Weren’t You Only Using Me As A Stand-in? [61]

It was a gloomy Saturday afternoon, the sky so overcast it looked like it might rain any second.

Thanks to Kamikawa Rie, Kitahara Takeru didn’t have to squeeze onto the crowded train today. Instead, he rode in her usual ride—a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

A luxury car he hadn’t even been born into, and probably couldn’t afford in this lifetime.

Slouched against the seat in the Cullinan, Takeru rested his cheek against his hand by the window. While Kamikawa Rie talked beside him, his mind drifted off to his childhood.

In his past life, his family wasn’t exactly poor, but far from rich.

Still, when you're a kid, it doesn’t take much to feel joy. A green tongue lollipop or a bag of spicy snacks could keep him happy for hours.

There was a classmate back in elementary school whose dad worked in construction—real estate or something. Super rich.

Once, during a parent-teacher meeting, the guy’s dad showed up in a Range Rover.

Takeru was still young then and didn’t know much about cars. All he knew was that it looked badass, and he couldn’t take his eyes off it.

That classmate saw him staring and said something Takeru would never forget.

“Quit staring. You’ll never be able to afford one in your life.”

Adults might mask their malice better, but kids? Not so much. Especially spoiled ones—they say whatever comes to mind.

And because it was such an unfiltered comment, it hurt more.

Back then, Takeru made a silent vow in his heart: one day, he’d work hard and buy that car himself.

But after all these years of grinding, he had to admit:

Goddamn it, the brat was right.

He really couldn’t afford it.

He had spent half his life chasing a sliver of light at the top of a hundred-story tower, only to find that the baby crying up there already owned it.

“TAKERU!!”

Kamikawa Rie's loud voice yanked him out of his reverie.

Takeru blinked. “What?”

“We’re here! I’ve been calling you forever and you didn’t even react,” Rie huffed, cheeks puffed out in annoyance.

“Sorry, I was lost in thought.”

Takeru gave her an apologetic smile.

“What were you thinking about? Come on, tell me,” Rie leaned in eagerly.

Opening the car door and stepping out, Takeru stretched with a sigh. “Thinking about how to get rich.”

Honestly, if it were just about money, he could’ve blown all his system points on cash.

But in his eyes, that would be the dumbest possible move.

Compared to money, the skills that refreshed periodically were far more valuable.

Besides, if all you had was money, it just made you a fat, juicy target.

He wanted both wealth and power.

“Ahem, actually, I have quite a bit of money. You know… if you're open to the idea?” Rie said playfully, pretending to be modest while dropping heavy hints.

“Next time, for sure.”

“You better mean it!”

Grinning, she spun around, walking backward while holding out her phone like a microphone to his face. “Hey there, handsome! We’ve got a limited-time offer today—just nod and say ‘I do’, and you’ll be the next CEO, marry a beautiful rich girl, and reach the pinnacle of life!”

“Opportunity knocks only once~ Don’t miss out!”

Before Takeru could say a word, she added, “You just said next time!”

He chuckled lightly. “I said next time for sure, not I definitely will. Doesn’t that leave room for a definite no?”

“Kita-ha-ra Takeru!!!”

Rie stopped in her tracks, hands on her hips, glaring at him.

“Why do you keep turning me down? Am I not pretty enough? Not rich enough?”

Because feelings change too easily.

Takeru never doubted sincerity—but sincerity is fleeting.

He had been in love before. He’d had girls who genuinely cared about him.

But it never lasted long.

He still remembered the girl who once looked at him with utter disgust and said, “Please, I’m begging you, let me go.”

And that same girl, once upon a time, had asked him shyly, “You won’t leave me, right?”

People mean their vows when they say them. But when they break them later, they wonder why anyone believed them in the first place.

Sure, Kamikawa Rie liked him now. But what about a year later? Three years? Ten?

Takeru couldn’t bet on it.

And he definitely couldn’t bet his future on it.

After a pause, he decided it was better to be blunt. Maybe then she’d back off.

“Because you’re not my type.”

Rie wasn’t buying it. “Then tell me—what is your type?”

“I don’t ask for much. Long black hair, phoenix eyes, swan neck, slim waist, defined curves, toned legs... pretty simple, right?” he rattled off an idealized spec list.

Rie glanced down at herself, then raised her delicate chin with a triumphant smirk. “You sure you’re not just describing me?”

Takeru froze.

He gave her a proper look and realized…
She actually did fit the bill. Exactly.

This is getting out of hand.

“Come on, admit it. You like me, don’t you?” Rie jabbed him with her elbow, teasing.

Takeru took a deep breath, closed his eyes like he was about to self-destruct, and declared, “I told you—my type is Shinomiya Kaguya.”

The truth? He didn’t like Shinomiya Kaguya at all.

He hadn’t even met her face-to-face.

But right now, he needed a scapegoat.

And it couldn’t just be any girl.

She had to have status—equal to or greater than Kamikawa Rie’s.

She had to be beautiful, elegant—not someone who’d pale in comparison.

And most importantly, she couldn’t be part of his current circle.

By process of elimination, only Shinomiya Kaguya fit the bill.

Sure, he thought about tossing Kashiwagi Nagisa under the bus to draw fire…

But he was afraid that might really blow up in his face.

Rie's expression darkened, her eyes practically seething with killing intent as she glared daggers at him.

Takeru got a chill down his spine and instinctively took a step back.

Was this the part where she turned love into hate?

Just great. He’d already offended the Kashiwagi family, and now Kamikawa Rie too. Takeru braced himself to bust out his ultimate technique—

The Tiger-Pounce Kneel of Apology.

“You must be feeling real proud of yourself right now.”

Rie’s voice was cold, her glare unrelenting.

Takeru: “?”

Wait… it didn’t sound like she was talking to him.

“What do you mean?”

A cool, ethereal voice echoed behind him.

Judging by the tone, it belonged to a girl.

No. No. NO. There’s no way…

Cold sweat dripped from Takeru’s forehead.

“You plastic bag or something? That good at pretending? You were standing right there—heard everything, didn’t you?”

Rie stared straight past Takeru, eyes locked on a girl not far behind him.

She had jet-black hair and crimson eyes, wore a pristine white dress cinched at the waist, every movement elegant and refined. Her beauty was the picture of grace and nobility.

The very girl Takeru had just declared to be his “crush”—

Shinomiya Kaguya.

What does it feel like to have your fake confession overheard by the person themselves?

Social suicide.

Kill me now.

---

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!