Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

One hour before the fireworks began, there would be performances at the central square, with popular artists invited by the organizers.

Standing in the crowd, munching on yakisoba, Takashi spotted Hoshino Ai again.

Being an idol must be so exhausting… he sighed internally, still eating yakisoba.

Lately, Hoshino Ai's career had been on the rise, and she was flying around the country non-stop.

By now, Takashi had even given her a nickname: "A-Ai (National Edition?)"

On stage, Hoshino Ai was twisting her waist in rhythm, spinning, and touching her temple with her index and middle fingers. 

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Takashi, mouth full of yakisoba and slurping watermelon juice. 

Her famously "fake" idol smile suddenly gained an unexpected touch of life.

But when she saw Momo and Tsubame standing on either side of him, that smile vanished in an instant. 

Her upturned lips dropped, and her brows furrowed deeply.

He changes girls so often—how is he not exhausted? Hoshino Ai sneered inwardly.

After watching for a while, the three in the crowd quickly got bored and left.

Leaving so fast? After I called you "Daddy" on stage!

Seeing Takashi leave before her performance even ended, Hoshino Ai pouted so hard she could hang an oil bottle from her lip.

The fans below thought the pout was meant for them, and they got fired up.

"I live only for Hoshino Ai!"

"I'm Ai-chan's dog!"

"Mommy!"

They screamed all kinds of wild, unfiltered things.

Little did they know—the goddess they revered wasn't upset because of them at all. She was upset because one man didn't stay to watch her perform.

And none of them noticed.

The fireworks announcer's voice rang out.

As the fireworks festival began, all three looked up at the sky.

Muffled booms echoed in the distance, followed by dozens of fiery trails streaking into the night sky. After a moment of darkness, BOOM—

Brilliant red explosions lit up the night in dazzling displays.

Fireworks of all shapes and sizes blossomed in the darkness, mingling with the harbor and city lights in a spectacular, romantic scene.

Takashi wasn't impressed—he had seen too many fireworks. His heart remained calm, even slightly queasy.

He was bored of it.

It felt like watching Exes on repeat with different girls in his past life—he was just done.

Since he found no interest in the fireworks, he turned to look at Momo instead.

He might be sick of fireworks, but never of pretty girls.

The booming of fireworks echoed nonstop.

Illuminated by the bursts of light, Momo's aloof, unapproachable face had a rebellious edge in the night wind as her hair fluttered. 

To Takashi, she looked even more beautiful than the fireworks themselves.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Momo turned to look at him.

Their eyes met. She glared at him, then quickly turned away, pretending to look up at the sky.

But really, her attention was no longer on the fireworks.

She kept sneaking glances at Takashi from the corner of her eye.

And no matter how many times she peeked, his gaze never left her.

She grew both shy and annoyed.

Finally, she couldn't hold back anymore and snapped, "What are you looking at?"

Takashi smiled. "The fireworks!"

His tone was so calm, so natural, it almost convinced her he really was just watching the sky.

If she hadn't seen him staring at her this whole time, she might have believed it.

"There are fireworks on my face now?"

"Yeah," Takashi said as he raised a hand and pointed at her eyes. 

"Because in your eyes, I see the most beautiful fireworks in the world."

Momo turned her head sharply. She didn't look pleased, just muttered, "...How many girls have you said that to?"

At first, the line made her a little happy.

But thinking that he probably said it to other girls too, she got irritated again.

"Only to you."

"You think I'm stupid? You expect me to believe that?"

She glared at him, stubbornly.

"Stop treating me like a fool."

But her attempt to act fierce had no bite. She looked more like a little kitten baring her fangs.

"It's true."

Takashi's gaze didn't waver—it was filled with sincerity.

"I haven't said that line to anyone else."

"Because I never thought of it before."

Momo was speechless.

So he only said it because he thought of it just now?

"Oh, great."

Even though it was the answer she wanted, it still didn't make her happy.

Takashi wasn't worried—everything was going according to plan.

That earlier line was just the setup.

Now came the real strike.

He said slowly, "It's only when I saw you… that I thought of it."

Momo didn't respond, as if she hadn't heard it. But the corners of her lips began to curve upward.

"So pretty..."

Takashi was bored, but Tsubame wasn't.

Even though this wasn't her first fireworks festival.

"We should—"

She turned to speak but caught sight of Takashi's eyes—filled with affection and gentleness—fixed on Momo.

Though Momo wasn't looking back, Tsubame noticed her ears turning red.

So she swallowed her words.

She looked up at the bursting fireworks.

Somehow… they didn't seem quite so beautiful anymore.

Was this what they called… tastelessness?

Tsubame sneaked another glance at Takashi, tracing his features—brows, eyes, nose, lips—with her gaze.

This man's looks and personality hit all her weak spots.

As she stared, a thought drifted into her mind: Fireworks look round from the front—but from the side, they look like your lover's face.

Suddenly, she remembered that time in the movie theater, when Takashi had grabbed her hand out of fear.

She could still feel that warmth and texture.

Her eyes dropped to his slender, teasing fingers, and before she knew it, her pinky gently brushed the back of his hand.

Ahhh! Tsubame, what are you doing!? Shameless!

She panicked and tried to put some space between them.

But at that moment—the same big hand that had grabbed hers at the theater—covered hers again as she tried to escape.

Tsubame whipped her head up and looked at Takashi.

But he was still looking at Momo.

And yet—he firmly held Tsubame's hand.

What the hell is this!?

Eyes on one girl, hands on another?

How could he multitask like this?

Besides, they hadn't even talked much before!

Tsubame fumed silently.

But… she didn't pull her hand away.

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