You Will Regret This Ichinose! [8]

For just 15,000 points, this premium gaming controller can be yours!

Staring at the exaggerated advertisement, Uesugi Gen let out a cold laugh.

Who'd be dumb enough to spend that many points on a controller? Especially when there's a 2,000-point option right next to it.

…I'll buy it.

Five minutes later, Uesugi exited the electronics store with a grim expression, carrying the box in hand as the clerk cheerfully called out, "Thank you for your purchase!"

If this thing isn't good, I'll shut this shop down tomorrow using my new Vice President authority.

"Hey, are you sure it's okay to spend points like this?" Himeno Yuki, who had been trailing behind him, offered a concerned warning. "You know we're not likely to get that many points next month. Shouldn't you be saving?"

"Oh, you're still here, Himeno-san?" Uesugi replied with mock surprise. "Didn't you say you like being alone?"

"No matter how much I like solitude, there's a limit," Himeno huffed, her half-lidded eyes filled with irritation. "And are you sure it's okay to just leave like that? You didn't think it might cause a problem?"

She glared at him, annoyed. He had dragged her out of the KTV, left her standing around, and then dashed into an electronics store without so much as a word. What is this guy, a kid?

Seeing her puffed-up cheeks and sulking expression, Uesugi offered some reassurance.

"There's no problem. Usually, during class gatherings like these, they only check the headcount at the beginning. No one's going to notice if one or two people leave midway."

"If you're uncomfortable at gatherings and need some space, you can just do what I did—tell Kanzaki. He won't approve, but he'll understand," Uesugi said matter-of-factly.

"Otherwise, every time you attend these things, you'll just feel more awkward. That's not healthy, you know."

Annoyed by his tone, Himeno snapped, "Of course I know that! But it takes a lot of courage to actually go through with something like that. I'm not like you—you can skip a gathering and still have friends covering for you!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Himeno realized she'd been too blunt.

"…Sorry," she muttered.

"So that's how it is."

Uesugi smiled gently and extended his hand toward her.

"Himeno Yuki-san, would you like to be friends? While we're at it, you can also become friends with Shibata and Kanzaki. That way, next time you skip a gathering, they'll cover for you too.

"Because I won't be going to the next one, so I won't always be able to help."

Himeno stared at his outstretched hand, her emotions swirling in confusion.

After a moment of hesitation, she reached out, her tone tinged with tsundere annoyance.

"Fine. But I'm not going to the next one either, so you don't need to trouble them for me."

Uesugi clasped her hand firmly.

"Great. We're officially friends now."

After becoming friends, the two headed to the supermarket to pick up some daily necessities.

"You know, I didn't notice this earlier," Uesugi remarked, picking up a bottle of shampoo from the free goods section. "A lot of essential items here are marked as free."

Judging by the cheap packaging, he didn't have high expectations for the quality. Still, he tossed two bottles of shampoo and body wash into his basket.

Free stuff makes me happy.

"You're such a weirdo," Himeno muttered, watching his choices. "You spend all those points on a gaming controller, but you won't spend a few points on decent shampoo or body wash?"

Rolling his eyes, Uesugi responded, "I'm a guy. As long as it gets me clean, why should I care how it smells?"

"Still, the amount of free products here probably means we're not getting many points next month," Himeno said, scanning the shelves with a serious expression.

Uesugi raised an eyebrow. "Himeno-san, you're sharper than I thought."

"Hey, don't underestimate me," she shot back, glaring at him. "I passed the entrance exam fair and square."

"Of course, of course. Himeno-san is very smart."

"Excuse me, are you two a couple?"

A pleasant voice suddenly chimed in behind them.

Turning around, they saw a girl with short brown hair that swayed lightly as she moved, catching the light just enough to cast a soft glow.

Uesugi and Himeno exchanged glances.

Your friend?

No way. I thought she was your friend.

Then you handle it. I'm bad with people.

As the socially anxious Himeno took a step back to hide behind Uesugi, he sighed internally.

You're bad with people? Guess what? So am I.

Reluctantly, he waved dismissively at the girl.

"No, we're just friends. We just met and decided to go shopping together."

"In that case," the girl said with a bright smile, clasping her hands together as she stepped closer, "could I be your friend too? My dream is to become friends with all the first-year students."

Her voice was soft, her steps graceful. As she leaned slightly forward, the movement highlighted her perfect curves, the warm light reflecting off her hair.

A faint, sweet fragrance drifted toward Uesugi. For a moment, he found himself noticing the softness of her figure. Is her body made of marshmallows?

Her sparkling eyes locked onto his, and he instinctively took a step back.

"My name is Kushida Kikyō. May I know yours?"

"Sure," Uesugi replied, keeping his tone polite. "I'm Uesugi Gen. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise! Please take care of me, Uesugi-kun," Kushida said, bowing slightly. "This school doesn't allow contact with the outside world for three years. It's my first time being away from home for so long, so I feel a bit lonely."

"Yeah, this school's rules are a bit odd," Uesugi replied. "By the way, Kushida-san, what class are you in?"

"I'm in Class D. What about you?"

Kushida stepped closer again, closing the distance Uesugi had just created.

This isn't good.

Most people would naturally maintain a polite distance when meeting someone new, but this girl was actively closing the gap. Worse, her friendly demeanor made it hard to push her away.

"Uh… I'm in Class B, I think," Uesugi said. "Anyway, we have some errands to run, so maybe we can chat another time."

Before Kushida could respond, Uesugi grabbed Himeno by the wrist and quickly walked away, ignoring Kushida's repeated attempts to stop them.

"Man, what's with her?" Himeno panted, leaning over with her hands on her knees. "She knew we weren't interested, but she still kept pushing to be our friend."

"Yeah," Uesugi muttered, his expression darkening slightly. "She's a strange one."

From the moment he and Himeno had started talking, Kushida's gaze had been fixed on them. She'd even followed them into the supermarket, waiting until they were distracted by shampoo to approach them.

Kushida Kikyō, Class D.

According to the intel from the second-year seniors, Class D students were either severely lacking in competence or had some other glaring flaw. Given her extraordinary social skills, Kushida clearly wasn't incompetent.

Her obsessive desire to make friends… Could it be a sign of deeper issues?

After Kushida left, Uesugi and Himeno wandered around the supermarket for a little longer before parting ways and heading back to their dorms.

---

In Room 404, Uesugi was busy assembling his new computer.

As he finished setting it up, he rubbed his hands together eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"All right, Azeroth, your hero is here to save you!"

---

T/N: Azeroth... seems familiar