Day Six of the Special Exam – Css D’s Camp
"Wait, wait—are you serious? Just two days of hunger and they all ran off?"
Shibata Sō shielded his eyes from the sun, gazing at Css D’s now deserted camp with sheer disbelief.
Kanzaki Ryūji let out a sigh.
"We expected this, but… I wasn’t expecting it to happen this fast."
"You really thought a bunch of freeloaders—people who burned through their css points in one month—would stick together and endure two more days?"
Uesugi scoffed.
"That’s delusional."
"That may be," Ichinose interjected gently, "but look, Uesugi-kun. Not everyone abandoned the camp."
She pointed toward a faint sign of movement within the otherwise empty grounds.
It seemed… a small number of students had chosen to stay behind.
"Let’s go," Uesugi said, stepping forward.
"Regardless of our positions in this exam, they deserve respect for staying."
With that, Css B’s students made their way into Css D’s camp.
As they got closer, the figures of the remaining students became clear.
Seeing who they were, not only were Css B’s students surprised—
Even Uesugi himself was momentarily stunned.
Then, he let out a wry chuckle.
"Now this is ironic. The very first people your css wanted to sacrifice on day one… are now the only ones left trying to hold it together."
"Horikita-san. Hirata-kun."
Yes—
The only ones still here were Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yōsuke.
Hearing Uesugi’s words, Horikita didn’t immediately snap back at him like she usually did.
Instead, she simply replied in a calm, indifferent tone.
"I made my decision the moment I resolved to climb to Css A as a member of Css D."
Even if she had felt helpless yesterday—
She let out a self-deprecating smile.
"This was always a possibility."
"Uesugi-kun," Hirata spoke next, his tone carrying a hint of exhaustion,
"Please don’t bme everyone. This happened because I wasn’t good enough."
"Oh, please."
Uesugi rolled his eyes.
"This isn’t about being ‘good enough.’ Your css is just a bunch of lost causes."
Then, he stroked his chin, giving Hirata an appraising look.
"Though honestly… I’m kinda surprised. Someone like you wasn’t pced in Css B?"
"If you’d been with us, you wouldn’t have to deal with all this suffering every day."
The moment he said it, the realization hit the others as well.
Hirata really did seem like he belonged in Css B’s supportive, cooperative environment.
At the same time, they also understood—
If Hirata hadn’t been here holding things together, Css D would have fallen apart long ago.
"Enough pointless chatter," Horikita cut in.
"You’re here to gloat, aren’t you?"
Surprisingly, she didn’t call him out for being underhanded.
She knew full well—
This was a weakness she failed to recognize.
The fault was partially her own.
"Gloat?" Uesugi echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"Now, now, Horikita-san. I’m merely here for reconnaissance."
"As for victory… well, no one can cim that until the exam actually ends, right?"
This guy…
Really wasn’t easy to deal with.
Horikita crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.
"You’ve seen everything now. You can leave."
"Aw, but didn’t you invite me to visit just a few days ago? You’re already changing your mind?"
Uesugi teased.
Then, he gnced around.
"By the way… where’s that Css C student your group took in?"
"She left. The moment she saw the others retreat to the ship, she left on her own."
Horikita replied matter-of-factly.
"Ah, I see."
Uesugi nodded.
"Alright. Recon mission complete. No further questions."
"Good. Now leave."
Horikita again tried to push him out.
But—
"No, I’m not leaving yet."
Her brows furrowed.
"But didn’t you just say your reconnaissance was finished?"
Uesugi smiled.
"That mission is done, yes."
"But I have another reason for staying."
He looked at the two lone students still standing in Css D’s abandoned camp.
"A reason that has nothing to do with this special exam."
"As a friend."
Both of them froze.
Uesugi turned to Horikita first.
"Horikita-san, I was the first friend you ever added, right?"
Then, he gnced at Hirata.
"And Hirata-kun, you’re always giving me recommendations for good shops to check out."
"Just because your css doesn’t treat you like their own… doesn’t mean we see you that way."
"Yes, this is a competition. Yes, our csses are rivals in this exam."
"But that doesn’t change the fact that I respect you both as individuals."
"Which is why—"
Uesugi extended a hand.
"Why don’t you come to Css B’s camp?"
"We already have one Css C student with us. What’s two more from Css D?"
"And more importantly—"
He lifted his gaze toward the darkening sky.
"A storm is coming. If you two stay here, it won’t be safe."
"It’s better to have more people to rely on."
Being offered help by their own competitor…
The two fell silent.
After a long pause—
"No."
Horikita shook her head.
"This is still the exam period. If we go, it would increase the risk of exposing your css’s leader."
"If that does happen, and we correctly guess it…"
"Then it wouldn’t be a fair victory anymore."
"Right now—"
She met his gaze, eyes steady.
"I intend to finish this exam using my own abilities."
Uesugi stared at her for a moment—
Then, he chuckled and shook his head.
"You really are Stubbornita Suzune, huh?"
"Fine, suit yourself."
"But at least be careful not to get caught in the rain."
"Otherwise, I’ll have to answer to your brother."
With that, he turned and left.
What a nagging guy…
Horikita watched his retreating figure, thinking to herself.
…Wait.
Something’s wrong.
My brother?
The moment she realized, her earlier gratitude vanished, instantly repced by rage.
"Didn’t you say you wouldn’t tell my brother?!"
"I didn’t!"
Uesugi shouted back without stopping.
"He just knows! He says he has superpowers that let him sense your health condition!"
Having completely exposed himself, Uesugi broke into a full sprint.
"YOU LIAR!"
Horikita’s furious voice echoed through the forest.
---
T/N: hehehehe
"......"
- Gardevoir
(End of Chapter—Support the transtor at [patreon.com/WiseTL]!)
