Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

Outside Hanshin Koshien Stadium, Yukino's mother pressed her hand to her cheek, a little too excited as she said to her daughters, 

"If I had met him when I was younger, I might've wanted to marry him."

Unlike the well-mannered and composed Takashi they met in person, the fierce and wild charm he showed on the field greatly pleased her.

That kind of fighting spirit was exactly what the Yukinoshita family needed in a head of household.

"You know, when I was little, I always dreamed of marrying a baseball player~"

Haruno rolled her eyes and ignored her mother.

Yukino couldn't be bothered to respond at all.

The three of them left the stadium, planning to dine at a French restaurant. 

This had been "decided" from the start—though it was really just a solo decision by their mother.

"Excuse me, Miss Yukino, may I ask you a few questions?"

A female reporter, who had been ordered by her boss to get an interview with Takashi or lose her job, still hadn't been able to reach him. 

Just as she was preparing her resignation letter, she happened to spot Yukino.

Thinking an interview with his "girlfriend" might be a fair compromise, she approached Yukino.

"No, tha—"

"Of course."

Yukino was about to decline when her mother swiftly answered for her.

"And you are…?"

The reporter looked at the woman who shared seven or eight facial features with Yukino and quickly guessed her identity.

"I'm her mother."

Yukino's mother affectionately looped her arm through Yukino's, showing off a "loving mother-daughter" pose for the cameras.

"Hello, Mrs. Yukinoshita!"

For some reason, the reporter felt an aura of upper-class refinement from Yukino's mother. Intimidated by that kind of presence, she greeted her, then asked Yukino:

"Miss Yukino, is it true that you and Takashi have broken up?"

"I never—" Yukino began, wanting to say they had never dated. But her mother gave her a discreet pinch, and Yukino immediately understood what that meant.

Yukino was afraid of her mother. But given her nature, she also couldn't bring herself to lie. So she simply stayed silent.

"Yukino and Takashi just had a little disagreement. They haven't broken up."

Her mother smiled and spoke in her place, clearly frustrated by her daughter's stubborn personality.

'Yeah, they definitely broke up.'

The reporter wasn't stupid.

Judging by Yukino's expression, it was obvious.

(Yukino: What expression??)

How did she know?

Because women understand women.

Sister, I feel you!

While the reporter sympathized with Yukino, she also grew excited.

She smelled gossip.

"But according to outside rumors, Takashi is currently dating Hoshino Ai, the lead singer of B Komachi. Miss Yukino, do you have anything to say about that?"

What does who he dates have to do with me?

Journalists these days are weird.

"..."

Yukino remained silent, her expression faintly annoyed.

She didn't understand why the whole world thought she and Takashi were a couple.

They clearly weren't involved in any way.

"I think you're mistaken. Takashi and that idol are just friends."

With a cue from their mother, Yukinoshita Haruno tried to smooth things over.

"Just friends?"

The reporter's expression grew even more skeptical. 

She pulled out her phone and opened Hoshino Ai's Twitter: "But look—she's already changed her Twitter banner to a picture of her and Takashi."

All three of them looked over.

Not only had she changed her header to Takashi, even her profile picture was a selfie with him.

It looked like it was taken during a previous interview.

Even her latest posts were all about Takashi.

That's supposed to be "just friends"?

What kind of "just friends" are that close?

"Miss Yukino, may I ask—what is your relationship with Takashi—"

"Listen closely. From now on, anything related to Takashi has nothing to do with me. Don't ask me about him. I have no connection to that man."

Yukino didn't want to hear another word about Takashi. She left that cold statement behind and walked away, without waiting for her mother or sister.

"Yukino!"

Her mother quickly chased after her in tiny steps.

Yukinoshita Haruno apologized to the reporter and followed as well.

The reporter didn't chase them. She had already gotten the scoop she wanted most.

…

That night, while people were still discussing the Aoba vs. Chukyo game, a trending topic suddenly shot to ninth place on the hot search:

#KitaharaTakashiCheatedOnHisGirlfriendWithIdol

[@WaitYouSerious]: That honestly sounds like something Takashi would do.

[@CantSelectThisText]: Takashi's competitive spirit is admirable, but as a person... yeah, never mind.

[@FlyingSaltedFish]: Wait, between Yukinoshita Yukino and Hoshino Ai, weren't we missing Doma Umaru?

[@SheLiftedHerEyebrowsUnderMoonlight]: Hoshino the Homewrecker!!!

[@NoRedemption]: Hoshino Ai, huh? Just wait till I get there.

[@FilthyErson]: She knew he had a girl and still got involved. What kind of idol has values this twisted?

[@ThreePhaseFan]: I went to Hoshino Ai's profile—turns out she already blocked me. Can someone explain the badge value?

[@TeamYukino4Life]: Instant disqualification!

[@WoodenRiceBun]: Get real, who would like a girl as cold as Yukinoshita Yukino? If I were Takashi, I'd choose Hoshino too.

[@BookwormNet]: The guy above is obviously a Hoshino simp. Case closed.

[@MistyRainMage]: Nah, if I were Takashi, I'd pick Doma Umaru!

[@EggyPancake]: Doma Umaru best girl!

[@WhiteWindMinato]: No one here ships Takashi and Nakano Ichika?

...

In her hotel room, Umaru saw the trending topic and very seriously gave a like to every comment shipping her with Takashi—while downvoting both Yukino and Hoshino Ai.

…

At the same time, Miku had just finished her bath. 

As she picked up her phone to ask how Takashi's arm was doing, the trending topic about him cheating on Yukino with Hoshino Ai popped up.

She looked at the photo of Takashi and Hoshino standing together, both making peace signs—him with a roguish grin, her with a brilliant smile. They looked perfect together.

But Miku just felt upset.

She hugged her knees tightly.

"I hate this."

…

After a long day of work, Hoshino Ai was just about to go to bed when Kamiki Hikaru suddenly called her.

To avoid disturbing her roommate, she stepped outside to answer.

"Hello? Hikaru? Why are you calling so late?"

"What exactly is your relationship with Takashi?"

___

Ah yes… Hikaru bashing…

I never knew I want it this bad.

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