"Mm~"

  Uesugi Gen y sprawled on the infirmary bed, tugging the bnket up over his body. Adjusting his position to maximum comfort, he let out a long, satisfied sigh.

  "I have to say, Gen-chan, the school infirmary isn't your personal nap room, you know."

  Sitting nearby in a white b coat, Hoshinomiya Chie sighed dramatically, watching her student lounge around without a care.

  Why does my student get to rex here, while I'm stuck preparing lessons?

  "What's the harm? It's not like you don't go out drinking every day, Hoshinomiya-sensei."

  Uesugi answered zily, eyes still closed, his voice drifting off as if he were in a dream.

  After spending time around her, he had already figured out this young and stylish—yet highly unreliable—teacher's personality. She loved messing with her students and wasn't particurly strict.

  Smack!

  "Silence! A student shouldn't talk back to their homeroom teacher."

  Annoyed at having her drinking habits exposed, Hoshinomiya smacked Uesugi on the head with a folder.

  "Yes, yes, I understand, Hoshinomiya-sama," Uesugi muttered, raising his hands in surrender before pulling the bnket over his head. His voice came out muffled from beneath the covers.

  I need to sleep while I can. Once css ends, Ichinose will definitely come here to drag me back.

  Before that, though, he needed to deal with Hoshinomiya.

  If he didn't get this unpredictable teacher on his side, there was no way he could rest peacefully.

  "Hmph, I knew it! The picture you sent me yesterday was fake, wasn't it?"

  Hoshinomiya leaned closer, striking a detective-like pose as she spoke through the bnket.

  "You weren't sick at all. You just didn't want to go to css."

  "Sensei, I really was sick. The picture was 100% real."

  Sure, he may have dozed off in css, lied to his teachers, and skipped school—but Uesugi still considered himself a good student.

  "But before that, I have a question I've been meaning to ask you."

  Finally growing tired of her teasing, Uesugi decided to go on the offensive.

  "Oh? Ask away! As your teacher, I'll answer anything," Hoshinomiya decred, hands on her hips as if she were ready for anything.

  "Well then… Hoshinomiya-sensei, you used to be a student at this school, didn't you?"

  "…Huh?"

  For the first time, Hoshinomiya's pyful demeanor shifted. She blinked in surprise before narrowing her eyes slightly.

  "…How did you figure that out? Yeah, I graduated from here."

  "The first day of css, you said something, remember?"

  Uesugi's voice was calm and confident.

  "'Even I was surprised when I first heard about the 100,000-point deposit.' That means the first time you learned about the initial deposit wasn't as a teacher—but as a student."

  Hoshinomiya's expression stiffened.

  She had assumed he'd heard about her past from someone else—after all, it wasn't exactly a secret among the staff.

  But no, Uesugi had figured it out just from one offhand remark she made on the first day.

  And not only that… he had noticed back then but chose not to point it out.

  "…Alright, Gen-chan. If you're this sharp, then let me ask you something in return."

  Hoshinomiya's pyful attitude faded as she gazed at him seriously.

  "If you realized there was something off about the school's system, why didn't you act on it immediately?"

  "I did."

  Uesugi met her gaze without hesitation.

  "In fact, I've already taken action. Otherwise, how do you think I became the student council vice president?"

  There was no avoiding Ichinose after today.

  She would surely keep coming to the infirmary whenever he tried to skip css.

  So, the best solution was to demonstrate his value and pull Hoshinomiya to his side.

  If he could get her to cover for him, then his strategy would be complete.

  With the student council, the school administration, and now a teacher on his side…

  Hmph. Ichinose, I'd like to see how you pn to beat me now.

  "Huh? I thought you got that position because your family donated money to the school."

  Hoshinomiya asked cautiously, tilting her head.

  "…What?"

  Uesugi's eyes snapped open, and he shot up in bed.

  "Where did you even hear that?"

  "Well, the school suddenly received a massive donation from the Uesugi Financial Group. Even the teachers got a pay raise."

  Hoshinomiya rested her chin on her hand in thought.

  "So when I saw you become vice president, I just assumed it was reted."

  "…I see."

  Uesugi sighed, covering his face with one hand.

  So my family hasn't given up on dragging me back, huh?

  I wonder how my brother's evaluation is going. Are those old fogeys in the company giving him trouble?

  …Whatever. Not my problem.

  Pushing those thoughts aside, Uesugi focused back on the matter at hand.

  He met Hoshinomiya's gaze and spoke in a low voice.

  "Well then, Hoshinomiya-sensei… since you know I'm serious about taking action, would you be willing to help me?"

  "In exchange, I'll lead Css B to the top."

  Hoshinomiya blinked, then grinned and spped her chest confidently.

  "No problem, Gen-chan! I'll help you all the way! After all, it's a teacher's duty to support her students."

  …and to make sure Css D never makes it to the top.

  Success!

  "Well then, since I need to be in top shape to lead Css B, I should rest and conserve my energy."

  Without missing a beat, Uesugi's expression shifted.

  He spoke rapidly, flopped back down, pulled the bnket over himself, and shut his eyes—all in one fluid motion.

  "…."

  Before long, the sound of steady breathing filled the room.

  Hoshinomiya watched him sleep, her expression unreadable.

  …I feel like I've made a terrible mistake.

  Maybe I should just let Ichinose handle him instead.

  ---

  Ding-ling, ding-ling, ding-ling!

  The moment css ended, Ichinose arrived at the infirmary with breakfast in hand.

  "Uesugi-kun—"

  Shh!

  Hoshinomiya pressed a finger to her lips, then gestured toward the bed.

  There, a handsome yet utterly exhausted young man y sleeping peacefully.

  Ichinose's voice caught in her throat.

  She had originally pnned to scold him.

  But as she watched him sleep, she swallowed her words.

  For a brief moment, an unspoken emotion fshed in her eyes.

  With a small smile, she silently handed the breakfast to Hoshinomiya and quietly left the room.

  …Fine. I'll let you off this time.

  Ichinose's steps were light as she walked back to css.

  ---

  T/N: his grand pn is to be able to say in his room and py games all day!