Jui decided to check out the roaring streets of Busan the day after they arrived. He wanted to hear the cars honking on the streets, the people chatting at local shops, and smell the air around him. The city was very different from what Jui was used to back home. Gone were the rivers and open fields. Instead, skyscrapers soared above his head and things he had never seen before filled his eyes with wonder. But most of all…there were arcades! Not just one like back home, but several!!
The excitement of his childhood fancy began to kick into gear as he headed to the first one he saw. He went inside and saw people all around shouting and laughing, nothing but joy filled the air. It was then that he felt at home because the atmosphere reminded him of the times he had with his father. He felt his anxiety of this new town lessen, letting the sounds of the arcade calm the swarming paralysis of his mind.
Jui grabbed some coins and scoped out the machines. He started with Rise of the Dead. Zombie games were one of his favorites and judging by the leaderboard, he was hungry for first. Jui had been deprived of videogames for what felt like an eternity. So, the second he picked up the zombie killer, a smile came across his lips because he remembered the times he had done so with his father. He almost felt as if he was by his side, helping him with upgrades and strategizing about which weapons to choose. Jui's mind was filled with loss…and the love of his youth, which made the background noise disappear. Before he knew it, he had already topped the leaderboard.
"What?! Jung Lee is playing who?!" he heard, which snapped him out of his trance.
Jui knew very well that Jung Lee was a reigning champ of a new up-and-coming game called Strike. He had watched people play on Zeem for hours on end, and when he moved here, his mother surprised him with the game. However, Strike wasn't really up his alley. He enjoyed watching others, but he didn't feel like he was that competitive with crossover fighting games. Since Jui already felt like a weak, self-conscious, and undeserving person, he didn't want to feel the same way with the one thing that brought him joy. So, he only chose games where he had a competitive advantage.
"Come on guys! Saka is wiping the floor with the reigning champ!"
No way?! Someone is beating Jung?!
Jui followed the crowd, pretty eager to see the commotion. It would be really impressive if a no-name player beat Jung! His technique was impeccable!
Jui, not being the tallest boy, had to peak over the shoulders of the chanting crowd. He continued to find a way to see the commotion but saw a gap in-between the crowd that would give him a better view. He squeezed through, almost unnoticed by the yelling boys, only to see Jung playing against the person who was presumably Saka.
He didn't look like an average gamer. He wore black and almost looked like a punk-style rocker. An earring hung from his ear, and his orange and black hair was swooped to one side. But for whatever reason, Jui felt his face begin to redden the more he watched him play. Honestly, Jui wasn't entirely into boys…or he didn't think he was, but the pitter-patter of his heart said otherwise. Jui didn't know if it was because a boy like him was playing Strike or that he was not only standing toe to toe with Jung...but winning.
It was breathtaking! His black fox, named Akan, was fighting Jung's warrior, named Kome…and Kome wasn't standing a chance! Akan's counters were well executed and perfectly timed, almost as if he had a spy on the inside aiding him…or he studied Jung's gameplay. But the way Saka played…was almost like a dance. It was so beautiful that Jui continued to want more…he could watch him play for hours. But the more he yearned for more rounds, Kome was blasted off of the platform.
"Yea!!!" Saka yelled, a K.O plastered on the screen.
"Saka, Saka, he's the reigning champ!" The crowd begins to cheer as Jung looks awestruck.
Jung stands up to shake hands with Saka. "You're really good! You should qualify for our league. We need guys like you."
"Thanks but nah, I just do this stuff for fun. It was a pleasure to play with you!" Saka smiled.
Jung nods and walks away as Saka's friend, a boy with a cut-off shirt and his hair pulled back in a ponytail, comes to greet him.
"Why didn't you tell us you knew how to play Strike?! Didn't want Kimi to find out you're a nerd?" Maichi taunted.
Jui couldn't contain his excitement! He had never seen a game so exciting played in real life! He had to say something to him…anything.
"Lay off, Maichi! And you better not let—" Saka scoffed.
"Um…" Jui interrupted, shyly approaching Saka.
"You played…really—"
Maichi begins to laugh, making Jui's face turn red with embarrassment.
"Awww, look Saka! You got yourself a boy fan! Look man, Saka doesn't swing that way."
Jui placed his head down, his fists closed…but he could feel the anxiety take hold. He already is judging me…this town is no different than the last!
Tears begin to clog in his eyes, as he turns and runs.
"Hey, hold on!"
Saka calls after Jui, but he continues to run. He leaves the arcade in a rush, not looking back because the trauma of his past took hold. And once it did that, he was unable to face it.