COTE :  Oh No, I've Become the Substitute

Why don't my abilities come with any physical enhancements?

Why didn't that damn System, when it ran off, conveniently give me a super-powered body along the way?

Why does Senpai, who clearly looks so slender, manage to knock me flat with a single punch?

Fuyuji Mikage stared at the already disconnected phone and fired off a three-hit combo of questions.

Over the past few weeks, he had diligently (by his own estimation) engaged in physical training. But his physical fitness couldn't exactly be described as improving by leaps and bounds—rather, it was better than nothing at all.

The day he could fly, relying purely on his physical body, he still might not necessarily win against Senpai.

"Yahallo!"

An energetic greeting interrupted Fuyuji Mikage's thoughts. Ichinose Honami had already finished her chat with Hoshinomiya-sensei and come out of the faculty office.

"Oh, it's Ichinose-san. Have you finished asking your questions?" Fuyuji Mikage slowed his pace and struck up a conversation with her.

"Just Ichinose is fine. I originally wanted to ask Hoshinomiya-sensei about the procedures for joining the Student Council, but she just brushed me off with a 'If it's you, it'll definitely be fine.'" Ichinose Honami puffed out her cheeks slightly and spoke with a somewhat troubled expression.

"You're also planning to join the Student Council?"

"'Also'? Does that mean Fuyuji-kun is too?" An expectant look surfaced on her face.

"No, not me." Fuyuji Mikage waved his hand. "It's Katsuragi-san from our class."

"So it was Katsuragi-kun..."

"But honestly, I don't think either of you would be suitable."

As he walked, Fuyuji Mikage's expression turned odd.

He recalled a certain blond guy in the Student Council who was utterly obsessed with Horikita Manabu.

That guy still hadn't given up even now. Every so often, he'd send a message to harass him, and along with it, proclaim his destined battle with Horikita Manabu.

"Eh? Why is that?"

"Well, about that..." Fuyuji Mikage felt the girl beside him was quite a good person, and it would be best not to drag her into the annual soap opera between those two men.

"Speaking of which, two years prior, there was a new student named Horikita Manabu..."

With Fuyuji Mikage's vivid and dramatic narration, the three-year saga of love, hate, and tangled relationships within the Advanced Nurturing High School Student Council was acted out to the fullest.

"You're saying that Third-Year Horikita-senpai and Second-Year Nagumo-senpai have a conflict of ideology, and so the Student Council is currently a high-pressure environment, and Horikita-senpai won't easily let anyone pass the Student Council's screening?"

Ichinose Honami skimmed right past the Student Council's yearly tragic drama and distilled the council's current state with terrifying precision.

"That's about the gist of it. If you went, you'd probably just get rejected by the Student Council President. What he wants is a candidate who can stop Nagumo-senpai and maintain the Student Council's status quo."

"What about Nagumo-senpai's side? Fuyuji-kun mentioned that Nagumo-senpai also has the authority to nominate candidates, right?" Ichinose was clearly not quite ready to give up.

"He and you are severely incompatible. What he advocates is individual supremacy. It's the exact opposite of your type, which is leading the whole class forward."

"Is that so..."

Ichinose Honami suddenly stopped walking.

"What's the matter?" Fuyuji Mikage looked back.

"Why..."

"Hm?"

Ichinose Honami lifted her fair face, her large, sky-blue eyes looking directly at Fuyuji Mikage, who had his hands resting behind his head.

"Why does Fuyuji-kun know so much about the internal affairs of the Student Council?"

Fuyuji Mikage's heart skipped a beat.

"You mean all that?" Fuyuji Mikage, his expression unchanged, took out his phone, opened his contacts list, and waved it at her. "Nagumo-senpai told me about these things. Some time ago, he added me as a friend. He and I actually get along pretty well in conversation."

"Is that so..."

Ichinose Honami looked at the phone screen, which displayed that the latest chat time with Nagumo Miyabi was one day prior, and withdrew her gaze.

"So, Ichinose, I think it's best you don't get mixed up in the Student Council's mess. Most of your class's affairs already require you to handle them anyway."

Fuyuji Mikage observed Ichinose's reaction without revealing any emotion and secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Nagumo-san, although I find your constant harassment incredibly annoying, I have to admit, you do have your unique uses.

Fortunately, Ichinose Honami was a girl who understood boundaries very well and wouldn't scrutinize the contents of his chats with Nagumo Miyabi.

Otherwise, she would have discovered that the vast majority of it consisted of Nagumo Miyabi's bafflingly confident declarations.

"I've decided!" After pondering for a moment, Ichinose Honami clenched her small fist. "I'm still going to give it a try. If I don't even attempt it, I feel like I'd always be left with regret. If Horikita-senpai rejects me, then so be it."

"Well then, do your best."

Seeing Ichinose so resolute, Fuyuji Mikage didn't try to persuade her any further.

"But, Fuyuji-kun really is amazing. I've also added Nagumo-senpai as a friend, but he's never once spoken to me."

"Ahaha..." Fuyuji Mikage let out two dry laughs.

You're better off not getting to know that person.

"Speaking of which... I went to find Hoshinomiya-sensei because of the Student Council matter. So, what problem did Fuyuji-kun go to find Mashima-sensei about just now?"

Fuyuji Mikage's laughter came to an abrupt halt.

As long as you don't bring that up, we can still be good friends.

...

"Eh?" Ichinose Honami covered her mouth in disbelief. "Failing Japanese? You, Fuyuji-kun?"

"You guys don't all have to act so shocked at this." Fuyuji Mikage was already past the point of complaining.

"But Fuyuji-kun looks exactly like the type who never studies on normal days and then scores high on the exams."

"Where the hell does that trope come from? That's the kind of trope I want too, you know." Fuyuji Mikage said with half-lidded eyes.

"Do you need my help?" Ichinose Honami tilted her head, then smiled at Fuyuji Mikage. "I have a tiny bit of confidence in my own academic performance. It would be a perfect chance to thank Fuyuji-kun for telling me so much about the Student Council."

"Ah, that won't be necessary. Besides, didn't you also take me to buy kitchenware last time? On another note, the students in your class also need your tutoring, right? You probably don't have much time yourself."

"Mm... I still have some free time on Sunday afternoons or evenings."

"..."

Should one say she's overly kind-hearted, or obsessed with helping others, or perhaps some other reason entirely?

Fuyuji Mikage raised a hand and rubbed his temples. "A person like you... I've truly never met before. I had considered your time might be very tight, but I didn't expect it to be this extreme. What about time for yourself?"

"Me?"

Ichinose Honami was taken aback for a moment, then, after coming to, still wore a radiant smile.

"I'm fine, really."

"Are you really fine?" Fuyuji Mikage stared into Ichinose's large, azure eyes and asked softly.

Ichinose Honami's lips quivered a few times. After hesitating repeatedly, she finally nodded.

"Yes!"

Fuyuji Mikage sighed.

Fine!

Consider this repayment for the favor of helping me buy kitchenware last time. I, for one, really hate owing people things.

"Alright then." Fuyuji Mikage was straightforward and turned to leave.

"There is indeed one matter where I need someone's help. But it's not for tutoring. Someone else already agreed to help me with tutoring. There's been something bothering me lately. If you want to help me, then come along."

"Eh?" Ichinose Honami, whose mood had been low, hadn't yet grasped what was happening before she heard the sound of Fuyuji Mikage's swift, striding footsteps. She could only hurry to keep up. "What is it that could trouble Fuyuji-kun?"

"You'll know when we get there. In any case, it's a much easier job than tutoring me in Japanese."

...

Behind the school building, the branches and leaves of the small woods intertwined, sifting down fragmented golden sunlight that spread across the green grass, giving a warm, cozy feeling.

The winding path through the woods was covered with fallen leaves and patches of moss. Birdsong occasionally rang out from between the leaves, accentuating the extraordinary stillness all around.

"Um... Fuyuji—"

"Shh—! Not too loud. Too much noise will scare it away."

Fuyuji Mikage sat on a bench, beverages placed beside him, his eyes constantly scanning the nearby tree branches, muttering to himself.

"That pigeon... I've been wanting to capture it for a long time now, but I've never managed to find its trail. The reason I called you here today is to help me capture it in one fell swoop!"

"But pigeons don't usually appear in a place like this, do they?" Ichinose Honami lowered her volume and asked dubiously.

"Now you're showing your ignorance. It's no ordinary pigeon. It's the very special kind... I can't quite describe it either. Anyway, just help me keep an eye on the surroundings. I have a premonition it will definitely show up today."

"Oh."

Ichinose Honami withdrew her gaze and sat quietly on the bench. She put away the sweet smile she usually wore on her face, held a can of sweet milk in both hands, occasionally taking small sips, and watched the drifting clouds pass across the sky.

During that time, the two simply sat there on either side of the bench. Neither of them spoke a word. They just quietly listened to the chirping of the birds in the woods and the rustling of the wind through the treetops...

"Hey, Fuyuji-kun." Staring at the swaying leaves before her, Ichinose rubbed the opening of the aluminum can with her thumb and spoke softly.

"Hm?"

"Thank you for bringing me here."

"No need to thank me. Just help me capture that pigeon."

"Is there really a pigeon?"

"Of course there is. A few days ago, I came here, and it nearly dive-bombed me. This rare and powerful Pokemon must be brought under my control."

Fuyuji Mikage clenched his fist in grief and indignation, his thirst for revenge written all over his face.

Ichinose laughed, covering her lips. It was a laugh entirely different from the gentle smile she showed when treating others—a relaxed, genuine smile that came from the heart.

"Really, believe me. There really is a pigeon." Fuyuji Mikage emphasized once more.

"It's not that. I was just thinking... could it be that Fuyuji-kun is someone really amazing?" Her voice was lighter than before, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible drift.

Fuyuji Mikage broke out in a cold sweat that streamed down instantly. He guiltily took a sip of his drink. "What makes Ichinose think that?"

"Because, look," Ichinose loosened her fingers slightly and rested her head lightly against the back of the bench, "Fuyuji-kun... didn't you see right through the fact that I was hiding something on my mind? And you get along so well in conversation with Nagumo-senpai too."

"It's because my interpersonal relationships are fairly decent. Not to brag, but in Class A, I'm known as the social butterfly." Fuyuji Mikage, the one known as "The Weirdo," had already begun spouting blatant nonsense with his eyes wide open.

"Is that so? I never noticed..."

"Ahaha, that's only natural. After all, the students in our class are pretty reserved."

"Mm..."

"And also, I'm a person who's relatively sensitive to others' emotions. Of course, most importantly, that smile you had just earlier was far too strained. Even I could tell something was off."

"..."

"Other people might have already noticed a long time ago, but just didn't say anythi—"

Thump—!

From Ichinose Honami's side, the crisp sound of an aluminum can hitting the ground suddenly rang out...

Fuyuji Mikage slowly lowered his voice. That girl with the long, golden-pink hair, who was always saying "As long as they're happy, it's fine," had already fallen asleep quietly in her chair. The midday sunlight spilled onto her fair face, revealing a tranquil serenity.

And she says she's fine... The hell she's fine, right?

Fuyuji Mikage twisted his body around, sat cross-legged on the bench, rested his chin on his hand, and silently watched the girl's sleeping face.

Ichinose Honami, a girl who was gentle and righteous.

But there's a saying, isn't there: it's very hard for a gentle and righteous person to survive in this world, because this world is neither gentle nor righteous.

Come to think of it... was what I just did essentially aiding the enemy? She's the leader of Class B. If she gets back on her feet, wouldn't our Class A be in danger?

Also, should I wake her up or not? Leaving her here all alone feels like it could be dangerous. Otherwise, I'll just have to wait here until she wakes up on her own.

Fuyuji Mikage fell into a state where his left brain was elbowing his right brain.

Time trickled by along with the drifting leaves from the trees. The shade cast by the trees under the sunlight inched bit by bit across the grayish-white ground.

The girl on the bench let out a soft whimper and slowly opened her sleepy eyes. The forest breeze brushed across her eyelashes, carrying the scent of green grass and damp earth. The accumulated fatigue seemed to wash away completely, her limbs stretching out as if newly reborn.

"Haah~"

Fuyuji Mikage let out a long yawn and put away his phone. "You're awake."

"..."

The girl's brain crashed for an instant.

The next second, a startled cry spread throughout the small woods, startling a blackbird so much it fluttered away from its tree.

"Looks like you slept well. Full of energy." Fuyuji Mikage added a remark.

"Fuyuji-kun, you should have woken me up earlier." Her troubled voice carried a hint of reproach.

"Isn't this just fine—"

Fuyuji Mikage stopped, pressed his lips together, and pointed at the corner of his own mouth, struggling to hold back laughter. "Ichinose, that..."

Ichinose Honami blankly wiped the corner of her mouth and looked at the glistening liquid on her fingertip under the sunlight. Belated realization dawned, and a flush of crimson instantly seeped across her small face.

"Pfft— Hahaha..."

Fuyuji Mikage ultimately couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

"Please stop laughing. Even I can get embarrassed, you know." Ichinose Honami said, her face still red, as she took out a tissue and wiped.

"Haha... I just thought, so the perfect Ichinose actually isn't all that perfect after all..."

"Oh, right!"

As if suddenly remembering something, Ichinose Honami hastily took out her phone. "How long did I sleep? I promised Mako-chan and the others I'd go shopping with them."

Then she discovered her phone's entire screen was black.

Ichinose Honami looked up, puzzled, at Fuyuji Mikage. She distinctly remembered her phone had been on the whole time.

Fuyuji Mikage stuck out his thumb and declared with considerable pride, "I saw it kept beeping and ringing nonstop, so I helped you turn it off. So, how about it? Don't you feel completely refreshed now?"

"AAAHHH! I Do Not!"

Ichinose Honami crouched down in frustration and clutched her head. After that, she quickly shook her head and pulled herself together.

"Anyway, I have to go meet up with them first. They've probably already noticed I'm missing. Fuyuji-kun, I'll be going on ahead." This hasty, rapid-fire speech was something the usual, gentle Ichinose would absolutely never show.

Packing up her things, Ichinose Honami lifted her legs and dashed off with rapid steps towards the school building.

"See you next time." Fuyuji Mikage cheerfully waved goodbye to her.

Suddenly, Ichinose Honami, still running ahead, screeched to a halt.

"Um... Fuyuji-kun..."

Ichinose Honami turned around. She opened and closed her mouth, her lips quivering for a long while before she finally spoke. "Next time... can I ask you again... to just be with me like today, without saying anything?"

"No way!"

Fuyuji Mikage unexpectedly refused.

"You'll have to wait until I have free time next time before I can accompany you. You and I are not the same. I'm a very busy man, you know."

Ichinose Honami nodded firmly. "Okay!"

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