Sunday 9 December 1997.
Right now, Zaboru was with the entire Zankoku band—Miki, Jun, Masashi, and Kingo—having just wrapped up an intense rehearsal session. They had been training tirelessly for a new set of songs to debut at the upcoming ZAGE events in mid-December. These songs weren't just for performance—they would also tie in with several of ZAGE's upcoming game releases. It was a high-stakes event, and the atmosphere buzzed with a mix of exhaustion and adrenaline.
Despite the pressure, the group—known publicly as Z&Z—was in high spirits. It had been a while since they last performed live, and this return to form was a welcome burst of excitement. They laughed, bantered, and shared drinks in the break room, guitars and cables still scattered on the floor. The joy of music and friendship filled the air like electricity.
Jun, the easygoing but perceptive bassist, looked at Zaboru, his face half serious, half amused. He finally spoke up after strumming his bass absently for a few seconds.
"Boss, that song's amazing, as always—pure genius, just like we expect from you. Hahaha," Jun said with a grin, but then paused. "But boss... well... how do I put this... umm..."
Zaboru raised an eyebrow and leaned forward slightly, catching the shift in Jun's tone. He noticed the hesitation in his bandmate's usually laid-back demeanor. "What is it, Jun? Just say it to me straight."
Jun sighed, running a hand through his hair, and said, "Well boss, we're all really grateful. I mean, we've got a lot of money now, thanks to you. You've been paying us generously, and those album shares? They're insane. We're not hurting financially at all. But that's not really what this is about." He paused, his tone turning more thoughtful. "It's about passion, boss. That fire we've all had since we were teens—since we first picked up instruments and dreamed about filling stadiums one day."
He looked around at the other band members, who nodded quietly in agreement, then back at Zaboru. "We know you started the band mostly for fun, or maybe for those big ZAGE events. And don't get me wrong, that's incredible. You're insanely talented, and what you've built here is next-level. But for us, boss, this band—it's more than that."
Jun's voice grew steadier, more confident. "We had a dream, and it's never been closer than it is now. That dream—to become world-famous rockstars, to tour globally, to perform for people who scream our lyrics back at us—that dream is just within reach. And maybe technically, we already are stars in some way. But the truth is, we barely perform. We've barely even stepped onto a real tour stage."
He gave Zaboru a pointed look. "And you know the reason why. We're not out there because you said so. Because your focus has been elsewhere. And I get it, I really do—you've got a hundred things going on, and your priorities are bigger than just music. But still, we're here, and we're ready. We're not just a side act. We want more than that."
Zaboru smiled and nodded, understanding fully what Jun meant. The reason Z&Z rarely performed was because he chose not to focus on music. But hearing it from Jun, he could see just how much it mattered to them.
Z&Z was already wildly famous across the globe. Their songs consistently topped music charts upon release, and some even went on to win Grammy Awards. They weren't just well-known—they were cultural icons. Fans from all over, especially in the United States and Japan, frequently requested the band to perform at major rock-themed concerts and festivals. Promoters lined up offers, and international demand was through the roof.
But Zaboru, true to his own principles, always declined. He made it clear from the beginning that Z&Z would only perform during ZAGE events, aligning their music with the gaming world he was so deeply involved in. It wasn't about the fame or fortune for him—it was about focus and intention.
There was only one exception to this rule. Once, and only once, he accepted an invitation to perform outside of a ZAGE event. That moment came when none other than Ozzy Osbourne personally reached out and requested Zaboru to join a major rock festival lineup. Honored by the gesture and moved by respect for the legend, Zaboru agreed—and performed at the festival, delivering a one-time show that left the crowd roaring and proved Z&Z's live presence was as electrifying as their studio recordings.
"Hahaha, I see now, Jun. So what you really want is to perform more often and take Zankoku Band to even greater heights, huh?" Zaboru said with a playful smirk.
Jun grinned widely and nodded with energy. "Yeah, boss! Exactly. That's our dream! And it's not about the money, right, guys?"
Miki gave a firm nod, her eyes shining. "It's true, boss. It's been our dream since we were in middle school. We used to imagine performing on massive stages, sharing our music with the world. And now... now that dream feels closer than ever."
Masashi gave a casual nod from where he lounged on the couch, his usual lazy demeanor intact, while Kingo practically bounced on his feet as he nodded enthusiastically, clearly fired up by the conversation and the possibility of performing more.
"Then you'll see—I might actually let you all perform by yourselves. It doesn't matter if you bring my songs into your setlist. I honestly don't mind at all," Zaboru said with a calm grin. "Or maybe I'll go a step further and write new songs specifically for you guys. Jun and Miki both have strong voices, and I think they could really shine on their own."
Jun scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I mean, I can sing, boss… but not on your insane level."
Zaboru let out a small chuckle. "I know, Jun, I know. But your voice has its own charm, and that counts. And Miki? Her voice is something else. Powerful, clean, full of emotion she is our main Female singer after all. I think both of you can carry songs well. You could even take on some of our current tracks—the ones that fit your range—and in the future, I might just compose original songs tailored just for the two of you to sing."
Everyone fell silent for a moment, stunned by what they'd just heard. Then Miki, eyes wide, spoke up. "You'd really do that for us, boss? I thought… I thought you'd be mad if we tried to perform without you."
Zaboru smiled warmly, his tone sincere. "No way. That's not how I think. Zankoku can be Zankoku, with or without me as the main vocalist. When I join in, that's when we call it Z&Z. That's the difference. Simple as that."
The tension melted instantly, and everyone nodded in agreement, clearly touched and excited by the approval. Zaboru leaned back slightly, a thoughtful look crossing his face, as new possibilities began forming in his mind.
"Well, speaking of this, it just reminded me—I have so many songs in my head that I could create, but I've just been too busy to sing or record them myself. Maybe it's time for ZAGE to start its own music production agency, a dedicated space for nurturing talent and turning ideas into reality," Zaboru said, half-thinking aloud as he chuckled. "Or maybe I'll just go ahead and buy Polygram, haha!"
Everyone in Zankoku froze in disbelief.
"Wait, seriously?" Miki blinked.
Jun sighed, rubbing his temples. "Boss, I think this conversation is officially above our pay grade. You're talking about buying one of the biggest record companies on the planet."
Zaboru burst out laughing. "Hahaha! I'm just messing with you guys! Well... maybe only half-joking. I mean, who knows? Maybe by next year or in 1999, if the cards line up, ZAGE might seriously pursue something big in the music industry. We could build a space not just for ourselves but for passionate, rising musicians. Bands who are still dreaming, like you guys once were. I want to give them a chance. And it makes sense—it would also benefit our video game sector, especially with how integral music is to game immersion. We can make soundtracks that stand the test of time."
He paused and grinned wider. "And maybe, just maybe, we won't stick to just rock, pop, or the usual genres we've been doing. Maybe it's time for ZAGE to branch out. We could more focused on R & B, jazz fusion, electronic, or... Rap. Yeah. What about rap? Can any of you rap?"
Jun groaned and raised a hand halfway. "I can try, but it's not exactly my strength. Masashi though—he can rap."
Zaboru blinked, surprised. "You? Masashi? Really? You can rap? In which language is English or Japanese?"
Masashi looked up calmly, met Zaboru's eyes, and said, "Both in Japanese and English, boss."
Zaboru's eyebrows shot up. "Impressive. I honestly didn't expect that."
Masashi had always been the quietest among the band, usually keeping to himself and speaking only when needed. But when it came to talent, Masashi was untouchable. He could play nearly every instrument, master complex compositions on the fly, and adapt effortlessly. Whenever the band didn't need a keyboardist, Masashi would just pick up whatever instrument was needed and play like he'd been practicing it his whole life. Guitar, bass, drums—didn't matter.
Zaboru chuckled again, then stood up, clapping his hands once.
"Alright, enough daydreaming about music empires and record labels. Back to business," Zaboru said with a grin. "Let's rehearse one more time before we call it a day! And after that, we're hitting the yakiniku restaurant—my treat!"
A chorus of cheers erupted from the group, their earlier fatigue swept away by the promise of good food and better company. Instruments were picked up, amps flicked back on, and fingers stretched in preparation.
Everyone grinned as they got back into position, the room once again pulsing with creative energy and camaraderie.
Zaboru stepped forward, took the mic with a calm confidence, adjusted it slightly, and closed his eyes for a breath.
He began to sing the opening lines of one of their newest tracks—"Numb," a raw, emotional song filled with tension and release, borrowed from the memories of his previous life, where it had been a massive hit by Linkin Park.
The music rose, filling the room with powerful chords and Zaboru's haunting vocals. For that moment, everything else disappeared. It was just them, the sound, and the dream they all shared.
And just like that, Zankoku was alive again—louder, stronger, and more united than ever.
To be continued.
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