"Uesugi-kun, I Like You!"

Uesugi Tetsu opened his eyes, and the familiar ceiling of the Kendo hall came into view.

Since he had to continue intense Kendo practice in the afternoon, he didn't take advantage of this free time to shower.

When Ririko returned, it would be time for lunch.

Just as Uesugi Tetsu thought this, he saw Ririko's face peek out from the Kendo hall entrance. She looked around, then waved at him, "Uesugi-kun, come quickly."

Water droplets still clung to the ends of Ririko's hair, and combined with the girl's radiant smile, she looked exceptionally youthful.

Why does this feel like I'm sneaking around? It's broad daylight...

Although he didn't understand Ririko's intentions, Uesugi Tetsu generously walked over quickly and asked, "What's up?"

"It's a secret."

Ririko placed a finger to her lips and smiled brightly.

She whispered into Uesugi Tetsu's ear, "Come with me to the rooftop, and I'll tell you then."

Uesugi Tetsu blinked after hearing this and nodded noncommittally.

And so, the two walked towards the rooftop in the deserted school grounds, one after the other.

But this time was different—Ririko wasn't walking ahead as usual; she was following behind Uesugi Tetsu.

When they reached the bottom of the teaching building, Uesugi Tetsu, who had been bothered by Ririko's gaze the entire way, couldn't help but turn back in confusion, "Is there something on my face?"

"Nope."

Ririko replied without hesitation. She looked up at the sky and thought for a while before suddenly clapping her hands as if she had found the answer.

"Probably because Uesugi-kun is handsome! Especially after what happened yesterday!"

Uesugi Tetsu was stunned by this answer.

He rubbed his chin, recalling his almost useless 9 points in Charm... Could it be that this stat was finally starting to pay off?

That's good, that's really good.

With that thought, Uesugi Tetsu grinned and showed Ririko his pearly white teeth.

"Thank you."

Ririko quickly waved her hands, "No need to thank me."

Uesugi Tetsu turned back and continued towards the rooftop, wondering if the rooftop was locked. If it was locked, his crowbar would finally come in handy.

Before long, the two had climbed six flights of stairs and arrived at the entrance to the rooftop.

Unfortunately, the rooftop of Sakura High School hadn't had any incidents, so it wasn't forbidden for students to enter with chains and locks.

Uesugi Tetsu touched the rusty old iron door, which had served for over twenty years, and sighed regretfully. He pushed it open and walked onto the spacious rooftop.

The rooftop was large, estimated to be several hundred square meters. Tall, meter-high green, oxidized iron nets stood around the perimeter, preventing students who were in a bad state of mind from trying out the feeling of being a flying person.

Scattered grains of rice could still be seen on the benches around the perimeter, suggesting that people often ate on the rooftop.

But there was no one here now, which was good.

Creak.

Uesugi Tetsu walked to the center of the rooftop and watched as Ririko shut the iron door behind them. She then lowered her head and walked towards him.

"Uesugi-kun, I have something I want to tell you."

Ririko's face was as red as a ripe apple, and her fingers were twirling.

Uesugi Tetsu kept observing the distance between his and Ririko's toes and asked curiously, "What is it?"

Then, he saw Ririko take a deep breath, as if gathering all her courage, and shout loudly:

"Uesugi-kun, I like you!"

The girl's trembling voice echoed across the vast rooftop, lingering for a long time.

Then, she received Uesugi Tetsu's reply—

"Oh."

Uesugi Tetsu nodded calmly and retorted, "And then? That's it? Aren't you going to do something?"

Ririko's mouth hung open, stunned. "Usually, shouldn't the guy make a move at a time like this?"

Uesugi Tetsu chuckled.

He retorted in confusion, "What kind of gesture should I make towards a demon that appears at school at noon?"

The air on the rooftop suddenly fell silent.

The previously youthful atmosphere vanished in an instant, leaving only Uesugi Tetsu's bone-chilling killing intent.

—Ah, what a shame.

—I was rather looking forward to tasting the feelings of a male high school student who, after being confessed to by the girl he liked, is then killed by her with her own hands.

"Ririko" stared at Uesugi Tetsu for a while before asking strangely, "I specifically observed her just now, how did you notice?"

This time, Uesugi Tetsu truly smiled, from the bottom of his heart.

Since this foolish demon didn't immediately try to kill him and was instead surprised he'd discovered it, it meant the other party came looking for him first. Ririko was probably fine right now.

Otherwise, Ririko would have seen through this clumsy act long ago.

Kaga Kiyomitsu appeared in Uesugi Tetsu's hand. He drew the blade amidst the shocked gaze of "Ririko" and sighed, "Because Ririko wouldn't have such a disgusting expression."

"How did this sword appear..."

"It's so disgusting, it makes me want to vomit my dinner!"

Faster than Uesugi Tetsu's voice of disgust was his sword!

The distance he had measured countless times with his eyes after walking onto the rooftop was crossed in an instant. The internal energy, already compressed into a single mass within Uesugi Tetsu's body, exploded!

Laughing Brahma's body began to bleed profusely, capillaries bursting under the immense pressure. Its physique attribute, in that instant, broke through the 20-point mark!

This was a reckless, all-out stab!

Even a lion hunting a rabbit uses its full strength!

Let alone facing this demon of unknown origin.

He had come to the deserted rooftop according to its wishes, precisely so he could transform into Laughing Brahma and unleash his full power.

Uesugi Tetsu's original plan was to heavily wound the opponent with this sword, then take the Spirit Awakening Mist and decide whether to let the doll in his arms act based on the situation.

But now, it seemed the effect of this sword was...

A little too good?

The disguise of "Ririko" peeled away and dissipated like mist, and beneath the disguise, a white-haired woman was hidden?

Uesugi Tetsu drew the lightly humming Kaga Kiyomitsu from the opponent's eye socket and indifferently gazed at the woman's other eye, which was struggling to turn.

Then he noticed that the woman's eyes held not the desire to confront hatred, but were filled with genuine surprise, shock, and delight.

Uesugi Tetsu narrowed his eyes, feeling something was wrong.

But judging by Kaga Kiyomitsu's reaction, he had indeed slain the demon, though it was now on its last breath.

"This... is quite a big surprise." A broken voice emanated from Ai Bielie's body. "It's a shame the main body can't share memories with the clone, otherwise I could have tasted your deliciousness sooner..."

Clone.

The one before him was merely a clone.

Uesugi Tetsu fell silent, unable to think of any demon or ghost story that could both mimic others and create clones.

Then, he saw the white-haired woman, who was gradually turning into mist and scattering, introduce herself: "Nice to meet you, I am Ai Bielie."

"Uesugi-kun, I believe we will meet again..."

As the wind swept across the rooftop, Ai Bielie's body and voice vanished in an instant, as if they had never appeared.

The prompt then popped up.

[You have killed "Ai Bielie Clone", gaining 100 Soul Ash.]

Uesugi Tetsu didn't have time to think further, because he knew that a clone of Ai Bielie disguised as "Uesugi Tetsu" had likely appeared before Ririko as well.

He had to hurry.