Game Market 1983 - Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Complete Joy

"Even I had a bit of a craving to play!"

With her bright smile and a firm grip on my hand, the sound of the alarm announced the start of the event. Soon after, Sawano Tsubaki, the final character of the virtual idol, echoed through the speakers, and unexpectedly, my entire body trembled.

In the empty platform, just the two of us...

Your silent profile beside me bothered me...

What's this? It's the voice I heard every day through CDs, but I never expected my heart to tremble like this...

Mayumi, who was beside me, spoke with a quivering voice.

"This... it's live, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You can feel the breaths in between the song phrases. Don't you notice?"

"Now that you mention it, listening closely, it does seem that way..."

As we grow into adults, we'll lose precious things...

I know that too...

Ah... truly, as I lent my ear to Mayumi's story, it was evident; unlike what I heard from the CD, there was a sense of being present in the live voice. Mayumi was right. The person behind this voice is somewhere, singing live.

Later, our conversation spread through the crowd via those nearby.

"This feels like a live performance, doesn't it?"

"Huh? Come to think of it, the breathing is subtly different from what I heard on the CD."

"Is that so...?"

"Whoa... it gives me goosebumps!"

The person in front of me, arms crossed, swept their forearm across their biceps, gazing at the stage set up in front of the Pentagon Shop. As Sawano Tsubaki appeared on the screen, playing the piano under the black-out screen to counter the intense summer sun, sighs of admiration started echoing throughout the queue.

Hold me, please.

My body feels like it'll shatter...

"Ah... finally..."

Her sleek, black hair fluttering in the wind carried a subtle melancholy vibe as her face appeared on the screen.

As her slender fingers danced across the ivory keys like a floating dance, Mayumi, who had been blankly staring at the screen, leaned on my shoulder, looking a bit staggered.

"Why are you suddenly like this?"

"I don't know... I was listening to the song absentmindedly, and my legs lost strength..."

However, Mayumi's words weren't entirely wrong.

Even I felt a sense of exhilaration in my chest during the highlight of the song; her live performance was utterly captivating.

The people around me began praising her voice.

"Ah, I almost lost myself during the climax of that song."

"Is this what it means to pour emotions into singing? Honestly, I'm feeling it for the first time..."

Though I didn't know what made her voice so poignant, her skill in the current Virtual Idol was, to my friend Kanna's dismay, arguably at the highest level.

"I've decided. I'm going with the Sawano Tsubaki version of Virtual Idol."

"Me too..."

"Oh man... I want to buy the Tsubaki version too, but I hope they won't sell out up front!"

As her live performance ended with the gentle piano sounds, Kanna's familiar song followed, seamlessly transitioning from Sawano Tsubaki's performance.

"Wow, it's Erica!"

Her song, heralding the beginning of Virtual Idol, warmed the hearts of those engrossed in Tsubaki's performance.

"Ah, Erica isn't bad either. If Tsubaki is soul-stirring, Erica's songs are filled with kindness, right?"

"Yeah, exactly. After a long day at work, coming home and listening to Erica's song feels like all the fatigue just melts away..."

Similar to Tsubaki's song, this time, Erica's 'cheerful tune' was also presented live.

Due to the recent recording schedule of Virtual Idol, both I and Mayumi hadn't listened to Kanna's live performance for quite a while.

During her song, I whispered to Mayumi beside me.

"It seems like Kanna is nearby, just like Tsubaki's voice actor."

"Yeah, it's been a while since I've seen her. If she's around, I'd like to meet..."

Even though Erica's appearance on the screen somehow resembled Kanna, it felt as if a close friend had gone far away.

Despite feeling increasingly fatigued from the reality, so different from the dreamed future, and despite much disappointment...

Still, in your world that will eventually come true, I'll always support you~

As Kanna's song ended, Cheryl and Azusa Konno's songs played one after the other, heating up the atmosphere of the event.

Certainly, unlike the previous two songs, the powerful performances of these two individuals were enough to stir the emotions of the waiting crowd...

Consequently, those waiting were further puzzled about whom among the four Virtual Idol members they should purchase. Cheryl's "Beat Heart" on Saturday mornings was enough to ignite the fiery passion hidden in a man's heart.

"Argh! I don't know! Let's just buy them all anyway!"

"Yeah, we'll eventually reach all of them anyway!"

"That's right! Cards are made to be used in times like these!"

Among the cheers echoing around, just as I was about to make a statement, Mayumi snatched my hand in mid-air.

"Are you seriously considering buying all four right here? Are you just talking nonsense?"

"...Ah, bringing Mayumi was not the best idea."

Eventually, we agreed to purchase the Tsubaki version for me and the Kanna version for Mayumi, with the intention to swap once we cleared them. However, my heart still felt somewhat twisted.

"Hey... just buy two calm songs. How about getting one more from either Cheryl or Azusa?"

"Let's stick to one. Only one software can fit into the console anyway."

"But even so, if it gets boring during play, we can switch in the middle, right?"

However, I could sense my suggestion being lightly brushed aside by her piercing gaze.

Some envied me for bringing my girlfriend to buy games, while others looked at me with jealous eyes as if they wanted to kill me...

"In truth, this is tiring in its own way..."

What was I striving for in this past month?

Enduring hunger, saving on transportation costs by biking everywhere—these were all investments for today.

I have to figure this out somehow...

I impatiently waited for the dwindling of her scrutinizing gaze.

&

As the celebration stage for the Virtual Idol came to an end, the official sales began, and amidst the gradually dwindling queue, there was both excitement and a tinge of anxiety coursing through me.

Glancing around discreetly, I spotted a total of 5 cash registers. So, if I could just scatter in different directions after Mayumi and swiftly grab all the titles I wanted, stashing them in my shopping bag, it'd be a smooth exit back home.

Just in case she wants to peek into the bag, maybe asking for some tape on the shopping bag wouldn't hurt?

Running simulations in my mind, devising various ways to evade her gaze, I found myself inside the Pentagon Shop facing five checkout counters.

'Where should I go? I need to calculate far from Mayumi.'

If she heads for the center counter, it's game over. But if I position myself on either end... that's the prime spot.

Swiftly extracting a crinkled envelope from my bag, I slyly slipped money into my back pocket when Mayumi turned her head the other way.

"All right. First mission: accomplished."

Just you wait. My complete Laon...!!

As I nervously observed the queue diminishing, pretending to browse the store, I monitored the people heading to the counters, calculating their sequence.

"On average, it takes about 3 to 4 minutes per person to buy a console and software. If that's the case, Mayumi will be at Counter 4. It's a shame it's not 1 or 2, but 4 isn't bad. At least if I manage 1 or 2, she won't see what I'm buying."

Gosh, buying a game with my own money shouldn't be this intense...

Thankfully, there seemed to be no shortage of the Virtual Idol heroines. But a quick glance indicated that the Tsubaki version was selling out the fastest.

"Oh, it's our turn next already."

"Y-yeah. You're just getting the console and Virtual Idol Erica version, right?"

"Yes, to get Kanna's autograph."

"That's a great idea! I might do that too."

"Huh? Didn't you say you were getting the Tsubaki version?"

Oops!! What a foolish mistake... to mess up at such a crucial moment!!

Avoiding Mayumi's suspicious gaze already, I turned my head only to hear the Pentagon staff member's voice from behind.

"Next customer, please head to Counter 4."

"Oh, okay!"

I glanced at Mayumi heading towards Counter 4 and impatiently waited for my turn.

'Whether it's Counter 1 or 2, just hurry up and finish... please!!'

But my expectations were completely off...

"Next customer, please head to Counter 3."

... I was doomed. Of all places, right next to Mayumi.

Trying to keep my distance as much as possible, suddenly, a customer from Counter 1 didn't leave with their shopping bag?

In that moment, I momentarily pretended to stumble, making my way swiftly to Counter 1.

"Ah, over here~!!"

Though the voice of the cashier at Counter 3 called out from behind, I quickly rushed to Counter 1, ready with my prepared lines.

"One Complete Laon, and four versions of the Virtual Idol. All limited editions!! Also, Full Metal Gear and the remake version, please!!"

"So, you mean all the products launched today along with Complete Laon?"

"Yes!!"

I nodded hastily as the cashier explained the products to Mayumi, who was listening. Then, a female employee emerged from the back, bringing out the products and stacking them like a pile on the counter. After a discreet cough into the microphone, an employee made an announcement.

"With the recent purchase of the esteemed customer, we regret to inform you that all limited editions of the Virtual Idol Sawano Tsubaki and Erica have been sold out."

Nice!! The last limited editions of Tsubaki and Erica were mine!!

Wait, Erica...?

I only planned to buy Tsubaki... revealing Erica too?

With a sinking feeling, I turned my head, and our eyes met squarely at Counter 4 where Mayumi was stationed.

"Sir, would you like a brief explanation about the Complete Laon you've purchased?"

"No, I have urgent matters, so please proceed quickly."

"Then, please refer to the manual before playing. The total for the Complete Laon and the accompanying software amounts to 80,080 yen."

At 9,280 yen per limited edition Virtual Idol and buying four, it's more expensive than Complete Laon.

But was it the thrill of snagging the last limited editions? I swiftly handed over eight 10,000 yen bills and one 100 yen coin to the cashier.

"Thank you. I've received 80,100 yen. Here's your change of 20 yen."

As I received the change and stuffed the hefty Complete Laon into the shopping bag, I grabbed the receipt and hastily exited the Pentagon shop.

"Kensuke!!"

Following soon after, Mayumi emerged from the store, holding a shopping bag similar in size to mine, striding towards me.

"How much did you even buy!?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just got one more Erica version for Kan..."

"But why is your bag ballooning like it's about to explode? Let me see it for a sec."

"No, seriously! I really just got those two!!"

"Then, just show me for a moment!"

"Oh, come on. Why are you acting so childish?"

Trying to avoid her forceful approach, I moved towards the sidewalk, dodging Mayumi's attempts to reach for the shopping bag.

Luckily, there was a railing, so I didn't fall, but I struggled to keep the shopping bag away from her towards the road.

Suddenly...

Wham~!!

It felt like someone had hit the back of my hand. Something's missing...

"Uh?"

Glancing down at the hand stretched towards the road, all I held was the handle of the large shopping bag.

"Huh? What's this?"

Wham~!!

As I turned my head, the thick shopping bag that had been in my hand moments ago was now cradled by someone sitting on the backseat of a motorcycle.

Is this a pickpocketing attempt?

The sudden snatch of my bag took me by surprise. I darted my gaze towards the source, only to see a figure perched on the motorcycle, firmly clutching the shopping bag.

"Hey! What's going on?"

But before I could react further, the motorcycle roared to life and sped off into the distance, leaving me stunned on the sidewalk.

"Wait, my bag!!"

The realization hit hard. That bag contained everything I'd just purchased—the Complete Laon and all those limited editions.

In a panic, I looked around frantically, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of the thief or any sign of my stolen goods.

"Did that just happen?"

I stood there, utterly dumbfounded, processing the abrupt turn of events.

"Are you okay?"

A voice pulled me out of my stupor. It was Mayumi, who had followed me in concern.

"My bag, it's gone! Everything I bought..."

Mayumi's eyes widened in shock as she processed what had transpired.

"Let's call the police right away!"

Without wasting a moment, we both reached for our phones, frantically dialing for help. As we waited for the authorities to arrive, a whirlwind of emotions churned within me—frustration, disbelief, and a tinge of anger at the brazen theft.

Minutes stretched like hours until the police finally arrived. We provided them with every detail, recounting the incident meticulously.

As the officers assured us of their efforts to track down the thief, reality sunk in—I had lost all those prized possessions in a matter of seconds.

"It's... all gone."

The weight of those words echoed in my mind as I watched the police take statements and gather evidence.

Mayumi, too, stood by me, offering support in the face of this unexpected ordeal.

"Are you okay?"

Her concern was palpable, and amidst the chaos, her presence was a comforting anchor.

"Yeah... I'll manage. Thanks, Mayumi."

We exchanged a solemn look, acknowledging the unfortunate turn of events. In that moment, amidst the loss, there was a sense of camaraderie—an unspoken understanding that we were in this together.

The authorities continued their investigation, and though the chances seemed slim, a glimmer of hope lingered—that perhaps, just perhaps, my stolen treasures would find their way back to me.

As the day drew to a close, we left the scene, the events of the day etched vividly in our memories—the thrill of the purchases, the abrupt theft, and the unexpected camaraderie born from adversity.

And amidst it all, a resolve emerged—a determination to not let this setback overshadow the joy that gaming and camaraderie brought into our lives.

As we parted ways, Mayumi offered a reassuring smile, a silent gesture of support in this trying moment.

"Take care. We'll get through this."

With those parting words, we went our separate ways, each carrying the weight of the day's unexpected turn, yet bolstered by the shared resolve to overcome it.

And so, the day that began with excitement and anticipation ended with an unexpected twist, leaving behind a tale of resilience, camaraderie, and the unwavering spirit to forge ahead despite the challenges.

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