Tuesday 1 September 2000.
Zaboru was now inside his home, having just returned from China after personally guiding Team MYTH. Even after such a busy schedule, he didn't go straight to rest. Instead, he spent his time with his son, Zenshin.
They are currently playing Street Fighter 2 together. The screen flickered with fast movements, punches, and special attacks as both of them focused on the match. Zenshin, despite his young age, played surprisingly well. His timing, reactions, and understanding of the game were already far above what most kids could manage.
But even so, Zaboru did not go easy on him.
He didn't lose on purpose, nor did he hold back his skill. Every move he made was precise, controlled, and deliberate, pushing Zenshin to his limits. And instead of getting discouraged, Zenshin kept trying again and again.
Each time he lost, he didn't cry.
He didn't complain.
Instead, his eyes only grew more determined.
"Again!"
That was always his response.
It was clear that he was enjoying himself, not because he was winning, but because he was playing with his father. That alone made every match meaningful to him.
Zaboru noticed this and couldn't help but feel slightly amused, a faint warmth in his expression as he continued playing seriously.
Zaboru grinned. "You're still too early to beat me, Zen-chan."
Zenshin pouted, gripping the controller a little tighter. "But I will defeat Papa one day! Definitely!"
His voice was firm, filled with confidence despite the repeated losses.
Zaboru chuckled softly, not dismissing him, but acknowledging that determination.
Zaboru then smiled as Sanika approached them, her presence light and cheerful as she looked at Zenshin with a playful grin. "Hehehe, fight Zen-chan! You can do it!" she encouraged, clearly enjoying the scene in front of her.
Zenshin, however, was still losing despite his best efforts. His focus never wavered, but the gap in skill was still there. Zaboru chuckled softly as he watched his son continue to struggle but refuse to give up.
"Zenshin, that's enough for today," Zaboru said calmly. "Papa wants to talk with Aunt Sanika first."
Zenshin paused for a moment, then nodded without complaint. "Okay, Papa."
Even though he wanted to continue, he understood, and there was no resistance in his voice.
He carefully put away the Street Fighter 2 game, his movements neat and practiced, before reaching for another game. This time, he inserted Suikoden 2, shifting his attention immediately as the screen began to load.
His expression changed slightly, becoming more immersed and thoughtful, as if entering a different world entirely. Even alone, he didn't seem bored, instead continuing to enjoy himself quietly in his own way.
Sanika asked if she could speak with Zaboru for a moment, and he agreed without hesitation. Meanwhile, Ayumi was accompanying Arumi, who had already fallen asleep, quietly watching over her.
Then Zaboru walked over to Sanika, a relaxed smile forming on his face as he looked at her. "So, how's your work, Sani-chan? Is Team NOVA treating you well?"
Sanika smiled brightly and nodded, clearly excited. "So far, it's been really exciting, Nii-san. Team NOVA is focusing on creating characters for Smash Bros, so I'm having a lot of fun! I've been helping design them and even testing how they feel in actual gameplay."
Her eyes sparkled slightly as she continued.
"Each character feels so different, Nii-san. The way they move, their attacks, even their personalities… it's like bringing them to life. Sometimes I get so absorbed in testing that I forget how much time has passed."
She let out a small laugh.
"And honestly… Smash Bros is amazing. The idea itself feels simple at first, but once you get into it, there's so much depth."
Sanika paused for a moment before tilting her head slightly, her tone becoming more curious.
"But Smash Bros is almost finished for September now… so I was wondering, what kind of task will you give us next, Nii-san?"
Zaboru smiled, his expression relaxed yet slightly playful. "Well, it's a secret… just wait for later, okay? Hehehe. But what about the boys there?"
Sanika chuckled softly, folding her arms lightly as she thought about it. "Don't worry, they're all really helpful. But most of them don't even try to approach me. They already know that I'm taken, so they keep a respectful distance."
She smiled a little wider, clearly amused by the situation.
"Hehehe… but Hide-chan has become really brave lately~ He often comes to me during lunch and asks me to eat together. At first, it felt a bit awkward, but now it's become something natural between us."
Her tone softened slightly, carrying a quiet sense of pride.
"Honestly… I'm really proud of him. He's trying in his own way, slowly but surely. I can see how much effort he's putting in, and that makes me really happy."
Zaboru laughed softly, a teasing tone in his voice. "That's a good one… so when do you plan to marry him?"
Sanika smiled, slightly embarrassed but still amused. "Hmm… that depends on Hide-chan, really… hehehe."
Sanika smiled before speaking, her tone shifting into something more thoughtful. "Say, Nii-san… there's something I want to ask you. You're still looking for a female vocalist for your new band, right?"
Zaboru nodded calmly. "Yeah. So far, we haven't found the right person yet, but it's fine. There's no need to rush."
Sanika took a small breath before continuing.
"Well… I actually have a friend. She's really good at playing guitar, and her voice… it's strong, especially for a female vocalist. She also speaks English well and can sing really beautifully."
Her expression softened slightly.
"But recently, after graduating, she gave up on her dream. Her mother got seriously sick because of a car accident, so she decided to stay home and take care of her. Her father is still around, but he has to keep working to support the family, so everything at home mostly falls on her now."
She looked slightly conflicted, yet still hopeful.
"So right now, she just stays at home… I've tried to help her where I can. I gave her a PC, a guitar, and some streaming equipment. She's been using them to stream her singing and guitar performances on YouTube."
Sanika smiled faintly.
"And honestly… I think she has way more potential than that. She's really talented, Nii-san. She just needs a chance."
Zaboru looked intrigued, his interest clearly sparked. "Interesting… let's check YouTube. What's her channel called?"
He quickly walked over to his PC and opened YouTube, moving with quiet focus. Sanika joined him from the side and replied, "It's Kana-Taru."
Zaboru nodded and typed the name into the search bar. It didn't take long before the channel appeared. He clicked on one of the videos, and the screen soon showed a girl with long hair, calmly sitting with her guitar.
As the video played, she began performing "Zankoku na Tenshi," one of Z&Z's songs.
Her voice immediately stood out.
It was strong, deep for a female vocalist, yet still carried clarity and emotion. Each note felt controlled, yet natural, as if she wasn't forcing anything. At the same time, her guitar playing was precise and smooth, her fingers moving confidently across the strings without hesitation.
Zaboru remained silent as he watched, his eyes focused.
There was something about her performance.
Not just skill… but presence.
Even through a simple recording, it felt like she could pull people in, making them listen without distraction.
Sanika glanced at him briefly, waiting for his reaction.
Meanwhile, Zaboru continued watching, observing every detail, from her timing, her control, to the way she expressed the song.
And slowly, a faint smile began to form on his face.
Zaboru's eyes remained on the screen for a moment longer before he finally spoke, his tone calm but clearly interested. "Interesting… let's visit her."
He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he thought more deeply about what he had just seen.
"She's a really strong candidate. Her voice, her control, even her presence… it's all there. But talent alone isn't enough."
His gaze sharpened just a little.
"Let's see if she truly has what it takes to stand in a band. Playing alone and performing with others are completely different things."
A faint smile formed on his face.
"We'll visit her tomorrow night."
Sanika smiled and nodded, her expression bright with enthusiasm. "Sure! I'll let her know, Nii-san!"
There was a clear sense of happiness in her voice. She was genuinely glad that she could help her friend, and even more hopeful that this opportunity might change something for her.
Meanwhile, at the Mizuno household, Kana Mizuno—Sanika's friend—was quietly taking care of her mother. Her mother had become seriously ill after an accident, losing her ability to stand and no longer able to take care of herself. Because of that, most of the responsibility at home now rested on Kana's shoulders.
Despite everything, Kana came from a loving family. Her father cared deeply for them and worked tirelessly every day, doing everything he could to support the household. However, their financial situation had become increasingly difficult, and the burden was beginning to show.
Kana could see it clearly.
She was afraid that one day her father might collapse from exhaustion, yet he never complained, continuing to push forward for the sake of his family.
At the same time, her younger brother was still in his first year of high school. He was bright and hardworking, showing great potential, but he was still too young to shoulder the responsibilities that Kana had taken on.
Because of this, Kana quietly endured everything, balancing her role as a daughter, caretaker, and older sister, doing her best to keep the family together despite the growing pressure surrounding them.
Now Kana takes on small side jobs whenever she can, carefully managing her time as she continues to take care of her mother. Her days are often filled with quiet routines—working when possible, then returning home to tend to her mother's needs.
Her mother looked at her with a gentle smile, though there was a trace of sadness behind it. "Kana-chan… it's okay. You don't have to keep doing this for me. You should live your life to the fullest… you want to sing, right?"
Kana smiled softly, sitting beside her as she gently combed her mother's hair, her movements slow and careful.
"What are you saying, Mom…?" she replied quietly. "This is what I want the most… taking care of you."
Her voice carried warmth, but also quiet resolve, as if she had already made her choice long ago and never intended to turn back.
Not long after, her phone rang. It was a call from her friend, Sanika.
Sanika had already become quite successful, but even so, she had never forgotten Kana. She had supported her in many ways, even giving her a PC, a guitar, and streaming equipment so Kana could continue doing what she loved.
Kana truly appreciated that.
Even though she hadn't earned any money from it yet, being able to sing and play guitar—even in her current situation—meant everything to her.
Hearing the ringtone, Kana gently set aside what she was doing and picked up the call without hesitation.
"Hey, Sani-chan! What's wrong?" Kana asked, holding the phone gently to her ear.
Sanika's voice came through, bright and energetic. "Hey, Kana-chan! How have you been?"
Kana smiled softly, her tone calm and warm. "I'm doing fine, Sani-chan… the same as always. But what's going on?"
Sanika paused for a brief moment, as if organizing her thoughts, before speaking again with a slightly more excited tone.
"Kana-chan… you know I've always been impressed by your voice and your guitar skills, right?"
Kana blinked, a little surprised by the sudden praise, but she stayed quiet and listened.
"So… you know my brother's band, right? It recently disbanded," Sanika continued. "And now he's forming a new one. Their previous female vocalist left, so right now they're looking for someone new."
Kana's grip on the phone tightened slightly.
"And… I recommended you, Kana-chan."
There was a small pause before Sanika added, her voice filled with confidence.
"My brother already saw your performance, and he was really impressed with your skills."
Kana's heartbeat quickened, her thoughts starting to race.
"So… tomorrow, he wants to visit your house. I'll come with him too. Are you available?"
Kana's eyes widened instantly, her mind struggling to process what Sanika had just said. For a brief moment, everything felt overwhelming, as if her thoughts couldn't keep up with the sudden opportunity placed in front of her.
"W-What…?" she muttered under her breath, still trying to fully grasp it.
Her heart began to race, a mix of disbelief, excitement, and anxiety all blending together at once. This wasn't something she had expected at all.
"Umm… ahh…" she hesitated, her voice slightly shaky as she tried to respond properly.
After a short pause, she finally managed to steady herself.
"Okay… Sani-chan. I'm available."
Sanika smiled on the other end of the phone, her voice bright and satisfied. "Great! See you tomorrow!"
The call ended shortly after, but Kana remained still, holding her phone for a few seconds longer, as if the moment hadn't fully settled in yet.
Kana looked up at the ceiling, her mind still spinning from everything that had just happened. The room felt unusually quiet, as if giving her space to process the sudden turn in her life.
Not long after, the sound of the front door opening broke the silence.
"I'm home," her father's voice called out, tired but steady as always.
Kana turned her head slightly, still holding onto her thoughts before finally speaking.
"Dad… tomorrow, Zaboru Renkonan might come here…"
Her father paused mid-step.
For a moment, he simply stared at her, then let out a small laugh, shaking his head lightly.
"Hahaha… nice joke, Kana."
But then he noticed something.
She wasn't laughing.
Her expression remained serious, her eyes steady, without a hint of playfulness.
The atmosphere shifted.
His smile slowly faded as realization began to sink in.
"…You serious…?"
To be continue
Please give me your power stone and if you want to support me and get minimum 50+ advance chapter and additional 1 chapter a week for 4$ considering subscribe to my patreon patreon.com/Zaborn_1997
Or buymecoffee https://buymeacoffee.com/Zaborn_1997 which same with patreon
current Patreon/buymecoffe chap 1133
Also Join my discord if you want https://discord.gg/jB8x6TUByc