"Since we can't analyze the question itself, how about we try to work from the answers?" Einstein proposed.
"Mm, the Doctor is right. Let's start with the first answer, Hua," Bronya said. "This person's name seems to be only a single character. It should be someone we don't know."
"...Wait. Perhaps this 'Hua' refers to me," Fu Hua said with some hesitation.
"Eh? 'Hua' is the Class Monitor?" Everyone was a little surprised to hear this.
"My earliest name was just that," Fu Hua explained. Given the immense length of time she had lived, it was only reasonable that she would have had several names, right? Such as the initial 'Hua', then 'Chiyuan', 'Fu Hua', and of course, 'F2P War God' and 'Shenzhou Flatboard'.
"In that case, Class Monitor, have you ever been a fan of a celebrity before?" Kiana asked.
"I don't believe so," Fu Hua shook her head. "I once knew someone who was the most dazzling star of her time, a treasure of an entire era. However, her name was Eden, not Irene."
"Hmm... Although we didn't get any useful information, we can at least eliminate one incorrect answer," Einstein said.
"Let's eliminate Otto as well. I really can't imagine that kind of person being a fan of anyone," Tesla suggested.
"Alright, then we're left with Conan Doyle and Stargazer."
"Conan Doyle... if we disregard the possibility of it being a common name, then the most famous person with that name should be the Conan Doyle who created Sherlock Holmes," Bronya stated.
"But according to Conan Doyle's life records, he doesn't seem like the type to be a fan of celebrities. Plus, there were no stars named Irene Adler during his time." Einstein stroked her chin, her expression hesitant. "If we continue eliminating options like this, it seems we're only left with Stargazer, but I feel the answer isn't that simple."
"There's nothing we can do about it. After all, we don't know this Irene or Stargazer," Theresa said, shrugging helplessly. "If no one has any other opinions, let's just choose the fourth answer."
Although Einstein felt that wasn't the right answer, she couldn't articulate why, so in the end, she said nothing.
"I choose D," Theresa said directly.
[Answer... Incorrect. The correct answer is: A. Hua.]
"What?!"
Theresa's jaw dropped in astonishment, completely forgetting the weakness from the penalty as she cried out in utter confusion.
What the hell?
It's actually Hua?
That can't be right. Fu Hua clearly said she didn't know anyone named Irene. And besides, she doesn't look like the celebrity-fan type at all.
"As I thought..." Einstein sighed. With her intellect, the moment the result was revealed, she had already figured out the key to the puzzle.
"Einstein, do you know what's going on?" Himeko asked quickly. She didn't ask Fu Hua, because Fu Hua herself was wearing an expression of complete bewilderment.
"It's simple. Our thinking was trapped in the wrong paradigm from the very beginning."
"This question isn't about our world at all. It's about... a parallel world."
"Just like the Magical Girl incident and the Great Honkai Sports Festival before."
Hearing Einstein's explanation, everyone finally had their moment of realization. So, all this time, the question wasn't even about their world. It wasn't their fault for thinking down the wrong path; this question wasn't as obviously bizarre as the Great Honkai Sports Festival, so no one's first thought was to consider a parallel world. After all, being a fan is a normal activity. Who doesn't have a favorite celebrity?
"Eh? Does that mean we get to see the parallel world version of the Class Monitor?" Kiana's eyes lit up instantly.
"Maybe we can also see who this Irene-chan is, to be able to capture the heart of even the parallel world's Class Monitor," Bronya added.
Just as everyone was getting excited, the Q&A space displayed a new video.
---o---
The scene in the video was a room. The decor looked to be in the style of 18th-century Europe.
By the window, a man was sitting in a chair, looking down at a letter in his hands. He appeared to be in his twenties or thirties, with a mature air and a face as handsome as the readers of this story.
Just then, a figure walked in from the door. She was holding a teapot and dressed as a detective. What surprised everyone the most was her appearance—she looked exactly like Fu Hua.
Everyone understood at once. This was the Fu Hua of a parallel world.
"Mr. Conan Doyle, our disguises were seen through completely," this 'Hua' said as she approached the man.
"Sigh... I have one day left. I must think of a better way to get close to Ms. Irene Adler, otherwise this mission will be a failure," the man named Conan Doyle sighed, frowning as he tried to think of a solution.
Hua began to pour tea from the teapot into the man's cup, but she accidentally spilled some on the table. Conan Doyle quickly shielded the letter with his hand.
"Ah... my apologies."
"No, don't apologize. Hua, you've found the blind spot! I have a plan!" Conan Doyle's eyes lit up, the previous frown completely gone. "Listen, we found out earlier that Irene knows some medicine and is a kind-hearted person. Tomorrow, we..."
The scene then shifted to the front of a magnificent manor. A large crowd of people had gathered at the gate, shouting incessantly. Not far from the manor, a man in a butler's uniform and glasses spoke with a troubled expression to a beautiful woman in a gorgeous dress who had a stunning figure.
"Miss Adler, this group of people appeared out of nowhere and are clamoring to see you. Should I call the police?"
Irene smiled. "There's no need. Since they want to see me so badly, then let's have a meeting." With that, she walked calmly toward the crowd.
At that moment, Conan Doyle, hidden in the crowd, gave Hua a meaningful look.
Now!
Hua nodded, showing she understood completely.
Then, she suddenly leaped out from the crowd, shouting at the top of her lungs as she charged toward Irene.
"Irene-chan! I'm your fan!!!"
Conan Doyle quickly moved to stand in front of Irene.
"Watch out!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Hua landed a heavy punch squarely on Conan Doyle's face. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he was instantly knocked unconscious.
Just before he blacked out, he couldn't help but complain in his mind.
(Even though this was the plan, did you really have to hit me so hard? Are you getting back at me for something, you rascal? Do you think I don't pay you enough?)
The video ended there.