Chapter 12: The Deal with Bakudan Arcade
The night after spending time with his family, Zaboru lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing with excitement and nervousness. Tomorrow was a big day.
Alright, here's the plan: I'll start by showing Toki-san the photos of the ZEPS arcade If he's hooked, I'll bring him to the garage for a proper demonstration. Hmm... wait. ZEPS arcade .. beter change it to ZAS!—Zaboru Arcade System. Perfect name! It feels bold but still ties to my identity.
With that thought, Zaboru drifted to sleep, dreaming of arcades filled with his machines, players gathered around, cheering.
---
The next morning, Zaboru prepared meticulously. He packed printed photos of his arcade machine, ensuring they showcased its features clearly. The images highlighted the sleek design, the vibrant paint job, and the unique controller setup.
After a quick breakfast, he hopped on his bicycle, pedaling toward Bakudan Arcade. The 15-minute ride felt longer than usual as he rehearsed his pitch in his mind. Toki-san's not going to make this easy. He's an old-school arcade enthusiast, after all. But I'm ready for this.
When he arrived, Bakudan Arcade was already buzzing with activity. The familiar hum of arcade machines filled the air, accompanied by the laughter and cheers of players. Zaboru found Toki, the middle-aged owner, lounging behind the counter, watching a TV show.
"Excuse me, Toki-san!" Zaboru called out.
Toki glanced up and smiled. "Well, if it isn't Zaboru! It's been a while since you've been here. What brings you? Looking to play some games?"
Zaboru grinned. "Not today, Toki-san. I'm here for something else—a business proposal."
Toki raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A business proposal? For me? And this arcade?"
Zaboru nodded, his confidence unwavering. "Yes, Toki-san. You see, I've been working on something special—my own arcade machine. I've also developed four original games for it. I want to propose placing my machine here at Bakudan Arcade. Do you have space for it?"
Toki leaned forward, studying Zaboru's face. "Wait, hold on. Are you telling me you built your own arcade machine? And you made four games from scratch?"
"Yes," Zaboru replied, his tone calm but firm.
For a moment, Toki stared at him, then let out a hearty laugh. "Dang, Zaboru! I knew you were smart, being Zanichi's kid and all, but this? This is incredible! Alright, tell me more about this arcade system of yours."
Zaboru pulled out the photos and began his pitch. "It's called the ZAS—Zaboru Arcade System. It features four original games: Donkey Kong, Mario Bros, Pac-Man, and Super Mario Bros. It uses a 5-yen coin system with the classic three-lives mechanic. Here's what it looks like."
Toki examined the photos, his brow furrowing as he noticed the absence of a joystick. "Where's the joystick? Aren't all arcade machines supposed to have one?"
Zaboru shook his head. "Not this one. My arcade system uses controllers instead. They plug directly into the console inside the machine. It's a more flexible design. Plus, some games allow two players, like Mario Bros and Pac-Man."
Toki's interest deepened as he continued to study the photos. "I'll admit, this is different. And different can be good. I've got some space where a few broken machines used to be. But I can't commit without trying it first."
"Absolutely," Zaboru said, smiling. "Come to my house, and I'll show you how the ZAS works."
---
Toki called out to one of his employees, a college student named Sakaki, to manage the arcade while he was away. They loaded Zaboru's bicycle into Toki's small truck and drove to Zaboru's house.
When they arrived, Zanichi was outside watering the plants. Spotting Toki, he grinned. "Toki! Long time no see. What brings you here?"
"Your son," Toki replied, patting Zanichi on the shoulder. "He's done something extraordinary, and I had to see it for myself."
Zanichi beamed with pride. "He sure has. His console is revolutionary."
Toki chuckled. "Alright, Zaboru. Show me what you've got."
---
Inside the garage, Zaboru unveiled the ZAS. The bright red and yellow arcade machine stood proudly, its design polished and inviting. Toki's eyes lit up as he approached it.
"This is it," Zaboru said, his voice tinged with pride. "Go ahead, Toki-san. Give it a try."
Toki eagerly inserted a coin and started with Donkey Kong. The moment the game began, his expression changed. The vibrant graphics, smooth gameplay, and nostalgic charm hooked him immediately.
For nearly an hour, Toki was lost in the games. He laughed, cursed when he lost, and cheered when he cleared a level.
"Damn, this is fun!" Toki exclaimed, his enthusiasm exceeding Zaboru's expectations. "I haven't enjoyed a game this much in years!"
Zaboru coughed lightly to get his attention. "Ahem… Toki-san?"
Realizing he had been playing for too long, Toki stopped, his face slightly red. "Well… it's really good, Zaboru. You've outdone yourself. I'm sold! But is this the only one you've got?"
"For now, yes," Zaboru admitted. "But I can make more. I plan to deliver five machines to your arcade by next Sunday. Does that work for you?"
Toki rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Five, huh? And how long will it take to make them?"
"A week," Zaboru replied confidently.
"Alright," Toki said, nodding. "But how do you propose we handle this? I could buy the machines outright, you know."
Zaboru shook his head. "No, Toki-san. What I propose is a revenue-sharing model. You'll get 25% of the revenue from the machines, and we'll settle the accounts weekly. As for maintenance, I'll handle it myself."
Toki considered the offer. After a moment, he extended his hand. "You've got yourself a deal, kid. I'll clear space for your machines by next Sunday. Don't disappoint me!"
Zaboru's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Toki-san! I promise you won't regret this. I'll also design promotional posters for the ZAS!"
Toki chuckled, lighting a cigar. "Good luck, Zaboru. You're onto something big here."
After chatting briefly with Zanichi, Toki left, leaving Zaboru feeling both accomplished and energized.
---
As he gathered his tools and supplies, Zaboru's mind raced. Now that's one step forward. I need to build four more machines this week and design the promotional posters. Time to get to work.
With renewed determination, he headed to the electronics store, ready to turn his dream into reality.
To be continued…