As it happens, I've discovered something...
A reliable way to intercept the Country of Night's contraband!
A reliable way?!
What is it? Tell us!
Hold on a minute, guys.
It might still just be me overthinking things.
So let me play inspector one more time, okay?
Round 9\h\h\h\h\h\hCountry of Day Inspector Turn
Hey, you think Kikuzawa's really found a way through this?
Fissures
No way. Absolutely not.
He got lucky once, and it's gone to his head.
Doubt 100 million.
The Country of Day inspector calls a doubt of 100 million!
Y-You kidding me?
And what's inside the briefcase?!
Hell yeah!
The Country of Day inspector intercepts the contraband again!
That was awesome, Kikuzawa!
So you really do have a surefire method!
You got secret clairvoyance or something?
Nah, nothing like that.
If the smuggler's carrying more cash than the inspector doubts for,
the contraband goes through.
Those are the rules.
So as long as you know the smuggler has some money in their case,
all you need to do is call doubt for 100 million,
and you've got a 100% chance of snagging the cash.
I get it.
You break it down into two options: do they have money or don't they?
That makes the whole thing way simpler!
So, how'd you figure it out?
Before I tell you, would you let me play inspector one more time?
I want to make sure I've really got the trick down.
Yeah, sure! Fine by me.
Take the team to victory! Keep it coming!
Kikuzawa-san's success lifted everyone's spirits.
It seemed possible we might just win.
Don't let your guard down.
You're smuggling next, remember?
Ah, right.
Just because Kikuzawa's found a way doesn't mean Yokoya will back down.
Figure out the secret of his clairvoyance, all right?
R-Right!
Don't see many girls like you taking part in the Liar Game.
Um, can you see inside my briefcase?
Yes, I can.
Just like last time, there's nothing inside.
You're wrong.
There's no money in it, but I did put something inside!
If you really have clairvoyance, you should be able to see that.
And who put you up to this?
It was my own idea.
Granted, it was because I remembered something a certain someone told me...
"If you want to know somebody, doubt them."
Was it Akiyama who told you that?
How do you know his name?
So he's your team's boss, is he?
No. Our team doesn't have a boss.
By the way, what do you think is the point of the Liar Game?
I think...
The name makes you think it's all about lying, but it's actually the opposite.
It's a game about testing your honesty.
Your honesty?
Yes. If you can abandon your desire to profit or save only yourself,
you can save everyone.
The Liar Game is about making you realize that!
What a stupid thing to say.
Let me tell you something.
What this game is testing
is your ability to take control.
Control?
There are only two types of people:
those who take control and those who are controlled.
Most people in this world are the latter.
Those who take control become winners.
That's the point of this game, and the fundamental truth of human society.
Pass.
He called pass!
And what's inside the briefcase?!
Is that...
Well, anyway, there's no money inside the trunk!
A brilliant call from the Country of Night!
Unusual girl.
She got me to say more than I meant to.
Everyone, I learned something!
Yokoya-san doesn't really have clair—
Quiet! Kikuzawa's entering the inspection room!
What? But I...
It's no use.
They're all worked up over Kikuzawa's "surefire method."
Doubt 100 million!
Another call for a doubt of 100 million!
He doubted again!
And inside the briefcase is...
40 million!
Yes!
The Country of Day inspector once again nails the Country of Night contraband!
That was awesome, Kikuzawa!
Great work! You're a genius!
Nice one!
So, what's this surefire method of yours?
Like hell I'm tellin' you.
I busted my ass to work it out.
I'm not givin' it away to anyone.
Unless, maybe, you do everything I say.
K-Kikuzawa?
In that moment, what Yokoya-san had said played back in my mind.
That there are only those who take control and those who are controlled.
And that in the Liar Game, the former are the ones who win.
Kikuzawa, you bastard!
C'mon, Fukunaga, you sure you wanna talk to me like that?
Right now, there's no one who can lead our team to victory but me.
Even if we win, you're the only one lining your pockets.
This may be a team game, but the prize money's individual.
We're not going to let you play inspector if you're just going to hog it all!
Hey, I'm not that greedy.
I'm on board with what Nao-chan said about abandoning the desire to win big yourself.
In fact, I'll prove it.
I'll give half the money I just seized to you guys.
You mean it?
I'll even write up a contract.
But I'll only pick one person each turn...
Whoever does the best job of doing what I say.
Those who serve me get saved.
But those who defy me...
can drop dead for all I care.
Okay, so I'm this team's leader moving forward.
You'll do exactly as I tell you.
And while you're at it, I want you to call me "Kikuzawa-sama."
Let's hear it.
You're kidding, right?
Am I? You wanna wind up a dead man?
K-Kikuzawa...sama.
Okay, you next.
Not down for it, huh?
Guess I'll take you off the potential payout list.
K-Kikuzawa-sama...
This feels awesome!
Okay, next up...
You.
What, not gonna say it?
You'd better, or you're not getting my money.
Kikuzawa...
You shitbag!
Shitbag?
Hey! Did you just call me a shitbag?!
You're not getting any money outta me!
I don't need any of your garbage-ass money!
Um... I don't need any money from you, either.
I'll just keep calling you Kikuzawa-san.
I'll also continue to call you Kikuzawa.
Fine, do whatever you want.
The team was split in two:
the three of us who refused to serve Kikuzawa-san,
and the five who became his personal servants.
Hey, Sato.
Step it up with the massage already.
Right.
Your coffee, sir!
I don't take it black.
Sorry! I'll buy a different one!
What a slave driver!
Man, this feels great!
But I think the best part is my soft, pudgy footstool!
Thank you for the compliment, sir!
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Now then, the one who gets half my earnings from earlier is Eda!
Hooray!
Kikuzawa-san's successes continued after that.
Doubt 100 million.
Amazing! There's 50 million in the case!
The Country of Day inspector intercepts the contraband again!
And Yokoya-san continued his trend.
Pass.
Incredible! Yokoya sees through them again!
Man, he really is clairvoyant.
It's no big deal.
As long as our cases stay empty, he gets nothing out of it.
Will the next inspector please come to the inspection room?
Oh, it's that time already?
Gonna go make more money.
Please do, sir!
Ow! Ow, ow, ow, it hurts!
Wh-Wh-What's wrong, Kikuzawa-sama?!
Kikuzawa-sama!
It hurts!
My stomach's killing me...
I don't think I can be inspector this time...
Eda, you go!
What?!
Kikuzawa-san wasn't feeling well, so he asked Eda-san to step in.
You think he'll be all right?
How much has Kikuzawa made again?
Um... his first round was 100 million. So was the second.
Then 40 and 50...
That'd be 290 million!
He's confiscated 290 million in just four turns as inspector.
290 million...
What's wrong?
I've figured it out.
I know how Kikuzawa's been detecting their contraband.
I've figured it out.
I know how Kikuzawa's been detecting their contraband.
Hang on. I thought you were trying to figure out Yokoya-san's clairvoyance.
I was. And while I was thinking about Yokoya's trick,
I figured out Kikuzawa's.
So what's the trick?!
Hush. Eda's turn is starting.
I'll reveal the details after.
Okay.
Pass.
The Country of Day inspector declares "pass"!
And what's in the case?!
It's 100 million!
The Country of Night smuggles 100 million yen!
Wait, if thinking about Yokoya-san's trick led you to Kikuzawa-san's,
does that mean...
the methods they're using are similar?
Not similar. They're the exact same.
Both Yokoya's clairvoyance and Kikuzawa's surefire trick.
They're actually...
R-Really?!
It's only a hypothesis at the moment.
But if I'm right, for the next round, he'll say,
"The next smuggler should carry money."
Man, they got 100 million past you, huh?
Guess that shows you just how awesome I am.
Y-Yes.
Now, who's next up to be the smuggler again?
Um, it's me.
Okay. I want you to carry money.
W-Wait a minute!
We agreed not to carry money until we figure out how to fool his clairvoyance!
We don't have time for that crap!
I'd caught us back up, and now they're 100 million ahead again!
How much do you want me to carry?
Let me think...
How about 91.11 million?
That's almost 100 million!
Which is what they just snuck past us!
Of course we have to shoot big.
But he's gonna see through it...
And I'll be the one taking the hit.
Don't worry.
Carrying empty cases for so long has laid the groundwork for this.
He's probably let his guard down. You'll win this one for sure.
I dunno...
No, Kikuzawa's idea is reasonable enough.
After all, Yokoya isn't actually clairvoyant.
In the inspection room, he pays close attention to the smuggler's body language.
His "clairvoyance" is just exceptional powers of observation.
Despite how I look, I studied psychology in graduate school at Teito University.
I've written a list of fifty body language points to be mindful of.
Just before you take the money from the ATM,
read this and do as it says.
You'll fool Yokoya without fail.
O-Okay.
You think Sato'll be okay?
Doesn't seem likely...
Well? Is he following your instructions?
Hmm, I'd say so.
It's so plain to see.
Please, let him pass!
Just call a pass!
Doubt 91.11 million.
It's no use!
He really saw into the case!
The inspector calls a doubt of 91.11 million!
But what's inside the case?!
Your call was 91.11 million, yes?
Indeed.
Interception failed.
What?
The amount smuggled is 91.12 million yen!
The Country of Day succeeds by the skin of their teeth!
Wh-What happened in there?
He just did as I wrote in my note.
The list of body language points?
Nah. What he actually wrote on the note was...
Carry 91.12 million
just this.
Why 91.12 million?
I knew Yokoya would declare a doubt of 91.11 million.
Because someone here is tipping him off.
Isn't that right, Kikuzawa?
Hey, Kikuzawa, is that true?!
I-I dunno what he's talking about!
Kikuzawa and Yokoya are working together.
They've been sending each other signs through the glass.
That's bullshit! Where's your proof?
You behaved in a plainly irrational way,
letting Eda take over as inspector because of sudden stomach pain.
Someone with a surefire trick could make millions in one round as inspector.
Maybe even 100 million.
Would someone in that position really let a stomachache stop them?
He's got a point.
The amount of money Kikuzawa's made as inspector, 290 million,
corresponds to another number.
Fujita, you're keeping track of the rounds, right?
Y-Yes.
Add up the Country of Night's total earnings from rounds four to seven.
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{\fnArial\shad0\bord2\fs14\3c&HFDFCFE&\c&H1E1C1C&\an9\move(620,35,620,-30,1,5000)\clip(357.857,11.5,700,76.691)}Country of Day 0 0 +100 million 0 0 0
Let's see... 290.04 million.
B-But that's...
The amount Yokoya's made as inspector.
Yes...
And for some reason, Kikuzawa's made nearly the exact same amount.
I think this all started
in round four when Kikuzawa was inspector.
The smuggler, Yokoya, made a proposition:
"Want to work with me and make some money?"
They agreed to signal one another through the windows.
Wait a minute, yeah...
They spent ages in the inspection room together.
After Kikuzawa agreed to Yokoya's offer,
they probably had to hash out the details.
And then...
Pass.
He let him pass.
He let Yokoya's 100 million through.
Kikuzawa then started leaking our smuggling plans to Yokoya.
Yokoya played inspector and intercepted a series of contraband.
In exchange, he leaked the Country of Night's plans back to Kikuzawa.
Kikuzawa then started intercepting contraband and making profits of his own.
Damn it! It's so simple once you know the trick!
Why didn't I ever doubt it?!
It's only natural.
They used a subtle arrangement so we wouldn't realize they were in cahoots.
A subtle arrangement?
Yokoya declared he was clairvoyant
and guessed the contents of our cases down to the 10,000 yen bill.
Kikuzawa claimed he was just reading whether or not the other team had money,
so he only had to call "pass" or "doubt 100 million."
Yeah, they both had completely different styles.
That was intentional.
If they were both using the same technique,
we'd instantly know they were in league.
That subtle bit of camouflage kept it under the radar.
But it also worked against them.
Yokoya's clairvoyance was so impactful,
it forced our Country of Day team to go with empty cases for a while.
Yokoya couldn't make any money if we didn't carry any contraband.
Eventually, the money funneled to Kikuzawa caught up to Yokoya's own earnings.
Oh, I see. I get it.
That's why Kikuzawa made me play the inspector.
He didn't get the sign.
That's right.
Yokoya abruptly stopped sending him signals.
Without a signal,
he had no way of knowing if the other team was carrying money or not.
And since he was lording his "surefire method" over the rest of us,
he needed an out, so he played sick and fled to the bathroom.
Shut up! You're just guessing!
This is just a hypothesis.
Akiyama-san's admitted as much himself.
And he also told me...
If my hypothesis is right, there's only one way out of Kikuzawa's little jam.
He has to start funneling money to Yokoya again.
It's a simple hypothesis to prove.
We just won't tell you what the next smuggler is carrying.
If I'm right, Yokoya's clairvoyance will continue to fail him,
and your foolproof trick won't work, either.
This leaves you with two options:
prove that what I'm saying is wrong,
or come clean.
I'm sorry! Please forgive me!
You son of a—
If you want us to forgive you, tell us everything.
R-Right.
Kikuzawa-san confessed to all of it.
He'd apparently been exchanging hand signals with Yokoya-san through the glass.
I still have more questions.
First, why did Yokoya choose you to be his accomplice?
You only get ten minutes in the inspection room.
To convince someone you've only just met to work with you isn't easy,
and it comes with great risk.
But Yokoya seemed confident you'd accept his proposal.
He must have had a reason to think that.
What was it?
The truth is...
I've met Yokoya before.
We went to school together.
The same high school, the same class...
But we weren't just classmates.
He kept me under his thumb.
Next Time
Dictatorship