Chapter 69: 69: Not Strong Enough

Words : 1253 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 68 of "Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute" opens presenting twists: [Target: Shinomiya Kaguya] [Age: 16] [Intelligence: 7] [Charm: 9] [Stamina: 6] [From: Kaguya-sama: Love Is War] [Secret Crush: Shirogane Miyuki] [Single, available... Keep following!

[Target: Shinomiya Kaguya] [Age: 16] [Intelligence: 7] [Charm: 9] [Stamina: 6] [From: Kaguya-sama: Love Is War] [Secret Crush: Shirogane Miyuki] [Single, available for dating.] "Bro, next time, remind me a little earlier. Thanks a lot." Takashi was speechless at the system, which was always a step too slow. He seriously suspected that this system had some kind of cognitive decline. Sure, confessing and having the person involved hear it might be a bit awkward, but was it really that big of a deal? Not really, in Takashi's opinion. Plenty of people had confessed to Kaguya. One more or one less wouldn't make a difference. At worst, he'd just get rejected. The Shinomiya family couldn't possibly be so tyrannical that they'd punish him just for liking Kaguya, right? Just as Takashi thought the system was done, it suddenly chimed again. [Ding! High-quality target detected. First date reward: Double points, 90% discount voucher ×1, Skill: Super Strength!] Another jackpot? Takashi was surprised by the system's recent high drop rate. It never used to be this generous. Or maybe it required specific conditions to trigger? Both Eriri and Utaha could be considered high-quality women, but dating them for the first time hadn't triggered any rewards. On the other hand, dating Megumi had. Weird. While Takashi was pondering how to trigger the system's drop rate, Kaguya walked up with an indifferent expression. She glanced at him briefly and spoke coldly. "Were you referring to being confessed to by him?" "Sorry, but I don't see anything exciting about being confessed to by a random weed by the roadside." She didn't know Takashi at all. Sure, he was handsome, but she wasn't someone who cared about looks. In fact, she found his eyes a little annoying. Those deep, romantic eyes that even made him look affectionate toward dogs? To Kaguya, they were just a sign of a playboy. To her, Takashi was nothing more than a tiny pebble on the road—completely insignificant. "You dare call him a weed?" Narii stomped forward in black leather shoes, glaring at Kaguya. Other people might be afraid of Kaguya, but she wasn't. What, just because of background? As if she was some ordinary person. Kaguya remained unfazed. "Isn't he?" Narii wasn't afraid of Kaguya, and Kaguya wasn't intimidated by Narii either. Her family gave her the confidence to never bow to anyone—not even the Prime Minister. Narii's lips curled into a mocking smile. "If I remember correctly, in the last national mock exam, you only placed fourth or fifth, didn't you?" "And so what?" Kaguya's expression remained calm. "A person who couldn't even make it into the top three dares to mock someone ranked higher?" Kaguya was slightly surprised. She glanced at Takashi again. She had assumed he was just a pretty boy with nothing else going for him. She didn't expect him to score higher than her. That mock exam was one where she had given it her all to surpass Shirogane Miyuki. "Third place. Is that something to be proud of?" Even so, Kaguya didn't think much of it. Academics were a commoner's only way out. But not hers. So what if you ranked first? Once you enter society, you'll still end up working for her family's company. And whether she even wants to hire you is up to her mood. Let alone Takashi, who was only third. Shirogane Miyuki was second—wasn't that even better? "If you worked hard and earned third place, why shouldn't you be proud?" "You, Shinomiya Kaguya, have had access to top-tier education and private tutors since childhood, yet you still lost to him. If he's a weed, then what does that make you? Trash?" "Tell me, what right do you have to look down on him?" Narii glared at her, eyes burning with rage. Her clenched fists looked like they were ready to land on Kaguya's elegant face at any moment. For the first time, Kaguya's usual ice-cold demeanor cracked slightly, and her gaze darkened. "Alright, Narii, calm down first," Takashi stepped in, sensing trouble. If they actually started fighting, even if the Shinomiya family didn't cause Narii trouble, they might come after him instead. For them, dealing with him would be as easy as Faker last-hitting a minion. "She insulted you, and you're still defending her? Are you a damn ninja turtle? How can you endure this?" Narii was furious. She thought Takashi was hesitating because he couldn't bear to let her insult his "goddess." To her, it was like watching a friend get treated like a dog by a woman—she couldn't stand it, stepped in to help, only for the friend to turn around and scold her. Kaguya stood there arrogantly, looking down at them. So what if she was aggressive? The guy you're trying so hard to win over doesn't even like you. But if she crooked her finger, he'd come running. A pathetic loser. How pitiful. "She was talking about me, not you. Why are you getting so worked up?" To an outsider, it almost looked like Narii was the one being insulted. Takashi himself didn't even care. Who hadn't been insulted before? In gaming, his "friendly" teammates had cussed him out plenty. On forums, he'd been publicly ridiculed. On social media, haters had sent him direct messages filled with insults. Kaguya's level of trash talk? Please. If anything, he felt like saying: Babe, you sound like you're flirting. She needed to work on her toxicity. Maybe spend a few days in some flame-war groups first. "I can't stand it, even if you can." Narii shoved Takashi aside. "You walk this world with a clean conscience. I won't let anyone point fingers at you." "If someone insults you, I'll insult them back." Takashi's shoulders twitched slightly at that. Kaguya stood there, unfazed, watching Narii approach. Her bodyguard, Hayasak Ai, was about to intervene, but Kaguya stopped her with a glance. Kaguya was waiting. Waiting for Takashi to step in. If Narii really attacked her and Takashi asked for her contact information afterward, she wouldn't mind giving it to him. Just to spite Narii. She wanted Narii to see how easily she could summon or dismiss the guy she liked. And as expected— Takashi didn't let Narii run wild. If she really hit Kaguya, even if her family covered for her, she'd still face consequences. So he simply hoisted Narii onto his shoulder. "Let go of me, Takashi! I order you to let go!" Narii clawed at his annoyingly handsome face. "Ow, that hurts! Go easy!" Seeing the situation unfold as predicted, Kaguya once again showed a condescending look. She waited for Takashi to turn back and ask for her contact. But instead— He didn't even spare her a glance. He just walked off, carrying Narii. Kaguya, who had already reached for her phone, froze. But soon, she figured it out. He must have been worried that crazy woman would hurt her and wanted to remove the threat first. Yes, that had to be it. How thoughtful. ___ 20 Advanced Chapters available on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you! Don't forget to leave a review too~ Check out the other translations too ___

Chapter 69: 69: Not Strong Enough

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