Location: First-floor banquet hall, luxury cruise ship.Time: 19:10.
Does a banquet hall really need to be this complicated?
Uesugi Gen frowned as he stared at the dead-end before him.
The moment he turned around, a figure holding a mirror blocked his way.
Kōenji Rokusuke.
Heir to the Kōenji conglomerate. A prodigy in every aspect, yet somehow pced in Css D.
Uesugi Gen wasn’t surprised. In fact, he was genuinely intrigued to finally have a conversation with him.
"Come to think of it," Uesugi mused, "this is the first official meeting between us, two future heads of powerful conglomerates."
"No, no, no."
Kōenji waved a finger, adjusting his hair in the mirror.
"While I am certain of my own unparalleled beauty, the Kōenji Conglomerate is but a mere flicker before the bzing sun that is the Uesugi Conglomerate."
He paused briefly, as if recalling something.
"And… your elder brother even more so. A beautiful yet terrifying man."
Although Kōenji’s words were "beautiful yet terrifying," Uesugi Gen instinctively filtered out one particur brother from his mind.
With a helpless sigh, he found himself unexpectedly agreeing.
"You think so too, huh? He’s far more suited to take over. But ever since he got married, all he thinks about is quitting his job and running off to Montallivi to sell sunscreen."
"Such a man would willingly give up his inheritance?"
Kōenji smirked knowingly.
"In that case… I see."
In just a few short exchanges, Kōenji had already deduced the true reason Uesugi was at this school.
"Your goal is the same as his, isn’t it? Otherwise, you wouldn’t waste your time pying these childish games."
"Who knows."
Uesugi Gen shrugged, unconcerned.
"But since you already see this as a ‘childish game,’ why not intentionally lose to me?"
"OHOHOHO! Impossible!"
Kōenji burst into ughter.
"A beautiful man does not bow his proud head so easily!"
He tossed his hair dramatically.
"Even if the dies were to offer me everything they had, a gentleman such as myself would be unable to accept such generosity."
"…You literally begged them to sponsor you."
Uesugi couldn’t help but interject.
"Enough chatter! Let me see what the heir of the Uesugi Conglomerate is truly capable of!"
Kōenji spread his arms in challenge.
"Judging from the st match, you have the most personal points left, correct?"
After all that talking—
The two finally remembered why they were here.
Kōenji stood firmly in pce, waiting confidently for Uesugi to challenge him.
"…"
But Uesugi didn’t move.
"Oh~?"
Kōenji stroked his chin.
"You’re waiting for me to make the first move? Do you truly believe you cannot lose to me?"
Still, Uesugi remained silent.
"Very well, then!"
Kōenji dramatically pulled out his phone.
"[Forced Duel! Uesugi Gen, wager: 6.3 million personal points. Duel Type: Combat!"]
"…"
Nothing happened.
No system prompt.
"Wait—"
Kōenji’s eyes widened.
"Yes, that’s exactly what you’re thinking."
Uesugi Gen finally spoke.
"I currently have over ten million personal points.
Which means…
Even if I do nothing, my worst possible pcement is third."
"So, five minutes ago—"
"I withdrew from the exam."
Uesugi spread his hands with a nonchant smile.
"And as for why—"
A voice, loud and full of arrogance, echoed from behind Kōenji.
"[Forced Duel! Kōenji Rokusuke, wager: 7 million personal points. Duel Type: Combat!]"
Both their phones buzzed at the same time.
[Forced Duel Application Approved. Contestants are advised to consider their safety and act accordingly.]
"Well, that’s why."
Uesugi Gen casually strolled past Kōenji, patting his shoulder in farewell.
"This guy came running to beg me for a deal the moment he found out about your weakness."
"A leadership fee of 200,000 points."
"I lure you to this specific location."
"He takes care of you."
"And in return, he ensures both our csses stay under 10 million, guaranteeing me second pce."
"Goodbye, Kōenji-san."
"Let’s have a real match some other time, Mr. Beautiful."
Ryūen Kakeru stepped forward, holding a can of… something.
"Finally got you."
He smirked.
"All that work to get Uesugi to cooperate—totally worth it."
The key to a Forced Duel was simple.
Strike first.
Pull your opponent into a challenge they’re weak at.
Then use experience to crush them.
But after seeing Kōenji’s insane performance during dodgeball, Ryūen knew he couldn’t catch him normally.
So he set a trap.
And now, Kōenji had walked right into it.
"Dragon boy."
Kōenji instinctively took a step back.
His eye twitched.
"What’s that… thing in your hand?"
Ryūen ignored the question entirely.
Instead, he muttered to himself.
"I know that, as I am now, I can’t beat you in a fair fight."
"So should I just accept defeat?"
"No!"
Ryūen answered himself.
"The method doesn’t matter!"
"I will win, no matter what!"
"This…"
Ryūen twisted the cap off the can.
"...is my struggle for victory!"
SPLASH.
He dumped the entire bottle over his head.
A mysterious liquid dripped down his face.
"Let’s see what you’ve got, Kōenji!"
"Let’s find out if you’re as strong as that bastard Uesugi!"
"…"
Before Ryūen even got close, the smell hit Kōenji.
A moment ago, Kōenji had boldly decred that a beautiful man never bows his head.
But now—
He calmly raised his hand.
"I forfeit."
"WHAT?"
Ryūen stopped in his tracks.
"You’re just giving up?"
"Of course."
Kōenji dusted himself off.
"Such an ugly battle isn’t worth sacrificing my beauty over."
"If you wish to bathe yourself in filth, that is your choice."
"But I refuse to take part."
[Kōenji Rokusuke has surrendered. Ryūen Kakeru wins the duel.]
"Tch. As long as you stay out of my way, I don’t care."
Ryūen smirked, knowing he had prevented Kōenji from rising to the top.
"Now then—"
Ryūen wiped the mystery liquid from his forehead.
Only one target remained.
Pulling out his phone, he checked their location.
His smirk widened.
---
T/N: hes... determined at least.
