Chapter Thirty-Four: "Uesugi-kun, I Like You!"

Uesugi Toru opened his eyes to the familiar ceiling of the kendo hall. Since he had to continue his intensive training in the afternoon, he didn't bother using this spare time to shower. He figured he would grab some lunch once Ririko returned.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw Ririko’s face peek into the kendo hall entrance. She looked around, then gestured for him to come over. "Uesugi-kun, hurry."

Water droplets still clung to the tips of Ririko’s hair, and combined with her radiant smile, she looked exceptionally youthful. *Why does this feel so clandestine? It’s still broad daylight...*

Though he didn't understand her intentions, Uesugi Toru played along, walking over with quick strides. "What's up?"

"It's a secret." Ririko held a finger to her lips and flashed a brilliant smile. She leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "Come to the rooftop with me, and I'll tell you."

Uesugi blinked, then nodded noncommittally. The two of them made their way through the quiet campus toward the rooftop. The only difference this time was that instead of leading the way as usual, Ririko followed behind him.

By the time they reached the ground floor of the school building, Uesugi, having been subjected to her gaze for the entire walk, couldn't help but turn back in confusion. "Is there something on my face?"

"No." Ririko replied without hesitation. She looked up at the sky for a long moment, then clapped her hands as if she had just found the answer. "I guess it’s because you’re handsome, Uesugi-kun! Especially after what happened yesterday!"

Uesugi was stunned by this response. He rubbed his chin, recalling his nearly useless 9-point Charm stat... *Could it be that this attribute is finally kicking in? That’s not bad. Not bad at all.*

With that thought, he grinned, showing his white teeth to Ririko. "Thanks."

Ririko waved her hands quickly. "Don't mention it!"

Uesugi turned back and continued toward the rooftop, wondering if it was locked. If it were, his crowbar would finally have a chance to shine. Before long, they climbed the six flights of stairs and reached the entrance. Unfortunately, the rooftop of Sakura City High School had never been the site of any incidents, so there were no chains or padlocks to keep students out. Uesugi touched the rusted iron door that had served for over twenty years, sighed in regret, and pushed it open to step onto the empty rooftop.

The rooftop was vast, covering several hundred square meters, surrounded by a green, moss-covered wire fence several meters high to prevent students in a bad state of mind from trying to experience what it was like to fly.

There were still a few grains of rice scattered on the benches, suggesting people often came here to eat. But it was empty now, which was perfect.

*Creak.*

Uesugi walked to the center of the rooftop and watched as Ririko pulled the iron door shut behind her and began to walk toward him. "Uesugi-kun, I have something I want to tell you."

Ririko’s face was as red as a ripe apple, and she twisted her fingers together. Uesugi gauged the distance between their toes and asked curiously, "What is it?"

Then, he watched as Ririko took a deep breath, as if gathering all her courage, and shouted, "Uesugi-kun, I like you!"

The girl’s trembling voice echoed across the wide rooftop, lingering for a long time. Then, she received Uesugi’s reply:

"Oh."

Uesugi nodded calmly and countered, "And? That's it? Aren't you going to show me something more?"

Ririko’s mouth hung open, stunned. "In this situation, isn't the boy supposed to be the one showing something?"

Uesugi found it amusing. He asked in confusion, "What kind of reaction should I have toward a demon that appeared in the school at noon?"

The air on the rooftop fell into a sudden silence. The youthful, vibrant atmosphere vanished in an instant, leaving only the bone-chilling killing intent radiating from Uesugi.

*Ah, what a pity.*
*I was actually looking forward to tasting the emotions of a high school boy who is killed by the girl he likes after she confesses to him.*

"Ririko" stared at Uesugi for a long moment before asking curiously, "I specifically observed her earlier. How did you find out?"

Uesugi truly laughed then, from the bottom of his heart. *Since this idiot demon didn't attack immediately and is wondering how I found out, it proves they came looking for me first. Ririko is likely fine for now. Otherwise, such clumsy acting would have been exposed by her long ago.*

Kaga Kiyomitsu appeared in Uesugi’s hand. He drew the blade under the shocked gaze of "Ririko" and sighed. "Because Ririko wouldn't make such a disgusting expression."

"How did that sword appear..."

"—It’s so disgusting, it makes me want to throw up last night's dinner!"

Faster than his words of disgust was his blade!

The distance he had measured repeatedly with his eyes on the walk up was crossed in an instant. The internal energy he had long compressed and gathered within his body erupted!

The "Laughing Hannya"’s skin began to bleed profusely, capillaries bursting under the high pressure, and his Physique attribute actually broke the 20-point barrier in that instant!

This was a thrust delivered without regard for consequences!

Even when hunting a rabbit, a lion uses all its strength! Especially when facing a demon of unknown origin. He had come to this empty rooftop according to the imposter's wishes precisely so he could unleash his full power as the Laughing Hannya.

Uesugi had originally intended to use this strike to severely wound his opponent, then consume the Spirit-Awakening Mist, and decide whether to let the doll in his pocket intervene based on the situation. But now, it seemed this strike was... perhaps a bit too effective?

"Ririko"’s disguise peeled away and dissipated like mist, and beneath it, there was a white-haired woman?

Uesugi pulled the humming Kaga Kiyomitsu from the woman’s eye socket and stared coldly at her other eye, which was struggling to move. He realized that her eyes were devoid of the longing that usually accompanies resentment; instead, they were filled with genuine surprise, shock, and delight.

Uesugi narrowed his eyes, sensing something was wrong. But judging by Kaga Kiyomitsu’s reaction, he had indeed slain the demon, even if it was now in its death throes.

"Well... this is certainly a big surprise." A disjointed voice emerged from the body of *Ai Bie Li* (Love-Parting-Sorrow). "It’s a pity the main body cannot share memories with its clones, otherwise I could have tasted your delicious flavor even sooner..."

A clone. The thing before him was merely a clone.

Uesugi remained silent, unable to think of any demon or urban legend capable of both mimicking others and creating clones. Then, he watched as the white-haired woman, slowly fading into mist, introduced herself: "Nice to meet you, I am Love-Parting-Sorrow."

"Uesugi-kun, I believe we will meet again..."

With the wind blowing across the rooftop, the woman's body and voice dissipated instantly, as if she had never existed.

A notification finally popped up.

【You have killed "Love-Parting-Sorrow (Clone)", obtained 100 Soul Dust.】

Uesugi had no time to think, for he knew that in front of the real Ririko, another Love-Parting-Sorrow clone disguised as "Uesugi Toru" had likely appeared.

He had to hurry.