Banri's parents decided to sell some of their land just to buy that new video game, "Fantasy World of Grimland," which they believed would help Banri experience a normal life.
"Dad, it's okay… you don't have to buy that video game," Banri said.
"What are you talking about, son? If that's what it takes to make you happy and allow you to walk again, we'll do it even if it means selling all our properties," his father replied.
Banri was happy because of the overwhelming support his parents were giving him, and he was truly grateful. However, he also felt regretful about spending one billion just for a game. He was torn, thinking it might be better if they didn't buy the game at all.
The next day, the game's release day at the gaming market, an announcement was suddenly made on the game developer's website that all players with disabilities would receive the game for free; they just needed to present a PWD (Person with Disability) ID to verify their condition. Only players without disabilities would have to pay the one billion.
Banri was overjoyed. Even though he wanted to jump up and down with excitement, he couldn't because of his disability. Instead, he hugged his father tightly. His mother was also delighted for him.
They immediately prepared themselves to go to the gaming market and avail of the game. According to the website, ten thousand copies of the game would be given for free to players with disabilities on the day of its release.
"Are you sure you want to come? You might just get bored there. You and your mom could stay here since there will surely be a long queue," Banri's father suggested.
"It's okay, Dad, I want to go there. Besides, I'm really excited," Banri insisted.
"Alright then, if that's what you want, let's go," his father agreed, pushing his wheelchair toward the garage.
He then lifted Banri into the car while his mother folded the wheelchair and placed it in the car's compartment.
"Be careful, both of you," Banri's mother said as they left.
Banri's father started the car, and they headed to the gaming market. When they arrived at the building, they found a long queue outside. Many people with disabilities were there, accompanied by their guardians. There were various individuals with different disabilities.
Some had epilepsy, others were deaf, mute, or blind; some had amputated limbs, hands, or other parts of their bodies. Seeing so many people like himself, Banri suddenly felt hopeful for himself and his fellow PWDs.
He felt a deep sense of gratitude toward those who developed the game and to the government for supporting its release.
Banri and his father had been in line for several hours, but the queue was still incredibly long.
"Dad, you might be tired… or hungry. Why don't you eat first?" Banri suggested to his father, who had been standing in line for hours.
"I'm fine, Banri. But you might be hungry. Wait here; I'll go buy some food for you," his father replied. Banri, feeling hungry as well, didn't argue about his father's plan to buy food.
"Alright, Dad, I'm getting hungry too."
"Okay, wait here. Just push your wheelchair's wheels a bit if the line moves," Banri's father instructed. Banri nodded in agreement.
His father left to buy some food. The place was packed with people, and the queue was still long.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the queue. In the crowded building, people started pushing each other. The chaos began when a woman accused a man of cutting in line. The pushing and shoving soon escalated, and Banri felt a surge of anxiety.
He worried there might be a stampede, and he could get caught in the middle since he couldn't walk or run.
People began bumping into him, their bodies pressing against his as they were shoved around. The police on standby tried to calm everyone down, but the commotion continued.
Next to Banri was a pale-looking girl who seemed about his age, visibly frightened.
"Mom, where are you?!" the girl cried, appearing to have been separated from her mother.
When Banri looked at her hand, he saw she was holding a cane and realized she was blind. He felt sorry for her, especially as people kept bumping into her in the queue.
Fortunately, the police managed to control the situation, and order was restored. But the blind girl beside Banri still looked scared.
"Mom, where are you?" she called out again, her voice trembling with fear.
"Ah, miss, don't worry. Everything's okay now; the police have stopped the pushing and shoving," Banri reassured her.
"R—really? Are you sure there's no more danger?" she asked Banri.
"Yes, it's all fine now. The line is orderly again," Banri confirmed.
Moments later, a woman approached the blind girl and called her "daughter," revealing that she was indeed the girl's mother.
Banri realized that being blind might be even harder than his situation. He wondered what it would feel like not to see anything at all—it seemed incredibly lonely.
He thought about how everyone had their own challenges to face. It was hard for each PWD in their own way, but now they were all there because, like Banri, they saw hope that their situation could change and that they could experience a normal life through this new game developed by the best game developers.
When Banri's father returned with food, he asked, "Are you okay, son? I heard there was some commotion here earlier."
"I'm fine, Dad," Banri replied.
It was already early morning when Banri and his father finally obtained a copy of the video game, and there was still a long line behind them.
"At last, son, you got the game. Let's go home now," his father said.
Banri glanced around, seemingly looking for the blind girl he had noticed earlier, wondering if he might meet her inside the game.
"Why? Is there somewhere else you want to go?" his father asked, puzzled.
"No, it's nothing, Dad. Let's go," Banri replied.
When they arrived home, Banri's mother greeted them with excitement, happy to hear the good news that they had managed to get the game. They immediately went to Banri's room and inserted the game CD into the console.
They were all nervous. Moments after inserting the CD, a hologram appeared—a blue door with light effects, floating in mid-air in Banri's room. They were all amazed.
[ Please enter the door when ready, player, ] they heard a voice coming from the game console.
Banri's father helped him stand up from his wheelchair, supporting his weight.
"Dad, should I go through?" Banri asked, feeling hesitant and somewhat bewildered by the seemingly magical game.
"Yes, son, don't worry about your mother and me. We'll be fine as long as you're happy," his father reassured.
"Go on, son, we're happy for you," his mother added.
When his father opened the door, it suddenly pulled Banri inside with great force and closed shut behind him. Then, the hologram door disappeared from Banri's room.
[ The player Banri Tatsuya has logged in and been transported to Fantasy World Of Grimland ]
a voice from the game console announced after Banri was sucked through the hologram door and vanished…