Saturday 6 March 2001.
Steve Jobs was now sitting across from Zanki inside one of Apple's private eting rooms. The atmosphere was calr than usual, but the tension beneath it was obvious. Apple was about to step into the video ga console industry, a battlefield already dominated by ZAGE, and soon Microsoft would also make its own move. For a company like Apple, this was not just another product launch. This was a declaration that they wanted to enter an entertainnt war.
"So, Zanki," Steve Jobs asked while leaning back in his chair, "is our trailer ready to be released tomorrow?"
Zanki took a slow sip of his coffee before answering. "Yes, Mr. Jobs. The trailer is ready. We will release it on YouTube and television at the sa ti." He placed the cup down and sighed softly. "Because we rushed this project, we are not fully prepared for the full showcase yet. The trailer can create attention, but the deeper presentation still needs more polishing."
Steve Jobs listened quietly, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair. He hated rushing things, but the timing of Microsoft's Xbox announcent had forced Apple to move faster than planned. They could not allow Microsoft to dominate the conversation alone, especially when both companies were stepping into a market ZAGE had already reshaped.
Zanki continued, "The full showcase itself will be held next Friday. Unfortunately, that is very close to Microsoft's console release window. Their Xbox is scheduled to release on Saturday, so our announcent will be standing directly in front of them." He gave a faint, tired smile. "But maybe that is not a bad thing. If our trailer tomorrow and our showcase next week are strong enough, we might make it really difficult for them to enjoy their launch peacefully."
For a mont, Steve Jobs said nothing. Then a small smile slowly appeared on his face. Zanki could see it clearly. It was not fear. It was competition.
Apple was late to this battlefield, but they were not planning to enter quietly.
Steve Jobs leaned back slightly before speaking again. "From a business perspective, I honestly don't know how this will go," he admitted. "Both Microsoft and Apple are giants in the technology industry right now, but in the video ga sector? We're still newcors."
He looked toward the large screen showing early iPlay promotional material. "We still don't fully understand how custors see us as a gaming company yet. Apple is known for computers, software, design, and innovation... not gas. But I'm sure that with the right presentation, we can change that."
Then a confident smile slowly appeared on Steve's face.
"The iPlay will definitely be better than the Xbox. I'm sure of it."
Zanki smiled faintly after hearing that. Honestly, he was just thankful the console was no longer called Pippin. Back when the project first started, Steve Jobs had actually wanted to na the console "Pippin" Zanki had nearly lost his mind trying to convince him that it was a terrible idea.
Thankfully, it worked.
Now the console was called iPlay instead, which honestly sounded far more modern, stylish, and marketable. It matched Apple's branding perfectly while still sounding fun enough for the gaming market.
Zanki chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Mr. Jobs. Our reveal won't disappoint people."
Steve Jobs humd quietly while crossing his arms. "I hope so."
anwhile, it was already Saturday night, and Zaboru had finally returned from Korea to his house in Japan. Right now, he was simply relaxing with his family while watching television in the living room. Compared to the tense atmosphere of etings and company discussions earlier, this place felt warm and peaceful.
Zaboru was sitting on the floor while leaning casually against the sofa, and Ayumi was behind him, slowly massaging his head with a surprisingly satisfied expression. Every now and then, she would secretly lean closer and quietly inhale the scent of his hair like she was trying not to get caught.
Zaboru's body naturally had a strangely pleasant aroma because of his Enlightennt Body ability. Even after long workdays, his sweat never slled bad at all. Instead, his body carried a clean and calming scent that beca even more noticeable after using shampoo. To most people it simply slled nice, but to Ayumi?
It was dangerously addictive.
Which was exactly why she kept sneakily doing things like this.
Sotis she would pretend to adjust his hair just so she could get closer. Other tis she would casually rest her chin near his head for no reason at all. Right now, she even looked completely focused while slowly combing through his hair with her fingers like a cat enjoying its favorite sleeping spot.
And honestly?
Zaboru noticed everything.
Every single sneaky movent.
But he simply pretended not to notice.
If anything, he found it cute.
So instead of exposing her, he just relaxed quietly and allowed Ayumi to continue while Zenshin and Arumi remained busy playing around nearby.
Ayumi casually tilted her head while continuing to play with Zaboru's hair. "So, Zabo... is Apple going to release so kind of new console?" she asked.
Zaboru chuckled softly. "Yeah, let's see. Honestly, I'm pretty curious too."
Deep inside, however, another thought imdiately crossed his mind.
Will Apple Pippin sohow co to this world too?
The mont that thought appeared, Zaboru almost laughed rembering the disaster from his previous life. The original Apple Pippin had been such a catastrophic failure that even years later it was still rembered as one of Apple's strangest gaming mistakes.
But this world was different.
Technology was more advanced, online infrastructure was far better, and Apple itself had beco much more aggressive because of ZAGE's influence over the industry.
So honestly?
Even Zaboru could not fully predict what would happen this ti.
Still, part of him found the entire situation incredibly amusing.
But not long after that, the television suddenly cut into comrcial break and an advertisent imdiately appeared. The mont the screen showed two kids playing gas on a clearly censored console that was obviously supposed to be ZEPS 3, Zaboru instantly recognized what Apple was trying to do.
It was a direct attack.
And honestly, Zaboru almost laughed imdiately.
The advertisent had absurdly aggressive energy, the kind of shaless marketing war that was extrely common during the late 90s or 2000s in his previous life. It was so blatant that it sohow beca entertaining instead of offensive.
The first kid dramatically threw his controller onto the sofa. "Damn! This thing is getting boring! The online is so laggy!"
Then another kid groaned loudly. "Yeah! And I hate going to physical stores too! I always need to queue forever just to buy gas!"
The acting was hilariously exaggerated, almost intentionally so.
Then suddenly the front door burst open and another kid rushed inside while holding a white console box above his head like he had just discovered alien technology.
"GUYS! I FOUND IT!" the kid shouted dramatically. "It's the new console from Apple! It can play online and also has a digital store! JUST LIKE PC!"
The other kids instantly stared at him with absurdly exaggerated expressions.
"REALLY!?"
"NO WAY!"
"APPLE MADE A GA CONSOLE!?"
At that point, Zaboru genuinely needed to hold back his laughter. The comrcial was so aggressively competitive that it sohow wrapped around into being funny.
"Really!? Let's see it!" one of the kids shouted, and the group imdiately rushed toward the console box like it was so legendary treasure. The cara followed them with ridiculous dramatic energy, zooming in on their wide eyes as the white-gray console with yellow accents was revealed on the table. Honestly, even Zaboru had to admit that the color palette looked pretty good. It was clean, bright, and very Apple-like, but the yellow accents made it feel playful enough to attract younger players too. One of the kids slowly touched the console as if he was afraid it might disappear. "Whoa... what is this called?" he asked.
Then the screen flashed with bright white light as the narrator's voice proudly answered, "It's iPlay." The logo appeared in the center of the screen, followed by the slogan, "Make You Play With Friends." The words exploded outward with energetic music, spark effects, and a group of kids cheering in the background. It was loud, aggressive, and shalessly confident, but that was exactly why it worked as an advertisent.
After that, the comrcial finally showcased iPlay gaplay. The graphics were surprisingly solid, close to Xbox-level visuals and roughly around late PS2-era quality from Zaboru's previous world. The first ga looked like a turn-based JRPG with bright spell effects, stylish character designs, and a dramatic battle against a giant chanical dragon. The second was a racing ga set in a futuristic city, showing smooth car movent, reflective roads, and neon lights flashing across the screen. The third was a colorful platform ga with a cheerful mascot running, jumping, and attacking enemies in a world clearly designed to attract children and families.
Zaboru narrowed his eyes with genuine interest while watching it. For a newcor console, Apple's lineup did not look bad at all. The gas were clearly chosen to show variety: one for RPG fans, one for racing fans, and one for younger casual players. It was a simple but smart strategy. Then the comrcial ended its gaplay segnt with bold words appearing on the screen: "More Details on iPlay — 12 March 2001."
But Apple still had one more attack prepared. The cara returned to the kids, and one of them casually picked up the censored console that was obviously ant to represent ZEPS 3. Without hesitation, he tossed it straight into the trash bin. The other kids laughed, grabbed their iPlay controllers, and the narrator loudly declared, "Stop waiting. Stop queuing. Start playing." Then the screen cut to the iPlay logo one final ti before the advertisent ended.
Ayumi gritted her teeth while staring at the television. "How dare they!? That was clearly ZEPS 3, right? Do they seriously think censoring the logo will help?" she said, visibly offended on ZAGE's behalf. To Ayumi, that advertisent was not just a comrcial. It was practically Apple walking into their living room, pointing at Zaboru's console, and throwing it into a trash bin while smiling.
anwhile, Zaboru was doing the exact opposite of what Ayumi expected. He was laughing quietly, one hand covering part of his mouth as he tried not to laugh too loudly in front of her. The entire advertisent felt so aggressively late-90s and early-2000s that he could not help finding it hilarious. It was petty, loud, unhinged, shaless, and strangely charming in the most ridiculous way possible.
Honestly, he had never expected Apple of all companies to make sothing like that.
"Relax, Ayumi," Zaboru said while still chuckling. "They don't an any real harm. Well... maybe a little harm. Maybe several punches to the face of ZEPS 3's public image, hahaha. But this is just the classic trick of making the older popular console look outdated compared to the new one."
Ayumi slowly turned her eyes toward him, clearly unable to believe he was enjoying this. "Zabo, they literally threw your console into the trash."
"I know," Zaboru answered, grinning even wider. "That part was amazing."
Ayumi stared at him like he had betrayed the family.
Zaboru laughed again before pointing at the television. "Still, the gas they showed in those three teasers were actually quite good. The JRPG looked stylish, the racing ga had strong visual appeal, and the platform ga looked like it could attract children easily." His eyes lit up with genuine excitent. "And the graphics... those late PS2-style graphics always feel special to . It has that specific charm, you know? Not too realistic, not too simple, but full of personality."
Then he said it without hesitation.
"I want to play it."
Ayumi sighed while looking at him. "Zabo... you at least need to pretend to be worried, you know? Instead of getting excited like this."
Zaboru only grinned at her mischievously. "Heh, who said I don't already have counterasures?" he said while chuckling quietly. "Just wait until the March ga trailers co out. Then let's see if players still focus on Xbox or Microsoft after that."
Ayumi looked slightly surprised after hearing that, but then she chuckled too. She already knew that expression very well. Whenever Zaboru smiled like that, it usually ant he was already several steps ahead of everyone else.
"Well, I'll wait for that then," Ayumi said. "And don't forget to review our gas too, okay? my new Akaishidan ga."
Zaboru chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. We'll do it later, okay? It's still in final stage anyway, right?"
Ayumi nodded before suddenly moving down from the sofa and sitting beside him on the floor instead. Then, without hesitation, she leaned against him and cuddled closer while quietly inhaling his scent again.
"Zabo... you sll really good today, hehehe," she whispered happily.
Zaboru imdiately noticed what she was doing again and almost laughed.
This woman really was addicted.
"Hehehe... well, you can keep slling if you want," Zaboru said while smiling helplessly. "But I still want to play more White Hunter after this, okay?"
Ayumi chuckled softly. "Sure. But I want to cuddle too."
Zaboru smiled and nodded before casually carrying Ayumi in his arms while walking toward the bedroom. If he wanted to continue gaming tonight, then it seed he would be doing it while his wife remained attached to him like a spoiled cat well certainly not his first ti.
To be continue .
Please give your power stone and if you want to support and get minimum 50 advance chapter and additional 1 chapter a week for 4$ considering subscribe to my patreon patreon/Zaborn_1997
Or buycoffee sbuyacoffee/Zaborn_1997 which sa with patreon
current Patreon/buycoffe chap 1198
User Comments
0 comments from readers