Uesugi: [Hey, I noticed you didn’t seem quite right earlier. Are you feeling unwell?]

  Horikita: [That’s none of your business. It’s just a slight cold. Also, what did you mean by that comment earlier? Were you calling me a tomboy?!]

  Uesugi: [Don’t sweat the small details. If you’re sick, you should see a doctor.]

  Horikita: [This kind of cold will pass as long as I rest in my room. I’m not someone who wastes time on leisure activities.]

  Uesugi: [But… the special exam is about to start. If you colpse, Css D will be eliminated on the spot. (ughs)]

  Horikita: [??? What do you mean by that? Expin yourself! Hey!]

  Uesugi: [You were talking all big earlier like Ryūen and the others, but you didn’t even notice anything? (snickering)]

  Horikita: [Tell me about the special exam!]

  Uesugi: Read but not replied.

  Horikita: [Hey! Uesugi Gen! Answer me!]

  Uesugi: Read but not replied.

  Staring at the barrage of incoming messages, Uesugi Gen’s lips curled into an amused smile.

  Horikita is really quite adorably stubborn when it comes to these things. She was acting all cold and indifferent at first, but now…

  Oh, here it comes.

  A sharp ring echoed in his cabin. Unable to get a response through texts, Horikita Suzune had resorted to calling him directly.

  If that girl saw this, she’d probably be crying tears of envy.

  Uesugi didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he let the phone ring a few more times.

  So, now you’re the one getting anxious, huh?

  After a few more seconds, he finally picked up—before immediately holding the phone at a distance.

  "Hey, Uesugi Gen! What room are you in? I’m coming over!"

  Horikita’s voice was urgent, frustration evident in her tone.

  Uesugi sighed. Why is she so damn stubborn?

  "Horikita-san, if you’re sick, you shouldn’t be running around. Listen to me—go see a doctor or just rest in your dorm. Those were your own words, remember?"

  "There’s no way I can rest at a time like this! What do I have to agree to for you to tell me what’s going on?"

  "Why are you so stubborn? If you colpse, Css D is done for in this special exam. Wouldn’t it be better to recover first before taking the test?"

  "You wouldn’t understand. I have to—"

  "If you keep this up, I’m calling your brother."

  That was his trump card—his ultimate anti-Horikita Suzune weapon.

  "I… Fine. I’ll go back to my dorm and rest. You better not tell my brother about this."

  Her reluctant, humiliated voice came through the phone.

  Uesugi scratched his head. Why does this sound like I’m bullying her? If that girl heard this, she’d probably start flying in excitement.

  "No, not just going back to rest. Go to the doctor, get medicine, take it immediately, and then find somewhere to hide before sneaking into the special exam location. Got it?"

  "I understand. I’ll do as you say. But the exam information—"

  "Yeah, you’re not getting any."

  "Y-You liar!"

  "Huh? Horikita-san, what made you think I’d tell you anything about the special exam? Our csses are competitors."

  "You—"

  "That’s final. Now, go see the doctor. End of discussion!"

  Horikita Suzune was a critical piece in his pn for this exam. If she colpsed before it even started, who was he supposed to argue with?

  Then—

  Without hesitation, Uesugi dialed Horikita Manabu’s number.

  She already called me a liar, so might as well live up to it.

  "Hey, your sister’s sick. She’s insisting on pushing through the special exam. You handle her."

  A brief silence from the other end. Then, a message popped up on Uesugi’s phone.

  [Points received: 500,000]

  "Just make sure she doesn’t put herself in danger," Horikita Manabu said.

  Uesugi stared at the message, lost in thought.

  "I swear, you two siblings are impossible. Why not just talk things out?"

  "No. She’s the way she is because of my influence. Until she finds her own path, I won’t interfere in her life too much. For now, I’ll leave her in your hands, Uesugi."

  The sincerity in Horikita Manabu’s words made Uesugi sigh.

  "Fine. I’ll watch her health. But don’t expect me to go easy on her in the exam."

  "Of course. Just make sure she stays safe."

  ...

  After resolving the Horikita Situation, Uesugi spent some time wandering the ship.

  When the time was right, he returned to his dorm.

  As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Kanzaki and the others packing their bags with military-like precision, preparing for the upcoming special exam.

  Seeing him enter, they nodded seriously.

  "It’s starting, isn’t it?"

  "Yeah. Gather all of Css B on the deck. The ship’s speed has been gradually slowing down for a while now."

  "Got it. I’ll notify everyone immediately."

  Shortly after, students from other csses noticed a rge group of Css B students assembling on the deck.

  "Hey, look! Css B is all gathering over there. What are they up to? Go inform Katsuragi!"

  Css C followed suit.

  "Quick! Someone get Ryūen-san!"

  As for Css D…

  "WOOOAAAHHH! THIS IS AMAZING!!"

  ---

  "Proceed as pnned," Uesugi ordered.

  At that moment, a mysterious broadcast pyed over the ship’s speakers:

  "Attention, students. If you have time, please gather on the deck. You will soon witness an important sight. An isnd will come into view shortly. We believe you will find this moment quite significant."

  Right on cue, a distant isnd slowly emerged on the horizon.

  Moments ter, Ryūen and Katsuragi arrived at the deck, leading their respective csses.

  "You’re saying… they were already gathered here before the announcement?"

  Ryūen’s face darkened as he grabbed his subordinate by the colr.

  "Y-Yes, Ryūen-san. They were all here before the announcement even pyed."

  Upon hearing this, Ryūen’s expression turned stormy.

  This could only mean one thing—

  Css B had somehow obtained advance knowledge of the special exam.

  Katsuragi’s eyes also grew sharp.

  How… did they do it?

  ---

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