Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

"Whew, alright, this should be far enough."

Takashi and Umaru finally stopped in a small alley branching off the main road, having run all the way from Hanshin Koshien.

"Wh-why did we have to run so far?"

Umaru panted heavily.

Among girls, Umaru's stamina was definitely above average—far better than a certain maxed-out skill cat lover who never invested in endurance.

But even so, making her run a full kilometer at once was still too much.

"Good question. Actually, I have no idea."

In contrast to the sweat-soaked and breathless Umaru, Takashi, whose body had been enhanced by the system, looked completely unfazed, merely breathing slightly heavier.

"You did it on purpose, didn't you?"

"Ahh, you saw through me? That's right—I just wanted to hear your panting, Umaru-chan. Tonight, I can reward myself properly."

Umaru shot him an annoyed glare.

This guy could be really handsome when he got serious—too bad he was almost never serious.

"Thanks for today, by the way."

"Is that it? Just a verbal thank-you?"

"What else do you want?"

Umaru looked at Takashi, half annoyed and half amused.

Other people help for the joy of it—this guy helps just to demand payback.

"What do you think?"

Takashi's voice dropped low, his gaze burning into her like he wanted to sear a hole through her body.

"H-how would I know?"

Caught in his scorching gaze, Umaru quickly looked away, her tone flustered, and she even took a small step back.

Takashi, that damned guy—he risked so much to create this opportunity, there's no way he'd just let Umaru slip away now.

As she stepped back, Takashi stepped forward. "What do I want? Don't tell me you really have no idea."

"N-no idea."

Of course Umaru knew exactly what Takashi wanted.

He wanted her.

From the very first time they met, Takashi had never once hidden his desire for her.

Umaru knew that clearly.

And honestly, she… well, she might care about Takashi just a teeny tiny bit. Just a teeny tiny bit.

Normal guys think like this: I like you, you like me, so let's get together.

But girls are different.

Even if she knows you like her, and even if she likes you back, she won't just agree right away.

Not agreeing doesn't mean rejecting—it's just that things are moving too fast, and she wants to control the pace.

"You don't know? Then let me tell you."

Takashi looked at her like a fat, clean lamb offering itself up at the butcher's door. He smiled wickedly and stepped in even closer.

Umaru clearly knew her strategy—when the enemy advances, retreat. 

When the enemy advances again… oh no, there's no way out (＃?Д?), trappedヽ(.>д）!

Back against the cold concrete wall in a deserted alley, she realized there was nowhere left to retreat.

This was all part of Takashi's plan.

Why else would he bring Umaru to such a secluded alley?

This kind of place was perfect for flirting.

Small space. Just the two of them. Ambiguity and tension filled the air.

Of course, it was only under that earlier special circumstance that he could have gotten Umaru to come here at all.

On a normal day, even if Takashi tried to drag her into an alley, Umaru would've refused flat out.

"W-what are you trying to do? I'm warning you—don't try anything funny!"

Umaru pressed her hands against Takashi's chest to push him away, but he barely felt any strength behind her push.

It wasn't that she was pretending to be coy—there was just a natural and massive strength gap between boys and girls.

Sometimes, when boys mess around and just lightly poke or pinch a girl, it can leave bruises.

Women are made of water—that's not just a poetic metaphor.

Anyone who's had a girlfriend knows this. Those who haven't don't need to know, and even if they do, it's useless knowledge.

"So what if I am trying something funny?"

Takashi gave his trademark cocky grin as he lowered his head to gaze down at Umaru's flushed little face.

A breeze brushed across her cheeks, making her long hair sway gently. A pleasant fragrance drifted from her, and Takashi found it surprisingly comforting.

Their eyes locked. Umaru's breathing grew erratic, and she instinctively bit her lip.

She bit her lip to hide the chaos in her heart—but the gesture made her look both innocent and seductive.

Takashi stared at her angelic, delicate little face, her slightly parted lips, and her pearly white teeth—and somehow, he suddenly felt parched. 

His body was heating up.

In that dreamy, ambiguous atmosphere, the two of them could almost feel each other's breath, smell each other's scent. 

Even the warmth radiating from their bodies could be felt through the air.

Umaru could clearly see Takashi's prominent Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

"You really are… such a scoundrel."

Umaru instinctively shrank back a little, her voice as soft as a mosquito.

Takashi also realized that things might be going a bit too far. 

Just as he was about to step back and create some distance, Umaru suddenly raised her arms, grabbed the collar of his white shirt, and stood on tiptoe.

Before Takashi could react, he felt something soft and moist touch the corner of his lips.

She kissed him.

'Wait, girl, how could you do that?'

He had only intended to flirt a little with Umaru. He hadn't meant to go that far.

Why would you go and kiss me?

This woman is way too forward.

Bang!

Just a second after Umaru kissed the corner of Takashi's lips, the wall nearby suddenly cracked with a loud noise, fragments flying.

Takashi stood there stiff like a corpse, frozen and unable to move.

His eyes slowly drifted left, and he saw a hole the size of a thumb in the reinforced concrete wall.

"What just happened?"

Umaru jumped in shock, her delicate body trembling.

"I'll take you back first."

Takashi said nothing more. He simply placed a hand over Umaru's eyes, stopping her from turning to see what had happened.

"Oh… okay."

It was the first time Umaru had seen such a serious expression on Takashi's face. Her heart was restless with curiosity, but she didn't dare ask anything.

The whole way back, neither of them spoke.

Takashi was busy thinking about how he was probably going to die when he returned. He wasn't in the mood to talk.

As for Umaru, she was too shy to speak. She only dared to occasionally sneak glances at the obviously troubled Takashi out of the corner of her eye.

"I'm here."

During the Koshien tournament, high schools from all over the country had booked out nearby hotels well in advance.

Arayada High School was currently staying at an affordable hotel about a kilometer from Hanshin Koshien Stadium.

"Okay, I'll be off then. Bye."

Takashi dropped Umaru off, gave a brief farewell, and turned to leave.

Leaving behind a stunned Umaru frozen in place.

He just… left?

Umaru felt that ever since the kiss, Takashi had become noticeably colder.

Did he fall out of love?

And what was that loud noise just now?

…

Half an hour later, Takashi, ready to face death, pushed open the door to a presidential suite in a five-star hotel as if walking to his own execution.

The door slowly opened, revealing all kinds of luxurious facilities inside the room.

And sitting on the sofa, legs crossed and arms folded, was Hitomi.

"Come in!"

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RIP. Alright thats all for this fic.

MC will die in the next chap.

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