651 I’m sorry for borrowing your name to act so pretentiously. (2/2)

Although Seiji already recognized all these card game players, he still mentally exclaimed at hearing their confirmations of their identities.

'I'm sorry for borrowing your name to act so pretentiously,' Seiji mentally apologized to his relative that he had never met before.

It was time for the second question. Rota wanted to ease the atmosphere, so he asked a simple question...

”My second question is, I'd like to ask what you usually like to do in your free time, Haruta-san?”

'Is this a marriage interview meeting?' Seiji couldn't help but mentally comment when he heard such a question.

Saitou, Kitajima, and some of the other tournament participants all revealed rather subtle expressions upon hearing this question.

”I usually enjoy reading manga and watching anime, as well as read novels.”

”Oh… I like these activities as well, especially everything in the mystery genre. For example, I'm currently following the manga 'Famous Detective South Cloud'.” Rota showed off a friendly expression.

'Hey, your entire style is changing! What happened to the cold and calculating man from earlier?'

Saitou and Mitsuko's expressions became even subtler. Even Yoshihara, who had maintained a kind and friendly expression, had his expression falter.

”What do you think of the newest plot in 'South Cloud', Rota-san?”

”I think that it's excellent. They've finally moved back to the main storyline. I was quite surprised that Officer Komura was killed off.”

”Do you think that it's a real or fake death?”

”80% chance that it's a fake death, 20% chance that it's a real death.”

”I disagree…”

Seiji and Rota chatted about the manga ”Famous Detective South Cloud” for quite a while. Seiji learned that Rota was indeed a true enthusiast of this story!

Saitou interrupted once again, indicating that he read mangas as well. Although he only read manga occasionaly, there were also some stories that he liked.

Even Yoshihara joined in the conversation, mentioning some hard-boiled mangas that were from a previous generation… This assassin had been young once as well.

Mitsuko was the only one who was unable to participate in this conversation as she had zero interest in anime and manga. It was evident that she was feeling rather awkward.

The other eavesdropping tournament participants all revealed subtle expressions of varying degrees. They wanted to comment, but didn't even know how.

Seiji and the card game players chatted for quite a while. Their friendly atmosphere made it seem like they had forgotten what they were all here for.

But, that was only on the surface.

Not a single one of them had truly forgotten that they were all tournament participants. They were all competitors, and only one team of two could win in the end.

This was a tournament where even the magical contract itself required the participants to have the will and resolution to win in order to be allowed to participate. No matter the reason for participation, signing the contract and joining meant that one wanted to win!

Rota and the others were afraid and respectful of the ”Haruta” family name, which was why they all went with a friendly approach.

”My third question. I'd like to ask, why did Haruta-san ride this boat instead of taking a personal boat to the island?”

”Because it's livelier over here.”

”Don't you feel uncomfortable in this type of environment?” Rota looked directly at Seiji.

”That's your fourth question.” Seiji chuckled.

”Alright… I'll leave things at that, then.”

Rota felt that it was highly improbable that this person was really Shuntou Haruta. However, this person knew the name of the Haruta Family's participant in the tournament, and even dared to assume the Haruta Family name and act so casual about it. It was highly likely that this person was connected in some way to the Haruta Family. Perhaps he was even personally acquainted with Shuntou Haruta. That was Rota's analysis.

Other people had similar analyses.