"That makes sense. We’ve already scouted Css A and Css C, so there’s no reason not to check out your Css D as well."

  Uesugi scratched his head before pausing, as if something had just occurred to him. With a hint of curiosity, he asked,

  "But… are you sure about this? Most of your cssmates probably aren’t too thrilled to see me, right?"

  "Yeah, they absolutely hate your guts."

  Horikita Suzune bluntly confirmed without hesitation.

  "But that’s about as far as it goes. Every time I suggest teaching you a lesson, they chicken out faster than anyone else and immediately drop the subject."

  "Hey, hey, is it really okay for you to say that right in front of me? Be careful, or I might go tattling to your dear brother."

  Horikita let out a cold snort.

  "You’ve tricked me so many times already. What’s wrong with me saying something like that?"

  "Come on, don’t be so petty. Besides, the results turned out pretty well for you in the end, didn’t they?"

  Uesugi ughed it off, brushing past the topic.

  That being said… since there was a chance things could get messy, it would be best to bring some extra backup.

  "Shibata, Kanzaki, let’s all go together. If things go south, you two need to risk your lives holding them back to protect me, okay?"

  "Who would do that?! Just go die already!" ×2.

  "Quit fooling around and move."

  Horikita had long since grown accustomed to Uesugi’s antics.

  She took the lead, while Uesugi and the others followed behind. However, at some point, Kushida Kikyō had gradually fallen to the back of the group, trailing at a noticeable distance.

  Sensing this, Uesugi slowed his pace ever so slightly as well.

  But then…

  A problem arose.

  Ichinose Honami, noticing Uesugi’s slower pace, matched his stride and turned her head toward him, her eyebrows arching pyfully.

  "Uesugi-kun, is something wrong?"

  "…"

  There was no way he could tell her, ‘You go on ahead, I need to have a little chat with my accomplice about some crucial exam intel.’

  But then…

  Uesugi continued walking alongside Ichinose for a while before a smirk pyed at his lips.

  Css D’s leader—I’ve figured it out!

  Kushida Kikyō had willingly provided him with information without him even needing to ask.

  And… the impatient energy he could feel radiating from her back there—there was only one person who could make his dear partner-in-crime react like that.

  Uesugi lifted his gaze, peering through the gaps in the foliage at a lithe, well-proportioned figure.

  Isn’t that right… Horiki—

  —Huh?

  Why can’t I see all of a sudden?

  A familiar scent wafted into his nose, and Uesugi immediately knew who was responsible for this little trick.

  With a resigned sigh, he gently removed the soft, pale hand covering his vision.

  "You’re acting strange today. Is something on your mind?"

  "Not at all, Uesugi-kun. You must be imagining things."

  Ichinose responded with her signature sweet smile.

  Meanwhile—

  Kushida Kikyō, still waiting for her secure call to connect, was growing increasingly anxious.

  She quickened her pace, catching up to Uesugi, and shot him a look that clearly said, We need to talk.

  Uesugi met her gaze with a reassuring one of his own, subtly parting his lips and mouthing a single word.

  "Accomplice."

  Seeing the movement of his lips, Kushida’s tense shoulders gradually rexed. Even the frustration from moments ago seemed to ease slightly.

  Returning a small smile of her own, she wordlessly rejoined the group.

  If possible, Uesugi didn’t want to use Kushida as a pawn this early. Personal details about Css D were one thing, but information of this caliber—if leaked too often—would inevitably lead to suspicions falling on Kushida herself.

  Now that he already knew the answer, there was no need to let her voice it out loud. If she wasn’t even aware she had given anything away, then no one could accuse her of betrayal.

  That being said…

  She’s getting a little too agitated tely. Has keeping up this act been wearing her down?

  "Uesugi-kun, did you just say something?"

  Beside him, Ichinose suddenly leaned forward, bending slightly at the waist to peek at his face.

  "Not at all. You must’ve misheard."

  Wiping a bit of cold sweat from his forehead, Uesugi immediately denied it.

  "Really? No lying, okay?"

  Ichinose didn’t seem entirely convinced.

  "Let’s not dwell on something so trivial. Look! We’re almost at Css D’s camp."

  Seizing the opportunity, Uesugi swiftly changed the subject.

  Css D’s campsite was situated by a river approximately ten meters wide. The surrounding area showed clear signs of artificial modification, likely one of the designated spots prepared by the school.

  "Not bad. Your css actually managed to find a pce like this. It’s a pretty ideal camping spot."

  Uesugi didn’t hold back his praise.

  "Right? Right? Our cssmate, Ike Kanji, happens to be skilled at this sort of thing. If it weren’t for him, we’d probably be struggling to get by here."

  Kushida Kikyō expined cheerfully from the side.

  Ike Kanji… one of the infamous disaster trio, huh? Who would’ve thought he’d have some actual utility? That red-haired delinquent had also been unusually well-behaved tely.

  So the school’s selection process also takes this kind of thing into account…?

  They must make sure the lower-ranked csses don’t struggle too much during exams. Even so-called ‘fwed’ students can prove useful when pced in the right environment.

  And speak of the devil—

  "Hey!"

  The disaster trio suddenly emerged from behind Hirata Yōsuke, who wore a wry smile.

  Sudō: "W-What are you doing at our camp?!"

  Ike: "Y-Yeah! We’re warning you—d-don’t try anything funny!"

  Yamauchi: "O-Or else…!"

  "Oh? Or else what?"

  Uesugi tilted his head, curious to hear their grand threat.

  Yamauchi: "O-Or else we’ll tell the teachers on you!"

  "Yeah! We’ll report you to the teachers!" ×3.

  "…"

  Horikita buried her face in her hands, despairing at the sight before her.

  Just how much has Uesugi traumatized these guys?

  "Enough embarrassing yourselves. Go back to whatever you were doing."

  After sending the disaster trio away, Horikita continued leading Uesugi and the others through Css D’s camp.

  "If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Unlike a certain liar, I’ll give you a completely honest answer."

  Uesugi’s eyelid twitched slightly.

  She’s still holding onto that? All I did was trick her a few times, and she’s been keeping score ever since.

  That said… there was something he was interested in.

  His eyes scanned Css D’s camp until they nded on a short-haired girl.

  "That person… doesn’t seem to be from your css."

  "A student from Css C. Supposedly, she rebelled against Ryūen and got kicked out of their camp, so some of our cssmates took her in."

  Horikita’s voice carried a hint of disapproval, clearly believing the decision carried too much risk.

  "I see. Funny thing—we have a Css C student in our camp too."

  Uesugi decided to drop a small hint for Horikita.

  "But unlike you, I haven’t suspected him for a second. He’s actually been a huge help to us these past few days."

  "Is that so…"

  Horikita fell silent, her gaze shifting toward Ibuki Mio.