Thursday, at Yōsuke Shimayori's game store.
Tetsu Kobayashi squatted on a small stool, fiddling with Tetris, while a crowd had gathered behind him.
They were originally just passing by, but seeing someone play so skillfully, they couldn't help lingering a little longer.
Sometimes watching others play made their hands itch; when your hands itched, you wanted to play too.
Those without money could only watch. Those with cash—and a game console—were already heading inside to buy a cartridge.
3,480 yen was a bit steep for students, but manageable for office workers.
This caused some quiet envy at the Nintendo specialty store across the street.
The truth? Being good at a game wasn't enough; you had to look good on camera too.
Many could excel at Donkey Kong, but few had the looks to match.
No one looked like Tetsu Kobayashi.
A van drove up, marked with the TBS logo, startling the onlookers across the street.
What's going on? Handsome and attracting TBS?
Equipment was set up, the host approached, and at first glance, spotted Tetsu.
"Excuse me, young man, can we interview you?"
The sudden voice from behind made Tetsu flinch, nearly misplacing a block in the game.
"Interview?"
He turned to see, seemingly out of nowhere, a full set of professional cameras. The host's mic bore the TBS logo.
Tetsu immediately realized this had to be a reporter arranged by Tanaka, so he tightened his cap.
"Sorry, I don't want to be interviewed."
"Ah, that's a shame," the host replied with mild regret.
Even with the cap, it was clear the boy had a striking, camera-friendly face.
But since Tetsu refused, they couldn't simply override his rights and film him.
"Then, could you introduce the store owner instead?"
"No problem," Tetsu said, looking into the room.
"Uncle Shimayori, come out for the interview!"
He called the main figure over and stepped aside. He had no interest in being interviewed; what if someone recognized him?
Actually, no one really knew him anyway.
Yōsuke Shimayori emerged from the store, startled by the professional camera setup.
Wait… reporters?
He quickly realized the reason when the host started asking questions.
Apparently, it was about the upcoming game tournament he planned to host.
"Oh wow, look at this," Shimayori wiped his hair back. "If I'd known it was an interview, I would've prepared better."
The host smiled. "No worries. We mainly want to ask about your motivation for hosting this tournament. Anything you'd like to share?"
"Motivation? Not much, really. I just wanted to do something. Sega recently released a really good game. I've always been a fan, so I thought I'd do something to promote my store and the console."
Shimayori spoke casually. "There are challenges, of course. Right now, I'm short on staff, and I can't offer many prizes. So I can only give the winner a cartridge."
Suddenly, a sharply dressed man behind the reporter spoke.
"Mr. Shimayori, I'm from Sega's Home Console Marketing Department. I've heard about your efforts, and Sega is deeply moved! I'm here to discuss this with you on their behalf."
Shimayori's jaw dropped. He couldn't comprehend it at first.
The marketing staff continued: "Sega is willing to sponsor you with 500,000 yen for venue rental, the tournament, and supplies. Additionally, Sega can provide prizes, including cartridges, arcade machines, and even the upgraded SG-1200!"
Shimayori was astonished. Previously it was only 1,000 yen; now it was 1,200! Upgraded even!
Grasping the staff member's hands, he was overwhelmed with tears and snot.
Sega is amazing—they've already released the upgraded model!
Wouldn't they lose money? Perhaps even Hayao Nakayama would end up taking the train for free!
The Nintendo store staff across the street hissed.
This is marketing… pure marketing!
...
After the TV crew left, Shimayori grabbed Tetsu by the shoulders and shook him vigorously, ecstatic.
Seeing Sega staff in person, and obtaining official permission, made him ecstatic.
Tetsu adjusted his cap, hands open: "Not bad. Now that the scale is bigger, more people will come. Just get some volunteers to help out."
"Agreed," Shimayori nodded. Suddenly, an idea struck him.
He looked at Tetsu, who seemed so idle.
"Tetsu-kun, how about helping out?" Shimayori gripped his hands. "I'll pay you! 2,000 yen per day!"
Tetsu was shocked. "No way! Even if you slapped 2,000 yen on me, I wouldn't do it!"
A joke! 2,000 yen wasn't worth it. That's only 60,000 yen per month.
Actually, 60,000 yen wasn't bad for a kid his age—most had zero pocket money. Nobita would be ecstatic to find 100 yen.
But Tetsu wasn't about to work!
He made the game; he wasn't going to volunteer as a servant for his own creation.
Even in 1983, 2,000 yen a day wasn't enough!
Shimayori was disappointed.
Tetsu looked idle, a perfect example of a young unemployed drifter.
2,000 yen a day? Too cheap for him.
Shimayori spotted a regular customer and called out: "Yo, Kobayakawa. Free this weekend? You can get 2,000 yen!"
Tetsu turned, and a slightly sharp-eyed girl met his gaze.
In a flash, Kobayakawa smiled, revealing a small fang.
"Still wearing that hat. Do you really think you're Hiroyuki Sanada, going to be discovered by a talent scout?"
"Oh, I never said that. If I had been born at the same time as Sanada, Japan wouldn't have had a Hiroyuki Sanada."
Tetsu removed his cap and smoothed his flattened hair.
No way to help it—he figured combining Takeshi Kaneshiro and Takuya Kimura wouldn't even match him.
He's half a catty of gold; they're eight taels of scrap iron.
Being good-looking is innate—not anyone's fault.
Kobayakawa tilted her head, embarrassed.
Previously, he never removed the cap, but now it felt natural—as if past behavior had been a joke.
Still…
Looking into Tetsu's eyes, she felt a strange, shy warmth.
Though mischievous, he really was quite handsome.
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