Once upon a time, upon the vast ocean, a grand vessel sailed leisurely. Within the Western-style dining hall, Ichinose and Uesugi Gen sat across from each other, enjoying both the sea breeze and a luxurious meal.

  Uesugi Gen spoke, "Are you aware of the current state of each css?"

  Ichinose smiled and replied, "Not in great detail."

  Uesugi smirked and pressed on, "I’ve long heard that you, Ichinose, have a wide network of connections. Surely you must know the heroes of this grade. Go ahead—list them for me."

  Ichinose waved a hand in modesty. "With my ordinary perspective, how could I possibly recognize heroes?"

  "Don’t be so modest!" Uesugi insisted.

  Ichinose sighed, "While I do have many acquaintances, I belong to Css B. There are certainly some figures I have yet to encounter."

  Uesugi responded, "Even if you haven’t met them, surely you’ve heard of their names."

  Ichinose nodded. "Katsuragi Kōhei from Css A—wealthy, steady in his actions, composed in both advance and retreat. Would you call him a hero?"

  Uesugi threw his head back and ughed. "Katsuragi Kōhei? He’s overly cautious, prioritizes defense over offense, and is rigid to a fault. His subordinates are nothing but arrogant fools. He’s no more than a skeleton in a tomb—mark my words, I will bring him down sooner or ter."

  At that moment, a certain bald, burly man sitting nearby paused, grabbing his fuming companion by the arm before they could storm off to seek revenge. Instead, he calmly continued eating his meal.

  Harsh as Uesugi’s words might be, they weren’t entirely wrong. Besides, he wanted to hear what Uesugi had to say about Sakayanagi.

  Next—

  Ichinose asked, "What about Sakayanagi Arisu from Css A? Daughter of a board member, well-connected and influential. Currently reigning over Advanced Nurturing High School, commanding a group of highly capable individuals with unparalleled intelligence. Would you call her a hero?"

  Uesugi chuckled. "Sakayanagi Arisu? She is a strategist, yet physically frail. She looks down on her subordinates and disregards their desires. Eventually, she will lose the support of Css A and be abandoned by those around her. She is no hero."

  Sitting nearby, Kamizumi Masumi, Sakayanagi’s loyal follower, expressionlessly nodded along. He makes a good point… Also, can Sakayanagi’s downfall hurry up already?

  Ichinose fell into deep thought before continuing, "Css C has a certain figure—feared within his own css, commanding a gang of delinquents. Would you call Ryūen Kakeru a hero?"

  Uesugi scoffed. "Ryūen Kakeru? Ruthless in his methods, cking a moral compass, relying on underhanded tactics to achieve victory. In the end, he will be his own downfall. He is no hero."

  The red-haired delinquent seated behind Uesugi twitched, veins bulging on his forehead.

  Uesugi Gen, you bastard!

  Last time, you schemed against me, leaving me to freeze my ass off behind the gym all night! And now, you have the nerve to call me unscrupulous? The audacity!

  Ichinose continued, "Then what of Hirata Yōsukei? Kind and compassionate, he currently leads Css D. Would you call him a hero?"

  Uesugi dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "Hirata Yōsukei is too soft-hearted. Not a hero."

  Seated by the window, Hirata let out a helpless chuckle.

  Ichinose tried again, "What about Horikita Suzune from Css D? Intelligent, skilled, and exceptionally talented. Would you call her a hero?"

  Uesugi smirked. "Horikita? She may be the student council president’s sister, but she’s stubborn, headstrong, and arrogant. She refuses to work with others and has no trustworthy subordinates. How could someone like that be called a hero?"

  Horikita’s fists clenched.

  What the hell? Why is his evaluation of me different from the others?

  What does he mean by ‘stubborn, headstrong, and possessing the spirit of a man’? Is he calling me a tomboy?

  Unacceptable. I’m texting him about this ter.

  Finally—

  Ichinose asked, "What of Kushida Kikyo, Kōenji Rokusuke, and Kanzaki Ryūji?"

  Uesugi burst into ughter and cpped his hands. "Petty small-timers, nothing worth mentioning!"

  Seated beside Horikita, Kushida forced a polite smile, but her expression quickly darkened.

  Oh, you’re dead. Just wait, I’m calling to harass you ter. How dare you summarize me in one measly sentence while giving that bitch Horikita a whole extra 48 words?!

  Meanwhile, Kōenji Rokusuke continued to enjoy his meal, completely unfazed.

  "No one can define my beauty, for I am beauty itself."

  However—

  While most people dared not confront Uesugi, Kanzaki was not one of them. He stood up, ready to march toward Uesugi’s table.

  The others I don’t care about, but I’m from Css B! What the hell does he mean by ‘petty small-timer’? If it weren’t for me, he’d still be stuck in his dorm pying games!

  Of course—

  Pying games wasn’t bad. But being Css B’s vice president was far more liberating.

  "Kanzaki, calm down. He’s just feeling a little too pleased with himself. Just wait a bit—Ichinose is here, she’ll definitely step in to protect him. You won’t get the chance to hit him."

  Shibata hurriedly lowered his voice and pulled Kanzaki back.

  Ichinose sighed, "Aside from them, I know no others."

  Uesugi chuckled again. "A hero is one who possesses grand ambitions, a sharp mind, and the ability to contain the universe in their grasp while swallowing the heavens with their will."

  Ichinose, intrigued, asked, "Then who fits that description?"

  Uesugi raised a finger toward Ichinose, then pointed to himself.

  "In this world, only you and I are worthy of the title hero."

  Ichinose was so startled by his decration that she dropped her fork onto the floor.

  "……"

  The entire room erupted into exasperated ughter.

  So after all that talk, he was just setting everyone up to praise himself?

  Enough was enough.

  "That’s it, Uesugi Gen! I’ve put up with you long enough!"

  Ryūen smmed his hands on the table, standing up with his gang right behind him.

  Uesugi gnced at him zily.

  "Oh? If it isn’t Double Kakeru. What do you need from me?"

  Ryūen sneered. "Unlike those weaklings, I don’t sit back and let myself be insulted. I believe in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

  And just like that, Ryūen fired off an AOE insult, successfully redirecting some of Uesugi’s incoming hatred onto himself.

  Damn it, I can’t stand this!

  The students from Css A and Css D gred, rising from their seats.

  "Kakeru, it’s rude to eavesdrop on others’ conversations. I know you’re not well-read, so I’ll forgive you this time."

  Uesugi waved him off with an air of magnanimity.

  "……"

  What the hell is this? Why is he acting like he’s in charge?! If not for the upcoming exam, I’d strangle him right now!

  A calm voice interrupted, "Talk is cheap. Everything will be decided through action."

  Katsuragi Kōhei turned his sharp gaze toward Uesugi.

  "You’re the student council’s vice president, Uesugi Gen? A mysterious figure, no doubt. But no matter how mysterious, Css A will never lose to you."

  "That’s my line."

  Horikita folded her arms, rubbing them awkwardly.

  "Just wait and see. I’ll defeat you all, one step at a time, until I reach Css A."

  Not to be outdone, Ryūen pointed his thumb downward.

  "Horikita Suzune, Katsuragi Kōhei—"

  He paused before gritting his teeth.

  "—and that bastard Uesugi. All of you better be ready. I’m going to crush you one by one."

  Uesugi’s eyes sparkled.

  Oh, this is fun. They’re all making decrations. I should, too!

  "You all—mmph!"

  Ichinose cmped a hand over his mouth.

  "Uesugi-kun, let’s go. Enough talking."

  "Mmph?"

  "MMPH!!"

  Ignoring Uesugi’s struggles, the entirety of Css B dragged him away.

  If they didn’t remove him now, this ship would turn into Cssroom of Might Makes Right.

  ---

  T/N: heh, why is he me

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