Wednesday 2 September 1995.

Zaboru is currently busy working while also preparing for the upcoming ZAGE Tournament, which is scheduled to take place later this year in Japan. Unlike previous tournaments, this one will place a strong emphasis on a wide variety of fighting games, including Tekken, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, MARVEL VS ZAGE, and even the newest ZAGE fighting game, Guilty Gear. This will be the first time ZAGE has hosted a tournament of this kind and scale, making it one of the most ambitious events in the video game history.

The tournament will be held at ZEB Japan (ZAGE Event Building) and span three consecutive days. The first two days will be fully dedicated to the competitive matches of each featured game, drawing players and spectators from all over. On the final day, the event will shift into a celebratory mood, culminating in a live concert headlined by Zaboru and Zankoku Band—also known as the Z&Z concert—bringing together the energy of music and gaming into a single unforgettable experience.

At first, Zaboru didn't want to do the concert, feeling it wasn't necessary. However, Ayumi begged him persistently, expressing how much she wanted to see him perform live. She told him she was excited to hear a new song from him and even requested an entire album of Japanese songs. Zaboru sighed and reluctantly agreed, reasoning that it was acceptable since he typically only performed at official ZAGE events. With that in mind, he began writing new material for an upcoming album and made plans to rehearse with the Zankoku Band in preparation.

Currently at ZAGE USA, just a few days before Zaboru is scheduled to return to Japan with his private jet, he sits diligently at his desk, working as usual. It's already 8:00 PM, and all the other ZAGE USA employees have gone home for the day. The office is quiet, but Zaboru isn't alone. Ayumi, his girlfriend, is there with him, seated nearby and fully absorbed in her drawing. She simply enjoys being by his side, finding comfort and inspiration in his presence as he works late into the evening.

Suddenly, Zaboru sighed and ran his fingers through his long, slightly tangled hair. "Ugh, my hair's already so long. Should I cut it?" he muttered, glancing at the strands that now flowed down to his shoulders—he hadn't bothered to trim it in ages. Just then, Ayumi looked up from her drawing and gasped. "Don't! Zabo! Don't you dare cut it!"

Startled, Zaboru turned to her, then chuckled warmly. "Hmm? And why not?"

Ayumi quickly got up, walked over to him, and gently ran her fingers through his hair. She brought a few strands to her nose and sniffed. It smelled clean, like the faint scent of cedarwood shampoo. "Because I like it long," she said softly, her cheeks slightly pink.

Zaboru laughed again, amused. "Alright, I won't cut it. But in exchange... let me come to your apartment in Japan. Deal?"

Ayumi's eyes widened in shock, and her face flushed even deeper. "No! Absolutely not!" she cried, covering her face with her hands.

Zaboru chuckled—this was always her reaction whenever he asked to see her apartment in Tokyo. "I'm really curious about that place. I mean, you've let me into your room at the Hamazou household and any of our other houses, but that apartment feels like a secret. I wonder what's in there..."

Ayumi's eyes widened as she blushed furiously. "Th-there's nothing in there, I swear!" she exclaimed, looking flustered.

Zaboru leaned in slightly, his expression turning serious. "Really? Nothing at all?"

Ayumi gulped, visibly uneasy, then let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine. You can come—but promise me you'll keep everything you see there a secret! Not a word to anyone!"

Zaboru smiled, raising one hand as if taking an oath. "I swear. Haha."

Ayumi chuckled, her shoulders relaxing a little. She gave him a playful shove. "You better not tease me about anything!"

"No promises," Zaboru said with a wink.

They both laughed, the moment lightening again as they returned to what they were doing, a quiet understanding passing between them.

Friday 4 September 1995 Night.

After working as usual, Zaboru and Ayumi rode in a car driven by Ayumi's loyal driver, Junjou, and eventually arrived at her apartment. The apartment was modest in size, but Ayumi was immensely proud of it—she had purchased it entirely with her own money earned from working as a game developer at Akaishidan.

Junjou then left Zaboru and Ayumi at the entrance. Zaboru smirked and said, "I wonder what's inside..."

Ayumi blushed, glaring at him. "You better not comment on anything, okay? Or I'll be mad!"

Zaboru smiled and nodded in agreement.

Then both went inside Ayumi apartment and its neat and tidy apartment with pink color of walls and cute decorations and Zaboru smile "Hey theres nothing wrong in here? Its cute apartment i think it suit you really well." Ayumi nod "Well.. what i want to hide are inside my bedroom and you better not comment anything okay! It cant be helped!" Zaboru become curious now and then Ayumi and Zaboru went to her bedroom and what's inside made Zaboru's eyes widened and speechless.

"W...hat?" Zaboru stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief. Inside Ayumi's bedroom, the walls were completely covered with photos and posters of him. There were pictures of him smiling, candid shots of him at 18 grinning innocently while surrounded by ZEPS spareparts, photos of him riding his beloved bike, the Silver Wrecker, and snapshots of him onstage during gaming tournaments. Some even showed him shirtless, striking unintentionally flattering poses or when he was asleep. But it didn't stop there—arranged neatly on the shelves were action figures and dolls of himself in various outfits and styles. Zaboru blinked, overwhelmed. Where on earth had she gotten all of these?

Ayumi then said softly, "I secretly took all these pictures of you with Camera Zabo... and I printed every single photo and poster myself."

Ayumi blushed deeply and muttered, "It... it can't be helped, Zabo... I'm completely obsessed with you." Ayumi then murmured softly "Yo..you are so cool especially when you are singing.."

Zaboru smiled, clearly amused, and let out a warm chuckle. "Hahaha, I'm honestly really flattered. But seriously—where on earth did you get all these dolls and action figures of me?"

Ayumi fidgeted and replied, "W-well, they were custom-made by some figure and doll makers." Zaboru smiled, shook his head, and gently patted her shoulder. "It's okay. I don't find any of this weird." Then he softly ruffled her hair with a tender look. "In fact, I'm actually obsessed with you too, Ayumi."

Her eyes lit up with surprise and joy, her breathing growing heavier as her heart fluttered in response to his words. She stood frozen for a moment, overwhelmed by a rush of emotions.

She suddenly pushed him, expecting him to tumble onto her bed—but to her surprise, Zaboru didn't budge an inch. He stood firm, like an unmovable wall. Ayumi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Why didn't you fall, you fool!" she exclaimed, clearly annoyed that Zaboru didn't follow her imagined script. Zaboru laughed heartily, then with a playful grin, did an effortless backflip onto her bed, landing with perfect form. Ayumi gasped in awe, then burst into laughter. The tension melted, and the two continued to play around, teasing and enjoying each other's company, their laughter filling the cozy bedroom.

And little did Zaboru know that his action figures and dolls were actually being sold quite successfully on the black market. The sellers? A mysterious group known as the Secret Zaboru Fanclub—an underground organization with a surprisingly large number of dedicated members spread throughout Japan.

To be continue

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