Jikirukuto: Takoyuki Arc

It was a chill evening, and I was just enjoying some delicious takoyaki while the smell of street food filled the air. Everything was perfect—until chaos showed up. Out of nowhere, this old guy stormed into my peaceful moment, looking like a Tekken boss who got lost on his way to a fight. His angry glare? Totally something out of a Tekken Rage Art animation. And me? I'm sitting there wondering, "What kind of weird DLC is this?"

The market was loud and lively, with vendors yelling, bright lights flashing, and people rushing around like it was some kind of fighting game stage. The old guy fit right in, though. His messy hair was sticking up, his face was bright red like he was low on health, and he moved like he was lagging in a final boss fight.

He charged at me, swinging his fists wildly, like someone mashing buttons in Tekken without knowing the controls. I just dodged him casually, like I was sidestepping in a game. "Dude," I said, still holding my takoyaki, "this isn't the King of Iron Fist Tournament. Chill out before you pull a muscle!"

Then the funniest part happened. I barely tapped his forehead to defend myself—it wasn't even a real hit—and he stumbled back like I'd just hit him with a massive combo. The crowd around us gasped, acting like I had just pulled off some epic Tekken move.

Enter Marco: the real hero of the story. Picture a chubby Italian vendor holding a spatula like it was a peace offering. "Sir, sir!" he said, trying to calm the guy down. "You've-a had too much to-a drink!"

Meanwhile, I took another bite of takoyaki and leaned back like nothing had happened. "Hey, Gramps," I joked, "you're out of energy, out of logic, and definitely out of snacks. Take a seat before you end up as someone's meme."

The guy wobbled one last time before flopping into a chair like a defeated Tekken character. The crowd burst out laughing and clapping, and I couldn't resist striking a victory pose. Holding up my takoyaki like a trophy, I said, "Lesson of the day: don't mess with someone who loves snacks more than their pride."

What I Learned From This Wild Encounter:

1. Stay Chill: Don't let chaos ruin your mood—or your food.

2. Let People Trip Themselves Up: Sometimes, you just have to let people's bad choices teach them a lesson.

3. Humor is Key: Laughing off weird situations can make them way easier to handle.

As the crowd started to leave, I gave Marco a wink and said, "Thanks for backing me up. Next time, though, I'm charging for the show."

The big takeaway? Life is like a fighting game—unexpected, messy, and full of moments where all you can do is roll with it. And for me, snacks will always come first.

With a final dramatic bow, I walked off into the night, ready for whatever craziness came next. "Stay cool, everyone. And remember: never fight on an empty stomach!"