Didn’t You Say I Was Just a Stand-In?

The sun gradually sank in the west, and a flock of crows flew in from the distance, skimming over the rooftops of Aoba Academy.

At the shoe lockers, Uekawa Marie took the initiative to speak to Kitahara Takashi: "Takashi, do you want to go shopping for clothes later? The stores we usually go to have new arrivals."

Kitahara Takashi closed his locker. "Not today. I already have plans."

Today, Katsura Kotonoha had booked him.

Although he didn't want to get too involved with girls who had boyfriends, since she was the one who initiated it, he couldn't just turn down the opportunity for points because of someone he'd never even met.

Uekawa Marie pouted in dissatisfaction. "You're so busy lately. Every time I ask, you're never free."

Kitahara Takashi thought about it and realized she was right.

Recently, as more girls had been booking him, Kitahara Takashi had become much busier than before.

But Kitahara Takashi didn't mind being busy. In fact, he didn't dislike it at all.

When he had free time, aside from working part-time jobs and reading, Kitahara Takashi didn't know what else to do.

He didn't mind being busy, but he hoped the number of girls booking him wouldn't increase any further.

If it kept growing, he wouldn't be able to keep up with replying to messages.

"Where exactly are you working at this shady place? I'm going to file a complaint."

High school students are allowed to work part-time, but they can't work in the adult entertainment industry. Most entertainment venues, like karaoke bars, nightclubs, dance halls, and game centers, are off-limits.

The places where high school students can work are usually limited to supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and amusement parks.

There are also strict time restrictions for high school students working part-time.

Theoretically, students can't work more than 35 hours a week.

Aoba Private Academy has its own rule: students can't work more than 28 hours a week.

Additionally, if a student's academic performance drops, teachers have the right to prohibit them from working part-time.

Kitahara Takashi avoided the question: "I'm planning to buy a motorcycle this week. Want to come with me?"

Imagining Kitahara Takashi in a biker outfit, Uekawa Marie's eyes lit up: (???)!

"Sure! I know a lot of dealership owners. I can help you get the biggest discount."

"Can we get a 'bone-breaking' discount?" (Note: In Chinese slang, "bone-breaking" means an extremely steep discount.)

"Yeah, but it'll be the owner breaking our bones."

Uekawa Marie laughed at her own joke.

Her sense of humor had always been a bit simple.

Kitahara Takashi didn't find it particularly funny, but sometimes, when someone around you is laughing like an idiot, you can't help but be influenced.

"I can't believe you."

Even as he said this, Kitahara Takashi couldn't help but smile a little.

After seeing Uekawa Marie off into her chauffeur-driven car, Kitahara Takashi didn't immediately head to his appointment with Katsura Kotonoha. Instead, he took the train to his part-time job.

It was a 24-hour convenience store near Bunkyo Station.

When he first arrived in this world, Kitahara Takashi had less than 100,000 yen to his name.

At the time, even though he had the system, he didn't have anyone to go on dates with.

Without earning system points, he couldn't exchange them for money.

Life was tough, so Kitahara Takashi had no choice but to take on part-time work.

Being new to the area and unfamiliar with everything, Kitahara Takashi initially struggled to find a job.

Well, it wasn't that he couldn't find one at all.

It's just that there were no jobs close to home.

Places that were too far away would have meant spending a significant portion of his earnings on commuting.

Long commutes were also a hassle.

Just as Kitahara Takashi was considering whether to compromise, Yozakura Hitomi found out he was looking for work and straight-up bought the convenience store, hiring him to work there.

When Kitahara Takashi heard about it, he was stunned.

Is this how rich people think?

"Manager, you're here."

As soon as Kitahara Takashi entered the store, a girl with a chestnut-colored ponytail, who could be considered cute but otherwise unremarkable—like your average high school girl—greeted him from behind the counter.

"Nanami, good afternoon."

Kitahara Takashi gave Aoyama Nanami a slight nod and then asked for the ledger.

He was here today to check the accounts.

After Yozakura Hitomi bought the store, she never bothered managing it.

In fact, she completely forgot about it.

Once, she came to the store, picked up some snacks, and even tried to pay for them.

If Kitahara Takashi hadn't reminded her, she wouldn't have remembered that she owned the place.

Yozakura Hitomi might not care about the store's fate, but Kitahara Takashi couldn't say the same.

No matter what, this store was bought for him, so he felt responsible for it.

Kitahara Takashi had worked part-time jobs and even started his own business before. While he wouldn't say he was exceptionally talented, managing a convenience store was well within his capabilities.

As he looked over the ledger, Kitahara Takashi asked without looking up, "Has the person coming for the interview arrived yet?"

"They're here, but..." Aoyama Nanami hesitated mid-sentence.

Kitahara Takashi said calmly, "Just say it."

Even though she was the same age as Kitahara Takashi, whenever he was in work mode, she always felt subordinate to him, like an employee facing their boss. She instinctively straightened her back and replied, "It's just that... the applicant is a middle schooler."

"Why wasn't this clarified earlier?" Kitahara Takashi's voice carried a hint of sternness.

Middle schoolers aren't allowed to work part-time.

If they hired a middle schooler, the store could get reported.

Aoyama Nanami bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle and apologized loudly, "I'm sorry!"

Kitahara Takashi closed the ledger. "Send them home."

After saying this, he went to the storage room to check the inventory.

When he came back out, he noticed a strikingly beautiful girl with long, silvery-white hair and an adorable mixed-race appearance talking to Aoyama Nanami.

Aoyama Nanami's face was full of hesitation.

"Customer, is there something wrong?"

Thinking something had happened, Kitahara Takashi quickly walked over, wearing a warm, welcoming smile.

Before the mixed-race girl could speak, the system popped up.

[Target: Shirogane Kei]

[Age: 13]

[Intelligence: 8]

[Charm: 9]

[Stamina: 4]

[From: Kaguya-sama: Love is War]

[Crush: None (secretly a bro-con)]

[No boyfriend, available for dates.]

Kitahara Takashi: "..."

System, you're really something else. A rising sun in the east, a setting sun in the west. (Note: This is a sarcastic Chinese idiom implying the system is shameless.)

She's only 13!

And you're still targeting her?

Although Kitahara Takashi had long known that his system had no morals or boundaries, he never expected it to list middle schoolers as targets.

"Manager, I'm here to apply for a part-time job. I really need this job. Please give me a chance." Shirogane Kei's voice was cool and composed as she bowed deeply to Kitahara Takashi.

Kitahara Takashi refused without hesitation. "No!"

"You can come back to work when you're in high school, but not now."

No matter what difficulties Shirogane Kei might be facing, Kitahara Takashi didn't want to cause trouble for Yozakura Hitomi.

"Nanami, handle this."

Without looking at Shirogane Kei's expression, Kitahara Takashi gave Aoyama Nanami a quick nod and left to attend his appointment.

At the same time, Katsura Kotonoha, who had just finished cleaning, wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and prepared to leave.

Her slender hand gripped the door handle, and she pulled gently, but the door didn't open.

"No way..."

Katsura Kotonoha realized something was wrong.

She pulled harder, but the door remained firmly shut.

Katsura Kotonoha realized that the classroom door had been locked from the outside.

It was already dark outside.

Alone in the empty classroom, Katsura Kotonoha felt a pang of panic. She began pounding on the door, mustering her courage to shout, "Is anyone out there? Please open the door! I'm still inside!"