On the couch in the activity room, Uesugi Gen y on his side, watching Ichinose Honami's sleeping face.
Her sleeping posture was peaceful, a stark contrast to the energetic and lively expression she usually wore. She looked soft and adorable.
It would have been perfect… if only she wasn’t clutching his arm so tightly.
"Ichinose... Ichinose..."
Uesugi softly called her name.
"..."
Her breathing remained steady and even.
Perfect…
A sly grin crept across Uesugi's lips.
Gently… slowly…
He reached his other hand toward the pleats of Ichinose's skirt.
Since one of his arms was trapped by Ichinose's grip, his range of movement was limited, as if trying to grab something through a narrow opening.
Just a little more… almost there…
Got it!
His fingertips brushed against something smooth and silky.
And then—nothing?
Frowning, Uesugi groped around again, but still found nothing.
Where’s her phone?
His gaze swept across the nearby table—aside from some snacks, it was completely empty.
That didn’t make sense. She had been within his line of sight ever since she entered the room. Her phone should definitely be on her.
After a brief moment of contemption, he arrived at a conclusion.
It must be in the other pocket. But sleeping like that… wouldn’t it be uncomfortable?
Whatever. I’ll worry about that after I get the phone.
Uesugi refocused his attention on Ichinose.
The issue now was that she was lying on her side. If he tried to reach for her phone directly, it would definitely wake her up.
There was no choice. He would have to coax her again, just like before.
Uesugi gritted his teeth.
Damn traitor.
No—at this point, it was more accurate to say that Ichinose had pnted a spy within the Uesugi Group.
Just wait. Once I deal with you, I’ll make an example out of you, restoring the Uesugi Group’s honor.
Thinking of this, Uesugi suddenly felt a renewed sense of motivation.
"Ichinose… Ichinose…"
He gradually raised his voice while gently shaking Ichinose’s shoulder.
"Honami… Honami…"
"Mmm..."
Ichinose groggily rubbed her eyes, lifting her sleepy gaze to meet his.
"..."
Then, she hugged him even tighter.
"Ichinose, be good, okay? Sleeping like this isn't good for your body. Let’s change to a more comfortable position."
Uesugi stroked her long, loose hair like he was petting a kitten.
"Ichi—"
"Call me Honami…"
Her drowsy, affectionate voice drifted into his ears.
"Alright, alright, Honami, let's change positions, okay?"
"Okay…"
Ichinose obediently responded and—without hesitation—rolled over, snuggling even deeper into Uesugi’s arms.
"..."
Isn’t this the exact same position as before?!
The only difference is that now she’s facing away instead of toward me!
And—
Uesugi let out a sigh, murmuring to himself as he looked at the girl nestled in his embrace.
"You’re really trusting, huh? What if I take advantage of you right now?"
Ichinose’s response?
She reached behind her, blindly groping until she found his hand, then guided it to rest over her chest—pulling his arms around her even more snugly.
"..."
Forget it. Looking at it from another perspective, didn’t I just achieve my initial goal?
Uesugi consoled himself.
Reaching downward, he finally found it.
Bingo!
As he pulled out her phone, an evil smirk crept onto his lips.
Hehehe…
Did you think defecting to Ichinose would save you?
As long as I erase you before she finds out, how could she possibly bme me?
The school typically issued only one phone per student, with no other communication devices allowed.
Which meant—every student relied solely on their phones to exchange information.
And that included the spy.
Uesugi unlocked Ichinose’s phone, the pale glow of the screen illuminating his face, which was now twisted into a devious grin.
Now then—
Let’s see just who had the guts to betray me. I can already picture your terrified face in your final moments.
【150401】
Without hesitation, Uesugi entered the six-digit passcode.
April 1st—the first day of school, when Ichinose first met her Css B cssmates.
【Incorrect Password】
Huh?
He tried again.
【Incorrect Password】
She changed it?!
Uesugi scratched his head.
That didn’t make sense. He hadn’t even changed his own gaming account passwords. Why would she suddenly change her phone password?
Don’t tell me… my pn to purge the Uesugi Group’s traitor is going to fail before it even starts?
Like hell it is. A cold smirk curled on Uesugi’s lips.
I might not be able to guess someone else’s password…
But hers?
I was the one who figured it out in the first pce!
Her sister’s birthday?
【Incorrect Password】
The css points we earned during the cruise exam?
【Incorrect Password】
【Too many incorrect attempts. Please wait 30 seconds.】
Damn it!
Fine, another try!
Her mother’s name?
【Incorrect Password】
Her sister’s st six phone digits?
【Incorrect Password】
This one’s unlikely, but… her own birthday?
【000720】
【Incorrect Password】
…
【Incorrect Password】
【Too many incorrect attempts. Please wait 30 seconds.】
…
Tap tap tap tap tap tap!
As the errors piled up, Uesugi’s expression grew more and more twisted.
Wait.
Uesugi shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Calm down, Uesugi Gen. Her passwords always follow a pattern. Think. Think. What am I missing?
Suddenly, his expression froze.
His eyes flickered between the sleeping girl in his arms and the phone in his hand.
Could it be… my birthday?
【000128】
【Incorrect Password】
So it wasn’t that, huh…
Defeated, Uesugi slumped his head forward, hugging Ichinose closer as he muttered under his breath.
"This doesn’t make sense… Last time, I figured it out. No way I can’t crack it this time."
"128720."
A delicate hand took the phone from his grasp.
【128720】
【Password Correct】
Ichinose’s lock screen wallpaper immediately came into view.
"Our birthdays combined."
Ichinose turned around in his arms, now facing him again.
"Ahem… Ichinose, when did you wake up?"
Uesugi felt himself faltering.
"Call me Honami. And… when you entered my birthday."
Ichinose cupped his face in her hands, her voice brimming with delight.
"I didn’t even know you remembered so many things about me, Gen-kun—my favorite channel, my favorite food, my clothing size… You know all of it."
"Uwahhh—"
Uesugi let out a dramatic wail, burying his face into Ichinose’s chest.
"Stop talking! You’re making me sound like some creepy stalker!!!"
---
T/N: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH JEALOUSY
