Ch.335Snow Country (4)

Yamamoto.

Despite being a country boy to the bone, he was a city boy who yearned for urban life. His family had been sweet potato farmers for generations. That alone made him fundamentally rural.

“Yamamoto, you meet all the criteria for being a country bumpkin according to Forbes!”

I immediately patted Yamamoto on the shoulder.

“Don’t call me a country bumpkin!!”

Yamamoto shouted angrily.

“Hey, what’s that wildflower blooming in the lawn over there?”

I suddenly threw a question at Yamamoto while looking out the window.

“That’s a wild chrysanthemum. And the one next to it is a cosmos.”

Yamamoto instantly revealed his rural nature by explaining the wildflowers.

Country folk trait: They typically know the names of most roadside flowers.

“Yamamoto, don’t deny it. The fact that you know that confirms you’re a country boy.”

I stated flatly.

“Ah….”

Yamamoto finally realized his mistake.

“Hehehe. Yamamoto… you slipped up.”

I said with a laugh.

“Damn it…”

Yamamoto clicked his tongue and muttered.

“Once I graduate, I’m getting out of this backwater town!!”

Yamamoto suddenly burst out in anger.

“The blind date… I’m not particularly interested.”

Yamamoto suddenly made an unreasonable statement.

“They’re just country chicks anyway. I’m only interested in city women.”

Yamamoto declared.

Can’t be helped. I thought this would be easy, but looks like I need to go into ‘persuasion’ mode again. I sighed and continued.

“Hey, Yamamoto.”

I looked directly at him.

“Do you subconsciously think city people are higher tier than country folk?”

I asked Yamamoto.

“Well… of course, don’t you think?”

Yamamoto replied.

“Sure, that could be true. I won’t deny your fantasies about city life.”

I said.

“However, that’s something you should say after conquering your rural hometown.”

I stated firmly.

“What….”

Yamamoto was taken aback.

“Only a Bronze 1 player with 100 points can look down on Bronze. Only a Silver 1 player with 100 points can look down on Silver. You know what I mean?”

I pointed at Yamamoto.

“You need to dominate the second division before entering the first division. You’re trying to rush into the first division too hastily.”

I explained.

“………!”

Yamamoto wavered at my words.

“I hear you’re studying hard to get into a Tokyo university. Seems like you want to spend your youth in the city.”

“W-what’s wrong with that…..”

“In your current state, even if you go to the city—the first division—you’ll just warm the bench. Is that the youth you’re hoping for? Can you survive competing against the city boys?”

The basics of persuasion start with stoking a sense of crisis.

“T-that’s….”

Yamamoto’s confidence was visibly diminishing.

“Right. You need to become the top tier in your country town, the rural crown prince. It’s a kind of verification process. Become the emperor of this blind date. Then I’ll acknowledge that you’re ready for the city.”

I stated firmly.

“That’s persuasive…. Just as the rumors say. I heard you’re a man of wisdom hidden behind madness.”

Yamamoto said. No. Who the hell is spreading these exaggerated rumors about me? This is clearly sarcasm.

“Alright! This blind date!! I’ll take it seriously!! And I’ll walk the path to becoming a city boy!”

Yamamoto was instantly convinced.

“Good. As the gatekeeper, I’ll be the judge of that.”

I said with a smile.

And so, the blind date warriors—Suzuki, Satoshi, and Yamamoto—were all assembled. The stage was set.

——–

The next day arrived.

As high school students, we couldn’t go to an upscale place. We just met at a family restaurant.

‘Japanese family restaurants are quite interesting.’

Strangely, despite being a restaurant, there were students studying there. Many students would order just from the drink bar and simple menu items while doing homework or studying together. There was even a manga artist having a meeting with their editor. Maybe I should meet Shotaro-san here next time. It would be nice to work with Eri by my side.

Anyway, it was the perfect place for high school students to have a blind date. A place of freedom where anything goes—that was the Japanese family restaurant.

The three blind date warriors were sitting there.

Everyone was tense.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take on the role of MC and clown.”

I addressed everyone.

It was my duty to voluntarily take on the role nobody wanted. If I were to compare my role to war, I’d be the vanguard—the one who carries the flag first into battle. The arrow catcher. I couldn’t argue with that description.

“Each of you should focus on pursuing one girl. Preferably without overlapping. Got it?”

I said with a smile.

If they overlapped, internal competition would arise. That would be the worst.

“After matching you one-on-one, I’ll set the stage for each of you to have cozy conversations.”

I had been on quite a few blind dates during my college days. Of course, I had the sad history of only playing the clown. But that experience wasn’t wasted. I was essentially a professional clown.

“Okay!!”

Suzuki was the most enthusiastic here. Seeing Sasitsu and Frill flirting in the back seat must have really stimulated his romance cells.

“But… what if we end up liking the same girl?”

Satoshi suddenly asked.

“Then just duel it out. Two males fighting over one female.”

It’s common in nature. Getting involved with the opposite sex is surprisingly challenging. If it came to that… I couldn’t help it. It’s the law of nature.

“But that way, you’re likely to self-destruct. Work it out among yourselves.”

I advised.

“I don’t care as long as they’re female. I’ll get a girlfriend even if it’s just for experience points.”

Yamamoto had already started walking the city boy path.

“That’s it!! Remember that feeling!!”

I immediately praised Yamamoto.

“By the way, Shota. Your girlfriends are behind us.”

Suzuki whispered to me.

“Ah… they said they’d monitor whether I hit on other girls or not.”

I said with a bitter smile.

“Wow… I never thought your girlfriends would fill two family restaurant tables…”

Satoshi seemed to be experiencing culture shock. Honestly, there were quite a few. It was almost like being a tribal chief from ancient times.

Yes, Mika and Aki from Kishigo who were part of this blind date, and even Aiko-san had come to check things out. Wait, Head Priestess… what about the temple?

Moreover, they had all ordered food. Were they here to watch someone else’s blind date? That should be fun.

My girlfriends were such beauties that just sitting together at the table was enough to draw attention.

“Those girls are cute… should we approach them?”

As expected, some pickup artists were considering making a move. I was thinking about chasing them away when:

“Don’t bother. Those are the famous Arigiri Shota’s women.”

“Arigiri Shota?!! That guy who’s called the strongest in Emoshita…”

“Yeah. He’s dangerous. Leave them alone.”

I overheard the pickup artists’ conversation.

Wait… it seems some unsettling rumors are circulating about me. What’s with this “strongest” business? Anyway, thanks to that, no one bothered my girlfriends.

In any case, my girlfriends seemed relieved for now. I openly took the MC seat at the side of the table. I demonstrated through my position that I had no intention of hitting on any girls.

The blind date was scheduled for 4 PM, right after school.

At exactly 4 PM, three girls walked in hesitantly. They were a group of flashy and pretty girls with gyaru-style fashion. While it’s not right to rank people, they were all at least 7 or 8 out of 10. And being gyaru added at least 2 bonus points (by my very personal rating system). So they were all in the 9 to 10 range.

The guys all grinned broadly, apparently liking what they saw. Since all three girls were equally pretty, there was no risk of everyone targeting just one girl. That was a relief. When there’s one clear dud in the group, the “hot potato” game begins.

“Are you… from Natori High School?”

One of the girls asked, twirling her hair.

“Oh, yes!! It’s Arigiri Shota!!”

“Wow!! The real Arigiri Shota! Your hair really is spiky!”

“Nice body…”

The Kishigo girls immediately recognized me and knew we were from Natori High School. Wait, am I that famous?

“Shota, you’re coming too?”

One of them suddenly said in a flirtatious tone.

“Need a new member for your harem?”

Another one was trying to cling to me.

I could feel the piercing gazes from my girlfriends behind me, making the back of my neck tingle.

“ENOUGH!!!!!!”

I immediately scolded the three girls.

“I’m the MC for this blind date.”

I stated firmly.

“Aw, don’t be the MC. Come play with us.”

One of the girls said with a clearly disappointed expression. Wait, why am I so popular? That was the question. Gyaru are nice, but our harem was already overflowing with them.

“Don’t interfere with my lifelong dream!!”

I forcibly seated the three of them at the main table.

“D-dream…?”

“I’ve always wanted to be an MC!!! I want the title of MC!!! This is my chance to fulfill my dream!!! So don’t interfere!!! If you do, I’ll cut you with a sword!!”

I shouted with the determination of a solemn samurai.

“Kyahahaha!! He said he’ll cut us with a sword!!”

“Shota is so funny!!”

The girls all laughed in unison. Wait, you’re laughing at my determination? Anyway, this warmed up the atmosphere.

“………..”

My iron wall defense had lowered my girlfriends’ suspicion level by at least -10. They really don’t trust me.

“Anyway!! Let’s begin this 3-on-3 blind date.”

I said solemnly.

“Everyone, take an oath. Swear to compete fairly.”

I proceeded with the oath ceremony.

“An oath!!! Hahahahaha!!”

“This is hilarious. Kyahahaha! Really…!”

“Pfft…. Is this a sports competition?”

The girls shook with laughter.

And so, the blind date war began.

Already in my imagination, the battlefield was unfolding. I was on horseback, proudly drawing my sword. On my back was a flag bearing the emblem of our Natori High School.

“Let’s go, Lord Arigiri.”

Next to me, my adjutant Geruk, clad in armor, nodded and spoke.

“Everyone!!!!! For the victory of our Natori High School!!! Charge!!!!”

I immediately spurred my horse toward the center of the enemy lines.

“Charge!!!!”

Geruk followed behind me. Yes, this level of solemnity was necessary.