Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991

Monday, April 7, 1994 – Morning

Zaboru was currently at the Emerald Wings office. Just yesterday, ZEPS 2 officially launched in the U.S., and just like in Japan, it was flying off the shelves. American gamers were hyped—not only was ZAGE's 16-bit console finally available, but it came with eight launch titles that were already creating buzz. Each one brought something different: a platformer, a fighting game, a shoot 'em up , a racing title, RPG , and even a Tactics game. Players were eating it up. The buzz was real, and Zaboru could feel the energy ripple through the company.

The very next morning, Risa Miller—Ryan Miller's sister—was set to visit the Emerald Wings U.S. office. Zaboru, Ryan, and James were already waiting in Ryan's private office, casually chatting while sipping coffee. Zaboru was munching on some cake James and Ryan had brought in from a local bakery.

"She's late," Zaboru muttered, glancing at the clock.

"Maybe it's traffic," Ryan replied with a sigh. "You know how L.A. gets this time of day."

A moment later, a taxi pulled up out front. The three of them stepped outside to greet her. Out stepped a blonde woman in her early 30s, dressed in a sharp blazer and jeans. She looked frustrated, brushing a few strands of hair out of her eyes.

"Damn it, Ryan! You said it was 30 minutes from the airport. It took over an hour!"

Ryan chuckled. "I said 30 minutes if there's no traffic. Anyway, you're only five minutes late."

Risa sighed and turned to Zaboru. "Sorry about the delay, Mr. Renkonan. I'm Risa Miller—Ryan's older sister."

Zaboru smiled warmly. "No problem, Ms. Miller. We haven't been waiting long. Welcome."

"Come on, let's head inside," James said with a grin, gesturing toward the entrance.

The group moved into Ryan's private office. Once they were seated and the door was closed, Risa wasted no time cutting through the small talk.

"First off, it's a real honor to meet you, Mr. Renkonan. I've read and heard plenty about you. ZAGE isn't just growing fast—it's making waves across the industry. And your leadership style? It's becoming the stuff of legend in certain business circles."

Zaboru smiled. "You're too kind. Just call me Zaboru."

"Then call me Risa," she replied, her posture relaxing. "You probably already know why I wanted to meet."

Zaboru nodded. "Ryan and James told me your company's been facing some trouble. So Ryan recommended you might pivot from music distribution into video games. Is that right?"

"Exactly," Risa said, her tone serious. "My company—Flocks—is based in London. We distribute American cassettes and CDs across Europe. Business used to be stable, and we had great relationships with retailers. But recently, a new distributor swooped in and undercut our prices. They moved quickly and stole most of our clients. We just couldn't compete."

Ryan snorted. "Probably because you jacked up the prices out of nowhere, right?"

Risa glared. "It wasn't that bad. We needed the revenue too, you know!"

James grinned. "That's your problem. If clients lose trust, they walk. Simple business."

Risa sighed. "Yeah… we definitely messed up. But let's cut to the chase—if we pivot into video games, what exactly can ZAGE offer Flocks?"

Zaboru leaned forward, folding his hands on the table, his voice measured and deliberate. "Let's say Flocks becomes a ZAGE subsidiary—tasked with overseeing and managing our official retail presence across Europe. Do you think you could take that on and do it right?"

Zaboru had learned a lot from his experience with Emerald Wings. If Flocks could serve as the European equivalent—handling operations, logistics, and retail presence with the same precision—then ZAGE's expansion in Europe would unfold smoothly and efficiently.

Risa's eyes widened. "Wait… you want Flocks to take full responsibility for operating and managing all of ZAGE's retail stores across Europe?"

Zaboru nodded. "Based on our research, there simply aren't enough retail shops in Europe equipped to carry and support our consoles properly. That's where Flocks comes in. We need partners who can help build and manage that infrastructure from the ground up. First, you'll need to establish a number of official ZAGE stores to serve as flagship locations. But that alone won't cut it—our reach needs to go beyond what we can directly control. Flocks must also work to persuade other retailers to carry our products and help us establish a strong retail presence in key cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome."

Risa took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling on her shoulders. "That's… a lot to process. How much are we talking in terms of budget?" Her voice wavered slightly, a mix of nerves and anticipation. This wasn't just another business meeting—this was a potential turning point for her entire company, and possibly her life.

Zaboru smiled knowingly. Ryan chuckled. "You might wanna sit down for this."

"If we move forward," Zaboru said, his tone calm but firm, "I'd want a stake in your company. This isn't just about handing out money—it's about partnership. How much do you own?"

"Flocks are 100% mine," Risa replied with a hint of pride.

Zaboru grinned. "Just like Ryan and James with Emerald Wings. That makes things a lot smoother. I like working directly with decision-makers."

Risa took a beat, then said, "I can give you 35%… for five million dollars." Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.

"Deal," Zaboru said immediately, without hesitation. His confidence landed like a gavel. The room went silent for a second as everyone processed the speed of his response.

Ryan laughed. "You have no idea. You're playing in the big leagues now."

"Once we sign," Zaboru continued, "I'll allocate a $50 million budget for Flocks to prepare for ZAGE's European rollout—starting with London. This won't just be about opening a few stores. We're talking full-scale logistics: warehousing, supply chain, marketing, recruitment, training, and real estate acquisition. Every dollar will need to be accounted for, and I expect full financial transparency and detailed quarterly reporting. Like James said earlier, trust matters more than money. Handle this right, and we'll greenlight even larger expansions—think all of Western Europe and beyond."

Risa was stunned. "Fifty million… dollars?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if saying the number out loud made it even harder to believe.

Zaboru nodded. "That's the plan. If you can pull this off, ZAGE will fully back Flocks for a wide-reaching European expansion. We're talking flagship storefronts in major cities, long-term distribution partnerships, high-profile launch events, and a retail network that positions us as a dominant force. You'll be our anchor in Europe—our eyes, ears, and hands on the ground."

Risa gulped. The weight of the moment hit her hard. This was more than just a business deal—it was her chance to rise from the ashes of a fading company and finally prove herself. After years of grinding just to stay afloat, a golden opportunity was now in her hands, backed by a powerful ally.

"I accept," she said firmly, meeting his gaze with a spark of conviction. "I won't mess this up."

Zaboru called John Kirby, ZAGE USA's lawyer, to begin drafting the paperwork. By the end of the day, the deal was finalized, signed, and sealed. Risa received her five million dollars—wired directly into her company's account. As for the fifty million dollars, Zaboru would begin preparations the next day by contacting Sayuri, the head of Finance at ZAGE Japan, to initiate the fund allocation process.

That night, Risa sat with Ryan and James at the Emerald Wings office, still processing everything.

"Damn… I still can't believe it. Thirty-five percent of my company now belongs to ZAGE. And soon, I'll finally have real capital to expand, hire talent, and go beyond survival mode. This is going to change everything."

Ryan gave her a pointed look. "Don't screw this up, Risa. Zaboru's generous, but he's not someone you want to cross. Earn his trust, and he'll take you far. Lose it, and you're finished."

James nodded. "We gave him half of Emerald Wings. Now we're essentially a ZAGE branch—and honestly, it's the best move we ever made. Our sales, our reach, our influence—it's all grown massively."

"I'm not going to screw this up," Risa said, confidence blooming in her tone. Then, with a mischievous grin, she added, "By the way… is Zaboru single?"

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Nope. He's taken—and trust me, his girlfriend is way out of your league."

Risa scowled. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?"

James burst out laughing. "It means Zaboru isn't just smart—he's got good taste too."

Risa looked more irritated for a second, but then she laughed it off. It was typical of their dynamic. She, Ryan, and James had been friends since childhood—mocking each other constantly, but they always care for each other.

Meanwhile, back at ZAGE HQ, Zaboru sat at his desk in his private workshop. The building was empty—everyone had gone home after the U.S. launch celebration. The quiet hum of his computer was the only sound in the room. He reviewed financial reports and expansion projections, carefully making adjustments.

Ayumi appeared in the doorway with a soft smile, carrying a tray of food. "You've been in here all evening," she said, walking over and setting the tray down beside him. Her eyes drifted to the papers in his hands labeled ZAGE Europe Plan.

She chuckled lightly and asked, "So, ZAGE's going to Europe now?"

Zaboru nodded. "Yeah. It's all up to Risa now. Let's hope she doesn't screw it up. That's a lot of money—and even more trust."

Ayumi frowned. "Who's Risa? Is she beautiful?"

Zaboru paused in his tracks and sighed. "She's Ryan's older sister. She also owns a company called Flocks, which I'm investing in to become the ZAGE Emerald Wings for Europe."

Ayumi chuckled and laughed. "I'm just teasing, Zabo. I know you'd never cheat on me." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"But you're sure the contracts are solid?" she asked behind him.

"John Kirby did an excellent job. No loopholes, completely airtight. Everything is legally binding and enforceable in both the U.K. and U.S."

Ayumi giggled, placing her hands gently on his shoulders and beginning to massage. Zaboru let out a slow breath and melted into his chair.

"Another big step," he murmured. "Let's hope it leads somewhere great."

To be continued...

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