Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

Takashi had known Eriri for quite some time.

He understood that whatever Eriri said had to be interpreted in reverse.

If she said no, she meant yes.

If she denied something, she was actually admitting it.

Eriri might be soft all over, but her mouth was always sharp.

"You—!"

Instead of letting go of Eriri's hand, Takashi tightened his grip.

"What? Don't tell me you're planning to accept his confession." Takashi narrowed his eyes, his tone slightly unfriendly.

At this moment, he looked exactly like a domineering CEO from a TV drama.

Takashi was a highly dedicated stand-in. He would make necessary adjustments based on his client's needs.

Even if he played the same character, he portrayed them differently depending on the client.

For example, the "Aki Tomoya" that Utaha required was all about authenticity.

She pursued realism—from clothing and accessories to speech and mannerisms, everything had to be a perfect replica. 

She was like a perfectionist director, staring coldly at him whenever she was dissatisfied, saying, "Aki wouldn't act like that."

Compared to Utaha's version of "Aki Tomoya," Eriri's version was entirely different.

She needed an "Aki Tomoya" who could understand her contradictory words—one who, no matter the time, place, or temptation, would always, unwaveringly, choose her.

In other words, Eriri needed an "Aki Tomoya" that was entirely her fantasy.

That was why, even if Takashi said things Aki Tomoya would never say, Eriri would still accept them.

Because the "Aki Tomoya" she imagined didn't exist in reality.

"Stop slandering me! I rejected him from the start, okay?" Eriri struggled symbolically for a moment. 

When she couldn't break free, she simply turned her face away.

"He was the one pestering me the whole time."

Hearing this, Takashi took a step forward, standing between Eriri and the senior, completely cutting him off.

"Senpai, could you stop bothering my Eriri?"

Takashi deliberately emphasized the words "my Eriri."

Upon hearing that, a faint blush crept onto Eriri's fair cheeks. She turned her head away and muttered, "I already said I'm not yours. Why don't you understand words?"

Takashi ignored her and kept his gaze fixed on the senior whose name he neither knew nor cared to know.

"Or… do you enjoy chasing after someone else's girlfriend?"

Even though he looked strikingly similar to Aki Tomoya at this moment, his tone carried an unmistakable pressure.

It was a presence that Aki Tomoya, a mere otaku, could never possess.

Faced with Takashi's intense gaze, the senior was the first to look away. His shoulders slumped as he turned and left, dejected.

Eriri had no intention of comforting him. 

Casually, she tidied up her art supplies, packed everything neatly, and handed both her school bag and art case to Takashi.

"Am I your porter?" Takashi grumbled as he took them.

Eriri placed her hands on her hips. "Letting you carry my bag is an honor. Do you know how many guys wish they could do that for me? And you dare complain?"

"Should I be thanking you, then?"

Takashi rolled his eyes so far up they nearly disappeared. Right now, he looked exactly like an annoyed cat.

"Yes, be grateful," Eriri declared, flipping her golden ponytail. The strands brushed lightly against Takashi's face, carrying her unique scent.

As they bickered, they left the art room together, with Eriri locking the door behind them.

Throughout this entire exchange, their hands had never let go.

Neither of them could remember exactly when it started, but ever since they first held hands during a date, Takashi had rarely let go of Eriri's hand during their outings.

It wasn't because he was being perverted or trying to take advantage of her.

It was because he had noticed—Eriri seemed to enjoy being held by the hand.

He had discovered this by accident.

One time, during a hot day, their palms had become sweaty from holding hands for so long, so Takashi let go.

The very moment he did, Eriri stopped in her tracks and refused to move.

Knowing her as well as he did, Takashi instantly realized—she was upset.

And so, from that moment on, they held hands often. The most intimate thing they ever did was just that—holding hands.

Anything beyond that would be inappropriate.

"Where are we going today?"

Like a real couple, Takashi and Eriri walked hand in hand out of the school gates.

Along the way, whenever they encountered students who had stayed late for club activities, they would instinctively let go of each other's hands and create some distance.

Then, as soon as those students walked past, their hands would find each other again.

Eriri did this because she didn't want to cause trouble for Aki Tomoya.

Takashi did it because he understood her concerns and cooperated with her.

He didn't mind.

After all, this was his job.

"I want to go to Akihabara. I heard Seals Soft just released Amanatsu+, so I want to check it out."

Hearing that, Takashi froze.

"Akihabara?"

Akihabara was in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

That was where Katsura Kotonoha lived.

He had been there just this afternoon for lunch, then traveled all the way to Chiba, and now he had to go back again?

What was he, a delivery service?

"Yeah, what's the problem?" Eriri looked at him, puzzled.

"Then why didn't you just set our meeting point there in the first place? You should know that I go to school in Tokyo."

The mere thought of taking the train back and forth again—just to drop her off and then return to Tokyo at night—made Takashi's scalp tingle.

"What are you trying to say? Are you expecting me to take the train to Tokyo alone?"

Eriri turned her head sharply, narrowing her eyes.

Takashi recognized that look.

It meant she was getting annoyed.

Adopting a softer tone, Takashi spoke carefully.

"No, no, Eriri, listen. Taking the train back and forth is exhausting for me. Could you be a little considerate?"

"If we're meeting in Tokyo next time, can we just meet there directly?"

Eriri went silent. She stood still, staring at Takashi without blinking.

Takashi looked at her with pleading eyes.

After a long moment, Eriri's small, delicate face broke into a smile.

That smile was like a refreshing summer breeze—one that made people want to bask in it forever.

Eriri was cute.

When she smiled, she was even cuter.

But the moment Takashi saw that smile, sweat beaded on his forehead.

Because whenever Eriri smiled like that…

"Alright, since you find it so troublesome, let's just never meet again. That way, I won't inconvenience you anymore~"

Sure enough, things unfolded exactly as he feared.

Eriri yanked her hand out of Takashi's grasp and stormed off toward the station.

"Wait, I was wrong, Eriri!"

Takashi hurried after her, reaching out to hold her hand.

"Don't touch me."

Just as his fingers brushed against her skin, Eriri forcefully slapped his hand away.

Her strength was so great that Takashi couldn't even hold on.

Not only was she suddenly stronger, but her short legs moved at lightning speed.

Takashi had to jog just to keep up with her.

Fun fact: When a girlfriend is angry, her attack power increases by 50%, movement speed by 30%, evasion by 80%, and critical hit rate by 100%.

In this state, catching Eriri was harder than catching a pig on Chinese New Year.

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Check out the other translations too: [Mash-Up: Anything For Money]

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