Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

The dolphin show was, admittedly, spectacular.

Agile dolphins weaved through the water like graceful dancers, then leapt into the air, spinning and twirling before crashing back down—BOOM!

Huge splashes soared into the air.

How high? Probably three or four stories.

Naturally, the front row got soaked.

As the splash came toward them, Takashi didn't hesitate. 

He grabbed the mesmerized Adagaki Aki—who had stood up in excitement—and pulled her in front of him. She took the full brunt of the splash.

Soaked from head to waist.

"…"

Adagaki Aki stood frozen, completely stunned.

Until—

"HAHAHAHA!"

Takashi's loud, unapologetic laugh rang right in her ear.

She slowly turned to him, face dark.

"Now do you understand why no one sat in the front?"

Takashi was still laughing cheerfully, utterly unaware of danger—like he didn't know she was about to go full Joker.

Adagaki Aki didn't hesitate. She reached for Takashi's ear and gave it a vicious twist.

"Ow ow ow!"

Takashi instantly stopped laughing.

"Laugh! Go on, keep laughing!"

Adagaki Aki's lips curled into a smile.

A cold, cruel smile.

"Takashi, I never imagined you had this much nerve."

No one had ever treated her like this before.

Everyone always spoke to her with caution, carefully picking their words for fear of upsetting her.

But with Takashi, she didn't see even a shred of the respect or fear other boys showed her.

It was like, in his eyes, she was just another ordinary girl.

Actually, Adagaki Aki—

Not just Adagaki Aki, but also Nagisa, Momo, and Maki—Takashi treated them all as ordinary girls, never once caring about their social status.

Because according to the author—ahem, no, according to Takashi's own experience as a womanizer:

A cruel truth is this: the more you care about a woman, the more she looks down on you.

On the other hand, the less you care, the easier it is to control the dynamic.

Why are there always beautiful girls around scumbag Takashi?

Because he never gives a damn about a woman's appearance.

Brothers, remember this: no matter how pretty a girl is, before she starts liking you, she has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Some guys—just because a girl talks a little closer, flirts a little—immediately treat her like their girlfriend, taking charge of everything like they're her boyfriend already.

To women, this is a huge turn-off.

Who even are you to her?

And you're already pointing fingers and acting like her man?

That's why so many guys start off strong, only for the girl to ghost them halfway through.

The root problem? They care too much.

But Takashi is different.

He never cares.

Just like a goddess never cares about her simp.

He has the confidence and mindset to treat women indifferently.

Just like how he 'broke up' with Eriri and Utaha.

To others, they might seem like unattainable goddesses. But in Takashi's eyes, they're nothing more than replaceable assembly line workers.

To borrow a quote from some heartless capitalist:

"If you won't do it, there's someone else who will."

That same philosophy fits Takashi perfectly.

So if Utaha and Eriri walk away, that just frees up room for Maki, Nagisa, Kotonoha, and Komi Shoko to step in.

Breakups? No big deal. The next one will be even more obedient.

Takashi never lacks admirers. He never shuts off social interaction. 

He never minds meeting new girls. So he has a seemingly infinite supply of options.

"You're just one of many. Not the only one."

That's the message Takashi has always conveyed.

Because he doesn't care, because he treats those high-society girls like normal people, that's exactly why they're drawn to him.

For Adagaki Aki, this was the first time she had experienced something like this.

And honestly—

She couldn't bring herself to hate it.

She was tired of the way other guys stared at her—so obvious in their lust and aggression.

Tired of how cautiously people spoke to her—afraid that any word might make her upset.

That's why she didn't dislike being around Takashi.

…

How could someone have this much nerve?

Makabe Masamune, who had been separated from Takashi and Adagaki Aki by one seat, could only think this as he watched what had just happened.

Oi, dude, do you know who you just pulled in front of you as a human shield?

That was the notorious "Queen of Cruelty" from their school—the same girl who could emotionally destroy a guy in less than three minutes.

No one in the entire school, including himself, dared to laugh after treating Adagaki Aki that way.

…

"Eh?"

From the back row, Koyasu Tsubame let out a slightly surprised and delighted sound upon spotting Takashi.

She hadn't expected to run into him here.

What a coincidence…

Though—

Why is it that the girl next to him always changes?

Since their first meeting, Takashi had always been the same—but the girl at his side kept rotating like a fashion catalog.

After the dolphin show ended, Takashi's group went to see the sailboats.

The Kobe Maritime Museum's exterior was modeled after waves and sails, its white framework perfectly matching the maritime theme—a harmonious blend of design and content.

The museum housed three exhibition zones: first floor, second floor, and outdoor space. 

It thoroughly introduced the history of Kobe Port and various oceanic and maritime knowledge.

With the help of modern video systems, the exhibits came to life, leaving a deep impression on visitors.

The outdoor area showcased ships from East and West across different eras. Walking among them, guests felt transported in time, immersed in the evolution of maritime design.

And the longer Makabe Masamune stayed with Takashi, the more he felt intellectually humiliated.

From ship architecture to maritime evolution, Takashi knew it all.

And this had nothing to do with any kind of system—Takashi had always had a passion for history.

If not for the need to survive, he originally wanted to be an archaeologist.

"I have something else to take care of today, so I'll head out now."

Using a scheduled alarm as his excuse, Makabe Masamune decided to leave.

He really couldn't take it anymore.

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