Tuesday 3 November 2000.
After resolving the misunderstanding with his wife, Zaboru decided to take a full day off to spend time with Ayumi and his family. It wasn't anything grand or extravagant—just a simple day filled with laughter, meals together, and small moments that reminded him why he worked so hard in the first place.
The time he spent with them helped ease everything. Ayumi returned to her usual self, the children were as lively as ever, and the atmosphere in the Renkonan household felt warm and complete again. It was the kind of day that didn't need anything special to be memorable.
But as always, time didn't stop.
Now, Zaboru had returned to work, shifting his focus back to business. Today, his attention was on AKAI, and at this very moment, he was already inside the AKAI offices, ready to handle the next phase of development and planning.
Zaboru smiled as he looked around the AKAI offices, noticing how much they had expanded compared to before. The scale of the place had grown significantly, reflecting how successful their main project for this year—expansion—had been. New sections, new teams, and new equipment filled the space, creating an atmosphere that felt both busy and full of potential.
This growth wasn't just for show. There were many ongoing projects within AKAI that required long-term development, each one contributing to the company's future direction. Some were still in early stages, but others had already reached critical points, nearing completion after months of work and refinement.
One of those projects, in particular, had caught Zaboru's attention. It was close to being finished, and because of its importance, he personally decided to visit AKAI to check on its progress. For him, seeing the development firsthand was far more valuable than just reading reports—it allowed him to understand the real condition of the project and ensure everything was moving exactly as planned.
Zaboru stepped into the AKAI CEO office, where Hyoga Akai was already waiting. The moment he saw Zaboru, Hyoga smiled and stood up to greet him. "Hey Boss, long time no see," he said casually, extending his hand.
Zaboru returned the smile and shook his hand firmly. "The expansion went well, I suppose, Hyoga-san?" he asked, glancing briefly around the office as if already evaluating everything at a glance.
Hyoga let out a confident grin. "Absolutely, boss, hahaha. Our phone and Z-Pod are selling insanely well—especially the Z-Pod. Demand just keeps growing." He leaned slightly forward, clearly pleased with the results. "At this point, money isn't a problem for our expansion anymore. The only thing limiting us now… is time."
Zaboru nodded slowly, clearly satisfied with the answer, but also aware that rapid growth always came with its own challenges.
Zaboru chuckled and nodded. "Anyway, how's the 'BlackBerry' project?" he asked with a relaxed smile, clearly curious about its progress. Hyoga grinned immediately, almost proud of the question. "Well, they're almost ready, boss. In fact, we already have the prototype hardware prepared. The OS still needs some improvement, but overall… it's already usable."
Zaboru gave a small approving nod, his interest sharpening. "That fast, huh…"
Hyoga didn't wait and gestured toward the door. "Come, I'll show you."
Without wasting time, Hyoga led Zaboru toward the research and development section. The atmosphere there was different—more focused, more intense. Engineers were working quietly, screens filled with code, hardware laid out across tables, and discussions happening in low but precise tones.
Then, as they stepped further inside, Zaboru finally saw it.
Several prototype devices were placed on the table—large phones, unlike anything currently on the market. Each of them had a wide screen on the upper half, and below it… a full physical keyboard.
Zaboru's eyes narrowed slightly in interest.
It was familiar… yet completely new in this era.
The design felt unconventional compared to existing phones, which were still focused on simpler layouts and limited interaction. This, however, looked like something built not just for calling… but for productivity, communication, and constant use.
"…This really stands out," Zaboru muttered quietly.
Even among all the innovation happening in the market, this device felt like it belonged to the next step—something ahead of its time.
Zaboru smiled as he admired the device more closely, picking it up with both hands as if weighing not just the hardware, but the effort behind it. "Impressive… you guys actually made it," he said, his tone calm but clearly approving.
Hyoga grinned wider, clearly proud of the team's work. "Hehehe… don't underestimate our engineers and research division, boss. They're already top notch. Give them direction, and they'll deliver—even faster than expected."
Zaboru gave a faint nod, his eyes still studying the device. It wasn't just the design or the functionality—it was the refinement. The consistency. The confidence behind the build.
"…I can tell," he added quietly.
Behind that simple statement, there was something more. His Aura of Influence had been shaping AKAI for a long time now—not in an obvious way, but gradually, subtly. It pushed people to think sharper, to aim higher, to refine their work beyond normal standards. And now, the result was visible.
AKAI's engineers weren't just skilled anymore.
They were becoming top-tier.
Then Zaboru approached the phone, his attention fully focused now as he reached out toward the prototype. "Can I use this?" he asked, his tone calm but clearly interested, as if he was already evaluating it before even touching it.
Hyoga nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Like I said, the only issues right now are on the software and OS side. Functionally, it's already stable enough for testing. Our QC team has already gone through multiple rounds with it," he explained, stepping slightly closer to the table.
He continued, more confidently, "As for the hardware, we've already tested its performance and durability extensively. Battery, input response, structural strength—everything is within our expected range. So yes, boss… you can use it. Just keep in mind the OS might still feel a bit rough in some areas."
Zaboru gave a small nod, clearly satisfied with that answer, as his fingers hovered just above the device, ready to experience it firsthand.
Zaboru nodded and then picked up the device, turning it slightly in his hand as he examined every detail. A quiet chuckle escaped him as memories surfaced—BlackBerry phones from his previous life. Back then, these kinds of devices had their golden era, especially in the mid to late 2000s, where BlackBerry dominated the market with its strong focus on communication and productivity.
He could still remember how influential they were—how professionals relied on them, how messaging became faster and more efficient, and how the physical keyboard itself became an identity.
"…Yeah, this feeling…" he muttered quietly, almost nostalgic.
For a moment, his thoughts drifted, comparing the past and the present.
In his previous life, BlackBerry had reached incredible heights… but it also eventually fell behind as smartphones evolved rapidly.
And that was exactly why Zaboru wasn't planning to repeat the same path blindly.
He wanted to replicate the success—but not the limitation.
This device would serve as a strong stepping stone, something that could dominate the current era and establish AKAI's presence in communication-focused devices. However, unlike BlackBerry from his previous life, AKAI would not lock itself into this concept forever.
Zaboru's eyes sharpened slightly.
This is just one phase.
AKAI's true long-term focus would still be the development of smartphones—devices that would eventually surpass everything currently on the market. This BlackBerry-like device was only part of the transition, a calculated move to secure dominance before the next evolution arrived.
"…We're not stopping here," Zaboru thought to himself, a faint smile forming as he continued observing the prototype.
As Zaboru played with the device, he couldn't help but feel genuinely impressed. The hardware felt solid, responsive, and balanced in his hands—everything about it gave off a sense of refinement that was hard to achieve even for established products. He tested the buttons, lightly tapped the keyboard, and swiped across the screen, quietly evaluating every small detail. There was no hesitation in his movements, only silent approval.
Hyoga watched him for a moment before asking, curiosity finally getting the better of him. "But still, boss… why did you name this 'BlackBerry'? It's a really different concept compared to our previous phones. Is there any particular reason for that?"
Zaboru chuckled softly. Of course, he couldn't say the real reason—that the name itself came from a device in his previous life. So instead, he gave a simple explanation, one that still sounded natural enough. "Simple. It just sounds cool, right? It feels like the name of a jewel or something… small, but valuable."
He rotated the device slightly in his hand, as if reinforcing his point. "And names like that… they stick. People remember them."
Hyoga paused, thinking it over for a second before slowly nodding. "Hmm… when you put it that way, it actually does sound pretty cool." He gave a small grin. "It has that premium feel to it."
Zaboru only smiled faintly, saying nothing more, but his eyes briefly narrowed with quiet satisfaction. The name wasn't just cool—it carried history. And if everything went as planned, it would carry impact in this world as well.
Zaboru then asked, "So when will this be ready for production?" His tone was calm, but there was a clear sense of expectation behind the question.
Hyoga answered without hesitation, already prepared. "We're still on schedule, boss—June next year. At this point, we mainly need to finalize the OS and polish the software side. Hardware-wise, we're already in a strong position. We'll also need some applications and games from your side to fully showcase the device, but overall… it's completely doable."
Zaboru gave a small chuckle and nodded, clearly satisfied. "Great. That's exactly what I want to hear."
He glanced once more at the prototype in his hand, as if already imagining its impact once released. "Make sure the OS feels smooth. It doesn't need to be perfect, but it has to feel reliable. First impressions matter."
Zaboru then said, "If AKAI encounters any major problems, we don't mind delaying the release. As long as the issues are fully resolved, we can't afford to rush something like this." He paused briefly, his tone becoming slightly firmer. "A rushed product might sell once… but a reliable product builds trust. And trust is what we're really aiming for."
Hyoga nodded seriously, understanding the weight behind those words. "Understood. We'll prioritize stability and user experience above everything else. If anything comes up, we'll report it immediately and adjust the timeline if needed."
The two continued their discussion, diving deeper into details—market positioning, rollout strategy, and how to introduce this new type of device to the public without overwhelming them. It wasn't just about releasing a product, but about shaping perception.
Because next year… the world wouldn't just see a new phone.
It would witness the beginning of a new category.
To be continue
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