Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991

On the same day as the meetings, Zaboru was tucked away in his personal workshop, fully immersed in his latest project and working steadily until evening. But unexpectedly, he received a message from Zanichi, asking him to come home that night. The tone was unusually serious — Zanichi said he needed to talk.

Zaboru returned home with Zanichi around 19:00 — an unusually early time for him, making the moment all the more special. The family sat down together for dinner, enjoying the warm meal Keiko had thoughtfully prepared. Sanika joined them as well, adding to the cozy atmosphere. After the meal, Keiko and Sanika quietly excused themselves, leaving father and son alone for their much-needed conversation.

Zanichi then sat on the couch. "Sit here, Son."

Zaboru nodded, clearly wanting to know what his father wanted to say.

Zanichi then began to speak, his tone firm yet full of warmth. "First of all, son, I want to tell you something important — I'm incredibly proud of you. You've chased your dreams without compromising who you are, and that's a rare thing in this world. To stay true to yourself while achieving this level of success? That's remarkable. And what you've done — becoming a billionaire while still in your twenties — isn't just impressive, it's extraordinary. Few can even dream of that, let alone accomplish it. I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, I'm proud of you — deeply and truly."

Zanichi patted Zaboru's shoulder, and Zaboru smiled and nodded, clearly touched by what his father said.

Zanichi then said, "But Zaboru, you're not a nobody anymore — far from it. You've become something extraordinary. People out there are beginning to mention your name alongside giants like Bill Gates and Walt Disney. And from where I stand, ZAGE holds even greater potential than Disney or Microsoft ever did at their start. I know staying true to yourself matters deeply to you, and I respect that — but you also need to recognize that you're no longer just a startup founder. You're a leader at the helm of something massive. That carries weight, son. You need to own it."

Zaboru furrowed his brow, contemplating his father's words. Then he replied, "But Dad, I've never been one to chase attention or show off. I'm a gamer through and through — that's where my heart is, and it always will be. Flashing my wealth or status just doesn't sit right with me. It's not who I am, and it doesn't excite me. I care more about making great games than making headlines."

Zanichi nodded. "I know, Zaboru. You always say you're a gamer at heart — and that shows in everything you do. You're not just a passionate player; you're an exceptional video game developer. The way you guide your team, inspire them, and help them grasp your vision — it's one of the most impressive leadership styles I've seen in the tech industry. And your technical skills? They're on another level — far beyond mine, and I don't say that lightly. But even with all that, you're still too soft, son. You're young, yes, but you're also the founder and owner of ZAGE — a billion-dollar global force. That role comes with responsibility. Have you noticed how your employees interact with you? Yes, they respect you, but most of them see you as a buddy, not a boss. Take Sayuri, for example — she often gets irritated when you throw money at investments without a second thought. What she forgets, though, is that it's your money. Not hers. And with that freedom comes the need to be sharper, more assertive. You've earned your place, but now you need to grow into it."

Zaboru frowned, his expression firm. "But Dad, Sayuri-san is like that because she truly cares about ZAGE. She treats our finances like they're her own, and I value that dedication. She's not just an employee — she's a vital part of what keeps ZAGE grounded. And about what you said — that I need to act like a billionaire, or some picture-perfect success story? Why, Dad? So I have to stop enjoying my life? I don't want to become a version of myself that doesn't feel real. I want to enjoy life as me, not as some ideal image of a billionaire. I'm not chasing approval or playing by someone else's rules. I know I have a public image now, and sure, if I mess up it could impact ZAGE. But I've never done anything wrong. I'm just living authentically — and that's what brings me joy. Isn't that what matters most?"

Zanichi frowned, his tone tightening. "See, Zaboru, this kind of mindset doesn't fit someone leading ZAGE. You need to shift your thinking before it backfires on you. From the very beginning, you've ridden a wave of remarkable luck — but that luck won't last forever. If it dries up, everything you've built could come crashing down. If you truly want to succeed — not just survive — then it's time to evolve. You need to change your approach and start acting with the gravity your position demands."

Zaboru then said, "You'll see, Dad. The way I define success isn't what most people imagine. Being the richest or most respected person in the world? That wouldn't feel like success to me. For me, true success means living my dream — becoming a truly great video game developer, the kind whose creations are remembered for generations. I want to shape ZAGE into a powerhouse that thrives even long after I'm gone. That's what matters most. Sure, wealth and recognition are nice to have, but I don't need to be the richest or the most admired man on Earth. That kind of spotlight feels overwhelming — like it would pull me away from who I am and why I started this in the first place."

Zanichi looked at Zaboru, his gaze steady and searching. "Is that your answer?" he asked, his voice low but clear.

Zaboru met his father's eyes without flinching. "Yes," he replied firmly, his tone unwavering, his conviction absolute — not a trace of doubt or hesitation in his voice or expression.

Zanichi let out a soft laugh, his eyes warm. "Hahaha! I'm really proud of you, son. Everything I said earlier — it was a test. I wanted to see if you were still true to yourself, still holding firm to what you believe in. And you are. That means more to me than you know."

Zaboru blinked, caught off guard by his father's sudden tenderness. Then, with a steady hand, Zanichi rested his palm on Zaboru's shoulder. "Always be yourself, son," he said with quiet strength. "No matter how far you go or how heavy the burden gets — if you ever lose your way or feel the weight's too much, I'll be right there. Supporting you. Guiding you. For as long as I'm alive."

Zaboru didn't expect his dad to say that. His eyes shimmered with emotion, the weight of those words hitting him harder than he could've anticipated — because they weren't just familiar, they were identical to what Zanichi had told him in his previous life. It was as if fate had echoed them across time, reminding him that some bonds transcend even lifetimes.

Zanichi grinned. "Ohh, you crying, son?" 

Zaboru snorted. "N-no, it's just… dust."

Zanichi chuckled and gently patted his son's head. "You know, to be completely honest, I'm jealous of you. You get to wake up every day and pour your heart into your dream — to have fun doing what you love, building something that's truly yours. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder… what if things had been different for me? What if, back then, my family had supported my wish to become a mangaka? Would I be someone else now? Would I wear the same expression — that passion in your eyes — when I worked? I think about it more often than you might realize. But that door's closed now. It's too late for me. That's why I placed my dream in you, son. Because when I see you, I see the life I never got to live — and that makes me proud."

Zaboru sat quietly for a moment, then said softly, "Dad, you can still become a mangaka. I own Hakusensha, remember? If you want another shot, I can help you make it happen."

Zanichi chuckled, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "It's different now, son. I lost that fire a long time ago, and I don't think I can ever get it back. Besides, I've already got the most important job in the world — being this household father right?"

But just then, Keiko rushed into the room, her eyes brimming with tears. Her voice trembled as she cried out, "I... I thought you two were fighting... It scared me so much... I didn't know what to do…"

Zaboru and Zanichi exchanged startled glances, their serious expressions melting into warm concern as they took in Keiko's distress. Without hesitation, Zanichi gently reached out and guided Keiko to sit between them on the couch, wrapping one arm around her shoulder. "We aren't fighting, honey," he said softly, offering a reassuring smile. "It was just a heart-to-heart."

Zaboru offered a small smile, his tone light but genuine. "Yeah, Mom. We were just having a man-to-man talk, clearing the air, you know... right, Dad?"

Keiko sniffled and nodded, her voice quivering. "Thank God…" she whispered, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Zanichi gently held her hand, while Zaboru gave her a comforting nod, his eyes soft with understanding. The weight of the moment gradually lifted as the family leaned into the warmth of their togetherness. That night, they remained gathered in the living room, sharing quiet laughter and light conversation. Even Sanika, stirred by the comforting sounds, woke from her sleep and padded into the room, rubbing her eyes and curling up beside them. It was a simple, heartfelt moment but really precious.

To be continued

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