Resolute Fate

Chapter 9: You were amazing

"A girl has as many brothers as sisters, but each brother has only half as . ."

"Four sisters and three brothers."

As expected, Zevin delivered his answer before the riddle was even completed. This time, the crowd didn't doubt him; they were starting to anticipate that he was right. Many people were calculating and discussing in groups.

Some desperately wanted him to be wrong to embarrass him, especially Don, while Sera had full confidence in him.

Sera smiled at him and asked, "Have you read this before, pa? Why is it four and three?"

"I think I might have, but I'm mostly guessing so we can finish this off and go," he replied with a grin toward Sera.

He then explained, "This trick question can really confuse you if you overthink it. The key is to keep it simple. And this applies to all the previous riddles. As for this, just count the sisters and brothers in total and in terms of their own number of siblings. Then the answer becomes clearer."

Sera and Dawn looked at him with astonishment and said, "Oh, okay." They then looked at each other, still confused, and laughed.

Amid the commotion, Don fell silent, clenching his teeth and balling his fists. "Damn it! He's too arrogant! Just wait, you brat."

The host then said, "Before we end this round, does anyone else have a different answer?"

The crowd began cheering, knowing no one would challenge Zevin's answer and expecting him to be correct.

"Alright, folks! The gentleman got it right again!"

"Wow, Sera, your boyfriend's really smart!" Dawn commented. Sera hugged Zevin's arm excitedly. "See, Zev? I told you it was a good idea to join this."

Zevin merely smiled, silently hoping the game would end soon.

As the competition progressed, Zevin continued to astound the crowd by effortlessly answering riddles halfway through. Each correct answer was met with a mix of shock and admiration from the audience, while Don seethed with jealousy at his success.

With each correct response, Sera and Dawn couldn't help but be in awe of Zevin's unusual talent, proudly cheering him on. Zena watched from afar, intrigued by Zevin's mysterious ability, her curiosity piqued by his enigmatic demeanor.

"For the last riddle, please pay attention!"

The host announced, "You see a boat filled with people. It has not sunk, but when you look again you don't see a single person on the boat. Why?"

No one answered, expecting Zevin to cut him off again, but to their surprise, the riddle was read in full.

Zevin had lost interest and closed his eyes, resting his head on Sera's shoulder. "Ma, let's go."

"Let's just wait a bit, alright? It's almost done," Sera consoled him, seeing how badly he wanted to leave.

As everyone was still stunned, they brainstormed. Suddenly, Zena raised her hand and answered, "They're all couples."

Zevin looked at Zena and smiled, happy that the event was finally ending and that someone had answered quickly.

"That is correct! The lady in red got it right!"

Eventually, Zevin emerged victorious, having answered most of the riddles halfway through the competition. However, as the host offered him the prize, he declined with disinterest, showing no concern for winning or the reward. Instead, Zevin simply left the arcade with Sera by his side, basking in the warmth of her presence.

Don, desperate for recognition, approached the host and attempted to bribe him in order to claim the prize, claiming he was Zevin's friend. But before Don could proceed, Zena intervened.

"Don isn't someone Zevin knows," Zena remarked. "I will be the one to give the prize to him."

The host, swayed by Zena's words, handed the prize to her, thinking that she was the second-place winner anyway, so it didn't matter. Don, furious and humiliated by the turn of events, stormed off in anger, spreading false rumors about Zevin's supposed collusion with the host.

Unaware of the commotion caused by Don, Zevin and Sera continued their day, their minds filled with laughter and joy as they walked away from the arcade, content in each other's company.

Zevin glanced at Sera and said, "Thanks for convincing me to join. It wasn't so bad after all."

Sera smiled warmly. "See? Sometimes it's good to step out of your comfort zone. Plus it was a good thing, I know logic is your favorite subject."

As they were talking they saw the lady in red approaching.

Zena caught up with the couple and handed them the prize. "You deserve this, Zevin. You were amazing today," she said, offering him the trophy.

Zevin shook his head. "I appreciate it, but I'm not interested in the prize."

"Come on, Zev," Sera urged. "Just accept it. It's a nice memory of today."

After a moment of hesitation, Zevin finally accepted the prize with a small smile. "Alright, for you, ma."

"Thank you miss."

"I'm Zena, and don't mention it. Don, wanted to snatch it away but I thought it was rightfully yours."

Just then, Don and Dawn caught up with them.

Don, gave Zena a sharp gaze upon noticing what she was talking about. This infuriated Zevin and tapped the other man's shoulder.

"Don't touch me brat! You're just a cheater who wants the girls' attention. Haha!"

Don told Zevin.

Dawn leaned in and whispered something in Sera's ear, her expression serious. "There's a rumor going around that Zevin was in cahoots with the host. They're saying he knew all the answers beforehand and was just acting smart."

Sera's eyes widened in surprise. "That's ridiculous! Zevin learned the answers just like everyone else during the game."

"I know, but the host admitted to it," Dawn insisted. "And we all saw how Zevin was able to answer all those easily."

What they didn't know was that Don had bribed the host to lie. When he approached the host earlier, he showed him that he was a gang leader and threatened him, saying he would be in trouble if he didn't admit to the false claim.

Sera frowned, her trust in Zevin unwavering but swayed for a moment by Dawn's insistence. "I still don't believe it. Zevin wouldn't do that."

Zevin, overhearing the conversation, squeezed Sera's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry about it ma."

Sera nodded, her confidence in Zevin restored. "You're right. Let's just enjoy the rest of our day."

"Thank you Dawn, but I trust him."

As they walked away, Zena watched them with envy as she sighed. Don, meanwhile, seethed in silence, his plan against Zevin only fueling his determination to find another way to separate him from Sera.

While walking, Zevin handed the prize over to Sera. "Ma, your sibling's birthday is coming up and I think this latest xbox will be a wonderful present for him."

Sera declined and said, "no pa, its yours. You won it."

"I insist ma, just tell Calvin its from both of us. I'd be happy to let him have this."

"Alright, if you insist. Let's give it to him together later, what do you think?"

"Sounds good to me Sera! I'll have to take you to your doorstep too, it's getting late."