Zaboru was still working late inside ZAGE Tower, preparing everything for next week's new AKAI phone showcase.
The entire building had become quieter now. Most employees had already gone home, and only several departments remained active, especially the AKAI team, ZAGE Network staff, and a few executives who were still handling final adjustments. The bright daytime chaos of ZAGE Tower had faded into a calmer, colder night atmosphere. The hallways were emptier, the office lights were dimmer, and the sound of keyboards clicking from distant rooms echoed more clearly than usual.
Inside his private office, Zaboru sat behind his desk, surrounded by documents, prototype notes, marketing drafts, early advertisement designs, and several technical reports from AKAI's mobile division.
But his eyes were not focused on the documents anymore.
They were focused on the phone placed near his right hand.
Zaboru slowly reached for it.
The moment he picked it up, his grin widened.
"Hehehe… this world really moved fast."
The phone in his hand had a wide body, far wider than most mobile phones on the market. It was not a flip phone. It was not a tiny candy bar phone. It was shaped almost like a small communication terminal, with a broad screen placed above a full physical QWERTY keyboard. Every letter key was small, but carefully spaced. The device looked business-like, futuristic, and strange all at once.
To anyone in this world, it looked like a completely new direction for mobile phones.
But to Zaboru, it was deeply familiar.
Because this phone resembled the BlackBerry phones from his previous life.
Of course, this one was not exactly the same. It was shaped by AKAI's own research, Zaboru's vague future knowledge, Zanichi's hardware advice, and the mobile division's unexpected creativity. In fact, it was no longer merely Zaboru copying something he remembered. The AKAI engineers had taken his rough idea and pushed it into something that felt original for this world.
Zaboru turned the phone in his hand, admiring the design.
"AKAI Black Berry Z01…" he muttered.
Then he chuckled.
"Well, the official name is quite long. Maybe we can just call it Black Berry 01 for marketing. Or Z01. Hmm… no, Black Berry 01 sounds easier for normal people."
He pressed the side button, and the screen lit up.
The AKAI logo appeared first, followed by the clean black-and-red interface. The menu icons loaded smoothly, showing Messages, Contacts, Calendar, Browser, Camera, Music Player, Photo Viewer, Little Steam, ZAGE Messenger, Settings, and several other applications.
Zaboru's grin became even more satisfied.
The AKAI Black Berry Z01 was strange, ambitious, and slightly ahead of its time. But that was exactly the point.
Its body was designed for people who typed a lot. Businessmen, students, writers, executives, journalists, forum users, and anyone who liked sending messages quickly would understand the value of the physical keyboard immediately. Texting on number pads was still normal in this era, but Zaboru knew that once people tasted proper keyboard typing on a phone, some of them would never want to go back.
The phone used a color display that was sharper and larger than most mobile phones currently available. It had a strong mobile operating system built by AKAI with ZAGE's software support, designed around messaging, internet browsing, media playback, and mobile gaming. The internal storage was much larger than normal phones in this world, and it supported expansion through AKAI Mini Card, allowing users to store music, photos, documents, small games, and downloadable apps.
It had a camera too.
Not merely a bad camera like Z2-Flip.
A real one.
AKAI's engineers had pushed hard to make it one of the best mobile phone cameras available in 2001. It still could not compete with dedicated digital cameras, of course, but for a phone, it was absurdly impressive. It could take clear photos in good lighting, save them directly to the gallery, and even send them through messages or upload them through supported services if the user had the right data connection.
It had Bluetooth support for wireless for file transfer. It had early Wi-Fi capability for internet access in supported areas. It had infrared for compatibility with older devices. It had USB connection for syncing with a computer and Z-Pod. It also had a surprisingly capable speaker, a proper music player, and video playback for short clips in supported formats.
Zaboru tapped the keyboard lightly with his thumb.
The tactile feedback was satisfying.
"Hehehe… this is dangerous."
But what excited him most was not only the hardware.
It was the ecosystem.
The AKAI Black Berry Z01 would support ZAGE ID login, allowing users to connect their phone with ZAGE services. Through ZAGE Messenger, users could send text messages to other Z01 users using data connection. It was not yet as smooth or universal as future smartphone messengers from Zaboru's previous life, but in this world, it would feel almost magical.
A private instant messaging system.
A contact list.
Profile status.
Basic group chats.
Message notification sounds.
Simple avatars connected to ZAGE ID.
It was basically an early version of BBM mixed with ZAGE's own online culture.
Zaboru leaned back in his chair and laughed quietly.
"Kids will use this like crazy. Office workers too. And if college students get hooked…"
He could already imagine it.
People asking, "What's your ZAGE ID?"
Friends sending messages without needing traditional SMS charges.
Businessmen typing emails quickly during train rides.
Writers drafting short notes on the go.
Gamers checking updates from ZAGE Forum.
Students using the device not only as a phone, but as a small social machine.
And then there was Little Steam.
Zaboru opened the app.
The icon appeared as a small red-and-black store bag with a tiny gear symbol, a playful reference to the ZAGE Steam. On the Z01, Little Steam would act as a mobile game and application store. It was not as large as Z-Store on ZEPS, and it was not meant to replace PC distribution, but it was a beginning.
A mobile digital storefront.
Inside Little Steam, users could browse small phone games made specifically for the Black Berry line, download demos, buy simple titles, update apps, and even access classic games. The previous games from AKAI Z2 Flip would return, including Bounce, Snake, and Space Impact, all polished for the larger screen and keyboard controls.
But those were only the appetizers.
Zaboru's real weapon was retro compatibility.
He opened one section and smiled.
ZEPS 1 Classics.
ZGB Classics.
"They will be able to play ZEPS 1 and ZGB games here," Zaboru said softly.
It sounded ridiculous, but AKAI and ZAGE's engineering teams had actually made it work. Not every game would run perfectly, and not every title would be available at launch due to licensing, control mapping, and optimization, but many 8-bit ZGB games and selected ZEPS 1 titles could run on the Z01 through a lightweight official emulator layer.
It was not marketed as piracy.
It was not an underground trick.
It was official.
Users would buy the games legally through Little Steam, download them to the phone, and play them using the keyboard. Some games even had special mobile control layouts. RPGs, puzzle games, card games, simple platformers, and old arcade-style titles worked surprisingly well. Action-heavy titles were more difficult, but Zaboru knew even imperfect access would create excitement.
A phone that could call, message, browse the internet, play music, take photos, and run old ZAGE games.
In 2001.
Zaboru could already hear journalists losing their minds.
He placed the phone on the table and stared at it with visible pride.
"This is no longer just a phone," he muttered. "This is a pocket ZAGE machine."
Then his grin became sharper.
"But first, we need to know exactly when Apple releases their stuff."
Apple's iPlay redemption game was coming next week. Steve Jobs and ZUSUGA thought they had found an opening, a quiet early-August window before ZAGE's main software lineup fully arrived. They wanted the spotlight.
Unfortunately for them, Zaboru intended to steal the entire sky.
If AKAI revealed the Black Berry Z01 on the same week, the tech media would have no choice but to talk about it. Gaming magazines would talk about Little Steam and ZEPS 1 compatibility. Business magazines would talk about the QWERTY design and mobile messaging. Teen magazines would talk about ZAGE Messenger. Electronics stores would prepare demo units. ZAGE Forum would explode with discussion.
The iPlay game might still be good.
But the conversation would no longer belong to Apple alone.
Zaboru returned to his documents and continued working. He made several notes about the presentation order. The showcase had to begin with the phone's practical identity: keyboard, messaging, business functions, and internet. Then it would shift toward entertainment: music, camera, games, Little Steam. Finally, ZAGE Messenger would be revealed as the emotional hook.
By the time Zaboru finished one more page of notes, he finally noticed the clock.
23:58.
Almost midnight.
He blinked.
"Well… time to go back."
He stretched his arms, cracked his neck lightly, and began organizing the documents on his desk. He placed the AKAI Black Berry Z01 prototype into a secure case, locked several files inside his drawer, and turned off the desk lamp.
However, just as he prepared to leave, he heard footsteps outside his office.
They were slow, steady, and familiar.
Zaboru chuckled.
A few seconds later, an elderly security guard appeared near the doorway.
It was Old Liu.
Old Liu was one of ZAGE Tower's senior night security staff. His hair had already turned mostly white, his face had wrinkles, and his posture looked relaxed, almost sleepy. But despite his age, his eyes were strangely sharp. He always carried himself like an ordinary old guard, but there was something about him that made Zaboru feel he was much more capable than he looked.
"Another night of work again, boss?" Old Liu asked with a grin.
Zaboru laughed. "Old Liu, you should do fewer night shifts. Night shifts are for younger guys."
Old Liu immediately flexed his arm.
His sleeve tightened slightly around surprisingly solid muscle.
"Boss, you underestimate me!" Old Liu said proudly. "I am still very good at kung fu!"
Zaboru burst out laughing. "I never doubted that."
Old Liu grinned. "Good. Young guards these days only rely on cameras and radios. But real security starts from the body."
"That sounds like something from an old martial arts movie."
"Because old martial arts movies are correct."
Zaboru shook his head, still smiling.
The two began walking through ZAGE Tower together. The hallway lights reflected off the polished floor, and the building felt almost like another world at night. During the day, ZAGE Tower was loud, packed with employees, filled with meetings, game demos, shouting producers, moving carts, and executives rushing between floors. But at night, the tower felt calm and enormous, like a sleeping beast.
Old Liu walked slightly behind Zaboru at first, but Zaboru slowed his pace so they could walk side by side.
Old Liu noticed it.
His smile softened a little.
"Boss," Old Liu said after a moment, "once again, thank you for the ZAGE Tavern vouchers."
Zaboru glanced at him. "Vouchers?"
Old Liu nodded. "Yes. My family was able to eat so much delicious food from ZAGE Tavern. My grandchildren especially loved Mario Fried Chicken. They talk about it like it is treasure."
Zaboru chuckled. "Hey, relax. It's just food that wasn't sold, all right? Rather than throw it away, it's better for employees and security families to enjoy it."
Old Liu looked at him quietly.
Zaboru said it casually, as if it was nothing.
But Old Liu knew better.
He had spoken with ZAGE Tavern employees before. There was no such thing as "leftover food" at ZAGE Tavern in the normal sense. The restaurant was popular enough that almost everything sold out. The food Zaboru gave away to security staff was not old, unwanted, or forgotten.
It was deliberately prepared.
Good food.
Fresh food.
Food that could have been sold.
Zaboru simply pretended otherwise because he did not want people to feel like they owed him too much.
Old Liu chuckled.
"Boss, you always say things like that."
"Like what?"
"Like kindness is just accounting."
Zaboru blinked, then laughed. "Maybe it is."
Old Liu shook his head. "No. Accounting does not make children smile at dinner."
Zaboru became quiet for a second.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Well, as long as they're happy."
Old Liu studied him from the side.
He had watched many wealthy men in his life. Some were cruel. Some were arrogant. Some were charming in public and rotten in private. Some treated ordinary workers as furniture. But Zaboru was strange. He was powerful enough to command companies, politicians, celebrities, and underworld figures, yet he still slowed his pace to walk beside an old security guard at midnight.
That kind of thing was rare.
Very rare.
They reached the lower floors, passing by a quiet lobby where only a few guards remained on duty. The night staff bowed to Zaboru, and he returned the gesture casually before continuing toward the private parking area.
Old Liu glanced at him.
"Boss," he said, "you work too much."
Zaboru laughed. "Everyone keeps telling me that."
"Because everyone is correct."
"That hurts."
"Truth often hurts."
Zaboru smiled helplessly. "I'll try to sleep earlier."
Old Liu gave him a doubtful look.
Zaboru raised both hands. "I said I'll try."
"That means nothing."
"You sound like Sayuri-san."
Old Liu laughed. "Then Sayuri-san is wise."
"She would be happy to hear that."
They reached Zaboru's car.
Before entering, Zaboru turned back toward Old Liu. "Go rest too, okay?"
Old Liu waved his hand. "After patrol."
"Don't overdo it."
"You first, boss."
Zaboru laughed again, then entered the car.
A moment later, the engine started. Zaboru lowered the window and gave Old Liu one last wave.
"Good night, Old Liu."
"Good night, boss."
The car slowly left the parking area, disappearing into the Tokyo night.
Old Liu remained standing there until the car was fully gone.
Then his smile faded into something quieter.
He sighed.
"Zaboru… you really are a good man," he muttered. "If only all rich people were like you."
The night wind passed through the parking area.
Old Liu turned around and began walking back toward the tower entrance.
Then suddenly—
His eyes sharpened.
A mosquito flew near his face.
In the next instant, Old Liu's hand moved.
It was fast.
Far too fast for an ordinary old man.
His fingers snapped through the air, catching the mosquito perfectly between his index and middle finger. But he did not crush it. He held it there for half a second, watching it calmly, then flicked it away.
The mosquito vanished into the darkness without a trace.
Old Liu sighed again.
"If only he were not already married, he would be a great husband for Alissa."
He shook his head with the annoyance of an old man thinking about a troublesome granddaughter.
"Tsk. That brat is really hard to please. Does she not understand that Arachne needs an heir?"
His expression became sharper than before.
The gentle old security guard was gone.
For a brief moment, another identity surfaced.
Old Liu was not merely a ZAGE security guard.
He was one of Arachne's undercover members..
Because Zaboru was not the kind of powerful man Arachne expected.
He was dangerous, yes.
Brilliant, yes.
Capable of changing industries, yes.
But he was also the man who gave food to security families and pretended it was leftovers.
Old Liu walked through the quiet lobby with his hands behind his back.
A younger guard at the desk smiled at him. "Old Liu, still patrolling?"
Old Liu returned to his harmless old-man expression instantly.
"Of course," he said cheerfully. "If I leave everything to you young people, ghosts will steal the elevators."
The guard laughed. "There are no ghosts here."
Old Liu smiled.
"You never know."
He continued walking deeper into ZAGE Tower.
Once he was alone again, his smile disappeared.
He took out a small, old-looking communication device from inside his jacket. It did not look like modern ZAGE technology. It was more subtle, more hidden, and clearly designed to avoid ordinary detection.
He pressed one button.
A faint signal light blinked.
Then a woman's voice answered.
"Report."
Old Liu's voice became calm and professional.
"Target left the tower safely."
"Any irregular movement?"
"No hostile movement tonight. However, Zaboru Renkonan is preparing a major AKAI mobile showcase next week."
There was a pause.
"Is it relevant to Arachne?"
Old Liu looked back toward the upper floors of ZAGE Tower.
"Possibly. The device appears to be more than a normal phone. Communication, mobile internet, gaming, messaging, maybe even social infrastructure. If successful, it may change civilian communication patterns faster than expected."
The woman on the other side became silent.
Then she spoke again.
"Continue observation."
"Understood."
Somewhere outside, Zaboru drove home, unaware that one of the old guards he greeted so casually belonged to a hidden organization watching him from the shadows but even he knows does he really care.?
To be continued.
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