Written by: RadinRMZ & TaxEvasionIsFun
The mall was buzzing with activity, filled to the brim with people seeking entertainment. Each floor was a trove of various shops and stores, captivating the attention of everyone present. And in the heart of the mall stood a colossal Hyper-Market, boasting an entire floor dedicated to its vast offerings.
Amidst the zone, a woman emerged from the mall, her arms laden with two bags. One bag held the weight of groceries, essential items for her household, while the other clutched a case of beer, a small indulgence for herself… or that's what she told herself. The tight grip on the latter bag indicated its significance to her.
As Misato made her way towards the elevator, a sense of weariness washed over her. Three hours since her arrival, and the majority of her time had been spent navigating the aisles of the mart, gathering necessities for her home. She sighed softly, contemplating the tiring nature of her errand.
Her finger pressed the elevator button, and she stood there, waiting patiently for the metal doors to part before her.
"Well, that was exhausting. At least the fridge won't be empty once I'm back home with all this," she muttered to herself.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the elevator doors gradually slid open. Without a specific destination in mind, she simply selected a random floor, embracing the luxury of aimless wandering. After all, it was her day off, she had the leisure to explore at her own pace.
The mall was a place where families and friends would often congregate to peruse the multitude of shops, engage in conversations over coffee, and share stories about their daily lives. However, this was not the case for Misato. Her interactions with her best friend Ritsuko outside of work were limited, and she sometimes felt a disconnect with both children living under the same roof as her.
Though they exchanged words daily, their chit-chats rarely ventured beyond the mundane.
If only she could find a way to change that. As their legal guardian, Misato recognized her responsibility to be a parental figure, yet she felt she had fallen short of that up to that point.
Strolling past the vibrant array of storefronts, a pondering question danced in her mind: "What captures the interest of today's teenagers?" The complexity of the inquiry was evident; a straightforward answer remained elusive. Her gaze shifted from window to window, taking in the curated displays of each establishment, her steps guided by aimless curiosity.
"Laptops. Computers. Mobile phones. Well, it seems they sell quite the modern tech here," she reflected aloud, observing the sleek gadgets showcased behind the glass.
Continuing her meandering exploration, she pursued her self-appointed "examination" of the mall's items.
"TVs. Monitors. Gaming consoles. Video games—"
Abruptly, she came to a standstill, her attention arrested by a sudden idea.
"That's it!"
With newfound determination, she charted her course towards her latest point of interest. The gaming store, though compact, was a veritable haven for enthusiasts of video games and the gaming realm at large. This was especially true for Kensuke, who, engrossed in his quest for the latest "Yakuza" installment, remained oblivious to Misato's arrival.
Ironically, Misato herself was equally oblivious to Kensuke's presence, captivated by the array of devices, consoles, and games that adorned the store. Nostalgia unfurled within her, going through memories of her own youth. She recalled her excitement during trips to similar stores, whether to sample the latest Nintendo creation or snag the newest gaming magazine.
Only upon a fortuitous collision did Misato's awareness extend to the teenager standing before her.
"Oof, sorry— Wait, Aida-kun?"
"Huh, Misato-san? Wow! Unexpected encounter! Aren't you supposed to be at NERV?" Kensuke inquired with total surprise.
"Oh, it's actually my day off. That's why I'm here," she clarified, embracing the unexpected company, not caring much if, like most teenagers, he had the "hots" for her.
Kensuke's gaze shifted to the shopping bags in her grasp. "Looks like you've been busy shopping. So, what brings you to the gaming kingdom?"
As the gears of thought whirred within her, Misato pondered her response.
"Well, umm, you see..."
Contemplating whether to share her intentions with Kensuke, she reasoned that his expertise could prove useful. He was, after all, a teenager engrossed in these interests, possessing a knowledge far surpassing her own.
"I've been thinking about getting something that could provide some, uh, home entertainment, especially for Shinji and Asuka. You know, for their free time. I figured a new gaming console and a few games might be a good idea. Something to occupy them other than setting the house on fire or playing Hide and Seek with Pen Pen."
Adjusting his glasses with a thoughtful tilt, Kensuke listened intently.
"Given that my knowledge in these matters is somewhat outdated, and the gaming world has surely evolved since I was a child, I thought maybe you could help me out. Show me the ropes, you know?."
A grin tugged at Kensuke's lips. "Absolutely! You've come to the right person. I promise you'll leave this store with the ultimate gaming console in hand!"