Chapter 27 - Game Store

Game store. It is a place where everything related to games is for sale. Entering the store, the first thing we notice, like any other store, is the staff welcoming us.

With a room full of various consoles, game CDs, and mercendises. Even everything is decorated to look striking according to the theme of the room, which is gaming. Game posters, music, everything.

Although, that's just in general. In more detail, the store is subdivided into several categories...

...

"hey, what exactly is this game?"

And one of the categories was this. The place where he and Ame were currently standing, that is...

"Sis, sis, sis. No need to pretend you don't know, you're not a saint. Come on, shees"

"No-no, but isn't this... Eroge? So this is the game you're referring to? I thought you were going to buy an adventure game or something. I feel stupid now... "

Yes, Eroge.

A category that is specifically for sale within the 18 years old and above. That is, adult games. Full of pink and purple shades that were somehow seductive, was where the two of them were standing right now. While looking at the game CD in front of them, which was said to be the game Ame wanted.

"What, this isn't something stupid okay? Eroge is art! Don't underestimate art, whatever form it takes. Zlaus said that" Ame answered his doubts. While advising him on how deep the art they were currently looking at was.

But, put that aside. "Who is Zlaus?"

The name Zlaus suddenly popped out of his mouth. Who was he? Some sort of ancient Greek philosopher? It was rare for Ame to quote words from other people. "Well, he's the main character of this eroge. This is the second series that just came out yesterday. It tells the continuation of the story of Zlaus who defeated the demon king and his subordinates. See here? This is Zlaus, around him, Umm... As you can see, are his harem members"

Yes, it seemed like Ryousuke should remember this in his brain. Never think too far into the words of the person in front of him. It would only make him feel stupid.

"Then again, I thought Zlaus was some sort of philosopher or something like that for uttering such wise words. Turns out he's a game character huh. Whatever, Ame. Just hurry up and buy it and we'll go straight home. I don't feel comfortable being here" Ryousuke replied. Shaking his head and wanting to leave this place immediately.

Ame, hearing Ryousuke's words, looked at him with eyes that looked disappointed at the lack of artistic sense seen in his friend. "hahh... I thought we were in the same world man. You love games as much as I do, but why aren't you interested in something like this? Are you even a man?"

'Me, playing games like this? Huh! No way. Maybe if this was the same world as the one I used to live in, then I would happily play it. But with the common sense of this world... Ugh, no thanks. ' Ryousuke thought.

So, he just replied honestly. Although it still covered up some things he didn't want others to know. "Don't make fun of me stupid. I do like games, but not games like this. The reason... Well... Let's just say I have different tastes than other people"

Ame tilted his head, not understanding what he meant. "It's incomprehensible, what's different taste? All the girls in the game are beautiful in their own way. Surely you'll find one that suits your taste"

"It's complicated man, it's complicated" he could only reply like that.

Continuing, he said, "It's still better that I have the same hobbies as you, though not all of them. Look at Juutaro, if you go out with him, he won't even understand a bit of what you say"

Considering Juutaro, who was a member of the Football club, who would even only play games if he forced him, would like something like this... It was unbelievable.

"Don't talk about him, he's in a different world from me. If he lives on land, then I live in water. A muscle head like him who likes sports, what fun is sports?"

'what's wrong with him? Now talking analogies like that'

"Yes yes, then that means I'm an amphibian. I can live on land or water because I like both."

Ame picked up the new eroge game CD he was talking about. "It's really hard to have friends like you guys. Not even understanding beautiful art like this."

looking at the CD cover which contained a picture of a man in a warrior outfit holding a sword, surrounded by unsightly looking girls. Ryousuke did, for once, admit that it was indeed art. Although he could not say that it was a good art. "Yeah yeah, just buy the game already"

He was about to walk out of the store, when Ame pulled him back,

"You're not going to buy an eroge like me? Come on~~ I have some good recommendations, huh?"

'This guy?!'

"NO, just quickly pay for your game! I'll wait outside, you perverted human!"

"o-hey! Saying that again, you bastard!"

'Guh, what a tiring time dealing with him and his hobbies. I should have just gone home earlier.' He thought.

He walked out of the store, ignoring his stupid friend's angry yelling, and just looked ahead.

"Please come again" the store clerk greeted him, who was walking towards the exit. He just nodded his head awkwardly in reply, somehow feeling uncomfortable with the clerk's gaze. 'For some reason, I admit it feels like I'm doing something I shouldn't do, going out of the store like this without buying anything'.

He tried to ignore that feeling and just quickly walked out. After a while, Ame finally came in with a black plastic bag in his hand. It seemed like he had finished buying the game he wanted.

"Are you done? Then let's go home"

Without waiting for an answer from him, he walked away towards his house. Ame immediately walked up to him, starting to scold him about not appreciating art or whatever. Without responding to anything he said, he just walked and walked. Heading home.

----------

It was nighttime. The moon was shining brightly in the night sky, with stars that could be seen from his bedroom window with little clarity. After accompanying his friend to buy eroge games, he returned to his home feeling tired.

Taking a shower eased his mind a little, but he felt that it was not enough. So, he tried to lie down on the bed and closed his eyes for a while to rest. He wasn't going to sleep, it was only eight in the evening, he still chose a lot of time.

Enjoying the resulting tranquility, the sound of the night breeze, the quietness of the night, he felt comfortable.

*tining!

His comfort did not last long. A message notification ring could be heard from his smartphone kept on the study table. Picking up the phone with a bit of annoyance, he looked at the lit screen and saw that the notification he just received was from the group chat he made with his two friends, the 'huhuhaha group'.

Curious, he opened the lime app and saw what message he had just received.

[hi guys. I just received the girl's confession, hahaha! Oh yeah, and by the way, it turns out that the girl is Joozu-san from our class. Hehe, now the two of us are officially dating. *emote peace]

"WHAT?!!! "

Looks like today's surprises aren't over yet. For the fourth time, I was surprised by another incident. And no doubt , this surprise was the biggest of all.