"Lets go, common" Megan presses, running down the stairs. The last instructional edition for the games of Krest comes out today, and she is in a hurry to get her hands on those, not that I am not either. It is the final CD and the only way to bring our rank up and finally be accepted in the international bodies of professional gamers, that was my dream.

"Aren't we a little too early? I doubt they are open now" I tell her while checking on the time, it was four and thirty minutes in the morning and looking at her face, she doesn't look like one who allowed herself to sleep. Her face is crimson and there are lines under her eyes, she is currently wearing her pjs and has no shoes on, but overall she seems healthy. "And put on some shoes" I tell her, she pouts and goes in one of the doors to bring out a pair of my sneakers.

"We need to leave now, do you really think we will be able to grab those CDs in daylight? Listen, there are thirty-four million people playing this game in Japan and as I search, five million are playing this game in Tokyo and three thousand and two hundred people are playing in Kobe with..." 

"Alright" I stopped her before she could continue with her data chat, we moved to Kobe last year as our parents had a more healthy business here and my dad also hated crowded places. Megan and I have been friends since forever, she is six month older than me but it still doesn't matter as I am the one to protect her, our parent were also friends in high school and decided to open a movie kind of industry but it failed as they had no experience in recruiting actors or even directors for movie, yet again script out series. I still laugh at that idea. Now, they open a huge salon and restaurant which is going out very well.

"Yuuuuki?" She calls again, clearly done with wearing her shoes. I tiptop walk to the drawer and grab some jackets and hand one to her, she hurriedly wears it and stares at me impatiently. Her round brown eyes looking deep into my soul and her dark hairs held in a lazy pony, she will alway be cute...

"Let's go" smiling again. She opens the door and closes it on my face and runs down the road. We walked to the store as none of us had the time to learn how to drive–no, I am too lazy to learn now. Megan is only sixteen, I know, but she is a girl, they needs to be protected. I will learn when I turn seventeen and then I will be her knight in a shining car.

We arrived at the store thirty minutes later and to my surprise, there were indeed people waiting at the door, some sitting on the floor while others played on their phone, they all didn't look like they had an important fruit or condiment to buy— They were clearly gamers. She turns to me and gives me the knowing look of 'I told you' before pulling me closer to the door. The store opens in an hour and I have no idea of what to do in the meantime. we were entry winter and it was freezing out here, Megan rubs her palms every once in a while and I once again sacrifice my life time just so she could be comfortable, I take of my jacket and hands it to her, she shakes her head but I still puts it on her and in a slip of second a strong wind passes through me freezing every working cells in me, she smiles and moves to hug me.

"what will I do without my little brother" yeah what will she do…

…

A man walks toward the store and pauses at the sight of a large crowd gathered in front. A smile tugs at his lips. Without hesitation, he opens the door and darts inside. Instantly, the crowd surges forward, pouring through the entrance, all rushing in the same direction. I follow the crowd into the store, the sudden rush of people making it feel like the start of a race. Megan sticks close to my side, weaving through the chaos with practiced ease. The air buzzes with energy—voices rising, feet pounding against the floor, the clatter of display stands being shifted as people grab what they came for.

We move together for a moment, then she disappears into a different aisle. I slow down, scanning the shelves around me, not even sure what I’m looking for. A few seconds pass—maybe more. Then I hear her voice behind me.

"Hey!" she calls, slightly out of breath.

I turn just in time to see her pushing through the crowd, a triumphant grin on her face. She’s holding up two CDs like trophies, her cheeks flushed and eyes glowing with excitement.

"I got them!" she says, practically bouncing with joy. "Look at these beauties" her deep brown eyes shine as they stare down at the rectangle object. Megan's obsession with games started in junior high, one of her friends' brothers dared her to play Speed car and win for her to meet his sister, she took on the deal and luckily she won second place. She hates losing even though she clearly won second place for a newbie, she ran to me that day and begged me to teach her how to and with my excitement to finally have someone play with i taught her all i know and here are the consequences.

I walked her to the cashier and the place was both crowded with old and new customers. I pull her close to me as more people start walking by.

“Hariku is leaving the Grid— once again” a teen utters, and by how Megan looks at me she also hears him. Hariku Kawasaki, elite player in all the gaming Ekrest was once a legend in his teens, won four great battles in the games but left after saying it was boring and repetitive, applied for modeling— another success he said was once again repetitive and left. He was spotted by the owner of the top four gaming companies and somehow he managed to hire him back in the game. Truth is people expected him to leave sooner than now for him to play for two nonstop years without quitting is sort of a miracle. “For a top player like him it’s like a waste, if I had such talent I will be ruling the gaming world”

“That’s why you lack such talent, people like him are born with abilities others learn. It is the same as a rich man who says he doesn’t need money.” another which a think is his friend answers, there is a hat on top his head and a scarf covering most of his face, his accent distinctively foreign.

“But still, doesn’t it make it a waste. He has the talent and tactics of a perfect elite. Why waste it when he “has it” wouldn’t that be a great hindrance for others who trained just to meet their level just for them to leave saying it is boring? Those are people dream whether big or not” I look up at the two boys who turn to Megan— why doesn’t she mind her own fucking business at times. I gulp down whatever fear I had but as soon as I unzip my lips the first one says.

“Yes, see, she knows. As someone is still lusting over meeting and playing with Matsuya, I will be devastated if she said she quits the game due to boredom, that is a ball full of shit excuses. Kawasaki is clearly into some strong drugs and the person who keep wanting to recruit him is over stimulated”

“Your dreams are to meet and play with Mei? I heard she might be leaving soon as her partner hates attention” Megan continue

“Lies and jealousy, she is dedicated to her job and has no such thing…” he starts but stops to stare at me, and Megan hurriedly introduces.

“Ah, this is Yuki Haruna, you must have heard but his family owns the new Haruna salon, and I am Megan Kobayashi, from eating at Kobayashi restaurant” both of them instantly stand in surprise.

“You both own Shinkaichi’s best food and hairstyles in Kobe?” they both say.

“We do not own them but our parents,” she clears with a small laugh.

“Oh right, I am Ren Uesugi, and this is… ehh you can call him Mook”

“My name is Suksomboon Rattanarak Yamprakob, I am from thailand” Mook says and Megan beams once again.

“That’s so cool, do you guys play too” 

“Yes, and we both want to be pros, what about you Yuki” already calling me by my name, that’s wil… “I can call you Yuki right?” and I nod clearly not offended.

“I play but I will hope to be a thief”