The Answer on the Day Before the Midterm Exam

She slowed her speech, dropping the subject of "making friends" to talk about books instead.

She asked Hiyori Shiina what kind of books she liked to read and if she had come across any interesting works lately.

The topic returned to Hiyori Shiina's comfort zone; although she still didn't say much and her answers remained brief, her eyes would brighten slightly whenever mystery novels were mentioned, and she would occasionally offer a few more insights into an author's style or a specific trick.

Kikyo Kushida was an excellent listener and conversation guide. While she might not have been deeply versed in mystery novels herself, she always managed to pick up on Hiyori Shiina's cues, ensuring the conversation never hit a lull.

The atmosphere gradually softened, even becoming somewhat harmonious.

Lin Mu sat across from the two of them, a newly released eel rice set from the cafeteria laid out before him, with an extra portion of eel he had specifically ordered.

The plump, tender eel slices were grilled to perfection, coated in a thick, savory-sweet sauce and laid over individual grains of rice, accompanied by silky chawanmushi and refreshing pickles.

(The eel rice is really delicious, but the sauce is a bit cloyingly sweet when there's too much of it.)

He picked up his chopsticks at a leisurely pace and popped a large piece of eel into his mouth, feeling the sweet aroma of the sauce and the richness of the fish melt on his taste buds, squinting his eyes in satisfaction.

Watching the two girls across from him transition from slightly awkward to actually holding a conversation, he felt a strange sense of... relief at being excluded from the topic?

But that was fine, too. It meant he could focus on enjoying his meal without having to expend effort participating in the social interaction on the side.

He shrugged, pouring all his attention into the eel rice before him, occasionally picking up his miso soup for a sip.

He treated the soft whispers across from him as background music for his meal, eating with single-minded focus.

(Eat-eat-eat)

After finishing lunch, the three of them parted ways at the cafeteria entrance.

Hiyori Shiina clutched her books, whispered, "I'm heading back to the library," and turned to leave, her silver hair fluttering gently in the afternoon breeze.

Kikyo Kushida waved at Lin Mu, her face once again filled with fighting spirit: "I'm going to go think of another way to keep the study group going! See you later, Lin Mu!"

Lin Mu nodded, watching them head in different directions before strolling back to his dorm to continue his unwavering afternoon nap (slacking off) time.

Life continued as usual; the quiet of the library, the food in the cafeteria, the occasional fortune-telling business, and his shallow, casual interactions with Hiyori Shiina and Kikyo Kushida formed the main melody of his school life.

Until the day before the midterm exams, when this superficial peace was completely shattered, and the Class D classroom fell into an unprecedented, bizarre atmosphere mixed with ecstasy, anxiety, and illusory hope.

The Class D classroom was unusually quiet that day.

Gone were the usual noise, complaints, and sounds of borrowing money; everyone's eyes were drawn like magnets to Kikyo Kushida, who had just returned from outside.

Kikyo was clutching a stack of papers that weren't very thick but were clearly important, her face wearing an expression that mixed solemnity, nervousness, and a hint of relief.

She walked quickly to the podium and, without a word, began distributing the papers one by one to the students nearest to her, urging them in a rapid-fire tone:

"Everyone, put these away quickly! Go back and study them well, memorize them! We have to get good grades this time and earn Class Points! This is our last chance!"

Her voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Those who received the papers took one look, and their faces were instantly replaced by an unbelievable, ecstatic joy!

It was the answer key for this midterm exam!

Clear, complete, and categorized by subject!

"Is... is this real?!"

"Kikyo-chan! Thank you so much!"

"We're saved! We're actually saved!"

"Quick, quick, pass it over and let me see!"

The classroom instantly boiled over! It was like pouring a bucket of ice water into a pot of hot oil—it exploded!

Those who received the answers were overjoyed, thanking Kikyo Kushida repeatedly, acting as if she were some kind of savior.

The papers were passed around rapidly, and everyone clutched them tightly as if they were priceless treasures.

Their eyes were glued to the words on the page, as if they wanted to carve every single punctuation mark into their brains.

Having the answers meant they could pass the midterm exams!

It meant they wouldn't be expelled! It meant Class D might actually earn Class Points next month!

It meant the school would issue Private Points again!

They could finally escape the desperate plight of relying on free supplies and borrowing money everywhere to survive!

The flame of hope was ignited by this thin piece of paper, burning fiercely and nearly consuming all reason and doubt.

Lin Mu remained in his seat, watching the absurd yet predictable carnival before him with cold eyes.

He had a grape-flavored lollipop in his mouth, the sweet and sour taste spreading on his tongue, but there was no ripple in his eyes, only a hint of imperceptible mockery.

In his heart, he felt this was nothing more than a straw thrown by the school to a group of people about to drown—a straw that looked sturdy but might snap the moment it was pulled.

He understood the operating rules of this school.

If the system truly had such an obvious loophole where exam answers could be easily obtained, and it allowed students to "pass" collectively in this manner, then the so-called "meritocracy" would be a colossal joke.

If that were the case, everyone would just look for exploits and bugs; who would bother to study?

This so-called "answer key" felt more like a... safety net? Or perhaps a one-time act of "mercy"?

After all, allowing a class that had only just enrolled to face mass expulsion due to a zero-point score and a single final exam would certainly do no favors for the school's reputation or stability.

Giving them one "chance" to seize for themselves—if they couldn't grasp it, then they had no one else to blame.

After distributing most of the answer keys, Kikyo Kushida walked over with one in hand, her face still flushed with lingering excitement.

She placed the answer key gently on the corner of Lin Mu's desk, her voice still trembling slightly, yet filled with concern:

"Lin Mu, here you go. Take a look quickly and memorize it well. This time... this time our class really has a chance!"

Lin Mu lowered the hand supporting his chin, picked up the answer key, and flipped through it casually.

The questions on it were as simple as elementary school arithmetic to him; although he didn't consider himself a genius, his superpowers granted him a photographic memory.

Having glanced at it once, he had already memorized it completely, to the point where he didn't even have the interest to look at it a second time.

"Mm, got it."

He replied with a nod and casually folded the answer sheet—which everyone else viewed as a lifeline—a few times.

He shoved it into the deepest corner of his desk drawer, leaving it to gather dust in the dark alongside a few textbooks he had never opened and some empty candy wrappers.

In the classroom, some were already impatiently racing against time to memorize the answers, muttering under their breath with expressions as devout as believers reciting scripture.

Others had gathered in groups of three or five, quizzing each other and checking facts, the atmosphere as intense as a pre-battle mobilization.

Of course, there were a few exceptions, such as Yosuke Hirata, who merely stared at the answers with a grave expression and furrowed brows, seemingly pondering something deeper.

Then there was Suzune Horikita, who had given the answers a cold glance after receiving them before putting them away with an expressionless face, a hint of disdain even lingering in her eyes.

And then there was Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who remained sitting quietly in his seat, as if what he held in his hand wasn't an answer key, but a common flyer.

The hope of Class D surviving the midterm exam rested on this sudden "answer key."

Amidst the busy, fanatical, yet surreal sound of recitation, it was like a soap bubble under the sun, refracting a brilliant but fragile light.

In the fragments of the future he could "see," this exam would likely not be settled as simply as these people hoped.

But then again, so what?

He only needed to ensure that he passed safely.

As for the rest, he would just wait and see.

(Event period: May 1st to May 5th)