SATURDAY 12 December 1995
Following yesterday's ZAGE Talk, the media has been buzzing non-stop. Coverage has exploded across television, newspapers, and online platforms, with countless commentators and fans discussing the event. Zaboru, now recognized as a worldwide public figure, drew intense attention not just for the scale of the event, but also for his honest, heartfelt responses. His ZAGE Talk resonated deeply with people, capturing a surprising amount of public interest and leaving a lasting impression on audiences both in Japan and globally.
At the Sonaya offices in Japan, Junpei Hoshida, head of the video game division, grinned as he turned to Hikaru Kurata sitting across from him. "Well, boss, what do you think about Zaboru talking like that?" he asked. Hikaru Kurata frowned and crossed his arms. "It's good, isn't it? As expected, that guy still thinks he can talk like that even though he's famous now—going around saying he's a Sonaya fan."
Hikaru Kurata slammed his desk, his face flushing with frustration. "Did you hear that? He's practically saying Sonaya is inferior to ZAGE! Even if he didn't say it outright, the implication was crystal clear! He's mocking us, can't you tell? He said, 'Regardless, Sonaya are behind ZAGE in terms of quality and quantity, but Sonaya never gives up.' Do you know what that sounds like? Like he's patting us on the head while stepping on our pride. How dare Zaboru say such a thing in front of the world!?"
Junpei Hoshida sighed. "But it's true, isn't it, boss? That's one of your strengths—even though we know we can't surpass ZAGE in terms of quality and quantity, we always do our best."
Hikaru Kurata frowned deeply. "It's ours, but hearing it come from Zaboru's mouth—I just can't stand it."
Letting out a heavy sigh, Hikaru rubbed his temples. "Damn it, Junpei. I need to clear my mind. You can go home early today if you want."
Junpei nodded silently, understanding the weight on his superior's shoulders, and returned to work on the Amaterasu project—Sonaya's ambitious endeavor into the 32-bit console era.
Walt Disney burst into laughter as he read the latest headlines about Zaboru. "HAHAHA! As expected, Zaboy doesn't beat around the bush! I really like that kid!" he exclaimed, still chuckling. Walt had always despised people who lied just to protect their own image—he had no patience for phoniness. Instead, he admired individuals like Zaboru, who always spoke their mind without hesitation. It reminded him of himself in his younger days: bold, honest, and unapologetically direct. "He's got guts," Walt muttered with a grin, setting the newspaper down. "The world needs more people like him."
Meanwhile, Bill Gates sighed and shook his head. "Well, he can't always talk like that. In the future, it might backfire," he muttered. Bill shook his head once more and continued reading the newspaper, concern flickering in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Zanichi and Keiko were enjoying a peaceful holiday together. As Zanichi read the morning newspaper, he let out a deep sigh. "Zaboru... That boy is really smart, but sometimes he's just so foolish with things like this," he muttered, shaking his head. The headline about Zaboru openly declaring himself a huge Sonaya fan bothered him. "Saying something like that could damage his image," Zanichi added, concerned.
Keiko, on the other hand, giggled softly as she looked at the newspaper photo of their son. "Hehe, don't worry about it, dear. Let him be who he wants to be. Besides, haven't you always protected him?" she said warmly, wrapping her arms around Zanichi.
Zanichi chuckled, the tension easing from his face. "Yeah, you're right. I'll give him a bit of advice when we return. That's my job—not just as ZAGE's CTO, but as his dad too."
Meanwhile, Sanika was on school vacation, beaming with pride as she pointed to a photo and declared to her friends, "That's my brother! Even though he's handsome and rich, he's still my brother—and he's super cool!" Sanika, Zaboru's younger sister, couldn't hide her admiration. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at the image of her brother, who appeared particularly dashing. Despite his fame and fortune, to her, he was still the same caring, fun, and inspiring brother she'd always looked up to. Her pride was evident not only in her words but also in the way she proudly showed off the picture to everyone around her.
Meanwhile, Ayumi was currently accompanying Zaboru at his ZAGE offices, perched on the edge of his desk with a playful smile. "So... you like girls, huh?" she teased, her tone light and teasing as she twirled a lock of hair around her finger.
Zaboru sighed and chuckled, stop typing then looking up at her with a fond expression. "Come on, Ayumi. You can't be jealous like that. Yeah, I like girls—video game girls. But the only real girl I love is you."
Ayumi turned her face away dramatically, though a sly grin tugged at the corners of her lips. Zaboru caught it immediately, narrowing his eyes with amusement. "Fine, you win. Let's go on a date," he said with a smirk.
Ayumi burst into laughter and quickly wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace. She had been teasing him on purpose, not just to get a rise out of him, but secretly hoping he'd take the hint and ask her out. Now that he finally had, she couldn't have been happier.
"But Zabo, why did you choose that kind of suit for the ZAGE Talk yesterday?" Ayumi asked, tilting her head with a playful curiosity. Zaboru gave a wide grin. "Why? Because it's cool, obviously!" Ayumi giggled, nudging him lightly. "Well... it could've been better, I think. Maybe something a little more classic?" Zaboru let out an exaggerated sigh and shook his head with mock exasperation. "You just don't get it, Ayumi. Those suits are the pinnacle of style, unforgettable. Someday, hopefully, you'll see the genius in them."
Ayumi giggled again and nodded. "Okay, Zabo~" She didn't care what he wore; whether it was a flashy suit or something ridiculous, she was still crazy about him. What mattered most to her was Zaboru himself—not his clothes or how he looked, but who he was inside. That was more than enough.
The public response to the ZAGE Talk highlighted Zaboru's humility, despite his status as a billionaire and a highly successful figure. He was widely admired for his down-to-earth attitude, with many noting how he still preferred to ride his bicycle to work and enjoyed dining at modest, affordable restaurants. What particularly endeared him to the gaming community was the authenticity he exuded—Zaboru wasn't just a corporate figurehead; he was a true gamer at heart. This was further confirmed when he openly expressed gratitude towards ZAGE's rivals, Sonaya, for continuing to produce a wide variety of games, stating that their efforts pushed the industry forward and inspired healthy competition.
But what most people remembered and talked about long after the ZAGE Talk were the inspiring words spoken by Zaboru: "On my business card, I'm the owner of ZAGE Company. In my head, I'm a game developer. And in my heart, I'm a gamer." This single quote, delivered with sincerity and passion, sent waves through the gaming community and beyond. It deeply resonated with fans, and creators stirring admiration and emotional responses across generations. For many, it captured the very essence of Zaboru's identity—not just as a business mogul or game designer, but as someone who genuinely lives and breathes video games. It made people reflect on their own connections to the medium and helped solidify a powerful realization: as long as Zaboru is involved in the video game industry, it will continue to evolve, improve, and shine with a brighter, more passionate future.
Meanwhile Satoru Iwata who right now is still young and working at ZAGE Osaka is smiling "Hahaha Zaboru boss quotes finally went public huh?" Little did he know, the quote he chuckled at was, in fact, a line he himself had once spoken in Zaboru's previous life—now resurfacing in this timeline through someone else's voice.
To be continue
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