The White Room Dropout - A CotE Fanfic

Part 34: In Pursuit of Truth

It was the next day, and Kei and I were strolling through the hallway, engaged in a lighthearted conversation about various random and casual topics. She turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Kiyotaka, I have a riddle for you," she announced, her voice filled with intrigue.

I glanced at her, my expression unchanged, ready to tackle the intellectual challenge she presented. "Go ahead," I replied, my tone even and composed.

Kei took a moment to gather her thoughts before posing the riddle. "You come across a fork in the road. One path leads to certain death, while the other path leads to freedom. At the fork, you encounter two guards. One guard always tells the truth, while the other always lies. You can ask only one question to one of the guards. What question do you ask to determine the correct path?"

"There is a way to determine the correct path," I answered, my voice unwavering. "I would ask either guard, 'If I were to ask the other guard which path leads to freedom, what would they say?'"

Kei's eyes widened slightly, impressed by the simplicity and effectiveness of my response. "Exactly," she acknowledged a hint of admiration in her voice. "By asking this question, you can interpret the guard's answer and deduce the correct path."

As Kei's eyes widened slightly, I could sense her admiration for my swift solution to the riddle. She leaned in closer, her voice filled with intrigue.

"Kiyotaka, that's impressive," she remarked, her tone laced with admiration. "I actually came across this riddle on the internet yesterday and couldn't figure it out. But you cracked it instantly."

I maintained my usual calm demeanor, offering a brief explanation. "It was a straightforward riddle, requiring logical deduction based on the guard's response."

Nodding in understanding, Kei's admiration remained unabated. "Still, it's impressive how quickly you deciphered the correct path," she continued, her words filled with fascination. "You have a knack for solving complex problems effortlessly."

Kei's words of admiration lingered in the air, her fascination evident in the unwavering tone of her voice. I nodded in acknowledgment, my expression stoic as ever. Before I could formulate a response, our attention was abruptly seized by a cacophony of voices emanating from the classroom. The sudden chaos startled both of us, momentarily overshadowing our conversation.

The once serene hallway now echoed with heated arguments and raised voices. The classroom door swung open, revealing a scene of disorder. Students were engaged in a frenzied debate, their emotions running high. The cause of their uproar became apparent as I focused on the remnants of decorations scattered across the room, their vibrant colors contrasting with the disarray.

"Who could have done this? It's a complete mess!" exclaimed one student, their frustration palpable.

Another voice retorted with equal fervor, "It's a disgrace! We worked so hard on those decorations, and now they're ruined!"

The clash of opinions reverberated throughout the room, drowning out any attempt at reason. Emotions and tempers flared as the chaos intensified. Kei and I exchanged a brief glance, silently acknowledging the unexpected turn of events.

In the midst of the commotion, Kei's concern led her to approach Matushima, a classmate known for her assertiveness. Kei's voice, laced with genuine worry, cut through the clamor. "Matushima, what's happening? Why is everyone so upset?"

Matushima's face mirrored the frustration and disappointment of the class. Her voice carried a mix of anger and despair as she replied, "Someone deliberately trashed our decorations and equipment!"

With a solemn expression, Matushima retrieved her phone and presented it to Kei. On the screen, a picture revealed the aftermath of the destruction. The decorations, once carefully crafted and arranged, now lay in disarray. The vibrant Yukatas, symbols of celebration, were torn and tattered.