Saturday 7 June 1999 Renkonan Household.
It was still early in the morning, and Zaboru had made a rare decision—not to work today. Instead, he chose to spend the day with his family. The morning air was calm and fresh as he played with both his son and daughter, fully present in a way he rarely allowed himself to be on workdays. Zaboru held Arumi gently in his arms, rocking her slightly as she made soft noises, while his eyes followed Zenshin, who was running energetically around the nearby grass, laughing freely.
Ayumi stood a short distance away at first, quietly watching the scene with a soft smile. To her, moments like this were precious—seeing Zaboru relaxed, unburdened by meetings, negotiations, and responsibilities. As Zenshin ran past again, Ayumi finally approached, stepping closer to Zaboru and Arumi, the warmth of the family moment settling comfortably around them.
"Hmm, it's unusual for you not to come to the office, Zabo?" Ayumi said, tilting her head slightly as she looked at him.
Zaboru let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, well, there's an interview today with Zemitsu. But it's not a debate or anything serious—just a casual talk about video games. They've actually been asking for this for quite a long time, so I figured today was finally the right time."
Ayumi laughed softly in response. "Definitely trouble because of the Hitman game, right?" she teased. "Still, the game really is cool. Nii-sama loved it a lot—he even said that we at Akaishidan should make a game like that in the near future. Somehow, he also wants to be directly involved with the story."
Zaboru visibly shuddered at that thought. Akechi… Ayumi's brother, interested in Hitman, and wanting to make a similar game? That was not something he had expected at all, yet the idea immediately sparked a sharp sense of curiosity within him. Akechi was not just anyone. He had his own experiences, his own past, and a reputation in the underworld that carried real weight under the name Rashomon.
Zaboru knew Akechi's work well—how he planned, how he observed, how he understood fear and pressure from the other side of the table. Akechi didn't think like a developer or even like a normal strategist; he thought like someone who had lived among danger, watched enemies react in real situations, and survived through cold calculation. Because of that, if Akechi approached a concept like Hitman, his perspective would be entirely different—grounded in personal experience, psychology, and the raw reality of how targets and pursuers actually behaved.
The more Zaboru thought about it, the more intrigued he became. The idea of combining that kind of real-world insight with game design was dangerously fascinating. It sent a quiet thrill through him, the kind he only felt when a genuinely exciting idea took root.
"Whoa," Zaboru said with a grin, unable to hide his enthusiasm, "I'm actually really looking forward to that."
Zaboru then smiles and asks Ayumi "So… have you already decided when you're going back to work, Ayumi?"
Ayumi nodded calmly. "In about two weeks, I'll start working at Akaishidan again."
Zaboru chuckled at that. Ayumi was an important developer at Akaishidan—there was no way Akechi would let her stay away for too long. He still remembered how Akechi had jokingly—or maybe not jokingly—told him to avoid getting Ayumi pregnant again for a while. With Akechi's perpetually expressionless, poker-faced demeanor, Zaboru honestly couldn't tell whether it had been a serious warning or just dry humor. Either way, the memory still made him uneasy.
Then, after playing for a while, Zaboru began cleaning himself and preparing for the interview later that day. He allowed himself a rare moment of peace, sinking into the bathtub and letting the warm water ease the tension from his body. As steam slowly filled the room, Zaboru closed his eyes and activated his Emulator Mind ability, slipping effortlessly into that familiar inner space.
"Sigh… dude, Zaborn, you really need to go outside sometimes," Zaboru muttered.
He wasn't sure whether he wanted to laugh or cry at this point. His ghost companion, Zaborn, had become completely addicted to video games—especially PS1 and PS2 titles—and not in a casual way. Zaborn played obsessively, jumping from one game to another with endless enthusiasm. Even worse, he had discovered that within this mental realm, he could eat endlessly without any consequences. Snacks, meals, entire feasts—none of it mattered. The result was an endlessly energetic, endlessly snacking ghost who never seemed to slow down.
Zaborn grinned widely, his expression overflowing with excitement. "Hey, dude, Zabo! Look at this—I just beat Devil May Cry 3! Man, it's so damn good!" he exclaimed, practically vibrating with pride. He crossed his arms dramatically, puffing out his chest, before waving dismissively as if brushing off something trivial. "And don't worry, I do go out sometimes. I'm not that bad." He paused, then leaned forward conspiratorially. "But come on, it's boring out there. In the real world, I can't touch anything. Can't eat, can't feel, can't play properly. In here?" He spread his arms wide. "This is paradise."
Zaboru couldn't help but smile at the ridiculousness of it all. He shook his head slightly and nodded slowly, half-amused, half-resigned. There was no point arguing with him anymore. "Alright, it's fine," he said calmly. "Have your fun."
Zaborn nodded enthusiastically, puffing his chest out with exaggerated confidence. "Just let me know if you ever need something—espionage, surveillance, sneaking around. You name it. I'm the best spy, after all! Hahaha!" His laughter echoed lightly through the mental space, full of pride but oddly sincere.
Zaboru chuckled softly in response. "Sure thing, man. Thank you, partner." He truly felt grateful for Zaborn's presence. Despite being a fragment of his original self, Zaborn was surprisingly polite and considerate—perhaps a reflection of the original Zaboru Renkonan not being a jerk to begin with. More importantly, Zaborn respected boundaries. Zaboru had once worried, half-seriously, that during intimate moments with Ayumi, Zaborn might suddenly appear or intrude, which would have made things unbearably awkward. But that fear never became reality.
Zaborn never crossed that line. He always gave Zaboru privacy when it mattered most, disappearing without being asked, as if he instinctively understood what should remain unseen. That quiet respect meant more to Zaboru than Zaborn probably realized. Because of that, Zaboru wasn't just comfortable sharing his mind with him—he was genuinely thankful for it.
With that, he deactivated the ability. His eyes opened, returning him to the quiet bathroom. He leaned back, letting the water ripple gently around him, enjoying the silence. Even as he relaxed, his mind was already moving ahead. In the coming workdays, he planned to assign new tasks to his Japanese teams—projects that were ready to begin, ideas that had been waiting patiently for the right moment.
Not long after, Zaboru finished getting ready and prepared to head to the Zemitsu offices. He was not a stranger to Zemitsu at all. In fact, Zemitsu was one of the media companies that existed largely because of his own approval in the early days. Zemitsu was the company behind FAMITSU, a video game magazine dedicated to covering and reviewing the entire video game industry, not just a single publisher.
When Zemitsu was first being planned, its owner, Mitsu Tadano, had personally approached Zaboru to ask whether creating such a company would be acceptable. At the time, ZAGE already had its own magazine, ZAGE POWER, but that publication focused exclusively on ZAGE titles. Zaboru immediately understood the need for something broader—an outlet that could cover the entire industry, encourage healthy competition, and help the gaming scene grow as a whole. Because of that, he gave Zemitsu his full blessing.
Since then, Zemitsu has grown steadily, building a strong reputation and a loyal readership. Their relationship with ZAGE remained friendly and professional, rooted in mutual respect rather than rivalry. For Zaboru, today's interview was less about formal publicity and more like visiting an old acquaintance who had grown into something impressive in their own right.
So Zaboru arrived at the studio, where everything was already prepared for recording. Cameras were set, lights adjusted, and staff moved efficiently from place to place, giving the space a quiet but focused energy. This interview would be broadcast live on the ZEMITSU Channel. Yes—ZEMITSU now had its own television channel, a sign of just how much the company had grown over the years. The channel regularly focused on video games, industry discussions, and in-depth interviews with developers, analysts, and creators shaping the medium.
Today, however, was special. The guest was Zaboru himself. Viewers across Japan were already tuning in, eager to hear his thoughts directly rather than through filtered articles or edited quotes. Unlike typical television interviews, this session was designed to be relaxed and largely unfiltered—closer to a free-flowing conversation than a rigid Q&A. It resembled something like a podcast from Zaboru's previous life, a format that did not yet formally exist in this world, making the approach feel fresh and strangely intimate. For ZEMITSU, this was a bold step forward. For Zaboru, it was simply an honest conversation about games.
Zaboru arrived at the ZEMITSU offices wearing casual attire that still somehow carried an undeniable presence. He wore a simple blue shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up, his arms naturally folded, subtly showcasing his well-built forearms. Black pants and clean white shoes completed the look—nothing flashy, yet effortlessly confident. His long hair, which usually flowed freely, was tied neatly into a ponytail today. Perhaps it was because he had become a father, or perhaps because of age and experience, but there was now a distinct "daddy" aura surrounding him—calm, grounded, and quietly commanding. Even so, the effect on the staff was immediate. As always, several female employees couldn't help but feel mesmerized by him, stealing brief looks as he passed by.
Zaboru was soon guided by one of the female employees toward the interview room, where the other participants were already waiting. As they walked, the employee occasionally glanced at him whenever she thought he wasn't looking, clearly trying—and failing—to hide her curiosity. Zaboru noticed, of course, but he simply responded with a polite smile. He maintained a respectful distance, showing no interest in anything beyond professionalism. For him, loyalty came naturally, and the thought of cheating never even crossed his mind.
As Zaboru stepped into the room, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Everyone inside stood up almost in unison to greet him. The first to approach was Mitsu Tadano, smiling warmly. "Zaboru-san, it's been a while. How have you been?"
Zaboru shook his hand firmly, returning the smile with ease. "I'm fine, Mitsu. Haha. It really has been a while."
Next was Nigo Guroki, a former video game developer who had since become a respected video game analyst at Zemitsu. He straightened his posture slightly, clearly excited but trying to remain professional. "It's an honor to finally meet you again, Zaboru-san," Nigo said as he offered his hand.
"The feeling's mutual, Nigo-san," Zaboru replied, shaking his hand with a calm smile. He could immediately sense the familiar aura of someone who truly understood games from the inside.
Then his attention shifted to the last person in the room—a woman wearing glasses, her appearance practically screaming the word "nerd," yet in an oddly charming way. She was clearly beautiful, but more than that, her entire presence radiated pure enthusiasm for video games. She was Kiara Kawamura, the newly appointed lead video game analyst at Zemitsu. The moment her eyes met Zaboru's, they lit up instantly—only for her entire body to freeze moments later.
Zaboru tilted his head slightly and stepped closer, lowering his presence just enough to feel less intimidating, clearly trying to ease the tension in the room. His tone remained calm and polite, almost gentle. "Um… and this miss is?" he asked, offering a small, friendly smile meant to reassure rather than pressure.
Mitsu immediately burst out laughing, clapping his hands once in amusement. "Hahaha! Come on, Kiara-chan," he said between laughs. "This is Zaboru Renkonan in the flesh—your idol!"
The words hit Kiara like a direct attack. She visibly panicked, straightening her posture far too stiffly, her movements awkward and overly formal. Her glasses slipped slightly as she snapped into place. "H–Hajimemashite! M–My name is Kiara Kawamura-desu!" she blurted out in one breath, her voice trembling as if she were reciting a script she had rehearsed a thousand times in her head but never expected to actually use.
Zaboru twitched almost imperceptibly, an internal voice immediately screaming, What!? Are you a new transfer student or something? Still, years of public appearances and negotiations kicked in. He quickly composed himself, his expression softening as he offered a gentle, reassuring smile. "Nice to meet you, Kiara-san," he said warmly, extending his hand without rushing her, giving her space to breathe.
Kiara hesitated for half a second before finally taking his hand. The moment their hands met, her face visibly lit up, glowing with unrestrained happiness, and her breathing grew noticeably heavier as if her body was struggling to keep up with her racing thoughts. Zaboru felt a brief twitch run through him when he realized she wasn't letting go right away—her grip lingering just a little too long, fingers unconsciously tightening as if she were afraid the moment might vanish.
It took Kiara another heartbeat to realize what she was doing. Her eyes widened in sudden panic, and she immediately pulled her hand back, bowing her head in embarrassment as her face flushed red. Meanwhile, Nigo and Mitsu completely lost their composure. They burst into laughter, unable to hold it in any longer, clearly entertained by the awkward yet strangely wholesome scene unfolding right in front of them.
With introductions complete, the four of them took their seats. The cameras were already rolling, red lights glowing softly. The interview was now live, and everything was finally ready to begin.
To be continue
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