A week had passed since the truth about the special exam was revealed, and Css B had once again organized a rge-scale bonding activity.

  And this time, the location was—the library.

  Css B pnned to hold a group study session here in preparation for the upcoming midterm exams.

  "...I feel completely out of pce here."

  Uesugi looked around at his diligent cssmates, slumped over a desk, and sighed in exasperation.

  Advanced Nurturing High School's library radiated an oppressive aura of academic dominance at all times.

  Staring at the overwhelming scene before him, Uesugi instinctively took two steps back, grabbed his bag, and prepared to leave.

  "I think I'll head back and, uh, cultivate my knowledge in solitude."

  "Nope! Absolutely not!"

  Ichinose immediately grabbed Uesugi's wrist, preventing him from escaping.

  "It's exactly because you never study with us that you have no motivation! Studying is something you need to do with your cssmates—it makes it easier to stay on track!"

  "Exactly. Just stay here until the study session ends," Kanzaki added with a stern expression. "Besides, this will help strengthen our css unity, don't you think?"

  No, no, no, I think our css's unity is already strong enough. Any more, and we might as well fuse into a solid crystal.

  With so many eyes on him, Uesugi knew escape was impossible.

  If he had to stay, so be it.

  But the studious energy in this pce was far too overwhelming. He needed to find a way to counteract it with his own overwhelming slothfulness.

  In other words—he needed to find a quiet, isoted spot to take a nap.

  Something about this environment made him feel like he'd have an especially good sleep here.

  After searching around for a bit, Uesugi finally found the perfect spot.

  It was quiet, tucked away in a corner, and conveniently located near a window where warm sunlight streamed in. An ideal napping location.

  Grabbing a random book, he pced it over his face, got into a comfortable position, and quickly dozed off.

  ...

  He had no idea how much time had passed when he suddenly felt something.

  Stare.

  Staaare.

  Staaaaare.

  From not too far away, a silver-haired, violet-eyed girl in gray knee-high socks was intensely staring at him.

  More specifically, she was staring at the book on his face.

  "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders."

  A cssic mystery novel written by Japanese detective fiction author Shimada Sōji.

  And the very book that Shiina Hiyori had been searching for all day.

  She had looked all over the library, only to come up empty-handed.

  And now, here it was—casually pced atop a sleeping boy's face.

  Just the thought of her long-awaited book being used as a makeshift eye mask made Shiina puff out her cheeks, forming an adorably pouty expression.

  Should I just wait for him to return it?

  For someone as socially awkward as Shiina, the idea of confronting a stranger was daunting.

  But…

  He looks so sound asleep… If I just quietly swap the book out for another one, he probably won't even notice, right?

  The girl hesitated for a moment.

  Then, making up her mind, she carefully took action.

  Moving silently, she approached the bookshelves and selected a book with roughly the same dimensions.

  Then, with light, deliberate steps, she slowly made her way toward the sleeping boy.

  You got this, Shiina Hiyori. You can do this.

  She mentally cheered herself on.

  Drawing closer, she gently pced the repcement book on the desk.

  Then, reaching out with both hands, she carefully pinched the edges of the book covering his face.

  "Three…"

  She softly counted down to ease her nerves.

  "Two…"

  She slowly lifted the book.

  As the sunlight illuminated the boy's remarkably handsome face, Shiina's heartbeat suddenly picked up speed.

  "One…"

  "O-One…?"

  "ICHINOSE, YOU'RE GOING TO REGRET THIS!!!"

  Out of nowhere, the sleeping boy bolted upright, smmed his hands on the desk, and shouted.

  "Ah!"

  Startled, Shiina lost her bance, filed her arms in panic—

  And promptly fell straight into his chest.

  ...

  Holding the unexpectedly soft girl in his arms, Uesugi, still half-asleep, was completely dumbfounded.

  Is this a dream? Or reality?

  Looking down at the girl's flushed, embarrassed face, Uesugi instinctively reached up and gently poked her cheek.

  …Warm.

  SHIT, IT'S NOT A DREAM!!!

  His brain instantly kicked into overdrive.

  A trap? A setup by another css?

  No—there were no suspicious individuals nearby, and they were well within the security camera's range.

  Then how the hell did she end up in my arms? A divine blessing?

  For once, Uesugi's highly analytical brain short-circuited.

  Meanwhile, Shiina, having just calmed down, mustered the courage to speak.

  "U-Um… Can I… have that book?"

  She gnced toward The Tokyo Zodiac Murders, which had nded in Uesugi's p.

  Even though Uesugi had no idea how things had escated to this point, he quickly understood what she wanted.

  It didn't matter if he understood the problem. As long as he solved the problem, the result was the same.

  "Of course, no problem at all!"

  He smoothly picked up the book and handed it over, his voice suddenly filled with enthusiasm.

  "Shimada Sōji's The Tokyo Zodiac Murders—an absolute masterpiece! The intricate plot, the unique narrative style—truly unforgettable!"

  His delivery was so fwless that even the author himself would have believed him to be a die-hard fan.

  "Eh? You like this book too?"

  Shiina's eyes sparkled as she excitedly leaned forward, eager to discuss the novel.

  "…"

  Shit.

  Uesugi suddenly felt a headache coming on.

  I'm screwed. If I tell her now that I don't actually care about this book, she'll definitely be disappointed.

  No choice… I have to commit to the bit.

  And so, with a forced smile, Uesugi pretended to be deeply engaged in their discussion.

  ...

  A while ter…

  Now holding two detective novels personally recommended by Shiina, Uesugi smiled and waved goodbye.

  As soon as she left, he sighed, looking down at the books in his hands.

  "Shiina Hiyori from Css C, huh?"

  Another troublesome girl to deal with…

  Well, whatever. She had enthusiastically recommended them, so he might as well read them.

  Tucking the books under his arm, he started heading back toward Css B's area—

  —only to immediately stumble upon a heated confrontation.

  A red-haired boy had a firm grip on the sleeve of a long-haired bck-haired girl.

  The redhead was Sudo Ken, the very guy Uesugi had been introduced to by that kind-hearted senior during the school entrance ceremony.

  And the girl being harassed?

  Horikita Suzune.

  At the same time, standing off to the side were Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and his "accomplice," seemingly trying to mediate.

  With an amused chuckle, Uesugi casually approached.

  "Wow, you guys really don't learn, huh? Your css points are still at negative 100, and you're already causing trouble in the library?"

  "None of your damn business! Say one more word, and I'll beat the shit out of you too!"

  Sudo snapped back instantly, his voice booming through the entire library.

  SWOOSH.

  In an instant, over thirty Css B students silently rose from their seats.

  Without a word, all the Css B boys calmly approached and stood behind Uesugi.

  Sudo suddenly hesitated, his voice faltering.

  "W-What the hell are you guys trying to pull…?"

  Uesugi fshed a zy grin.

  "Nothing much~ Just wondering… since you guys seem to have so much free time, should I raise the difficulty of the upcoming midterms?"

  "After all… I am the student council vice president."

  At Uesugi's casual remark, Css D's students collectively froze.

  The atmosphere shifted instantly.

  "Wait, can he actually do that?!"

  "He's the student council vice president… Maybe he really can…"

  "Shit—if the difficulty increases, we're doomed!"

  In an instant, the already anxious members of Css D turned pale.

  Even Sudo, who had been acting all high and mighty, suddenly broke into a cold sweat.

  He wasn't dumb—he was reckless, sure, but not a complete idiot. If Uesugi was serious, his already abysmal grades would guarantee instant expulsion.

  "Tch!"

  Grinding his teeth, Sudo clenched his fists but forced himself to swallow his anger.

  Seeing his change in attitude, Css D's students immediately spoke up.

  "W-Wait, hold on! Can you actually do that?!"

  "Uesugi-kun, please don't! Sudo already gets it!"

  "Yeah, yeah! He's already apologizing, so just let it go!"

  Even Kushida Kikyou, who had been standing nearby, quickly stepped forward, smiling sweetly.

  "Uesugi-kun~ Let's not be so extreme, okay? He knows he was wrong, so let's all get along, alright?"

  Uesugi raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly.

  "Oh? But just a moment ago, someone was threatening to beat me up. Now he's apologizing? I'm a little confused here."

  His pyful tone made Sudo's veins nearly pop.

  Sudo took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and bowed his head.

  "I… I'm sorry."

  His voice was barely above a whisper.

  "…Huh? I can't hear you~"

  Uesugi grinned mockingly.

  Sudo trembled with frustration, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. But—survival came first.

  Shutting his eyes, he lowered his head again and said loudly—

  "I'M SORRY! I KNOW I MESSED UP! PLEASE DON'T RAISE THE EXAM DIFFICULTY!"

  Silence fell over the library.

  A student like Sudo Ken, known for his hot-headed temper, actually swallowing his pride and apologizing in public—it was an unprecedented sight.

  Satisfied, Uesugi waved his hand dismissively.

  "See? That wasn't so hard. Next time, remember—the library isn't the pce for fighting. If you want to settle things, take it somewhere else."

  Sudo nodded stiffly, his expression still dark with frustration.

  His pride was utterly shattered.

  Seeing Sudo so thoroughly put in his pce, Horikita Suzune—who had been watching quietly the entire time—narrowed her eyes.

  She was… surprised.

  Even though she despised relying on others, she had to admit—she wouldn't have been able to handle Sudo like this.

  And then, there was that other issue—

  Student council vice president.

  Meaning…

  Her brother's right-hand man.

  As the situation diffused, Css B's students calmly returned to their seats, their silent support fading as quickly as it had appeared.

  Ichinose, who had been watching the scene unfold with her hands behind her back, finally spoke up.

  "Wow, that was unexpected, Uesugi-kun. You hate troublesome things, yet you actually stepped in this time? I was about to intervene myself, you know."

  Uesugi sighed dramatically, raising his hands in surrender.

  "Trust me, I would've ignored it if I could. But if Horikita-senpai hears that I ignored a conflict happening right in front of me, he'd definitely come nag me about 'responsibility' again."

  Hearing that name, Horikita Suzune tensed up slightly.

  She clenched her fists at her sides.

  Watching Uesugi walk away, she finally turned to Kushida and asked—

  "Kushida-san, do you know him? That guy just now."

  Kushida blinked, then smiled proudly.

  "Of course! That was Uesugi Gen from Css B. He's the vice president of the student council, and also Css B's vice representative! He's a really incredible person~!"

  "…Student council vice president?"

  Suzune muttered the title under her breath, deep in thought.

  She was surprised by how easily he had handled Sudo—

  But more than that, she was thinking about her brother.

  Meanwhile, standing beside her, Kushida was internally grinning like a madwoman.

  Bingo.

  She had successfully pnted the seed of curiosity.

  If Horikita Suzune wasn't already interested in Uesugi before, she definitely was now.

  Things were getting fun.

  ---

  T/N: LMAOOOO EVERYONE LITERALLY STOOD UP FOR HIM THATS SO CRAZY