Part 2: Beach Walking

Strolling along the familiar path on the beach, everything looked as it did before.
The sand was sand, rocks ...  only rocks.
Earthly elements, far divorced from anything transcendental.
But it was an unwritten doctrine of the school —a walk by the sea helped one contemplate the truth.
Sophia: Oh, I missed that flock of seagulls!
Sophia: Careful, 37, next to you—
The startled birds flapped and cawed, shaking off in a flurry of sand and feathers.
37 brushed away the debris that landed on her paper, continuing on without fuss ...
Sophia caught up with her, hurrying from behind, at last breaking her focus.
37: Something wrong, Sophia?
Sophia: Oh- nothing. Any new discoveries?
37: Not yet, but I've thoroughly dispelled the dark clouds from my mind.
The sea breeze may not aid in finding the truth, but it is invigorating, in its own way.
But as if to challenge her claim, a yawn escaped her.
37: So sleepy ...
Child Believer I: Look, it's 37!
Child Believer I: Have you discovered anything interesting lately? Care to tell us about it?
Child Believer II: Perhaps we should we start calling 37 the Star of Hermes, like 210 does?
Child Believer II: I mean, it sounds like an honor doesn't it ...  Anyway, good afternoon, 37!
They passed a group of children who overtook them with curiosity and warm greetings.
Everyone had known of 37's curious methods for her research and so few were surprised to see her strolling along the beach with the notebook in hand.
Sophia: Afternoon. Playing hopscotch?
Sophia: Better move a bit further, or the waves will mess up your lines.
37: Waves ...  Each drop in the waves moves in a circular motion. When the crest of a wave exceed 120 degrees, they crash with a "whoosh."
37: But the answer sequence seems unrelated with these waves. What could it be then?
She briefly dove back into in her thoughts.
But as their leader approached, she snapped out almost as quickly.
6: 266, 267 ...
6: Oh ...
The leader sidestepped them around them silently, as if trying to make a quick escape.
Such efforts rarely turned out as expected for him.
37: 6! You're here too!
37: What methods are you examining with your walk? Are you counting your steps along the beach?
37: Perhaps you are taking 6666 steps because you’re 6? Oh! But that number isn't optimal, let me suggest—
6 deftly avoided 37's quizzical advice and changed the subject.
6: … Why aren't you in your laboratory?
37: I discovered some puzzles Hugh left behind, so I’ve opted to decode them with Sophia.
She happily waved the decorated notebook in her hand towards 6.
Sophia: These puzzles are mostly children's games, I can assure you 37 won't waste too much time on them.
37: They are indeed rudimentary!
37: Oh! I've figured out the clue I overlooked! Thank you, Sophia, I have it now!
37: They're games! So you must play through them to understand Hugh's intention!
37: And it just so happens there are already three of us—you, me, and 6—
Imperceptibly, 6's hair stood on end, like a fight or flight response.
6: Sorry, there are other matters that call to my attention.
37: We used to play together often, didn't we?
37: The present is no different from the past, time is merely a procession of knots on an infinite rope. It doesn't matter where you start counting.
6: Thank you for your invitation, but ...
As 6 spoke, he took a step back.
The language was clear, implying that the conversation should end there.
Unfortunately, these social cues were lost on 37.
37: Excellent, I'd like to use this beach to gather anyone interested in the game.
37: I assure you it'll be done before dinner—but we simply cannot ignore this pressing issue!
6: Very well.
6 turned to Sophia, nodding an almost imperceptible plea to her.
6: Please evaluate the feasibility of 37's proposal.
6: But I'm afraid I must take my leave.
He took a step forward, pausing for a moment.
37: I’ll start from 268.
6: Thank you.
Finally, he resumed his interrupted walk, narrowly escaping 37's notice as she returned to her thoughts.
37: You know, 6 is the best riddle-solver among us ...
37: He used to say the most interesting things, but now he's become naught but a walking scroll!
Sophia: 6 has become the leader of the school, and our leaders need to be even-handed, objective, forthright ...  flawless.
Sophia: 6 has so many obligations. We all have our own tasks that need doing.
37: Well—then, my task is to understand the true meaning behind these exercises!
She raised the collection of children's games high.
For the island's chief researcher, it wasn't the most fitting action.
Sophia: 37 ...
Sophia: Maybe these exercises don't have any meaning at all?
37: Huh?
37 blinked, as if Sophia's words had no imprint of meaning at all.
Sophia: They are just children's games, and you already know the answers to each one of them.
Sophia: I know you think the sequence of answers has some significance, but maybe they are just random numbers. All things considered, we still have—
Their conversation could have carried on about people's expectations, duties, and obligations.
But the sea breeze suddenly drowned out her voice.
37 didn't hear her—or perhaps she didn't care to ...
37: It's those kids, look!
37 looked into the distance, completely engrossed in the next moment.
37: Come on, Sophia, hurry up. I'll help you ask—
Sophia: Hold on, don't go so fast ...
Her words were lost in the swaying of 37's robe as she dashed ahead.
She was always one to act on her thoughts immediately. Seizing on every idea, and squandering her inspiration, yet she could reach heights others only dreamed of.
Not long ago she rushed out of the canteen in the middle of dinner, bewildering everyone present.
But a day later, she submitted her "Initial Speculation on the Distribution of the Emanation", which was just as soon verified.
When asked about it, 37's response was understated—
"Oh, I simply noticed a striking resemblance between the patterns of the Emanation and how my sesame seeds were arranged!"
Sophia: ... It was her strange genius.
She bent down to pick up a pebble buried in the sand and tossed it as far as she could.
As the stone skimmed over the water’s surface, it created several ripples, conjuring a stream of memories.
Sophia: Waah ...
Faint sobs collided against the smooth geometric surfaces, leaving faint and hollow echoes.
But a hurried set of footsteps obscured any other sounds.
37: Sophia, you're here!
37: I have something for you, something you'll be interested in!
37 handed over a glass bottle.
The rolled-up paper inside looked jagged, as if it had once been a corner of a worksheet.
37: You wanted to know your soul number, right? I saw it, so I wrote it down here!
Her tone was as proud as ever.
It was a "prime" number, one that carried a meaning of hard and piercing brilliance.
It was a memory that was willfully forgotten.
In the last moments of her memory, the glass bottle traced an arc through the air, landing in the sea.
As the ripples dispersed, calm returned.
37: Sophia, Sophia?
Her friend's call brought her back to reality.
37: There are more people interested in this game than I thought!
In no time, 37 returned with the participants she had found.
Shining with confidence, she seemed ready to start immediately.
37: All the necessary conditions are met now. We need to proceed in order with the game. Let’s start with the first question!
37: Will you help by observing us, Sophia?
Sophia: ... Of course.
Sophia: I'll validate your calculations and check for any errors.
The red-haired Corrector nodded.
Of course, not every question needed an answer.
Now they all had their own tasks.