The air outside Bakudan Arcade buzzed with excitent. Zaboru stood proudly near the entrance, inspecting the promotional poster he had painstakingly designed. Its striking black-and-yellow design was bold enough to catch the eye of anyone passing by. Mario, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong stood prominently on the poster, with images of the sleek ZAS machines and the enticing slogan:
"NEW ARCADE MACHINE! ZAS! Offering a New Kind of Fun! Cos with a Brand-New Type of Controller!"
Satisfied, Zaboru took a step back and admired his work. He adjusted the poster slightly, ensuring it was perfectly positioned, then turned his attention toward the arcade. A small crowd of early birds, including a mix of kids and adults, was already gathering outside, eager for the doors to open.
When the shutters finally rolled up, a wave of eager custors surged inside. Many glanced curiously toward the new section where the ZAS machines glead under the arcade lights.
Among them was Genta, a 10-year-old boy with an insatiable love for arcade gas. Sundays were his sacred gaming days, and with 100 yen safely tucked in his pocket, he was ready to conquer his favorite—Space Invaders. But sothing new caught his eye.
At the far corner of the arcade, a new section stood out with a sleek row of machines unlike any he'd seen before. His curiosity piqued, Genta hurried over to Toki, the arcade owner.
"Toki-san!" Genta exclaid, pointing toward the shiny new machines. "What are those? Are they new arcade gas?"
Toki grinned, clearly enjoying the mont. "That's right, Genta. Brand-new machines. They're called ZAS. Each one has four gas in it."
Genta's eyes widened in disbelief. "Four gas in one arcade machine?! That's crazy! What kind of gas?"
Toki chuckled. "Why don't you go see for yourself?"
Eagerly, Genta approached one of the ZAS machines. Its polished surface reflected his wide-eyed expression as he inspected it. But sothing confused him.
"Um, Toki-san... where's the joystick?" he asked, tilting his head.
"That," Toki replied, tapping the machine, "is a controller. It's a new type of joystick. Go ahead and give it a try!"
Intrigued, Genta slid a 10-yen coin into the machine. The screen ca alive with a bright nu showcasing four gas: Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Mario Bros., and Super Mario Bros. Each ti Genta highlighted a ga, the screen displayed vibrant artwork and animations specific to the title.
"Whoa..." Genta whispered, his voice filled with awe. "The pictures are so cool!"
After a brief mont of deliberation, he selected Super Mario Bros. The vibrant colors and playful music imdiately captured his attention.
At first, he fumbled with the controller, moving Mario in jerky steps and accidentally falling into pits. But Genta was a fast learner. Within minutes, he was jumping across platforms, stomping Goombas, and collecting coins like a pro.
"This is so much fun!" he shouted, his laughter infectious. Nearby custors couldn't help but glance over, drawn by his enthusiasm.
The commotion around the ZAS machines grew as more people stopped to watch. Adults marveled at the sleek design, while kids excitedly queued up for their turn. Even those who had initially planned to play other gas found themselves drifting toward the new machines, curious about the buzz.
Zaboru observed the scene from a distance, his heart swelling with pride. Seeing Genta and others enjoy the machines validated all the hard work he'd poured into their creation.
By lunchti, the ZAS machines were the undisputed stars of the arcade. Toki, ever the businessman, grinned as he counted the coins flowing in. "Zaboru, these machines are going to make rich!" he joked.
Zaboru laughed. "Just make sure to take good care of them, Toki-san. I'll co by tomorrow to check on their condition."
After bidding farewell, Zaboru began the long walk ho. He hadn't brought his father's truck, having arrived earlier with Kojiro. The 35-minute walk gave him ti to reflect on the morning's success. The smiles on the kids' faces, the curiosity of the adults, and the sheer energy in the arcade had exceeded his expectations.
When he finally arrived ho, the aroma of freshly cooked food greeted him. His mother, Keiko, called out from the dining room. "Zaboru! You're back just in ti. Co join us for lunch!"
At the table, his father, Zanichi, and younger sister, Sanika, were already seated. The family dynamic was warm, filled with easy banter. As Zaboru sat down, his father raised an eyebrow.
"So, CEO," Zanichi began with a teasing smirk, "how did the big debut go? Any problems?"
Zaboru grinned, his confidence unmistakable. "Not a single one. Everything went perfectly! The ZAS machines were a hit."
Zanichi nodded approvingly. "Good to hear. I might swing by Bakudan Arcade one of these days to see them for myself."
Sanika, a lively girl with boundless energy, chid in. "Nii-san! Your arcade is ready? I'll go with my friends and show them how aweso your gas are!"
Zaboru chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Make sure to show them who's boss, Sani-chan."
She bead, already imagining herself dominating the leaderboards.
The rest of the day passed in quiet contentnt. Zaboru spent ti with his family, sharing stories and laughing over small jokes. It felt good to relax after the intense weeks leading up to the launch.
Little did Zaboru know, the next day would bring a surprise—a eting with soone who would beco his most devoted fan. A certain princess from the Hamazou Yakuza family was about to make her grand entrance into his life.
To be continued...
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