Saturday 9 November 1998.
Just a day after the talk show with Conan O'Brien, Zaboru was already back to work again, returning to his usual rhythm as if the previous night's spotlight had never happened. At home, Ayumi still pretended to be mad at him, crossing her arms and giving him sharp looks whenever the moment came up, but deep down she couldn't truly stay angry. She knew him better than anyone. She knew that her Zabo was only hers—steadfast, loyal, and completely uninterested in anyone else, even someone as famous and admired as the so-called Queen of Pop, Madonna. That quiet confidence softened her act, turning her jealousy into little more than playful sulking.
And so, at this moment, Zaboru is inside the ZAGE Campus in the United States, working from his dedicated executive floor high above the rest of the complex. The atmosphere is quiet and focused as he continues reviewing documents and reports, yet his attention occasionally drifts toward the entrance, clearly waiting for someone. That person is Shiki Spencer, the head of ZAGE's Licensing Team—a department that, compared to ZAGE's other divisions, is still relatively young. Officially established in June 1997, the Licensing Team has only been active for just over a year, but despite its short history, it has already become one of the most critical departments within the company. Zaboru understands that as ZAGE grows rapidly on a global scale, proper licensing and partnerships are no longer optional but essential, making Spencer's role increasingly important.
Their work revolves around managing all ZAGE licensing matters, whether it involves acquiring new licenses the company needs or maintaining existing agreements. Whenever third-party companies want to use ZAGE intellectual properties for promotions, collaborations, or merchandise, this department is responsible for negotiating and approving those deals. Likewise, when ZAGE itself requires external licenses for upcoming games, it is the Licensing Team that handles the discussions, legal details, and long-term agreements.
They also closely oversee ZAGE's major active licenses, such as partnerships with FIFA, UEFA, NBA, and WWF, ensuring that all contracts remain valid and favorable. When expiration dates approach, the team prepares renegotiations well in advance to secure renewals without disrupting ongoing projects. Because of the global nature of these licenses, Shiki Spencer and his team are constantly on the move. Although the department is officially based in Japan, they now operate both Japanese and U.S. offices to keep up with ZAGE's rapid international expansion.
For Their Major task, Zaboru assigned Spencer's team a particularly massive task: securing official licensing rights from well-known automotive companies around the world. ZAGE plans to develop racing games based on real-world vehicles, and authenticity is non-negotiable. That means acquiring rights for a wide range of manufacturers, across multiple countries, and ensuring that the number of licensed cars is substantial enough to support a truly ambitious racing title.
And so Zaboru continued waiting for Shiki Spencer, occasionally glancing at the door while reviewing a few documents on his desk. It didn't take long before the door finally opened and Shiki walked in, not empty-handed but carrying bags filled with hamburgers, chicken nuggets, and a generous portion of French fries. The smell alone was enough to break the seriousness of the room. Zaboru looked up, immediately amused, and let out a small chuckle. "I see you're late, Spencer," he said casually, eyes shifting to the food, "but I also see you've brought quite a feast." He nodded approvingly.
Shiki Spencer let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Boss… would you believe me if I said my girlfriend wouldn't let me come to work right away?" he joked, clearly trying to lighten the mood. Zaboru burst into laughter. "Hahahaha, relax, Shiki. I'm just joking. I won't get mad over you being a little late—especially since it's the weekend," he said warmly. Then he glanced at the food again with a grin. "And those are for me, right? How thoughtful of you."
Shiki chuckled in relief and quickly handed the food over to his boss, glad to see Zaboru in such a relaxed and good mood.
Both then made small talk for a while as Zaboru happily munched on his feast. Between bites, they joked about the stress of traveling, strange airport food, and the last licensing negotiation that nearly fell apart over a lost briefcase. But before long, Shiki's expression shifted—he sat up straighter, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"So, Boss," he began, voice firmer now, "our licensing team has finally done it. We've pulled it off." He leaned forward, clearly proud. "We are—finally, and proudly—able to announce that we've secured licenses from most of the major, world-famous car brands!"
Shiki's grin was almost childlike in its pride. "This was a monumental effort. Our team traveled nonstop, country to country, for months. Barely any rest. Jet lag, timezone madness, you name it—but we pushed through. And now ZAGE officially holds the rights to use these brands in our upcoming racing games. Here's the list, Boss!" He handed over a thick folder with a satisfying weight.
Zaboru's eyes lit up as he flipped through the pages. The list was staggering. From Japan, there were the big names: Honda, Mazda, Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru—the heavy hitters. Germany was no less impressive: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen. In the United States, they had secured Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Jeep, and Cadillac. From South Korea came Hyundai and Kia. Italy brought elegance and speed with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo. The list went on—UK brands like Aston Martin and McLaren, French names like Peugeot and Renault, even a few up-and-coming manufacturers from Southeast Asia and South America.
Zaboru could hardly contain his excitement. This wasn't just a licensing victory—it was a declaration. ZAGE was now equipped to produce one of the most authentic and expansive car simulation experiences the gaming world had ever seen.
Zaboru's eyes lit up as he scanned the impressive list. "Whoa! What a list—you actually pulled this off? I'm surprised you managed to bring in this many top-tier names!" he said, clearly impressed. His fingers paused on the page showing Ferrari and Lamborghini, then skimmed toward lesser-known manufacturers, all signed and sealed.
Spencer grinned from ear to ear, visibly pleased by the reaction. "Well, I'll admit, the deals were pretty solid," he said proudly, leaning back a little in his seat. "But don't worry, Boss—I didn't just throw money around recklessly. In fact, every single agreement was monitored closely by Sayuri-san..." He paused, his grin faltering for just a moment as a shiver ran down his spine. "And believe me—she didn't want a single yen wasted."
He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "That woman has a sixth sense for budget waste. If I even sneezed in the wrong direction during negotiations, I'm sure she would've called me."
Zaboru laughed, but Spencer wasn't done. "But honestly? What really helped was ZAGE's global reputation. We're not some unknown startup we are powerhouse. A lot of these companies were actually excited to work with us. Some even approached us directly once they found out what kind of racing sim we were building. The name 'ZAGE' carries weight insanely. They know appearing in your game, Boss, means they get massive international exposure—especially among younger generations."
He leaned forward again, tapping the folder. "In a way, we didn't just sign deals. We opened doors to future partnerships, marketing tie-ins, and deeper global relevance. And it all started with the name you will built."
Zaboru chuckled, still flipping through the pages of the licensing folder, genuinely impressed. This was far beyond his initial expectations. He never imagined they'd secure this many prestigious car brands so quickly and comprehensively. With this, the long-dreamed vision of building the infamous car simulation game—ZAGE's version of "Gran Turismo"—was now entirely within reach. He leaned back in his chair with a wide grin, tapping the folder.
"Okay, now you've really outdone yourself," he said, nodding with satisfaction. "I'll ask Sayuri-san if we can arrange a bonus for your department." He chuckled again, genuinely entertained by the idea.
Shiki's eyes widened, caught off guard. "Umm… Boss, isn't this your company? Why do you have to ask Sayuri-san?" He gave a nervous laugh, but it was clear he was sweating a little. The very mention of Sayuri seemed to spark a mix of admiration and fear.
Zaboru laughed even harder. "Well, yeah, it's technically mine—but I trust Sayuri-san with our finances. She's the one who keeps everything from burning down. And she's been doing an incredible job," he said, his voice filled with appreciation and a hint of amusement. "She's got better judgment than I do when it comes to budgeting—plus she scares most of the board into behaving."
Shiki sighed dramatically, slumping slightly in his chair. "Then I better start praying now," he mumbled, drawing another round of laughter from Zaboru. The mood remained light, and they continued chatting casually for quite a while—discussing upcoming priorities, future expansions, and dreams for the racing sim project—until eventually, Shiki excused himself with a respectful nod and a grateful smile, leaving Zaboru to his thoughts..
And now, Zaboru leaned back in his chair with a satisfied grin. "Heh, time to make the game plan," he muttered to himself with a small chuckle. His mind was now buzzing with ideas for ZAGE's upcoming flagship racing title—its own version of Gran Turismo. In his previous life, Gran Turismo on the original PlayStation had been one of the most groundbreaking and beloved titles of its time. It wasn't just a racing game—it was a revolution. At a time when most racing games featured arcade-style handling and fictional cars, Gran Turismo boldly brought real-life vehicles to players, complete with technical specs, accurate handling models, and a deep sense of realism that felt unheard of in the late '90s. It was polished, it was ambitious, and it treated car culture with reverence.
Players fell in love not just with the driving, but with the fantasy of owning and tuning real cars—seeing a Honda Civic or a Nissan Skyline and knowing those machines truly existed in the world outside the screen. It created dreams. It introduced people to engineering, brands, and the thrill of precision driving. For Zaboru, that magic was something worth recapturing—but not by blindly copying it. He wanted to go beyond.
Zaboru chuckled again, already imagining the possibilities. He wasn't just going to recreate Gran Turismo—he wanted to enhance it. In his previous life, he had also seen the rise of Forza Motorsport, a different kind of racing sim that emerged years later. While Gran Turismo was about the elegance and purity of driving, Forza introduced dynamic elements like damage models, customization, and more accessible simulation for newcomers. It combined authenticity with flexibility.
Zaboru would take inspiration from both. He envisioned ZAGE's version as something immersive and emotionally resonant. Not just about racing, but about the culture of cars. The game would have a wide selection of licensed vehicles, a deep tuning system, and a structure that encouraged both competitive racing and casual exploration. Above all, he wanted it to carry the same kind of magical feeling that Gran Turismo had brought to the PS1—an experience that made players dream about the road, about speed, about craftsmanship. This wouldn't just be a game. It would be a celebration of everything cars meant to people.
To be continue
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