Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [66]

As Kitahara Takeru stepped up, the host teased, “Sir, after hearing that last performance, are you feeling any pressure?”

It had to be said—Takeru’s luck really was terrible.

According to the original schedule, Hoshino Ai was supposed to be the final contestant.

But no one expected someone would sign up in the last twenty minutes.

Takeru thought for a moment. “I’m fine.”

Not much pressure, honestly.

Hoshino Ai was an idol—not a diva.

In the entertainment world, idols and singers are not the same.

Singers sell their music. Their voices are their pride.

Idols, on the other hand, sell themselves.

An idol lives off image. Their entire career is built on being the people’s sweetheart—offering the illusion of romantic fantasy to the public.

Fans invest their time, money, and emotions. In return, idols offer emotional value and spiritual comfort. It’s transactional, symbiotic.

The moment an idol starts dating—becomes “privatized”—that illusion is shattered. They’re no longer worth following.

An idol’s career doesn’t rest on musical skill. Their singing? Passable at best. Against amateurs, they dominate; against professionals, they crumble.

In pure vocal terms, most are about on par with internet-famous karaoke singers.

This isn’t about how hard they work. It’s a matter of raw talent.

“This contestant seems confident,” the host remarked. “May we ask what song you’ll be performing?”

Takeru replied quietly, “I'll Do It.”

I'll Do It—otherwise known as the Hoshino Ai Execution Song.

The song itself had nothing to do with Hoshino Ai.

It just happened that its melody worked well for anime edits, and when Oshi no Ko exploded, it became a meme. People used it in edits as a joke. And after enough fans latched on, the name stuck.

One diehard fan is worth ten haters.

Upon hearing the song title, Hoshino Ai felt a sudden chill—despite the blazing summer sun overhead.

A stabbing pain lanced through her abdomen, sharp and sudden, as if she’d been literally knifed.

Weird...

She instinctively touched her waist, confused.

Takeru waited for the music to start—but after several moments of silence, he turned to the host, puzzled.

The host looked just as awkward. “It seems... our library doesn’t have that song?”

Takeru blinked.

“No?”

That genuinely surprised him.

He had momentarily forgotten—this wasn’t his past life.

“Do you know any other songs?” the host asked.

Takeru rested his chin on his hand, thinking. “Do you have Lemon?”

The greatest barrier in music is language.

If the lyrics don’t translate, then a song that’s a massive hit in one country might fall flat elsewhere.

Simple reason—you don’t understand it.

There aren’t many songs that can break through that wall.

Yonezu Kenshi was one artist who could.

“We do.”

The moment the intro started, the crowd fell silent.

Kamikawa Rie immediately raised her phone and began recording.

On stage, Takeru pressed one hand to his ear, bowing his head slightly. As the melody reached the first verse, he sang, his voice low and tinged with sadness and longing:

夢ならばどれほどよかったでしょう
If only this had all been just a dream...

未だにあなたのことを夢にみる
Even now, I still see you in my dreams...

忘れた物を取りに帰るように
Like going back to retrieve something long forgotten...

古びた思い出の埃を払う
I gently brush the dust from these worn memories...

His breath and the melody flowed together seamlessly, resonating straight into people’s hearts.

The shock was palpable—like an electric charge running through the crowd.

Even the audience who had been scrolling on their phones slowly began putting them away.

Every pair of eyes was now locked on Kitahara Takeru.

He just stole the show...

From the first note, Hoshino Ai knew—her first place was gone.

She’d run into a monster-level talent.

“LIAR!!!”

Watanabe Akari bit her lip, eyes blazing as she glared at Takeru.

Didn’t he say he only knew a little?

What kind of “a little” was that supposed to be?!

This guy lies without blinking!

From now on, she wouldn’t believe a single period that came out of his mouth.

---

Some happiness can't be repeated
That's the last thing you told me

The ash-gray past I hide in my heart...
Without you, will forever remain dim and dull.

On the second floor of the mall, Fujiwara Chika suddenly noticed Shinomiya Kaguya had stopped walking and was now gazing down toward the atrium.

“Kaguya? What’s wrong?”

Kaguya didn’t answer. She stood still, silently watching.

Chika leaned over to see what had caught her attention.

A guy with a rogueish look was singing on stage.

Oh? That’s totally my type, Chika thought to herself.

She did have a slight masochistic streak.

If he got a little aggressive... well, she wouldn’t be opposed.

Kaguya continued listening quietly. Her expression remained unchanged, but the corners of her lips curled upward—barely one centimeter.

Without me, your world stays gray? Do you really like me that much?

Kaguya hadn’t expected Kitahara Takeru to be this into her.

Running into him singing here felt too much like some grand gesture.

She’d had guys try similar things before.

Cheap tactics... But it looks more pleasing today, somehow.

Since he’d shaved his head, she found him a bit more bearable to look at.

Shame about the eyes, though. If they were colder, crueler, that’d be perfect, she thought, almost wistfully.

Still, overall, her impression of him had improved.

---

I understand now...
Nothing could ever hurt more than this...
……

“Didn’t expect him to sing so well. Guess that’s one of his few redeeming qualities,” came a voice from above.

On the third floor, Shijō Maki stood with her arms crossed, watching from behind the railing.

Kashiwagi Nagisa didn’t respond. She rested her elbow on the glass barrier, chin in hand, eyes closed and swaying gently to the rhythm.

Mmh… don’t tell me Nagisa’s into him…?

Shijō Maki stared at her, a sense of unease rising.

She was just about to say something—but then a thought struck her.

If Nagisa fell for Kitahara Takeru, she’d definitely break up with Tanuma Tsubasa.

Which meant…

I’d have a chance.

But still...

She didn’t want Nagisa to stay with Tanuma.

But she also didn’t want her ending up with Kitahara Takeru.

What tier do you think you’re in? You think you’re good enough for my best friend?

---

“Komi-san, Tadano—look! Someone’s singing!”

Nagatsuma Natsumi pointed excitedly toward the stage, pulling out her phone.

“I’m gonna record this!”

“It’s Lemon, right? Super popular. Komi-san, have you—?”

Tadano turned to Komi Shouko but stopped mid-sentence.

For once, Komi’s face—usually unreadable—had changed.

Her lips were slightly parted, her wide, upturned eyes slowly softening into sparkly, glassy dots.

And onstage, Kitahara Takeru—completely unaware—was singing his heart out, wearing that same intense, focused expression…

…unwittingly capturing the full attention of nearly every girl who had ever seen the real him.

---

T/N: heh

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!