Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute Novel

Takashi Kitahara thought he understood his purpose—until four girls made it abundantly clear. Kasumigaoka Utaha dismissed him as a mere placeholder. Sawamura Eriri admitted he was nothing but a replacement for Tomoya. Yasuraoka Hanabi warned him not to mistake substitution for affection. And Shinomiya Kaguya's heart belonged to someone else entirely.

Surrounded by women who competed to establish distance between themselves and him, Takashi finally had enough. He looked each of them in the eye and posed a question that changed everything: "What if I don't actually like any of you?"

A crossover spanning [Saekano], [Oregairu], and [Scum's Wish], this story deconstructs the substitute trope through unexpected perspective shifts. When everyone assumes they're using someone, who's really in control? Perfect for fans seeking fresh takes on familiar characters and unconventional romance dynamics that defy expectation.