[How do you define a genius? Exceptional memory? Lightning-fast, computer-like information processing skills?]
[Some abilities shine brilliantly on stage, while others reveal themselves in the small details of daily life.]
[What kind of food do they like? How well do they manage their own lives? Do they have their own worries too?]
[Focused on the front and back stages of geniuses, this program exclusively presents their daily lives!]
[Morning, 5:50 AM]
"Mmm, what time is it now... 5:50 in the morning."
"Even though the weather forecast said it'd be cold today, it's still hard to get out of bed."
"Anyway, I should at least wash up and wake myself up."
The camera, mounted on the desk, starts to move and captures a first-person view of the room. It opens the door and heads toward the sink, where a mirror reflects the figure being filmed.
With a toothbrush in one hand and a cup in the other, Kitagawa Ryo spits out a mouthful of foamy water, his hair still sticking up messily from sleep:
"You're asking if I prefer brushing my teeth or washing my face?"
"What kind of weird question is that?"
He switches the toothbrush to his left hand and, with a mouthful of toothpaste foam, replies vaguely:
"But if I had to choose, brushing teeth is definitely more interesting than washing my face."
"Do kids really hate brushing their teeth? From toothpaste to toothbrush design, society is doing everything it can to make us like brushing our teeth."
He spits out another mouthful of foam and says seriously:
"You know, even before I ever tasted any fancy fruits, I had already tried toothpaste flavors like tangerine, strawberry, watermelon, orange..."
"No need to worry about cavity prevention, whitening, or gum protection. For kids like us, nice appearance and good smell are the most important."
After brushing comes the boring task of washing his face. A hot towel covers his face, and in this season, it's actually a rather pleasant experience.
Once he's done with his morning routine, Ryo receives a task card from the production team:
[Please write your real favorite and least favorite foods in the space below.]
After filling it out seriously, about twenty minutes later, Kitagawa Ryo gets into the production team's van.
Leaning his head against the window and watching the scenery flash by, he slowly closes his eyes. According to the filming schedule, up next is his "first meeting" with Sakayanagi Arisu. It sounds odd, considering they already know each other, but Director Oogawa chose the classic "boy meets girl" storyline to start things off.
But Ryo doesn't care much about that. What he's really thinking about are the things Arisu told him yesterday during the first shoot.
"Reality-based" and "information gap."
To be honest, it wasn't until she pointed it out that Ryo realized—compared to Sakayanagi Arisu, he was actually the one standing on the higher ground of accumulated information advantages.
For Kitagawa Ryo, every simulation is an accumulation of intelligence and data. The more simulations he runs, the more dominant his information advantage becomes in the next one.
The most obvious example was the simulation involving Horikita Suzune. The key to his one-shot success was the information gap—like having the strategy guide or returning to the beginner village at max level.
Even in Arisu's first simulation, Ryo's method hadn't changed: gather intel now to prepare for the next simulation. The previous one was about her personality and childhood; this time, it was about the secrets of the White Room.
But Arisu's words had forced Ryo to reassess everything he had planned so far.
Knowing everything about someone—their past, their likes and dislikes, their personality—before even getting close... That kind of overwhelming information advantage might bring a sense of security.
But—
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"Alright, with that, both of our little protagonists for this episode are finally here."
Sitting at opposite ends of a long table, Kitagawa Ryo and Sakayanagi Arisu locked eyes briefly before simultaneously turning to look out the window. The distant sounds of rustling pines, wind, and crashing waves rolled in one after another, naturally becoming the perfect background soundtrack.
"We'd also like to thank Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School for their generous support and for providing the venue."
After reading from her script, the on-site director looked up with a smile and addressed them:
"As you can see, the location we are currently at..."
"...is an uninhabited island overseas."
Kitagawa Ryo raised a hand to his forehead. No wonder the scenery had felt so familiar from the start—this was the very same deserted island used during the first-year summer special exam. He even recalled leading Class C in song and dance along the nearby beach.
Upon hearing the words "uninhabited island," Sakayanagi Arisu's expression didn't change much, but a subtle tension seemed to run through her posture.
After all, no matter how much of a genius she was, she was still only a seven-year-old girl—and just a year ago, she'd spent most of her time confined to a sickbed.
"Of course, we won't be asking either of you to survive in the wilderness."
Noticing the visible relief on Arisu's face, the director handed them their next task card:
"Although you're not very familiar with each other yet, over the next three days, cooperation will be essential for a comfortable experience."
"So, the first task for today is—"
"Your Partner's Lunch."
Ryo curiously unfolded the card:
[Your Partner's Lunch: Within a 5 km radius of the base, there are over ten ingredient stations. The food items placed are based on each participant's previously completed food preference cards. Participants must solve puzzles at each station to acquire ingredients. The higher the score, the better the ingredient quality.]
[Deadline for ingredient retrieval: 12:00 noon. Both participants must return to base by then to receive the next task.]
"You might not fully understand just from reading the card, but it's essentially a trivia-for-prizes game. You both should be great at this."
The director didn't elaborate further and crossed her arms as if ready to watch a show.
Whether it was a hint of rivalry or not, Arisu was quick to act. While Ryo was still leisurely getting out of his chair, she had already jogged ahead.
Sakayanagi Arisu had always been fiercely competitive—some things never changed, no matter the timeline.
Stretching lazily with his hands behind his head, Kitagawa Ryo strolled outside.
He quickly saw through the production team's intentions. They would likely have to cook a meal for each other using the ingredients gathered—a warm-up bonding activity for the first episode.
But now that he thought about it, Ryo realized he didn't actually know what Arisu liked to eat.
Following the map, he walked to the first ingredient station, deep in thought.
Upon arrival, the staff handed him a puzzle. To his amusement, it was a mental math challenge involving multi-digit multiplication and division.
He breezed through the problems with ease and received the top-tier prize: a fancy pack of... fruit gummies.
"Is this for real?"
Ryo held the candy pack by one corner, questioning the staff.
"Yes. These were listed on Arisu-sama's card—as either her favorites or dislikes."
"If it's something she hates..."
Stuffing the gummies into his pocket, Ryo headed off toward the next station.
Meanwhile, Arisu had also picked up on the show's concept. But instead of focusing on the quiz format, she was more preoccupied with something else—especially after recalling what she had written on her own card.
"Yes, the ingredients here are based on what Ryo listed as either his favorites or dislikes."
She confirmed her suspicion with the staff at the first station.
After answering a "multi-subject mixed knowledge quiz," she received her ingredient: a portion of raw ramen noodles.
"Ramen...?"
Handed over in a bag, the cut noodles left her unsure whether they were liked or hated. Puzzled, she continued to the next station.
After spending quite a bit of time on another quiz, she received the second ingredient: a bunch of fresh green cilantro.
A quick glance at the time showed 40 minutes remaining until the noon deadline. Given her pace, she had time to visit one more station.
Carrying a bag of noodles and a bag of herbs, Arisu couldn't help but feel like she'd just come back from a market run. She laughed to herself, realizing she still wasn't sure whether Ryo even liked these ingredients.
Feeling lighter in spirit, she soon reached the third station and obtained her final ingredient: an assortment of condiment bottles—soy sauce, vinegar, and more.
But with time running short, she returned to base with what she had.
Not seeing Ryo around, she was handed a new task card by the director:
[Your Partner's Lunch: Based on your understanding of your partner, use the gathered ingredients to make a dish you think they would enjoy.]
As expected, the task unfolded just as predicted. However... Sakayanagi Arisu didn't know how to cook.
Fortunately, the production team was prepared. They assured her that post-editing would cover most of the process—she only needed to pose for the camera and give seasoning instructions.
"Seasoning instructions?"
"Yes, things like noodle firmness, soup flavor, vinegar-to-chili ratio. And, of course, whether or not to add this."
The show's personal chef pointed to the pre-prepped cilantro.
Shouldn't they be asking the person himself?
Sensing her hesitation, the chef chuckled:
"Nobody gets it right on the first try. It's only through experience that you learn."
"Besides, who knows? He might be cooking something you don't like too."
Unable to help herself, Arisu laughed and gave a determined nod:
"Then add it all in!"
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"Black coffee with the same taste as 'Palette'!"
"A sweet dessert I remember seeing Arisu eat once!"
Unlike Sakayanagi Arisu, who had only explored three ingredient points, Kitagawa Ryo—who had started off slower—ended up being far more efficient. He swept through six or seven of the food stations and, thanks to his cooking skills, managed to assemble everything into the dish he had envisioned.
The on-site director and standby chefs couldn't help but wipe sweat from their foreheads. Partly out of amazement at Ryo's cooking abilities—and partly due to the uncertainty surrounding the final product.
"So this is what you think the other person would like?" the director asked, eyeing the dark black coffee on the table with a complicated expression.
"It should... be fine, I think." Ryo, too, became slightly unsure due to the director's doubtful tone. Still, in his memory, Arisu had always seemed to enjoy black coffee—though he often wanted to comment that someone with a weak heart really shouldn't be drinking it.
"Alright then." Seeing that Ryo had confirmed it, the director nodded. "The final part of your mission: deliver your meal to the other and exchange."
And so, Kitagawa Ryo and Sakayanagi Arisu returned to the long table from three hours earlier.
"'Their Lunch'—Taste Test Segment—officially begins now."
Ryo stared at the bowl of ramen covered in minced cilantro with a conflicted expression. Arisu, on the other hand, frowned at the inky cup of black coffee before her.
"Do I look like someone who likes eating this?"
"Do I look like someone who likes drinking this?"
They both voiced their complaints at the same time.
Then they froze for a moment—before speaking in unison again:
"Ryo doesn't eat cilantro?"
"Arisu doesn't drink black coffee?"
Arisu pouted. "Picky eater."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "I just don't like it, simple as that."
Then as if recalling something, Ryo fished into his pocket and pulled out the bag of candies.
"Don't tell me this is what you don't like?"
"And what if it is?"
"You'll get cavities."
"You'll get cavities."
"I won't. I brush my teeth every day."
A short silence.
Then the whole set burst into laughter.
For the production crew, this segment's results were already more than satisfactory. The director signaled that the filming was done and they were free to chat as they liked.
So the two began quietly picking the cilantro out of the ramen bowl together while chatting.
"I do like ramen, but it has to be firm noodles, mildly spicy with a splash of vinegar, and light broth. Most importantly—"
"No cilantro, right."
"Yes!"
"Arisu let the cilantro ruin a perfectly good bowl of ramen."
"Same to you. I think even my dad would frown at this black coffee you gave me."
"I repent."
Arisu unwrapped a fruit candy and popped it into her mouth.
"Honestly."
"But fine."
"Just remember next time. I'll remember your preferences too."
"That's touching, but I already filled the whole card this morning."
"If it's real, you can fill as many as you want."
—— Silence.
"Was that too soon to say after just meeting again?"
"No, no."
Ryo shook his head and said while chewing the candy:
"I just realized this orange-flavored fruit candy doesn't taste as good as the same-flavored toothpaste."
"Is it not sweet enough?"
"Oh, it's actually too sweet. I'm not used to it anymore."
Ryo added:
"But I guess I'll get used to it eventually."
Like? Or not like?
When it came to Sakayanagi Arisu, perhaps this was never something that could be defined by an information gap.
So to hell with that.
He crunched the candy between his teeth.
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