Chapter 220: Complete Joy
"With the Q&A just finished, we announce the closure of all events prepared for this occasion. And now, we have a special event in store, something one of our staff members here really wishes to hear."
Curious yet somewhat disappointed, I glanced around the buzzing audience, casually resting my chin on my hand, meeting the blank gaze of Hayashi. With a sly grin, I added to my speech.
"Four years ago, December of 1991, during the announcement of the arcade game Psych Force, I proposed to a lady. Is anyone here present today who also attended that event?"
Near the stage, Miyazaki, the manager of Pentagon Shop, playfully raised her hand. I threw a teasing smile her way, then turned towards Hayashi to continue.
"Truth be told, even now, recalling that moment still makes my face flush. If only I had mustered the courage to propose earlier, I wouldn't have faced such embarrassment. Ah~ Of course, it's not that I regret the proposal from back then.
In fact, that incident led to our marriage the following year, and now, with our daughter Seolhyun in our lives, every day is filled with happiness."
As I finished speaking, Hayashi, keenly perceptive, seemed uneasy, looking around until he spotted Kaori.
"Coincidentally, at our company, there's an employee named Yukinojo Kaori, just like the one from the Tamago Monster Competition who joined Pentagon and created the cute monster character 'Rabby' in the Shinken Legend series. She's known for her cheerful personality and she's here because she has a story she really wants to share."
I wondered if Junpei felt as thrilled when he secretly set up that proposal for Yuko. Trapping someone seemed surprisingly joyful. Although, being on the receiving end was quite dreadful...
Those in the audience seemed to catch on to the situation, offering similar knowing smiles. Only Hayashi looked pale, continuously glancing towards the stage...
As the spotlight shone onto the stage, just as Hayashi was about to slip away from the concert hall, two Power Rangers blocked his path.
"Where are you going?"
"Where!?"
I couldn't help but chuckle as the younger one imitated the battle pose of the Power Ranger, "Move, you two. Come on~!"
"No, Mr. Kang Junhyuk, who gave us sugar apples, said not to let anyone leave."
Suppressing a laugh at his desolate expression, I hurriedly called Kaori onto the stage.
"Then, my role ends here. I hope everyone welcomes her with applause."
"Wow~~"
Clap clap clap clap~!!
"Whoo hoo~"
Amidst the cheers, Kaori's appearance on stage, reminiscent of Yukinojo Kaori's final concert outfit, was quite similar.
Just like the in-game Kaori, she exuded a lively aura, which earned her a decent response from the audience.
"Thank you. Thank you, everyone..."
Clutching the mic tightly with both hands, blushing slightly, Kaori appeared incredibly adorable. As she stepped back from the stage, she firmly held my hand.
"Good job."
"Seeing this brings back old memories..."
Smiling contentedly towards the stage, I was asked by Yuko.
"Who were those kids blocking Hayashi?"
"The taller one was a kid we rescued with Junpei a while back. Met them at the market earlier, so just in case, I bribed them with sugar apples..."
Hayashi eventually turned towards the stage due to the Power Rangers' persistent blocking.
"Wow, impressive~"
"Whoo hoo~!"
In the end, he gave up everything and stepped onto the stage. As I approached him, extending my hand, Hayashi chuckled and firmly shook it.
"So, this is what the chairman aimed for."
"Well, good things are good, right? Just close your eyes and let Kaori do as she wishes. Moments like this only happen once in a lifetime."
"...Did you forget this is my hometown? How do you expect me to come back here...?"
"I proposed at Pentagon Shop No. 1, remember? If proposing here is embarrassing, I can arrange a different spot."
"."
Lost for words after my response, Hayashi stared at my face for a moment before turning towards Kaori. Watching his back, I couldn't help but feel that perhaps it was thanks to Kaori that Hayashi, who had always been irritable and finicky, had changed.
During his early days at the company, due to his uncertain temperament leading to frequent mistakes, Hayashi always received scoldings. Yet, she stood tall like a sunflower, never shrinking from her mistakes.
Instead, she took on any task to gain recognition within the company. Maybe it was her charm that eventually won over Hayashi, who initially disliked Kaori?
A while later, approaching Kaori, Hayashi suddenly knelt in front of her, retrieving something from his pocket. Oh? Could it be...?
"I always carried this around, planning to propose when the opportunity arose..."
"Wow!"
"It's a ring!! A ring!!"
"Cool!!"
Surprised by his unexpected gift, Kaori covered her mouth, staring at him in astonishment.
"Hmm~ Hayashi, you've got quite the flair. Different from someone who forced me into a proposal before~"
"."
...Damn it. Backlash. This is backlash...
I wanted to give back what I received, but Hayashi's cunningness far exceeded my expectations.
...
The Gala Concert had ended, leaving only a month until the release of "Complete Laon." During this time, a song had rapidly entered the unofficial Oricon chart. This song was none other than Sawano Tsubaki's "Please Hold Me."
Amidst the scorching heat of summer, as the line outside the Pentagon Shop grew longer, I couldn't help but worry if anyone might faint due to the heat. Suddenly, voices called out from behind.
"Oh, hello there!"
Turning around, I found Nakamura and Mayumi, friends of Kanna, who approached me. Mayumi, Nakamura's girlfriend, offered me a refreshing drink.
"If it's about Tsubaki's album, I already passed on a few copies to Kanna. Did you miss them?"
Nakamura chuckled before replying, "Nope, got them. Just swung by Akihabara today while I was out."
"Is that so?"
"By the way, are all these people here for Tsubaki's album?" Nakamura inquired.
Nodding silently, I took a sip of the drink in my hand.
Curious, Mayumi, who had been listening, asked me, "Who sang Tsubaki's recent song? Kanna told me she's a fantastic singer and a caring older sister. She said she's way better at singing than herself..."
"Yeah, a lot of people feel that way. Seems like everyone's after Tsubaki's album this time..."
Excitedly, Nakamura joined in the conversation. "Ever since her performance at the Gala Concert and the buzz it created in Hokkaido, there's been an incredible amount of interest. Even in the virtual idol community, people are eagerly waiting for regional album releases."
I glanced at the growing line, recalling Tsubaki watching her song resonate during the Gala Concert, tears streaming down her face. Unintentionally, my eyes moistened at the memory.
"Why... are you like this? Is something wrong?" Mayumi asked, noticing.
"No, it's nothing. I should head in; it's hot, and I should share these drinks with those waiting."
"We'll head off too. We'll come back on the release day of Complete Laon!"
"Sure, take care."
As I watched the departing couple, I wondered what colossal events might unfold if all these people who adored her music ever learned about Tsubaki's condition. I didn't want to witness that if possible...
A month passed, and it was now August 19, 1995, the release day of "Complete Laon," which had kept the entire gaming industry on edge since its announcement.
Four years after Laon's release in August '91, its successor, the handheld console, was priced at 32,800 yen, comparable to rival models.
Despite the sweltering summer day, the faces of those eagerly awaiting the release remained adorned with unending smiles.
Heading out onto the streets with Nakamura and Mayumi to check the sales of "Complete Laon," Nakamura appeared visibly fatigued compared to a month ago.
"Couldn't sleep for three days straight due to the excitement for Complete Laon's release..."
"..."
Though grateful as a developer, Nakamura seemed to struggle with maintaining mental control over gaming matters. Watching Nakamura with pity, Mayumi asked me.
"When will Sawano Tsubaki's character be revealed?"
"In about 10 minutes, just before the sales start."
Hearing this, nearby users erupted into excitement and murmurs.
"It's about to begin."
"Finally, we can try out Virtual Idol."
"I'm starting with Full Metal Gear."
Considering the console's price, everyone seemed to have one or two titles in mind. Then, Hayashi's voice came from behind.
"Boss, should we start now?"
"Yeah, let's get going."
>
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