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The rules of this game are as follows;
First, the participants can ask questions that can be answered by yes or no.
Second, the one who answers can add an explanation, depending on whether they want to, but they can’t lie.
Third, the participants are to refrain from asking overly specific questions, something like “Is it a glove?”
If you ask a question that is too obvious, someone else might get the correct answer first.
Hwang Jiho seemed to want to be questioned right away, but the other kids were cautious.
“What do you guys think?”
“He usually gives us good food. I think it’s something he made himself.”
“The question is what food he prepared.”
“I think it’s cake since it’s Lena’s birthday.”
As similar opinions continued to pour out, the kids who didn’t think much about it began to agree that it was cake knowing that Hwang Jiho makes good food and it’s fitting to gift a cake on a birthday.
Those things are obvious, but they seem to have nothing to do with the gift that Hwang Jiho chose.
‘Hwang Jiho said we won’t get it if we think too shallow. I haven’t asked any questions yet, so it’s dangerous to conclude.’
Information that seems less relevant could get me caught up in an illusion that is unnecessary or wrong, and my view would narrow.
However, ignoring, manipulating, and fitting clues doesn’t change the truth.
No matter how plausible their hypotheses are, the gift inside the box wouldn’t change.
‘But it’s a game, so getting the right answer must be fun.’
I decided to look forward to what my classmates would guess.
Still, I don’t like being played by this old man, so I’ll do my best to get it right.
“Then I’ll ask you a question. Did you make it yourself?”
Kwon Lena had the right to ask the first question.
Hwang Jiho nodded.
“The answer is yes. Yours truly has demonstrated his great skill.”
“…!”
Our classmates quickly exchanged glances.
The kids who tasted Hwang Jiho’s cooking more often than those who had only gone to school recently looked confident.
“If it’s Jiho’s skill, then… the answer is obvious.”
“Hmm… Is it really a cake?”
Saeum of April has already written “cake” in his paper.
Kwon Lena wrote “c” and erased it again as if she wanted to think about it further.
The next question was asked by the latest addition to our class, Jin Jungmok.
“Considering only the value of the raw materials, does it exceed the price of the guidelines set by the class?”
Jin Jungmok, who’s yet to have many opportunities to taste Hwang Jiho’s cooking, asked a relatively objective question.
One of the guidelines for the gift was that it cannot cost above Eungwang High scholarship part-time job compensation.
Overly expensive gifts are burdensome, and we didn’t want that.
As a bonus, it also prevents Mok Wooram from going bankrupt.
However, the second rule exempts those that are handmade.
This rule was implemented because of Min Geurin, considering the value of the art that she makes.
Hwang Jiho really liked that rule.
— No matter how much food this body makes, you can’t eat it carelessly. We need this clause because my cooking is highly valuable.
The Class Zero kids took lightly the words of the chaebol, but he wasn’t wrong.
After all, it’s food made by the head of the Tiger clan.
“The answer is no. But considering the value of this body, you may say yes. Most of it is made by me.”
In other words, without the input of Hwang Jiho’s labor, the gift is of little value.
“Eggs, flour, sugar, butter… the cost of ingredients themselves isn’t much if it’s a cake.”
“Yeah, he mentioned his cooking when we were talking about the guidelines for the gift too.”
Saeum of April and Dokgo Miro began to pitch in.
From the flow of conversation, it really does seem like a cake.
Next to ask was Ong Gildong.
“Is it big and fancy?”
I don’t think the answer would help us at all…
Is he worried that Hwang Jiho’s gift will get more attention than his?
“That’s an abstract question. I’ll answer it as objectively as I can. It could be, yes, compared to the things that this body hasn’t made but have the same properties. Is the external an important factor?”
“Hm, Jiho’s dishes are always big and fancy.”
Another kid was reeled into the cake conspiracy.
Hwang Jiho answered more questions, all leading to the idea that it was a cake.
Next to question was Hani.
“Does it have sugar in it?”
“The answer is no. This body considers the health of his friends.”
The cake faction shook for a moment at the answer, but recalling the existence of sugar-free cakes, they regained stability.
“Instead of sugar, I guess it has other sweeteners.”
“He’s worried about Hani eating too much sweets.”
“MITRON’s cake is delicious, but it has a lot of sugar. Did he make another cake in consideration of Hani?”
Hwang Jiho’s answer reinforced the cake theory.
Song Daesok once commented something about being careful of diabetes, and Hwang Jiho took it to heart.
Hani refrained from eating sugar from then.
Still, it’s questionable whether that would have led to him choosing to gift Lena a cake.
‘The only thing I know is that there’s no sugar in Hwang Jiho’s gift. Hwang Jiho has to answer yes or no, and he can’t lie. Those are the two things.’
Many of the kids already wrote “cake” as their answer.
Next was Mok Wooram’s turn.
“…Does it make a sound?”
The class was puzzled by his question.
Does he think Hwang Jiho made a musical instrument?
“Can he make an instrument?”
“Hahaha! If it’s simple then I can make it.”
Mok Wooram flinched upon hearing that Hwang Jiho could make instruments.
Even so, I don’t think this old man can make an energy violin, so I don’t see any reason for Mok Wooram to be nervous.
“Let me answer first. The answer is yes. Don’t forget that things other than musical instruments can make a sound. My gift can make sounds, but I don’t recommend it.”
“Cakes can make a sound if you throw it.”
“I should’ve asked a more careful question. I’m sorry.”
“No! That was an interesting question.”
Most of the kids already made up their minds, so what question should be asked at this point?
The subsequent questions were asked mainly for fun, and my turn finally came.
“Did you make it for the safety of the person who will receive the gift?”
Half of the kids thought my question was just for fun.
However, Hwang Jiho answered with a knowing look on his face.
“The answer is yes. It’s also made with the feeling of gratitude. Without her sacrifice, some people would’ve gotten hurt.”
“Ah…”
Realizing what Hwang Jiho was referring to, the kids spat out small exclamations.
The Lake of Eternity members, who were watching us play with smiles, looked solemn.
They must be very concerned about the incident too.
‘My answer is set.’
Hwang Jiho’s response reminded me of what Hwang Jiho wanted to give to Kwon Lena.
Perhaps he wanted to give her an energy violin at first, but Kwon Lena wouldn’t accept it.
Whether as the chairman of Eungwang High or as a classmate, there’s no way he could’ve given her a violin.
‘In the first place, it would’ve been hard to get one…. How can Hwang Jiho get one when even Kwon Jein can’t?’
I put all the clues together and concluded.
Shortly before disclosing the answer, Hwang Jiho added something.
“I’ll acknowledge it even if you don’t get it in detail.”
“What, if we don’t get the flavor of the cake right?”
“Hahaha! That’s right.”
“Then it’s really a cake!”
The kids who wrote “cake” as their answer seemed to be thinking about what to scribble on Hwang JIho’s face.
After we wrote our answers and submitted them, Hwang Jiho’s gift was finally revealed.
“My gift is now unveiled!”
Hwang Jiho opened the box, and as I expected, an item card was inside.
“Oh? Where’s the cake?”
“…An item card?”
“Can cakes be carded?”
“It’s an SSR-rank card, he made it himself!”
The Cake Faction was confused.
Holding up an item card in a transparent gift card case, Hwang Jiho spoke.
“Three people got it right. Excellent.”
A hologram emerged behind Hwang Jiho.
There were three names, including me.
[Kim Yuri] Boundary item card! ^^
[Song Daesok] Defense-related item that’s similar or more durable than an energy violin.
[Jo Euishin] Item card that allows for developing defensive boundary.
Among the countless “cake” answers, we three stood out.
It might be a coincidence, but all three of us know that Hwang Jiho is of the Tiger Clan.
Other than us three who knew Hwang Jiho’s identity was Maeng Hyodon, but the gourmet answered “cake” hoping it was a delicious treat.
“But you said you put some skill into it…”
“This body is good at boundary techniques. I used it to make a present for today’s main character.”
Hwang Jiho never lied.
However, the kids who set their minds from the start eventually reached the wrong answer.
Even Ong Gildong’s question was answered truthfully.
Hwang Jiho handed Kwon Lena the item card.
“Thank you for the hard choices that you made. Next time, use this instead of sacrificing something precious.”
Cake is good too, but that item card was to be expected of Hwang Jiho.
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