Well. Now that we're about to face off against Hiro I guess we're going to need to get all our gear in order, and...

Wait... The phone is ringing!

: Yes?

: This is Hiroko from the boutique in Motomachi.

Who?

Oh wait. It's that girl from the clothing / jewelry shop!

She's finally gotten back to us! She promised us that she'd hook us up with her friend who was coming back from America, all that time ago.

Maybe this mythical friend actually exists and wasn't just a convenient way of making Taro leave?

: Oh, Hiroko, what's wrong?

: Are you free today?

I mean, we were going to try and win the Zero4 Championship...

: Yeah, I'm bored.

...But Taro is more interested in girls, what with his great track record in that area and all.

: I wanted to introduce you to Ritsuko.

: Really?!

Woah the mythical girl does exist!

: Can you come to Minato Park at 12 o'clock?

: I'm going, I'm definitely going.

: See you later. Goodbye.

Whoah! I can’t believe it. We’re finishing the game, so surely this will finally be the girlfriend that is going to stick right?

We've been through many. I don't know if Taro can take another heartbreak... Even if he deserves it.

: Let's not be late next time.

Yes, but let’s not rush into this Taro. Be smart and play it cool. You need to take your time. You don’t want to...

Oh.

: Looks like she hasn’t arrived yet.

I’m not surprised. I don’t think she’d even put down the phone receiver by the time you tore out of the parking lot.

: Sorry to keep you waiting.

: You came early.

: I'll keep to the time..

: Let me introduce you to my friend Ritsuko.

: hello

: I'm Taro. Nice to meet you.

Well. This seems to be starting well.

: Now, just have fun together.

: Because I have a promise.

: Oh, are you going?

Wait... Hiroko is leaving?

... Leaving this poor girl alone with Taro?

:Old people will disappear, okay?

Oop. Just like that... She's gone....

: I'm in trouble...

...Are we sure Hiroko actually likes Ritsoku, or is this one of those frenemy situations?

: Well, that's fine.

: Even Hiroko is not single, like us. She was considerate.

Yes. Considerate in the way she left you with a complete stranger, for whom the only interaction she herself has had - is when he continually shows up at her work, asking for a date.

: I hope you don't get the wrong idea.

: I've never been introduced to a man before until I came here. Because I didn't know.

: Oh really?

: Maybe she has a boyfriend?

: But there isn't...…

Ooh, sorry Ritsoku. The smart thing to say would have been 'yes, I have a boyfriend and he's a big tough marine'.

: That’s good.

: But, It's not that I desperately want a boyfriend. I can find my own boyfriend.

Yeah, but, what if one is handed to you by your... 'friend'?

... Who appears to be half the way to Osaka by now.

: And I hate people like you.

Woah! That's a little harsh...

: To be introduced to a girl you've never met before. Any woman would be fine, right?

I mean not just anyone...

Taro clearly has standards...

...Just completely unrealistic ones...

: If you were a man too. You should at least find your own girlfriend!

: (Unpleasant. If I carry on like this, I'll just be a pathetic man. It will happen)

: Was her name Ritsuko-chan? You seem to be a little confused.

: Misjudged?

: I don't really think that any girl is fine.

: It was Hiroko who suggested introducing us. I just loved Hiroko.

: But she has a boyfriend.

: I was feeling down after hearing that. So she introduced me to you.

: Is that so?

: That doesn't mean I'm open to anyone, and I never intended to date you

…

Why, the mere thought had never crossed Taro's mind...

: And...

: And?

: You're like my girlfriend. I told you to find it yourself.

: I told you

: But isn't that a bit strange?

: What does that mean?

: You don't need someone to introduce you.

: So I should just pick up girls myself?

Well we did hit the 'pick up girls button' about forty times before now.

: No, I'm saying it's strange that you could suddenly start dating a girl you've never met before.

: I'm telling you, that's strange.

Look lady, Taro read a book on dating, which he found in a real bookstore, and although he was too embarrassed to be seen purchasing it, we feel he got what he needed out of it out of the first few paragraphs of the opening chapter. Ok?

: That's not true.

: When you meet someone for the first time, You don't know anything about each other.

: As we meet more and more and sharing the same time, I think we'll come to understand each other better.

Why do I get the feeling this game is secretly the manifest of a lonely Japanese game developing incel...

: That's true, but…

: The first trigger was probably picking up girls.

A sure fire way to a woman's heart is apparently interrupting her continually, preventing her from speaking.

: Whether it's an introduction or not, it doesn't matter. I think that's a good thing.

: If it's bad to be introduced to someone, people who get married through matchmaking, it's all going to be a no-go.

: If it's a bad thing to be introduced, people who meet and marry, it's all going to be bad

I think Taro's argument is if people never met, they'd never form relationships. True, but it doesn't count for frenemy relationships where one party will hoist the sketchiest person they know on another, in secret, petty acts of sabotage.

: I'm not saying that, but…

: Well anyway, I'm not the man you think I am

: It seems so

: Anyway, can we talk for a bit?

: Hiroko might still be around there..

: Since they introduced me to you, we have to make it look like things are going well.

Why, it would be rude not to date someone based on your friend pushing you into an uncomfortable situation with a complete stranger

: You're so kind

: That's not true.