I have a life simulator.

Page 271

Please write down your favorite and least favorite foods in the blank space below.

After carefully filling out his form, Kitagawa Ryo was taken to the production crew's car about twenty minutes later.

Sitting in the car, looking out the window at the passing scenery, Kitagawa Ryo slowly closed his eyes. According to the production team's filming plan, the next scene should be his first "meeting" with Sakayanagi Arisu. Although it sounded a bit strange, director Taiga had initially chosen a classic "boy meet girl" script.

However, Kitagawa Ryo didn't pay much attention to these things. All he could think about now were the words Sakayanagi Arisu had said to him after the filming started yesterday.

Reality and information asymmetry.

Actually, Kitagawa Ryo only realized this after being reminded. Compared to Sakayanagi Arisu, he was the one who always had the advantage of the information gap.

For Kitagawa Ryo, each simulation is in fact an accumulation of information and intelligence. The more simulations he does, the more obvious the information gap becomes in the next simulation.

The most obvious example is the simulation with Horikita Suzune. Kitagawa Ryo's most important weapon in clearing the game in one go was the information gap, just like finding a guide or reaching the maximum level before returning to the beginner village.

Including Sakayanagi Arisu's first simulation, Kitagawa Ryo's approach has remained unchanged: to gather information in preparation for the next simulation. The last time, it was about gathering information about Sakayanagi Arisu's personality and childhood, and this time it is about gathering information about the White Room, and so on.

But Sakayanagi Arisu's words forced Kitagawa Ryo to re-examine all the plans he had previously made.

Knowing all about the other person's past, likes and dislikes, and personality before actually getting to know them can indeed bring a sense of security due to the overwhelming information gap.

only--

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"Okay, now our two little protagonists for this episode are all here."

Kitagawa Ryo and Sakayanagi Arisu, sitting on either side of the long table, were staring at each other, their gazes simultaneously turning to the window. The sounds of pine trees, wind, and ocean waves were coming in from afar, one after another, powerfully becoming the perfect background music.

"We would also like to thank Tokyo Advanced Educational High School for its strong support and provision of the venue for this program."

After finishing reading the script, the on-site director smiled and looked up at Kitagawa Ryo and Sakayanagi Arisu, saying:

"Yes, as you can see, this is where we are now."

"It is an uninhabited island overseas."

Kitagawa Ryo covered his forehead with his hand. No wonder the scenery felt so familiar from the beginning. It was indeed the deserted island where the first-year students of Tokyo Advanced Educational High School took their summer special exams. He had been leading the Class C students in playing music and dancing on the beach not far away.

Upon hearing the words "uninhabited island," Sakayanagi Arisu's expression remained unchanged, but she seemed to suddenly tense up.

After all, no matter how talented she is, she is still just a little over seven years old, and just a year ago she was a sick child who often stayed in bed.

"Of course, we certainly can't ask the two of you to do a survival exercise on a desert island here."

It was noticeable that Sakayanagi Arisu breathed a sigh of relief.

The on-site director observed the two's reactions while handing them new task cards:

"Although the two of you are not yet familiar with each other, cooperation and collaboration will be very important if you want to have a better life in the next three days."

"So today's first task is—"

"TA's lunch."

Kitagawa Ryo unfolded the folded mission card in his hand with great interest:

[TA's Lunch: Centered on the base, more than a dozen food storage points have been set up within a five-kilometer radius. The food placed there is determined by the cards filled out by both players beforehand. The two players can obtain the corresponding food by passing the puzzles set at the food storage points. The higher the score, the higher the quality and completion of the food.]

The deadline for obtaining ingredients is noon. Both individuals must return to the base by noon to receive the next task.

"You might not understand it just by looking at the task card, but it's essentially a disguised quiz game where you answer questions to win prizes. You two should both be very good at this."

The on-site director didn't seem to intend to explain any further, standing aside with his arms crossed, clearly intending to watch the two perform.

Whether she sensed some competition or not, Sakayanagi Arisu acted quite quickly. While Kitagawa Ryo was still leisurely getting up from his seat, she had already jogged out first.

Sakayanagi Arisu has always been a very competitive and ambitious girl, and it seems that this hasn't changed in any timeline.

Kitagawa Ryo rested his arm behind his head and lazily yawned as he walked out of the house.

He could tell at a glance what the production team was planning: at noon, they would definitely have the two of them cook a meal for each other using the ingredients they had obtained. It would be a good warm-up and introduction segment for the first episode.

However, it seems that Kitagawa Ryo himself doesn't really know Sakayanagi Arisu's taste preferences.

As Kitagawa Ryo walked towards the first food storage point according to the map, he fell into deep thought.

They soon arrived at the first location, where the program crew, who had been waiting there, immediately handed over the prepared questions. To Kitagawa Ryo's surprise, the questions were exactly the type of multi-digit multiplication and division mental arithmetic.

Having quickly solved all the questions and achieved the highest score, Kitagawa Ryo soon received the top prize—a bag of exquisite… well, fruit gummies.

Are you sure this is it?

Kitagawa Ryo, holding the edge of the candy bag, asked the staff member with a puzzled tone.

"These are the foods that Ms. Sakayanagi Arisu wrote on the card before, whether they were her favorites or dislikes."

"If it's something you dislike..."

Stuffing the bag of candy into his pocket, Kitagawa Ryo strode toward the next food storage point.

And the other side.

Like Kitagawa Ryo, Sakayanagi Arisu also keenly saw through the program's intentions. However, compared to the gimmick-like quiz-to-win format, she was more concerned about other aspects, especially after thinking about the card she had filled out.

"Yes, these are all the foods that Liang wrote down on cards before he left, indicating whether he liked or disliked them."

Sakayanagi Arisu quickly confirmed her guess when the staff at the first food storage point readily answered her question.

After answering the questions on "Multiple Subjects Mixed Knowledge Selection," Sakayanagi Arisu also received a portion of food from the staff.

"Hand-Pulled Noodle?"

What was handed to me in a bag was a serving of freshly sliced ramen noodles.

Unable to determine for a moment whether this was food that Kitagawa Ryo liked or disliked, Sakayanagi Arisu could only continue toward the next food storage location with her doubts.

After spending a considerable amount of time answering the accompanying questions, Sakayanagi Arisu received the second ingredient.

It was a bunch of bright green and delightful cilantro.

I glanced at the time; there were still about forty minutes until the meeting time of noon. Judging from my speed in solving the problems, I should still have time to go to another location.

Sakayanagi Arisu walked along carrying a bag of noodles and a bag of vegetables, suddenly feeling like she had just returned from a local market. However, the thought that what she was carrying might not even be what the other person would like to eat made her burst out laughing.

Feeling elated, Sakayanagi Arisu quickly arrived at the third ingredient storage point. This time, the ingredients she obtained were more unusual, consisting of a series of bottles and jars of condiments, such as vinegar and soy sauce.

However, the time for exploration was indeed running out, so Sakayanagi Arisu had no choice but to take everything back to the base for the time being.

After scanning the area and not seeing Kitagawa Ryo, Sakayanagi Arisu was wondering what was going on when she received a task card from the on-site director:

[Their Lunch: Based on your understanding of them, use the collected ingredients to prepare a dish that you think they would like.]

Although things did develop as expected, Sakayanagi Arisu... doesn't know how to cook right now.

However, the production team was prepared for this and immediately said that the effect would be achieved through editing and post-production. Sakayanagi Arisu only needed to pose and give instructions on seasoning.

"Seasoning instructions?"

"Yes, for example, the firmness of the ramen noodles, the broth, the ratio of vinegar and chili, and of course, whether or not to add it."

The show's chef pointed to a pile of chopped cilantro on the cutting board and asked.

Shouldn't we ask the person involved in this kind of thing?

Seemingly sensing Sakayanagi Arisu's dilemma, the portly chef smiled and said:

"How can you guess what food someone likes or dislikes right away? You only learn more by getting to know them better."

"And who knows, maybe they're preparing a dish you don't like right now."

The chef's words made her chuckle again, and Sakayanagi Arisu simply gave up thinking and nodded vigorously:

"Then release them all!"

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"Black coffee with the same flavor as 'Palette'!"

"I vaguely remember seeing Arisu eat this little dessert before!"

Unlike Sakayanagi Arisu, who only explored three storage locations, Kitagawa Ryo, who started slowly, moved much faster, sweeping through six or seven food storage locations and managing to combine them into his ideal dish using his culinary skills.

The on-site director and the chefs waiting in line couldn't help but wipe the sweat from their foreheads, partly because they were amazed by Kitagawa Ryo's culinary skills, and partly because they had doubts about the final result.

"Is this the kind of dish that Ryo thinks the other person will like?"

Staring at the dark cup of coffee on the table, the on-site director asked with a somewhat strange expression.

"Probably... no problem."

Kitagawa Ryo himself was also made a little insecure by the other party's uncertain tone, but in his memory, Sakayanagi Arisu did like to drink this kind of black coffee, although he always wanted to complain that she had a heart condition and still drank black coffee.

"OK then."

Seeing that Kitagawa Ryo had confirmed it, the on-site director could only nod in agreement.

"Next is the last task for the two of you: give each other your dishes and exchange them."

So, Kitagawa Ryo and Sakayanagi Arisu returned to the long table where they started three hours later.

"The tasting session for their lunch is now officially beginning."

Kitagawa Ryo looked at the ramen in front of him, which was covered with cilantro, with a complicated expression.

Sakayanagi Arisu frowned as she examined the dark cup of coffee in front of her.

"Do I look like I really like eating this?"

"Do I look like I really like drinking this?"

The two of them spontaneously started complaining about each other.

Then they paused for a moment, and then spoke together:

"Liang doesn't eat cilantro?"

"Arisu doesn't drink black coffee?"

Sakayanagi Arisu pouted:

"Picky eater".

Kitagawa Ryoya raised an eyebrow:

"It's just that I don't like to eat it."

Then, as if remembering something, Kitagawa Ryo pulled the bag of candy out of his pocket:

"Is this the kind of person Arisu would like?"

"So what?"

"It will cause cavities."

"You're the one with cavities."

"No, because I brush my teeth every day."

There was a brief silence, then the whole room burst into laughter.

For the entire production team, this segment was enough to create a good show, and the on-site director signaled to the two that this part of the filming was over and they could chat freely.

So Kitagawa Ryo and Sakayanagi Arisu picked out every single sprig of cilantro from their ramen bowls while whispering to each other:

"I really like ramen, but it has to be firm noodles, slightly spicy, with a light broth and vinegar. Most importantly—"

"No cilantro, right?"

"Yes!"

"Arisu ruined the whole bowl of ramen with cilantro."

"Same here. I also think that even my dad would frown if he saw this cup of black coffee that Liang gave me."

"I repent."

Sakayanagi Arisu peeled a piece of fruit candy and put it in her mouth:

"Really."

"But forget it."

"Just remember it in the future, and I'll remember the cold flavor too."

"Although I was very touched, my card was already full of writing this morning."