In Css B—

  "So, you came all the way here to our css?"

  Uesugi sat on the podium, looking at the unexpected visitors with a strange expression.

  "Yes, I'm begging you."

  Hirata Yōsuke bent at the waist and bowed respectfully to him.

  Uesugi rubbed his chin and casually asked,

  "There are plenty of other pces you could go for that many points. The second and third years have csses that could afford it. What made you think coming to me, the supposed mastermind behind all this, was a good idea?"

  The entire Css B turned to stare at Uesugi with baffled expressions.

  Did… did he just admit it?

  Hirata kept his eyes closed and spoke calmly.

  "The third years only have a year left before graduation. They don't believe that a Css D student like me could pay back 1.9 million points in just one year, so they rejected me outright."

  "As for the second years, Nagumo-senpai said their grade was in the middle of a fierce competition and that they had no spare personal points to lend… But in the end, he kindly gave me 200,000."

  Uesugi clicked his tongue. Forget about the third years—Nagumo Miyabi easily had millions of personal points, if not tens of millions. He just didn't want to lend any and tossed 200,000 at Hirata to get rid of him.

  "A-Css's Bandai-san agreed to lend us points, but she couldn't rally her entire css, so she failed to convince them."

  Oi, oi… can't you tell? That girl was totally just messing with you.

  "Uesugi-kun, your css is our st hope. Please, we're begging you."

  Uesugi stared at the man who had scoured the entire school to save his cssmates and asked,

  "Hirata Yōsuke, why…? Why go this far for them? You've only known them for, what, two months? And from what I've heard, you're not even that close. Wouldn't it be better for your status in the css if they got expelled?"

  "No… that's not it… I just… I just don't want to see any of my cssmates get hurt again!"

  Hirata's voice cracked as he shouted, emotions spilling over.

  Uesugi ran a hand over his face.

  So that's it… He's not doing this because he's just a kind person—he's doing it because he refuses to let another cssmate suffer. Another one with a gring personality fw.

  From the way the Accomplice described him, I thought he was Css D's Ichinose.

  Wait…

  Uesugi's expression darkened as a certain possibility crossed his mind.

  …

  I need to find time to confirm this with Hoshinomiya-sensei.

  "Where's your css leader, Ichinose?"

  Horikita Suzune crossed her arms, clearly preferring to negotiate with Ichinose rather than Uesugi.

  "Oh, she got called to the faculty office by Hoshinomiya-sensei. She left this matter entirely in my hands."

  Uesugi answered zily.

  Of course, it was him who had tricked Ichinose into heading to Hoshinomiya's office for tea. Hoshinomiya was even helping cover for him, and two members of the Uesugi Group were standing by in case anything went wrong.

  Didn't see that coming, did you, Ichinose? You've already been sidelined.

  By the time you get back, it'll all be over!

  Uesugi cheered internally.

  Meanwhile, the rest of Css B silently stared at him, collectively forming a single question mark in their minds.

  ?

  Did Ichinose ever say that?

  Yet no one voiced their doubts. They simply chose to trust Uesugi without hesitation.

  Horikita took note of this scene and sighed internally.

  The difference is staggering. Compared to the constant infighting in Css D, the unity in Css B is like night and day.

  At that moment, Uesugi smirked and turned his gaze toward Sudō, who was hiding behind Hirata.

  "Well, well. Look who's back in my hands."

  "I… I…"

  Sudō stammered, unable to form a sentence.

  He had already witnessed firsthand just how cruel reality could be. To him, Uesugi was a terrifying vilin who had crushed his dreams with ease.

  Seeing how lost Sudō looked, Uesugi lost interest in toying with him.

  "Forget it. More importantly, Hirata, I'm curious—how did you convince your cssmates to save these three?"

  Css D was far from united. It was a chaotic mix of personalities. Just what had Hirata done to make them agree?

  "I didn't pay any price. As long as I can stop Sudō and the others from getting expelled, that's all that matters."

  "…Hirata…"

  Sudō was genuinely moved.

  He knew how hard Hirata had fought—how he had begged every cssmate until they finally agreed to help.

  "So please, Uesugi-kun, help us."

  Hirata bowed again.

  "No."

  The rejection came without hesitation.

  "1.9 million points is no small amount, even for Css B. What makes you think we'd lend it to you? Do I look like Ichinose to you?"

  "No. Since we came here, we were prepared to be taken advantage of. Just state your conditions—we'll accept whatever they are."

  Horikita stepped forward, meeting Uesugi's gaze head-on.

  "Oh?"

  Uesugi stroked his chin in thought.

  "Tadakaa… kotowaru."

  He spread his hands.

  "Unfortunately, there's nothing we need right now. So, sorry, Hirata-kun. Same goes for you, Horikita-san."

  "No… that can't be! Anything! We'll do anything!"

  Hirata, on the verge of breaking, shouted desperately.

  "No. Go back, Hirata. Expelling those three will be beneficial for your css too, won't it?"

  Uesugi smiled coldly.

  "Um, I think you should reconsider."

  A voice suddenly broke the tension.

  It was Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, who had been silently observing from the corner.

  "Your css leader just got back."

  Ah…

  Uesugi instantly understood.

  So that's how it is.

  The real pn was never to negotiate with him—they were just stalling for time so they could bring Ichinose into the discussion.

  That's why they sent Hirata instead of Horikita.

  "Wait, Uesugi-kun…"

  Ichinose came running in, hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

  "Sorry… I was having a nice chat with Hoshinomiya-sensei, but the moment I heard your name, I ran straight back."

  Behind her, Hoshinomiya-sensei followed with an apologetic look. Two members of the Uesugi Group trailed behind as well.

  Uesugi remained unshaken.

  "So, Ichinose… are you going to oppose me like st time?"

  He smiled at her.

  If you could predict my thoughts st time, then you must already know what I'm pnning now…

  "No."

  Ichinose looked him straight in the eyes.

  "I choose to support you."

  ---

  T/N: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???? IS THIS... THIS IS A MIMIC!!