"There are so many people here... it's honestly beyond what I expected. I didn't know this many people loved video gas."
"Of course, mister! Video gas are one of the most popular forms of entertainnt in the world now. But with this many people, it might be hard to get the gas you want today."
The young man entered the main hall of the ga store alongside Anthony, and as they took in the sea of people inside, he began to feel a bit overwheld.
The store was packed wall-to-wall. For soone young, squeezing through the crowd was manageable. But for soone like Anthony, it would be much tougher.
His physical endurance couldn't compare to that of the younger folks.
"It's fine," Anthony said casually, "If I can't get the gas today, I'll co back tomorrow. And if not tomorrow, then the day after. No big deal."
He seed entirely unfazed. At his age, there wasn't much left that could rattle him.
He certainly wasn't about to jeopardize his health over video gas. He still had to keep living—carry on with the will of his child, and experience the gas his child had never gotten to play.
...
...
It was both an obsession and a wish—a personal mission.
The young man opened his mouth as if to say sothing, but in the end, the words didn't co.
In the store, people were shoulder to shoulder, buying up gas as quickly as they were stocked.
Gastar Electronic Entertainnt's sales frenzy showed no sign of slowing down, not even for sothing as unusual as a ga console release.
Of course, it helped that the launch lineup was stacked:Super Mario Odyssey, the latest Need for Speed, a new Monster Hunter, a new IP from Uncharted, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and even Final Fantasy X.
Each one of those titles could've sparked a gaming frenzy on its own. Released all at once? It was enough to send fans into a frenzy.
Store staff were restocking non-stop, and even then, custors would snatch cartridges right off the carts before they even reached the shelves.
As for the Switch consoles themselves—gone the instant they appeared.
And yet, it was precisely because there were so many people that Anthony felt himself start to hesitate.
There was a small pang of regret.
"Mister, how about you wait outside? I can get the gas you want for you," the young man said earnestly.
He was genuinely worried about Anthony's well-being.
But Anthony shook his head, eyes steady. "No. I want to buy these gas myself."
Sotis, people need to hold onto certain things—that's what gives life aning.
The young man suddenly looked conflicted.
"Mister... you said earlier you'd co to terms with what happened to your son?"
"Hm? Yes, I have. Death is inevitable. It'll co for too, before long. And when it does, I'll finally see my son again. Until then, I just want to play as many gas as I can—so I can tell him all about them when I see him."
In his heart, Anthony hoped that would help nd the bond they never had in life.
Hearing this, the young man seed to resolve himself.
"Mister, if you don't mind... I might do sothing a little bold. But I think it'll help."
Anthony looked at him, surprised. "Sothing bold...?"
"Everyone, listen to !"
The young man suddenly climbed up on sothing and shouted loudly. Even in the chaotic noise of the store, his voice cut through.
Aside from being an avid gar, the young man also stread gas online—not a huge na, but known in his circles. He was used to projecting his voice, exaggerating reactions for his audience. He'd never imagined his loud voice would co in handy like this.
The store, which had been buzzing with activity, quieted slightly as heads turned toward him.
So people looked annoyed.
"What's with the yelling?"
"Can you keep it down, man?"
"Could we please let this man—this elder—get the gas he ca for?" the young man called out.
"Huh? Who is he?"
"Why should he go first? We were here earlier than him. It's only fair we go first."
People didn't understand. So were clearly irritated.
They even started to regard the young man like he was so kind of idiot.
"Please, just hear out. We're all gars here—we all share this passion. So let's show a little respect, a little dignity. You may not know who this man is."
He turned to look at Anthony.
Anthony stood there, utterly stunned.
But then, he seed to understand what the young man was trying to do. He hesitated for a mont, then said nothing—just watched quietly.
The young man, encouraged, raised his voice again:
"Do you know who this is? This is Anthony."
"Anthony? Who's that?"
"That na rings a bell... but I can't rember why."
"Eh, what's it matter to us?"
"Yeah, we're here to buy gas, not listen to stories. Unless you're the God of Gaming or sothing."
The young man ignored the complaints and began to tell Anthony's story.
A father who lost his child. A child who loved video gas. A father who, once unable to understand, now plays gas to feel closer to the son he never truly connected with. Who plays now—hoping that in the next life, he can say, I played them all, for you.
It was a story that tugged at the heart, no matter who you were.
"Anthony... wait, Anthony! I rember now!"
The young man nodded. "Yes. This is that Anthony. And all he wants... is to experience the joy of gaming that his son once loved. To buy these gas himself. To stand here like the rest of us and be a gar—not just in na, but in action."
"We're all gars, right? We all know what that passion feels like. Can't we show just a bit of respect for that?"
"He's not going to take your gas. He's just one man."
The store fell silent.
And then, finally, soone stepped aside.
"Anthony, you can go ahead."
That one person's gesture was all it took.
One by one, others followed, and soon a clear path opened—leading Anthony straight to the ga shelf.
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