Didn’t You Say I Was Just a Stand-In?

"She doesn't like Tsubasa at all!"

"If she accepts a confession just like that, doesn't she have any opinions of her own?"

"This shameless, frivolous woman."

In the dessert shop, Shijo Maki was venting her frustrations to Kitahara Takashi, listing all the flaws of her best friend.

At first, their conversation was quite ordinary.

But when Kitahara 'accidentally' brought up the topic of relationships, Shijo Maki couldn't stop herself.

Perhaps she had been holding it in for too long, and seeing how similar Kitahara was to Tazuna Tsubasa, she felt a sense of familiarity. Thinking that the two didn't know each other anyway, Shijo Maki decided to use him as a sounding board, pouring out all her grievances.

'Girls' friendships are so fragile.'

If Kitahara remembered correctly, just a few minutes ago, Shijo Maki had said that Kashiwagi Nagisa was her best friend.

Now, she was calling her a shameless, frivolous woman.

But Kitahara didn't say anything.

He knew better than to agree or add to the criticism when a girl was venting about her best friend in front of you.

Because if you did, she might end up disliking you instead.

He decided to treat this as just a piece of gossip.

"Shijo-san, are you just going to stand by and watch?"

Of course, he couldn't stay completely silent.

Even as a good listener, sometimes you need to give appropriate responses.

"Aren't you going to do anything?"

Shijo Maki's moist, delicate cherry lips left the straw, and she brushed her hair aside. "Do something? That's such a barbaric idea."

"How could I, a lady, do something as shameless as stealing a man?"

"Love between students is just like playing house. It's never going to last."

"Those two will break up soon anyway."

"I don't need to do anything. I'll just leisurely drink my tea and wait for them to break up."

"So, it doesn't matter who he's with..."

Kitahara thought about it and realized she was right.

Out of a hundred campus romances, hardly any make it to the end.

Graduation season is breakup season.

'I didn't expect her to be so clear-headed.'

Kitahara had just silently praised Shijo Maki in his mind, but the next second, he took it back.

Right in front of him, Shijo Maki started shedding tears while wiping them away: "As long as he comes back to me in the end, that's enough."

Kitahara: "..."

I thought you were the epitome of a modern, independent, and clear-headed woman.

Turns out, you're just all talk.

Crying under the bridge, wiping your tears, pretending it doesn't matter, saying 'whatever' to everything.

"...Are you really okay with this?"

For some reason, Kitahara suddenly recalled a memory of his own and blurted out this question.

"Hmph!"

Shijo Maki raised her head proudly, like a haughty white swan, and said arrogantly, "I'm not like you fragile people. I'm a strong person with a heart of steel."

Kitahara stared straight at her and asked, "For the next three years, you'll have to endure watching them be affectionate in front of you."

"Watching their countless intimate touches."

"Late at night, when they're blushing and flustered, exchanging warmth, promising never to part."

"Watching the way they look at each other, only to break up later when the novelty wears off and their needs are met, then coming to you to settle."

"During the time you're together, she'll still occasionally think of him."

"Doing things she's already done countless times with him, while only you are the one feeling the sparks, happy on your own."

"Out of politeness, she'll downplay her ex, afraid of upsetting you, but she'll still unconsciously smile when she thinks of him. Even so, you're okay with it?"

At first, Shijo Maki tried to stay strong.

But the more Kitahara spoke, the more uncomfortable she became.

Just imagining the scenes made her squirm in her seat.

'As expected, no one can really get over something like this.'

Kitahara watched Shijo Maki's reaction, which mirrored his own from back then, and his eyelids drooped slightly.

He understood how she felt.

Because the imagination you're so proud of would uncontrollably project vivid images in your mind, meticulously recreating their actions, expressions, and voices. The realism of it all was suffocating just to think about.

Kitahara had experienced this before.

Strictly raised by his parents, he had focused on studying throughout college and hadn't dated much.

His first relationship was after graduation, and it started late.

Kitahara had loved his first girlfriend deeply and had been happy with her. But she had once been in a passionate relationship that ended because the guy's family was poor.

So, late at night, Kitahara would often wonder if what they had was really love.

Did she truly like him?

Kitahara didn't know, and he couldn't understand. Just thinking about her past experiences made him feel itchy all over and his chest tighten.

It was a kind of emotional pain.

But he couldn't blame anyone.

Blame her?

She had met someone she liked and wanted to be with him. What was wrong with that?

But damn it, Kitahara just couldn't come to terms with it, couldn't let it go.

Every time he thought about it, his heart ached.

In the end, Kitahara chose to break up.

Sometimes he wondered if he was just sick.

"W-why are you saying these things?"

Shijo Maki covered her chest with her right hand, like an egg with its hard shell shattered, tears falling like they were free.

"Sorry."

Kitahara looked at Shijo Maki's state and felt a bit guilty.

He took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears.

But this simple act only made Shijo Maki cry even harder, sobbing uncontrollably.

Her loud crying immediately drew the attention of everyone around.

Many people pointed at Kitahara, especially the women, whose eyes looked at him like he was trash.

Kitahara didn't care about the stares now. He just looked at the tear-soaked handkerchief and thought about getting a new one, but Shijo Maki suddenly grabbed his wrist tightly.

Her grip was strong, but he could easily break free if he wanted.

But after a moment's thought, Kitahara decided not to pull his hand away, keeping it in place to wipe her tears.

After crying for a while, Shijo Maki finally started to calm down, though the pain and sorrow in her heart remained.

She snatched the handkerchief from Kitahara's hand, turned her head, and said, "I'll wash this and return it to you."

Kitahara didn't really care about the handkerchief.

Come to think of it, this handkerchief had been given to him by Eri.

He didn't know how much it cost, but it was very comfortable to use, so he always carried it with him.

Shijo Maki stuffed the handkerchief into her bag and looked up at him, her eyes swollen and red.

"I've decided to steal him away. Do you have any good advice?"

Kitahara was stunned.

Wait, I came here to be a stand-in, but now you're treating me like a strategist?