I have a life simulator.

Of course, this is probably also related to Hiwa Shiina, who is standing in front of it at this moment, carefully examining and observing its specific effects.

After all, for most guys, when faced with a confession or even a marriage proposal from a girl with silver hair, a pure and charming temperament, it probably doesn't matter what the props are, or even if there are none at all.

However, once she made up her mind, it was destined that Hiyori Shiina would be determined to fight on this issue. This was her personality; she was exceptionally gentle when she was gentle, but when she became stubborn, even Ryuen Sho, the absolute leader of the class, had to give in to her, and not just once or twice.

"And then there's this archway..."

After finishing the balloon part of the work, Shiina Hiyori and Karuizawa Megumi began to have a headache over the archway that was almost blocking their way and taking up the entire passageway.

Unfortunately, that's just how big the single dorm rooms at Tokyo Advanced Educational High School are. This is even though Hiyori Shiina had already moved many of her personal belongings to the bathroom or Karuizawa Megumi's place beforehand, leaving quite a bit of space free.

"Although the tutorial said that you can decorate this archway with whatever you like, it still feels a bit restrictive."

“Indeed, Hui, do you have any recommendations for a larger place? We’ve only just started and we already feel like we don’t have enough space. We definitely can’t finish decorating the dorm room.”

To be honest, there's no shortage of open spaces at Tokyo Advanced Educational High School, but the problem is that what the two of them are doing secretly can't be easily discovered by others, and they need a place that's both large and secluded...

"How's our drama club's activity room?"

Karuizawa Kei made this suggestion.

First of all, as a classroom for club activities, the space is definitely sufficient. Not to mention putting in an archway, even four or five archways would be no problem at all; the space is definitely big enough.

The second point is concealment.

As everyone knows, the head of the drama club, Kitagawa Ryo, has been transferred to the student council as a Paru by the acting chairman, Tsukishiro Tsuneshige, and naturally has no time to manage the drama club anymore.

Naturally, the key to the club activity room fell into the hands of the vice president, Karuizawa Kei. After all, according to the practice of other clubs, in the absence of the president, the vice president and the instructor usually continue to organize and carry out daily training.

However, the situation in the drama club is clearly different from other clubs.

Although it is often jokingly referred to as Kitagawa Ryo's club on campus forums, Karuizawa Kei really wants to clarify that this is not a rumor but a fact.

Anyway, the situation is very simple now. As soon as Kitagawa Ryo left, the rest of the drama club members, just like the pilgrimage team whose master was captured, went back to Gao Laozhuang or Liushahe.

Forget about daily training and activities, after a couple of days even the people who came to show up at the appointed time were gone. When Karuizawa Kei locked the door, it was indeed secluded enough.

"It seems like it could work."

Hiyori Shiina also thought Karuizawa Kei's idea was good, so the two of them first assembled some small parts such as balloons and light bulbs in their dormitory, and then contacted the deliverymen in the Dongyu campus to help pack and send all the props over.

Of course, the official explanation was that it was a prop used in a drama performance.

In just one afternoon, Hiyori Shiina and Kei Karuizawa successfully transformed the drama club's activity room.

"Candlelights outline the path, pink petals fill the gaps in the path, and at the end is a base surrounded by balloons, next to which are lights that spell out 'Marry ME'... I still don't know what to put on this archway."

Karuizawa Megumi turned the room lights back on and looked hesitantly at the still bare archway.

"Compared to the archway, I feel that the overall arrangement looks more like a man proposing to a woman."

Looking at the arrangement before her, which was predominantly pink and white, Shiina Hiyori found herself in another dilemma:

"I don't think Liang would like this kind of thing."

"Actually, compared to the sentiment, the form is not so important. This whole area was arranged by you, Hiyori... well, although I did help a little bit."

Despite Karuizawa Megumi's words of comfort, Shiina Hiyori still shook her head somewhat unsatisfied.

"The sentiment is indeed more important than the form, but these things don't seem to express my feelings... Hmm, they lack my personal style?"

At this point, Hiyori Shiina couldn't help but recall the riddle she had prepared for Ryo Kitagawa in that simulation. It was a song taken from the classic mystery novel "And Then There Were None," which, after being cleverly combined with the various activities of that summer festival, ultimately pointed to the location of the truth.

"Just make sure Hiyori's personal style doesn't end with a Conan episode featuring a Valentine's Day wedding as a special event."

Karuizawa Kei sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. She knew her best friend's character all too well.

"For a master detective, a trick that's been used once isn't suitable to be used again, so don't worry, Hui."

Shiina Hiyori looked thoughtfully at everything that had been painstakingly arranged before her, and suddenly revealed a subtle expression like that of a client, thinking, "I think this is feasible."

"How about we tear everything down and start over?"

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Hiyori Shiina was convinced of one thing from beginning to end: she and Ryo Kitagawa were destined for each other on a soul level.

Finding a person of the opposite sex with shared hobbies, interests, and topics of conversation in the vast sea of ​​people is never an easy task. She just got this opportunity too early, so she never felt it was that difficult.

If we're really talking about the timing, it was around the time she moved to England with her parents during middle school that she realized this fact.

That's why she wanted to share everything with Kitagawa Ryo, even though they were separated by a huge time difference on opposite sides of the Earth—first books, then life, or perhaps, books were her life.

If reading is like interacting with characters from another world through words, then Shiina Hiyori's experience from the moment she met Kitagawa Ryo was a true two-player game.

"So, if it's a ceremony between me and Ryo, these things absolutely cannot be missing."

When talking about topics she enjoys, Hiyori Shiina's eyes practically sparkle.

"I want to write something that only Ryo and I can understand, not just simple things like 'Marry Me' or 'I love you'."

"Including this archway, I want to hang up a photo of me and Ryo, and then the books, the books that he and I have read and discussed countless times."

Shiina Hiyori stood in front of the archway, her arms outstretched towards Karuizawa Kei, a satisfied smile on her face as if she had finally come to a realization.

"That was a love letter I gave to him, and it was also a love letter he gave to me."

Almost without any thought, all of Kitagawa Ryo's memories, along with the book titles, were recounted by Shiina Hiyori.

(Note: All book titles listed below are from mystery novels)

"To me, Liang is sometimes like someone from another world. There is no scheming or malice in our relationship. I always think that it's good to be a child forever in front of you. Before I knew it, I liked you so much and I like you the most."

"Perhaps it is precisely because of this that I was able to recall those 'Forgotten Stories' and gradually retrieve the memories that disappeared along with 'Gone Girl'."

"But I also believe that just as Sherlock Holmes dies in The Final Problem but is resurrected in The Empty House, just as The Long Goodbye will inevitably lead to The Book of Happiness, The Eight Million Ways to Die is not enough to bring everything to an end."

"Because in my opinion, 'Lovesickness' has never been 'Proof of Youth' or 'Offering to Nothingness'. You and I are not 'Perfect Detectives', but simply like-minded people who have come to like each other."

"However, I still hope that our relationship can go further. This may be a kind of 'crossing the line,' but I don't want it to remain a secret in my heart forever."

"The Rules of the Detective" have never existed for us. Just like many mystery novels, even if they violate the so-called twenty rules, they still present us with wonderful stories. Right now, I just want to be more intimate with you and achieve "Complete Love" with Ryo.

"That's why I chose to confess my love to you face-to-face here..."

Seemingly feeling that the following content was somewhat inappropriate for children, Shiina Hiyori suddenly paused when she got to this point.

Karuizawa Kei, standing nearby, was completely bewildered, wondering, "Who am I? Where am I? What is the other person saying? I can't understand a word!" When Shiina Hiyori tilted her head as if she had a lapse in concentration, she assumed she had finished speaking and was about to go over to ask or tease her when she heard her finally stammer out the last part of her sentence:

"So, I want to go into the 'Secret Room of Boys and Girls' with Ryo."

That's a classic from Seiichiro Oyama's mystery series "The Locked Room Collector." The core locked-room mystery of the entire work stems from the sincere love between a high school couple, making it a story that you'll feel sorry for no matter how many times you watch it.

"Go, finish... both of ours."

"The Ceremony of Love".

Chapter 473: The Detective Who Plays with Time

After saying these words that Karuizawa Kei could hardly understand, Shiina Hiyori lowered her head again and stared at the ring she was holding in her palm.

All she had to do was return the ring—which had unexpectedly appeared in her room, been slipped into Ayatsuji Yukito's "The Decagon House Incident" by her father, and then sent to Tokyo Advanced Educational High School under the guise of the cultural festival—to its owner, Kitagawa Ryo.

The date was set for Valentine's Day.

As she pondered this, Hiyori Shiina unconsciously recalled the words that Honami Ichinose had once casually said to them, words that sounded like a declaration.

That entire day, every minute and every second belonged to her.

With her eyes closed, Shiina Hiyori's thoughts began to wander from that one sentence.

Kitagawa Ryo's own thoughts and plans, the conclusions drawn from his conversation with Sakayanagi Arisu, Ichinose Honami's personality and way of thinking...

She never considered herself a detective, but with so many years of reading, she had long since developed the relevant thinking and abilities.

If Shimada Soji, the author of "The Astrological Murder Case," was given the shocking and unthinkable core plot by a demon who happened to pass by, then the one passing by her now is probably an angel.

It is Cupid holding the bow of love, ready to shoot the arrow of love.

A gradually forming plan began to emerge in Shiina Hiyori's mind.

Every minute, every second...

But precisely when faced with numerous cases that require the intervention of detectives...

Time is often the biggest liar.

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Before we knew it, it was almost noon, and we could see many couples starting to leave the venue one after another, thinking about what to have for lunch.

Unlike the cultural festival, the atmosphere and festival were completely different this Valentine's Day. Most of the vendors who set up stalls at the stadium were not food and beverage businesses. Although there were stalls selling desserts and snacks, many newlywed couples who had just made progress in their relationship naturally hoped to commemorate the occasion with a more formal and romantic meal.

That's why most couples chose to go to the Beech Tree Shopping Center to find a restaurant after they left.

As the one who had planned everything for today, all to give Ichinose Honami the best Valentine's Day experience, Kitagawa Ryo had naturally prepared everything in advance.

Just like the previous flowers, lottery, and photo shoot, with his prior behind-the-scenes manipulation, by 11:30 a.m., lunchtime, an open-air kitchen should be set up on the open space outside the stadium, with all kinds of ingredients and pots and pans readily available.

This inspiration came from Kitagawa Ryo's special exam during the mixed training camp. After all, back then he could only cook for the boys in his own group or even the larger group, which attracted many other students to watch. Unfortunately, everyone had to go back home after being stopped by the supervising teacher. Otherwise, he really wanted to cook a special meal for Ichinose Honami and the others.

But even when the time on his phone had passed 11:20, Kitagawa Ryo still hadn't caught a glimpse of the various facilities that should have been there by now.

"What's wrong?"

Honami Ichinose asked, somewhat puzzled.

After a morning of this, she was basically certain that this Valentine's Day celebration was a dream-fulfilling trip that Kitagawa Ryo had created just for her, even though he hadn't said it outright yet.

But that’s okay.

After all, for Honami Ichinose, this style of carefully considering every detail and meticulously arranging every step only brings her surprise and increasing anticipation.

"Hmm... it's already noon, so I'm thinking about lunch."

Upon hearing this, Honami Ichinose also checked her phone:

“Indeed, it’s about time for lunch. Liang, do you have any plans? Or are you going to eat at the Beech Tree Shopping Center like everyone else? I’m fine with either of those.”

“I do have some ideas… How about this, Fanbo, wait here for a while, I’ll make a call and see how it goes.”

After saying that, Kitagawa Ryo waved to Ichinose Honami and hurriedly walked out of the gymnasium, intending to ask the school staff who had been notified in advance about the situation. Everyone else had been fine all morning, so why was he the one who messed up?

"Okay, I'll wait."

Honami Ichinose also showed no sign of confusion or doubt. After all, after a morning of preparation, in her mind, every move Kitagawa Ryo made was now a prelude to an even bigger surprise.

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"So, this is the way to make Funami not feel anything unusual, and to ensure that Ryo will walk towards our designated area without any warning."

"Surprises also need to be layered. Just like Fanbo knew that Liang would prepare everything for her, but the timing and degree of the surprises are very important."

"Coincidentally, I feel the same way about Liang."

"He probably already guessed that I would give him that ring today."

"But timing and method are where the most surprises and sincerity are truly revealed."

"Look, he's here."

Seeing Kitagawa Ryo walking towards them step by step while actually talking on the phone to someone not far away, Karuizawa Kei felt that it was best not to mess with mystery novel fans in this lifetime.

Otherwise, given the other party's cunning and shrewd mind, they could easily use some kind of probabilistic murder tactic like those in "Lovesickness" or "The Red Room": for example, using a hungry cat to knock over a fish tank, causing quicklime to react with water and generate heat to ignite; putting unprocessed methanol in a bottle and then using the angle of the sunlight and the window to create a focal point; or smearing white phosphorus on a blanket and using the temperature of the air conditioner at night to cause the low-ignition-point white phosphorus to spontaneously combust, and so on...

Maybe mystery novels should just focus on romance.

Of course, despite the complaints, when it was actually her turn to act as a wingman, Karuizawa Kei didn't hesitate at all, standing up from the bushes where she had been hiding and walking towards Kitagawa Ryo.

"benefit?"

Upon seeing Karuizawa Kei, Kitagawa Ryo was momentarily stunned. He then glanced instinctively at the time on his phone before quickly recovering. He said into the phone, "Okay, I understand. The plan will proceed as scheduled. It was a misunderstanding on my end," and hung up. Looking up at Karuizawa Kei, he said:

"You guys are really amazing. This must be another idea that Hiyori came up with."

"Well... although I don't really understand you mystery novel fans, there's nothing I can do, I still have to follow the procedures here."

Karuizawa Megumi, still with that troubled and bewildered expression, asked Kitagawa Ryo the question:

"Does Liang know what's going on now?"

"I pretty much know already."

At this point, Kitagawa Ryo shook his head, feeling both amused and helpless.

It has to be said that even the most innocent-minded Shiina Hiyori would occasionally be particularly concerned about these strange little things.

Just like a retaliation against Ichinose Honami's "every minute, every second," Shiina Hiyori's trap for him during this Valentine's Day celebration was quite swift and decisive.