The chocolate company started out with four basic flavors of chocolate. There was:
1. Dark chocolate
2. White chocolate
3. Chocolate with Nuts
4. Caramel filled chocolate
Each with its own packaging.
Hikaru had synthesized 12 more flavors. Not only were there the original ones, there was also mango flavor, pineapple flavor, pudding flavor, cookie flavor, strawberry flavor, blueberry flavor, etc.
He made new packages for the synthesized chocolates, obviously going all out. The company had given two weeks for the competition. The competition started on Monday and would end the next Friday.
Hikaru had sold the most chocolates throughout the week but was tied with Alex. Their sales were miles ahead of anyone else. Each day they both would sell at least 2 cartons of chocolates while others couldn't manage to sell one. Soon the last day arrived.
Hikaru was enraged at Alex. He couldn't figure out how he could sell 2 whole cartons like him every day. Hikaru suspected he was using an underhanded method.
They were in class, and Hikaru kept on pondering in school. As the last bell rang to indicate the end, he confronted him.
'Alexander, how did you sell as many chocolates as me?'
'Um…by setting up a stall somewhere in the city and selling them or even sometimes going door to door.'
Hikaru was astonished by the simplicity of the answer.
'Cut the crap, I know you're using some underhanded method to get this much sale. It couldn't be that you're just buying them yourself, you do have the money to do so.'
Hikaru's deductive skills were coming up with several possibilities. Ironically, he was using an underhanded method.
Creating and selling more flavors than the company had made was not allowed. Since the company didn't make them, the person would be selling his own product using its name.
Also, if he sells them, it would be a hassle for the company as the customer would demand flavors other than it had created, causing confusion and urging them to spend money to recreate those flavors, but who cares?
'Wait, you can do that? Then that makes things a whole lot easier. Maybe I'll buy 15 cartons of chocolates from myself.'
'Of course, you can't do that.'
'Then why did you say I'm doing it if it's not allowed.'
The conversation wasn't making any progress. Having no reply, Hikaru did the first thing that came into his mind.
'Just shut up! I challenge you to a showdown today at a mall. I'll beat you there and then finally take Asuna to the co-'
Hikaru realized he had said too much and immediately covered his mouth with his hands.
'Did you just say Asuna?'
He rapidly denied.
'No, I didn't.'
Alex became interested in the conversation.
'You did. Come to think of it, she actually likes the band performing at the concert. Maybe I'll take her there.'
Hikaru retorted.
'No, you will not. I am going to win the tickets and take her there.'
Hikaru was fired up.
'So… when did it become about Asuna?'
'Since the beg-'
Hikaru again covered his mouth. Alex completed his sentence.
'Since the beginning?'
'No, it was always a competition of who's the smartest.'
Hikaru said it while averting his eyes.
'Oh, really?'
Alex had that "I know you're lying." look on his face, and Hikaru was still averting his eyes.
'J-Just show up at the mall on the west side of the city.'
Hikaru ran away, embarrassed.
They both showed up at a mall, where neither of them had ever sold chocolates, and started setting up their stall. Alex set up his stall on one corner while Hikaru set up his on the furthest corner from Alex's.
It took 5 minutes for Alex to set up his booth while took Hikaru a good 30 minutes to set up his. Alex's stall was extremely simple. A single table covered with a white sheet of cloth and two simple charts which said chocolate.
Hikaru pulled out all the stops on his stall. It consisted of two large tables joined together with exquisite designs with many colorful charts and signs. One sign would say chocolates, while one would have some nutritional facts about chocolates. There was a large banner at the top, which he had set up using two poles.
Honestly, with the money he spent on his stalls, advertisement, synthesizing the chocolates, and creating new wrappers, he could have easily bought four tickets to the concert all in matt black special-edition without all the trouble. *Some genius he is.*
His stall was eye-catching, that was certain. Hikaru was out of breath even before he started selling chocolates just by setting it up. Alex had to wait awkwardly for him to finish. When offering to help him, he refused.
The competition finally began.
School had ended, bringing many students to the mall. Many people were there for a lunch break too. The mall was crowded at the time, being an ideal place to sell a good amount of any product.
Alex and Hikaru had each brought 6 cartons of chocolates. As the competition started, as expected, Hikaru's stall was getting more people. It was going according to Hikaru's plan. More variety means more people, more people means more sale, and more sales mean victory.
Two hours had passed, and things were looking suitable for Hikaru. Out of curiosity, he grabbed a pair of binoculars to see how Alex was doing. To his astonishment, Alex had already sold two cartons of chocolates while Hikaru had only sold one.
'How?'
Alex was busy dealing with the few customers he had.
--I almost feel sorry for Hikaru for trying this hard. His plan was going too well, but he overlooked one crucial psychological fact. If this was a competition of attraction, he had won the moment he set up his stall, but this is a competition of sales.
Hikaru was carefully watching Alex. He casually waved back. He forgot one thing.
--People hate being wrong. He had created a lot of flavors, thus, creating a lot of choices. With more choices, people get confused, and from fear of choosing wrong, they don't choose at all. The outcome was decided long before we even set up our stalls.
Hikaru finally understood what was happening. His stall attracted more people, but they were not actually buying anything. Meanwhile, almost every single customer at Alex's stall bought something.
Alex smoothly signaled a potential customer.
'Excuse me, could I interest you in trying some chocolates? There are four flavors, and each of them is really good.'
'Hmm… sure I'll take two bars.'
'Of course, here you go. Thank you.'
Hikaru had ruined his own victory.
'Have you decided which one to buy?'
'Umm…I don't know, there are a lot of choices.'
Hikaru overheard the discussion of a customer and her colleagues at his stall.
'Maybe I'll buy some later.'
The customer, along with her friends, went away as Hikaru called out to them.
'Wait, please come back, there aren't a lot of choices. I'll help you choose.'
The competition ended in Alex's victory with 4 cartons.
Alex was busy packing up when an intriguing customer showed up.
'Excuse me, I would like to buy some chocolate.'
Alex was almost done packing but politely replied,
'Yes, of course, which one would you like to buy?'
Alex turned around to face the customer.
'I would like to buy a whole carton. Could you please deliver it here tomorrow morning?'
The customer displayed the location from his phone.
'Of course, anything else?'
'Yes, please come prepared.'
'Don't worry, I will.'
Alex assured the customer.