Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

"Takashi, thanks for today."

Walking out of the dessert shop with Maki, Takashi checked the time. It was already 18:22.

He hadn't expected that their first meeting would last nearly two and a half hours.

Though, to be fair, most of that time had been spent with Maki talking while he just listened.

Standing at the entrance of the shop, Maki stretched lazily. "Talking to you really lightened my mood."

"By the way, can I come to you again in the future?"

Takashi looked at her bright, expectant eyes and suddenly thought of his dog at home.

That little rascal had the exact same look whenever it wanted him to open a can of food.

"I have a part-time job, so I might not always be available."

Takashi didn't agree to it right away.

After all, Maki wasn't the only person he was seeing.

He was a busy man.

Including Maki, he now had four girls in his pond.

He couldn't just be on call for everyone.

Besides, if a guy is too available and eager, girls won't take him seriously.

Maki looked a bit disappointed, but Takashi quickly added, "But if it's you, Maki, I'll make sure to clear my schedule in advance."

Hearing that, Maki's cheeks instantly turned bright red, like ripe cherries in early summer, full of delicate charm.

"You… you… you're way too flirty!"

Don't look at her with that face that resembles Tsubasa and say things like that!

It makes her feel like she's actually talking to Tsubasa, and she can't handle it!

"Alright, I won't say it."

Takashi complied readily, as if he would go along with whatever she said.

Seeing him being so obedient, Maki suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

She knew Takashi only looked like Tsubasa, but wasn't actually him.

Even so, she still enjoyed the way he gazed at her intently, the way he listened so attentively when she spoke, and the gentleness that seemed reserved only for her.

It was almost… almost like she was actually dating Tsubasa. 

(Utaha: What a coincidence, I feel the same way.)

Takashi saw the hesitation in Maki's eyes and couldn't help but smile.

The reason he had been able to get Utaha, Eriri, and Maki to accept him so easily wasn't because he was particularly handsome or had some incredible skills.

It was because he used the beauty trap—no, the handsome-man trap.

He presented them with the face of the person they loved most and provided them with the emotional validation they needed the most.

Just like how Rin once stood before Obito with her hands clasped behind her back, calling out to him with that warm, steady smile—

Could Obito have resisted that?

If Rin had asked him to, he would have given her his life, handed over his Mangekyo Sharingan, and let her use them as marbles to play with.

The true beauty trap isn't about seduction or physical intimacy.

It's about the way someone's presence shines upon you like a gentle breeze and a bright moon, making you feel that they are a once-in-a-lifetime treasure.

And this principle applies not only to men, but to women as well.

A woman will never forget the person she once truly loved.

No exceptions.

Takashi knew exactly what Maki was thinking, but he pretended not to notice.

"I'll walk you to the train station," he offered.

"No need, my driver's here to pick me up."

Maki pointed to a car parked not far away.

Takashi glanced over.

It was a sleek black vehicle with a boxy design.

When he saw the golden phoenix emblem on the hood, he immediately recognized it as a Toyota.

Judging by the model, it was a Toyota Century.

The most prestigious car under Toyota's brand, often referred to as the "Japanese Rolls-Royce."

'This fish is seriously fat.'

Just like that, Maki's priority ranking in his list shot up.

Takashi made a decision—

Next time both Maki and Utaha messaged him at the same time, he would reply to Maki first.

"I can have my driver take you home," Maki offered.

"No need. My place is really close, just a five-minute walk."

That was a lie.

In reality, Maki's place was several train stops away from where he lived.

He refused the ride because he didn't want her knowing where he stayed.

To him, work and personal life had to remain separate.

Half a year ago, when he first transmigrated into this world, he had faced a tough decision about which school to attend.

Because of his excellent grades, he had received invitations from multiple prestigious schools—Aoba Academy, Shuchiin Academy, Private Toyonozaki Academy, Sobu High School, Advanced Nurturing High School, Sakuragaoka High School, Teitan High School…

He had personally visited and investigated each of them.

And after careful consideration, he chose Aoba Academy.

The main reason he didn't choose any of the other schools?

They were all places where major "dating sim" heroines studied.

If he went to any of them, it was only a matter of time before he got tangled up with them.

How did he know?

Because that's how it always happens in the stories.

He just wanted to finish school in peace and enjoy a quiet, leisurely student life.

He didn't want Utaha, Hiratsuka, Eriri, or any of them interfering with his life.

Aoba Academy, which had no "dating sim" heroines, top-tier teaching facilities, a strong faculty, and an excellent academic reputation, was the perfect fit for him.

"Alright then, I'll get going."

Maki sounded a little disappointed.

She had wanted to chat with Takashi in the car about how to steal a man— redacted— no, about how to "save" Tsubasa.

"See you."

After waving Maki goodbye, Takashi's smile disappeared the moment she left.

He turned back toward the dessert shop, took off his wig, removed his makeup, and walked up to the counter.

"One mango-thyme, latte-banana, and hazelnut-milk ice cream, please."

He had been craving sweets ever since Maki was eating earlier.

He had been holding back the whole time.

"Ahem!"

A petite high school girl, who looked slightly childlike, coughed and nudged her friend under the table, sneaking glances at Takashi.

She was trying to subtly tell her friend, Look over there, hot guy.

The group of girls peeked at Takashi's intensely attractive features.

As they stared, their faces gradually flushed, and they exchanged glances before shyly giggling among themselves.

"What do I do? I feel like I can't breathe."

"Same here."

"My head is now full of… inappropriate thoughts."

Takashi's face was the kind that made girls feel anything but pure when they looked at him.

If this were a doujin scenario, he'd be the type to get bullied, dominated, or even locked up by obsessive girls.

Since arriving in Tokyo, he had received quite a few calls from wealthy women.

Takashi had saved every single one of their contacts.

To clarify—he definitely wasn't looking for an easy way out.

He just really enjoyed making new friends.

"That'll be 1,959 yen in total."

After ordering his ice cream, Takashi also had the clerk pack up some extra desserts to go.

Eating while responding to messages from Utaha and the others, he eventually made his way home.

By the time he arrived, it was already close to 8 PM.

Just as he was about to pull out his keys, the door suddenly opened from the inside.

Takashi looked at the silver-haired girl standing in front of him, surprised.

"You haven't left yet?"

___

20 Advanced Chapters available on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics

Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!

Don't forget to leave a review too~ [5 bonus chapter if we reach 10 reviews]

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

___