Didn’t You Say I Was Just a Stand-In?

"Thank you for today, Takashi."

After leaving the dessert shop with Shijo Maki, Kitahara Takashi glanced at the time and noticed it was already 18:22.

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

Although, to be honest, most of the time it was Shijo Maki doing the talking, while he simply listened.

Standing at the entrance of the dessert shop, Shijo Maki stretched lazily and said, "Talking to you has really lightened my mood."

"By the way, can I still reach out to you in the future?"

Kitahara Takashi looked at Shijo Maki, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation, and suddenly thought of his dog. That little rascal gave him the same look whenever it wanted him to open a can of food for it.

"I usually have part-time work, so I might not always be free."

Takashi didn't immediately agree. After all, Shijo Maki wasn't the only one he was seeing. He was a busy man. Including her, there were already four "fish" in his pond. He couldn't just be at her beck and call. Besides, if a guy is too eager or enthusiastic, girls tend to take him for granted.

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

Hearing this, Shijo Maki's cheeks suddenly turned as red as ripe cherries in early summer, delicate and radiant.

"You... you're too forward."

She thought to herself, Don't say such sweet words with that face so similar to Tanuma Tsubasa's. I might start imagining I'm actually talking to him, and I can't handle that.

"Alright, I won't say it," Takashi replied smoothly, as if he'd do whatever she asked.

Seeing how compliant Takashi was, Shijo Maki felt an inexplicable sense of loss. She knew Takashi only looked like Tanuma Tsubasa—he wasn't actually him. Even so, she still enjoyed the way he gazed at her intently, the focus he gave her when she spoke, and the gentleness he reserved just for her. It was as if... as if she were really dating Tanuma Tsubasa. (Kasumigaoka Utaha: What a coincidence, I feel the same way.)

Takashi noticed Shijo Maki's hesitation and couldn't help but smile knowingly. The reason he had so easily won over Kasumigaoka Utaha, Sawamura Spencer Eriri, and Shijo Maki wasn't because he was exceptionally handsome or talented. It was because he used a "beauty trap"—no, a "handsome trap." He presented himself in the image of the person they most admired and provided the emotional value they craved.

It was like when Nohara Rin stood in front of Uchiha Obito with her hands behind her back, smiling warmly and calling him "Obito." Do you think Obito could resist that? He'd willingly give up his life, even pluck out his Mangekyō Sharingan and hand it over for her to play with like a marble.

A true "beauty trap" isn't about physical intimacy or seduction. It's about her radiant presence shining on you, making you feel like she's a once-in-a-lifetime treasure. The same principle applies not only to men but also to women. A woman never forgets the person she truly loved. Without exception.

Takashi knew exactly what Shijo Maki was thinking but pretended not to notice. "Let me walk you to the train station," he offered.

"No need, my driver is here to pick me up," Shijo Maki said, pointing to a car parked not far away.

Takashi glanced over. It was a sleek, black, boxy car. He recognized the golden phoenix emblem—it was a Toyota. Judging by the model, it was likely a Toyota Century, the brand's most luxurious product, often referred to as the "Japanese Rolls-Royce."

This fish is truly a big catch, Takashi thought. Shijo Maki's priority in his mind instantly shot up. He decided then and there that if she and Kasumigaoka Utaha both messaged him at the same time, he'd reply to her first.

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

"No need, my place is really close. Just a five-minute walk," Takashi lied. In reality, her place was several stops away. He refused because he didn't want her to know where he lived. For him, work and personal life had to be kept separate.

When he first arrived in Tokyo half a year ago, he faced the dilemma of choosing a school. Because of his excellent grades, not only did Aoba extend an offer, but also Shuchi'in Academy, Private Toyosu High, Soubu High, Kōdo Ikusei High, Sakaki no, and Teitan... all sent him invitations. Takashi had visited each of these schools to check them out. After careful consideration, he chose Aoba. The main reason he didn't choose the others was that those schools all had characters he'd potentially have to "date." Being around them would inevitably lead to all sorts of entanglements. How did he know? That's just how it always goes in the stories.

He just wanted to focus on his studies and enjoy a free, leisurely school life. He didn't want Kasumigaoka Utaha, Hiratsuka Shizuka, or Eriri to become part of his daily life. Aoba, with its lack of "dating targets," top-notch facilities, excellent faculty, high-quality student body, and long history, met all his needs.

"Alright, then I'll head off first," Shijo Maki said, feeling a bit regretful. She had wanted to chat more with Takashi in the car about how to win over a certain someone (scribbled out), ahem, about how to save Tanuma Tsubasa.

"Goodbye," Takashi said with a smile, waving as Shijo Maki left. Once she was out of sight, his smile faded. He walked back into the dessert shop, removed his wig, wiped off his makeup, and approached the counter. "I'll have a mango-thyme, latte-banana, and hazelnut-milk ice cream, please."

He'd been craving it the whole time Shijo Maki was eating her dessert. He'd been holding back.

"Ahem!"

A petite high school girl with a youthful appearance coughed twice upon seeing Takashi. Under the table, she kicked her friend and subtly gestured toward him, signaling them to check out the handsome guy. The group of girls stared at Takashi's strikingly attractive face, their cheeks flushing as they exchanged glances, giggling and lowering their heads in embarrassment.

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

"Me too."

"My mind is full of inappropriate thoughts."

Takashi's face was the kind that made it hard for girls to think wholesome thoughts. From a distance, he exuded an aura that sparked dangerous, impulsive ideas. In a certain type of story, he'd be the character who gets bullied, possessed, or even confined by women.

Since arriving in Tokyo, Takashi had received plenty of private calls from wealthy women. He made sure to save all their numbers. Just to be clear, it wasn't because he wanted to take shortcuts—he just loved making friends.

"That'll be 1,959 yen."

After ordering his ice cream, Takashi also asked the staff to pack some desserts to go. Carrying the bag of sweets, he ate while handling messages from Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others. By the time he got home, it was almost 8 p.m.

Standing at his front door, Takashi was about to take out his keys when the door opened from the inside. He looked at the silver-haired girl standing in front of him and asked in surprise, "You're still here?"