Chapter 9: Discussing with Zanichi
Zaboru sat in his room, staring at his notebook filled with calculations and sketches. The plan to integrate his consoles into arcade systems was bold, and it felt like the logical next step, but convincing his father, Zanichi, to invest such a large sum of money wouldn't be simple.
"Alright," Zaboru muttered, standing up and taking a deep breath. "I need to treat this like a real pitch. No room for doubt."
He rehearsed in front of his mirror, practicing his tone and refining his key points. "Explain the profit potential. Highlight why the console is unique. Show the value for players and arcade owners." Satisfied, he clutched his notebook tightly and made his way to the living room.
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Zanichi sat in his usual spot, reading the evening newspaper, a cup of coffee steaming on the table beside him.
"Dad," Zaboru began, standing firmly to project confidence.
Zanichi lowered the paper, raising an eyebrow. "What's up, CEO? You look like you're about to give a shareholder speech."
Zaboru chuckled nervously but took the comment as encouragement. "Sort of. I've got a business proposal for you."
Intrigued, Zanichi folded the newspaper and set it aside. "Alright, let's hear it. This should be interesting."
Zaboru sat across from him, placing his notebook on the table and flipping it open to a detailed sketch of an arcade machine. "I've been brainstorming ways to fund my console and games. I know starting a full company has to wait until I graduate, like you said, but I think there's a way to start small. My idea is to integrate my console into arcade systems."
Zanichi leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "Go on."
"The plan is to retrofit my console into a coin-operated machine," Zaboru explained, pointing to his sketch. "Players would pay 5 yen for three lives, with the option to continue by adding more coins. My games—Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., and my newly finished Super Mario Bros.—are perfect for arcade play."
He flipped to another page, revealing a detailed cost breakdown. "Here's the math. Each console setup, including two controllers and four cartridges, costs about 32,000 yen. If I make ten setups, that's 320,000 yen. I'll also need TVs for each machine, which adds roughly 80,000 yen. The total investment is 400,000 yen."
Zanichi's expression grew serious. "400,000 yen is no small amount, Zaboru. Why do you think this will work?"
Zaboru met his father's gaze, his voice steady and full of conviction. "Because it's different. Right now, arcades rely on expensive, single-game machines. My console is versatile—it can play multiple games with just a cartridge swap. It's compact, easy to repair, and offers players a variety of experiences. Plus, my games already have appeal. They're fun, engaging, and innovative."
He paused, letting his father absorb the information before continuing. "If I set up just ten machines in two arcades, and each machine earns 1,000 yen a day, that's 10,000 yen daily. In a month, that's 300,000 yen. I could recoup the investment in less than two months."
Zanichi nodded thoughtfully. "It's a solid plan, but there are risks. What if the arcade owners aren't interested?"
"I've thought about that too," Zaboru replied confidently. "I know two arcade owners personally—Mr. Satonaka of Dream Catcher Arcade and Mr. Toki from Bakudan Arcade. I'm a regular at their places, and I believe they trust me. I can offer them a profit-sharing deal or rental terms that benefit us both. With the machines ready, I'm confident I can persuade them."
Zanichi tapped his fingers on the table, mulling over the idea. "Ah, Satonaka and Toki... I know them. Good men. But even with their support, there's no guarantee this will succeed. If it fails, 400,000 yen is a big loss."
Zaboru nodded earnestly. "I understand the risk, Dad. But this is more than just an investment. It's a stepping stone to something bigger—building a name in the gaming industry. You've seen my console and games; they're different. They have potential."
Zanichi exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair. "You've clearly put a lot of thought into this, and your passion is undeniable. And yes, your console and games are revolutionary. Alright, CEO, I'll give you the 400,000 yen—but there's a condition."
Zaboru's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? What's the condition?"
"You need to treat this like a real business," Zanichi said firmly. "Keep detailed records, track every yen, and provide regular updates on how things are going. If it works, great. If it doesn't, you'll learn valuable lessons about business and responsibility."
Zaboru grinned, his excitement barely contained. "Deal! I'll make sure every yen is accounted for, and I promise I won't let you down!"
Zanichi smiled, reaching for his coffee. "Alright, CEO. Let's see if you can turn this dream into reality."
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That night, Zaboru returned to his room, his mind racing with excitement and plans. With his father's support secured, he was one step closer to bringing his vision to life.
To be continued…