At night, the rain fell intermittently.
The world had been washed clean.
Yi Chen fell asleep and woke up after a good rest.
Yi Chen woke up in a new frame of mind. He was always like that. Whenever something was on his mind, he would think it over while he slept.
Then he would sleep comfortably, and when he woke up, it would be a brand-new day.
The rain still hadn't stopped. Yi Chen checked the time and saw that he'd gotten up much earlier than usual.
It was a little past 6:40.
There were about two hours until class.
Yi Chen didn't plan to go to the classroom yet. It was still too early.
He sent Ichinose a good-morning message.
Then he went outside for some fresh air.
He headed downstairs from the dormitory.
"Wow, the air feels great."
Yi Chen couldn't help exclaiming as he stepped out of the dormitory.
Yi Chen really liked rainy days.
It was dark and gloomy, and he felt like nobody could see him.
Just like at night.
Besides, there were fewer people around on rainy days, which made the socially anxious Yi Chen feel even more at ease.
Yi Chen strolled around campus by himself. Many of the breakfast shops had already opened.
He went into a random one and bought two steamed buns.
Yi Chen had been at this school for quite a while and had explored nearly the entire campus.
Of course, that was all thanks to Ichinose.
Normally, Yi Chen only went to specific places when he needed something.
Once he'd accomplished what he set out to do, he would return to his dormitory.
And carry on with the same routine, year after year.
While he was walking...
A group of people appeared in the distance.
Yi Chen instinctively lowered his head, moved to the side, and let them pass.
But the group approached him again.
Yi Chen raised his head and looked at them.
The four of them looked aggressive.
One little white-haired girl, one little purple-haired girl, one blond, and one green-haired person.
Yi Chen stared at them, but couldn't remember their names.
He only remembered that the white-haired girl was quite formidable.
Yi Chen decided to avoid them and keep wandering.
The four blocked his path with their bodies.
Seeing them, Yi Chen thought of the girl who had grabbed his hand downstairs.
An inexplicable anger flared up inside him.
The little white-haired girl looked at Yi Chen with amusement.
"Angela Yi Chen from Class D."
"Hello, I'm Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Sakayanagi Arisu held out her hand.
Yi Chen nodded and stepped forward. The two shook hands briefly.
Afterward, Sakayanagi wiped her hand with a handkerchief.
Yi Chen cursed her inwardly when he saw that.
Sakayanagi spoke arrogantly.
"You're quite capable."
"I wonder how you managed to help Class D get through a few simple challenges."
"But those little tricks of yours will only get you so far in Class D."
"There are people in Class D who are better than you. Don't get too full of yourself."
Yi Chen was a little helpless at her words. He looked around.
He realized there were four security cameras along this path.
Yi Chen shook his head helplessly and sighed.
Forget it. There are too many people like her, and there are too many cameras here.
I'll find a chance to get back at you later.
Sakayanagi Arisu.
You may be smart, but I've got the script and a system.
Sakayanagi saw Yi Chen shaking his head and thought he was afraid of her.
She left with the others, an air of arrogance about her.
Yi Chen continued on his way.
His thoughts churned.
What a disgusting person. What did I ever do to her?
Ugh. ╮(╯_╰)╭
Is there anything I can do to mess with her?
Yi Chen thought about it but couldn't come up with anything.
He wandered around for a while, then returned to the dormitory and lay down again.
When it was about time, he went to class with Ken Sudō.
Yi Chen sat down in the classroom and started thinking.
Class hadn't started yet, and the room was noisy. Everyone seemed full of energy.
Looking out the window, Yi Chen thought:
Are we trying to get promoted to Class A now?
We earn Class Points, and the classes are ranked according to their points.
Class D has 89 points now?
Class A has 989?
*?*
What kind of screwed-up start is this?
The only way to earn Class Points is through the school's various exams.
How long until the next exam?
Isn't the Sports Festival coming up soon?
No, no, that's not right.
Classes start at eight thirty, and end at three or four.
Neon has three semesters.
What was the next exam again?
I've watched too many anime. I can't remember clearly.
Never mind.
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
But if we want to earn Class Points, individual ability is important. Class teamwork is even more important!
That's right! Several of the exams are for the whole class!
Looking utterly bewildered, Yi Chen suddenly turned to look at the whole class.
Am I supposed to rely on them?
Damn, I barely talk to them.
Sometimes they come over to chat, and I just make small talk.
After a while, hardly anyone came to talk to me anymore.
Oh! I remember now!
My teamwork ability is D!
Yi Chen glanced at Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune.
It's fine. I should be better than those two, right?
After thinking that, Yi Chen slammed his fist down on the desk.
The students in the classroom were drawn by the sudden noise and looked at him.
Yi Chen smiled awkwardly at them.
"Hahaha? My hand kind of hurts, so I hit the desk once. Hahaha."
"Carry on with what you're doing. Don't mind me."
The students murmured and turned back to what they'd been doing.
Kushida clicked her tongue at Yi Chen.
Ayanokoji turned around and looked at Yi Chen with a blank expression.
"What are you thinking about?"
Yi Chen replied calmly:
"I suddenly remembered something so embarrassing I could die."
Ayanokoji gave an awkward smile and turned back around.
Horikita Suzune looked at Yi Chen haughtily.
"What's wrong with you today?"
Yi Chen looked at Horikita Suzune.
"Horikita?"
Horikita closed her book.
"What is it? Do you need something?"
Yi Chen said calmly:
"Do you think one person can help Class D get promoted to Class A?"
At Yi Chen's words, Ayanokoji turned halfway around.
He focused his attention on Yi Chen and Horikita.
Horikita thought Yi Chen was talking about her.
Growing impatient, she said:
"Why don't you worry about yourself first? I have my own way of doing things."
Yi Chen widened his eyes and looked awkwardly at Ayanokoji.
Ayanokoji shrugged helplessly.
He seemed to be saying he didn't know what to say either.
Seeing the two communicate wordlessly, Horikita grew annoyed.
She opened her book and continued reading.
Yi Chen thought Horikita had misunderstood him, so he said calmly:
"Horikita, I think you misunderstood something."
"I meant, if the way we earn Class Points in the future involves working together as a class,"
"what should we do?"
Horikita realized she'd misunderstood and went back to her usual cold expression.
"I don't know. We'll deal with it when the time comes."
Yi Chen muttered quietly:
"Deal with it then? I guess. Horikita doesn't seem to be more popular than me yet."
Horikita heard him, but instead of replying, she laughed angrily.
Ayanokoji looked at Yi Chen seriously.
Yi Chen turned to Ayanokoji.
"What do you think we should do?"
Ayanokoji replied listlessly:
"I don't think I'm more popular than Horikita either."
"After all, I'm a boring person."
Yi Chen looked from Ayanokoji to Horikita and back again.
Horikita said calmly:
"Yi Chen, are you trying to get promoted to Class A now?"
Yi Chen nodded.
Horikita said:
"I didn't expect someone as casual as you to have such a serious goal."
The few of them continued chatting, one remark at a time.
The instructor soon arrived.
Since what they taught in China was far more advanced than in Neon, Yi Chen had learned much of it long ago.
So Yi Chen didn't need to pay too much attention in class.
As he took notes, Yi Chen thought things over.
Yi Chen looked at his classmates.
He wrote in his notebook:
Individuals:
Ayanokoji
Horikita
Koenji
Teams:
Hirata
Karuizawa Kei
Kushida
After class, Yi Chen went to the restroom, leaving his notebook open.
Ayanokoji turned around and happened to see Yi Chen's notes.
Ayanokoji studied them intently.
Horikita looked at Ayanokoji and teased him:
"Are you sneaking a look at someone else's notes?"
"What's so interesting about them?"
Ayanokoji replied evenly:
"Why don't you come over and see for yourself?"
Horikita hesitated for a moment, then went over to take a look.
The notebook was filled with class notes.
But the two columns labeled "Individuals" and "Teams" left Horikita deep in thought.
Horikita thought:
"Individuals? Me, Ayanokoji, and Koenji?"
"And these three in the team column?"
"They do seem to be the key members of the teams currently in our class."
Horikita and Ayanokoji looked over at Koenji.
Ayanokoji had long since realized Koenji was no ordinary person.
After all, ordinary people couldn't just have that kind of physical ability.
Ayanokoji's expression remained blank.
"So Class D has someone like Yi Chen, too. It doesn't matter."
"As long as he doesn't get in my way, that's fine."
"Anyway, I'll be the one who wins in the end."
Horikita, meanwhile, looked at Koenji with confusion.
"Why did Yi Chen list Koenji?"
"Given what Ayanokoji and I can do, does Koenji have abilities comparable to ours?"
"Then what can you do, Angela Yi Chen?"
"Angela Yi Chen knows so much about what's going on in the class."
"He usually keeps quiet. I didn't expect him to be so smart."
"I remember his academic ability was only a C."
"Is he like Ayanokoji, then?"
"Hiding his true abilities."
Yi Chen soon returned to the classroom, but he was a little bored.
Yi Chen found Airi and chatted with her about the latest developments in a manga.
Airi was very shy, but also delighted to talk with Yi Chen.
Ayanokoji and Horikita watched Yi Chen from their seats.
Soon, the next instructor arrived.
Airi watched Yi Chen return to his seat reluctantly.
Yi Chen returned to his seat, put away the things from the previous class, and hurriedly took out what he needed for this one.
Ayanokoji and Horikita exchanged a knowing look.
Then they each got ready for class.
Before you continue