"Horikita-san, you really don’t hold back, huh?"

  Brushing the dust off his clothes, Uesugi Gen picked himself up from the ground.

  "Hmph!"

  Horikita Suzune coldly huffed, her expression unwavering as she returned to her team.

  With the force of that throw, there’s no way he actually got sent flying. Most likely, Uesugi had noticed she was irritated and exaggerated his reaction just to put on a show for her.

  But since she had already vented her frustration, there was no need to call him out on it.

  At this moment, the ball had once again nded in Uesugi’s hands. Meanwhile, A-Css had managed to collect three balls, which meant that the flow of the match was now in their hands.

  Katsuragi Kōhei picked up a ball that had rolled near his feet, his gaze sharp and imposing.

  "As devious as ever. You never leave room for compcency."

  "We’re both the same, Katsuragi. You can always attack my css if you want."

  Unlike Uesugi, Ryūen Kakeru accepted the remark with a grin, feeling no shame in the assessment.

  But Katsuragi wasn’t someone who would prioritize personal grudges over his css’s best interests.

  Ignoring Ryūen’s provocation, Katsuragi passed his ball to two members of the Sakayanagi faction—Hashimoto Masayoshi and Kitō Hayato.

  "Follow my lead when I signal."

  "Understood," Hashimoto replied.

  "Tch. Don’t give me orders," Kitō grumbled.

  Just as Ryūen had pointed out earlier, the primary goal of this game was to reduce the number of students who could participate in the evening’s main exam.

  Targeting leaders or top-tier students wasn’t particurly effective—since they carried a rge number of points, eliminating them with a single hit wasn’t feasible. If they managed to regain points through further throws, then the opportunity would be wasted entirely.

  The best choice was—

  Katsuragi tightened his grip on the ball, his muscur arms flexing as he threw with immense force.

  D-Css—the closest group and the one with the most members.

  Simultaneously, the other two followed suit.

  Three balls shot toward D-Css like arrows.

  "So it’s us after all."

  Horikita Suzune moved swiftly, keeping her eyes locked on the incoming projectiles.

  Since the feint strategy had already been used before, D-Css had prepared in advance, spreading out across the field. At most, this attack would only hit two people.

  Wait—!

  Horikita’s expression stiffened as she turned to gre at Uesugi.

  There he was, already in his throwing posture, fshing her a mischievous smile.

  His lips moved, silently forming words—

  【Consider this your warning. No getting mad.】

  What kind of warning is that?! If I hadn’t noticed, you would’ve just thrown it anyway!

  Horikita wanted to yell at him, but there were more urgent matters at hand.

  If he thought he could pull the same trick twice—not a chance!

  "Watch out! B-Css is making a move too!"

  Her voice rang out across the D-Css field.

  Just as she spoke, Uesugi’s ball had already left his hands, sailing toward them.

  Upon hearing Horikita’s warning, the D-Css students reacted immediately, clearing a path for the incoming ball.

  Perfect! Now that ball won’t hit anyone!

  Horikita instinctively tracked the trajectory, predicting the outcome—

  The ball would just…

  Her pupils shrank in realization.

  No, that’s not it!

  Uesugi’s target had never been a D-Css student to begin with.

  His goal was to collide with the three balls thrown by A-Css—just like a billiard shot!

  But it was too te.

  BOOM!

  Just as Horikita opened her mouth to shout a warning, the four balls smashed into each other, scattering like droplets from an exploding water balloon.

  BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

  Four direct hits!

  Yamauchi Haruki: -150,000 (Eliminated).Miyake Akito: -150,000 (Eliminated).Hirata Yōsuke: -150,000.Sudō Ken: -150,000.

  "WHOA!"

  The surrounding students erupted in cheers.

  "Damn it! We got careless!"

  Seeing the ball bouncing on the ground, Sudō clenched his fists and smmed his leg in frustration.

  Hirata, on the other hand, let out a wry chuckle.

  "That was incredible… How did he manage to redirect the balls and hit four people so precisely?"

  Horikita stood still, her brows furrowed as she stared at Uesugi.

  Even in billiards, where the objects were stationary, a perfect shot was never guaranteed. Yet he had done it with high-speed moving targets—and even managed to hit moving students.

  It was unbelievable.

  And yet—

  Following Horikita’s gaze, all eyes turned toward B-Css.

  There, Uesugi nonchantly tossed a ball into the air, catching it over and over with perfect rhythm.

  Hashimoto wiped the sweat from his brow.

  "What a terrifying man…"

  Even Ryūen, usually brimming with confidence, had momentarily lost his grin.

  That throw… It wasn’t a fluke. But it was beyond what he could understand.

  "Can’t bme me for this, Horikita-san."

  Uesugi casually scanned the D-Css field, his gaze nding on Sudō Ken, Kōenji Rokusuke, and—hiding in a corner—Ayanokōji Kiyotaka.

  "Like it or not… You guys are the strongest pyers on this field."

  Horikita narrowed her eyes.

  "This is part of the game. I don’t mind it."

  But you sure looked furious earlier.

  Uesugi nearly said it aloud, but her sharp gre silenced him before he could.

  "Don’t think we’ll just stand here and take it."

  Horikita picked up a ball and tossed it to Kōenji Rokusuke.

  "As promised—it's your turn."

  Kōenji stretched his well-built limbs, his golden hair catching the light.

  "Hohoho~"

  With effortless confidence, he flicked his hair back and decred—

  "No problem!"

  "Oh~?"

  Uesugi hummed in intrigue.

  "So this is your ace for the exam?"

  At the same time, both Ryūen and Katsuragi tensed.

  They had also heard of Kōenji—an absolute enigma in D-Css. Someone with tremendous strength, yet completely uninterested in css competitions.

  It made sense.

  This exam rewarded individual prowess. As long as one had skill, they could rake in personal points.

  But to cim the 9.5 million top prize, css support was essential. The best choice? Negotiate with the css and strike a deal.

  "Rejoice, everyone!"

  Kōenji spread his arms dramatically, his voice booming across the deck.

  "Today, you all have the privilege of witnessing the magnificent performance of me, Kōenji Rokusuke—heir to the Kōenji conglomerate!"

  He fshed a dazzling smile, exuding an air of grandeur.

  "Engrave this moment in your memories, for years from now, as you lie on your deathbeds, the st thing you recall may very well be this—the glorious sight of Kōenji Rokusuke in his prime!"

  "MWAHAHAHA!"

  A ugh even more chuuni than Ryūen’s echoed across the field.

  "…"

  The entire crowd collectively twitched.

  Uesugi and Horikita exchanged gnces, their thoughts perfectly aligned.

  Uesugi Gen & Horikita Suzune:

  【Does your css not have any normal people? (Does your family heirs not have normal people?!)】

  Uesugi Gen & Horikita Suzune:

  【Of course not! I am perfectly normal!!】 (Simultaneously.)