Game Market 1983

Chapter 215: Gala Show

The Gala Concert for the Gift of the Gods was scheduled for 8 PM, yet three hours prior, the venue was already bustling with countless people.

Were all these people here to see our performance? Not exactly. Coincidentally, due to the overlap of the town's Hanabi (fireworks) festival with the Gala Concert, the streets were lively with women and children dressed in Yukatas.

Along the main street of the town, numerous stalls were set up with Yatai (food stalls), offering candy apples beloved by children, and the scent of Osaka's specialty, Takoyaki, wafted through the air.

As I observed kids, around five or six years old, sitting eagerly at the goldfish scooping gamewhere three failed attempts could easily deflate their enthusiasmI couldn't help but miss Seolhyun.

"Is this why every dad with a daughter naturally becomes a doting parent?"

Suppressing a chuckle within, I strolled leisurely toward the public parking lot of the town. Dodging through the narrow pathways filled with kids excitedly running around, dressed as Power Rangers, I couldn't be mad. I used to be like them at that age.

"I was more concerned that they might trip and hurt themselves. Maybe they should wear these masks with better visibility?"

"Kudang~!!"

"Wowwww~!!"

Just as I thought, a kid rushing ahead stumbled over a half-finished pavement block. Ah, I saw that coming.

The one chasing after the fallen child swiftly helped them up and removed the damaged mask. And that's when I recognized the tear-stained but familiar face.

Wait, those kids...?

"I told you not to run around wearing the mask, didn't I?"

"But you were chasing me so scarily~ Hiing... my Power Ranger mask broke..."

"Don't cry. I'll give you mine."

"But you're Red. I don't like red..."

"Then let's go to the stall owner and change it to blue. It's barely used; they might exchange it for another color."

"Really?"

"Let's give it a try."

Tidying up the dusty pants of the younger one and picking up the mask, the older child held their hand. Watching them for a moment, I checked my watch and followed their lead.

"We still have time before Yuki arrives. Should I say hello?"

Walking down the brilliantly lit streets filled with various stalls, the siblings eventually halted in front of a mask shop. A middle-aged man, quite robust, eyed the kids as they approached with their masks.

"Mister, could you change this mask to blue?"

"Hmm? Why's that? Don't you like the color?"

"My younger brother fell and broke his mask... So, I want to change the one I bought to blue."

"Tsk tsk... didn't get hurt, did you?"

"No, I'm okay..."

The shopkeeper, with rosy eyes, took a new mask hanging on the ceiling and handed it over.

"Does the Power Ranger cry wearing this? To protect the Earth, you need to be strong!! Here, I'll change it for you, so don't cry."

"Really?"

"But don't go running around wearing it. Got it?"

"Yes~!!"

Thanks to the kind shopkeeper, the siblings received new masks and excitedly thanked him. I, watching them from nearby, walked toward the shop. Among the array of masks, I pointed to a cute half-sized fox mask.

"Could I have that fox mask, please?"

Then, to my surprise, as I received the new mask, the elated siblings stared at me and exclaimed.

"Hey!? Mister!!"

"Hey there, been good?"

"Wow~ What brings you here today?"

"I've got some business here too."

Then the older child interjected, clapping their hands.

"Oh! By the way, there's a 'Kala' concert at our school tonight."

"It's not Kala, it's Gala Concert..."

Well, I guess it's an unfamiliar name for elementary kids...

Later, after paying for the masks and heading back to the parking lot, the two siblings stuck close, chatting with me as if we were old friends.

Back when the younger one was found in the rubble after the earthquake, in a near-death state, there was a newspaper headline quoting their wish upon awakening at the hospital: 'Raon.' Was that their nickname at school now?

Regardless, grateful for the immense marketing benefit we gained almost free of charge, we promised to provide all devices and games released by Pentagon for free in the future.

"But there's a problem; most of the games we've released so far aren't quite suitable for elementary kids..."

Well, I'll play them when I'm older.

As we walked, the younger one, holding the older sibling's hand, stared absentmindedly at a certain shop.

Casually glancing over, I saw candy apples coated with candy, shaped like apple slices, neatly displayed on sticks.

"I want to eat that, hyung..."

"No? We spent all our pocket money buying masks earlier. Remember, I told you to think carefully when buying them?"

"But I still want to eat it..."

I looked at the two and then spoke.

"Should I buy it for you?"

"Wow~!! Really?"

"Hey, you..."

Unlike the straightforward younger one, the older sibling hastily intervened. Despite wanting to eat it themselves, they tried to act mature...

"No, it's okay. Mister said to listen to what I say."

Though it seemed the younger one didn't quite understand my words, they nodded persistently. Buying two candy apples at 100 yen each, I handed one to each of them.

The younger one took a bite and burst into hearty laughter.

"Is it good?"

They didn't need to answer; their expression said it all. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

"Well then, I should go now. I have someone to meet..."

"We're going to the concert with mom later."

"You're coming to the concert?"

"Yes. Mom's taking us there."

"Is that so? Hm..."

For a moment, I kneeled to their eye level and said,

"Hey, if you come to the concert with mom later, could you do me a favor?"

"Yes, we will. But what favor?"

"Hmm~ something only Power Rangers can do..."

...

"Mr. Junhyuk~!!"

A moment later, Yuki, who arrived by car with her sister, Yuko, waved at me.

"Hello, Yuko. It's been a while."

Seeing Yuko after a long time, she was elegantly dressed in a semi-formal suit. With a resemblance to Yuki yet possessing a different charm, Yuko slightly nodded in response to my greeting.

"Hello."

"You've been driving, must've been tough."

"Not at all. I just came for a drive, so..."

At that moment, Yuki, by my side, whispered into my ear.

'Lies. Yuko's a hardcore fan of the Divine Gift. She's an S-rank player.'

"Yuki, what did you just say?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing~ Oh!? Junhyuk, what's that mask?"

Turning away from Yuko's probing, she looked at the fox mask in my hand.

"Oh? This? It's a gift for you."

"Oh~ How cute~"

Yuki immediately placed the fox mask on her head. Smaller than other masks, this fox mask wasn't meant to cover the face like the Power Rangers' masks we'd encountered earlier. It was more of an accessory, worn slightly to the side, adding a playful touch.

"How's it? Does it suit me?"

"Yeah, it's cute~"

"Jeez, coming all the way here, I see everything."

"If you envy it, get married soon~"

"Hmph. I'm fine as I am~"

Is it just me or are their conversations resembling the banter between the siblings we met earlier?

I slowly glanced at my wristwatch.

"We should start heading there soon. The performance is about to begin..."

"Oh, then let's hurry. We..."

Under the reddening dusk sky, we hastened our steps toward the venue.

&

Not long after entering the concert venue with Yuko and Yuki, the Divine Gift Gala Concert began.

Compared to concert halls that usually host classical or orchestral performances, the stage facilities were modest. However, the Gala Concert was an occasion to celebrate the completion and clearance of the game, listening to tracks from the game played live on real instruments.

As the thick curtains drew apart, in the center of the stage, accompanied by a grand piano, Ueno, the sound director from Pentagon, dressed in formal attire, began playing Chopin's Waltz.

"Wow..."

The warm resonance from the grand piano couldn't be captured adequately by Laon's small speakers.

Was it because the first piece was Chopin's Waltz?

The Divine Gift Gala Concert felt far from a mere gaming event, evoking a solemn and sophisticated atmosphere.

As everyone watched Ueno on stage, holding their breath...

Sitting in the front row beside me, Yuki and Yuko clasped their hands, gazing at him with awe in their eyes.

Ueno's performance on stage, basked in the spotlight, was enough to captivate everyone's attention.

As the waltz's melody, seemingly eternal, gradually began to fade...

Sighs of regret escaped the lips of those who were enchanted by his music.

Da-da-da-da~ Stop.

Concluding the flawless first piece, Ueno stood up, holding the microphone.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Saito Ueno, the sound director at Pentagon. I express my deepest gratitude to all of you who have come this far for our Gala Concert. First, Divine Gift is a game that originated from the brilliant idea of our director at Pentagon, Mr. Kang Junhyuk. It's not just an RPG or action game where you smash and grow; it's a pioneering work in a new genre called 'rhythm game.' I consider it a very commemorative piece. And it's an honor for me to lend my music to such an outstanding work."

Ueno glanced at me seated in the front row, and in response to the applause from the audience, I nodded slightly, offering my thanks. He smiled and glanced at the audience.

"Now, the next piece we'll play is the second collaboration piece with Yukinojo Kaori from the game. Chrysler's Melancholy of Love."

Amidst the applause, Yuko said to Yuki, "Ah, this part in the game was my favorite..."

Facing the piano once again, Ueno closed his eyes briefly, adjusting his breath.

Gently and skillfully, he moved his fingers across the piano keys.

The bouncing piano notes filled the concert hall, and even the audience closed their eyes, indulging in his piano.

At that moment...

Yuki whispered to me, "Junhyuk... but earlier, didn't Ueno say this piece was a violin collaboration?"

In response, I gestured to the stage screen with my finger against my lips. Shortly after, as the lights dimmed, a blonde-haired woman appeared on the screen.

>

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