You Will Regret This Ichinose! [138]

As Uesugi Gen walked back from the drawing station, a deep sense of foreboding settled over him.

And when he saw a certain accomplice lady standing at the starting line, smiling brightly and waving at him—

He knew his instincts were absolutely right.

YAMERO!

Uesugi Gen—Emergency Mental Link, Initiated.

Kushida: [Good afternoon, my dear accomplice. Enjoying the Borrowed Item Race? (smiles)]

Uesugi: [Ahem, Accomplice Lady, technically speaking, we should avoid too much contact during events like these to prevent suspicion regarding our association.]

Kushida’s gaze dimmed.

Kushida: [So, you’re saying I should just stand by and watch while you get all lovey-dovey with them?]

A shiver ran down Uesugi Gen’s spine.

Warning. Danger Level Increasing.

Uesugi: [I wouldn’t call it "lovey-dovey." Besides, wouldn’t it be hard to explain to your classmates if you approached me so openly?]

Kushida: [That bunch of nobodies? I can just make up an excuse. Or… are you saying you don’t want to cooperate?]

Uesugi: [Of course not! But it’s not guaranteed that I’ll get a slip that applies to me.]

Kushida: [You don’t have to worry about that. Your job is to stand there and wait for me. Understood?]

Uesugi: […Hai.]

Mental link terminated.

Uesugi Gen weakly nodded at Accomplice Lady.

Unlike the previous two girls, he knew if he refused, she would 100% be waiting outside his dorm tonight.

As the starting pistol fired, Kushida dashed off, arriving second at the drawing station.

The first slip she pulled clearly didn’t meet her expectations—without hesitation, she handed it back and redrew.

Seeing this, Uesugi Gen relaxed slightly.

Pfft, as if she’d draw a request that matches me naturally. What are the chances?

Then he saw her eyes light up like a damn Christmas tree.

After handing the slip to the referee, she sprinted toward him.

No way. No freaking way—

Reality check.

The shocked cries of Class D students brutally kicked him back to reality.

A beautiful girl with a flawless figure and delicate features sprinted toward Uesugi Gen, a radiant smile on her face.

Her soft curves bounced with each step, tiny beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

Her chestnut brown hair, neatly held in place by a white headband, swayed gently in the wind.

As she got closer, Uesugi Gen could even catch the faint scent of her body—

A mix of fresh sweat and floral-scented body wash.

Finally, amidst the mournful cries of the crowd, she stopped in front of him, bringing her hands together in a polite bow.

Warm breath escaped from her slightly parted rosy lips.

"Uesugi-kun, I drew a slip that requires your help. Would you mind assisting me?"

Her voice was sweet and her tone serious.

If I don’t help her now, I’m probably dead tonight.

What do you think?

Kushida’s eyes glinted with a hint of coldness.

"Of course! Everyone knows that I, Uesugi Gen, am always eager to help my classmates!"

He declared righteously, loud enough for all to hear.

...

Across the field—

Horikita Suzune watched silently, her gaze locked onto the two of them.

…Highly suspicious.

She knew exactly what kind of person Kushida Kikyo was.

And Uesugi Gen?

A shameless bastard.

A faint blush crept onto Horikita’s cheeks.

Both of them know each other’s true nature…

And yet… they’re still incredibly close.

Could it be…?

A certain thought crossed her mind.

...

At the drawing station, the referee stared blankly at Uesugi Gen.

"You again?"

This was already the third girl.

And all of them were gorgeous.

Is this guy some kind of womanizing scumbag?

SLAM!

Uesugi Gen slapped both hands onto the table.

"What? Never seen a handsome guy before?"

The referee’s eye twitched.

Not this kind.

"Just read the damn slip, you nosy, gossip-loving excuse for a referee."

Uesugi Gen grumbled.

"Uesugi-kun, don’t be like that."

Kushida’s sickly sweet voice came from behind, sending a chill down Uesugi Gen’s spine.

Accomplice Lady, I actually prefer it when you step on me in black tights and call me "old hag." Please revert to that version.

The referee maintained his best "I am a professional" expression as he read out loud:

"This student’s slip states—"

‘Bring a student you want to be in the same class with.’

In that instant, a certain gaze sliced across the entire sports field—

Straight at Uesugi Gen.

He could feel his soul leaving his body.

This Borrowed Item Race…

Was pure evil.

It existed solely to torture him.

Next year, he was going to push for its removal.

And also—

"WHO KEEPS COMING UP WITH THESE INSANE PROMPTS?! LET ME CATCH THEM AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!"

Uesugi Gen roared.

The referee: "…"

"Yes, this is indeed the slip I drew."

Kushida’s tone remained adorable and innocent.

"And your reason?"

The referee proceeded with the usual questioning.

"Because Uesugi-kun is an exceptional student. There’s no one more qualified to be a classmate than him, right?"

She answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

‘Exceptional’?

In what way? Picking up girls?

The referee subtly glanced at Uesugi Gen.

"What are you looking at? What, you think I’m gonna tell you that I’m the Vice President of the Student Council or something?"

Uesugi Gen shot back.

Wait…

Wasn’t there a rumor about some first-year slacker who barely did anything in the student council?

The referee hesitated.

…Forget it. Just let him go.

Seeing Uesugi Gen gave him a headache.

"Pass."

Just get out of my sight.

...

A little while later—

The referee once again found himself staring at the same damn student.

His expression was completely deadpan.

"Why. Is. It. Always. You?"

Uesugi Gen forced out a strained smile.

"…Hi~"

This time, he wasn’t as cocky as before.

Because the one dragging him in this time…

Was Ichinose Honami.

"Referee-san, please read my slip."

Smiling brightly, Ichinose held onto his hand.

The referee glanced at the paper.

Then, paused.

With a peculiar expression, he read—

"Bring an important female friend."

Ichinose nodded enthusiastically.

"Yup! That’s right!"

Uesugi Gen felt his soul shatter.

The slip he originally drew at the very beginning…

Had somehow come full circle back to Ichinose.

And now… he was standing here anyway.

The referee took one look at Uesugi Gen’s lifeless expression.

Then at Ichinose’s beaming face.

"…Forget it. No need for a reason. Pass."

---

T/N: HAHA

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!