Chapter 14: The First Installation

The early morning sun cast long shadows across the floor as Zaboru paced in his small living room, the phone clutched tightly in his hand. His mind raced as he thought about the logistics of moving five bulky ZAS machines to Bakudan Arcade. Each machine, a product of months of hard work and sleepless nights, was a culmination of his passion and ingenuity. He couldn't afford to damage them.

Taking a deep breath, he dialed the number of Tanaka Movers, a local moving company. The line connected with a gruff but friendly voice.

"Hello, this is Tanaka Movers. How can I help you?"

"Good morning, Tanaka-san," Zaboru said, trying to keep his voice steady and professional. "I need help moving some equipment from my house to Toki-san's Bakudan Arcade. They're about the size of a small fridge, 10–15 kilograms each, and there are five of them."

Tanaka let out a hearty chuckle. "That's not a problem. My truck can handle that load. The cost will be 2,000 yen. I'll send Kojiro, one of my best guys, to help with the lifting. He'll be there in about 15 minutes. Is that alright?"

Zaboru nodded, though Tanaka couldn't see it. "That's perfect. Thank you, Tanaka-san."

Hanging up, he glanced out the window at the garage, where the ZAS machines waited. Despite the nervous energy coursing through him, a sense of pride swelled in his chest. These machines weren't just arcade cabinets; they were symbols of his determination and creativity.

Exactly 15 minutes later, the low rumble of an approaching truck broke his thoughts. A medium-sized vehicle pulled into the driveway, and a stocky man in his early 30s climbed out. His work boots crunched against the gravel as he approached.

"This is Zaboru's house, right? I'm Kojiro. Let's get started," he said with an easy smile.

"Thank you for coming!" Zaboru replied, already leading him toward the garage.

The ZAS machines, sleek and imposing, were lined up neatly in the corner. Their glossy black finish reflected the light streaming in from the windows, making them look like futuristic monuments.

Kojiro whistled appreciatively. "These are arcade machines? They look impressive. Let's load them up carefully."

Zaboru nodded, appreciating Kojiro's professional demeanor. Together, they padded each unit with blankets, secured them with straps, and gingerly loaded them onto the truck. Kojiro's expertise shone as he checked each tie-down twice, ensuring the machines wouldn't budge an inch during transit.

After nearly 20 minutes of meticulous work, Kojiro wiped his brow and gestured to the cab. "All set. Let's get these to Bakudan Arcade."

The truck ride was slow and steady, the vehicle navigating carefully to avoid jostling its precious cargo. Kojiro, his hands steady on the wheel, broke the silence with curiosity.

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are those machines? They look custom-made."

"They are," Zaboru said, smiling. "I designed and built them myself. They're arcade machines, and today's their first big debut at Bakudan Arcade."

Kojiro glanced at him, genuinely impressed. "You built those yourself? That's incredible, especially for someone your age. Most high schoolers I know are too busy playing games to think about making them."

Zaboru chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "It's not that impressive…"

"Don't downplay it, kid," Kojiro said, his voice firm but encouraging. "What you're doing is something special. You've got a bright future ahead."

The complement warmed Zaboru's heart, and for the first time that day, his nerves began to settle.

When they arrived at Bakudan Arcade, Toki and his assistant, Sakaki a part time College student, were already waiting outside. Toki, a wiry man in his late 40s with a perpetual grin, waved them over.

"You made good time, Zaboru!" he called.

The unloading process began, and once again, Kojiro's professionalism was evident. He handled each ZAS machine as if it were made of glass, offering tips to Zaboru and Sakaki on how to keep the units balanced. After another 20 minutes, all five machines were in place.

Zaboru handed Kojiro 2,500 yen, a small bonus for his exceptional care.

"Thanks for treating the machines so carefully, Kojiro-san. I really appreciate it."

Kojiro pocketed the money with a grin. "You're welcome, Zaboru-san. Best of luck with these machines. I've got a feeling they're going to be a hit."

As Kojiro drove off, Zaboru turned to face the task ahead: setting up the machines. The arcade was quiet, save for the hum of the fluorescent lights overhead. The layout was simple but effective—three machines on one side, two on the other, facing each other in a neat row.

Over the next 40 minutes, Zaboru worked methodically, connecting cables, testing power supplies, and ensuring each screen displayed perfectly. Toki and Sakaki watched him work, their curiosity evident.

"Hey, boss," Sakaki said once the setup was complete. "Mind if I try one out?"

Toki smirked. "Sure, but it's ten yen for three lives."

"Ten yen?!" Sakaki groaned. "You're robbing me, boss. Fine, fine…"

He reluctantly dropped a coin into the slot of the ZAS machine then the machine move to next game list prompt it shows Pac-man , Donkey Kong , Mario Bros , Super Mario bros, when one of list is highlighted the background screen change to specific games ,Sakaki intrigued about this and then he choose Pac-Man , The game sprang to life, the cheerful jingle filling the arcade.

"This is great!" Sakaki said, maneuvering the yellow character through the maze.

After five minutes, however, he was caught by a ghost. "What?! This is way harder than I expected!"

Zaboru grinned from the sidelines. "I tweaked the difficulty. It's a little tougher than the console version. Keeps players coming back for more."

Toki nodded approvingly. "Smart move, Zaboru. You'll make a killing."

Sakaki, undeterred, fed another coin into the machine. As the minutes ticked by, the arcade began to come alive. The shutters rolled up, sunlight spilling inside, and the first customers trickled in.

Zaboru stepped back, his heart pounding with anticipation. This was the moment he had been working toward—a chance to see his creations in action. The ZAS machines stood ready, gleaming under the arcade lights, waiting to make their mark.

To be continued...