Just one day after Zaboru's televised statement aired, the public in the United States responded rapidly. Major TV networks immediately picked up on the broadcast, sensing that it was a hot and compelling topic worth covering. Many stations began inviting experts onto their shows to weigh in, eager to explore the social implications and public reaction.

There were countless interviews taking place, featuring voices from a wide spectrum—social experts, educators, and gamers alike. These discussions sparked lively debates on national television and online platforms. While most panelists acknowledged some benefits of gaming, a few so-called "social experts" insisted that video games held no real value. They argued that people should pursue more traditional activities for entertainment, dismissing gaming entirely as a waste of time.

This perspective was quickly challenged by several respected experts in the gaming industry. One particularly vocal game developer asked, "If you're a social expert, why are you so focused on telling others how to enjoy their personal time? Isn't your role to understand society—not control it?" The contradiction between advocating for individual well-being and policing harmless hobbies was laid bare, further intensifying the debate.

As the discussion grew more heated, it rapidly spread across major TV networks and newspapers, dominating headlines and evening panels. Meanwhile, on the internet—especially in the ZAGE forums—the community erupted in response. Dozens of threads popped up mocking the Anti-ZAGE program and highlighting its absurdity. Many users shared personal anecdotes of how their own parents had been swayed or even "brainwashed" by the show's alarmist rhetoric. The forums became a digital battleground of sarcasm, satire, and sharp rebuttals, further fueling the cultural conversation and revealing just how deeply the topic had struck a nerve.

Meanwhile, in a quiet suburban household, a middle school student named Greg Lucas was struggling. Greg didn't have impressive grades—his report card was filled with Cs and the occasional D—but everyone around him knew he was smart. The problem wasn't his intelligence. It was his attitude. Greg found studying boring and memorization pointless, so he rarely put in the effort. Instead, his true passion was video games. From the moment he first picked up a controller, he was hooked. He'd fallen in love with games, and lately, he spent most of his free time playing JRPG in Chrono Trigger* on his ZEPS 2 console because he has not yet bought the newest ZEPS 3..

However, things have changed recently. Greg's parents, frustrated by his declining grades, had started restricting his playtime. The more they tightened the rules, the more resentful Greg became. He didn't see the point—they were punishing him by taking away the one thing he loved most.

That afternoon, Greg's father, Geofrey Lucas, happened to catch Zaboru's short TV program. He watched attentively as Zaboru spoke directly to parents and children about balance, motivation, and the benefits of a positive approach to gaming. The message struck a chord. As the segment ended, Geofrey sat in silence for a moment, then smiled. For the first time in weeks, he had a clear idea of how to deal with his smart but stubborn son.

"Son," Geofrey said as he gently knocked and stepped into Greg's room. Greg was sprawled on his bed, flipping through a stack of Marvel comics. Without looking up, he muttered, "What is it, Dad?"

Geofrey sighed, folding his arms. "You know I haven't let you play video games lately because your grades have been getting worse, right? I didn't do it to punish you—I did it because I care."

Greg didn't respond. He kept his eyes on the comic, his face blank. The silence between them hung heavy in the air. It was the kind of silence that said more than words ever could.

After a few moments, Geofrey walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed. "But maybe… maybe I was going about this all wrong. Maybe taking away what you love only made things worse."

Greg finally looked up, slightly surprised by the shift in tone.

"So here's the deal," Geofrey continued. "I'm not going to stop you from playing video games anymore. But there's a condition. If your grades improve—even just a little—I'll reward you. We'll go out and get you a new game. But if you go beyond that—if you ace your classes or even land in the top three…"

He paused and grinned.

"I promise I'll buy you the newest console from ZAGE. The one you've been eyeing for months."

Greg's eyes lit up instantly. His comic dropped to his lap as he sat upright, disbelief washing over his face. "Really, Dad?! You promise?"

"I promise," Geofrey said with a firm nod. "But you have to earn it. No shortcuts. No excuses."

Greg's face shifted from surprise to determination. "Then so be it! I'm going to ace those classes! Just watch me!"

Without another word, he sprang off the bed, rushed to his desk, and started digging through his backpack for notebooks and textbooks. He began scribbling, flipping pages, and muttering facts to himself like a kid on a mission.

Geofrey blinked, stunned by how quickly the change took hold. Just like that, the spark had been reignited. All it took was the right kind of motivation.

He smiled to himself and quietly backed out of the room, leaving the door open just enough to hear the sound of his son studying. "Who knew?" he whispered. "That was easier than I thought."

Similar transformations began happening across households throughout the United States. Many families experienced positive changes in their children's behavior and motivation. Although it often meant parents had to spend a little more—on games, rewards, or even new consoles—most didn't mind. In fact, they found it worthwhile. The joy of seeing their children more focused, disciplined, and eager to succeed made it a price worth paying. Parents felt proud to give their kids a meaningful incentive when they showed real improvement.

Meanwhile, Karen Josh was taking the news very badly. She sat stiffly in her office, biting her thumbnail, muttering under her breath. "No… no, I just need to relax," she said, forcing a deep breath. "We can still shape the public's opinion. This isn't over yet."

But deep down, she knew things were spiraling. If this shift in narrative continued, everything she had built would fall apart. Her business thrived on the fear she helped create—convincing worried parents that video games were ruining their children's lives and that they needed expensive therapy to stop it. If the public turned, so would the cash flow. "If this all collapses... those therapy profits will vanish," she whispered, hands shaking. "I need to think. Think, think…"

Suddenly, the door burst open. Her assistant—and boyfriend—Jimmy Hop stepped in, his face pale, eyes wide with panic.

"Karen," he said quickly, voice tense, "we really need to stop attacking ZAGE."

Karen raised an eyebrow. "Why? This is our best source of income. You're not scared of them, are you?"

Jimmy closed the door behind him and stepped forward, voice low. "It's not ZAGE. It's someone else. Look at this."

He handed her a pristine envelope sealed with an elegant wax insignia. Karen tore it open and pulled out a smooth, expensive-looking card. At the top, a bold golden 'G' shimmered. The handwritten message below it sent a chill down her spine: Better stop messing around before it's too late.

Her fingers tightened around the card. "This... this is from the Giordano family?"

Jimmy nodded solemnly. "Yes. The Italian mafia. And not just any branch—this is the old bloodline, the real deal. They usually stay quiet, run things smoothly, and don't interfere unless someone crosses a line. But if you ignore a warning from them…"

Karen's eyes widened. She knew their reputation. They weren't theatrical—they were deadly efficient. Still, she wasn't ready to surrender.

"Then this is our chance," she said, a twisted grin forming on her lips. "We can spin this. Say ZAGE hired the mafia to threaten us. That'll turn the public against them—make us the victims!"

He threw up his hands, pacing the room in frustration. "Karen, seriously—have you completely lost it? I've had enough of this circus! This isn't some Random war. This is the Giordano family we're talking about! The real-deal Italian mafia! Do you know how dangerous it is to ignore a warning from them?"

He leaned in, lowering his voice, face pale with dread. "And here's what's worse—it's not even about business. The Giordanos and ZAGE aren't in any sort of shady partnership. This is personal. The Don just loves ZAGE. Simple as that. His whole family does. His kids? Yeah, their names are Mario Giordano and Luigi Giordano. And sure, they were born before ZAGE even created those characters—but that didn't stop them from embracing them. They loved ZAGE playing the games, quoting the lines, collecting everything ZAGE put out. They live and breathe it."

Jimmy pointed to the elegant card on the table. "That card? That wasn't a vague threat. That was a polite warning. Their version of mercy. And if you brush it off again, they won't send another message. They'll act. And trust me, you don't want to know what that looks like."

He took a breath, trying to calm his nerves. "You crossed a line, Karen. And if you keep pushing this, it won't be your company that gets burned—it'll be you."

Jimmy inhaled sharply and continued with more urgency in his voice. "And let's not forget—ZAGE isn't some small startup in a garage. They're a colossal corporation. You fight them the wrong way, and we don't just lose—we get crushed. You're talking about a company worth billions of dollars. Billions, Karen! With that kind of money, they can sway public opinion, silence opposition, flood the media with their message, and still have enough left to buy every news outlet in the state if they wanted. You have to understand what we're up against!"

Karen's face went pale as the reality of the situation hit her. Her mouth opened slightly, searching for a response. "Bu… but…" she stammered. Then her jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing in frustration. "Fine. I'll stop."

Jimmy let out a long breath, relieved. "Good," he said, nodding slowly. But even as he turned away, a part of him remained uneasy.

What he didn't see was Karen's eyes still burning with defiance. Though her words said she'd stop, her clenched fists and tight jaw told a different story. Deep down, Karen wasn't finished. Not yet. Not by a long shot.

To be continue

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