As Zaboru continued working late into the evening at the ZAGE campus, his family remained at their home near Silicon Valley, California, just an hour away. The clock was nearing 6:00 PM, and inside the cozy living room, Ayumi sat on the floor, gently playing with their one-month-old son. The baby had just begun to smile—a small but heartwarming milestone—and he giggled and kicked in excitement whenever Ayumi made silly faces or spoke to him in a soft, cheerful tone. His eyes sparkled every time she cradled him close, already showing signs of recognition and attachment. Though Zaboru was away chasing his dreams, this simple moment of joy was a reminder of the life he had helped build.
Today, while Zaboru was busy working, Keiko, Sanika, and Ayumi decided to spend the day out shopping for Zenshin's baby clothes in the U.S. They were full of excitement, marveling at the adorable outfits and accessories they found. The baby stores were filled with colorful onesies, soft blankets, and tiny shoes, and every aisle brought out a chorus of delighted reactions from the three women.
But it wasn't just baby clothes they looked at. Since Zaboru had given them his card and told them they could buy whatever they wanted, they also took the opportunity to shop for themselves. Despite the open invitation—Zaboru had said "anything you want"—none of them went overboard. Keiko, Sanika, and Ayumi weren't the type to spend recklessly. They knew how hard Zaboru worked every single day, and they respected that deeply. Even with the freedom to splurge, they chose to be moderate, careful, and thoughtful with every purchase.
Their shopping trip turned into a special bonding time, full of laughter, conversations, and shared memories. They browsed through fashion boutiques, picked out matching accessories, stopped at a café for snacks, and even found a handmade toy shop where they bought a keepsake for Zenshin. It was one of those rare carefree days where everything felt light and joyful—an experience made even better by the love they all shared for the little boy they were shopping for.
Ayumi glanced at the photos of Zaboru placed near the TV and let out a soft sigh. Keiko, sitting nearby, immediately noticed the shift in her daughter-in-law's expression.
"That brat… you really sighed just now," Keiko said with a faint scoff as she moved closer to Ayumi. Her voice softened. "You miss him, don't you? I mean, he barely comes home. And when he does, it's usually around 11 or even midnight. I know it's always been like that, but doesn't he realize he has a son now?" Keiko ended her thought with a heavy sigh, concern and frustration mixing in her voice.
Ayumi smiled gently and said, "Well, Mom, Zabo is working hard for us. He's got a dream, and I don't want to get in the way of that. It's fine, really. Besides, this is Zabo we're talking about—he never does anything weird or suspicious. Right now, I bet he's at his computer, sketching out ideas or working on something because a flash of inspiration hit him out of nowhere."
She chuckled softly, her eyes drifting back to the photo on the shelf. "I've never had to worry about him cheating or anything like that. If there's a woman out there who could somehow tempt Zaboru to stray, well... she'd have to be something truly extraordinary, because I know exactly what kind of man he is. He's loyal, focused, and stubbornly dedicated. He doesn't even notice other women when he's locked into his passion. That's just who he is."
Even before they were married, Ayumi often tried to charm Zaboru by showing her beauty and playfully catching his attention. But not once was Zaboru tempted, especially when he was deep in his work. His focus was unshakable, his mind too locked into his creative process to be swayed by flirtation. That unwavering dedication made Ayumi admire him even more—so much so that in the end, it was she who had to gather the courage to confess her feelings and ask him to be her boyfriend. That bold move marked the beginning of their relationship, one built on mutual respect and understanding.
Ayumi paused for a moment, her smile lingering. "Sometimes I wish he'd slow down and notice what he's already built. But I also know part of why I love him is because he chases his dreams with everything he's got."
Keiko said, "That's not the point, Ayumi. The point is he needs to come home earlier! He's got a son now, for God's sake. Let me call him!"
Before Ayumi could say anything, Keiko grabbed her phone, her expression steely with determination. Ayumi instinctively reached out, wanting to stop her, but a sharp glare from Keiko made her pull her hand back. That look—stern and unwavering—was rare. Keiko was usually calm, supportive, the voice of reason, but when she got truly angry, everyone around her knew better than to argue.
Even Sanika, who had just unwrapped a hamburger and was about to take a bite, froze mid-motion. The tension in the room was thick, and she stayed perfectly quiet, not daring to say a word. She chewed slowly, eyes darting between her mom and Ayumi, choosing to stay invisible in that moment. Nobody wanted to challenge Keiko when she was fuming—not even her daughters.
Meanwhile, at the ZAGE campus—located about an hour's drive from his home—Zaboru was still hard at work. It was already 9:00 PM, but for him, this was still considered early. His typical work routine stretched until at least 11:00 PM, and there were even nights when he powered through until morning. That kind of intense schedule was made possible by his unique Enlightenment ability, which significantly reduced his need for rest. His body remained strong, his mind clear, and his focus razor-sharp for extended periods, allowing him to maintain an extraordinary level of productivity. While others would be exhausted, Zaboru operated like a machine—driven by passion, sustained by purpose.
But suddenly, his phone started ringing. He looked at the screen—"Mom." Zaboru blinked in surprise. 'Hmm? Why is Mom calling at this hour?' he wondered, feeling a small knot form in his stomach. He quickly answered, "Yes, Mom? What's going on?"
On the other end, Keiko's voice exploded through the receiver. "Zaboru! Get your ass home right now! Stop working like a damn machine, you bastard! You have a wife and a son waiting for you at home! Think about them for once! Don't give me that 'I'm working hard to provide for them' excuse—they need your presence, not just your money!"
Zaboru was stunned. His mother rarely raised her voice like this. He sat back in his chair, staring blankly at the glowing screen in front of him. Her words hit deep.
'She's right,' he admitted silently. 'I've barely spent any real time with Ayumi or Zenshin. I'm missing moments I'll never get back.'
He sighed heavily and looked around his office before finally speaking, "Okay, Mom. I'm sorry. I'm heading home right now."
Keiko snorted. "You better," she snapped before hanging up.
Zaboru sat there for a moment, reflecting on everything she said. 'Maybe I really have been neglecting them too much,' he thought, his chest tight with guilt. Without wasting another second, he shut down his work, grabbed his things, and headed out.
In the garage, he paused in front of his lineup of cars. Normally, he avoided using his high-performance vehicles for regular trips, but tonight was different. This was personal. With a deep breath, he chose his sleek Mazda RX-7, slid into the driver's seat, and turned the key. The engine roared to life.
"This is a special case," he muttered, gripping the wheel. With focused urgency, he pulled out of the parking lot and hit the streets of California. The RX-7 blazed through the quiet highways under the night sky, its tires hugging the curves as if the car itself understood the importance of the mission. Zaboru's hands were steady, his eyes locked on the road—he was going home, not just in distance, but in spirit.
Roughly 35 minutes later, Zaboru arrived home, his Mazda RX-7 engine humming softly as he pulled into the driveway. Ayumi was caught off guard—she hadn't expected him to come home so quickly, let alone in one of his prized sports cars. The sight of the sleek vehicle alone told her he had rushed, likely driving with urgency the whole way. She stepped toward the front door just as Zaboru entered the house, his presence filling the quiet evening air with a mix of surprise and warmth.
"I'm home," Zaboru called out with a small smile as he stepped through the door. Keiko was already waiting for him by the entrance, arms crossed and expression firm.
Zaboru gave her an awkward smile. "Uhh... Mom? I'm home."
Keiko nodded, her stern face softening slightly into a smile. "Good. Now go spend time with your wife and son. You really need to start managing your time better, Zaboru. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
Zaboru chuckled sheepishly and nodded. "Yeah, Mom. I'm sorry. When I'm working, I usually lose all track of time."
Zaboru then walked over to Ayumi and gently kissed her forehead. "Hehe, sorry for not taking better care of you," he said with a sheepish smile. His eyes then shifted toward Zenshin, who was peacefully sleeping in his crib nearby. Just as Zaboru stepped closer, the baby stirred and opened his eyes, blinking up at his father with innocent curiosity.
Zaboru's smile widened with joy. "Let me hold him," he said, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and tenderness. He gently picked up Zenshin and cradled him in his arms, bouncing him slightly as the baby gave a small yawn and a sleepy smile.
For a few moments, Zaboru just stood there, holding his son and watching him settle back into calm contentment. "Man... this feels good," he whispered, almost to himself. 'I really need to do this more often,' he thought, realizing how much he had been missing by staying away so long.
That night, Zaboru didn't return to his computer or touch a single document. Instead, he stayed in the living room with Ayumi and Zenshin. The three of them curled up on the couch together, wrapped in warm blankets, sharing popcorn as they watched a lighthearted movie. They talked between scenes—about their dreams, old stories, funny memories, and hopes for Zenshin's future. Before Keiko and Sanika joined.
Laughter came easily, and time seemed to slow down for once. Zaboru looked around at the most important people in his life and made a quiet vow in his heart: he would no longer let work rob him of these moments. His family deserved his time, his presence, his love—not just the results of his ambition.
Later that night, with baby Zenshin sound asleep in his crib, the house grew quiet. Zaboru found himself alone with Ayumi for the first time in what felt like weeks. As he sat beside her, he looked at her face closely—the soft glow of the lamplight framed her features, and something about her looked even more radiant than before. Motherhood had only added to her beauty, and he suddenly felt a pang of guilt in his chest.
'I must be a fool to have neglected a woman like her,' he thought, regret tugging at him.
Ayumi caught his gaze and met it with a knowing smile. "Zabo…" she whispered. Her voice was soft, breath a little unsteady, her cheeks flushed as her hand reached for his.
In that quiet moment, nothing else mattered. The distance that had formed between them melted away. With a tenderness long overdue, they kissed—slowly, deeply—and soon their passion took over. They made love through the night, with Ayumi doing her best to stifle her moans so as not to wake the baby.
And just a few feet away, little Zenshin remained sound asleep, occasionally stretching and letting out a tiny grin in his dreams—almost as if he knew something special was happening. Maybe, just maybe, he already sensed that he might have a sibling joining him in the near future.
To be continue
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