The clink of plates and quiet conversation filled the dining room. Adam sat at the table for his last meal at home. The air smelled of his mother Rachel's cooking and his father Ricky's coffee. Adam ate slowly his mind already on the train ride ahead. He was focused on the secret plan he had set in motion. He felt the weight of his decision to abandon university but knew he could not turn back.
The hall clock chimed noon. Adam pushed his chair back and joined his parents in the living room. They talked of simple things. They told funny stories and gave gentle advice about studying hard. Their faith in him was a warm blanket and a sharp pang of guilt.
Rachel's eyes grew shiny. Her voice trembled slightly. "Just promise us you'll take care of yourself Adam. Please stay safe."
Adam swallowed a lump in his throat. "I will Mom. I promise." He meant it. He had to succeed for all of them.
Ricky his father was more practical. He leaned forward his expression serious. "Remember son life involves tough choices. But no matter what path you choose we're proud of you. Always remember that."
Adam's heart ached. He wished he could tell them everything. He wanted to explain the disastrous past he came from and the impossible second chance he had been given. But he could not. They would never understand.
Soon it was time to leave. Adam went upstairs to his room. It already felt empty. He grabbed the suitcase packed for a life he would not live. He stood at the front door his heart heavy but resolute.
"Take care of Eric while I'm gone" he said thinking of his younger brother still at school.
Ricky chuckled a warm friendly sound. "Don't worry about him. He's probably smarter than you anyway."
Adam laughed a soft genuine sound that eased the tightness in his chest. With a final wave to his parents he stepped outside and closed the door. His journey to rewrite his life had begun.
He walked to the busy train station. He found a seat and watched his hometown disappear through the window. Memories of his past life flooded his mind. He remembered this exact trip. He remembered his father giving him $38,000 for his university fees and initial living costs. This time Adam had a different plan for that money. He would use it and more to buy a VR set. The cheapest one he recalled from his past life still cost over $40,000. He needed to earn the difference.
"$38,000 isn't enough," he thought watching the countryside blur past. "I'll need a part-time job as soon as I get to the city." His resolve hardened. The game's new version would launch in March. He only had two months. Every hour counted.
The train rolled into Feku City as evening fell. The streets were bright and bustling. Adam stepped off the train at 5:00 p.m. tired but wired with nervous energy. He navigated the chaotic station pulling his suitcase behind him. He found the small apartment his father had booked a temporary space that was now his home. It was a functional box with a bed a table and the faint smell of fresh paint. He unpacked his essentials and collapsed onto the bed.
"Two months," he whispered into the quiet room. "I need to save at least $4,000."
The next morning Adam began his job hunt. He walked through the city handing out resumes at coffee shops and restaurants. By the end of the day he had secured two jobs a barista position and a delivery route. A few days later he added a third working nights stocking shelves at a grocery store.
The next two months were a blur of relentless work. His days started before sunrise and ended long after midnight. Sleep was a luxury. Meals were quick bites snatched between shifts. His body ached from the constant physical labor but Adam pushed through the exhaustion. Every dollar he earned was a step closer to his goal a step closer to changing his future.
By the end of February he had saved $12,000. Combined with his father's money he now had $50,000. It was enough. He had nearly collapsed from the effort many times. But each time he thought of giving up he remembered his past mistakes. He remembered this incredible second chance. He could not fail.
On March 1 2025 Adam stepped out into the bustling city. The air smelled of fresh bread and construction dust. He walked to a small electronics store called TechHub tucked between a cafe and a hardware shop. Inside shiny gadgets reflected the bright overhead lights. Adam's eyes found it immediately. The VR set sat in a glass case a sleek symbol of the new life he was about to begin.
A friendly sales assistant approached him. "Looking for something specific today?"
Adam nodded. "Yes. The basic VR set." He pointed at the one in the case.
"Good choice," the man said. "That model is $42,000. It includes the installation fee."
The price was exactly what he remembered. Adam felt a surge of gratitude and fear. He handed over the cash his heart racing. He watched the assistant carefully pack the box and schedule an installer for later that day.
Back in his apartment Adam waited nervously. A technician arrived that evening and efficiently set up the system. The sleek device gleamed on his simple wooden desk a piece of the future in his spartan room. After the technician left Adam stood before the VR set. He had $8,000 left. It was not much. He would have to keep the night-stocking job to cover his rent and food. The rest of his time would belong to the game.
It was 9:00 p.m. His heart pounded. He reached for the VR set carefully strapping on the headgear and pulling on the haptic gloves.
"This time I'll fix my mistakes," he thought a fire burning away any doubt.
He activated the system. A loading screen appeared followed by a menu of programs. He found the one he was looking for and selected it. The installation process for Row Online began.