Chapter 15: The Debut of ZAS

The air outside Bakudan Arcade buzzed with excitement. Zaboru stood proudly near the entrance, inspecting the promotional poster he had painstakingly designed. Its striking black-and-yellow design was bold enough to catch the eye of anyone passing by. Mario, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong stood prominently on the poster, with images of the sleek ZAS machines and the enticing slogan:

"NEW ARCADE MACHINE! ZAS! Offering a New Kind of Fun! Comes with a Brand-New Type of Controller!"

Satisfied, Zaboru took a step back and admired his work. He adjusted the poster slightly, ensuring it was perfectly positioned, then turned his attention toward the arcade. A small crowd of early birds, including a mix of kids and adults, was already gathering outside, eager for the doors to open.

When the shutters finally rolled up, a wave of eager customers surged inside. Many glanced curiously toward the new section where the ZAS machines gleamed under the arcade lights.

Among them was Genta, a 10-year-old boy with an insatiable love for arcade games. Sundays were his sacred gaming days, and with 100 yen safely tucked in his pocket, he was ready to conquer his favorite—Space Invaders. But something new caught his eye.

At the far corner of the arcade, a new section stood out with a sleek row of machines unlike any he'd seen before. His curiosity piqued, Genta hurried over to Toki, the arcade owner.

"Toki-san!" Genta exclaimed, pointing toward the shiny new machines. "What are those? Are they new arcade games?"

Toki grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. "That's right, Genta. Brand-new machines. They're called ZAS. Each one has four games in it."

Genta's eyes widened in disbelief. "Four games in one arcade machine?! That's crazy! What kind of games?"

Toki chuckled. "Why don't you go see for yourself?"

Eagerly, Genta approached one of the ZAS machines. Its polished surface reflected his wide-eyed expression as he inspected it. But something confused him.

"Um, Toki-san... where's the joystick?" he asked, tilting his head.

"That," Toki replied, tapping the machine, "is a controller. It's a new type of joystick. Go ahead and give it a try!"

Intrigued, Genta slid a 10-yen coin into the machine. The screen came alive with a bright menu showcasing four games: Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Mario Bros., and Super Mario Bros. Each time Genta highlighted a game, the screen displayed vibrant artwork and animations specific to the title.

"Whoa…" Genta whispered, his voice filled with awe. "The pictures are so cool!"

After a brief moment of deliberation, he selected Super Mario Bros. The vibrant colors and playful music immediately captured his attention.

At first, he fumbled with the controller, moving Mario in jerky steps and accidentally falling into pits. But Genta was a fast learner. Within minutes, he was jumping across platforms, stomping Goombas, and collecting coins like a pro.

"This is so much fun!" he shouted, his laughter infectious. Nearby customers couldn't help but glance over, drawn by his enthusiasm.

The commotion around the ZAS machines grew as more people stopped to watch. Adults marveled at the sleek design, while kids excitedly queued up for their turn. Even those who had initially planned to play other games found themselves drifting toward the new machines, curious about the buzz.

Zaboru observed the scene from a distance, his heart swelling with pride. Seeing Genta and others enjoy the machines validated all the hard work he'd poured into their creation.

By lunchtime, the ZAS machines were the undisputed stars of the arcade. Toki, ever the businessman, grinned as he counted the coins flowing in. "Zaboru, these machines are going to make me rich!" he joked.

Zaboru laughed. "Just make sure to take good care of them, Toki-san. I'll come by tomorrow to check on their condition."

After bidding farewell, Zaboru began the long walk home. He hadn't brought his father's truck, having arrived earlier with Kojiro. The 35-minute walk gave him time to reflect on the morning's success. The smiles on the kids' faces, the curiosity of the adults, and the sheer energy in the arcade had exceeded his expectations.

When he finally arrived home, the aroma of freshly cooked food greeted him. His mother, Keiko, called out from the dining room. "Zaboru! You're back just in time. Come join us for lunch!"

At the table, his father, Zanichi, and younger sister, Sanika, were already seated. The family dynamic was warm, filled with easy banter. As Zaboru sat down, his father raised an eyebrow.

"So, CEO," Zanichi began with a teasing smirk, "how did the big debut go? Any problems?"

Zaboru grinned, his confidence unmistakable. "Not a single one. Everything went perfectly! The ZAS machines were a hit."

Zanichi nodded approvingly. "Good to hear. I might swing by Bakudan Arcade one of these days to see them for myself."

Sanika, a lively girl with boundless energy, chimed in. "Nii-san! Your arcade is ready? I'll go with my friends and show them how awesome your games are!"

Zaboru chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Make sure to show them who's boss, Sani-chan."

She beamed, already imagining herself dominating the leaderboards.

The rest of the day passed in quiet contentment. Zaboru spent time with his family, sharing stories and laughing over small jokes. It felt good to relax after the intense weeks leading up to the launch.

Little did Zaboru know, the next day would bring a surprise—a meeting with someone who would become his most devoted fan. A certain princess from the Hamazou Yakuza family was about to make her grand entrance into his life.

To be continued…