Just as Izumitani had predicted, many of the festival guests weren't particularly interested in the cultural exhibits. The food stalls were basic—yakisoba and sweets—while the service-themed attractions like maid cafés and haunted houses felt childish to the adults. Most had only come to accompany their kids and spent most of the time standing around, watching.
Now, with a rare project that actually piqued interest, more and more parents gathered at the entrance, chatting with growing enthusiasm:
"That's Hase-sensei's kid, right? I heard he's graduating middle school next year. With those scores, he's definitely getting into Advanced Nurturing."
"Oh, not at all. My son is just a few years older than Kanzaki-san's boy, and even he made the leaderboard. And he's only seven!"
"That was probably just because there weren't many entries yet. Look, he's already been bumped off."
"Still, that's pretty amazing. The questions are all based on high school-level material."
These polite exchanges, full of bragging and veiled comparisons, made Class 3-A's booth feel more like a massive parent-teacher conference than a cultural event. While the class raked in profits and the parents enjoyed their casual boasting, the only real losers were the kids, dragged into academic competition on their day off.
With few other appealing options, many parents decided that buying a test booklet was a better use of their points. The pre-printed packets sold out quickly, and 3-A's sales kept climbing.
The excitement not only drew the attention of parents but also teachers from other classes. Some teachers recognized their own names among the "endorsers" on the test papers and could only smirk and shake their heads.
Typical Class 3-A. Only at Advanced Nurturing could such schemes be born.
Though the cultural festival had been held several times now, this was the first time anyone had turned it into a live mock exam marketplace.
Still, the results spoke for themselves. The real-time leaderboard was a hit. Parents kept glancing at it, and once they spotted their child's name, they'd casually (yet very deliberately) mention it aloud, earning envious looks from others.
"It's been a while since we've had such a lively event at the school festival," Sakayanagi Narimori remarked with a smile. He had just finished work and was on his way to find Arisu and Ryo, but the buzz around 3-A's booth drew him in.
As the school's director, his presence added even more prestige to the already booming 3-A booth. Izumitani flushed with excitement and signaled the student emcee to get ready.
Just as Kanzaki Ryuji finished his quiz and lifted his dazed head, a microphone was shoved into his face. One of 3-A's beautifully dressed interviewers waved cheerfully at him while the photographer and lighting crew swooped in.
"Young man, you're the youngest contestant so far. Could you introduce yourself to everyone?"
"Uh... my name is Kanzaki Ryuji."
He had planned to quietly slip away, but seeing his father gesturing from the crowd, he reluctantly answered.
"I've been saying he needs to practice public speaking more," Kanzaki muttered to Narimori beside him. "He's way too quiet."
"He's only seven, Kanzaki. You're expecting too much."
Narimori chuckled softly.
Meanwhile, poor Ryuji endured question after question in front of a crowd of watching parents: How old are you? What grade are you in? You must be very smart, huh? How did it feel taking the test? Do you want to attend Advanced Nurturing in the future?
When he finally escaped, he trudged back to his father looking thoroughly worn out.
"This is Sakayanagi-san."
"Hello, Sakayanagi-san."
"Good kid."
Narimori gently patted Ryuji's head, smiling warmly.
"You must've answered quite a few correctly. I even saw your name on the leaderboard for a bit."
"If I were a few years older, I could've done even better."
Ryuji was exasperated. A first-grader taking middle-to-high school level questions? No matter how good he was, most of the problems were incomprehensible.
"Which makes your achievement even more impressive."
Narimori laughed and adjusted his glasses.
"Actually, I saw Arisu enter earlier. I wonder how she did."
"There's no comparison between Arisu and Ryuji."
"She's still a seven-year-old, Kanzaki. Don't exaggerate."
Despite his words, Narimori glanced at the leaderboard again, clearly interested.
Kanzaki didn't mock him for it. After all, every parent hopes their child will grow.
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While working on the quiz, Arisu found her mind wandering to her feelings over the past few days.
From the start, her view of the boy her father had brought home was akin to that of caring for a small animal.
Her father once said that if the boy could recover, he would be formally adopted into the Sakayanagi family. Arisu didn't understand her father's motivations, but she had always supported his decisions. That included her immediate support to dismantle the White Room when she learned of its horrors and her father's opposition to it.
So she accepted the boy's sudden arrival into her life without resistance.
Her father had poured three people's worth of love into her. She could only return a single person's worth. In the past, her poor health made her suppress that excess emotion. But now she had enough strength to love.
And Ryo, who had lost his parents and grown up in the White Room, was the perfect recipient.
When she held his cold hand in the car, her heart had been overflowing with affection.
But that love was likely compassion, or maternal.
Arisu had heard countless stories about her mother. Facing someone even more fragile than herself, she naturally stepped into that role.
She was a genius born from two exceptional parents. She rejected counterfeit talent but accepted mediocrity.
Thinking of Ryo's behavior today and the things he had said, Arisu smiled faintly.
She needed a lifelong rival—because she was a genius.
She also needed a lifelong partner—because her father had told her that human touch was warm and being loved was a beautiful thing.
At first, she had set her sights on the White Room as her rival and hoped to shape Ryo into her destined love.
But now it seemed Ryo wanted to be the rival.
Maybe she never really understood him at all. But it wasn't too late.
She let go of the mouse. The remaining questions were beyond her current level.
And she clicked "Submit."
-------------------------------------
Just moments ago, he had been humbly downplaying his daughter's achievements—but the instant Sakayanagi Arisu's name appeared on the leaderboard, Sakayanagi Narimori couldn't stop smiling. He even "casually" mentioned that Arisu had just celebrated her seventh birthday.
Kanzaki Ryuji shook his head beside him, not surprised. Arisu had always been that infamous "child from someone else's household" within their circle, and he was long used to it.
Still, when he looked up and saw her name sitting firmly at third place on the board, even he couldn't help but click his tongue in disbelief.
Unlike Ryuji, who had just taken the quiz, nearly a hundred guests had now participated. The current top ten were entirely composed of soon-to-graduate middle school students—all top performers.
For someone Arisu's age to rank third meant her knowledge had already surpassed that of typical middle schoolers. Coupled with her age, the title of "genius" was well earned.
Izumitani was not about to miss this golden opportunity. The moment Arisu rose from her seat, the interview team moved in seamlessly. Arisu glanced at the leaderboard but still didn't see Ryo's name.
"Sakayanagi-san, congratulations on achieving third place!"
The interviewer, a female student, was visibly nervous. Between Arisu's surname and the nearby presence of the school director, it was easy to guess the girl's identity.
Whether due to her impressive score or her background, nearly every parent nearby turned their attention toward her.
"Thank you. Actually, if I took it again, I think I could score even higher."
Despite facing upperclassmen twice her height and a crowd of parents, Arisu remained poised and elegant.
"Sakayanagi-san, your etiquette is truly refined. Is that because of your father?"
Reading from Izumitani's hastily prepared script, the interviewer cringed slightly at the awkward flattery.
"Yes, my father has had a great influence on me. I'm very grateful to him. He is one of the most important people in my life."
Her words earned a pleased smile from Narimori.
"Your performance was remarkable. Do you have any study methods or secrets to share with the other attendees?"
Glad to move to a more neutral question, the interviewer relaxed.
"Hmm... I don't think my methods are very applicable to others."
Arisu responded matter-of-factly.
"From the moment one is born, from the instant life begins, one's potential is already decided. That's what we call genius: innate talent."
Though the answer came off a bit harsh, the interviewer found herself at a loss for a rebuttal. She awkwardly brushed past it.
"Ah, I see... Sakayanagi-san is certainly confident. Ahem, next question."
"Will you be attending Advanced Nurturing in the future?"
A standard question for most, but rather awkward in Arisu's case. After all, her father ran the place. It was never a matter of qualifications or ability.
With both an illustrious background and genuine talent, Arisu had always walked the path of privilege.
The interviewer felt like she was unraveling under the pressure. Her once-proud status as a Class A student didn't feel so special anymore.
"If possible, yes. I would like to attend."
Noticing the girl's discomfort, Arisu toned herself down a bit and replied with a gentle smile.
"Wonderful! We hope your dreams come true, and may today's event leave you with beautiful memories."
Though only the first place winner was promised a mystery prize, Class 3-A still presented Arisu with a small teddy bear as a reward.
They also generously handed out deluxe exam packets to all top scorers.
The children held their workbooks tightly, visibly moved.
Just as Izumitani finished overseeing everything and was about to rest, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
"What happened?"
He grabbed a student heading into the classroom.
"Did someone from another class cause trouble?"
"No way—the crowd outside includes homeroom teachers and even the director. No one's crazy enough to cause trouble."
The boy rolled his eyes.
"Then why the noise?"
"First place just got overtaken."
"That's not enough to stir up a whole crowd."
"Yeah, but the new number one... is the same age as Sakayanagi-san."
The boy let out a bitter laugh. He felt like all his years of studying had been wasted.
"No way!"
"Where's the interview team? Get them back out there!"
Izumitani barked orders as he rushed outside to see for himself.
"They already started the interview."
Someone shouted behind him as Izumitani arrived just in time to see the new center of attention surrounded by onlookers.
It was a child. And if he wasn't mistaken, it was the boy who had arrived with Sakayanagi Arisu.
Izumitani swallowed hard and looked up.
Sure enough, the leaderboard had shifted. The top name now was a single, simple character:
[Ryo]
"Young man, could you tell us a little about yourself?"
The interview had begun.
Izumitani heard his answer:
"Hello, everyone. My name is Ryo. I'm a fourth-generation student from the White Room."
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