COTE : Oh No, I've Become the Substitute

"Are you ready?"

After school, Fuyuji Mikage walked along the school path, giving a pep talk to Kamuro Masumi, who was walking shoulder-to-shoulder beside him.

"Why do I have to go with you to that kind of meeting?"

Kamuro carried her satchel, her fingers tightening on the shoulder strap as she averted her gaze elsewhere. "For something like this, wouldn't it work just fine to grab Hashimoto or Kito? Even if not them, if you just randomly picked some other student, they'd be willing to cooperate with you, right? Sitting together with someone like Ichinose makes me feel completely uncomfortable."

"No helping it. I need someone to help cover for me. But this person can't be too capable or too conspicuous. Otherwise, it wouldn't match the persona I've built up outwardly—that of someone with passable ability in Class A who rarely participates in class affairs." Fuyuji spread his hands helplessly.

"Are you saying I have no ability?" Kamuro flared up in fury.

"That's not it at all. It's just that your persona is very well-suited to moving together with me. Look—solitary, no real friends in class. Doesn't that pair perfectly with my oddball persona?"

"..."

Kamuro silently widened the distance between the two of them.

"What's wrong?"

"Weren't we going to that meeting? Hurry up and walk. Are you going to make them wait for you?"

"..."

"Even so, you don't have to walk that fast! Wait for me!"

Watching Kamuro, who had already moved five meters ahead, Fuyuji quickly chased after her.

...

With a click, the cafe door was pushed open. The metal door frame struck the brass bell, and amid the clear chime, the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans rushed to greet them.

Before Fuyuji could even get a clear view of the situation inside the cafe, two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

"Fuyuji-kun—"

"Over here—"

Following the sounds, Horikita Suzune and Ichinose Honami had both raised their hands toward him at the same time. One of them wore a completely expressionless face that screamed "stay away," while the other bore a gentle smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.

It just went to show that there was a good reason Horikita-girl got absolutely annihilated by Ichinose when it came to social skills.

Hearing each other's voices, the two simultaneously froze for a moment, turned their heads to look at one another, and then, in unplanned unison, lowered their hands.

Four people were already seated there. Kanzaki Ryuji, who had accompanied Ichinose last time when she came to probe Class A. And Cha-Cha, who had single-handedly taken down all three of them, who still periodically sent him benefits every few days without fail, and who was now staring in stunned disbelief at having been proactively greeted by Horikita.

Fuyuji looked over from a distance. The instant his eyes met Kushida Kikyo's, the smiles that had surfaced on both their faces froze right there on the spot.

After that last time, Fuyuji had continued to run into Kushida here and there at other places around the school. Both of them would smile and exchange greetings before tacitly parting ways. The meaning was perfectly clear.

A realm divided between two rulers. Keep your hands off the fish in my pond!

Seeing that avoidance was impossible, the two bearers of the same Stand understood each other's intent instantly through their eyes alone.

[Why is it you again? Is there no one else in Class A?]

[I should be asking you. Why do you keep tailing behind Horikita all the time?]

[It's only because you didn't tell me the method last time!]

[Didn't I tell you already? Deal with Horikita Manabu!]

Hearing this answer, the smiling Cha-Cha threw Fuyuji a look that said "go die right now, you bastard" and unilaterally ended the conversation.

Cha-Cha truly had it rough. Every day, pressing her warm face against the cold butt of Horikita-girl, helping her with this and that. And once the job was done, Horikita-girl would pull up her pants and walk away, leaving behind Cha-Cha, who wanted to explode but couldn't, forced to hold it in until nighttime before finally taking out her phone and furiously venting.

As an aside, the recipient of the second-most verbal abuse was a certain unnamed staff member of the Advanced Nurturing High School's student self-governance committee.

Seeing Fuyuji and Kamuro approaching, Ichinose warmly pulled out the chair beside her.

"Over here, over here."

"Thanks."

Kanzaki Ryuji, seated beside her, was someone who looked shrewd and highly capable at a single glance. As one of only two men present, he gave Fuyuji a friendly nod and extended his hand.

"Hello, Kanzaki Ryuji."

"Fuyuji Mikage. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

After a brief handshake and greeting, Kanzaki said nothing more. It seemed he maintained some wariness toward Fuyuji of Class A.

On the girls' side, warm pleasantries had also begun. Mm... well, Ichinose's one-sided warm pleasantries.

"Long time no see, Kamuro-san! Oh, by the way, how was that hand cream I recommended last time? Actually, I don't really know that much about it either. My classmates recommended it to me. Was it good? If it's not suitable, I've got other recommendations too. That White Conc one is really nice. That kind seems like it would suit Kamuro-san's hands perfectly, you know."

"I-it was fine."

Kamuro's pretty face was taut. She responded with a rigid, stone-like stiffness. At the same time, her body silently edged closer toward Fuyuji, her eyes signaling for him to go sit on the other side instead.

From what Fuyuji understood, his pal was most likely not particularly interested in the types of hand cream. It was probably more that her little hands had gotten itchy again and she'd gone off to deploy her Phantom Thief ultimate technique, only to be enthusiastically ambushed with recommendations by Ichinose, who happened to be passing by.

This stiff, stuttering reaction... it seemed she truly had no idea how to handle someone of Ichinose's busybody helpful type.

Once the two of them were properly seated, Ichinose handed the menu to Fuyuji and spoke with delight.

"I never expected that the person both Horikita-san and I wanted to find would turn out to be Fuyuji-kun. When it happened this morning, I was completely taken aback."

"On that subject, I'd like to ask too." Horikita folded her arms and shot Fuyuji a sidelong glance. "Why would Ichinose-san think to ask this guy for help? Isn't he just Class A's oddball?"

"But, Fuyuji-kun's relationships with his classmates in Class A are very good, you know." Ichinose raised an index finger and explained with utter earnestness.

"..."

Fuyuji felt a headache coming on. Before, in order to bluff his way past Ichinose, he had casually spun a lie about being Class A's social butterfly prince. And Ichinose had taken it as the genuine truth. Now look—this was impossible to explain away.

Still, in a certain sense, what she said wasn't wrong either. The Class A Minister of Revenue, who held the class's financial power in his hands, was indeed, to some extent, Class A's social butterfly prince.

"That he's quite capable, I'll admit. But that he has good relationships..."

Horikita once again scrutinized Fuyuji with care. She raised a hand and pressed it against her throbbing temple. Dead memories began assaulting her.

"Doesn't this guy frequently wander around all by himself? Isn't he just being ostracized by the Class A students?"

'What you said isn't exactly wrong either. He is indeed experiencing ostracism. It's just that a handful of oddballs, led by him, have jointly ostracized the entire class.

If he felt like it, he could make you instantly witness a summoning-friends ability that reads as "social skills" but is written as "power."

And that woman Sakayanagi told me your friendship situation in Class D seems to be even worse than his. How do you have the nerve to say something like that?'

Seated beside him, Kamuro absently stirred the drink at the bottom of her cup, inwardly ranting away.

Across from them, Kushida was also watching Fuyuji with a piercing, fiery gaze.

[Well now. I knew you were the same type of Stand user as me. Even our class niches are pretty much identical. As fellow kindred spirits, hurry up and tell me Horikita Suzune's weak points already!]

[I already told you, deal with Horikita Manabu. Otherwise, you can only rely on yourself.]

[Take a wild guess whether I believe you.]

[Fine, then. In that case...]

Tossing Kushida a "watch me work" look, Fuyuji turned toward Horikita. He cleared his throat, interlaced his fingers and placed them before his mouth, and pushed up a pair of nonexistent glasses. His expression immediately became grave. A low, deep voice tinged with authority emerged.

"Suzune! It seems you've misunderstood the meaning of solitude and solitary pride. In this meritocratic school, to judge people so superficially—you truly disgrace me as your elder brother. I order you to withdraw from this school and return home at once!"

"O-Onii-san!"

Horikita, who had been exuding an aura of "stay away" just moments ago, shot to her feet. Her cold, aloof face instantly shattered, turning flustered and panicked. Her little hands flailed helplessly in the air.

Unfortunately, her fluster lasted for only a few seconds. Horikita, having caught herself, instantly erupted with an intense, bone-chilling aura. Like the freezing winds of the far north, it lashed icily against Fuyuji.

"Which do you choose—regretting while in pain, or regretting while in despair, Fuyuji-kun?" Horikita asked, enunciating each word with deliberate precision.

"Horikita-san, you actually dare say such things to your creditor." Fuyuji counter-attacked. "Judging by your Class D's current class points, this entire semester is hopeless. Be careful, or I might just file a complaint with your brother."

"You—"

A profound sense of powerlessness surged from the very depths of Horikita's being. Ever since she'd gotten to know this guy, there hadn't been a single time she'd managed to gain the upper hand against him. Every single time, she was utterly and completely suppressed.

"Alright, alright. We're all classmates here. Let's all get along harmoniously." Ichinose smiled as she reached out and pressed her hands down in the air between the two, gently separating them.

"That's right! We're all friends here. Horikita-san, we still need to ask Fuyuji-kun for his help."

Having thoroughly savored Horikita's flustered side, Kushida was secretly basking in delight. She smoothly pressed down on Horikita's forearm, chiming in with a beaming smile.

Horikita shot a glance at Kushida but said nothing. She truly had no interest whatsoever in this woman who harbored ill will toward her. But there was no helping it. With Hirata currently absent, the utterly chaotic Class D needed her to hold things together. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only hold her nose and accept it.

"I'll let you off this time. I'll remember this grudge." Horikita resorted to throwing out a tough parting line in an attempt to salvage some face.

"Then make sure you remember it well. The grudge from last time too—make sure to remember that one diligently. Best to get a notebook and write them down. Then review them a few times every night before you go to sleep." Fuyuji cheerfully offered his advice.

"I will." Horikita bit back icily.

"I say, have you all forgotten what the actual business is that brought us here?" Kamuro, who had been silent the entire time, cut straight to the heart of the matter.

"That's right, that's right. Hirata-kun's situation."

Kushida, as if waking from a dream, appealed to everyone for help. "Please, you have to help him."

"Speaking of which, I only heard from Ichinose on the way here. Class C is accusing Hirata Yosuke of suddenly launching a sneak attack against them. The stated reason is that Hirata suspected Ryuen of being the true mastermind behind the Class D student's expulsion. They fought back valiantly and only then managed to drive Hirata off."

Taking the coffee handed to him by the waiter, Fuyuji tossed in a few sugar cubes and spoke in an offhand manner.

Kushida shook her head vigorously, putting on a full display of someone who absolutely refused to believe her classmate could have done such a thing.

"That's not it at all. It was the Class C students who came looking for trouble and blocked Hirata-kun's path. And they kept provoking him the whole time. That's the only reason he resorted to violence against the Class C students."

"How can you be certain that's not just his one-sided account?" Fuyuji stirred his coffee with a spoon twice, feigning deep thought as he asked a question he already knew the answer to.

"No way. I believe Hirata-kun would never—"

"No! That possibility does exist."

Horikita unceremoniously cut off Kushida's defense of Hirata.

"Horikita-san, even after spending all this time with Hirata-kun, you still can't bring yourself to trust his character?" Kushida clasped both hands before her chest and spoke in a pitiful, wronged tone.

"I only trust objective facts." Horikita continued to clash with Kushida, her face still ice-cold.

It hardened. Kushida's secretly lowered fist hardened.

What was this? Asking people for help, and yet they were starting an internal feud amongst themselves?

The tableful of drama-connoisseurs uniformly projected four question marks.

"That is indeed a problem. If we raise an objection with the Student Council, and it turns out the other side is actually correct, then it's Class D that will be in trouble." Kanzaki expressed his agreement with Fuyuji's concern. "Moreover, the current testimony is very unfavorable to Hirata. Quite a few students who were in the dormitory at the time heard his roar demanding Ryuen drop out."

"But, you know, no matter which account is true, as long as the truth comes to light, this whole matter can be resolved quickly."

Ichinose skillfully offered an alternative perspective on the incident.

"That's not a bad point. If it is true, conveniently striking a blow against Class C's arrogance certainly wouldn't hurt our class. Horikita-san, what do you intend to do?"

Fuyuji looked toward Horikita, continuing to guide the direction of the discussion.

Horikita raised a hand and rubbed her forehead. She spread open the notebook she carried with her. "Hirata-kun... I'll tentatively assume his words are trustworthy. He said that during the mutual brawl, he had the sensation that someone seemed to be watching. I'd like to try and find this third party."

"Actually, our class has already done one sweep. But lately, everyone's been pretty out of it, and we haven't found any leads. So please, we're counting on you, Fuyuji-kun."

Having recovered from the stiffness Horikita had inflicted on her, Kushida swiftly restored her condition. She clasped both hands around Fuyuji's palm, her large eyes glistening with moisture.

[Can't you switch up your way of asking for favors? You keep using the same three moves. And with just this, you call yourself the grade's social flower?]

[Take it or leave it. Whether you help or not is up to you! Also, get your hands off me. I'm extremely irritated right now.]

[Are you even being reasonable? You're the one holding my hand.]

[A lady doesn't need to be reasonable.]

Fuyuji pretended to lower his head in feigned contemplation. In truth, his eyes were entirely filled with the full, white shirt propped up by Master Kushida. He opened his mouth and spoke.

"Fine, then. Although Katsuragi said there's no need to concern ourselves with this incident, it shouldn't hurt to ask them if they have any leads."

Without anyone being the wiser, a black pot had been firmly placed upon Katsuragi Kohei's head.

"That's wonderful." Kushida's delighted voice rang out. Her small hand patted her full, bulging chest. "Thank you, Fuyuji-kun."

"Ahaha." Having received his reward, Fuyuji scratched his head at the appropriate moment, playing along with Cha-Cha's act. "Don't mention it. But what's going on with your class right now anyway? Aren't you all supposed to be helping that Hirata look for witnesses? Why does it seem like only the two of you are actually taking any action?"

"Normally, class affairs are always managed by Hirata-kun. Now that something's happened to him, the rest of Class D is buzzing around like headless flies. No one can make any decisions at all." Horikita supplemented.

"I thought you had finally made up your mind to cast aside your cowardly past and were preparing to lead Class D in launching a challenge against our Class A."

"No. At present, my assessment is that I am not suited to be a leader. My objective is simply to rise to Class A." Horikita's eyes lowered as she continued writing something in her notebook.

"That is truly a pity, then. I was looking forward to seeing you lose to our Class A and come crying to me, begging for comfort."

"Such a thing is impossible, even in my next life. And I will defeat your Class A."

"Then do your best. I don't believe Katsuragi will lose to you, however."

Having achieved her purpose for coming here, Horikita, ever the one to come and go directly, was the first to take her leave.

"We'll be going now."

Kushida watched Horikita's retreating figure, waved a hand toward the four of them, grabbed her bag, and chased after her.

Measuring the rage value Cha-Cha had accumulated today, Fuyuji had the feeling that yet another battle of epic proportions was about to unfold on his phone tonight.

Shortly after the two had left, Ichinose seemed to recall something. She leaned in toward Fuyuji and pressed her palms together.

"Um, you know, Fuyuji-kun, I need to ask for your help with that matter."

"Oh." Fuyuji had a sudden realization. "That matter from last time? You still haven't resolved it?"

"It's no good, really. I'm just not cut out for this kind of thing. So please, I'm counting on you." Ichinose rubbed the back of her head and gave an embarrassed chuckle.

"Alright. Just remember to tell me the time when it comes."

"I'll send you a message when it's time." Ichinose waved her phone in her hand at Fuyuji. "Make sure to check it, okay."

"Mm."

Kanzaki, sitting quietly to the side, furrowed his brow. The way Ichinose interacted with this Fuyuji Mikage—he had never once seen it happen with anyone in Class B.

All along, Ichinose had always been in the leading, dominant role within the class. She never showed a smile like this.

...

Once all four had departed, Kamuro suddenly kicked Fuyuji's calf and immediately began interrogating him.

"Aren't your relationships with those girls a little too good?"

"Rest assured." Fuyuji thumped his own chest, producing resounding thuds. "Between us, it's pure friendship. Absolutely no involvement in class warfare whatsoever."

"Really?" Kamuro stared at his face with deep suspicion.

"Of course! We're bros. There's no way I'd lie to you."

"Who wants to be your bro..." Kamuro muttered at a volume so low it was barely audible.

"What was that?"

"Nothing! I said, are you deaf?!"

-----------------------------------------------------------

If you want to Support me, you can Read Advanced 90+ Chapters on : [email protected]/Yuni_TL

75 [Power Stones] = Bonus Chapter!

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!