You Will Regret This Ichinose! [162]

"This place…"

Kanzaki Ryūji glanced around, his tone deep and cautious.

"It's a no-surveillance area."

"Of course. This is the location Ryūen picked. Given his personality, it's the most obvious choice."

Uesugi responded nonchalantly.

Shibata Sō couldn't help but swallow nervously. This place, which was usually deserted, felt more like a den of vipers in his eyes.

"Hey, Uesugi, are we really going to negotiate with Ryūen? This doesn't feel like a smart decision."

Now that they were about to take the final step, Shibata was having second thoughts.

"And we're doing this behind Ichinose's back."

Kanzaki added calmly, driving the point home.

"What are you afraid of? If anything, he should be the one afraid of us."

Uesugi smirked. "That dumbass Ryūen—when has he ever walked away from a conflict unscathed?"

"Just stay confident. Always hold the strategic upper hand."

Scanning his two companions, Uesugi decided the timing was right and asked,

"Kanzaki, is the recording device ready?"

"Ready."

"Shibata, the mini-camera?"

"Also ready."

"Good."

Uesugi nodded in satisfaction.

"When the fight breaks out later, you two take the hits while I make my escape."

A cold smile spread across his face.

"First punch, 500,000 points. Second punch, 1 million. Third punch? I'll make him drop out. We'll milk that red-haired delinquent for all his 20-million-point savings. Let's show him how cruel the real world can be."

Kanzaki twitched slightly.

"Why aren’t you the one taking the hits? Between the three of us, he's clearly got the biggest grudge against you."

Uesugi shot him a you-absolute-idiot look.

"Then why the hell do you think I brought you two? If I was going to take the hits myself, I would’ve just come alone."

"#!"

“…I don’t know why, but I really want to punch you right now.”

Kanzaki clenched his fist as if debating whether to throw a preemptive strike.

"Ahem."

Uesugi quickly waved it off. "Anyway, a fight is only a small possibility."

Then, he smoothly changed the subject.

"This match against B-Class isn’t exactly in our favor, so we need to tip the scales."

Hearing this, Kanzaki's expression darkened slightly.

Indeed. While the former B-Class had the highest average scores in past exams, the margin was only two or three points—hardly an insurmountable difference.

Victory was still uncertain.

"So you're planning to sic Ryūen on them?"

Shibata asked, looking slightly disturbed.

"Why not?"

Uesugi replied, completely justified.

"It's not like their class doesn’t already specialize in underhanded tactics. This is just business as usual for them."

"Uesu—"

"Less talking. Let's go meet Ryūen."

Without hesitation, Uesugi strode toward the meeting spot.

A few moments later, they caught sight of Ryūen Kakeru, his distinct red hair unmistakable.

He was sitting on the steps, one leg casually crossed over the other, exuding an air of arrogance.

Just as Uesugi raised his hand to wave—

"Ryu—"

"Oh, hell no."

In a flash, Uesugi ducked behind Kanzaki and Shibata, using them as human shields.

Behind Ryūen stood a horde of students—easily more than ten.

"Ryūen, how could you? I trusted you! I even helped cover your ass last time, and now you bring an army to ambush me? I'm disappointed in you."

Uesugi dramatically clutched his chest in mock heartbreak.

Ryūen sneered.

"This is just a precaution—just in case you try any dirty tricks."

Normally, Ryūen wouldn’t have risked exposing a deal by bringing so many people. More witnesses meant a higher chance of leaks.

But after what happened at the sports festival, his attitude had changed drastically.

No one, not even Ryūen himself, knew the true extent of the damage from that attack.

At first glance, it had seemed unremarkable.

But in that moment, Ryūen had seen something—something terrifying.

It was as if his late great-grandmother had appeared on the River Sanzu, waving at him.

For a whole week, his head had throbbed like hell.

After careful consideration, Ryūen had been forced to acknowledge a harsh reality—

He, Ryūen Kakeru, the infamous delinquent leader of C-Class…

was probably weaker than Uesugi.

Even that masked pervert in the locker room hadn’t given him such overwhelming pressure.

So just in case Uesugi decided to drop all pretense, rip his shirt off, and start fighting Dynasty Warriors style, Ryūen had swallowed his pride and gathered every brawler in his class.

He had to.

If Uesugi really went berserk, his position as leader wouldn’t survive it.

"Yo. Long time no see. How’s your head?"

Uesugi smirked.

Ryūen gritted his teeth.

"Thanks to you, it took forever to recover."

"Well then, let's get straight to business."

Uesugi's tone sharpened.

"Two million."

His gaze was calm and firm.

"Two million points to take care of this."

"Two million?"

Ryūen let out a cold chuckle.

"You think I’m a beggar? Your class alone earns nearly six million personal points a month. If you want this deal, it’s ten million—or no deal."

"Ryūen, gouging your clients is a terrible business practice."

Uesugi said slowly.

"Ten million? Your class isn’t worth that much."

Ten million? Are you kidding me?

If I went to Sakayanagi and asked nicely, I wouldn’t even have to pay a single point.

Of course, that’s assuming she doesn’t stick her foot out and demand I lick it first.

"Not willing to pay?"

Ryūen turned away, motioning for his group to leave.

"Hold on now. No need to be so hasty."

Uesugi stopped him, his voice slowing to a deliberate pace.

"I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse."

Ryūen paused, then turned back with a smirk.

"Alright. Let’s see what you’ve got."

"Ryūen, you're short on personal points, aren’t you?"

Uesugi grinned knowingly.

"So what?"

Ryūen’s expression didn’t waver.

"That cruise ship duel—was it fun?"

Uesugi's voice was casual, but his words hit deep.

Ryūen's face twitched.

"You're suggesting…"

"Here’s a hint."

Uesugi said meaningfully.

"The school administration seems very interested in me taking over as student council president."

"Though I haven’t accepted yet."

"Come closer."

"...?"

Ryūen hesitated but leaned in.

Whisper.

"...?"

"...?!"

Ryūen scoffed.

"Uesugi, you wish! No way in—huh?"

He looked down.

Somehow, his hand had already gripped Uesugi’s.

In that moment, Ryūen wondered—

Did that head injury actually mess up my brain?

I was gonna refuse, but…

...he’s offering too much.

"Deal?"

Uesugi grinned.

"...Deal."

---

T/N: deal with the devil

This is a fan translation of 人在实教，一之濑你会后悔的 by 作者：白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!