You Are My Hell

This world had to be fake, all of it woven from false data.

Right, everything was the world's fault!

I could turn on my computer, hack into the U.S. military network, launch a nuclear missile, and reboot this fake world.

Hahaha~

Uesugi Gen let out an indescribable laugh at his computer.

In the end,

Uesugi Gen made his choice—

One more game. If he won, he'd go to class.

Twenty minutes later,

Eight losses in a row!

This was more than Uesugi Gen could take.

He pulled out a thermometer. His brain cells began to work, his body's cellular restrictions were lifted, and his temperature rose!

38°C.

He took a photo and sent it to Hoshinomiya-sensei. Sick leave secured!

[Shibata, I'm sick and won't be going to class. Take notes for me, thanks!]

Then he did the same with Kanzaki and Himeno, sending them messages.

Once he had everything taken care of, Uesugi Gen tossed his phone aside.

He stared at the computer, his eyes blazing.

Bring it on!!

"You said Uesugi-kun wasn't feeling well, so he didn't come to class?"

The voice was bright, lively, and earnest, brimming with a desire to help others. Who else could it be but Ichinose?

"That's right. That's what he told me. He has a fever of 38°C."

In the office, Hoshinomiya-sensei looked at the picture Uesugi Gen had sent and said,

"So, Ichinose, could you please go check on him at lunchtime?"

"I understand." Ichinose nodded firmly.

Back in the classroom, Ichinose went over to Uesugi Gen's seat.

"He seemed perfectly fine yesterday..." Kanzaki said as he stared at his phone.

"Let's go check on him together at lunchtime," Shibata suggested, looking at the empty seat with concern.

"Sure! I was planning to go by myself, so it's even better if you can come along," Ichinose said happily.

Kanzaki had the final say.

"Then it's settled."

"..."

Nearby, Himeno Yuki rested her chin in her hand and watched them quietly.

In fact, as soon as Uesugi Gen had messaged her, she'd called him right away.

The moment he spoke, she saw right through him.

But... Himeno Yuki had no intention of reporting him.

The sun climbed higher, and lunchtime arrived before long.

"According to the dorm supervisor downstairs, this should be the right place."

Looking at the number 404 on the door, Ichinose pressed the doorbell.

"Ding-dong! Ding-dong!"

The doorbell rang several times.

"Uesugi-kun, are you there? We came to see you!"

Ichinose's energetic voice rang out from the hall.

A moment later, a series of unsteady footsteps sounded from inside, as if someone were stumbling toward the door.

Shibata and Kanzaki exchanged a glance.

Is he all right?

Soon, the door clicked open.

As though the midday sun had hurt his eyes, the boy instinctively raised a hand to shield them. His hair was a mess, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. Uesugi Gen yawned lazily as he looked at the three visitors.

"Oh, Shibata and Kanzaki. What are you guys doing here... Oh, right, Ichinose too."

Ichinose: "..."

Kanzaki Ryuji studied Uesugi Gen.

Something was off. Very off. He didn't look sick at all.

"We came to see how you're feeling."

"Cough... cough. Thanks for coming to see me. I'm almost better now. I just need a little more rest. You should get back to class."

Uesugi Gen seemed to remember something. He immediately gave a weak cough and spoke to the three of them.

"I'm so glad you're all right. Get some rest, and we'll head back to class. We'll come see you again tonight," Shibata said, exchanging pleasantries with Uesugi Gen.

"Then we'll be going. Get some fresh air, and make sure you rest up," Ichinose said. Seeing how Uesugi Gen looked, she relaxed too.

After seeing that Uesugi Gen was fine, the two turned to leave.

Uesugi Gen watched them turn away and slowly began to close the door.

Suddenly, a foot slipped into the gap, stopping it from closing.

"Wait. Before that, why don't you invite us in for a bit?" Kanzaki Ryuji asked, smiling at Uesugi Gen.

"Well, it's really messy in there, and I'm worried I might infect you... so I'd rather not have you come in."

Uesugi Gen and Kanzaki Ryuji met each other's eyes.

Damn it, he saw through me.

Uesugi Gen's heart jumped.

Kanzaki Ryuji pulled out his phone and opened a link to a certain website.

"I was already a little suspicious before we came. You were full of energy yesterday, and you're not the type to let yourself get sick."

Kanzaki Ryuji spoke with a hint of amusement as he held up his phone for everyone to see.

"Then I suddenly remembered that you and I are friends in a game. It shows when you're online. It's a pretty convenient website."

Uesugi Gen, last online ten minutes ago...

Kanzaki, you backstabber!

Ichinose's smile faded when she saw what Kanzaki Ryuji was showing them.

She stepped in front of Uesugi Gen and raised a hand to feel his forehead.

"Well... playing games helps me relax, which is good for my health..."

Uesugi Gen was still trying to make excuses.

He was perfectly fine—healthier, even, than she was. Ichinose could tell from his forehead.

Before Uesugi Gen could protest, Ichinose pushed the door open and walked into his bedroom.

The three of them were stunned as soon as they entered.

The bedroom had been brand-new just a week ago, but now it was completely infused with Uesugi Gen's presence.

The curtains were pulled tightly shut, leaving the room pitch-black. The computer screen glowed, and the tower emitted a rainbow of colors, accompanied by the whirring of the air conditioner.

The air was filled with the mingled smells of cola, chips, and instant noodles.

They turned on the lights.

Everything except the bed and computer desk had been cleared out. A few opened snack bags and a half-finished bottle of cola sat on the desk.

"I had a feeling something was up when we came here. I just didn't expect it to be this bad," Kanzaki Ryuji sighed helplessly.

"Uesugi-kun!" Ichinose's face bloomed into a sweet smile. Her voice was like sunshine on a winter's day, yet it made Uesugi Gen feel as if he were plummeting into an abyss. "What's going on here?"

For some reason, the sight of Ichinose's smile made Uesugi Gen uneasy. He hurriedly pulled out the photo he'd sent to Hoshinomiya-sensei that morning.

"I really was sick. Look, 38°C."

"But you look perfectly fine."

"That's because I got a lot of rest this morning, so I'm almost better."

"Then why don't you come back to class with me this afternoon, Uesugi-kun?"

"Uh... actually, I'm still not quite better."

Uesugi Gen tried one last time to wriggle out of it.

"No bargaining. You're coming back to class with me this afternoon!"

Ichinose's expression changed. The smile she'd been wearing vanished, and she delivered her final ultimatum to Uesugi Gen.

"Yes!"

Uesugi Gen let out a weary sigh.

Please follow and vote. Thank you, dear readers!

Chapter 15: You Are My Hell

"Uesugi-kun, I think the two of us need to have a serious talk."

Ichinose sat across from Uesugi Gen, looking stern.

"Um, I don't think there's anything to talk about."

Uesugi Gen had never felt so lacking in confidence around Ichinose.

The way she'd carried herself just now had somehow reminded him of his mother.

At that moment, Shibata Hayate looked at the computer tower, immersed in some unknown liquid and glowing with multicolored lights, and asked,

"This computer must have been expensive, right?"

"For these specs, I'd estimate about 80,000 points," Kanzaki Ryuji said casually, rubbing his chin.

What are you two doing? Get over here and help me!

Uesugi Gen screamed inwardly as he watched the two of them stand by and enjoy the show.

The two sensed Uesugi Gen's plea, glanced at each other, and gave him a thumbs-up in perfect unison.