Uesugi Gen’s soul-piercing question instantly brought an end to the tense standoff. The three individuals in question—Sakayanagi, Ryūen, and Horikita—remained eerily silent as they led their respective groups into the pool.
Watching the strangely harmonious scene unfold, Uesugi scratched his head and muttered under his breath.
"These three showing up at the pool this early in the morning, striking dramatic poses… They must be seriously messed up."
Hearing Uesugi's remark, the trio momentarily froze before quickening their pace.
We'll deal with him ter—let’s just get past this for now!
Their thoughts aligned in perfect synchronicity.
---
"Uesugi, aren't you coming?"
Already changed, Shibata Sō turned to Uesugi.
At this moment, Uesugi had also finished changing into his swim trunks, but instead of heading out, he remained seated on a locker room bench, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling.
Hearing Shibata’s call, he snapped back to reality.
"You go ahead. The girls won’t be done changing for a while, and it’s way too hot outside. I’ll just wait here a little longer."
He waved dismissively.
"Good point. I’ll come back and get you when they’re ready, then."
Before Uesugi could refuse, Shibata had already dashed out the door in his usual whirlwind fashion.
That guy…
If something happens, Honami will message me anyway.
Shaking his head with a chuckle, Uesugi pulled out his phone to kill some time.
A few minutes ter, Ichinose’s message arrived right on cue.
Ichinose: Gen-kun, we’re ready! Come out now~
That fast?
Uesugi: OK!
Just as Uesugi put away his phone and prepared to leave, the locker room door suddenly swung open with a loud bang! Two figures rushed inside.
"Hurry up, Kanji!"
"Haruki, you’re the one who needs to be faster!"
"Huh? Where’s Ayanokōji?"
The two intruders were none other than two-thirds of Css D’s infamous trio—Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji.
Judging by their hurried movements, they were clearly headed toward a specific location with a goal in mind.
"Don't tell me Ayanokōji chickened out at the st second—"
Yamauchi slung his bag over his shoulder while grumbling.
"Uh, Haruki… th-that guy over there…"
Ike suddenly came to a screeching halt halfway through his sprint. He nudged Yamauchi with his elbow, stammering as he spoke.
"Who? What are you—"
Yamauchi turned in the direction Ike was looking—only to freeze on the spot, his entire body shuddering like a startled rodent caught in the gaze of a predator.
"U-Uh… wait, n-no… U-Uesugi!"
"Yo. You guys here to swim too?"
Uesugi greeted them with a half-smile.
"Y-Yeah! Just here to, uh… rex a bit!"
Ike wiped the sweat off his forehead, instinctively pressing his back against the wall like a cornered animal.
"Well, have fun then. I’m heading out."
Uesugi stretched zily, stood up, and walked toward the exit.
The moment his back disappeared from view, the two sckened with relief.
But as soon as he stepped out, a cold smirk crept onto Uesugi's face.
So many lockers avaible, yet they ran straight for that corner…
And that bag’s shape just now…
They sure have some guts.
---
Huddled in the corner, Ike and Yamauchi were gasping for breath, clutching their bag tightly.
"Haruki… maybe we should just forget this. If we get caught, losing points will be the least of our worries…"
Ike, regaining some crity, whispered in a trembling voice.
"Are you kidding me, Kanji?! We’re already this far! Just one more step and we’ll succeed. Are you seriously backing out now? What was all our effort for?!"
Yamauchi clenched his fists, his frustration palpable.
"Yeah, Kanji! If we quit now, everything we invested in this operation will be wasted! Think of the glorious future waiting for us!"
A voice buzzed in their earpieces—a warning from the mastermind behind this reckless pn, their so-called "Dr. H"—Sotomura Hideo.
Ever since the red-haired Sudō Ken had reformed and distanced himself from their antics, Sotomura had grown closer to them, eventually sinking to their level.
"As for that terrifying demon lord…"
Sotomura’s voice paused before he decred with the resolve of a soldier marching to his doom,
"I’ll hold him off. I’ll keep watch outside and notify you the moment he moves. The second I give the signal, you retreat immediately!"
"Doctor…"
Both of them were visibly touched.
"Oh, right. Ayanokōji just texted me. He says he’s got a stomachache and can’t participate anymore. He’s wishing us luck."
"That coward!"
Yamauchi pounded the ground in anger.
"Forget him! Let’s just get this done quickly!"
Now convinced again, Ike nodded and urged them to move faster.
"Right. Let’s do it!"
Reigniting their determination, they made their way toward the air vent.
Without wasting any time, Ike crouched down, pulling out a set of pre-prepared tools. He deftly unscrewed the bolts securing the vent cover and gently removed it.
Meanwhile, Yamauchi pretended to be changing, using a towel and a locker door to obscure Ike’s movements.
Ike swiftly pced the remote-controlled car inside the vent and reattached the cover.
The moment they finished, both exhaled deeply.
This small RC car was equipped with a miniature camera. Once it reached the other side of the vent, they’d have a perfect view inside the girls’ locker room.
Just as they were about to execute the final step, their earpieces buzzed with panic.
"Bad news! The d-demon lord is heading your way—he forgot something and is coming back!!"
Sotomura’s voice trembled with fear.
"Haruki, we gotta go! If he finds us here, we’re dead!"
Ike frantically urged.
"But—but we’re so close!"
Yamauchi pounded the ground in frustration.
"Move! The RC car is already in pce. If no one notices, we can just retrieve the footage ter!"
Sotomura pressed them again.
"Alright, fine! Hurry up and change!"
Panic finally setting in, Yamauchi scrambled to switch clothes at lightning speed.
"Done! Let’s get out of here!"
They bolted for the exit—only to come face-to-face with Uesugi as he returned.
Uesugi watched their hurried, panicked retreat, then turned toward the air vent they had so carefully reassembled.
A knowing smirk spread across his lips.
---
T/N: heh Ayanokoji knew
