"Shibata, I have 30 million points locked in a secret school account that I can't withdraw. Send me 5,000 points, and once I get my funds out, I'll make sure you reach Css A."

  Ignoring Uesugi's bizarre words, Shibata curiously asked,

  "Uesugi, did you already burn through all your points? We just got our monthly allowance a few days ago."

  At this, Uesugi covered his face and dramatically sobbed.

  "You don't understand… To obtain cssified intelligence capable of defeating the Demon King, I've been forced to bribe those treacherous merchants every day. On top of that, I have an elderly former cssmate to support. And worst of all, I've been sving away under that sadistic gsses-wearing demon… My points have long since run dry."

  "…"

  Shibata looked at Uesugi, completely speechless.

  "So basically, you blew all your money buying intel, huh?"

  Himeno Yuki immediately saw through his nonsense.

  "Exactly. I don't even have enough left for food. Show some compassion—I haven't eaten in three days."

  With absolutely no shame, Uesugi stretched his palm out toward Himeno.

  "Alright, I'll handle this," Kanzaki said, rubbing his chin. He then clenched his fist, smacked his palm, and waved his hand toward the front of the cssroom.

  "Ichinose, Uesugi says you should treat him to a meal."

  "Kanzaki, shut up!"

  Uesugi's face instantly twisted in panic as he frantically lowered his voice.

  Ever since Ichinose had fallen asleep in his room, he had subtly been avoiding her.

  On the surface, nothing had changed between them.

  But whenever Ichinose looked at him, Uesugi couldn't shake the feeling of being a helpless little mb locked in the gaze of a hungry wolf.

  The moment Ichinose heard Kanzaki, she quickly wrapped up her conversation with her cssmates, then ran over with a bright smile.

  "I see how it is."

  After hearing the full story, Ichinose beamed at Uesugi.

  "Alright then, Uesugi-kun, let me treat you."

  "No."

  Uesugi turned his head away.

  "No need to be so polite. Actually, I had a proposal I wanted to discuss with everyone. Let's talk over lunch."

  Ichinose firmly grabbed Uesugi's wrist before he could escape.

  ---

  Palette Café

  Looking at the sea of smooth, white thighs and skirt hems fluttering in the air, Uesugi let out a long, suffering sigh.

  "Why this pce? I feel like I don't belong here."

  "Huh? Uesugi-kun, you've never been here before?"

  Ichinose looked at him in surprise. After all, Palette Café was incredibly popur among the female students. During lunch breaks and after school, it was always packed.

  "Of course not," Kanzaki chimed in from behind them, shaking his head.

  "This guy barely eats with anyone besides me and Shibata. Most of the time, he's holed up in his dorm pying games. And when the three of us do eat out, we usually go to ramen shops. So I'd bet good money he's never stepped foot in here before."

  Himeno sighed in exasperation, crossing her arms.

  "You do realize you're one of the most famous first-year guys, right? Can you at least try not to act like a total shut-in?"

  Uesugi casually leaned back in his chair, half-lidding his eyes as he gnced at her.

  "And what good does that do? Can I eat popurity? Himeno, you care way too much about how others see you. That's exactly why you're always so stressed out."

  Himeno's face flushed red.

  "Sh-Shut up!"

  Once everyone had taken their seats, Ichinose's usual smile faded slightly, and she spoke in a more serious tone.

  "Alright, let's get to the point. The reason I asked everyone here is because I have a proposal I want to discuss."

  "No problem. Whatever it is, I'll give you my honest input."

  Kanzaki nodded, his expression equally serious.

  "Alright."

  Ichinose took a sip of her coffee, took a deep breath, and said firmly,

  "Hoshinomiya-sensei once told me that, in this school, points can buy anything. So I want to propose that we pool half of our personal points together as a css."

  "This way, Uesugi-kun can use that budget for purchasing intelligence, and our css can cover the cost as a collective expense."

  "Heh… So you've finally lost patience and decided to reveal your fangs, Ichinose? I knew it."

  Uesugi, who had been sulking just moments ago, suddenly perked up, eyes gleaming with excitement.

  He was back to his usual self—charging toward Ichinose like a knight unching an attack.

  Himeno, however, frowned in confusion.

  "Ichinose, can I ask why you want to do this? This… doesn't really seem like you. It's more like something he would do." She shot a gnce at Uesugi.

  Ichinose met Uesugi's gaze with unwavering determination.

  "For the sake of preventing our cssmates from getting expelled."

  "For the sake of crushing the other csses."

  They spoke in unison, then immediately turned to look at each other.

  "…Huh?"

  "You're not doing this to protect our cssmates?"

  "You're not doing this to reach Css A?"

  Again, they spoke in sync.

  Seeing Uesugi's confusion, Ichinose quickly expined,

  "Uesugi-kun, I heard from the second-year students that every css has had students expelled. So I want to prepare in advance—to have enough points stored up so that none of our cssmates get expelled."

  Uesugi stared at her like she was a complete idiot.

  Why the hell would you think that way? If we just expel the other csses first, we win.

  "Obviously, the points should be used as weapons—to bribe people, form alliances, or, if necessary, straight-up buy out the enemy's leaders."

  Hearing this, Ichinose's expression darkened.

  "No way, Uesugi-kun. That's way too extreme. I won't allow it."

  "Ichinose, you're being too naive. I'm doing this for Css B!"

  "But I am Css B's leader, Uesugi-kun!"

  "Ichinose, you'll regret this!"

  The two of them gred at each other, neither backing down.

  Seeing the situation escate, the others quickly stepped in to defuse it.

  "Both of you, calm down! People are starting to stare!"

  "For now, let's at least agree on the first step—convincing our cssmates and collecting the points. Can we all agree on that?"

  Both of them reluctantly took a step back.

  "Fine."

  "That's acceptable."

  "Alright then, who's going to be in charge of holding the points?"

  Shibata voiced the real question.

  "Obviously, that job should go to me."

  Uesugi decred shamelessly.

  "Let's vote."

  Ichinose gave him a calm, knowing look—clearly unwilling to entrust the points to him.

  "You're too naive, Ichinose. We have three guys on our side."

  Uesugi smirked, confident in his overwhelming advantage.

  "Ichinose."

  "Ichinose for sure."

  "Yeah, Ichinose."

  3–0. Unanimous.

  Uesugi's face instantly fell. He turned to his traitorous teammates, seething.

  "You bastards! You picked Ichinose over me!?"

  Shibata shrugged helplessly.

  "Come on, if we gave it to you, you'd just use it for something shady. You'd probably spend it all on games."

  Uesugi scoffed.

  "It's called maximizing the system's loopholes."

  "Anyway, it's settled."

  Ichinose delivered the final verdict.

  That afternoon, after csses ended, the proposal was presented to the rest of Css B.

  "I see. In that case, I agree."

  "Half my points? Sure, I don't even use that much anyway."

  "This is a wise decision."

  …

  ---

  T/N: I love the YOU WILL REGRET THIS ICHINOSE! danzo vibes! i only actually recently saw that cliche in chinese novels and I fell in love with it! It's always funny to me and its actually the reason I'm transting this novel