Chapter 31: Graduation and Beginnings

As Zaboru cycled through the streets, the crisp evening air brushed against his face, but the warmth of his excitement kept him energized. "Finally! I graduated early! Now I can focus on what truly matters—starting my company," he thought, gripping the handlebars tightly as he pedaled faster toward home.

When he reached the house, he practically jumped off his bike, leaving it by the porch, and ran inside.

"Mom! I successfully graduated early!" he called out, his voice brimming with pride.

Keiko, who was in the kitchen slicing vegetables for dinner, wiped her hands on a towel and walked over to greet him.

"Let me see," she said, smiling as Zaboru handed her the official graduation papers.

As she read through them, her eyes widened in amazement. "Perfect scores? Wow, Zaboru, you never cease to amaze me!" She pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, my son. Congratulations!"

Zaboru grinned, basking in her praise.

Keiko gently brushed his hair out of his face. "Remember, before diving into starting your company, consult with your father. He'll have valuable insights and connections that might help."

Zaboru nodded. "Of course, Mom. I'll discuss everything with Dad tonight."

Keiko smiled warmly. "Good. Now go ahead and rest for a bit. You've earned it."

---

Zaboru went to his room, closing the door behind him as he tossed his bag onto his desk. Sitting down, he pulled out his notebook and began scribbling ideas for his company's roadmap.

Zaboru's Plan for ZAGE:

Define the Product

"The main product will be the ZEPS console and its games. This is non-negotiable and already in motion. I have a solid plan for the initial lineup of games." He confidently checked off the first item on his list.

Recruit a Team

"I'll need a small but talented team—programmers, game designers, and creatives—to help me refine the ZEPS and create new games. I'll draft an ad for flyers and maybe even post on bulletin boards in colleges nearby. Finding passionate people will be key."

Manufacturing Partners

"This is the hardest part. I'll need manufacturers to produce the hardware and create the cases for the ZEPS consoles and game cartridges. Thankfully, Dad mentioned he has connections in this industry. I need to ask him about this tonight."

Marketing and Distribution

"I'll focus on Tokyo first. A small sales team will be enough to promote the product and handle local distribution. Once we gain traction, I can expand to other regions."

Office Space

"I need to decide where to set up the company headquarters. My garage could work for a while, but it doesn't look professional. Renting a small house or office space would be better, even if it's just for appearances."

---

Zaboru leaned back, tapping his pen against the notebook. The pieces were slowly falling into place, but there was still so much to do.

"This is just the start," he muttered, staring at the ceiling. "But I'll make it work."

---

The clock struck 8:00 PM, and the familiar sound of the front door opening signaled that Zanichi, Zaboru's father, had returned home from work. Zaboru quickly gathered the papers and headed downstairs.

Zanichi was sitting in the living room, his tie slightly loosened, sipping tea.

"Welcome home, Dad," Zaboru greeted, sitting across from him.

"Evening, Zaboru. You seem excited about something," Zanichi said with a chuckle.

"I am! I officially graduated early!" Zaboru said, handing over the papers.

Zanichi raised an eyebrow as he examined the document. "Perfect scores? Well done, son. You've outdone yourself."

"Thanks, Dad. But I need your advice about something," Zaboru said, his tone serious.

"Advice? About what?"

Zaboru took a deep breath. "I want to start my company, ZAGE, as soon as possible. I've outlined a plan, but I need help with the manufacturing side of things. You mentioned you had connections, right?"

Zanichi set the papers down and leaned back in his chair. "Hmm. I do know some people in the electronics manufacturing industry. But starting a company isn't just about production, Zaboru. Have you thought about funding, logistics, and marketing?"

"I have," Zaboru replied confidently. He showed Zanichi his notebook, explaining each step of his plan.

Zanichi nodded thoughtfully as he listened. "Not bad. You've clearly thought this through. I'll make some calls tomorrow and see who might be interested in partnering with you. But remember, this is just the beginning. You'll face challenges you haven't even considered yet."

"I'm ready for them," Zaboru said, determination shining in his eyes.

Zanichi smiled. "That's the spirit. All right, I'll help you. But you'll need to handle most of the work yourself. This is your dream, after all."

"Of course, Dad. Thanks so much!"

---

That night, as Zaboru lay in bed, he felt a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. His journey to create ZAGE was officially underway.

"This is it," he thought, staring at the ceiling. "The first step to changing the gaming industry forever."

To Be Continued