“Hey, why did you speak up for me just now?”

  Horikita Suzune walked up to Uesugi Gen, lowering her head slightly as she questioned him. He was sitting under a tree, gazing at the scenery.

  The other students from Css B had already returned to their camp with the supplies, leaving Uesugi alone after Horikita called him over.

  “Even if you hadn’t said anything, I still would’ve handed over the 150 points’ worth of supplies to you.”

  Horikita sat down beside him, hugging her knees as she stared into the distance.

  “I know. That’s exactly why I signed the contract with you in the first pce. Didn’t I already say that earlier?”

  Instead of answering her question directly, Uesugi tilted his head, looking intrigued as he asked something else in return.

  “How’s your css holding up?”

  “It’s all your fault!”

  Horikita shot him a sharp gre, her tone ced with irritation.

  “After what you said, they were so humiliated that they had no choice but to reach some kind of consensus—though there’s still some friction.”

  “They actually know shame? That’s quite the surprise. Still, it must be rough for you—having to drag these people up to Css A when you can’t even stand them.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Since I’ve decided to graduate from Css A, this is something I have to endure.”

  Horikita’s gaze remained fixed on the ocean, her voice firm with determination.

  Then, she turned back to Uesugi and asked again.

  “You still haven’t answered me. Why did you speak up for me? Logically, you should’ve just walked away after we talked, waited for me to hand over the 150 points, and then used it to deepen the rift between me and Css D. Wouldn’t that have been more beneficial for you?”

  “Hmm… You’re not wrong, but that just wouldn’t have been as fun.”

  Uesugi thought for a moment before giving his response.

  “Hah? What kind of reason is that? ‘Not fun’?”

  Horikita narrowed her fox-like eyes at him and leaned in slightly, as if she wanted to pry open his skull and see what was inside.

  “Well, how should I put it…”

  Uesugi rubbed his chin, contempting.

  “Have you ever pyed video games?”

  “No. Never.”

  Horikita answered immediately.

  “Then what do you do in the dorm?”

  Uesugi looked genuinely curious. She never joined her "partner-in-crime" when invited out, and her daily routine seemed absurdly monotonous.

  “I study for ten hours a day. The rest of my time is spent reading.”

  She stated it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  “How can you say something so terrifying with a straight face?”

  Uesugi was so shocked that he leaned back, scooting a few steps away to put some distance between them.

  “You still haven’t answered my question.”

  Horikita frowned in dissatisfaction.

  After thinking for a moment, Uesugi finally came up with an answer that might satisfy her.

  “Alright, fine… Say you love studying. Would you find it fun if you only solved one-plus-one problems every day?”

  He gestured with both hands as he spoke.

  “Hah? You’re saying that beating Css D is as easy as solving one-plus-one?”

  Horikita instantly understood his implication.

  “Ahem, well… you’re not wrong.”

  Uesugi scratched his cheek and ughed.

  “Basically, games are more fun with more pyers. Your Css D is a complete mess. You haven’t even chosen a proper leader yet. If this keeps up, you’re guaranteed to lose. Without you guys, I’d be stuck pying against Css A and Css C.”

  He summarized his thoughts with a shrug.

  “I’m not going to thank you. If I lose, don’t come crying to me, regretting that you didn’t get me expelled when you had the chance.”

  “Don’t worry, Horikita-san. I won’t lose this game. Right now, everything I’m doing is just for achievement collection.”

  Unfortunately, Horikita—the gaming illiterate—completely missed the hidden meaning in his words.

  “I really don’t understand what goes on in your head.”

  She stood up and dusted off her pants.

  “I won’t hold back in this special exam. Our css barely has any points left, so we’ll have to guess the leaders of other csses to score. Your css had better be careful—I just might figure it out.”

  “Horikita-san, if I wipe out Css D cleanly this time, don’t come crying about it ter.”

  “A gamble is a gamble.”

  After straightening out her clothes, Horikita turned to him and added—

  “Well then, I’ll be heading—”

  Suddenly, Uesugi stood up and reached out, pcing his hand on her smooth forehead.

  “I kept forgetting to ask—are you feeling better? From the looks of it, you’ve recovered quite a bit.”

  “Uesugi-kun, do you want to regret your life while in pain, or while in despair?”

  Horikita’s lips curled into a dangerous smile.

  “Oi, oi, you’re thinking about hitting me again, aren’t you? And you still won’t admit you’re a tomboy—”

  “Go to hell!”

  ---

  After returning to Css B’s camp, Uesugi made his way to Kanzaki Ryūji, who was in the middle of inventorying supplies.

  “Uesugi, if you’re bored, you can go find Ichinose. She was looking for you earlier to gather food.”

  Kanzaki didn’t even look up as he spoke.

  “Hey, Kanzaki, I heard you want to be Css B’s leader?”

  Kanzaki’s expression changed instantly.

  “Don’t talk nonsense. I don’t.”

  “Don’t lie. The look on your face in the forest told me everything. You, Kanzaki Ryūji, are plotting a coup.”

  Uesugi posed like a certain detective from a famous series, pushing up nonexistent gsses.

  “I’m not—”

  “No need to expin. I get it. I understand everything.”

  Uesugi gave him a knowing look.

  “I have something big to show you.”

  Before Kanzaki could react, Uesugi dragged him to the side and shoved a key card into his hands.

  “This is… huh?”

  Kanzaki stared at the key card, his name engraved on it, in absolute horror.

  “How does it feel? For this entire week, you’re Css B’s official leader. Exciting, right?”

  “You… You…”

  Kanzaki trembled as he pointed a shaky finger at Uesugi.

  Others might not realize it, but as someone from an influential family, Kanzaki knew all too well—this so-called "leader" position was nothing more than a useless, fattened mb ready for sughter.

  And knowing Uesugi’s nature… skipping any css discussion and making Kanzaki the leader outright… There was no way he wasn’t pnning something shady.

  This bastard… He’s throwing me under the bus, isn’t he?

  “This is revenge! It has to be revenge!”

  Kanzaki clutched the key card tightly, turned around, and muttered as he stormed off.

  “I need to find Ichinose… I’m going to file a compint against you!!!”

  ---

  A good story, much like a well-fought battle, is all about precision, strategy, and passion. Every choice matters—the right move, the right word, the perfect bance between staying true to the original and making it shine in English.

  That’s why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL] – where every pledge helps ensure more high-quality transtions, faithful to the original while flowing naturally in English. Trust me, as a Champion, I know a thing or two about mastery.

  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another battle to prepare for. But you? You should definitely check out that Patreon.

  —Cynthia