People bring their own maids to the training camp

----split line----

Class C, KTV private room.

"It's all true." Long Yuan didn't show the expected joy; instead, his brows furrowed.

"Is the test really a bad thing?" Ishizaki asked from the side. "Thanks to this, everyone can get good scores. Our Class C should be able to rank at the top, right? Isn't that great?"

“You only saw the result, but didn’t think about the key point of this matter.” Ryuen sneered. “We got some subjects from Class B, Class D, and Class A. Class A is definitely given to us by that guy Sakayanagi, and most likely it was also given to people in other classes. The purpose is to suppress the average score of the subjects that Katsuragi set.”

“Indeed, I agree.” Kaneda pushed up his glasses. “What Ryuen is probably concerned about is how the person who traded with Class C obtained the exam papers for both Classes B and D, right?”

"Kinda is right. As far as I know, Class B and Class D should not have any contact. I have people watching Hirata and Kushida every day. They basically have no contact with Ichinose Himegami from Class B, unless they are using their mobile phones to advance the whole process."

"So someone managed to get their hands on the exam papers from Class B and Class D?" Ishizaki was a little confused. "Is that really possible? Then why would they make a deal with us? Wouldn't it be better for Class B and Class D to work together to attack Class C?"

“I also want to know the answer to this question, but it’s unlikely that this was Sakayanagi’s doing—her goal is to suppress Katsuragi, so there’s no need for her to try to get other classes’ test papers; that would be pointless.”

"So it must be someone from Class B or Class D? Are they really that good?"

“We can’t find out about this kind of problem now. Go and ask around in Class B and Class D to see if anyone can recognize our class’s questions,” Long Yuan instructed. “If you’re careful, you can always find out. Or you can pay a little to buy their review materials. In short, you have to find out for me whether it’s Class B or Class D.”

"Leave it to us, Ryuen-kun!" Ishizaki quickly declared, indicating that he was perfectly capable of handling such matters.

The exams are over, so the study materials are no longer valuable, and there's no need to hide them.

"Let's wait until the scores come out tomorrow to talk about the specifics. We can get a general idea from the scores." Long Yuan crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa. "If nothing unexpected happens, our Class C will get first place, then Class B will be second, Class A will be third, and Class D will be at the bottom."

Class C received nearly half of the exam papers from Classes A, B, and D, plus an extra 4 points purchased, so it's not surprising that they took first place. Furthermore, Classes A and B were originally quite close in terms of scores, and given that Class A's three subject questions were leaked, it's normal that their scores were lower than Class B's. As for Class D, those who know, know.

Longyuan was quite confident about this. The only variable was whether the person he was trading with was from Class B. If so, the other party would most likely also have a complete set of Class D exam papers. Although he didn't know how the other party got the Class D exam papers, in that case, the first place would undoubtedly belong to Class B.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow's scores," Ryuen grinned.

----split line----

library.

Chihaya arrived at a certain spot in the library at the invitation of the staff.

Sakayanagi sat on one side of the table, on which lay a chess set, with both black and white pieces already in place. Sakayanagi himself sat on the black side, while Chihaya sat on the white side.

"Kikuan Sakayanagi-san," Chihaya greeted softly as usual.

"Honorable Princess Consort." Sakayanagi smiled and gestured for Chihaya to sit down. "We agreed to play a game of Go before, but unfortunately, we haven't had a suitable opportunity until today. Now that the exams have just ended, I wonder what Princess Consort thinks?"

"I'd be delighted." Chihaya smiled slightly and sat down opposite Sakayanagi. "Then I'll go first with the white one."

"nature."

The rules of chess dictate that white moves first, followed by black. As the inviting party, Sakayanagi naturally ceded the right to move first to Chihaya.

Watching a game of chess is like observing a person; playing chess is like reflecting on oneself.

Playing chess can also help to analyze an opponent's personality to some extent.

Although the opponent may hold back or even use a strategy that contradicts their own personality when playing chess, it is still a valuable reference.

The two players didn't take the game too seriously, spending very little time thinking; it had essentially become a fast game.

This was also a test by Sakayanagi, since the thinking time in rapid chess is very short, and they might subconsciously move according to their own habits.

"How did you do on your midterm exams, Consort?"

"Well, it went pretty smoothly. Although it sounds a bit like I'm bragging, I still think I'll be number one in the grade this time."

"It seems that Princess is very confident," Sakayanagi said, moving a chess piece. "Class B's results must be quite good too, right?"

"It's not necessarily true that they'll be better than Class A, you know?" Chihaya followed the move of the chess piece. "I heard there seems to be some minor friction within Class A?"

"Please excuse my poor performance. It's just a minor disagreement between me and Katsuragi-kun, nothing to mention."

"I see. It's normal for boys and girls to have different ways of thinking and thus different ideas." Chihaya nodded. "Even with the closest people, disagreements sometimes happen."

"Oh? Is Princess Hibiki the same way?"

"Xiao Ai and I—my best friend—often disagree about dinner. For example, I want to eat seafood risotto, but there's no seafood in the fridge."

"I never expected that Princess Himeko could be so adorable." Sakayanagi couldn't help but chuckle, probably imagining Chihaya pouting in dissatisfaction.

"If it's a compliment, then I'll accept it."

"Of course, Princess is universally acknowledged for her cuteness and beauty throughout the entire grade."

"Wouldn't saying something like that at a time like this be seen as a lack of confidence in your appearance?" Chihaya suddenly asked, causing Sakayanagi to pause for a second. "Checkmate!"

"...I lost. As expected of Himegami-kun." Sakayanagi quickly accepted the fact. Although she hadn't gone all out, Chihaya clearly hadn't either. "I guess I'm still quite lacking when it comes to multitasking."

"I was just being clever. If I really went all out, I probably wouldn't be a match for Sakayanagi-san," Chihaya laughed. "I've studied various board games, but I'm not an expert in any of them. I've only scratched the surface."

"Hime-kun is too modest. If you ask me, you already have considerable strength, don't you think?"

"I'm still far from good enough," Chihaya said modestly, "but it's still fun to have some fun occasionally."

"Then please feel free to teach me in the future if there is an opportunity."

After playing only this one game, Sakayanagi put away his pieces and did not play another game despite losing—his calm and collected demeanor suggested that he did not care about winning or losing at all.

Moreover, Sakayanagi simply didn't show it. Anyone who loses a game will feel a little unhappy, even though Sakayanagi's goal wasn't to win but to test the waters.

She decided to wait until everything was settled before putting on a thin veil.

"I recently heard that Fei Gong seems to be planning a magazine?"

"Well, actually it was all suggested by my friend Xiao Ai. I just cooperated with her by being a model and offering some advice." Chihaya explained, "It will mainly involve some beauty and makeup, clothing matching, and some school matters. Each issue will also interview some students."

"It sounds like a magazine aimed at girls," Sakayanagi commented after listening. "With Himegami-san in charge, the magazine's sales will probably be very good."

"Then I'll take your kind words, Sakayanagi-san."

The two chatted for a while longer before Chihaya finally got up to say goodbye.

......

As Chihaya walked out of the library, she saw Horikita Suzune holding a book in her arms, so she went up to greet her.

"Lingyin, greetings."

"Good afternoon, Princess-kun," Horikita Suzune replied. "But how you addressed me..."

The implication is that "we don't seem to be familiar enough to call each other by our first names yet."

"I apologize for using your name without permission in order to distinguish you from President Horikita. Did this cause you any trouble?"

"That can't be helped, I can understand." Horikita Suzune nodded. Sometimes it is easy for people to misunderstand when the two siblings are together. Compared to changing how Horikita Manabu is addressed, it is easier to accept how he addresses his sister.

Horikita Suzune herself also thinks so. After all, calling a girl by her name is a sign of a good relationship, while calling a boy by his name is often seen as a sign of gossip or scandal.

"You can also call me 'Chihaya'."

"Well..." Horikita Suzune subconsciously intended to refuse, but looking at Chihaya's expectant gaze across from her, she recalled the Class B exam paper in her hand, and how the other person had helped her block Sudo in the library.

Horikita Suzune swallowed back the words she was about to say in refusal.

"Chihaya."

"Yes, Suzune." Chihaya smiled brightly, making it even harder for Horikita Suzune to change her mind.

Well, since we don't get to see each other that often anyway, Horikita Suzune gave up trying.

"By the way, if you need anything later, Suzune can contact me, okay?" Chihaya suddenly blurted out. "Maybe I can help you turn things around."

Although Lingyin didn't understand the meaning, she still nodded in agreement.

"Of course, the so-called reversal of the situation only applies to this midterm exam—but you're always welcome to come see me, Suzune, anytime, okay? It's fine if it's not urgent."

"Then let's meet again at school, Rin. I wish Class D all the best in your studies!"

88. Announcement of Results

Finally, the day arrived for the scores to be announced.

The students of Class B were on high alert, waiting for their homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya-sensei, to arrive.

Avoiding failing grades is just the most basic part; Class B's goal is to secure second place and strive for first, thereby increasing the class's points.

After all, Class A's average score on the quiz was only 3 points higher than Class B's. The midterm exam changed from comparing average scores to comparing total scores, which gave Class B a huge advantage, especially since they had Chihaya, who was ranked first in the grade. They could create a gap in each of the five subjects, so naturally, they had the advantage in the total score.

Nevertheless, before the results are actually released, no one can guarantee anything. After all, most students are unsure of their chances, since aside from the 25% of questions that are identical to those in their own class, the remaining 75% are questions they've seen before. Most students are still a little anxious, since passing is only the bare minimum.

"I'm getting a little nervous." Since Hoshinomiya-sensei hadn't arrived yet, Honami said to Chihaya.

"Don't be nervous, everyone's efforts will definitely pay off," Chihaya comforted her.

"Chihaya." Honami suddenly called out Chihaya's name softly.

"Ok?"

"Can I borrow your hand?"

“Sure.” Chihaya didn’t think much of it and offered her hand.

Fanbo's small hand then grasped Chihaya's hand, she took a deep breath, and finally smiled sweetly at Chihaya.

Chihaya smiled back.

"Hi~ Did you miss me, students?" At this moment, Ms. Hoshinomiya arrived late.

"Teacher, please announce the results quickly!"

"Yeah, I've been holding it in all night, I can't take it anymore!"

"If you can't resist, go and withdraw from the program."

"Alright, alright, quiet down!" Ms. Hoshinomiya tapped the podium. "The exam results will be announced before school ends—although I'd like to say that, if we wait until after school, we won't be able to handle all the various procedures."

"Seriously, teacher, stop keeping us in suspense at a time like this!" Shibata and a few others expressed their dissatisfaction to Hoshinomiya-sensei. After all, there was a significant gap between Class B's class points and Class A's, and Class C was also lurking in the shadows. Therefore, the result of this exam was very important.

"Hahahaha, teacher, I'm just trying to ease the tension!" Teacher Hoshinomiya laughed, then turned around and pasted a large sheet of white paper with the students' names and scores on the blackboard.

Without a doubt, the top spot in all five subjects was held by Chihaya Himegami, who achieved perfect scores in math, English, and chemistry, while scoring 99 and 98 in social studies and Chinese, respectively.

"As you can all see, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The top student in the grade for this midterm exam is Fei Gong from Class B!"

"Teacher, what's behind us? What's behind us?!" Shibata asked. "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"

"Shibata-kun, I know you're anxious, but please don't rush. Next, we'll announce the class rankings, starting with Class B—"