Game Market 1983

Chapter 97: Pilgrims...

I briefly connected to the TV and tried to resume writing my diary, but an hour had slipped away.

I decided to play Super Marigi World to check if there were any issues with the machine and controller. Thankfully, everything seemed to be in perfect condition. It seemed like I'd have to approach my gaming with a fresh and clear mind tomorrow morning, rather than in my exhausted state.

Anyway, getting back to the events at the release venue, they had prepared a limited edition package that included 1,000 of each heroine, totaling 3,000 cartridges, and three heroines in one package, all for the incredible price of 22,000 yen.

The individual cartridge price was 8,600 yen each.

Given the price, it felt like a bit of a joke. 22,000 yen was nearly the cost of a Super Family. Even though it included three games, could anyone really afford to buy it at that price?

But my expectations were spectacularly off. With the limited edition package, a special package featuring the backs of the three heroines and Mr. Morita's illustration book was included. As soon as the event began, the remaining limited edition packages started flying off the shelves.

It took about 10 minutes for all 500 limited edition packages to sell out. In the meantime, the individual packages only decreased by 1 or 2. Seeing people who had been waiting in line since last night carrying the limited edition packages, I couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.

I turned to look at the Nintendo event area, and despite the long line, it appeared that there was still some stock left. Damn, I should have bought "My Absence" first and then gotten a Super Family, but it was too late for regrets now.

"Wow... People really do buy at that price. Just like Junhyuk said..."

Yuki, who was behind me, mumbled as she watched the rapidly decreasing LED display.

I cleared my throat and asked her, "Uh, Ms. Ishikawa, which heroine are you planning to purchase?"

"Me? Um, I'm going for Okiso Nanase's scenario. And what's your name?"

"I'm Hiroki Uchimura."

"Oh, Mr. Uchimura, which heroine are you planning to buy?"

"I... I'm going to buy Miyuki-chan."

"Aha, a childhood friend scenario, I see."

Oh, she already knows the scenario, even the scenario of the game. She's really quite knowledgeable about it. A rare sight indeed.

After exchanging our names, I felt a bit more at ease talking to her. Just to be sure, I asked her about her favorite games instead of "My Absence." The conversation soon shifted to discussions of Psych Battle and Dragon Emblem.

"By any chance, did you also visit the Dragon Emblem event?"

"Yes, I did. I managed to survive until the last scenario but failed in the final episode."

"So you're the one who received the Dragon Emblem Clear Cartridge from the Nintendo staff that time?"

"Yes, that's me. It turns out you were at the event."

"Yes!! Dragon Emblem is my favorite among all family games."

"Me too!"

Our conversation flowed smoothly, it seemed. As I looked around for a moment, I noticed people in the line were casting envious glances at me talking to Yuki.

Heh, you guys must be jealous.

"But Uchimura-san, are you okay with that?"

"With what?"

"The LED display for Miyuki is decreasing rapidly..."

What did you say!? Darn it! While Setsuna and Nanase still had about 900 left, the remaining quantity for Miyuki was rapidly decreasing, reaching the early 700s.

There's still plenty of time left. Surely, all these people aren't planning to buy Miyuki-chan, are they?

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

Phew... Phew...

It's still okay. It's still okay...

I tried to calm my emotions, but as the remaining stock of Miyuki dwindled, my heart pounded loudly.

Mob mentality. This is mob mentality...

People who came to buy Setsuna and Nanase started buying Miyuki because she's the most popular. These guys are opportunists...

These spineless folks dared to snatch my Miyuki-chan! You should've just stuck with the heroine you originally picked!

With a heart that felt like it was being ripped apart, I walked around the checkout counter, but now there were only 21 Miyuki titles left. Setsuna had 602, and Nanase had about 491. Miyuki, on the other hand, only had 21...

At this rate, I won't be able to return home with Miyuki-chan!

I quickly counted the number of people standing in front of me. Around 30. If a miracle happens, I might still have a chance to take Miyuki-chan home.

However, as if to mock my wish, the LED display showed the number 18.

Three people had just purchased Miyuki titles at the three checkout counters simultaneously.

"Oh... no..."

I muttered without realizing it, and Yuki, who was standing behind me, also looked at her LED display with an anxious expression.

"No, it can't be."

Could it be... Yuki, are you sharing my concern?

Oh, gods, please grant our wish. Did our desperate prayer even bring tears to our eyes?

As the counts for Setsuna and Nanase simultaneously decreased, my turn approached.

In front of me, the LED display read "1."

There was only one left.

"Good for you, Mr. Uchimura!"

Yuki clapped her hands and looked at Miyuki's LED display.

"Thank you. It's all thanks to your prayers, Ishikawa-san."

Then, an usher's voice announcing our turn reached our ears.

"Next, we will take payment from the next three people. Please come to the checkout counter."

As the people in front of us completed their payments and left, Yuki and I made our way to the checkout counter.

"Welcome, sir. How can I assist you? Which title would you like to purchase?"

"Uh... well, I want Miyu..."

But then it happened.

"Give me Hasegawa Miyuki! Quickly!"

Yuki, the man who entered last, shouted for Miyuki at the third checkout counter.

Startled, I also shouted to the staff in a panic.

"I... I want Miyuki too!"

The momentary hesitation, and the staff member from the third counter grabbed the last Hasegawa Miyuki title.

"I'm sorry, sir. Miyuki's scenario has just sold out. Is there any other character's scenario you'd like?"

... My world crumbled.

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