You Will Regret This Ichinose! [19]
"Got it!"
…
Kanzaki Ryuuji, seated on the bed, watched as Uesugi Gen and Shibata Sō sat cross-legged on the floor, playing video games. With a sigh, he reminded them:
"Uesugi, if you stay cooped up in your room all day without exercising, your body's going to rust."
Eyes glued to the screen, Uesugi absentmindedly replied, "Kanzaki, worrying too much about things like that will make you age faster."
Then, as if declaring some profound truth, he added, "After an entire week of classes, can't I just enjoy my weekend in peace?"
"…But this doesn't seem any different from what you usually do," Shibata deadpanned from the side.
Despite Ichinose Honami's relentless efforts throughout the past week to "correct" Uesugi's behavior in various ways, he had managed to exploit his alliance with Hoshinomiya-sensei and strategically use his student council privileges to slip out of class whenever he wanted.
Though Ichinose was clearly frustrated, there was little she could do about it.
Kanzaki took a sip of his tea before saying, "Still, as the vice-representative of Class B, isn't it a bit irresponsible for you to be skipping class like this? I don't expect you to help people like Ichinose, but you should at least set a good example."
"Hmm?"
Uesugi's hands froze mid-game.
…
"NANI?!"
A loud cry of disbelief echoed through the dormitory, startling birds outside into flight.
"Vice-representative? Since when?! As a proud member of Class B, how could you all make such an important decision without me? Where is your democracy? Where is your respect for the law?!"
Uesugi's voice was filled with grief and indignation.
His true ambition had never been a mere vice-representative position. His goal was to become the class leader and lead Class B to dominance over the next three years.
But now, he had been betrayed.
Eating his popcorn, minding his own business—only to get hijacked into office.
Uesugi's expression twisted in pain as he turned to the two traitors before him.
Then, as if recalling something dreadful, he hesitantly asked,
"…Then who's the class rep?"
"Ichinose," Kanzaki replied calmly.
As expected.
Hearing Kanzaki utter that name, Uesugi felt his entire world darken.
You all betrayed me.
The whole class conspired to stab me in the back.
There was no love left in this world. No trust. Nothing but lies.
As Uesugi slumped, Kanzaki delivered another fatal blow.
"Actually, Shibata did notify you at the time. But you were gaming, so you just told him to vote for you."
Uesugi stiffened as the memory surfaced.
"…Was it Wednesday?" he muttered.
Back then, he had assumed Class B was just voting on where to go for their next group meal. So when Shibata called out to him, he had casually told him to vote on his behalf.
Uesugi's face turned pale as an ominous feeling crept up his spine.
"…Wait, don't tell me—"
"I voted for Ichinose!"
With a bright grin and sparkling white teeth, Shibata flashed Uesugi a thumbs-up as if expecting praise.
"…Shibata… you…"
In that moment, Uesugi felt his soul leave his body.
He—Uesugi Gen—had personally cast a vote for Ichinose Honami.
"Shibata… I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"
Throwing aside his controller, Uesugi lunged at Shibata like a wild beast.
"Hey, hey! You told me to do it!"
Shibata protested righteously as the two began wrestling on the floor.
"Oh, by the way," Kanzaki continued nonchalantly, "I was also a candidate for vice-representative, but I thought you were more suited for the role, so I withdrew."
"You should really thank me."
Shibata, his cheeks being tugged painfully by Uesugi, added, "Yeah! You should be grateful to Kanzaki."
"Oh, THANK YOU SO MUCH!"
Uesugi let out a strangled laugh, increasing the force of his grip.
"No need to thank me. It was Ichinose who suggested you for vice-representative," Kanzaki remarked.
But at this point, Uesugi was too busy strangling Shibata to react.
---
Despite his best efforts, Uesugi—the gaming shut-in—was ultimately no match for the physically active Shibata.
Now slumped in a corner, defeated, Uesugi muttered to himself, his eyes void of life.
"I was a fool. A true fool. I only thought Ichinose would gather more followers while I wasn't watching… I never expected her to hold a class election behind my back. I was naive… so naive…"
…
Shibata, watching Uesugi lie there like a dried-up salted fish, spoke up.
"Well, that's how it is. As vice-representative, you should at least do something. Right now, Ichinose and Kanzaki are handling all your duties."
Hmph!
You think I haven't done anything?
I've been securing Class B's future by recruiting valuable allies!
Someday, they would all understand—Uesugi Gen was the one paving the way forward.
But for now, he had been betrayed.
Utterly and completely.
---
"…Ugh, so annoying! The boys in our class are absolute trash. During swimming lessons, all they do is stare at the girls' chests. Why don't they just go die?!"
The moment the call connected, Uesugi was hit by a barrage of complaints from Kushida Kikyō.
"Uh—"
Uesugi tried to get a word in.
"And that slut Karuizawa! She won't stop flaunting her new boyfriend in the group chat like she's some kind of queen."
"Kushida-san—"
"And don't even get me started on that bitch Horikita! She actually refused my invitation during swimming class. I swear, I wanted to slap her right then and there!!"
What followed was a prolonged verbal rampage filled with expletives.
Ten minutes later—
A sweet, delicate voice finally emerged from the receiver.
"Uesugi-kun, what was it you wanted to say? Whatever it is, I'm happy to listen."
"…Never mind," Uesugi said, sighing as he ended the call.
---
At least I have another option.
Uesugi: "Hey, hey, Kamuro-san. Are you awake? Can I talk to you for a bit?"
Read. No reply.
Uesugi: "Phantom Thief-sama, are you still up? I'm suffering here."
Read. No reply.
Uesugi: "Masumi, listen. I have a huge secret to tell you."
Kamuro: "SCREW OFF! I'M ASLEEP!"
Uesugi let out a long, weary sigh as he set his phone down.
---
This world is beyond saving. I need to isekai myself into another world where I can build a proper harem and find true love.
Ding!
A new message popped up.
Uesugi, perking up immediately, lunged for his phone.
I knew it! Kamuro-san, I knew you wouldn't abandon your dear friend!
But when he opened the message, it read:
Ichinose: "Uesugi-kun, make sure you go to bed early! I'll come wake you up for class tomorrow. Good night! 😊"
…
Uesugi slowly lowered his phone, his face blank.
Then, he let out a heart-wrenching scream.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
---
T/N: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH