Game Market 1983

Chapter 229: Tsubaki's Request

After visiting Tsubaki at the hospital, ten days passed.

As the first live battle of Virtuoid idols approached within a week, a peculiar tension began to simmer among gamers across Japan's islands.

Could it be because of the novelty of this gaming style?

Even those not particularly fond of games seemed to take a notable interest in their activities. What was the reason behind it?

In recent times, on PC communication communities, there was a frequent mention of individuals purchasing Complete Laon to support their favorite heroines during the battle.

"To be honest, when the director first mentioned Virtuoid idols, I couldn't grasp it at all. But now that it's released, the popularity is astounding," remarked Hayashi, responsible for Virtuoid Idol's system, while lighting a cigarette on the rooftop.

Recently, Pentagon Soft had banned smoking inside the office, forcing smokers like Hayashi to gather on the building's rooftop.

Though until last year, they had smoking rooms inside, it seemed undesirable to have them congregating like a raccoon's den.

While there were considerable cash rewards for those abstaining from smoking for more than three months as part of the anti-smoking welfare policy, Hayashi had never succeeded in quitting, despite being a standout figure within Pentagon, akin to the protagonist of Full Metal Gear, Snake.

However, this morning, he submitted a smoking cessation request.

Though stated as 'for personal health reasons,' it was apparent to anyone that it was under Kaori's pressure.

"Is that your last one?"

"I kept one more as a coincidence. Care to join me for the last puff?"

Handing me the lighter placed in a vacant corner, Hayashi chuckled, lighting it for me.

Drawing in a deep drag of smoke, I leaned against the rooftop railing, gazing over Shinjuku's cityscape.

"It's been six years since leaving Mintendo; time flies..."

"Indeed. Trends in gaming have significantly shifted within those six years. Consoles still dominate in Japan, but I've heard that PC game sales have surged in the U.S. recently."

Hayashi's words rang true.

The gaming industry would likely witness a prolonged coexistence of PC and console games in the future.

Especially after Frost's release of the Diablo series, the era of quarter-view hack-and-slash games was looming ahead, following the dominance of Gear Station 4 and other monumental titles.

Hayashi was captivated by the game screens of the Diablo series first revealed by Frost. The RPG style, with relentless hordes in dark dungeons, presented a distinct departure from the RPGs he had enjoyed until then.

"Honestly, I've always thought no country could match Japan in the realm of 'games.' But recent events have made me reconsider. The world is truly vast."

"And that's why this realm never gets old. With monstrous capabilities for incredible ports, they churn out new unique gameplay with every game release."

"You're tickling me... What's with that attitude? You're acting strange."

"Is it awkward?"

As Hayashi emitted a puff of white smoke, I chuckled awkwardly, shaking my head sideways.

Somehow, I still felt uncomfortable with such praise.

Sure, my reputation had extended beyond Japan into North America and Europe, yet... there was a lingering emptiness compared to the past.

Occasionally, I felt a strange sense of emptinesswondering if, back in the day, ten years ago when I zealously carried the weight of everything on my shoulders, I yearned for that now.

"Hey, Hayashi."

"Yes, sir."

"How about we drop everything and start from scratch?"

Suddenly, Hayashi's forehead furrowed, momentarily breaking his poker face.

"Is that about Dragon Emblem 2?"

Did I blurt out something without thinking?

But yes, that's it. My words seemed to spark skepticism about the doubts regarding my penchant for flipping projects, from Psych Force to being as easy as eating.

"No, no, Hayashi. Not that... Never mind, forget I said anything."

Since the visit to Tsubaki, my heart had felt somewhat uneasy. Not just because she confessed her feelings, but because compared to ten years ago, when I had regressed to 1983, I felt like I had lost the passion I once had.

Of course, I still loved making games and enjoyed the joy of users experiencing the content I created with unique systems. But sometimes, I had these thoughts.

'Why was it me?'

Back in 2015, there must have been far more talented planners than me widely recognized.

At that time, Sony's Gear Station 4 had nearly dominated the console industry, Naughty Cat, the developer behind The Last of World, had set a benchmark in graphics and storytelling, and on the PC gaming front, Frost had crafted an unparalleled universe with World of War and the Diablo series.

Though Mintendo had lost its former glory due to consecutive console failures, Kuma Moto Shigeru had become a 'god' in the gaming industry, and the games he created were being carried forward by his successors.

If within that realm, a fairly skilled main director had landed here in my place, wouldn't this world have seen some phenomenal events?

Suddenly, I felt insignificantly small.

Am I truly guiding the gaming industry in the right direction?

Will gamers continue to appreciate the games I create?

Lately, I've felt like I've become the protagonist of my own creation, 'Gift from the Gods.' It's like reliving the past in a slightly different form.

'At times like this, I really wish I could meet the old man who sent me to this place, the game store grandfather. If I ever meet him again, I have so much I'd want to ask...'

Snuffing out the cigarette completely burnt down to the filter, I lightly tapped Hayashi's shoulder and slowly made my way toward the elevator.

Well, it's been twelve years since I arrived here.

The grandfather who attended my wedding had encouraged me to run freely, so at least I'm not entirely on the wrong path.

Living like this, someday I might naturally meet him again.

Whether I like it or not, if that day in 2015 ever comes again.

&

October 1995.

The live venues in Kobe and Osaka were swarming with massive crowds.

Despite hiring a separate security firm for a smooth event, the number of attendees at the live venue had far exceeded my expectations.

I was at Kanna's live venue in Kobe. Even amidst the slightly inconvenient traffic situation, the area outside the event was packed with gamers from various regions of Japan.

"Wow!! I rushed here from Fukuoka for today's live!"

"At this rate, Erica's victory is assured."

Amidst the bustling noise from outside, Kanna, holding a paper with a slightly tense expression, clenched it tighter in her hand.

Leaning against the window, I turned and addressed Kanna, who seemed stiff and tense.

"No need to be too nervous. Erica, the in-game character, will debut the new song for today's live. You just need to focus on the final live stage."

"Yes. But..."

"Hmm?"

"The length of this skirt. It feels a bit too short, doesn't it?"

"Haha... maybe? I'll pass that along to Morita when planning the next live outfit."

"What about the Osaka stage? Aoi, who's handling Konno Azusa, seemed very nervous..."

"It seems crowded over there too. Maybe Osaka has better transport than Kobe. But shouldn't you be more nervous?"

"I'm okay."

Seeing Kanna's faint smile while clutching the script, I couldn't help but smile in return.

"But what have you been scribbling all this while?"

"Oh, this... it's a song I'll give to Tsubaki tomorrow. I barely finished it this morning in the car on the way here."

"Really? Can I take a quick look?"

At my request, Kanna seemed embarrassed, hiding the music sheet with lyrics written on it behind her back.

"Sorry, but Tsubaki explicitly told me not to show it to Mr. Junhyuk under any circumstances."

"Huh? Why?"

"She said she really wants to perform it for Mr. Junhyuk for the first time on stage... Right now, only Ueno-san, Terada-san, and I know about this song."

"Hmm~ If they've both approved, it must be a good song. But still, it's a bit disappointing, isn't it?"

"Even so, I can't. I promised Tsubaki. She provided the lyrics, I composed the music, and both Ueno-san and Terada-san praised it."

"Really? That sounds promising."

"Next week is Tsubaki's performance. Please make sure to listen then."

At that moment, a staff member from the control room appeared, in charge of managing the event, searching for me.

"Director, the first live is about to start. Please get ready."

"Alright. I'll head up there."

After the staff member left, I checked my attire in the mirror, adjusted my collar, and whispered softly to myself.

"Shall we?"

"Good luck, Director."

Nodding slightly towards Kanna, who was cheering me on from behind, I stepped towards the stairs leading to the stage. Tsubaki's song, which we had been working on together with Kanna, was finally complete...

Honestly, I could sneak a peek during Kanna's performance, but there must be a good reason why both of them are keeping it this secretive.

Anyway, Tsubaki's performance is just a week away. I'll endure a little longer.

I lifted the corners of my mouth slightly, remembering Tsubaki's request from that day.

"Mr. Junhyuk, if performing outside becomes challenging due to my health... what do you think about trying a performance here at this hospital? Of course, only with the permission of other patients, as a very small show..."

>

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