Chapter 35: Additional Computers and Preparation for the Manufacturer Meeting
Chapter 35: Additional Computers and Preparation for the Manufacturer Meeting
The next morning, as Zaboru was preparing for another busy day, his father, Zanichi, stopped him before he left.
"Hey, give me your office address. I'll have the computers delivered there today," Zanichi said, sipping his morning coffee.
Zaboru, still half-asleep, blinked. "Oh, right! Thanks, Dad!" He quickly wrote down the address and handed it to him.
"Good. They should arrive by the afternoon," Zanichi said with a nod before returning to his newspaper.
With that settled, Zaboru scarfed down his breakfast, took a quick shower, and grabbed his backpack before heading out. As usual, he rode his bike to the office, the crisp morning air waking him up completely. The 35-to-40-minute ride was becoming second nature to him, and as he pulled up to the building, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride—this was his company now.
Unlocking the door, he stepped inside and immediately got to work.
Zaboru knew that for proper testing, he needed another ZEPS unit in his office. This way, he could check the quality of his game cartridges without relying on the one at home. With that in mind, he started assembling another prototype, carefully piecing together the hardware while adjusting small details to improve performance.
As time flew by, his stomach growled, reminding him that it was already past noon. He stepped out to grab a quick meal from a nearby food stall before heading back. Just as he was finishing his drink, he heard the rumble of a truck pulling up outside his office.
A large moving truck bearing the Sonaya Moving logo—his father's workplace—had arrived. Two uniformed movers stepped out, efficiently unloading four large computer towers and their monitors.
Zaboru quickly helped them bring everything inside, arranging the computers neatly along the walls. "Thanks, guys! Here, for a drink later," he said, pulling out a few yen bills for a tip.
The movers chuckled and shook their heads. "Your dad already paid us generously, kid. No need for that."
Zaboru grinned. "Figures. Alright then, safe trip back!"
With a nod, the movers hopped back into their truck and drove off, leaving Zaboru to admire the new additions to his workspace.
The four PCs weren't cutting-edge, but in 1991, having multiple computers in a startup was a big deal. They would be invaluable once he started hiring staff in the future.
Zaboru wasted no time setting them up, checking their functionality, and ensuring they were all networked properly. He also installed the necessary software for game development and debugging, preparing them for the projects ahead.
After hours of adjustments, he leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. "Alright, all set."
Now came the most crucial task—finalizing the official blueprints for ZEPS.
Zaboru grabbed his sketchbook and various notes before moving to his drafting table. With a deep breath, he started drawing out detailed blueprints for ZEPS, carefully illustrating the internal components, their placement, and the overall structure of the system.
These documents were essential—when he met the manufacturer in two days, they needed to fully understand how the parts should be built, fitted, and assembled.
He also began drafting the blueprints for the game cartridges, ensuring they were precise, durable, and easy to manufacture.
"This should be enough for Saturday," he muttered, checking over his work. "Just need to polish a few details."
His hands ached from the continuous drawing, but seeing his vision take shape on paper filled him with excitement.
Over the next two days, Zaboru followed a strict routine:
Morning – Bike to the office and refine the blueprints.
Afternoon – Work on assembling the second ZEPS prototype and test compatibility with the cartridges.
Evening – Practice game development on the new computers, running simulations and fixing code.
Finally, by Friday night, the blueprints were complete, the second ZEPS was fully assembled, and he felt confident in his preparations.
"Alright, tomorrow's the big day," he whispered to himself, placing the finalized designs neatly in a folder.
As he shut off the office lights and locked up, he couldn't help but feel the weight of excitement and nervousness.
This meeting could determine the future of his company.
To be continued…