Special Exam

Before long, the second-year upperclassman came rushing back, clutching several folded sheets of paper.

"Here, this is what you wanted. The past exam papers and answers are all here."

Panting heavily, he handed the papers to Ken Kaneki. He looked as though he had run the whole way, probably afraid someone else would snatch him away.

He gulped down some water, then took a deep breath, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Ken Kaneki knew what he meant. He took the papers and casually flipped through them. Once he confirmed everything was in order, he took out his terminal and promptly transferred the points to the upperclassman.

With a beep, the upperclassman's terminal sounded a notification that the payment had arrived.

He looked down. He had expected only the agreed-upon five thousand points, but to his delight, he discovered it was actually ten thousand. He was really lucky today, running into such a generous underclassman.

"Uh... did you transfer too much?"

The upperclassman gazed gleefully at his balance. Although he asked the question, he showed no intention of returning the extra points.

"Consider the extra a way of making friends." Ken Kaneki smiled faintly and waved a dismissive hand.

Seeing how generous he was, the upperclassman, who understood how social relationships worked, naturally felt he ought to return the favor after receiving so much.

He leaned closer and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Since you're so easy to deal with, I'll throw in another piece of information for free.

"This school doesn't just have ordinary written exams like midterms and finals. There's another, more unusual kind of assessment called a special exam."

"A special exam? Thanks for the heads-up." Ken Kaneki showed just the right trace of puzzlement and nodded his thanks.

"No problem, no problem. If you ever need to find anything out, just come to me. I'll definitely give you a discount!"

Thoroughly satisfied, the upperclassman waved and left the Student Cafeteria with his terminal in hand, humming a tune and walking with a spring in his step.

At that moment, he was thinking, Today really is a wonderful day~

After the upperclassman left, Ken Kaneki put away the past papers. When he turned, he noticed Hiyori sitting beside him with her soft cheek resting in one hand, her beautiful, limpid eyes shifting slightly as though she were pondering something.

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?" Ken Kaneki reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek.

Hiyori came back to her senses and nuzzled her cheek against his palm. "I was thinking about the special exams that upperclassman mentioned," she said softly.

"Oh? Then what do you think these so-called special exams are for?" Ken Kaneki smiled, intending to test her a little.

Hiyori tilted her head slightly. After a brief moment of thought, she began laying out her analysis clearly.

"I think special exams are probably meant to increase class points.

"Ever since school started, they've kept stressing how important class points are. But so far, aside from this midterm exam, they haven't clearly stated any way to earn large amounts of class points."

She paused, then continued, "Although the midterm exam we just discussed can earn points too, the number you can get from a written exam like that should be relatively small.

"If the school never offers a way to gain a substantial number of points, the gap will only keep widening for the classes below Class A. That would be a little unfair.

"In the long run, the lower classes would lose their competitive drive, while Class A would decline because it had no rivals. That wouldn't be good for either side.

"So special exams must be crucial opportunities for classes to turn things around and earn large amounts of points."

Hearing Hiyori's well-reasoned analysis, Ken Kaneki clapped in approval.

"Look at that. My Hiyori really is clever. Your guess is absolutely right.

"Then, my clever and adorable Hiyori, try guessing again. What exactly will our upcoming first special exam involve?"

At his words, Hiyori knitted her lovely brows slightly and fell deep into thought.

She went over all the details since the start of school in her mind, but still found no clues.

Even after pondering for a long time, Hiyori couldn't work it out. She looked up at Ken Kaneki's handsome face, with its slightly teasing expression, and immediately felt a little indignant.

Reaching out with both hands, she gently hugged his arm and shook it. Pouting her rosy lips, Hiyori wheedled, "Oh, I can't figure it out! Won't you just tell me? Stop keeping me in suspense~"

A girl in love would change her former patterns of behavior. Just look at how Hiyori had become.

As for how Ken Kaneki, a first-year student, knew this confidential information that even upperclassmen were reluctant to reveal, Hiyori had no intention of pressing him at all.

In her heart, her man was already an unfathomable, all-capable existence. There was nothing strange about him knowing anything.

Faced with Hiyori's sweet, pleading assault, Ken Kaneki's heart softened, and he shook his head with a smile.

"I really can't win against you. But telling you outright would be no fun. I'll only give you one hint."

Ken Kaneki leaned close to her ear and gently prompted her. "Think back. Since this term started, have there been any skills we've focused on learning in PE?"

"PE... skills..."

Following Ken Kaneki's hint, Hiyori suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Her beautiful eyes instantly lit up, and she blurted out her answer.

"Swimming! The school deliberately arranged a lot of swimming lessons for PE this term!"

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, her thoughts pouring forth as though floodgates had opened.

"Swimming... an exam related to swimming. I remember that before enrollment, the background of the school's recruitment poster was an island surrounded by the ocean.

"Could the special exam be held not at school, but out at sea? Is it... deserted island survival?!"

Hearing the words "deserted island survival" come from Hiyori's mouth, Ken Kaneki froze for a moment, a flicker of surprise he couldn't conceal passing through his eyes.

He had originally thought Hiyori would, at most, connect it to a trip to the beach or a swimming competition. He hadn't expected her powers of observation and association to be so frighteningly sharp.

With just the hint of "swimming" and a recruitment poster, she had accurately deduced the truth about the uninhabited island special exam.

"That's my girlfriend for you. Your intelligence really is astounding."

Ken Kaneki came back to his senses and offered his praise freely, his eyes full of pride and affection. Smiling, he nodded to confirm Hiyori's guess.

"That's right, an uninhabited island. The school will send us to a deserted island for a survival test.

"I believe it'll be a very exciting contest, and plenty of interesting things will happen."

Hiyori nodded, beginning to look forward to the uninhabited island.