Saturday, March 22, 1992
Sakaki had been standing in line at Dekapon Electronics since 4:00 AM, braving the early morning chill for a chance to secure the latest ZEPS game releases. Just last week, he had purchased Master Ninja, a title developed by Akaishidan, one of ZEPS' third-party studios. The game had exceeded his expectations, further solidifying his loyalty to the platform. Yet, his appetite for new titles was insatiable, and today marked the launch of six brand-new games. The anticipation coursing through him was almost unbearable.
As he shuffled his feet and rubbed his arms to keep warm, his mind raced. Damn, how am I supposed to afford all of them? Should I sell some of my older games? No! What the hell am I thinking?! Those are my treasures! He let out a frustrated groan, ruffling his hair as other customers in line gave him curious glances.
Screw it! I'll buy them all! A real man can survive on one piece of bread a day, but he can't survive without getting every ZEPS release! The thought struck him like divine revelation. His priorities were clear. But even as he hyped himself up, a sigh escaped his lips. He needed a better job after graduation. His part-time work at Bakudan Arcade was enjoyable, but it barely covered his gaming obsession. A stable income would be necessary if he wanted to continue fueling his passion.
The hours crept by, and by 6:00 AM, the line had nearly doubled in size. Just then, a group of reporters arrived, cameras and microphones in hand, preparing to interview the early customers. To his surprise, one of them—a sophisticated woman with a commanding presence—approached him.
She extended her microphone toward him with a practiced smile. "Good morning. My name is Maya Kisaragi from Asahi TV. Could you tell us your name?"
Sakaki's brain stuttered for a moment. Wait... I'm getting interviewed?! He quickly composed himself and responded, albeit a little awkwardly, "Uh... my name is Sakaki."
Maya maintained her poised demeanor. "Sakaki-san, how long have you been waiting here?" The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Since 4:00 AM!" he declared, chest puffed with pride.
Her eyebrows arched in surprise. "Since 4:00? That's impressive dedication! What are you hoping to buy today?"
Sakaki grinned widely. "The latest ZEPS games from ZAGE, of course!"
Maya nodded, her intrigue apparent. "Are ZEPS games really that good? What makes them worth waiting in line for hours?"
Sakaki's answer was instant. "If I don't line up early, they'll be gone! The games always sell out fast, and it can take weeks before they're restocked. I'd rather be here first than wait forever!"
A glimmer of amusement flickered across Maya's face. "So, it's safe to say you're a dedicated fan?"
"Absolutely!" Sakaki replied without hesitation.
Maya's expression shifted slightly, adopting a more serious tone. "There has been some controversy surrounding ZEPS. Prominent public speaker Jun Kirizou recently claimed that video games are a harmful distraction, wasting valuable time for both children and adults. What are your thoughts on that argument?"
Sakaki's eyes narrowed. "Oh, that guy? I watched his interview, and let me tell you something—people like him should learn to mind their own business! We just want to enjoy our games. What's wrong with that? Video games are one of the most affordable forms of entertainment, especially for middle- and lower-class folks who can't afford extravagant hobbies. And isn't it kind of ironic for him to say that, considering he's known for spending hours drinking in public? Isn't that a waste of time too?"
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. One person even called out, "Well said, bro!" And another said "Tell them bro!" , "Should mind his business!"
Maya blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his directness. This guy really doesn't hold back, does he? She regained her composure quickly. "That's quite a bold statement. If Jun Kirizou were to see this interview, do you have anything you'd like to say to him?"
Sakaki smirked. "Why should I care? I'm just telling the truth."
Maya offered a small, knowing smile before addressing the camera once more. "That was the perspective of a passionate ZEPS enthusiast. The debate over whether video games are a positive or negative influence on society continues to gain traction. This is Maya Kisaragi, reporting for Asahi TV."
As the interview concluded, Sakaki felt an odd sense of satisfaction. What had started as a simple morning of waiting in line had now turned into something bigger. The growing divide between pro- and anti-video game advocates was heating up, and unbeknownst to him, his words were about to add fuel to the fire. The debate was far from over—it was only just beginning.
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