Chapter 33: Moving In
After securing his office with Akechi Hamazou's help, Zaboru couldn't contain his excitement. As he rode his bike home, thoughts of his new workspace filled his mind. It was a 40-minute ride, but it felt shorter as he imagined all the possibilities that awaited him.
Once home, he wasted no time. He needed to move his tools and equipment from his garage to the new office. This included his PC, drawing tools, custom keyboard, guitar, and other essentials for game development. Picking up his home telephone, he dialed the familiar number of Tanaka Movers.
"Hello, Tanaka-san! It's me, Zaboru. I need your help again, but this time it's a bigger move. I need to transport one PC, a keyboard piano, a drawing desk, and some other items to my new office. Can you handle it?"
Tanaka's cheerful voice came through. "Hoho, a big move, huh? Sure, it's doable. I'll send Kojiro with the larger truck. It'll cost you around 4,500 yen. How does that sound?"
"That's perfect. I'll be waiting," Zaboru replied.
True to his word, Tanaka dispatched the truck, and within 20 minutes, Kojiro arrived, this time with a slightly larger moving truck.
"Yo, Zaboru-kun! How've you been?" Kojiro greeted with a grin.
"I've been good, Kojiro-san. Let's get started!" Zaboru replied, eager to begin the move.
The two worked together, carefully loading Zaboru's equipment onto the truck. Once everything was securely in place, they climbed into the truck, and Kojiro started the engine.
As they drove, Kojiro glanced over. "So, where are we headed? Did you find a new place to live?"
Zaboru shook his head. "No, I'm moving to my new office."
"Office? What company are you working for now?" Kojiro asked, curious.
Zaboru smiled sheepishly. "It's not like that. I'm starting my own company."
Kojiro's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're starting your own company? That's insane! Wait… is this related to that arcade machine, ZAS, you made before?"
"Yeah, it's connected," Zaboru said. "It's about game consoles this time."
Kojiro whistled, still astonished. "Man, you're really something else, Zaboru-kun. Creating a company at your age? That's wild."
The two continued chatting as the truck slowly made its way through Tokyo. By the time they arrived at the office, Kojiro was still amazed at Zaboru's ambition.
---
Once at the office, Kojiro and Zaboru unloaded the items and set them up inside. The process took some time, but eventually, everything was in place. Zaboru handed Kojiro 5,000 yen.
"Here you go, Kojiro-san. The extra 500 yen is a tip for always being so careful with my stuff. Thanks a lot!"
Kojiro grinned. "Thanks, Zaboru-kun. I hope your company becomes a huge success! And don't forget about me when you make it big—at least buy me a drink!"
Zaboru laughed. "Deal! Thanks for everything, Kojiro-san."
With that, Kojiro waved goodbye and drove off, leaving Zaboru to admire his new workspace.
"Alright! Time to get started," Zaboru said to himself, rolling up his sleeves. He quickly set up his PC and began brainstorming ideas for new games while waiting for his father to return with updates on the manufacturer.
---
Meanwhile, at the Hamazou residence, Akechi had returned home. He went straight to Ayumi's room, where he had been spending most of his free time playing Zaboru's ZEPS console.
Ayumi, sitting beside him, watched as he skillfully played Pac-Man.
"So, Zaboru rented one of your hideouts for his company, huh?" she asked.
Akechi, still focused on the screen, gave a slight nod.
Ayumi sighed, deep in thought. "He's already graduated early… and now he's starting his own company. It must be exciting to make games like that. I wish I could join him, but Mom and Dad insist I go to college."
Akechi remained silent, but his eyes flickered for a moment.
"You really like the ZEPS, don't you, Nii-sama?" Ayumi teased, smiling.
Akechi paused the game briefly and nodded. "Yes. It's brilliant."
Ayumi chuckled. "Well, you're lucky. You've got the perfect source of entertainment as long as Zaboru keeps inventing new things. He's a genius, after all."
"Zaboru's talent is exceptional," Akechi said, his tone unusually warm.
Ayumi leaned back on her bed. "I just wish he'd hurry up with the next game. He said he'd release new titles after ZEPS officially launches, but we don't even know when that'll be. It could be weeks, months… maybe even a year!"
Akechi, ever analytical, replied, "Based on his progress, I estimate ZEPS will release in three to four months. Possibly sooner."
Ayumi raised an eyebrow. "If you're saying that, it's probably true. Your calculations are always spot on, Nii-sama."
Akechi returned to his game, effortlessly maneuvering through the maze in Pac-Man. Though he didn't show it often, his admiration for Zaboru's creations was undeniable. As a man known as "Rashomon Akechi," a shrewd negotiator and strategist in both legitimate and underground circles, his respect was not easily earned.
Ayumi sighed again, glancing at her brother. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Zaboru comes up with next."
Akechi smirked faintly, his eyes never leaving the screen. "It'll be worth the wait."
---
Back at the office, Zaboru worked tirelessly late into the night, sketching ideas, refining concepts, and drafting prototypes for his next games. The creative flow kept him energized, but as he glanced at the clock, he realized it was already 8 PM. His stomach growled in protest, a stark reminder of the lunch and dinner he had skipped in favor of his work.
Letting out a weary sigh, Zaboru stretched his arms and muttered to himself, "I should head home. Dad's probably back by now, and if I don't show up soon, Mom might kill me for skipping her cooking."
With that, he began tidying up the workspace, carefully stacking his sketches and shutting down his equipment. The sight of his new office, though still sparse, filled him with a sense of pride and determination. Locking the door behind him, Zaboru hopped onto his bike—the same one Kojiro had so carefully loaded onto the moving truck earlier—and started pedaling home.
The cool night breeze brushed against his face as he rode through the quiet streets, a smile tugging at his lips. His journey was just beginning, and though there was a long road ahead, he couldn't help but feel that today marked an important step toward his dreams.