Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

Every time someone asked Takashi what the meaning of life was, he'd say things like "poetry and distant dreams" or "for the rise of the nation."

But in truth?

The answer was: putting on a show.

Takashi's hobbies, his good grades, his daily workouts, his carefully chosen outfits—all of it was part of the act.

When he had money, he acted refined.

When he didn't, he acted modestly.

Whether it was acting dumb, acting confident, acting indifferent, or acting emo—if he wasn't acting right now, he was probably saving it up for a bigger scene.

What was the point of living if not for the act?

Dramatic flair was his way of life.

Successful swagger was his life's creed.

Takashi loved something once said by Chen Danqing: "What is art? Art is just showing off—only I succeeded at it."

Well, what a coincidence—Takashi loved showing off too. And he succeeded.

…

"Takashi-kun, your next opponent is Aroyada High, where Doma Umaru plays. Do you have anything to say about that?"

The interview continued, and Ichika asked the next question.

Takashi chuckled and said, "I hope someone doesn't show up tomorrow. I'm afraid she might start crying."

"Someone? Do you mean Doma Umaru?" Hoshino Ai seized the opening and followed up quickly.

"Takashi-kun, what exactly is your relationship with Doma Umaru?"

Now that's what you call professionalism.

This—this was how interviews should be done. Forget the formalities—give the people the juicy stuff.

The audience watching on their phones perked right up.

Compared to Ichika's formulaic approach, Hoshino Ai was clearly more cheeky and intuitive.

She asked the questions everyone wanted answered.

Their different upbringings and experiences shaped their styles.

"What's my relationship with you—that's what my relationship with her is," Takashi said with a wink.

Hoshino Ai immediately remembered that time Takashi told her to call him "Daddy."

(Takashi: Wait, didn't you start calling me that on your own?)

And she hadn't even been drinking—yet her face was already slightly flushed.

Even her ears, hidden beneath her hair, were turning red.

"What are we, exactly?" she asked.

"You don't know what we are?"

"How would I know?"

Sigh…

Takashi shook his head and sighed. "You don't understand me at all."

Hoshino Ai played along: "How can I understand you if you won't tell me?"

"True understanding doesn't require words."

"If you'd just say it, then I'd understand."

"What's the point of saying it? You should just know."

"I'm not a mind reader. How am I supposed to know what you mean?"

"I didn't mean anything."

At first, Hoshino Ai kept smiling and going along with the bit. But as the conversation continued, she started to get genuinely flustered.

Frustrated, she pouted and said, "Yeah, you're right—it's meaningless."

Takashi smirked. "So now you think everything I say is meaningless, huh?"

Hoshino Ai's voice rose slightly. "Did I say that?"

Takashi raised his voice too. "So I did say it's meaningless. So what?"

Hoshino Ai was getting worked up. "Then tell me already—what do you mean?!"

"Fine! You want to know what I mean? I'll tell you what I mean. I mean exactly what I meant."

Livestream chat:

[Classic. This is so classic. 😂]

[I'm dying—these two are comedy gold.]

[I've lived through a convo like this and all I can do is applaud 👏]

[This is 100% what couples arguing sounds like]

[So what did he mean tho? 🤯]

Question One: What did Takashi mean?

He really meant nothing. He meant something. If he told you what he meant, it would no longer mean anything. He's mad and wants someone to comfort him.

[Is this a listening section from a foreign language exam or something?]

[If a dating reality show ever gets these two as guests—it would explode.]

—

Not far away, Saito Ichigo looked at his phone, watching Hoshino Ai's follower count skyrocket.

He muttered, "Looks like people still prefer my Ai."

Ichika's manager picked up on the smugness in his tone—and was thoroughly annoyed.

…

In a three-story detached home in Shibuya, Tokyo, the windows were shut tight.

Inside the dim room, the only source of light was a soft glow from a phone screen, not even bright enough to light up the space.

[These two have amazing chemistry. Just get together already.]

[Glad I'm not the only one who thinks they're perfect for each other.]

[A young baseball king and a rising star in entertainment—a power couple.]

[Baseball players have always been the #1 pick for celebrity husbands.]

[Did you see how Takashi looked at Hoshino Ai? The love was radiating from his eyes.]

[They're totally a thing.]

[I've got a friend in the industry—can't say who—but they said Takashi originally didn't want to do the interview. When he heard Hoshino Ai was coming, he changed his mind instantly. Think about that. Think hard.]

Whenever a good-looking guy and a pretty girl appeared together, shippers would inevitably show up.

And don't think Japan is exempt from this.

In fact, celebrity pairing culture is incredibly popular in Japan.

Especially in online communities and fan groups.

Many celeb couples form through co-starring in shows or movies. Once fans see their chemistry online, they start speculating—is it real?

So it's no surprise that romantic rumors and celebrity marriages often become media frenzies in Japan.

…

Fans were loving it—but not everyone was thrilled.

Kamiki Hikaru stared at the endless wave of "Get together already!" comments. His bloodshot eyes were full of resentment.

His fingers jabbed at the phone with such force it seemed like he wanted to shatter the screen.

[Hoshino Ai already likes someone!]

[Takashi is just a womanizing jerk! Go look at how many girls he's been rumored with!]

[Hoshino Ai would never fall for someone like that!]

Hikaru was acting like a broken boy who couldn't live without Hoshino Ai. 

At this point in time, he didn't yet have the emotional control he would later develop.

Seeing people ship his girlfriend with Takashi made him lose it—and he impulsively started arguing with netizens.

Something the future Hikaru would never do—but right now, he was just too young and too hot-headed.

[If not Takashi, then who? You?!]

[Exactly. Hoshino Ai already likes someone—and it's me.]

[He sees your pout and kisses you. He sees your frown and comforts you. 

When you're upset, he says he can't live without you. 

He gives you all the emotional value in the world—except love. A perfect trash man.]

[Straight men either don't talk, or when they do, they piss you off.]

Hikaru really thought the public would take his side.

After all, Takashi had a bad reputation—he'd been linked to multiple rich girls. What kind of girl would fall for a guy like that?

But he was too naive.

He underestimated the power of the fairy girls.

Their increasingly outrageous comments deeply agitated Kamiki Hikaru, twisting something in his heart.

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I NEED MORE OF HIKARU BASHING PLS!!!

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