You can't just pick up a girl in the middle of the street while wearing a school uniform.
　After changing into casual clothes, Gran and I walked through the school gates into the busy castle town.

"Listen, Twight. There are many beautiful women in the capital. But ...... that's why they're used to being flattered, so it's not easy.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but it's a good idea.

The trick to picking up girls in King's Landing is to make it look like you're used to it. If you do this in the countryside, they will say, 'Oh, he's done this before. If you do this in the countryside, you'll be called 'manipulative,' but women in the capital will trust you. Do you understand?

Well, I kind of do. ......

　In King's Landing, many men and women are sophisticated - that is, many are tolerant of heteros*xual interactions.
　In the capital, playing the role of an experienced pick-up artist will imply that you have entertained many women in the past. That's why the other person will think, "I might be able to have fun with this person.

Watch me first. I'll show you how it's done.

　With that, Gran staggered off.
　Then he called out to a woman of about 20 years old who passed in front of him.

"Miss, can I have a word with you?

"Yes?　What is it?　You're a pervert!

No, I'm not a pervert.

Get away from me!

　Boom! Gran gets a hard slap.
　Gran looks on in dismay as the woman stumbles away from him.

"Hey. What kind of example was that?　Is that the fastest way to get slapped in the face?

...... I'll go again.

　Gran blends into the crowd again.
　But he's been slapped again.
　I distrusted him as he staggered back, looking dejected.

Gran. Just out of curiosity, have you ever had any success with ......?

"No, there's ....... I'm sure there is. In my head, it worked now.

　"No, there should be.
　Is it possible that you've only succeeded in your imagination?

What about the last time? You picked up a girl in King's Landing last time, didn't you?

"...... Similar. Oh, I thought two of us would change things up a bit. ...... I guess I was wrong.

　Apparently, you've never been successful.
　What do you mean, "I'll teach you how to do it! What? I sigh.

"So now it's Twight's turn. Go ahead and try.

"What do you mean, 'just because'? I was going to try it based on what Gran said so confidently.

Think about it. Do you think there are women who are attracted to my looks?

　No, I don't think so. ......
　Gran has a face that is classified as rather handsome. But to be more precise, he's more strong than handsome, and he's also intimidatingly large. I don't think he's a good pickup artist.

　--Now that I've come this far, I might as well give it a shot.

　I feel like I'm getting desperate, but that's just life experience.

I'll give it a try. ...... Okay. I'll give it a try.

I'll try it." "Oh, that's great, Twight!　If it works out, introduce me at a reasonable time!

　I wonder if that was the goal all along.
　With this thought in mind, I pretended to be a natural and looked for the opposite s*x.

　Come to think of it, I had a colleague who liked to pick up girls when I was in an institution. This reminds me of the crap he used to say. "Picking up women is intelligent and sophisticated communication," "Gaining someone's trust through conversation based on calculation is honestly harder than killing them," "Bad guys think that picking up women is gambling. But the good ones know that picking up women is just fishing.

Excuse me.

　You make up your mind and call out to a woman passing by.

"Is that ......?

　The woman seemed blatantly suspicious of me.
　The woman seemed blatantly suspicious of me, and no matter what I said, I was unlikely to gain her trust. As I pondered what to say next, I suddenly noticed the earrings the woman was wearing.

"Do those earrings belong to Arcadia?

"What?　Yes, they do, but do you know ......?

Yes. I was once in Arcadia.



　When I told her that, the woman clearly relaxed.

　--I see. So the idea is to let her swim, to let her be natural.

　Maybe I've got the hang of it.
　Now all I need is a chance to make her feel natural.

　I observe the woman and notice another fact.
　There's a little bit of mud on her shoes. The last time it rained in King's Landing was two days ago. The city is already thirsty, so the only place you can get mud is outside the city walls. The mud outside the city walls was confirmed this morning when I went for my daily run.

　The woman probably noticed the mud on her shoes and tried her best to wipe it off. Although there are some traces left on her shoes, there are traces that she tried to wipe them off carefully. However, she is not a meticulous person. Because she had misbuttoned her clothes. Not in a conspicuous place like her chest, but in an inconspicuous place around her navel. It is understandable that she didn't notice, but a meticulous person would not have made such a mistake.

　In other words, she is a person who does not normally pay much attention to her appearance. Nevertheless, she meticulously removes dirt from her shoes. From the looks of it, they are not very expensive, but rather cheap shoes. They are not a gift from a lover. They are not worn out, so they are not something to be attached to.

　Furthermore, if you look closely, you can see a faint red mark on the woman's arm. It looked as if she had been carrying a heavy load for a long time. .......

...... Are you here for a tour of the royal castle, by any chance?

　When I asked, the woman's eyes widened.

"Yes, I am. Yes, I am. I heard that some of the spaces are open to the public to commemorate the victory of the war. ......

"Yes, they are, indeed. ...... Did you arrive at the royal capital today?　It must have been a long way from Arcadia.

Yes, it was. In addition, the rain the day before yesterday seemed to have made the roads worse, so the carriage was delayed and my shoes got dirty with mud, so I had a hard time. I just left my luggage at the inn a while ago.

　Subjectively, this woman was already in a state of near spontaneity.
　The next step is to ...... drop the hook.

I'm sure it's still muddy outside the city walls. ...... Excuse me, but your shoes are definitely dirty.

You're right, you're right. I've tried to clean them as best I can, but they're still muddy. I've cleaned them as best I can. ......

　It took a while.

...... You may be right. It's a historic castle, even though it's open to tourists. ...... If you like, I can take you to a nearby shoe store.

I'm sorry.　Are you sure?

Yes. In fact, the reason I approached you was because I saw those earrings. Arcadia is a place that holds a lot of memories for me, but I haven't been back for a long time. If you don't mind, I'd like to talk to you about the recent Arcadia Kingdom, even if it's just on the way to the shoe store.

"Yes. Yes, that's all I need.

　I smiled at the smiling woman, and I smiled as good-naturedly as I could.
　At this point, I think I've succeeded in picking up a girl.
　Feeling a sense of accomplishment, I look at Gran, who has been staring at me with a stunned expression.

"Excuse me. I'm actually with a friend, is that okay?

"It's fine.

　With his permission, he beckoned Gran over.
　Then a large man with a scar on his cheek approached with a creepy smile that would make even the most suspicious person cringe.

"Dehehe!　Hi!　I'm Gran!

"Huh?

　The woman was severely frightened by Gran, who came at her in a flash with his big toe.
　She looked at me and Gran alternately, and then went pale.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry!　I think I'll pass.

　The woman left in a hurry.

"...... Hey.

"...... Sorry.

　Gran apologized with an apologetic look on his face.

"But Twight. You have a talent for picking up girls. I'll admit, I was a little freaked out that you made it on the first try.

I'm surprised myself. ...... Maybe my work experience came in handy.

Work?　Oh, ...... I see. A street sweeper is like a customer service rep. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.



Well, sort of.

　A little different, but similar.
　There were operatives in the agency who used storytelling as a weapon, but since I was mainly involved in assassinations, escorts, captures, and other dangerous missions, I never learned to talk professionally. At best, I learned the art of disguise.

　What helped me was not the ability to talk, but the ability to see.
　It was a skill that I had originally developed in order to detect hidden weapons in my opponent's clothes, but I never thought it would come in handy in such a situation.

d*mn it. I wish I had a job like that.

　Gran says.
　Maybe it's hard to pick up girls even if you've been in the hospitality business.

"......, let's try again.

"Two-eight!　That's what I'm talking about!　I've never been so happy to be your friend as I am now!

I'm in the mood to stop being your friend.

　I'm in the mood to stop being your friend.
　Maybe it was because I'd gotten a good response from my first pickup, but I was feeling a little more enthusiastic.

"Oh, Twight. Isn't that girl really cute?

　I followed Gran's gaze and looked at the person.
　She was a silver-haired girl, something you don't often see around here. Her hair and skin are white, and the clothes she wears are a pristine white. In this crowded castle town, a girl as beautiful as a snow fairy stood out.

"She's certainly well-dressed, but ...... she's a child, isn't she?

"No, no. It's just that she's not growing fast enough. I'd say she's about the same age as us.

Even if that's the case, it's not a good idea to pick up a kid who looks like that.

My taste is cradle to grave. ...... You should go ahead and try it. If it gets dangerous, I'll stop you.

　Gran told me that, and I reluctantly approached the girl.
　But ...... I've only seen her profile, but she looks familiar.

I'm sorry.

　When I called out to the girl, she turned around.
　Perhaps it was her small stature, but she seemed very quiet. However, she seemed to have a strong core, and she didn't seem to be upset at all even though she was suddenly approached by a man she had never met before.

"Yes? What can I do for you?

　The girl was a natural from the start.
　Her next words were a little stunned. Perhaps this girl was the "woman who is used to being picked up" that Gran was talking about. The girl was like a smart fish that could swim easily in a lake with a hook hanging down.

　A sudden obstacle.
　But that's why it's worth overcoming.
　Between you and me. I was starting to enjoy picking up girls.

"Is there a place around here where I can sit and rest?

"Is ...... a place to sit and rest?

Yes. To tell you the truth, I've only been in King's Landing for a short time, so I don't know ...... much about the area. So I got lost and got tired of walking.

If you go straight down the central avenue and then turn right at the end of the street, you'll find a good store.

Uh, Chuo-dori is ...... over there, isn't it?

No, it's the other way. ...... Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, you're having trouble because you don't know the area. Would you like me to show you around?

　I felt a pause in my heart because the situation had turned out as I had expected.

"Are you sure?

"Yes. I can't leave a person in trouble alone.

Thank you very much. ...... By the way, do you have any plans for later today?

No, not really.　No, not really.

I'd be happy to pay you back when we get there. I'll buy you whatever you want.

Uh, let's see, .......

　I'm sorry, I'm pushing too hard.
　It would have been better to talk about the thank you a little later.
　As I was thinking that, the girl bowed her head.

Oh, I'm sorry. Can I talk to my friend?

"Friend?

　I tilted my head at the girl's words.
　At that moment, I felt someone behind me.

It's okay, isn't it?

　The person says in a cold tone.
　I turned around and saw a familiar girl.

You're going to buy me whatever I want, aren't you?　Hey, Twight.

　Elysia, a girl with chestnut brown hair, said with a terrible smile on her face.