On the rooftop, Yi Chen and Ayanokoji faced each other.
Yi Chen said calmly:
"Hello, Ayanokoji. You're the smartest person in this class, right?"
Ayanokoji's expression was indifferent.
"Please go tell Yamauchi Muraki about that."
Yi Chen said:
"Sure."
After Yi Chen left, Ayanokoji turned and gazed out at the view beyond the rooftop.
The wind howled across the rooftop, ruffling Ayanokoji's bangs.
Angela. Yi Chen? I didn't expect Class D to have someone like him. Whatever. As long as he doesn't get in my way, it's fine.
Angel:
"Mission complete."
One Gold Card
"Omniscient Reader"
Description: s219j1#$
(Can be used once per world)
Looking at the new card, Yi Chen couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Angel? Why is it gibberish?
Angel wore a sly grin.
"Looks like you drew a treasure. Cards like this are usually one of a kind and have the power to overturn the rules."
Yi Chen said:
"That's so sci-fi. Shouldn't this card be diamond-tier, then?"
Angel said:
"Not necessarily. Is there anything perfect in this world?"
Yi Chen asked:
"Then why is Whirlwind Triple Kick diamond-tier?"
Angel said:
"Didn't you read the description? 'The effect is better when you seize the right moment.'"
"This is a conceptual-level card."
Yi Chen's face darkened.
"Then, can I use this gibberish card now?"
Angel said:
"My advice is not to use it yet. As the story progresses, it probably won't be gibberish anymore. Keep it for now; there's no rush."
Yi Chen said:
"Then... my points have turned into this unstable thing?"
Angel said:
"Yes."
Yi Chen clenched his fist and muttered under his breath:
"Damn."
As soon as Yi Chen entered the classroom, he went straight to Yamauchi Haruki and told him he wouldn't be expelled.
Yamauchi Haruki's eyes widened in disbelief when he heard what Yi Chen said.
"Really? That's great! Thank you, Yi Chen!"
The surrounding students looked over curiously, then came over one after another to admire Yi Chen.
Horikita Suzune watched Yi Chen with an air of arrogance. Yi Chen glanced over at her.
Horikita Suzune's face flushed, and she brushed back her hair.
Looking through the crowd at Ayanokoji, Yi Chen thought:
Bro, as cold as ever. Strong, yet low-key.
Kushida Kikyo, however, put on a forced smile from afar. Inside, she thought:
Yi Chen, why do you always have to steal the spotlight? I was the one who went to buy the answers. I'm the real hero.
I just wanted to be more popular. Damn it, this is so frustrating.
After school, the class monitor led the whole class to a celebration dinner.
Yi Chen had planned to turn them down, but seeing that most of the class was going, he agreed to join them.
At the celebration dinner, everyone chatted and laughed.
Yi Chen was surrounded by his female classmates.
Yi Chen had never dated anyone in his previous life, so he found the experience at the celebration dinner quite memorable.
After the celebration dinner, Yi Chen walked back to the dormitory alone.
The dim yellow streetlights shone down on him, stretching his shadow long across the ground.
Yi Chen had planned to take a walk by the sea, but then he saw the infamous scene: Ayanokoji's hand was being held by Kushida Kikyo and placed on her breasts.
Fortunately, there were plenty of trees around. Yi Chen immediately held his breath, but when a breeze blew, he couldn't stop himself from sneezing.
Kushida Kikyo immediately let go of Ayanokoji's hand and shouted furiously:
"Who's there? Who's there?"
Kushida Kikyo immediately ran toward the sound.
Staring at Kushida Kikyo, who looked like a demon, Yi Chen was stunned.
"What the hell! She's so fast. I'd better use Sprint Genius!"
Yi Chen's speed instantly increased by 200%, and he vanished in a flash.
Kushida Kikyo arrived at the spot where Yi Chen had just sneezed, panting heavily. She glared at the man sprinting away in the distance.
Frustrated, Kushida Kikyo struck the nearby tree trunk with one hand.
Watching the figure sprint away, Ayanokoji thought:
"Given that build and the way he's running for his life, it must be Angela Yi Chen, someone we know."
"Not just anyone could run that fast."
Afterward, Kushida Kikyo threatened Ayanokoji, who had no choice but to put up with it and leave.
Yi Chen sprinted all the way back to the boys' dormitory. Thirty seconds later, the negative effect of Sprint Genius kicked in, and he suddenly felt incredibly weak.
He could still walk, though, so Yi Chen slowly made his way back to his room.
Back in his room, Yi Chen collapsed onto his bed, shaken by what had happened.
"Kushida Kikyo is terrifying. Good thing I had Sprint Genius. If she'd caught me, I'd have been in for a world of pain."
Muttering to himself, Yi Chen headed back to his room.
Not long after he returned to the dormitory, he heard someone knock at the door.
When he opened it, he found Ayanokoji standing there.
"Ayanokoji, what is it?"
Yi Chen asked, puzzled.
Ayanokoji shrugged.
"That person just now was you, right? You're pretty fast. I hope you won't tell anyone about what happened today."
Yi Chen smiled.
"Don't worry. I don't want to get into trouble."
After Ayanokoji left, Yi Chen thought:
As expected of the protagonist of the original story. He didn't even see my face clearly, yet he still figured out it was me. He really is impressive.
And so, the night passed.
When he went to school the next day, Yi Chen couldn't help noticing that Kushida Kikyo looked at him as if her eyes were full of anger.
During the break, Yi Chen went to use the restroom. As soon as he reached the corner of the hallway, Kushida Kikyo blocked his way.
Kushida Kikyo flaunted her figure.
"Yi Chen, do you have a girlfriend?"
Kushida Kikyo lowered her voice, a fierce glint in her eyes.
Yi Chen's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure.
"No. Why do you ask, Kushida?"
Kushida Kikyo said regretfully:
"Oh, someone as outstanding as you doesn't have a girlfriend?"
Kushida Kikyo moved even closer to Yi Chen, bringing her chest almost against him.
Kushida put on a cute act and spoke softly:
"So, Yi Chen, would you like to get something to eat with me after class today?"
Yi Chen looked at Kushida, who only ever approached people when she wanted something. She had only invited him for coffee once, back at the start of the school year.
Maybe because Yi Chen wasn't much of a talker, the two of them had never been especially close.
Looking at the delicate Kushida in front of him, Yi Chen felt his thoughts churn.
Oh no. Could she know I was there yesterday? No way. Ayanokoji wouldn't tell her either.
Then... does she really like me? No, no. I need to think this through. But I can't turn down her invitation.
After wrestling with his thoughts, Yi Chen decided to take things as they came and just be careful.
Yi Chen managed a strained smile and scratched his head.
"Sure, Kushida. Let's go after class."
After class, Yi Chen and Kushida Kikyo went to a restaurant.
At the table, Kushida Kikyo was very warm toward him. She kept putting food on Yi Chen's plate while asking about his lifestyle, likes, and other things.
Yi Chen answered cautiously, remaining on his guard the whole time.
Halfway through the meal, Kushida Kikyo suddenly changed the subject.
"Yi Chen, actually, I know what happened that night."
Yi Chen's heart tightened, but he kept his composure and asked:
"What are you talking about?"
Kushida Kikyo's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.
"You and Ayanokoji. But don't worry. If you agree to do one thing for me, I'll keep it a secret."
Yi Chen frowned and asked:
"What thing?"
A sly glint flashed in Kushida Kikyo's eyes.
"Hahaha, I'm just joking. I just think you two are alike. Neither of you talks much."
Yi Chen felt relieved. So that was all she meant.
Sprint Genius really came through. As long as she didn't find out, that's all that matters.
Kushida Kikyo asked:
"After we eat, would you like to take a walk together at Riverside Park?"
Yi Chen's thoughts raced, but he kept his composure.
"Riverside Park? That sounds pretty nice. Sure. But it depends—I think I might have plans with Ken Sudō and the others later."
Kushida Kikyo smiled at Yi Chen, who seemed so calm.
"That's fine. We can go another time if we get the chance. I'd really like to take a walk with you."
Yi Chen said:
"Sure. I'd love to take a walk with a pretty, sweet girl like you, too."
Kushida's face flushed, and she looked at Yi Chen with a dreamy expression.
The two continued chatting.
Soon, they finished their meal. Yi Chen pretended he was going to meet Ken Sudō, and the two parted ways at the restaurant.
Kushida Kikyo's expression instantly darkened.
"So it wasn't him. His build was pretty similar, though."
Kushida Kikyo touched her school uniform.
"To be safe, I'll keep an eye on how he acts. If he won't obey me, I'll make him just like Ayanokoji."
"I'll use any means necessary to make him do what I say."
Before you continue