Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

"The train is arriving at the station. Please be careful."

"Passengers transferring, please exit in an orderly manner."

As the train reached Yotsuya Station, Takashi struggled to squeeze through the crowd and off the train.

After tapping his card and exiting the station, he walked for five minutes through a bustling avenue. 

As he approached a long uphill path, he began to see more and more students wearing the same uniform as him.

Under the scorching summer sun, vibrant high school girls in their short-sleeved summer uniforms walked along the tree-lined path, their delicate arms and fair legs exposed beneath their fluttering skirts.

Blending into the crowd, Takashi walked towards the school.

Upon stepping through the school gate, a towering beech tree came into view.

This beech tree was planted by the first principal of Aoba Private High School when the school was founded.

It symbolized the hope that students who graduated from Aoba would achieve success and prosperity.

The tree had grown alongside the school and was now over a hundred years old.

Beyond the beech tree, a path lined with cherry blossom trees stretched ahead.

Cherry blossom season had already passed, but from March to May, walking down this path meant being surrounded by a sea of pink and white cherry blossoms in full bloom.

"Aoba—"

"Rise up! Rise up!"

"Aoba—"

"Let's go! Let's go!"

Beyond the pathway, a group of students in sports uniforms ran laps around the school track, chanting slogans in unison.

At the end of the group, Tanaka Kouta was among them.

On the soccer field, players were practicing passing and cutting.

Standing still, Takashi gazed at the figures fighting for the ball on the lush green field. He couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Not because they could actually play soccer on the field!

But because of Japan's incredible soccer environment.

Takashi had seen firsthand how members of the soccer club woke up at 5 AM for training, practiced after school, and continued rain or shine.

Japan didn't have a specialized sports school system for elementary and middle schoolers like some other countries, but their club culture was well-developed.

Once students entered high school, they typically split into two groups—those who treated club activities as a simple hobby and those who pursued them as a lifelong career.

Japan had a well-organized national high school tournament system, complete with professional referees, dedicated venues, official websites, over forty TV stations broadcasting the matches, exclusive newspaper coverage, and special reporter interviews.

With these tournaments as a foundation, students who performed well could be scouted into universities, professional clubs, or even overseas teams.

That was why club activities were so popular among students.

Eighty percent of Japanese students participated in at least one club.

Takashi had considered joining one too—to experience some high school youthfulness.

But he simply didn't have the time.

His part-time job and dates already took up too much of his schedule.

"Oi!"

Lost in thought, Takashi suddenly felt a heavy slap on his back.

The burning sensation told him that there was probably a bright red handprint left on his skin.

Steadying himself, he turned around with a frown. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Who told you to ignore me after I called you so many times?" Kamikawa Narii pouted, tilting her head like she was genuinely upset.

"Couldn't you be a little gentler?" Takashi sighed, looking at the girl before him.

She had striking features, an eyepatch covering her left eye, and an earring on her right ear—matching the one Takashi wore.

Her jet-black hair cascaded past her waist, with a small braid tied at the side, adding a playful touch.

She had a slender figure with a delicate waist.

Her chest looked unimpressive at first glance, but Takashi knew she actually had something—just not much.

Of course, her most captivating feature had to be her long, flawless legs.

Kamikawa Narii had the kind of perfect anime-style legs that were smooth and well-proportioned.

This type of leg shape naturally made them look longer, as if enhanced by a beauty filter. At the same time, the slight bit of fleshiness added a healthy, appealing touch.

Kamikawa Narii was the first friend Takashi had made at Aoba High. On his first day, she approached him on her own and struck up a conversation.

"Fine, I'll rub your back, okay?" Narii said half-heartedly, giving him a couple of dismissive pats.

"What were you doing this weekend? I asked you to play games, but you never logged in."

"I was working. Unless you want to support me?"

"Sure! If I have meat to eat, you'll at least get a bone to chew on."

"Am I a dog? And all I get is a bone? Where's my meat?"

"The meat is for me, obviously."

Kitahara Takashi and Kamikawa Narii were both among the best-looking students in school, and walking together immediately drew countless eyes.

"Look! It's Kitahara-kun and Kamikawa-san!"

"They look so good together. Are they dating?"

"They must be dating! Did you see their earrings? They're a matching pair—they were originally one set."

"I don't like Kitahara-kun anymore. How could he get a girlfriend?"

Listening to the whispers around them, Narii's lips subtly curled upward.

She glanced at Takashi and noticed he had put his earphones back in. This irritated her to no end.

She wanted nothing more than to hit him with a solid elbow strike!

"Hey!" She jabbed her finger into his waist, making him flinch since he was ticklish.

Takashi removed his earphones, looking slightly impatient. "What?"

"Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"They were saying we're a couple. Isn't that hilarious?" Narii chuckled, her laughter crisp and playful.

Takashi blinked. "?"

Hilarious?

Since she was the only one laughing, Narii quickly stopped and cleared her throat. "Ahem. How about we pretend to be a couple? Just as a shield to deal with those annoying pursuers."

"You have no idea how persistent one of my suitors has been lately. It's driving me crazy."

Takashi rejected her immediately. "No thanks."

"Fine."

For a brief moment, Narii's smile stiffened. But in less than a second, she recovered her usual expression. 

"Honestly, I didn't really want you to be my boyfriend anyway."

"Pfft, you think I'd struggle to find a boyfriend?"

"The guys chasing me could form a line from here to France, you know?"

Takashi found the whole thing baffling.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"…Grrr!"

As soon as he said that, Narii's hands trembled, sweat formed on her forehead, and she nearly bit her tongue in frustration.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Narii eyed Takashi up and down with disdain.

"Has anyone ever told you how full of yourself you are?"

"You don't seriously think you're handsome, do you?"

"You don't actually believe I need you, right?"

"No way, no way—what a delusional guy."

After thirty seconds of silence, Narii fidgeted before trying to act indifferent again. "So… are you really not going to give it a try?"

"Nope."

Narii turned away, her mouth moving rapidly like she was sending out Morse code.

High concentration of curse words detected.

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

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