落とし穴番外：楽しくやるのがゲームである (Part2)
"See? I’ll prove to you that even Hifi can climb onto dry land and evolve into something magnificent!"
"Ugh... I feel like you’re mocking me more than anyone else... but there’s no point in complaining now. First, the proof. Here, take a look."
On the screen she held out, there was, in fact, a game of Pokém*n currently in progress. She had even named the character "Hifi," a classic beginner move. Still, just being shown a game screen wasn't enough to make me drop my guard.
"Alright then, put it on the stand and show me you can play it."
"You’re going to make me go that far?"
"We don't have much choice, do we? I can get the screen ready on this end."
"...*Sigh*, I resent how little you trust me."
Muttering to herself, Hifi placed the console into the stand without a hint of hesitation, and the game appeared on the television.
"Whoa. You can even do that all by yourself?"
"Do you take me for a child?"
"No, Hifi. You couldn't do that before, could you?"
"...Fine. I just need to play, right?"
No sooner had she said that than she snatched up the controller and began operating the character with fluid, practiced motions. Oh, she really was controlling it! No, stay calm. She’s just moving the character around on the screen. Even a small child could do that. The real test was about to begin.
As I watched intently, Hifi didn't wait for any input from us; she promptly ran into a wild encounter, shifting the display to the battle screen. Now, this was where the real challenge lay. This Pokém*n game was an RPG, and it wasn't something a casual amateur could clear. Furthermore, the map Hifi was playing on was the exact same expansion content we were currently tackling. The wild creatures here were level 60 or higher, and Hifi’s team was only around level 70. One wrong move and it would be a total wipeout.
I wanted to see if Hifi truly possessed the skill to identify weaknesses and abilities on the fly! But as I braced myself, she immediately pressed the buttons, precisely whittling down the enemy's health, applying a status ailment, and capturing it in the blink of an eye.
"Whoa, what kind of high-level technique is that!?"
I mean, it’s not exactly difficult if you have a dedicated capture specialist... but wait, *that* Hifi is a capture specialist now? I was genuinely stunned. While we stood there frozen in shock, Hifi moved the captured creature to her data screen, turned back to us with her nose held high, and said:
"Well? You see, I’ve become capable as well."
" "Whoa!!" "
We offered our sincere applause of shock and admiration. It turns out that even the most technologically inept can be "cured." She had succeeded in treating a super-rare illness that even Rurua and Elju couldn't handle! This might be a feat worthy of presentation at an academic conference. A method for overcoming inexplicable incompetence now existed right before our eyes.
I decided I’d ask Comet for the nitty-gritty details on that later, but for now, it meant Hifi would be joining us in our gaming sessions.
"Man, I'm just glad you can actually do it. But tell me, Hifi, are you actually enjoying the game?"
That was the most important thing. There was no point in forcing yourself to play something you didn't find fun. You play games because they’re enjoyable. That’s where the value of investing your soul and time lies. Hifi had never really understood games to begin with, which is why we never forced her. Even if Taizo and Comet had pushed her to change her perception of gaming, if her only motivation was being told to do so, it would just be coercion. Doing something you hate is an insult to the game itself.
"Yuki-san, you’re saying the same thing as Taizo and Comet."
"Of course. If you cooked a meal and it wasn't to someone's taste, would you want them to force themselves to eat it?"
"No, everyone has different tastes... I see. So that’s what it is. Games are meant to be enjoyed, not forced."
"Exactly. So, what’s your answer?"
To my question, Hifi tilted her head slightly.
"Let’s see. I don't think I enjoy the game in the true sense yet. But I’m playing it now because I want to understand what Taizo and Comet find so fun about it. So, I’m sure it must be something enjoyable."
"I see."
Well, it’s an unusual motivation, but perhaps it’s one way to start gaming. Wanting to experience what others find fun—maybe that’s how entertainment spreads among people after all.
"Wait!? What is this strength!! Ugh, we’re the same level, so why am I losing so badly!?"
Still, she was a beginner trainer after all. There was no way she could beat me or Taiki, even with our previous-generation optimized parties. And then...
"Damn it! I gave it so many effort points and items, why!?"
"Comet, you’re too straightforward. You need to be a bit more devious."
Comet, who should have been getting used to online battles by now, still lacked the experience for competitive play.
Hifi has learned how to play games! This is a monumental achievement! But the road ahead is still long. Also, I apologize if the "pitfalls" in the game frustrate some of you. I tend to write those in when I’m struggling with the main plot. It’s my way of venting so I don't slow down the serialization speed.