"It's mental arithmetic?!"
Upon hearing the name of the second round, Mrs. Matsushita exclaimed with delight.
"Didn't Chiaki take mental arithmetic lessons before?"
"Because Dad said I should build a strong foundation early."
Chiaki sighed. For a bright child like her, cram schools were always about staying one step ahead. Arithmetic, being the foundation of elementary math, meant she had already started learning multi-digit operations at a mental arithmetic school a year before entering elementary school.
To be fair, mental arithmetic—or "dark calculation," as it was sometimes called—was a popular form of training. Chiaki had often been summoned by her father to show off her skills to guests. Sometimes, even she wasn't sure if her answers were correct, but hey—wasn't she fast?
"The golden age for learning mental arithmetic is between ages five and twelve."
Just then, the TV aired a pre-recorded interview with Piaget.
"As I mentioned before, kids at that age are capable of symbolic cognition and memory. The process of mental calculation is essentially a brain workout."
Following Piaget, Sakayanagi Narimori shared his view:
"I once took Arisu to test at the National Mental Arithmetic Education Association."
"They told me that if Arisu dedicated herself to this field, she would become its number one."
Narimori smiled proudly.
"Because when Arisu was just over six years old, her ability was already equivalent to a certified level-nine professional."
After the brief interviews, the host began announcing the rules for the [Speed Mental Arithmetic] segment.
[Round One: Ten increasingly difficult mental arithmetic problems will appear on screen. Each question is worth 1–10 points based on difficulty. Contestants must answer within a set time. After ten questions, scores will be tallied. The higher score wins. If tied, both receive one point.]
Round One focused on accuracy. The time limits were generous enough to allow double-checking.
Sakayanagi Arisu narrowed her gaze, feeling a deep, tranquil determination. Her mind was fixed on one goal—victory.
She didn't even glance at Ryo beside her, instead gripping her pen and staring at the upcoming screen.
At the Matsushita household, Chiaki perked up. Her mental arithmetic was top-notch among her peers. Unlike the previous round, which emphasized memory strain, this one tested real-time information processing.
Chiaki cheered herself on. Her confidence rose!
As the countdown reached zero, the first problem appeared.
[Addition, three-digit numbers, 5 rounds, 5 seconds.]
This meant five three-digit numbers would appear evenly across five seconds.
Before Chiaki could complain about the difficulty, the screen rapidly flashed the numbers:
[231, 653, 965, 346, 894]
While her mother was still mumbling "231 plus 653 equals...", Chiaki arrived at 3089 just before the time ended.
"3089!"
The exact moment she said it, the correct answer flashed on screen—3089.
"Mom! I got it right!"
Chiaki sighed in relief, then acted all cutesy.
"That's great," her mother said, ruffling her hair with a smile. "If Chiaki got it right, then Ryo should be fine too."
?
Chiaki slowly blinked in confusion.
Sure enough, both Ryo and Arisu displayed their answer boards, revealing the correct result.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's impressive," said Chiaki's father.
"I was still punching numbers into my phone's calculator and didn't even finish when Chiaki had the answer."
"And these are just small numbers."
Chiaki blushed at the praise but added modestly:
"If Arisu really has level-nine certification, then Dad, you'll see what it means when even a calculator can't keep up."
Chiaki knew that first question was already near her limit. She relaxed and decided to enjoy the showdown with her parents.
The second question increased to 6 rounds and 4 seconds.
Still, both Ryo and Arisu answered correctly.
By the tenth question, the problem became:
[Mixed addition and subtraction, three-digit numbers, 20 rounds, 4 seconds.]
Each number appeared for just 0.2 seconds. Audience members gasped as numbers flashed and vanished almost instantly.
Forget punching a calculator—even remembering the digits was impossible for most.
Ryo picked up his pen first, quickly writing his answer. Arisu followed, taking a few seconds longer.
Both were correct.
Thunderous applause erupted. People loved watching geniuses excel at something relatable. That's why the 100-meter sprint is considered the crown jewel of athletics—because everyone can run.
The difficulty of the tenth problem had convinced even the skeptics. Regardless of who won, both contestants had proven their genius.
"I declare that in Round One, both Sakayanagi Arisu and Kitagawa Ryo answered all ten questions correctly. The score is tied at 55 to 55."
The host climbed back on stage, visibly impressed.
"Any thoughts from our esteemed guests?"
"In terms of speed, Ryo was faster on several problems, actually," Ayanokouji Atsuomi pointed out, glancing sideways at Narimori.
"So while the score's tied, we all know who really won."
"Arisu simply has a habit of double-checking," Narimori shot back. "Prioritizing accuracy with ample time isn't wrong. That kind of rushed judgment is short-sighted."
Piaget quickly stepped in as mediator, praising both students equally. Kouenji casually muttered that he'd make his son learn mental arithmetic.
After the guest comments, the host turned to the contestants.
"Any words before we begin Round Two of Speed Mental Arithmetic? Arisu first."
"I'll speak after I win."
"Confident as ever, Arisu. Now, Ryo?"
"Whatever I want to say is probably something Arisu couldn't bring herself to."
Though Ryo found her behavior strange, he chose to play along—going all-out was the best way to show respect.
"Now, let's explain the rules of Round Two."
[Round Two: Multi-digit multiplication and division speed challenge.]
[Five increasingly difficult problems. Each worth 1–5 points. Correct = gain points, incorrect = lose points. Higher total wins.]
[Note: First-come, first-served. After one contestant submits an answer, the other's screen goes black and cannot respond.]
"Wait, multi-digit—how many digits? Two? Three?"
"Probably four," Chiaki guessed.
She had learned up to three-digit multiplication in cram school—on paper, not mentally. Multiplication was much harder than addition.
More than the difficulty, Chiaki was concerned about the buzz-in rule.
As a top student, she knew the pain of figuring out an answer only to lose because someone else raised their hand faster.
This rule could be crushing.
Fall behind, and you're done.
Before she could dwell on it, the match resumed.
No ads, no sponsors—just nonstop action. The Matsushita family was glued to the screen.
[82679 × 54893]
"That's four digits?!"
Mrs. Matsushita squinted. Multiplying five-digit numbers was far beyond their world.
"And it's the easiest problem."
Chiaki pursed her lips. Compared to the earlier round, this was far more thrilling.
Just as she finished speaking, a loud buzz rang out. Arisu's screen went black.
[Ryo has submitted his answer.]
"Ryo locked in his answer! But is it correct?"
Even the host was startled. But he quickly continued:
"Let's reveal the correct answer."
[4538498347]
The massive number flashed on screen. Even Mr. Matsushita gasped.
Then Ryo's answer appeared:
"4, 5, 3, 8, 4, 9, 8, 3, 4, 7 — Correct!"
Applause thundered. Some even stood up.
Ryo calmly nodded, like it was expected.
"Next question."
He turned back, gripping his pen, never once believing he'd lose.
[Photographic Memory] combined with [Heaven's Envy]—a golden talent combo.
Even if Arisu grew older, Ryo still doubted she could win.
In the White Room, he used to hold back.
Now, he had to shine—shine so brightly the world couldn't look away.
[26243504882 ÷ 567329]
Eleven-digit division. Second question.
Buzz — Arisu's screen went dark.
[Correct.]
[693451 × 872159]
Third question. Twelve-digit product.
Chiaki's scalp tingled.
Still Ryo answered correctly.
Fourth question: Seven-digit × seven-digit.
Chiaki stopped caring about the numbers. She felt dizzy. Her father joked:
"It's like multiplying two phone numbers."
Yet even with these 'phone numbers,' Ryo's speed didn't slow.
Narimori sighed. The camera caught it.
Arisu, so strong in Round One, was now being demolished.
Narimori believed in his daughter. But the rules ensured only the fastest would win.
This was the first time he saw Arisu utterly outmatched by a peer.
Despite being a show, this was a genuine battle.
Mental arithmetic had always been her strength.
Fifth question: 18-digit ÷ 11-digit.
Final problem. Its difficulty spiked dramatically. The production team probably never expected anyone to answer it.
The numbers filled the screen.
Arisu couldn't even lift her pen. She looked at the digits, then turned to Ryo.
He was already writing.
Buzz — Her screen turned black.
"Correct!"
"Congratulations to Ryo for winning Round Two of Speed Mental Arithmetic! With this 2–1 victory, and his earlier win in the Concentration challenge, Ryo claims tonight's Genius Showdown with a 2–0 sweep!"
Fog and confetti erupted as the crowd cheered.
Tabloids and marketing accounts rushed to write reports overnight.
Atsuomi monitored the online reaction. As he exited the arena, snow had begun falling.
Passersby buzzed about the show. It was a media success.
His ambition burned like fire.
He turned toward the night's true star.
Ryo stood gazing at the snow, watching it fall.
The girl nearby took deep breaths, feeling the icy flakes on her palm.
She lowered her head, hiding her tears behind honey-gold hair, then slowly lifted her eyes, slightly red.
"Cold?"
Ryo took her hand. It was freezing.
"Not really."
"This is my first time seeing real snow."
"They're not shaped like flowers at all, just little specks."
"But snow really is white. Pure white."
"And it really is... Ryo (cool)."
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