Kobayashi Tetsu spent two hundred yen and successfully persuaded the group of high-schoolers to abandon their takoyaki plan and convert their classroom booth into a game-console demo corner.
Yes—game consoles! And cartridges!
Powered by a diesel generator, complete with a television and hardware setup.
It was downright overwhelming—an instant, crushing display of superiority over the neighboring student booths.
At first, the group was a little unhappy to hear their takoyaki venture dismissed. But the moment they learned they could play the games for free, all dissatisfaction evaporated.
A game console! How could takoyaki possibly compare?
As Tetsu supervised the setup, he took the chance to introduce Yuji Naka.
"Everyone, this is Sega's game developer, Naka Yuji—Naka-kun. He's here representing the Atlus Workshop."
All eyes instantly locked on Naka, who suddenly felt quite embarrassed.
"No, no, I'm just an ordinary programmer who also knows a bit about synthesizing electronic music…"
Tetsu shot him a warning look from beneath the brim of his cap.
Naka froze—then quickly corrected himself.
"Ah—of course. I'm also a good friend of Tetsu-kun. Since we're doing market research on a new game, we figured a school festival would be the perfect place."
The students nodded in understanding.
So that was why Kobayashi always said he "knew people at Sega"… It was true!
"Good, introductions done. Let's start the demo. You guys can test it first. Once visitors arrive, it'll be one hundred yen per play. If you die, you'll have to pay again!"
Expensive?
Hardly—this was how school-festival booths worked. Better than the drinks sold at anime conventions.
The students handled the setup—umbrellas, fishing chairs, tables—while Naka connected the generator and equipment. Tetsu himself did nothing but give orders.
"Yes. This should be about right."
Naka scratched his head.
…He really did nothing!
Tetsu ignored him, pulling out a folded poster like a magician revealing a trick. It was the gameplay instruction sheet he and Naka had hastily written the day before.
"This is a special game. You have to listen to the rhythm. Different sound cues mean different directional inputs."
He set up the board and demonstrated.
The gameplay involved moving blocks based on rhythmic cues—a primitive rhythm-game concept, simple yet catchy. Having played it before, Tetsu cleared the first stage easily, scoring thirty-six out of forty.
Applause erupted behind him.
They didn't understand it, but it looked amazing!
Tetsu smiled and handed the joystick to the nearest person—Koyokawa.
"It's a new title, not released yet. Want to try?"
She clenched her hands.
Of course she did.
It was tricky at first, especially for someone unfamiliar with controllers, but with Tetsu's guidance she quickly began forming shapes with the blocks.
Once she had played for a while, Tetsu asked, "How does it feel?"
"…Strange," she admitted. "But interesting. I've never played anything like it."
"It is a new genre. Hey—what about the rest of you?"
The other students exchanged a round of "No way," "Come on, we're already here," and "Maybe just a little," before reluctantly sitting down.
Then they discovered the truth:
It was insanely hard.
For people unused to joysticks, even basic movement took time to learn, never mind reacting to rhythmic cues.
Tetsu flipped open a notebook.
"Write down your thoughts afterward. Leave a mark—your name, nickname, whatever. It's feedback."
He needed this survey for Tanaka Minoru.
The students complied. Some wrote real names, but most used only a surname or a single character.
While everyone was busy, Koyokawa kept practicing. She had some gaming experience and decent talent—she was already improving visibly.
After gathering the reports, Tetsu looked up. His gaze settled on the braided-hair girl.
Judging by her expression, she was already hooked.
"You're amazing, Koyokawa," the girl whispered, edging closer.
Tetsu noticed Koyokawa's body tense, her movements faltering.
The girl mustering her courage continued, "Koyokawa… could you teach me how to play this?"
"M-me? I…" She looked to Tetsu, silently begging for help.
He simply crossed his arms, lowered them again, and nodded encouragingly.
So she turned back to her classmate.
"O-okay. Look, this part—this is the function button. And this… the joystick movement…"
She explained seriously, showing off what she had learned.
Exactly as Tetsu expected.
Everyone had something they excelled at—most just never got the chance to show it.
He was thinking this when someone approached the booth.
"…Can you really play a game console here?"
Tetsu found the voice familiar.
He stepped forward to greet the newcomer before the stunned students even reacted.
"That's right. One hundred yen per try. If you die, you pay again."
The boy frowned, hesitating, so Tetsu opened his notebook again.
"Or—leave your name and write down your impressions afterward. You can test-play for ten minutes for free."
The student's eyes lit up.
"Really? But… do I have to write my full name?"
"Just a surname or a given-name character is fine."
The boy nodded and carefully wrote a single word:
Kitagawa.
Tetsu read it, and instantly looked up.
Kitagawa…
Could it really be the same one he'd been looking for?
That would save him a lot of trouble.
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