Lego's popularity

While KiShin FamiCom and Tora VG 16-bit have captured the attention of many, a new and emerging toy has also garnered the interest of people in the Kanto Region.

A middle-aged man named Aketora Tsurohami ventured into the streets to purchase a Lego set for his son. His son had been persistently urging him to buy one after seeing an advertisement during 'The Legend of Zelda' anime.

However, as Aketora entered the section of the street where the 'KiShin Merchandise' store was situated, he was taken aback. The store was already bustling with people. This surprised him because he worked as a salesman at the Tora store, and on his daily commute, he often passed by the 'KiShin Merchandise' store. From what he remembered since its opening, no one had shown much interest in their products. But now, it had become so popular that the sales associates were unable to assist the throngs of customers.

Many people were either purchasing Super Mario Bros or Link toy items, as well as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, the characters from KiShin video games. Clearly, the KiShin IP was in high demand. However, the current surge of customers was primarily due to Lego, which had managed to outperform all these action figures and toy sales since its initial release.

Aketora rushed into the store and noticed that KiShin staff members were carrying stacks of Lego boxes, drawing the attention of onlookers as they arranged the units on the shelves.

"Mister, can I buy that one?" suddenly inquired an eight-year-old child, standing before one of the staff members who was placing Lego boxes on the shelves. The child's parents, standing behind him, watched with hopeful expressions.

Other customers observed this scene, their emotions mixed. While some were touched by the child's enthusiasm, others suspected that the child's parents were using this tactic to secure a Lego box ahead of others.

The staff member the child had approached was a young man who could only offer a helpless smile in response, saying, "Certainly, you can buy one."

"Yay!" The child was ecstatic as the staff handed him the Lego box unit featuring The Legend of Zelda design.

However, the child shook his head and pointed to a specific Lego design—the box adorned with images of Super Mario Bros., the castle, princess, and mushrooms. The staff nodded and provided him with that particular design.

Subsequently, the child's parents smiled as they paid for the Lego set at the counter.

Other customers, initially hesitant and embarrassed to interrupt the staff arranging the Lego boxes on the shelves, now felt it was better to act quickly after witnessing the child's successful purchase.

Observing this, Aketora was determined not to be left behind and promptly approached the staff setting up the Lego units.

Meanwhile, customers who weren't interested in Lego but were purchasing stuffed toys and figurines watched the competition to buy Lego unfold.

"Look at these people going crazy," a young man exclaimed to his girlfriend.

His girlfriend simply chuckled and said, "Weren't you just as excited when KiShin released 'The Legend of Zelda' video game?"

The young man blushed and replied, "It's different."

"How can it be different?" his girlfriend continued to tease.

Meanwhile, Aketora finally managed to secure a Lego box unit featuring 'The Legend of Zelda' design for his son.

"Finally..." Aketora sighed with relief as he took the Lego box unit to the counter and purchased it with a sense of happiness.

To be honest, he didn't buy this Lego solely because his son liked it. In fact, upon seeing the Lego commercial, his own interest had been piqued, and his long-held ambition and dream of becoming an architect were rekindled.

Because of this, he readily agreed to his son's request to buy a Lego set, despite his wife's disagreement. He did, however, make a show of appearing reluctant to appease his wife and convey that his agreement was primarily due to their child's insistence.

Once the Lego box unit had been wrapped in KiShin packaging, Aketora gratefully accepted it from the cashier.

Exiting the store, Aketora encountered surprise when he ran into his Tora Store workmates, who were also headed to the KiShin Merchandise store.

"Tsurohami-san?" his workmates looked at Aketora in astonishment.

Aketora, still holding the KiShin package, turned to his workmates, who were in their Tora Store uniforms, and exclaimed in surprise, "You guys... What are you two doing here?"

The two workmates chuckled as they asked the same, "You too... What are you doing here?" Just as Aketora was about to respond, they noticed him carrying the KiShin package and exclaimed, "So, you bought an item from our competitors?"

Aketora simply smiled and replied, "Well, if you two are here, you must also be considering purchases from our competitors?"

The two workmates nodded and explained their similar reasons for being at the KiShin store.

After some light conversation, Aketora bid farewell to them and continued on his way.

Returning home, he found that his son was eagerly awaiting his arrival.

"Papa!" his son exclaimed, his eyes filled with excitement as he gazed at the KiShin package.

"Look what we have!" Aketora proudly displayed the wrapped Lego box unit.

His son jumped with joy as he took the package from his father's hands.

Aketora chuckled and led his son into the living room.

In the living room, Aketora's wife, engrossed in watching TV and munching on a snack, turned her attention to the father and son.

"You really spent money on that?" his wife pouted, her brows furrowed in disapproval.

"Come on, it's for our child," Aketora replied, attempting to appease his wife. Meanwhile, his son, seemingly uninterested in their little drama, eagerly opened the KiShin package wrap and exclaimed with excitement upon seeing the Lego box featuring 'The Legend of Zelda' design.

"I finally have something to show off to my friends!" Aketora's son enthused, unaware that the Lego toy was not exclusively his...

Aketora discreetly listened in and heard his son's desire to showcase their Lego set to his friends.