Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

After lunch, Takashi played a game of chess with Kokoro.

Although he had only just learned the rules of chess today, Kokoro wasn't very skilled either, making their match a clumsy battle between amateurs.

As they played, Kotonoha sat nearby, watching them with a gentle smile. 

Occasionally, she would stare at the chessboard in deep thought; other times, she would glance at her phone, but she wasn't chatting with anyone. 

She would take one look and then close it.

Takashi speculated that she was probably checking to see if Makoto had replied to her messages.

They played until 1 p.m., when Kotonoha sent Kokoro off to bed for a nap.

After making sure her sister was asleep, Kotonoha stepped out of the room and saw Takashi sitting at the table, propping his face up with one hand while lazily flipping through the pages of a hardcover book.

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the boy's profile. His skin was remarkably fair, smooth like a freshly peeled egg—enough to make even girls envious.

His long eyelashes cast shadows over his cheeks as his bright and clear eyes focused intently on the book.

The afternoon sunlight was warm and serene, and the distant chirping of birds made everything feel calm and peaceful. 

Sitting there, flipping through the pages with a relaxed posture, Takashi seemed like a picture of quiet elegance.

Kotonoha suddenly felt the urge to capture this moment. She even raised her phone, but the moment she saw Makoto's delicate face on her lock screen, she hesitated.

She stared at it for a long time before finally lowering her phone.

Turning away, she went back to her room and returned shortly after with a book of her own, taking a seat across from Takashi.

"Thank you for indulging my little sister's whims, Takashi-kun," she said.

Takashi stretched his neck a little. "Don't say that. I actually like Kokoro. She's very lovable, isn't she?"

Kotonoha smiled faintly, neither agreeing or disagreeing. "Kokoro and I are different. She's always been popular."

Takashi lifted his gaze slightly, glancing at her. "You're so exceptional, Kotonoha. Are you really saying that you get ostracized at school?"

He had already noticed the signs before.

Otherwise, why would her calls always end up going to him?

Though, if it was that bad, shouldn't she go to the police?

"I don't have many friends at school," Kotonoha admitted, her expression carrying a hint of loneliness.

"The only one who's willing to be my friend is Saionji-san."

Hearing this, Takashi gave her a peculiar look.

You call someone who wants to be your boyfriend or girlfriend just a 'friend'?

What kind of logic is that?

"Are you sure she sees you as just a friend?"

"What are you trying to say, Takashi-kun?"

Kotonoha had the feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind his words.

"Katsura-san," Takashi said, closing his book and marking the page with a bookmark, "in this world, there may be hatred without reason, but there is never love without motive."

"If someone approaches you for no apparent reason, they must have something they want from you."

"And more importantly—never wait for someone to change their mind."

"Waiting is addictive," he continued.

Once you get used to waiting, you'll realize that if one day you stop, it won't feel like you've given up on them—it will feel like you've betrayed yourself.

But in her case, her waiting was like standing at an airport, expecting a ship to arrive. There would never be a result.

Kotonoha lowered her head, as if trying to hide her face.

Takashi felt that he had said all he needed to say. What she chose to do next was up to her.

"I should get going."

Having finished his meal, Takashi figured it was time to leave.

After all, they weren't particularly close, and lingering in a stranger's house wasn't exactly proper.

Besides, he wasn't comfortable staying in someone else's home.

Kotonoha's house was luxurious—far more extravagant than his current residence—but no matter how good something was, if it wasn't his, it had nothing to do with him.

Kotonoha didn't insist on keeping him, instead standing up as well. "I'll walk you out."

The two of them walked to the entrance. As Takashi bent down to put on his shoes, Kotonoha suddenly said, "Takashi-kun, thank you."

Without looking back, Takashi replied, "There's nothing to thank me for. It's easy to give advice when you don't have to deal with the consequences."

"Even so, I still want to thank you," Kotonoha said sincerely, staring at his back.

"If you really want to thank me, then stop coming to school to find me," Takashi said as he finished putting on his shoes, standing up to look her in the eyes.

It was the second time he had said something like this.

"I don't want what happened today to happen again."

Kotonoha lowered her head, staring at her toes—but her ample chest blocked the view.

"Takashi-kun, do you really dislike me that much?"

"I don't dislike you. But a man and a woman being alone together in private isn't appropriate," Takashi answered calmly, his expression unwavering.

"But it's fine for Miss Kamikawa?" Kotonoha's voice wasn't loud, but there was a quiet pressure behind her words.

"Yes."

Takashi answered without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Because she's my friend."

Kotonoha pressed her lips together, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. 

"We can be friends too."

"I don't get too close to girls who have boyfriends, let alone become friends with them," Takashi said bluntly, showing no mercy in his words.

It wasn't just about Kotonoha.

Whether it was Utaha or Eriri—if they had boyfriends, he would disappear from their lives.

That was why he had never revealed his true identity to them.

This game had always been one he was prepared to leave at any moment.

"That person won't be bothering you anymore. Goodbye."

With that, Takashi gently shut the door, disappearing from Kotonoha's sight.

She stood still, staring at the empty entryway, lost in thought.

—

[This mission is complete. Calculating rewards.]

[Player has earned: 5,000 points.]

[Date count: Katsura Kotonoha · One time.]

After leaving Kotonoha's house, Takashi sat on the train, and the system finally responded.

He still didn't fully understand what counted as "completion" and what didn't.

Was it because he didn't go on a date that day?

Did today count as a date?

Forget it. Not worth thinking about.

When he got home and opened the door, instead of being greeted by his dog, he was met with a blast of cold air.

In the living room, he saw his dog, Kuro, lounging on the couch, enjoying the air conditioning.

There were even snacks on the low table.

Kuro gave him a glance when he walked in, then turned its attention back to the TV.

Seeing this, Takashi suddenly felt a wave of irritation.

For the first time, he understood why his parents used to get annoyed when they came home from work to find him lounging with the AC on, wrapped in a blanket, snacking and playing games.

So, all his hard-earned money was just for this dog to enjoy life?

In a bad mood, he needed an outlet.

Without hesitation, he smacked Kuro on the head.

"Woof?"

Kuro looked at him in utter confusion.

Do you even realize how much emotional damage one slap causes a dog?

Lately, it had been on its best behavior—it hadn't even torn up the house!

What more did he want?

After the slap, Takashi switched off the AC with a "beep," then grabbed his fishing rod and tackle box. 

"Stop lazing around like a spoiled girl. Come on, we're going fishing."

Kuro rolled its eyes.

It didn't want to go.

It was scorching hot, and he never caught anything anyway.

He barely reeled in a single tiny fish, yet he was addicted to fishing.

It just didn't get it—why was its owner so obsessed with feeding the fish?

"I have a feeling," Takashi declared confidently, "that today, I will not return empty-handed."

Empty-handed?

What a joke!

A true fisherman never returns empty-handed.

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

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