Game Market 1983

Chapter 191: Singer-Songwriter

Upon returning to the empty house and pulling out the shopping bag, the contents of the "Gift from the Gods" were remarkably simple.

Tearing open the sealed package and opening the cardboard box revealed a manual and a game cartridge nestled inside the plastic casing.

Leafing through the thick manual before starting the game, even the prologue of "Gift from the Gods" seemed to transcend the established framework of any game I'd known, offering an exceptional storyline that truly justified the genre name, "Graphic Novel."

As I turned past the page introducing the four heroines, I found the simple controls of the game. And at the end of the manual, there lay the sheet music for the main theme.

Following Nakamura's advice, I inserted two batteries into the Raon mainframe and flicked the power switch.

Soon enough, the adorable message "RAON" appeared on the screen, followed by the initial setup page.

Adjusting the date and time with the D-pad, I entered an ID and password for the terminal to download the game. The main screen emerged after these configurations.

-Please insert the game cartridge into the slot.-

Following the instructions at the top, I inserted the game cartridge and pressed the select button. Instead of the developer's logo appearing, a message popped up.

-For a clearer audio experience of "Gift from the Gods," we recommend using earphones rather than internal speakers. To enable stereo sound, please plug in earphones and press the YES button.-

I fetched my Walkman's earphones from the desk drawer, plugged them into the bottom of Raon, and hit the confirm button.

Soon after, accompanied by a beautiful piano melody, the title screen of "Gift from the Gods" graced the display. The fluttering curtains and the grand piano beside them evoked a poignant sensation.

Listening to the main theme, "Love Letter," while silently observing the title screen, an unexpected emotional rush surged within me.

-NEW GAME-

-PRACTICE MODE-

-OPTION-

Hovering the cursor over the topmost "New Game," I pressed the confirm button.

As the title screen slowly faded to darkness, a spotlight illuminated the center, initiating the game.

It started with the protagonist slowly ascending the piano on stage at a piano concerto gala, lightly placing their fingers on the keys.

"Elohim Essaim, Elohim Essaim... Let everything be done according to my will."

Then, in sync with the descending rhythm bars at the top, I began playing the piano as per the timing, following the solo part.

"The opening piece of 'Gift from the Gods' is Chopin's Nocturne Op.9 No.1..."

Could this be the feeling of playing alone by moonlight through the window?

This piece, deeply lyrical, was acclaimed for its exquisite tones and was one of Chopin's renowned masterpieces.

"Who knew I'd encounter classical music through a game..."

Gradually, I concentrated on the intensifying piano melody, striving to hit every rhythm bar at precise intervals.

With the piece running for about 6 minutes and 30 seconds, reaching a combo of 180 demanded intense focus. My fingers started to stiffen.

Despite the intermittent breaks in Chopin's piano composition, resembling someone struggling to express their feelings, I pushed on.

"Just a bit more... Just a bit more..."

Unintentionally engrossed in the protagonist's solo, I completed the opening piece flawlessly, achieving an S rank.

Perhaps due to my fondness for classical music and guitar playing, my fingertips felt slightly numb, but the satisfaction from the deeply moving piano performance was indescribable.

Even with just Chopin's essence captured in this small cartridge, I couldn't regret spending a penny on this game.

Moments later, amidst the thunderous applause echoing from the audience, the authentic storyline of "Gift from the Gods" commenced.

But as I had imagined a story as joyful and delightful as Chopin's beautiful piano melody, my anticipation shattered with scenes of the protagonist's accident within the game.

The wailing siren of an ambulance and a woman's plea for help resonated through the earphones.

In the emergency room, amid the flickering lights, a woman's voice echoed.

"Please... Oh, God. Please don't take him away like this."

Her desperate voice, repeating faintly and indistinguishable among the four heroines, filled the air.

And then, amidst her earnest plea, another voice merged, seeking an answer from either God or perhaps the devil's trickery. The truth awaited only upon clearing the game.

---

The protagonist, back a year before the accident, encountered four heroines, among whom, Kaori, a vibrant violinist, stood out.

Despite being peers, Kaori possessed a nurturing elder sister-like quality that guided the protagonist's indecisive nature.

Within the one-year timeframe, the protagonist had to recollect who among the heroines had prayed for them. Memories of Kaori surfaced fleetingly only during piano performances, making it essential to play without missing a beat to remember her.

Especially during the duet with Kaori in the second chapter, memories of their time together felt so faint, almost as if Kaori might have been the one who rescued the protagonist during the accident.

"I hope she was the one who saved the protagonist..."

Despite losing memories, the protagonist tirelessly sought the girl who prayed for them, driven by her earnest wish to save them.

Observing their mutual efforts, Andersen's fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid," came to mind, along with its poignant ending.

"In the end, the Little Mermaid, unable to win the prince's love, dissipated into foam..."

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