Day Four of the Special Exam on the Uninhabited Isnd.

  In Css B’s camp, everyone was busy preparing dinner.

  Taking advantage of the fact that their attention was focused elsewhere, Uesugi carefully sneaked out of the camp, step by step.

  Yesterday, back at Css D’s camp, he had originally pnned to find an opportunity to talk with his partner-in-crime and let her vent a little. But thanks to Ichinose’s unwavering gaze glued to him, he never found the chance to slip away.

  And the more he spoke with Horikita, the brighter Ichinose’s smile became, filling Uesugi with an ominous premonition.

  In the end, he came to a conclusion—it wasn’t safe to stay there any longer. So he decisively led his group out of Css D’s camp.

  But that wasn’t the end of it.

  Ichinose’s suspicion hadn’t faded in the slightest. She had been hanging around him at every turn, even insisting on accompanying him during activities.

  Right now, though, she was focused on preparing dinner, and her surveilnce was at its weakest.

  This was his chance—time to escape!

  His first stop: finding his partner-in-crime. Judging from her state yesterday, she must have been desperately holding back. Something also felt off about her, so he needed to smooth things over first.

  More importantly, there were certain arrangements he needed her cooperation with for Css D…

  Following the route he had taken back yesterday, Uesugi weaved through the winding forest paths until he reached the outskirts of Css D’s camp.

  Walking straight in was out of the question. That would be as good as announcing to Css D, "Hey, my retionship with Kushida Kikyō is anything but normal!"

  Hiding in the shadows, he observed the camp.

  Kikyō wasn’t there—she had probably gone out foraging with the other girls.

  Judging from the tracks on the ground… the route back would most likely be this one.

  Gncing at the dirt path in the distance, Uesugi smirked.

  Snapping off a branch, he drew a rge symbol on the ground, dusted off his hands, and turned to leave Css D’s territory.

  It was a prearranged signal—once Kikyō saw it, she’d know he had been here and would automatically head to their meeting spot.

  ---

  300 meters southwest of the nding site.

  "Haah…"

  Uesugi let out a long yawn, sitting cross-legged on a rock with his chin resting on his hand.

  What’s taking her so long? Was my drawing too hard to understand?

  Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded behind him.

  "Oh, she’s he—"

  Before he could finish turning around, Kikyō unched herself at him, arms wrapping tightly around his head.

  And then—

  Chomp!

  She bit down hard on his shoulder.

  Even with his jacket acting as a barrier, Uesugi could feel the sharp pain.

  "Oi, oi, you’re seriously biting me?! And—ugh, your drool! It’s dripping!"

  In response, Kikyō bit down even harder.

  When she realized his tracksuit was absorbing most of the force, she swiftly changed her target—going straight for his neck.

  This time, Uesugi definitely felt it.

  "Ow, ow, ow! Are you a freaking vampire?! Let go!"

  "Why did you betray me?!"

  Her voice was muffled against his skin, but the anger in her words was unmistakable.

  "When did I ever betray you? We’re on the same side, aren’t we?"

  Uesugi gritted his teeth and tapped her arm a few times, signaling her to release him.

  "Then why did you speak up for that bitch Horikita on the first day? Without you, she would’ve been expelled!"

  The moment she brought it up, Kikyō’s fury reignited. She didn’t even give Uesugi a chance to expin before increasing the pressure of her bite.

  "Shit—are you serious?! If you keep going, I’m gonna start bleeding! Let go!"

  "No!"

  "At least listen to my expnation!"

  "I don’t wanna!"

  This woman’s completely lost it.

  Uesugi let out a cold snort. It had been a few days since he st saw her, and she was completely out of control.

  Fine.

  If she wanted to act up, then he’d teach her a lesson.

  "Partner-in-crime, let go. Otherwise, don’t bme me for what happens next."

  "No way! You should’ve—"

  Smack!

  Uesugi twisted his arm behind him and delivered a crisp sp to Kikyō’s round, perky backside.

  The sudden strike startled her into letting go—both her mouth and arms released him at the same time.

  In that instant, Uesugi whipped around, scooped her up effortlessly, and slung her across his p.

  A sharp sting radiated from her rear as the world spun around her. When Kikyō finally processed what had just happened, all she saw was Uesugi’s legs and a patch of grass beneath her.

  Realizing the position she was in, she immediately began struggling.

  "Let me go, you liar!"

  "Listen to me—"

  "I won’t! You didn’t get Horikita Suzune expelled, so you’re a liar!"

  She cmped her hands over her ears, making a childish dispy of refusing to listen.

  Smack!

  Another sharp sp nded on her rear.

  "Still want to act out?" Uesugi asked ftly.

  Kikyō went rigid, then suddenly—

  "Uwaaaah!"

  She burst into tears, furiously pounding her fists against his thigh.

  "You’re just bullying me! You let yourself be seduced by that bitch! You’re going to break our promise and help her, aren’t you?!"

  Uesugi pulled her upright, sitting her properly on his p.

  As he looked at her tear-streaked face, he spoke in a serious tone.

  "Foolish woman—what was our agreement?"

  "Eh…?"

  Kikyō’s sobs halted. It seemed she… hadn’t really thought about that.

  Uesugi grabbed both of her cheeks and stretched them outward, his voice ced with frustration.

  "It was to defeat Horikita Suzune, you fool! If she gets expelled, how the hell are you supposed to beat her?!"

  "Then… why didn’t you listen… when I gave you the leader’s info?"

  Kikyō sniffled, still sulking.

  "Because I already knew! If you told me, it would’ve only increased the risk of exposure!"

  Uesugi practically growled, clearly irritated.

  Releasing her face, he left behind faint red marks on her flushed cheeks. Then, his tone softened as he ruffled her short hair.

  "If you don’t take down your enemy yourself, and instead rely on someone else to do it, then what’s the difference between that and just waiting for her to die of old age?"

  Kikyō blinked in realization.

  "Oh… that’s another way to do it…?"

  "Have some damn ambition! You’re my accomplice, aren’t you?!"

  Uesugi looked genuinely exasperated.

  "Anyway, I’ll help you take her down. But until then, don’t rush things."

  Pulling her into his embrace, he gently stroked her back, tracing the curve of her silky hair.

  He waited for her to calm down, letting her cries gradually subside.

  After a while, Kikyō lightly traced her fingers over the bite mark on his neck.

  "Does it… still hurt?" she murmured.

  "Oh? Feeling guilty now?" Uesugi teased.

  Kikyō didn’t respond. Instead, she slowly lowered her head and—

  Her soft tongue brushed against his skin, gently pping at the wound like a kitten tending to its own scratches.

  Meanwhile—

  Uesugi’s expression twisted into one of sheer despair.

  Shit.

  How the hell was he supposed to expin this bite mark to Ichinose ter?!

  ---

  T/N: AHHHHHHHHH MY INNOCENT EYES CAN'T SEE THIS!!!!

  "......"

  - Gardevoir

  (End of Chapter—Support the transtor at [patreon.com/WiseTL]!)