The sea breeze stirred gently as the classes returned to the cruise ship.
The other classes were left feeling resentful and incredulous.
But everyone in Class D was brimming with confidence.
When they arrived aboard, Koenji had already changed into his swim trunks and was cheerfully greeting everyone.
They complained to him, then told him Class D had taken first place.
Koenji looked at Yi Chen and burst into laughter.
"Funny boy, having you in this class really makes things more exciting."
Yi Chen gazed at the shimmering sea, waves of doubt rising in his heart.
What exactly am I supposed to do?
I took first place again, just as expected.
Just then, the commotion nearby interrupted his thoughts.
Hirata was leading a group of classmates toward him, all of them smiling.
Hirata was the first to thank Yi Chen. The others joined in, their noisy voices of gratitude rising one after another.
Ken Sudō put an arm around Yi Chen.
"Nice work, bro. You really are a great pal of mine, Ken Sudō."
Yi Chen lifted his head slightly and looked past the crowd, his thoughts drifting away.
He mused to himself:
Although I saw the leaders of the other classes during this exam, the truth is, Ayanokoji alone could have handled it.
If everything followed the established course of events...
Class D would already have been surging forward, crushing every obstacle on its way to Class A.
What purpose would my existence serve?
Would it really make any difference whether I was here or not?
Yi Chen thought of Ichinose.
I understand now. A showdown between Ayanokoji and me is inevitable.
If I hadn't met Ichinose, perhaps...
No. Ichinose is already my girlfriend.
In that case, I need to earn Class Points as soon as possible.
With that thought, Yi Chen's expression relaxed. He smiled and nodded to his classmates.
Yi Chen recalled how everyone had treated him before.
Most of the people in Class D are still far too mediocre. Their abilities are sharply divided into two extremes, and that's all there is to it.
Yi Chen calmly took in everyone's thoughts.
If everything follows the story, Ichinose can't still be in Class B.
That guy Ayanokoji is always used to hiding in the shadows and controlling everything.
Yet he pushed me into the spotlight, making me the center of everyone's attention.
Since all the credit for the class now belongs to me...
Then I might as well go all the way and become Class D's leader.
Once I've saved enough points to transfer classes, Class D will lose its central figure, fall into chaos, and gradually disintegrate.
Ayanokoji, I'd like to see just how strong you really are, you original protagonist.
Meanwhile, things were far from peaceful in other parts of the cruise ship.
In Class A, Sakayanagi's supporters were busily plotting a class reform.
Their eyes were filled with ambition and determination as they tried to overthrow Katsuragi's leadership in one fell swoop.
Class B had also begun discussing what to do after the exam.
As for Class C, Ryuen was unexpectedly calm despite losing the exam.
Ryuen ate the gourmet food without a care.
"Yi Chen, what exactly did you do?"
By comparison, the victorious Class D was immersed in joy, enthusiastically preparing a victory feast.
The day passed, and the cruise ship returned to its usual tranquility.
That evening, Hirata came over with Karuizawa to apologize to Yi Chen. He didn't take it to heart and accepted their apology.
The cruise ship continued steadily across the vast ocean, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.
For those three days, Class D endlessly enjoyed life aboard the cruise ship.
During those three days, Yi Chen stayed close to Ichinose, while continuing to think about how to earn points.
That day was Saturday.
A notice from the school broke the brief calm—
"A Special Exam will soon be held."
"The exam details have been sent to everyone's email."
Ichinose and Yi Chen saw the exam details right away.
Yi Chen's message read:
"Arrive at Room 302 at 18:00 today."
"Arriving ten minutes late will result in a penalty."
Ichinose received the same message, but the two of them were assigned to different rooms.
They parted for the time being and returned to their respective classes to prepare.
At 18:00, Yi Chen arrived at Room 302 right on time.
Almost everyone was already there. They were just waiting for Yi Chen.
The people present included Hoshinomiya, the homeroom teacher of Class B.
When Hoshinomiya saw Yi Chen arrive, she greeted him enthusiastically.
"Hey, bro, over here."
That was Ken Sudō, calling from beside her.
Sato from Class D
and Airi from Class D
also greeted Yi Chen warmly.
Airi said:
"Great, I get to be with Yi Chen."
Sato said:
"We're so lucky. With Yi Chen here, we shouldn't have to worry about anything."
After Yi Chen replied and sat down, Hoshinomiya began explaining the exam.
"This exam is called the Planet Exam."
"It's also known as the VIP Exam."
"The exam is divided into the Eight Planets, with one group for each planet."
"Each group is randomly formed from the four classes."
Then Hoshinomiya took out a tablet and showed it to everyone.
The four of them were in the Saturn Group. The group also had three students from Class A, three from Class B, and four from Class C.
There were fourteen people in total.
"The exam results will be determined by each group's performance."
"The exam lasts three days, one of which is completely free."
"At eight tomorrow morning, each group will receive an email revealing the identity of its VIP."
"The VIP's identity will be kept anonymous."
"The results of this exam will only show the changes to each class's Class Points."
"Each group will have one chance to discuss the matter in the afternoon and another in the evening each day, in order to identify the VIP."
"After the discussion ends on the final evening, you'll have thirty minutes to email the VIP's identity to the school."
"Everyone may submit one answer. The VIP cannot submit an answer."
"If everyone in the group except the VIP and the VIP's classmates correctly identifies the VIP, every member of the group will receive 500,000 Personal Points. The VIP will receive 1,000,000."
"On the other hand, if even one person fails to identify the VIP, only the VIP will receive 500,000 Personal Points."
"Also, if you identify a VIP from another class in your group before the exam ends, the person who sends the email will receive 500,000 points, and their class will receive 50 Class Points."
"The group exam will end early."
"If you're wrong, your class will lose 50 Class Points, while the original VIP will receive 500,000 points and 50 Class Points."
"The group exam will end then as well."
"You can't submit an answer identifying the VIP from your own class."
And that was the end of the explanation.
Everyone understood the exam rules.
Hoshinomiya began dismissing everyone.
Yi Chen started thinking about how to handle the exam.
Ken Sudō asked with a troubled look:
"Brother Yi Chen, we're counting on you for this exam. I really didn't understand any of that."
Yi Chen silently nodded.
Airi gazed at Yi Chen with admiration.
"Yi Chen, do you have any good ideas?"
Yi Chen looked at Airi helplessly.
"Let's wait until the VIP is announced tomorrow."
Sato looked casually at Yi Chen.
"We're counting on you again this time, Yi Chen."
Yi Chen nodded helplessly.
Sato said:
"Yi Chen, you're so dependable."
Ken Sudō said:
"Then let's go eat together first and discuss it."
Before you continue