While driving home from the restaurant in his red Toyota Supra, Zaboru suddenly remembered that the next day would be Saturday.
More importantly, Sheriff Juan 5 would finally be released for Sonaya's Game Station.
Zaboru had been looking forward to the game for months. He genuinely enjoyed seeing what rival companies created, especially when the project came from someone he respected. Especially after their latest Sun Knight 5 is really goated.
As the city lights moved past his windshield, an increasingly ridiculous idea began forming inside his mind.
Zaboru glanced toward his phone, and a mischievous grin slowly appeared across his face.
"Let's make playing Sheriff Juan 5 more exciting," he murmured. "Hehehe."
Without giving himself enough time to reconsider, he called Hikaru Kurata.
At that same moment, Hikaru Kurata was enjoying a rare peaceful evening with his family.
The Sonaya CEO and major shareholder was currently sitting on the living-room floor with his wife, son, and daughter while playing ZAGE Smash Bros. on their ZEPS 3.
The situation was deeply humiliating from a corporate perspective.
If any Sonaya executive had walked into the room, they would have seen their company president happily playing a rival console made by the man who had become Sonaya's greatest competitor.
Hikaru had decided not to think too deeply about it.
The game was fun.
That was enough.
Hikaru was using Mario, mostly because the controls were simple and he could cause chaos without understanding the deeper mechanics. His wife, Ikuyo Kurata, had selected Chun-Li and spent most of the match pressing random buttons while laughing whenever she accidentally kicked someone off the stage.
Their son, Higashi Kurata, was using Doom Guy and treating the match as though his family's honor depended on victory. Their daughter, Inari Kurata, had chosen Hello Kitty, which Higashi had mocked at the beginning of the round.
He had stopped mocking her after Hello Kitty defeated him twice.
Inari grinned as her character launched Doom Guy off the stage again. "That's three times, Nii-san."
Higashi stared at the screen in disbelief. "That character is broken."
Ikuyo laughed and reminded him, "You said Hello Kitty was weak five minutes ago."
"She is weak," Higashi insisted. "you only winning because nobody understands what Hello Kitty is doing."
Inari crossed her arms proudly. "That's called skill."
Hikaru chuckled while Mario ran uselessly in circles near the edge of the stage. He had completely lost track of which character belonged to him, but he was enjoying himself too much to care.
A second later, Ikuyo's Chun-Li accidentally kicked Mario off the platform.
Hikaru stared at the screen. "Ikuyo, we were supposed to work together."
Ikuyo smiled innocently. "I didn't know that was you."
"My name was above the character."
"I wasn't looking at the names."
Hikaru sighed. "Then what were you looking at?"
Ikuyo pointed toward Chun-Li. "Her kicks are very satisfying."
Inari laughed loudly, while Higashi took advantage of the distraction and attacked Hello Kitty from behind with his doom guy.
Inari immediately protested, "Hey! That's cheating!"
Higashi grinned. "There is no cheating in war."
Hikaru shook his head in amusement. Moments like this had become increasingly precious to him. His work at Sonaya was exhausting, and his rivalry with ZAGE often filled his days with pressure, strategy meetings, and emergency discussions. Sitting on the floor and playing a ridiculous crossover game with his family felt surprisingly refreshing.
After the match ended, Higashi placed his controller down and looked toward his father.
"Dad," he began, "when is Sonaya going to make a game like Smash Bros.?"
Hikaru leaned back against the sofa and considered the question. "Not yet. ZAGE can create a crossover like this because they control a ridiculous number of popular characters. Sonaya has several successful games, but only Sun Knight and Sheriff Juan are truly famous enough to carry something this large."
Higashi frowned. "But Sonaya can create more popular games."
"Of course," Hikaru replied with a smile. "Maybe one day we'll have enough characters."
Ikuyo looked toward her son and teased, "Perhaps Sonaya will finally make it after Higashi becomes president."
Hikaru chuckled. "Maybe when he's in charge."
Inari immediately snorted. "If Nii-san becomes president, Sonaya is doomed."
Higashi's eyes widened. "What did you say?"
Inari lifted her controller again. "You heard me."
Higashi grabbed his own controller and pointed toward the screen. "Another round. I'll destroy you this time."
Inari smiled sweetly. "You said that during the last three rounds."
Hikaru laughed and reached for his controller again, but before the next match could begin, his phone started ringing on the nearby table.
The device was an AKAI Z-2 Flip.
That fact alone annoyed him.
Zaboru had personally given him the special model when it was released several years earlier. It was slightly more powerful than the standard version, had improved battery life, and contained several custom features not available to ordinary customers.
Hikaru hated how good it was.
He had tried other phones out of loyalty to Sonaya's business relationships, but none of them felt as comfortable or reliable. Every time he considered replacing it, the AKAI phone stubbornly continued working perfectly, almost as though Zaboru had designed it specifically to mock him.
Still when he at Sonaya offices he don't publicly show that he owned AKAI Z-2 Flip he still using other phone.
Hikaru glanced at the ringing phone but made no move to answer it.
He smiled at his family and said, "Ignore it. I want another round."
Ikuyo nodded approvingly, while both children happily turned back toward the television.
Then Higashi noticed the caller's name displayed on the outer screen.
His eyes widened.
"Dad!"
Hikaru sighed. "What?"
Higashi pointed dramatically toward the phone. "It's Zaboru Renkonan!"
Inari immediately jumped closer. "What!? Zaboru-sama is calling?"
She froze, then quickly corrected herself after noticing her father's expression. "I mean... Zaboru."
Hikaru stared at both children with tired disappointment.
Unfortunately, they were complete Zaboru maniacs.
They loved ZAGE games, followed Zaboru's performances, watched his interviews, and treated every new ZAGE announcement like a major world event. Hikaru had accepted long ago that his own children admired his greatest rival almost as much as they admired him.
Perhaps more.
He tried not to think about that part.
Hikaru looked at the phone again. It was unusual for Zaboru to call him personally this late at night. That alone made him suspicious.
What is that lunatic planning now?
Higashi leaned closer and urged, "Dad, answer it! It might be important."
Inari nodded rapidly. "Really important!"
Ikuyo smiled at her husband. "You should answer. He wouldn't call at this hour without a reason."
Hikaru answered the call and walked toward the nearby window, hoping for a little privacy.
Unfortunately, both children followed him.
They attempted to appear casual, but their efforts were terrible. Higashi stood behind a decorative plant while half his body remained visible. Inari hid beside the sofa, though her head was clearly above the armrest.
Hikaru looked at them.
They froze.
He sighed and turned toward the window.
"Hello, Zaboru," Hikaru said. "It's rare for you to call me personally. What do you want?"
On the other side of the line, Zaboru was already grinning.
"Hikaru-san, you know I'm excited about tomorrow, right?"
Hikaru frowned. "About what?"
"Sheriff Juan 5 releases tomorrow for Soanay Game Station," Zaboru answered immediately. "I've been waiting for it, so I hope it doesn't disappoint me."
Hikaru rubbed his forehead. "You called me this late because you're excited about one of our games?"
"Of course. I still love Sun Knight 5!" Zaboru said excitedly.
Hikaru Kurata sighed and say "You are aware that most company presidents don't personally call their rivals to announce that they plan to buy their products?"
Zaboru chuckled. "That sounds like their problem."
Hikaru glanced behind him. His children were now leaning so far forward that pretending they were not eavesdropping had become pointless.
He sighed and told Zaboru, "This conversation had better be safe for children because two extremely curious little fellows are listening right now. Apparently, they're both your fans."
Inari and Higashi immediately straightened.
Zaboru's delighted laugh came through the phone. "Oh my little "Kurata" fans ? Then put me on speaker. This isn't secret."
Hikaru pissed hearing little "Kurata" fans but still he hesitated.
That answer somehow made him more worried because he really think Zaboru is not right in the head for something like this.
Still, he activated the speaker and placed the phone on the table. Higashi and Inari immediately hurried closer, sitting beside their father with barely contained excitement.
Inari greeted him first. "Good evening, Zaboru-sama!"
Hikaru slowly turned toward her.
Inari coughed. "I mean, good evening, Zaboru-san."
Zaboru laughed warmly. "Good evening. You must be Inari-chan."
Inari's eyes widened. "You know my name?"
"Of course. And Higashi-kun is there too, right? your father talk good things about you two"
Higashi tried to sound calmer than his sister. "Yes. Good evening, Zaboru-san."
Hikaru watched both children transform into perfectly polite angels and felt personally betrayed.
Zaboru chuckled before saying, "Actually, I called because I have a proposal for tomorrow."
Hikaru's suspicion immediately returned. "There it is."
Then Zaboru casually revealed his plan.
"Tomorrow, let's meet at Sonaya's office. I'll play Sheriff Juan 5 there, in front of you and your employees, while recording the entire thing."
The room became silent.
Hikaru blinked slowly.
Higashi's mouth opened in excitement.
Inari looked as though Zaboru had just announced a private concert.
Zaboru continued before Hikaru could respond, "Oh, and invite Junpei Hoshida too. Since he worked on the game, he should watch me play it."
Hikaru finally found his voice. "You want to enter Sonaya's headquarters on a Saturday, play our new game in front of the developers who created it, and record your reaction?"
"Exactly."
Hikaru stared at the phone.
Then Zaboru added cheerfully, "I'll livestream it too. my youtube channel is dry these days because i'm busy! this should make it intersting! Hahaha!"
Hikaru closed his eyes.
Ikuyo began laughing quietly behind him.
His children, however, looked thrilled.
Hikaru slowly asked, "Do you understand how insane that sounds?"
Zaboru answered without hesitation, "Yes. That's why it will be fun."
"You are ZAGE's president."
"Yes."
"I am Sonaya's president."
"Yes."
"You want to review our newest major game live from inside our own headquarters."
"Yes."
"And you expect the developers to sit there while you criticize it?"
Zaboru chuckled. "Only if there's something worth criticizing."
Hikaru placed one hand over his face. "You truly have no fear."
"No, I have fear. I just ignore it when something sounds entertaining."
Ikuyo laughed more openly this time.
Inari tugged gently on her father's sleeve. Her eyes were practically begging him to agree. Higashi was not much better. Both children clearly wanted to see Zaboru in person, and the possibility of watching him play Sheriff Juan 5 at Sonaya headquarters had already become the greatest event of their weekend.
Hikaru looked at them, then sighed in defeat.
"Fine," he said. "But can my children come too?"
Zaboru responded immediately. "Of course. They can watch."
Higashi and Inari silently celebrated, raising their fists while trying not to interrupt the call.
Zaboru then added, "But remember, Hikaru-san, I'm going to review it honestly. I won't praise the game simply because I'm inside Sonaya headquarters and for a record i can fight you know so your numbers won't intimidate me."
Hikaru gave a tired smile. "I wouldn't expect you to beside why would we fighting you fool."
Zaboru laugh on the "Well thank god then but If the game is excellent, I'll say it's excellent. And if it's bad?"
Zaboru's grin could practically be heard through the phone. "Then Sonaya's stock i'll said it bad worse than "Im your nightmare comes to live!" hahaha"
Hikaru stared at the device.
"Hahaha! I'm joking," Zaboru quickly added.
Hikaru remained silent.
Zaboru cleared his throat. "Mostly."
Ikuyo covered her mouth to hide her laughter, while Higashi and Inari exchanged delighted looks. Their father's exhausted expression only made the situation funnier.
Finally, Hikaru sighed and said, "All right, Zaboru. I'll notify security and contact Junpei. Come tomorrow afternoon."
"Perfect. I'll bring the recording team."
Hikaru frowned. "You already prepared a recording team?"
"No."
"Then why did you say it like you had?"
"Because I will by tomorrow."
Hikaru slowly nodded to himself. "Of course you will."
Zaboru laughed. "See you tomorrow, Hikaru-san. And good night, Inari-chan, Higashi-kun."
Both children answered at the same time, "Good night, Zaboru-san!"
The call ended.
For several seconds, Hikaru stared at the silent phone in his hand.
Then Higashi jumped to his feet. "We're meeting Zaboru tomorrow!"
Inari followed immediately. "At Sonaya!"
Hikaru looked toward Ikuyo, searching for sympathy.
His wife only smiled and said, "At least the children are excited."
Hikaru glanced down at his AKAI phone, then toward the ZEPS 3 running ZAGE Smash Bros. on the television, and finally at his children celebrating the arrival of ZAGE's president inside Sonaya headquarters.
He slowly rubbed his forehead.
"This house has been conquered by ZAGE."
Ikuyo laughed and handed him his controller. "You can complain after another round."
Hikaru looked at the screen.
Inari had already selected Hello Kitty again.
Higashi chose Robo-cop this time with renewed determination.
Hikaru sighed, sat back down, and selected Mario.
"Fine," he muttered. "But tomorrow, I'm making Zaboru play Sheriff Juan 5 on the hardest difficulty."
Inari grinned. "He'll probably beat it he super cool! hehehe."
Hikaru gave his daughter a wounded look but he know she's right Zaboru skill on gaming is insane.
Ikuyo laughed.
Clearly Kurata household become better now as Hikaru Kurata don't blindly chase ZAGE anymore.
To be continued.
Please give me your power stone and if you want to support me and get minimum 50+ advance chapter and additional 1 chapter a week for 4$ considering subscribe to my patreon patreon.com/Zaborn_1997
Or buymecoffee https://buymeacoffee.com/Zaborn_1997 which same with patreon
current Patreon/buymecoffe chap 1270
Also Join my discord if you want https://discord.gg/jB8x6TUByc