The Meaningless Serial Reasoning Case [Unauthorized Relay Essay 2023 "Spring" #6]

March 25, 2023. At a hot spring inn in the northern land. The only guests are the event participants. It has been reserved exclusively for them.


At 17:26 on the same day. The group gathered in the banquet hall at the call of the organizer Ito Daki was waiting for the announcement of the purpose of this project.


In front of them was a luxurious seafood dinner. And beer bottles with star marks were being lined up one after another by the inn staff.


One man stood up and began to speak.


"Well, well, the 'Unauthorized Relay Essay 2023 Spring' starts in April. This is the third time we've held this without getting tired of it. Thank you all for gathering here. Good evening, I'm Ito Daki."


The banquet hall was filled with loud applause.


"Now, before dinner, let me announce the theme for this time. The theme is, 'Meaningful yet Meaningless'."


The venue gradually became noisy.


"Huh? M-meaningful yet meaningless? That's ridiculous..."

"Isn't that impossible? You know I can't write something like that!"

"This is a trap. Ito Daki is trying to frame 'me, the guy who writes meaningful articles'!"

"Hmph, what a farce. I'm going back to my room to update my article."

"Kyary Pamyu Pamyu!"


Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.


An unfamiliar man had stood up at some point and was clapping his hands. Everyone's gaze shifted from Ito Daki to him, casting looks of blatant confusion, wondering, "Who is this guy?"


It was Gindaiichi Daigoro, a detective who didn't know the inn was reserved, was granted a stay through Ito Daki's arrangement, and happened to be present.


"Everyone, let's calm down a little. You there, miss, why don't you drink some of the beer in front of you?"


"There's no way I can drink alcohol in this situation! Ito Daki is doubting that I can write! And besides, who are you anyway!"


Spreading his arms like a stage actor, Gindaiichi continued.


"I just said let's calm down. I'm not doubting that you can't write. After all, you have a 'motive to write', don't you?"


The woman fell silent with a look of astonishment. A small voice was heard saying, "...Why do you know that?"


"Everyone gathered here, my name is Gindaiichi, a detective. This hot spring is nice, isn't it? I met Mr. Yasu over there while soaking in the bath. I heard the whole story.

Today is a gathering for a project called a relay essay. You are all going to write essays in a relay format one by one. Am I right, Mr. Yasu?"


"Y-yes! That's right!"


The man called Yasu, who was suddenly addressed, stumbled over his words grandly. He was also the man who had shouted "Kyary Pamyu Pamyu!" earlier to get a laugh.


"I realized it as soon as I heard the story. This project, no, the scheme of Mr. Ito Daki, who is smirking over there!"


"A, a scheme?"

"W-wait a minute! Explain it so I can understand too!"

"Is this... not just an antithesis?"


"A scheme, you say? I'm offended to be told that. Mr. Gindaiichi, won't you explain?"


Ito Daki said calmly without losing his smile. Gindaiichi also replied with a smile.


"I was very bothered by why this relay essay was held three times. The hint was in the second one."


"The second one?"

"I participated in that one too. So what about it?"


After a brief silence, Gindaiichi opened his mouth.


"Everyone, you are overlooking an important phrase. It is..."

.........
......

[A Challenge to the Reader]

Ito Daki's trembling would not stop. The time he had spent planning and executing this over several months would become meaningless if his scheme were exposed. Is there any way to get through this situation...


--I challenge the reader.


The key to solving the mystery is presented in the articles of the 1st to 5th runners of Group B."The Strongest Hot Spring", "Unconditional Love", "False Glasses", "Unreadable Diary", "Monologue of Love" and "The Out-of-Place Detective".

Based on these clues, I want you, who love relay essays, to deduce Ito Daki's scheme. Good luck.

.........
......

Note that there is no solution chapter. Because that itself is meaningless.

(1673 characters)

Final runner, Rito-san. I leave it to you!

[Image cooperation: Sachiwa]
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Kiyofumi Noto
A money expert in the 100-year life era who loves the Japanese spirit (6th book is now on sale!). What is 'US Treasury Bond Investment' for Japanese people? Number of channel subscribers 10,000! Total viewers 1 million!
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