A jingling of microchips, that airy smell of dust and rust, and I know I`m in Chuck`s Tech Emporium once again.

　　Chuck, as always, is surprised to see me and runs up to me in overjoyed jubilation.

　　I`m starting to wonder if he genuinely believes he is my uncle or something.

　　"Morgan! What brings you back so soon? You usually don`t drop in so often."

　　"Actually, this," I say. I show him the cartridge to Kimi no Wakaranai Densetsu, the Super Nintendo game he gave me for free just a couple weeks ago.

　　"Ah-ha, you`re done with it already? You`re seeking trade-in credit? Well, I don`t have a credit system really, but I have lots of stuff you can trade me for. You ever wanted a VR TV set? It`s from 1999 though, so, uh, maybe not the best option. I had some newer models a while back, but they got snapped up by some teens looking to do some mods. I couldn`t really follow what they were saying. Then again, I never can with kids. They`re just so rambunctious!"

　　"Actually, I wanted to return it," I tell him. "No money or trading or any of that. I just want to give it back."

　　"Eh?"

　　"Here you go."

　　He takes it, reluctantly, and adjusts his glasses as if that will help him examine the cartridge more closely. "It`s not broken or anything, right?"Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

　　"No, it`s alright. I just couldn`t understand it. It`s too hard to play without knowing Japanese."

　　"I see, I see. But it was fun?"

　　"Not really& I think it`s a story-based game. It frustrated me a lot to play, and it kept reminding me of the fact my best friend isn`t here, and& I just wanted to return it so someone who really wants it can buy it instead."

　　"Morgan& I know how you`re feeling right now," he says. "It`s tough being lonely."

　　"Yeah, it is&"

　　"I moved to Georgia about twenty years ago, just before the war. It was a bright sunny land of opportunity and tech, and I`ll never say I regret it. But I left my friends and family behind, and it`s been tough making new ones since then. Even with a store as famous as mine, a lot of the time I don`t have too many people to talk to when I want. Not since my wife died."

　　"You& had a wife?"

　　Chuck nods. The smile on his face withers, but remains upright. "Hitagi. The light of my life. She was a bit rough around the edges, but always steered me straight. But about ten years ago, cancer got her. Often does with the best of us. I`m still real sad about it. But the nice people around the store have helped a lot. Especially when I do sales. Lots of great people coming by during those."

　　"Oh, Chuck&"

　　"Hey, don`t go feeling bad for me. This is about you. I just wanted you to know that it`s okay to feel sad and lonely. Don`t let people take that away from you. Don`t let you take that away from you. Suppressing your feelings is just gonna make you feel worse in the long run. In fact, I read about a study once that& Oh, but you don`t need to hear it. You just need to relax and pour out your feelings."

　　He comes in for the hug. In every instance of this situation I would be stepping back or dashing off or fighting back. But for some reason, I let this sad old man hug this sad young kid.

　　And I start to cry. "Thanks, Chuck," I murmur.

　　"If you ever need a deep discount on any computer accessories, just let me know," he says, keeping his embrace strong. "I tend to give that to people who cry in my store."

　　I shake my head, but for some reason a giggle comes out as well. A sobbing, tear-filled giggle.

　　B強