#901 Now, Slice the Watermelon

I’m still on a mission to spread the gospel of watermelon’s greatness far and wide.

Watermelons are delicious, but their allure doesn’t stop there.

Their true marvel lies not just in their ability to delight the taste buds but also in their capacity to excite and enthuse people in other ways.

And that is through…

“Watermelon smashing!”

...Are you familiar with this game?

It’s an exhilarating sport usually done at beaches.

A vibrant activity second only to beach volleyball, performed by beachgoers and party animals alike.

To be offered as a sacrifice for the amusement of others, such is the noble role of the watermelon!!!

“What’s got you so excited, Dear?”

“It must be new food! Let me have a taste, too!!!”

As usual, the scent of food has gathered everyone from the farm.

It’s the same old scene.

But what perfect timing – the more the audience, the grander the showcase.

Let’s not wait any longer to witness the spectacle of watermelon smashing!

“No, I’d rather sink my teeth into this new food and enjoy it right away.”

Hold your horses, Viel.

Missing out on the tasting time was your own fault.

The stage has moved on, so sit tight until it’s accomplished.

That means we’re moving out.

After all, watermelon smashing is a beachside activity!!!

Luckily, there’s a coast near the farm, so moving to the location is hardly a hassle at all!!!

Ah, the sun’s blazing down nicely, heating up the sand.

It’s scorching my soles!!!

“So, what grand scheme are you plotting here, Dear? Is it that beach volleyball thing you mentioned before?”

“I know! It’s that game where you smack a ball back and forth on a sandy beach... I got it! We’ll use this watermelon as the ball, right?”

“I see. That’s quite the innovative idea.”

In Platy and Veil’s minds, beach volleyball and watermelon smashing are merging.

That could give birth to a new type of game, but for today, let’s stick with the traditional watermelon smashing, shall we?

“Listen up! I’m going to explain the rules of the game we’re about to start!!!”

“Forget that, just let me eat the watermelonnn!”

Pipe down, Veil.

That’s a dragon for you, all right. Always going at their own tempo.

“The objective of the game is to split this watermelon! Use a bat and swing it down towards the watermelon! That’s how it’s done!!!”

“That sounds too easy. Where’s the challenge in that?”

What’s that, Platy?

Are you suggesting easy games aren’t real games?

Let’s shelf that debate for now…

Of course, just splitting it wouldn’t be much of a game. It needs a twist to make it interesting.

“And here’s the twist – blindfolds!”

“Blindfolds?”

Yes, the person attempting to split the watermelon must blindfold themselves, blocking their vision.

Without sight, one cannot confirm the location of the watermelon.

The player must grope around in the darkness, guessing and searching for the watermelon’s location!

That’s the real thrill of watermelon smashing!!!

“I see. I’ve got the gist of it! Let’s get right to it and crack open that watermelon!!!”

Huh?

Guys?

The next thing I knew…

Dozens of farm residents were wandering around blindfolded, all searching for the watermelon.

“Where is it... Where’s the watermelon...?!”

“Ow, did I bump into someone?!”

“Found it, here’s the watermelon!!!”

“Ouchhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

Why are you all doing this simultaneously?!

It makes no sense and is downright dangerous!

“Huh? We all start at the same time, and the first to split it wins, right?”

Don’t just rush into it!

Watermelon smashing should be done one at a time!

Others should help the blindfolded player by verbally guiding them to the watermelon’s location!

See, watermelon smashing isn’t about competition!

It’s a cooperative game where one splits the watermelon while others assist by guiding! Get it?!

If that’s clear, let’s get back to how it’s supposed to be done!

Okay, who’s going first?!

Who will be the first batter?!

“If you insist, why don’t you show us how it’s done, Master?”

Me? Really?

“Well, it makes sense. The person who knows best should show us how it’s done. Go, Dear!!!”

Sending me out like I’m P*kachu, huh...

Though their argument holds water.

Just criticizing without lifting a finger wouldn’t get the message across.

Well then, it’s time I physically demonstrated the essence of watermelon smashing!!!

Blindfold on!

Bat ready!

This is the true attire for watermelon smashing. With this, let’s bring down the watermelon in one fell swoop!

“Go, Dear! A bit to the right!”

“Too far right! Adjust to eleven o’clock direction!”

“Right, down, right down, punch!!!”

“↙→↘↓↙←↘ + B C!”

Following the outfielders’ directions… There should be a watermelon right at my feet!

Checkmate!

Swing down from above!

Whoosh!

Huh?

I missed. A swing and a miss?

Impossible. The guidance and my aim were perfect.

So why didn’t it hit anything?

“Lord Saintttttttt! You did itttttttttttt!!!”

Th-That voice?!

“I, tree spirit Mobile Suica! After numerous discussions with the other tree spirits, we decided I should possess the watermelon! From now on, I’ll inhabit this watermelon, protecting it from any threat!”

What does that mean?!

The moment I swung down, the tree spirit possessed the watermelon and dodged?!

Trying to smash a moving watermelon ups the difficulty to a whole new level!

This is turning into a different game!

“Ah! The watermelon dodged to the right, no, left?! Up, down?! Huh, is that an afterimage?!”

The guidance from the sidelines is now just confusing!

The sound of the air is being sliced through all around?!

“Muahaha! How about that, Lord Saint? With me possessing it, no one can harm the watermelon now!”

Why protect a watermelon that’s already been harvested?!

No, this is a disaster; the tree spirit’s zeal has completely thrown off the balance of the watermelon-smashing game!

“Dear, it’s time to use the eyes of your heart! Anticipate the watermelon’s movements with the unclouded perception of your spirit!!!”

Throwing in a plot twist straight out of a Shonen manga, huh?

If only everything could be seen with the “eyes of the heart,” life would be so much easier!

It’s probably going to end up being something like “incredibly good hearing”!

But I can feel it…

This gentle aura must be Platy’s. And this larger presence is Veil’s.

...It’s coming.

This massive fruit energy.

Spreading an intense tropical vibe, it’s coming right at me.

This is it, this is...!

The watermelonnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!

“Watermelon Splitting Strike!!!”

The watermelon split.

Unintentionally mastering the “mind’s eye,” I brought the watermelon smashing to a triumphant conclusion.

==========

for those not familiar with mobile suica, it's one of the IC cards widely used around japan for just about anything (train, konbini, etc). it's the green card with a penguin on it