Not a detective

Page 160

She actually put herself in other people's shoes to this extent!

Principal Komiya now felt a chill of fear; the depth of meaning behind that gesture was definitely not as simple as the line of text on the surface.

This gesture will lose to any other gesture, including itself; when two of them meet, the one that goes second loses.

The levels of self-made gestures can be divided into three levels:

The first is the ordinary player, who only thinks of interaction with primitive gestures when talking about "winners and losers", such as "winning against scissors and losing to rock".

The second type is advanced players like Principal Xiao Gong, who came up with the idea of ​​interacting with "the opponent's gestures" so that they could "win against other gestures and only lose to the opponent's self-made gestures."

But on the third level, which is Higashino Suetsuki, she not only thought of "the other party's gestures", but even went a step further and thought of interacting with "her own gestures"!

When two identical gestures collide, most people would think of a draw, like scissors against scissors.

However, thinking this way leads to a mental inertia, and without breaking free from that mindset, it's impossible to create such a self-made gesture.

When threes collide with threes, the order in which they play determines the winner... This is utterly outlandish. Is this still rock-paper-scissors?

This gesture, so weak it was almost comical, had only one sharp edge: the seemingly insignificant fuse. Principal Komiya picked it up in a daze, never imagining it would be blown away.

Everything was under her control:

"In the second round, you said I saw through your [gun], but that's not true. The first round's probing failed. I'm not so good that I can predict the future. So, when you played [three], I couldn't use the original gesture because I would lose. I wanted a draw, but I couldn't play [three] either, because that would not only lose but also expose me. Looking back now, that was probably the most dangerous round. I was forced to use [gun], which was actually a gamble. I didn't expect to draw. It seems I was lucky."

"In the fourth round, I already knew you would play [Three]. You must think I secretly saw it and therefore deliberately played the weakness of scissors, right? Actually, no. I could have won that round no matter what I played. After all, [Three] will lose to any of the rock-paper-scissors combinations. I just had to close my eyes and play whatever I wanted without thinking at all."

"In the fifth round, I played the three first. In a normal game, you would be curious why I played first, and whether this action was a hidden trap in the rules. But you didn't think that way because in the first and second rounds, I had already firmly implanted the concept of 'playing first' into your brain. You subconsciously thought that playing first in this game was a very normal thing, and there was nothing to examine in detail. Therefore, you didn't notice why you had to play first."

Shinonome Suetsuki explained triumphantly, finally it was time for the detective to show off. She even picked up a pen and paper on the table and began to write strokes to show the principal.

But Principal Xiao Gong still looked unconvinced, or more accurately, unwilling to accept it:

"But...you're right. But in the fifth round, you played a [three] first. According to the effect, wouldn't you lose if I played scissors?"

"Yes, as long as you choose any one of scissors, rock, or paper, you win. You can win even with your eyes closed."

"Then why did you...you clearly exposed your weaknesses to me!"

"Because you absolutely will not play scissors."

Higashion Suetsuki smiled mysteriously, and then drew a three on the paper: "Because you are afraid, afraid of my gesture."

Principal Komiya was stunned and unable to refute.

Yes, she has to admit that at the time, she was completely preoccupied with what the effect of "three" was, how to trigger it, and what special mechanism it had. Her mind was about to explode.

This internal struggle prevented her from making a decisive decision, and in the end, she was even forced into a draw in a rather embarrassing situation.

The more you think, the worse you'll lose.

Was I just overthinking things, or was Shinonome Suetsuki deliberately creating that eerie atmosphere that made people hesitate?

Was her going first, giving herself a chance to delay the password, or was she deliberately making her think too much and complicate things more and more?

Just how far has this person gone in their scheming?

Zashiki-warashi no Aki: Chapter Thirty-One Medicine

"Looking back now, she probably took advantage of my reaction as well."

Asakawa Riku finally spoke, saying helplessly.

He was just as surprised as Principal Komiya at the time, and even took the initiative to ask for opinions to determine whether the effect could be approved.

His original intention was simply to confirm fairness, but now he realized that Principal Komiya had also noticed his reaction and made her remember the exaggerated "three" gesture.

...It must be very complicated and very dangerous. We cannot be careless and must be extremely cautious.

Thinking this way is exactly what Shinonome Suetsuki wants.

Mo Yue deliberately didn't write the note herself, but secretly told him to write it for her, probably to make the first reaction particularly exaggerated.

Asakawa Riku didn't consult her at all; it was purely an instinctive reaction. He even managed to take advantage of the referee's observation. This guy's on-the-spot calculations are truly terrifying.

But Asakawa Riku wouldn't completely ignore it. He looked at Principal Komiya and asked:

"Principal, now that you've seen this note, why don't you judge whether this gesture is in accordance with the rules?"

To be honest, this gesture could be considered legal, but it's really skirting the line.

At that time, Principal Komiya made three requests:

First, the effect must be limited to the "win-lose relationship". Yes, losing to any gesture, including losing to oneself, is also part of the win-lose relationship, so there is no problem.

Secondly, the self-made gesture [cannot be too strong]. Yes, the third one does not affect the game balance. It is not too strong, but too weak. Even if you lose to yourself, it is difficult to trigger the conditions.

Third, the effect cannot involve [action details]. Yes, there is no such action trap as "it works if the left hand is used and it doesn't work if the right hand is used". Everything in the game is effective.

Therefore, when Asakawa Riku said "all conditions are met," he was not lying.

However... determining the winner based on the order in which moves are made is not rock-paper-scissors at all; frankly, it's dancing on the edge of the rules, making it very difficult to judge the standard.

Even Asakawa Riku found it ridiculous, so he handed over the final decision to the principal.

"Asakawa-kun, you've started talking like an adult again, all smooth and tactful."

However, Principal Komiya saw through his thoughts at a glance.

She was helpless. After all, she was the principal and an elder, and she couldn't very well argue with the students and renege on her debts. Losing wasn't shameful, but that would be too embarrassing.

She knew that Asakawa Riku was giving her face, and in reality, she was completely convinced of her defeat, even to the point of being considered utterly defeated. Even though Higashino Suetsuki used a small trick to achieve the desired effect, overall, Higashino Suetsuki outmaneuvered her in terms of logic, strategy, and deduction throughout the entire game, leading her into a trap of calculation even before the game began.

...The eldest daughter of the Dongyun family is truly terrifying. What kind of environment did she grow up in?

"Since you've said that, what else can I say? Alright, let's move on. You've won."

She waved her hand helplessly; that was all she could do.

"Thank you, we'll be going now."

Asakawa Riku immediately smiled, bowed slightly, and then pulled away the still chattering Shinonome Suetsuki.

Before leaving, Mo Yue at least collected all the scribbled-on scraps of paper from the table, so it seems he wasn't so rude after all and still knew the basic rules.

Defeating Principal Komiya was a pleasant surprise. This game of "rock, paper, scissors" seems simple, but with the addition of custom hand gestures, it actually becomes very complex.

Even Asakawa Riku had to admit that if he hadn't been an observer, he would have had a hard time keeping up with their train of thought, let alone going up on stage to compete himself.

The logical thinking and computational abilities required to devise strategies, countermeasures, react, and think within just a few seconds are terrifying.

Therefore, he was very grateful to Moyue for bringing the class's hopes to this point, a place that other challengers had never reached before, and victory was within reach.

"There are only two more challenges left."

As soon as Asakawa Riku left the principal's office, he began to make plans.

He was actually very curious. If the gatekeeper of the third level was the vice principal, then who would be the gatekeeper of the remaining two levels? Did they have to bring out the principal?

That's unlikely. The student council doesn't have that much influence. It's probably someone from the student council; there won't be any teachers involved.

"So what exactly does the number three mean...? Other people's gun gesture is the strongest gesture, at least it has a symbolic meaning, but yours is completely meaningless."

Shinonome Suetsuki replied listlessly:

“This isn’t the number three. You have to look at it upside down. This is the number chuan. This is my weakest gesture, which means ‘Chuanqian is the weakest.’”

"You guy..."

Asakawa Riku was so angry she laughed. This guy was acting like a primary school student. She even wanted to punch him.

But in that instant, out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly noticed that Higashikuni Suetsuki staggered.

"what happened to you?"

Asakawa Riku hadn't even made a move yet, so why was she suddenly like this? He quickly supported her and then noticed that her complexion was not good.

Her already pale face turned even paler, and her lifeless expression and weak tone indicated that she was not in a bad mood, but rather that her condition was worrying.

You could sense the pain hidden in the detective's furrowed brows and furrowed eyes.

"You didn't take your medicine..."

"Is it already at its breaking point?"

Asakawa Riku exclaimed in surprise.

After leaving the agency and arriving at school, he played games here. About two hours later, although he usually saw detectives taking medication frequently, he didn't expect such a strong reaction.

I touched her forehead and didn't see any signs of fever, but there were some beads of sweat. Her steps and breathing were also a little unsteady, so she seemed to be in a lot of pain.

"I've been using my brain too much..."

His voice was trembling, like he was experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Riku Asakawa then realized that she had thought the aftereffects of the last moon would require her to "die once" to accumulate memories and that medication would be needed to forget them. But she hadn't expected that recalling her previous memories and using her brain to calculate would also deplete her mental energy. This was necessary to maintain her highly focused thinking ability, but if she didn't take her medication in time, she would enter this withdrawal state.

It seems that her battle with Principal Komiya just now was not as easy as she had imagined; she had given it her all.

"Don't go, I'll take you home."

Asakawa Riku immediately replied.

But Mo Yue shook his head: "There are still two levels left, didn't you say so?"

"Your health is definitely more important than the competition. If this continues, I'm afraid your head will explode."

Asakawa Riku pulled her back, but Suezuki, like a stubborn child, stood still and refused to retreat.

"...Don't...don't pull me. I won't give up halfway. Since I've come to take on the challenge, I'm going to be the one who finishes it."

A proud smile still lingered on his face.

He's such a child who never grew up.

Although Asakawa Riku could carry her away directly, being too rough wouldn't be good, and it might worsen her condition. He would have to find another way to ask:

"Why don't you wait here? I'll go back to the office now, get the medicine, and come right back?"

I heard last time that Shinonome Suetsuki's "forgetfulness drug" was a specially made dangerous drug. Not only was it expensive, but it could only be bought through the Shinonome family's supply channels. Ordinary pharmacies would not sell it. Therefore, Asakawa Riku could only rush back to his office in Shibuya. He was faster than the subway and train, but the Tokyo city area was crowded, and it would take at least twenty minutes to go back and forth.

"No, no need."

But Mo Yue shook her head and insisted on looking ahead: "Let's continue. I have a feeling that we should be able to get the medicine soon."

Zashiki-warashi no Aki: Chapter 32, Level 4

The fourth stage of the Marineford War is located in the corridor on the fifth floor of the school building.

After the trials of the first three stages, quite a bit of time had passed, and it was almost dark before school ended.

Apart from those who stayed on campus for club activities, most students had gone home, and the upper floors of the school buildings were almost empty.

This atmosphere reminded him of last autumn, when he secretly came to the school building at night to explore ghost stories with his senior, Chizuko.

Going too far again.

Therefore, because there were few people around, Asakawa Riku spotted his target at a glance.

"I didn't expect anyone to actually make it through this stage. You guys are quite something."

He was a boy wearing glasses and a crisp shirt. The style of his bow tie indicated that he was a third-year student, and his meticulous dressing style made him seem like a disciplinary committee member.

There were no superfluous decorations; just like his face, it was square and upright, solemn and proud.

"Senior, I'm Asakawa Riku from Class 2-B of the second year of high school, and this is—"

Just as Asakawa Riku was about to make his introduction, he was interrupted by him reaching out:

"There's no need to introduce her. She's not a student at our school, is she? Today isn't the school festival yet. In the future, unless it's an open day, please don't bring your personal relationships onto campus. I can pretend I didn't see the trespassing incident today, but you know that only students from our school can participate in the challenge, right?"

The senior student said coldly.

"Of course, she was just observing."

Asakawa Riku immediately changed his tune.

It seems I can't fool this guy. After all, this senior is a stranger, not someone I know, and he seems to be the kind of person who takes things very seriously. It's not good to ask him to be lenient or make an exception.

Perhaps because of his impression of the previous levels, he thought that the gatekeepers he would face today would all be familiar faces, but he didn't expect to encounter a complete stranger.

"It's alright, my assistant is enough to defeat you, there's no need for a general to come out."

Even after all this, she still can't resist spouting trash talk; this woman is truly incorrigible.