Game 1: Once in a Blue Moon
638 Words
"Hai. Wakarimashita", Naika said and put the telephone down. "Damn it, this of all weeks".
[Hai - yes; Wakarimashita - Understood]
"What did he say?" Neiko, Naika's twin brother, inquired, curious.
"Nii-san said he won't be coming home this Saturday" Naika replied.
[Nii-san/Onii-san - Older brother]
"But he only comes home for two days a week!" Neiko said.
"Yes. And that means we're not having cake, huh?" Naika said, seeming a little sad.
"Well, I guess we'll have to understand whatever reason there is", Neiko said. "You know how we've been relying on nii-san after dad left and mom slept, right?"
"I guess you're right, and I don't want to starve again", Naika said. " But I think we can still manage the cake, though"
Neiko raised an eyebrow. "Nee-san really can't control her love for sweets, can't she?
[Nee-san/Onee-san - Older sister]
"Ha, ha" Naika laughed sarcastically.
***
They took off to a nearby internet cafe early in the morning where they worked for most of their not-so-free time.
If you look at the cafe from outside, it looks like an ordinary house. In the interior, however, were computers lined up along the edges, with a counter at the center of the room.
"You young ones again! And why today?", an old man greeted them from the counter with a smile.
"Good morning Mr. Jose! As usual, taking your money" she jested. "So did you need anything different today?" She inquired.
"No, no" the old man declined. "Just the usual. Check and fix if there are any problems with the computers and help me tidy the place before I open up the shop" Jose said.
"Alrighty then," Naika said, already checking the hardware for damages. Neiko picked up the broom and started sweeping his way. Jose was arranging his tools at the counter and silence took over the atmosphere.
After cleaning up, Jose announced. "You two come here".
They moved to the counter to see Jose crouch down as if looking for something below, then when he got up he reached out his hands and got closer to them, wishing them, "Happy birthday to you two".
They looked at his hands which held a golden card in each.
"Isn't this..." Neiko asked
"Windbreakers account keys" Naika answered.
"These are difficult to get nowadays. Besides the problems in stocks, they are expensive. How did you get your hands on these?" Neiko asked, with happiness written on his face.
"Does it matter how I got it?" Jose asked rhetorically. "What matters is who it's for", he said. "Plus, your celebrations are only once every four years, right?" He added.
"Say, how much are these, exactly?" Naika asked.
"I'm sure you prefer not to know", Jose said. "Besides, my cafe business skyrocketed in popularity because you two started this ' I challenge you in Windbreakers for money' sort of thing you still do in here, right? We're kind of like business partners"
"Well, we were in terrible need of money back then" Neiko commented.
"And that's why I gave you jobs here. I'm also getting tired of you two borrowing my account whenever another one of your challengers show up in here" Jose laughed.
"It's real..." Naika marveled at the card now in her hands.
"Oh, and one more thing. I'm leaving the shop up to you two today. My wife told me to go run some errands for her and let me tell you, it is an irritating lot" Jose remarked.
"An hour at PC A please" a young man called at the counter, not knowing that the person in charge isn't there yet.
"Look at that, customers are here already. You're free to play for as much as you'd like today as long as you don't forget your responsibility here. I'll be leaving then" he told them and they saw him off.
Neiko went to the counter tended to the waiting customer.
"I'll take the first shift, sis. You go play", Neiko said.
"Thanks, Neiko", she says, plugging the golden card into the computer.
- Writer
