About the White Room (Continued)

"Are you asking a question you already know the answer to? Of course, it's about that thing the Student Council uploaded to the School Forum." Sakayanagi picked up his cup and blew on it.

"Oh, isn't it already clearly written there? Or is this version not to your liking?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing, I have another version here." As he spoke, Shuichi Kanda took out his phone. "After Ayanokoji received the love letter, he went to the rooftop alone. Before Ibuki could even confess, Ryuen went straight for Ayanokoji, who had stolen his love, but was beaten down by Ayanokoji. He also gave Ibuki, who came to mediate, a good beating as well."

This was sent to Shiina after Shuichi Kanda returned to his dorm.

She had two versions in mind, but ultimately chose the one she had mentioned during the day. In fact, it didn't matter which version it was, as long as the logic was sound.

Reality is sometimes more fantastical than fiction. If someone like Ayanokoji, who was trained in a closed institution for fifteen years, exists, what else is impossible?

In comparison, Shiina's story is much more credible.

"You should know that's not what I'm asking."

"Can't accept it? You tried everything, even risking your life, to hide his strength, and he just exposed it so easily. Are you disappointed?"

Sakayanagi remained silent, only gripping his cane tightly.

"Ayanokoji's father came to the school a few days ago."

Shuichi Kanda's sudden revelation caused Sakayanagi's expression to change.

"I happened to overhear some of their conversation in the Counseling Room. Later, your father, Chairman Sakayanagi, also got involved."

Sakayanagi felt uneasy because she was unaware of the situation.

"Ayanokoji's father wanted him to drop out of school, but Ayanokoji is still here, so you should know what happened even if I don't tell you."

"Yes, I can imagine, but I'm more curious about how you know what they were talking about."

Sakayanagi immediately noticed the hidden message in Shuichi Kanda's words.

"That's easy."

As he spoke, Shuichi Kanda opened a file on his phone.

Would you like to sit down? I came here specifically to see you.

I don't plan to sit down and chat for long. I have an appointment with a friend later.

Hearing the voice coming from the phone, Sakayanagi Arisu's face showed disbelief. "You planted a listening device in the Counseling Room?"

Who knows?

Shuichi Kanda put away his phone and then looked at Sakayanagi Arisu: "So, what is the White Room?"

Why should I tell you?

Sakayanagi glared at Shuichi Kanda with an unfriendly expression.

Sakayanagi Arisu's reaction amused Shuichi Kanda: "What, you can ask me for information, but I can't ask you questions? You're so hypocritical, Litter Girl."

Shuichi Kanda's words silenced Sakayanagi; it seemed that getting information from him would indeed require offering something in return.

However, she subconsciously wanted to keep Ayanokoji's matter a secret, so she overlooked these things for a moment.

"Besides these, what else would you like to know?"

"I have many questions, but it seems you can only answer the one I just asked."

How will you know if I can answer if you don't ask?

Shuichi Kanda's disdainful words ignited Sakayanagi's stubbornness.

"Oh? Really? Do you know how to treat amnesia? Do you know what the sudden tsunami on the East Coast last year was about? Do you know what kind of person I used to be?"

Shuichi Kanda's three probing questions left Sakayanagi Arisu speechless.

"I don't know why you care so much about Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, but in my opinion, he's just a guy who's a little clever, good at fighting, but completely emotionally unsound."

"Ayanokoji is a true genius; you underestimate him."

Sakayanagi Arisu shook her head, refuting Shuichi Kanda's words.

"Then let's say he's a genius. Why are you so concerned about him? Based on his conversation with his father, Ayanokoji should have spent a full fifteen years in that place called the White Room. Did you also spend time there?"

However, as soon as the question was asked, Shuichi Kanda shook his head and immediately denied it.

"No, you've probably only been there; your situation is different from Ayanokoji's."

"Why? How do you know this?!"

Seeing Sakayanagi's nervous expression, Shuichi Kanda scoffed.

"Isn't this simple? From their conversation, we can deduce that 'White Room' is probably a code name for some kind of organization."

"So, what kind of organization is this? Just from the name, it's impossible to guess. But if we imagine that Ayanokoji is a product of this organization, then it's not hard to guess that it's a talent incubation center, right?"

"However, I suspect there might be some problems with this talent incubation base, otherwise there would be no information about it online, wouldn't you agree?"

Sakayanagi Arisu silent. To be able to deduce so much useful information from just those brief conversations—were the current direct descendants of the Kanda Family really that capable?

The Kanda Family is said to be able to communicate with the gods. Each generation of direct descendants consists of only one man and one woman. The man knows the past, while the woman can actively foresee the future.

This secret is known only to families with a long history, and Sakayanagi's mother's family happens to have some connection with the Kanda Family, which is why they know some of the inside information.

However, an unexpected event occurred in this generation.

The current direct descendant of the Kanda Family, Shuichi Kanda, was caught in a tsunami and lost his memory, thus losing his ability to know the past.

Therefore, Shuichi Kanda was expelled from his family and sent to this school.

However, Sakayanagi Arisu has no idea how much of this is shrouded in secrecy.

But now it seems, is his ability to know the past returning?

Sakayanagi Arisu wasn't superstitious until her father took her to see the Kanda Shrine Maiden, Sakurare Kanda. From that moment on, she had a deep belief in the power of the Kanda Family.

Now, Shuichi Kanda's performance has made her feel even more frustrated.

How can ordinary humans possibly fight against those favored by the gods?

"You're right." Sakayanagi Arisu's expression suddenly turned serious. "I will tell you everything I know, but I hope that after you hear it, you can help me create an opportunity, an opportunity to defeat Ayanokoji."

Why are you so obsessed with defeating Ayanokoji?

Shuichi Kanda still doesn't understand Sakayanagi Arisu's persistence.

"You'll understand after you hear my story," Sakayanagi said with a smile.

"Okay, I agree."

Sakayanagi wanted to defeat Ayanokoji, which wouldn't affect him much, so Shuichi Kanda immediately agreed.

"In fact, just as Kanda guessed, the White Room is a talent incubation base. As for why it's called the White Room, it's because its exterior is painted white. No, not just the exterior, but also the interior facilities, corridors, and small rooms are all painted white."

"Wait a minute, I can't help but complain when I hear this. It's all white, won't people get snow blindness?"

Shuichi Kanda's face immediately showed a look of doubt. Could anyone really live in a place like that? Wouldn't they be afraid of going blind?

Sakayanagi Arisu was also speechless when asked the question, and after thinking for a while, she continued to explain.

"I don't know about that, but Ayanokoji's eyes don't seem to have any problems, so I think there must be some kind of protective measure in place."

Shuichi Kanda nodded. "I understand, please continue."

"The White Room is less a talent incubator and more a laboratory for artificially creating geniuses."

Children are sent there from a young age to receive a brutal education; those who do not meet the standards are eliminated, while those who do continue their education. Ayanokoji is the first student to graduate from there in over a decade.

"How could any parent send their child to a place like that?"

"They are all children who cannot be brought into the light of day, and children abandoned by their parents."

That made Shuichi Kanda understand—children who were abandoned by their parents at birth, and the illegitimate children of important figures.

However, Shuichi Kanda narrowed his eyes. Even Sakayanagi used the word "cruel" to describe it, so it was easy to imagine what kind of Matoba it would be.

No, the closed-off education system alone is already incredibly cruel. Furthermore, those who don't meet the standards are eliminated. Are you treating children like tools to be trained?

For some reason, two words popped into Shuichi Kanda's mind: raising poisonous insects!

It would be truly bizarre if anyone who came out of here were normal!

"This experiment is very inhumane."

Shuichi Kanda expressed his opinion, which was immediately agreed upon by Sakayanagi Arisu.

"That's right, and I believe geniuses can't be artificially created."

"That's true. Human talent is etched into our DNA; it's a product of chance. Education merely stimulates the potential that humans already possess."

Shuichi Kanda's idea made Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes light up.

This guy actually shares my opinion, so he doesn't seem so annoying after all.

"Therefore, even if a child survives the course, it is only because of their parents' talent."

Upon hearing this, Shuichi Kanda's lips curled into a mocking smile.

"But the facility's owner probably won't think that way. If the children inside do something to be proud of, he'll loudly proclaim it as an experiment... no, as the result of education."

Sakayanagi Arisu was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Then the White Room, which was originally a mistake, might be formalized from now on. In that case, it's not hard to imagine what will happen in the future."

Shuichi Kanda also fell silent.

The people in this world are truly twisted!

No, the pervert should be Ayanokoji's father. It's not hard to tell from their conversation that he's the person in charge of the White Room.

How could someone send their own son to such a place...?

That's really ruthless.

Shuichi Kanda thought Ayanokoji only had some issues, but now it seems this guy's problems are far more serious.

"So, you want to defeat him because you want to prove that this facility is flawed?"

Sakayanagi Arisu nodded. "This is something I promised my father when I was thinking about it."

"Then you've already lost, haven't you? Your congenital disability means you're destined never to become a genius like Ayanokoji."

Sure enough, this guy is still really annoying!

"I just have a heart condition, not a disability!" Sakayanagi corrected him with a displeased expression.

Is there any difference?

"Hmph! I've told you what I know. Now it's your turn to keep your promise. You're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"

Sakayanagi Arisu Shuichi Kanda with an unfriendly expression.

"No problem. How do you want to defeat him? Do you need me to arrange a meeting with him?"

"If only it were that simple. I've already told him my request, but he refuses every time."

Shuichi Kanda nodded. That's more like it. No matter how abnormal that guy is, he wouldn't easily agree to Sakayanagi's inexplicable request.

So what are you planning to do?

"I hope to face him in the Special Exam."

That's it?

Shuichi Kanda eyebrow.

That's fine.

"Didn't you already lose at the Sports Festival?"

"Kanda- kun, sometimes I really want to take my cane and smash your head open until it bleeds!"

Sakayanagi's face was filled with more than just ordinary anger.

"Alright, I'll make arrangements if there's a chance later. I, Shuichi Kanda, keep my word."

"That's perfect then." Sakayanagi smiled. "By the way, can you tell me about what happened on the forum now?"

"Of course... no."