In Classroom of the Elite, Ichinose You Will Regret It

This world must be fake, woven entirely from false data.

Yes, everything is the world's fault!

Open the computer, hack into the United States military network, launch the nuclear missiles, and then reboot this fake world.

Hahaha~

Uesugi Gen let out an indescribable laugh in front of his computer desk.

In the end, Uesugi Gen made his choice—

One more match, if I win, I'll go to class.

20 minutes later, ...

8-game losing streak!

This was something Uesugi Gen could not endure.

He pulled out a thermometer, his brain cells began to whir, the restrictions on his body cells were lifted, and his body temperature rose!

38°C.

He took a photo and sent it to Hoshinomiya-sensei, leave of absence complete!

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

Then, he followed the same procedure for Kanzaki and Himeno, sending the messages out.

After getting everything done, Uesugi Gen tossed his phone aside.

Staring at the computer, his eyes ignited with raging flames.

Let's fight!!

...Divider...

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

The voice was crisp, full of vitality and sincerity, brimming with the spirit of helping others; who else could it be but Ichinose.

"Yes, that's what the child told me, a fever of 38°C."

In the office, Hoshinomiya-sensei said while looking at the photo Uesugi Gen had sent, "So, Ichinose-san, could you please go check on him for me at noon?"

"I understand." Ichinose nodded heavily.

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

"He was perfectly fine just yesterday..."

Kanzaki stared at his phone and said as much.

"Let's go see him together at noon."

Looking at the empty seat before him, Shibata suggested with a hint of worry.

"Sure! I was planning on going alone, but it's even better if you all come along."

Ichinose said happily.

Kanzaki had the final word.

"Then it's settled."

"..."

Off to the side, Himeno Yuki rested her chin on her hand, watching them quietly.

In fact, the moment Uesugi Gen sent her the message, she had immediately called him.

The result was that as soon as Uesugi Gen spoke, she saw right through him.

However... Himeno Yuki had no intention of exposing Uesugi Gen.

The sun gradually climbed higher, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon.

"According to the dormitory manager downstairs, this should be the place."

Looking at the 404 room number in front of them, they pressed the doorbell.

"Ding-dong, ding-dong!"

The continuous sound of the doorbell rang out.

"Uesugi-kun, are you there? We've come to see you."

Ichinose's energetic voice rang out from outside the door.

Before long, the sound of messy footsteps echoed from inside the room, as if someone were stumbling their way over.

Shibata and Kanzaki exchanged a glance.

Is that guy going to be alright?

Soon, the door clicked open.

As if stung by the midday sun, the boy instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes. With messy hair and dark circles under his eyes, Uesugi Gen looked at the three people who had come to visit him and let out a lazy yawn.

"Oh, it's Shibata and Kanzaki. What are you guys doing here... oh right, Ichinose is here too."

Ichinose: "..."

Kanzaki Ryuji looked at Uesugi Gen's appearance.

Something was wrong, very wrong. There was no way this guy was sick.

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

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

Seemingly remembering something, Uesugi Gen immediately let out two weak coughs and spoke to the three of them.

"I'm glad to see you're doing okay. Get some good rest, then. We'll head back to class and come check on you again tonight."

Shibata exchanged pleasantries with Uesugi Gen.

"We'll be heading off now. Take it easy and make sure you get plenty of rest."

Seeing Uesugi Gen's state, Ichinose also breathed a sigh of relief.

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

Watching them turn away, Uesugi Gen began to slowly close the door.

Suddenly, a foot reached out and wedged itself into the gap of the door.

"Wait a second. Before you do that, aren't you going to invite us in for a seat?"

Kanzaki Ryuji looked at Uesugi Gen with a smile.

"Well, it's a mess in here, and I'm worried about getting you guys sick... so I won't invite you in."

Uesugi Gen and Kanzaki Ryuji locked eyes.

Damn it, this guy saw right through me.

Uesugi Gen felt a jolt of alarm.

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

"I thought something was strange before we even got here. You were full of energy yesterday, and you don't seem like the type to let yourself suffer through an illness."

Kanzaki Ryuji said with a playful tone, showing his phone to everyone.

"Then it suddenly occurred to me that we're friends on a gaming platform. It shows exactly when you're online—it's a really convenient website, isn't it?"

Uesugi Gen, last online 10 minutes ago...

Kanzaki, you backstabbing traitor!

Seeing what Kanzaki Ryuji was displaying, the smile on Ichinose's face vanished.

She stepped in front of Uesugi Gen and reached out to touch his forehead.

"That... that's because playing games helps me relax, which is good for my recovery..."

Uesugi Gen was still trying to make excuses.

Perfectly normal, maybe even healthier than I am, Ichinose concluded as she felt his forehead.

Without waiting for Uesugi Gen to refuse, Ichinose pushed the door open and walked straight into his bedroom.

Stepping into the room, the three of them were instantly shocked.

The bedroom that had been brand new just a week ago was now completely saturated with Uesugi Gen's presence.

In the pitch-black room with the curtains drawn tight, the glow of the computer monitor and the colorful lights from the tower mixed with the whirring sound of the air conditioner.

The air was thick with a mixture of cola, potato chips, and instant noodles.

Turning on the lights, Everything in the room except for the bed and the computer desk had been cleared away. On the desk sat several opened snack bags and a bottle of cola that was more than half empty.

"I had a feeling when we were on our way here, but I didn't expect it to actually be like this."

Kanzaki Ryuji sighed helplessly.

"Uesugi-kun!" A sweet smile bloomed on Ichinose's face. Her voice was like the winter sun, yet it made Uesugi Gen feel as if he were falling into an abyss. "What is the meaning of this?"

Looking at Ichinose's smile, Uesugi Gen felt a strange sense of dread and hurriedly pulled out the photo he had sent to Hoshinomiya this morning.

"I really am sick, if you don't believe me, look—38°C."

"But your complexion is clearly perfectly fine."

"That's because after resting all morning, I've mostly recovered."

"Then how about you come back to class with me this afternoon, Uesugi-kun?"

"Uh... actually, I'm still not quite there yet."

Uesugi Gen attempted one final struggle.

"There's no room for negotiation; you must come back with me for class this afternoon!"

Ichinose's expression shifted, the smile that had been plastered on her face vanishing as she issued an ultimatum directly to Uesugi Gen.

"Yes!"

Uesugi Gen let out a listless sigh.

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Chapter 15 You Are My Hell

"Uesugi-kun, I think the two of us should have a proper talk."

Sitting upright before Uesugi Gen, Ichinose spoke with a grave expression.

"Um, there's really nothing to talk about, is there?"

At this moment, Uesugi Gen felt an unprecedented lack of confidence when facing Ichinose.

The aura Ichinose had just projected inexplicably reminded him of his mother back home.

Just then, Shibata Hayate looked at the computer case, which was filled with an unknown liquid and illuminated by multicolored lights, and voiced a question.

"This computer must be very expensive, right?"

"Based on this model, probably around 80,000 points."

Kanzaki Ryuji rubbed his chin and estimated casually.

What are you two doing? Hurry up and help me!

Uesugi Gen roared internally as he watched the two of them standing to the side, watching the show.

Feeling Uesugi Gen's silent plea, the two exchanged a glance and simultaneously gave him a thumbs-up.