Evening was approaching; the sun was turning red. Under the orange glow of dusk, Shimayose Yōsuke stood on the podium, microphone in hand, his desire to perform completely unleashed.
"Thank you everyone! Thank you to every person who came to participate in this tournament. At first, I thought only my store's regulars would show up, but I never expected to receive Sega's support, and even an interview from TBS TV! Suddenly it felt like the whole city of Tokyo came. It's truly an honor!"
Shimayose bowed deeply toward the crowd.
"I don't know how Sega found out about my shop, but… I'm really grateful for all of this."
"Now, let's announce the winners of this tournament!"
"Third place—the winner will receive one month of unlimited free play in the shop! Ah, she's a regular here. Seeing a girl work so hard really moved me. Kobayakawa Rinko, congratulations!"
Shimayose clapped loudly into the mic, and the audience followed in excitement.
Kobayashi Tetsu crossed his arms and looked up at the stage with everyone else.
Probably because there were too many strangers around, Kobayakawa pressed down on the hem of her school uniform skirt and bowed deeply to everyone.
"I didn't expect… to be able to win. As my teammate, Tetsu-kun helped a lot. Thank you everyone… Rinko is so happy…"
Shimayose was startled.
Why's she crying now?!
He hurried to guide her off the stage, trying to keep the atmosphere lively.
Kobayakawa didn't feel like talking. She wiped her eyes and slipped back into the crowd.
"So embarrassing…"
As she muttered, a handkerchief appeared before her.
She looked up at Kobayashi Tetsu—taller than her by a head.
"Here, wipe up. Why are you so emotional? It's just a game."
Kobayakawa pressed her lips together. She wanted to thank him, but when she saw Tetsu's nonchalant expression, she couldn't bring herself to say it. Instead, she bit her lip and muttered, "Why would a guy carry something like this around?"
"We refined boys live differently. Forget carrying a handkerchief—I even put on makeup before going out!" Tetsu adjusted his cap and continued spouting nonsense.
Kobayakawa was at a loss for words.
Shimayose revived the crowd's mood, then moved on to announce the next name.
"Second place will receive one single-player copy of Kobayashi's Puzzle and one two-player contest edition cartridge! He's not a store regular, but someone worth paying attention to. Let's clap for… congratulations to…"
Shimayose paused; clearly he didn't want to read this name.
But for the ceremony, he inhaled deeply and shouted:
"Congratulations—Black Flame Dragon Fifty-Six!"
Instantly, hundreds of eyes turned toward the spiky-haired boy.
Voices of disbelief erupted:
"That can't be his real name!"
"No way it's his real name!"
"You've gotta be kidding!"
Black Flame Dragon stepped onto the stage, wiped his nose proudly, and grinned.
"First, this IS my real name! Black Flame Dragon is our family name passed down for generations!"
"And second, I took second place because I have the skill for it! Next time, I'll be first!"
Although his speech was ridiculous, Kobayashi Tetsu still clapped along.
"So next is me, huh." Tetsu sighed and lowered his cap.
Of course he didn't want to show his face.
He was too handsome; if he revealed himself, all the men in Tokyo would lose confidence.
Shimayose drew in a deep breath.
"First place, according to the rules, wins Sega's latest improved console, the SG-1200! Let's congratulate this tourna—ment champion!"
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon Crimson-Eyes Sealing · Tetsu!"
Kobayashi Tetsu: ?!!
For a moment, he was banging his desk in his heart.
BAM BAM BAM BAM!!
What the hell?! He already said he's NOT Blue-Eyes White Dragon!
In the entire world, ONLY a creature with 3000 ATK, 2500 DEF, summoned via tribute, can be called Blue-Eyes White Dragon!!
Shimayose looked in his direction with an apologetic expression.
Can't be helped.
Tetsu refused to give his real surname.
Under the eyes of the crowd, Kobayakawa quietly stepped back.
Nope. She didn't know someone like this.
Black Flame Dragon crossed his arms, beaming, and gave Tetsu a thumbs-up.
"As expected of my partner!"
Tetsu rolled his eyes hard.
"Get lost! Who told you we were partners?!"
Under all the attention, Tetsu lowered his cap further and stepped onto the stage.
"Thank you all for letting me win. I'll skip the unnecessary words—Sega staff, please demonstrate the improved console to everyone."
Tetsu hurried off the stage afterward.
He didn't even want the console, but since it was a commemorative item, he accepted it.
The audience applauded even harder.
Yuji Naka, urged by the other employees, walked up holding the console.
"We're delighted to present Sega's new machine!"
"In the past month, the SG-1000 has been well-received. But Sega is a company that surges forward and never retreats. So after a month of research, we've produced this improved model—the SG-1200!"
"What we can publicly say for now: the price of the SG-1200 is unchanged!"
"And its performance is improved by 30% over the previous model!"
"Finally—Sega will develop new games specifically for this improved console—better for families, and more intense!"
"Now, let's demonstrate its performance!"
Yuji Naka turned on the TV and began the demonstration.
A 30% improvement might not sound like much, but in reality it was huge. The sample game was Kobayashi's Puzzle. Two TVs were set up side-by-side—one running the old console, the other the new one.
Even to the naked eye, the new model handled far more on-screen blocks while maintaining faster response speed. The slight ghosting during block rotation was completely gone.
Smoother, faster, higher-performance.
The four viewers in the front row clenched their fists and shouted:
That's it, bro!
Exactly what we wanted!
More power at the same price—Sega, we love you!
Holding the controllers for both machines, Yuji Naka looked at the hundreds of people below and felt a rush of excitement.
This life…
Was amazing.
But there was one thing only he and Kobayashi Tetsu knew.
Sega was a big company—not a charity.
The console price wouldn't increase…
But starting today, Sega's game cartridges would.
Like how FruitCo removed the headphone jack… but sold Bluetooth earbuds.
Lost money comes back elsewhere.
The tournament officially ended. With Sega's involvement, there were even reporters. The event concluded smoothly.
Shimayose announced one final explosive surprise.
"Today, every console and cartridge in the shop—20% off!"
The four in the front row clenched their fists again:
That's it, bro!!
Exactly what we want!!
A discount too—Uncle Shimayose, we love you!!
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't plan on staying any longer.
It was already almost night.
"It really was a full day."
He stretched and looked at Kobayakawa.
"It's late. Can you get home alone?"
Kobayakawa looked up.
"I live close by, so it's fine."
She was still hugging the cheap cardboard certificate Shimayose handed out.
"Close by, huh."
Tetsu repeated, nodding slightly.
If so, then it would be rude to insist on walking her home.
She ran off hugging the certificate, but Tetsu suddenly called out:
"You wouldn't happen to go to the same school as me, would you?"
Kobayakawa looked down at her uniform and the school emblem on her chest.
She wasn't completely certain herself.
"I go to Tohano High School… you?"
Tetsu spread his hands. "Is Tohano a middle school or a high school?"
Kobayakawa grew angrier.
"High school!!! How could it be middle school?!"
She ran off furiously, and only after a few steps did she suddenly realize—
She never asked where he went.
Worse—she still didn't know his full name.
But she had already run this far; turning back was impossible. She only ran faster.
Tetsu lowered his cap and shoved both hands into his pockets, slowly heading home.
This tournament, though not huge, included many players from across Tokyo—some from Yokohama, some from Shinjuku.
Mainly because GG aired on TBS, whose broadcast network didn't cover all of Japan—only the Kanto region, especially Tokyo.
So most participants were from the Tokyo area.
Not only did Shimayose get satisfaction, but Sega also gained publicity for the new console and game.
A solid win on all fronts.
Tetsu stretched his neck.
So next… it was time to wait for Sega's new moves.
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