Chapter 11: Event Begin

ONE WEEK LATER

 

Ari had once heard an idiom that went, ‘time flies when you’re having fun,’ but he knew that the saying was wrong. The reason he knew this was because time didn’t drag on after his talk with Ji-Hye. 

 

He really thought it would, but time felt as though it was flying by. It went by faster than he would ever think possible, only to come to a halt the day of the event. 

 

Although it was laughable to think that time was sped up for him, it really felt like only yesterday that he learned VSOFT was giving out free pods. Shaking his head, Ari could only chalk it up to him being focused on the goal ahead, and he was very focused.

 

Because, besides spending time with his family, the only thing he did last week was search through his memories and write notes of what he remembered of the event. He had researched them and formulated plans, since winning a pod was essential to altering his future.

 

Although he felt bad for the guy that won in the other timeline because he was essentially just copying his strategy. 

 

But he feels like his plan is different enough, so it wouldn’t matter. Ultimately, he wouldn’t feel right stealing that guy’s prize from him. Ari wanted a pod, but he also wanted the person who won it the first time to have it as well.

 

After all, he didn’t know why that person worked so hard to get it. Maybe he had his own problems as well.

 

Feeling confident that he could make that happen, Ari went over to his Halopad, double-checking that it was charging properly before leaving his room. As he headed to the kitchen, giddiness came over him as he imagined what it would be like to finally have his own pod.

 

“Morning,” Ari greeted his mom and grandparents with a bright smile before sitting down at the table. 

 

Ari was so excited he could barely keep a smile off his face. His family must have noticed because they started sending him subtle looks.

 

“You look like you’re in a good mood today, Ari,” his mom said slyly. “I wonder why...” 

 

“Joo-hee, don’t tease the boy. He’s been going on about today all week.

 

Laughing, she replied, “Shush, Dad. You know I can’t help it. Look how cute he is when he’s vibrating with excitement.”

 

“He does look adorable, all tickled pink like that,” His grandma agreed with a sweet smile. 

 

 It was true. The closer it got to the event, the more anticipation he felt. He could barely hold it in. 

 

“I’m just so happy because I have a chance to win a pod,” Ari grinned, opting not to tell them about why he wanted it so badly.

 

The adults shared knowing looks with each other before his mother spoke up. “You have wanted one since you were 5. Your father and I always felt bad for not being able to get you one.” 

 

“It’s okay, mom,” Ari said, feeling the shift in mood. “I know you guys had a lot on your plate.”

 

“We did, and I still do,” His mother responded a tad somberly. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty about not being able to get you the one thing you’ve always wanted.”

 

“I’m just happy that I have a chance to win it now,” Ari said with finality. “It’s been my dream for so long.” 

 

“Don’t get your hopes up. You know how rigged those contests can be.” His grandma chimed in, trying to steer the conversation back to a light one. 

 

“Leave the boy alone. Let him be optimistic about winning.” His grandpa said. “I still remember in our younger days how you would join every vacation contest.”

 

“And I never won.”

 

Laughter shone in his grandfather’s eyes as he nodded his head in agreement with his wife’s statement. “You’re right, you never won, but it wasn’t the contest’s fault. It’s because you’re unlucky.” 

 

“Dad’s right, mom, your luck sucks,” Joo-hee informed, joining the playful banter, her sadness disappearing as quickly as it came. “Remember that time you fell into a ditch?”

You are reading story Oasis Online: The Toymaker at novel35.com

 

“Yah! We promised never to speak of that,” His grandma yelled with fake exaggerated anger. 

 

While everyone laughed, Ari just smiled. He had missed this, this togetherness. He really doesn’t want what he has now to vanish as it did before.

 

“Oh crap! I’m going to be late for work,” His mother yelped as the reminder on her phone went off. “Ari, don’t forget to tell me what happened when I get back.”

 

“Don’t worry, I won’t.”

 

Smiling, his mother quickly stood. After kissing him on the cheek, she put her dish in the sink before rushing out of the room with a farewell. “Bye mom, dad, see you later. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, Ari.”

 

“Bye mom, I love you,” Ari yelled as his mom headed out the door. 

 

“Your mom, she’s exactly the same as she was as a child, always late,” His grandma said with a fond smile after hearing the door close. 

 

With a small shake of her head, she got up from her chair and started gathering the empty dishes on the table. Well, all of them except for Ari, since he hadn’t finished eating.

 

As she headed to the sink, his grandfather turned to him and whispered, “She should know. After all, she’s the one Joo-hee takes after.”

 

“Hey, I heard that,” His grandmother said before flicking some water toward her husband.

 

Ari couldn’t help but laugh at this interaction. He almost forgot cute they were together. As if to prove his point, his grandfather got up from his seat with a bright smile and lumbered over towards her. Before Ari realized what he was doing, his grandpa hugged his grandma from behind and gave her a big kiss on the neck.  

 

“Not in front of our grandson, Sang-hyuk,” his grandmother shrieked halfheartedly. 

 

Ignoring her, his grandpa gave her another kiss, “Eun-Ji, I doubt our grandson cares, he’s too busy eating to look at us.”

 

Following his grandpa’s words, Ari turned his head away from them and continued eating his breakfast. However, that didn’t stop the wide grin from showing on his face. 

 

~

 

Once he was finished with breakfast, Ari helped his grandparents clean up before they both sent him on his way. Obliged to do so, he quickly left the kitchen and headed to his room. 

 

As he entered his room, he glanced toward his Halopad and a sense of nervousness washed over him. He couldn’t help but think about the what-ifs. What if his plan backfired? What if he doesn’t win the pod? These thoughts swirled around his head. 

 

Sitting down on his bed, he grabbed his phone and checked the time. It was 9:30 AM, and the event started at 10, which means he still had thirty minutes to go over his notes one last time. 

 

Taking a deep breath, he put his phone down on the bed before standing up and walking over to his desk. Opening the top drawer, he took out his notepad and started going over the plan he had written.  

 

After twenty minutes of going over everything he wrote, he heard a chirp from his phone indicating that he had received a text. Looking at the screen, he saw it was from Ji-Hye and quickly opened it.

 

Hey Ari, it’s almost time for the event. Are you ready? Because I am! 

 

Ari quickly typed back an excited response, letting Ji-Hye know he was more than ready before pocketing his phone. He then returned to looking over his notes one more time before finally putting everything away and standing up from his desk. 

 

Walking over to his Halopad, he grabbed it before getting into bed. After hooking himself up to the device and clicking the VSOFT icon that he previously downloaded, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself down.

 

He had a lot riding on the outcome of this event and he was feeling pressured. But no amount of pressure would keep him from his prize.

 

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