VIP Exam (9)

Yi Chen returned to his room and began to think.

Karuizawa's bullying had been a stage set by Ayanokoji.

When had it happened? Which night?

Yi Chen checked his phone. It was 8:30 p.m.

Someone knocked on the door.

Yi Chen opened it and saw Ichinose.

Her cheeks were flushed as she said,

"Hi, Yi Chen. Good evening."

Yi Chen gave a slight nod and invited Ichinose inside.

He sat on his bed, leaning against the wall.

Ichinose sat on the bed beside him and leaned against him.

She smiled sweetly.

"Yi Chen, did Kanzaki tell you about the plan today?"

"I know about it," Yi Chen replied coolly.

Ichinose said,

"Right now, it looks like the best way to help you transfer classes."

"Thanks, Ichinose. I already know all the VIPs in this exam," Yi Chen said coolly.

"So I have a new idea."

Ichinose stared at Yi Chen in shock.

"Yi Chen, you're joking, right?"

"We're different from the other classes. I already know two of the VIPs in our class," Yi Chen replied coolly.

Ichinose watched him intently.

Yi Chen continued,

"The VIPs in our class are Ken Sudō, the Saturn, and Karuizawa, the Mars. Your Class B's Mercury is Shiranami Chihiro."

"Look at the names of everyone in the groups of those three people, then match them to the eight planets' positions from the sun."

"Starting from the closest, Mercury is Shiranami Chihiro. The others follow the same pattern."

Ichinose looked at Yi Chen excitedly.

"That actually sounds right! And you're just telling me, Yi Chen?"

"What does it matter? We'll all be in the same class eventually," he said coolly.

Ichinose looked at him happily.

"Well, since you already know, Yi Chen, how are you planning to handle this exam?"

"If the other classes have figured out their own VIPs the way we have, they'll be able to work it out soon, too. It's only a matter of time," Yi Chen replied coolly.

"Class C currently has 490 Class Points. With the points from the Uninhabited Island, Class D has reached 310."

"If we don't lose points for our usual conduct, we'll need around 200 more Class Points to move up to Class C."

"Assuming our own VIPs are disqualified, I'll need to correctly guess two VIPs from other classes to make up the difference."

"If we answer tomorrow in the first round, we'll be the earliest."

"Class A and Class C will each lose 100 Class Points."

"Our two VIPs will give the answers to your Class B. Then one of your VIPs will share the answer with everyone, earning personal points."

"The other VIP will give the answer to our Class D."

"Class B will gain 50 Class Points."

"Class D will lose 100 points for answering Class B's question, but earn 150 points from this exam."

"Class D will have 460 Class Points, and Class C will have 390. Our Class D will move up."

"Of course, that's the result if we're aiming to move up,"

"If we only want to earn personal points, the other classes have a 50 percent chance of guessing the VIPs in advance."

"Leaving aside everyone in the class correctly guessing Mars and Saturn, our Class D can earn eight million personal points."

"Leaving aside Mercury and Jupiter, your Class B can earn six million personal points."

"If everyone gives their points to me, I'll be able to transfer classes soon."

When he finished, Yi Chen looked at Ichinose calmly.

Ichinose hugged her knees and seemed to be thinking.

She spoke slowly.

"Yes, that would be the best possible outcome. But if a class answers early, we won't be able to earn a huge amount of points."

"Yi Chen, no one knows how long it'll take you to transfer to Class B."

"So what kind of outcome do you want from this exam?"

"The chances of everyone earning personal points are very low. Classes A and B might avoid reporting the other classes for the sake of the points."

"But what about Class C?"

"So once the discussion starts tomorrow, the exam will be over."

"Class D will move up to Class C, and Class B will gain 50 points."

Ichinose sounded a little bitter.

"Is that so? I was hoping everyone could get along and earn points together."

"But you're right, Yi Chen. It's impossible for every class to cooperate for the sake of personal points."

"Then let's do it your way."

"I'll go back and talk it over with my class."

"Okay. Let's do that," Yi Chen replied coolly.

Ichinose hugged Yi Chen. Then the two of them parted ways.

Watching Ichinose walk away, Yi Chen thought,

"This exam will end with Class D gaining 250 Class Points and 2.5 million personal points."

Yi Chen wanted to check whether anything had happened to Karuizawa, but he didn't have her contact information.

After thinking it over, he contacted Sato, who sent him Karuizawa's number.

Things were a little awkward between Yi Chen and Karuizawa, but he called her anyway.

Bzz... bzz...

Karuizawa was taking a bath. When she heard her phone ring, she came out and saw an unfamiliar number, so she hung up.

Yi Chen stared at the ended call, feeling awkward.

He messaged Sato:

"Sato, Karuizawa probably doesn't recognize my number. Sorry for the trouble, but could you let her know?"

After sending the message, Yi Chen grew bored sitting in his room and decided to go for a walk.

As soon as he stepped outside, he heard a commotion in the hallway.

"Huh? Koenji's group has already finished the exam?"

"What? Koenji? Seriously? You're kidding, right?"

"Koenji! You brat! You're going to squander all of Class D's Class Points!"

"Koenji! What did you do? How are we supposed to compete with the other classes now?"

Wearing only his underwear, his body rippling with muscles, Koenji said flamboyantly,

"Oh, dear me, exams are such a pain. I prefer wide-open spaces and freedom."

"Ahahaha!"

The people around him continued to complain angrily.

Yi Chen stood frozen in the doorway, staring at Koenji.

Koenji noticed Yi Chen, too.

He strode over to Yi Chen with grandiose flair.

"Good evening, funny boy. So you live in this room, 715. How splendid."

"My exam's already over. What about yours, funny boy?"

Yi Chen's eyes went dark for a moment. He quickly pulled himself together and replied helplessly,

"I just started."

Koenji laughed heartily.

"Goodness, funny boy. I think you'll finish your exam splendidly soon, too. Don't you?"

"I'm looking forward to it~."

After saying that, Koenji flashed Yi Chen a wink and left with a loud laugh.