himself a satisfied nod.

By the time he finished, it was already 6 PM.

He hurried out, locking the door behind him.

This time, unlike earlier, he wouldn’t be taking the train to Chiba.

Hiratsuka Shizuka would be driving him.

Onee-san privilege is real.

So thoughtful.

Leaving his house, Takeru headed for the community center.

The bare trees lining the road next to the park made the early dusk feel even colder.

Normally the sun wouldn’t set so soon, but the weather made it darker than usual.

Outside the station, shoppers, commuters, and club-exhausted students filled the square. The air buzzed with chatter and motion.

Takeru wove through the crowd, taking in the bustle.

A wave of people emerged from the station, forcing him to slow down.

Traffic nearby was frozen—either people picking someone up or waiting for a parking spot to open.

Just then, a black sports car pulled up.

The driver’s side window rolled down, revealing a gorgeous older woman.

“Good evening, onee-san,” Takeru greeted with a sweet smile.

And sweet words to match.

He knew Hiratsuka Shizuka was sensitive about her age—so he always called her “onee-san,” never “auntie.”

She clearly liked that.

Looking at Takeru’s bright, unclouded gaze—eyes untouched by the world’s grime—her mood softened.

She liked those eyes.

Like a mountain stream, clear and cool.

Shizuka smiled. “Get in.”

Since it was a two-seater sports car, there was only room for the two of them.

Takeru buckled up and glanced around the interior.

Leather seats, polished instrument panels, everything gleaming with that metallic shine of luxury.

This car clearly meant a lot to her.

“Here.”

She handed him a small box.

“What is it, onee-san?”

“Open it.”

Encouraged by her gentle look, Takeru slowly opened the box.

And even he sucked in a breath.

Inside was a watch.

---

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!