Hirata Yōsuke considered himself a pretty sane boy with a bright enough outlook. He made some bad and good decisions throughout his life, but even then, what is he supposed to do when screens are suddenly popping out everywhere?
"With your discount as a regular customer, that will be 5.500 yen, Hirata-san. As always, doing business with you is a pleasure!" The woman stated with an all-too-happy grin.
"Thank you! Your help is appreciated!" I said with a weak smile, trying not to cry at the action of emptying my wallet.
PING!
<You used 5,500 yen. Your current money has changed to 4.520 yen.>
Ouch.
Even with the discount I had it was difficult to justify spending so much money. I'm glad some of them came from my quests rather than my parents' money.
My bag was heavy with several packages, making the hand holding it feel slightly strained.
"Ne~ne~ Come again next week 'kay? They say the weather will be really ugly so you have to do something at home right? I guarantee you an even bigger discount! You always buy so many games from my store." I could see the greedy look in the seller's eyes, the yen symbol appearing in her eyes.
"O-well. I will do my best to be here then." I try to take my leave before a hand prevents it. The woman's almost comical tearyvisage is shown as she clings to me.
"I need you!"
PING!
<Congratulations! You gained 10 points Reputation Points with Takahashi Shiroko.>
That much?!
My brow twitched, "You know how that sounded?"
"I don't care! Hirata-san is my best customer! Let me have this moment."
"I will come for the next week then."
"You're saving my business here! I'm seriously grateful here." Tears were gathering in her eyes, "Can I hug you?"
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"Hahaha. It's not time for jokes Takahashi-san." Please, no.
"But I'm not joking..."
"Takahashi-san's game shop sure is nice."
Blush. "Now you're trying to diverge me from the topic. Hirata-san better come back next week."
"Yes yes." I couldn't help but smile at this childish banter.
Still, Takahashi-san was surprised when I started going here when I had free time.
She didn't know the truth of course. No one knew why I suddenly became so invested in video games.
With final pleasantries and whining from the woman, I leave the store. I've lost count of how many times I've entered here since the beginning of the summer break.
My name is Hirata Yōsuke, your ordinary boy living with his parents who work until night to feed their only child.
I like helping people and making others happy. Since attending middle school, I have been the object of girls' confessions and as well as enjoyed spending time with my classmates.
Apart from frequent outings to various fun spots or the occasional sports activity, there were other things I did during the day.
There was nothing I enjoyed more than spending time with my best friend.
We hung out and explored lots of different places. I thought my life couldn't get better.
Until THAT INCIDENT happened. A horrible incident has taken place in my life, making me feel miserable. I started to hate people with all my passion. The jealousy of others led to an irreparable accident while I was blind to the pain of my best friend.
Then fate decided to make the ultimate joke by giving me this [Gamer], which I wasn't sure what it was until I realized that the mentions of stats and gaining experience occurred in one thing.
To whatever god there was, I both hated and loved him for what this changed in my entire path.
Computer games, video games. Something I had little exposure to due to my preference for being outdoors.
It sounded silly that I figured it out so late considering that the name of those pop-ups literally meant player or gamer. I figured it was a good idea to know it better.
At that time, I couldn't believe my eyes.
[Gamer] gave me so many opportunities to do good things. The right things. I could check how the people around me were feeling. If it was sadness, I would know and try to cheer them up. If they were angry inside, I could calm them down.
It gave me exactly what I needed before the tragedy that befell. I could know this, the feelings of others. But it was too late.
So I used it for means I'm ashamed to admit to this day. So I try to forever bury it deep inside my heart.
I have made many unforgivable mistakes in middle school for which atonement is impossible, but this one thing remains the same to this day.
The unmistakable truth will stay with me all the way to the unknown future.
I, Hirata Yōsuke, am a Gamer.
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