Zaboru had just come back from a long, exhausting meeting and headed straight to the 52nd floor of ZAGE Tower. The hallway was quiet at this hour, dimly lit with only the hum of distant city lights outside. Inside their home space, Ayumi was cleaning up — folding blankets, putting away toys — while their baby son, Zenshin, was fast asleep in his crib. Normally, Zaboru would've returned to his office corner and jumped right back into work, but tonight was different. Ayumi had asked to talk, and something in her voice told him it wasn't a small matter.
He sat on the sofa, still loosening the tie from his collar, while Ayumi quietly took the seat across from him. She looked at him and chuckled softly. "What is this? It feels like I'm being interviewed."
Zaboru grinned, relaxing into the cushions. "That might be the case, hehehe. So, tell me, my love — what's on your mind?"
"Is this about your career as a game developer?" he said to her
Ayumi let out a long sigh and nodded. "Yeah, Zabo. It is. I've decided… I'm going to quit being a game developer at Akaishidan."
She paused for a moment, searching his face.
"I already talked to my brother about it," she continued. "He wasn't happy, of course. Tried to convince me to stay. You know how I was one of the lead developers there, one of their aces. It's not an easy decision, not for him and not for me."
She reached across and gently held his hand. "But after a lot of thinking, I've realized my priorities are different now. I want to be here — with you and our son. Zenshin's still so small, and he needs his mom. And I think… I need him too, more than I expected and well my Brother understood too."
She inhales her breath and says "Recently I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel like I was holding you back," Ayumi said softly, her voice full of warmth. "I know how busy you are, and I understand you can't always help it. But... the truth is, part of why I fell in love with you was because of that very part of you — your drive, your ambition, your passion for creating and building things that matter."
She looked directly into his eyes, her tone becoming more serious. "That's why I've made my decision. I'll fully dedicate myself to raising our son. He's not going to grow up feeling like he missed out on love or attention from his parents. I'll make sure of that. But I also hope that, when you can, you'll give him your time too — not out of duty, but from your heart."
Zaboru's eyes widened slightly, surprised by her words. "What are you talking about? I love spending time with you and with Zenshin."
Ayumi smiled and chuckled softly. "I know you do, Zabo. I know you so well. You're the one person I can't stop thinking about as you know how obsessed I'm with you. But I also know when your mind is somewhere else. Even when you come sit with us, laugh with us, play with Zenshin — I can tell your thoughts are racing back to work. You hide it so well. Even your mom wouldn't notice. But I do. I always do."
She gently reached for his hand, squeezing it as her voice softened. "And I'm not mad about it. Really. I just… I needed to know if you'd be willing to sacrifice even a little bit of your time, your focus, for your family. And you were. You didn't hesitate. You proved it to me in the clearest way — you ditched an important meeting just to spend the holiday with us. That said everything I needed to know. That's how much you care, Zabo. Not through words, but through what you chose to do. And that's why I'll never doubt where your heart is."
Zaboru looked at her, his voice caught in his throat. He couldn't find words — not yet — as Ayumi gave him a quiet, understanding smile and leaned a little closer.
"But I know better, Zaboru Renkonan. The man I love the most is an incredibly driven, passionate, and visionary person — someone who's constantly pushing to make great games, redefine the video game genre, influence animation, and even leave a mark on music. That ambition of yours? That's what drew me to you in the first place. That's the part of you I fell in love with so deeply."
She paused for a moment, looking directly into his eyes.
"I've seen you stay up all night working on code, rewriting scripts, sketching character designs, and managing a team across different time zones — and somehow, you still make time to be here when it counts. I don't ever want to be the reason that energy gets dimmed. You belong to something greater, Zabo. You're meant to change the world, and I would never forgive myself if I was the one holding you back from that path."
She smiled softly, her eyes still locked with his, filled with a love that was equal parts strength and sacrifice.
Zaboru looked into her eyes, his lips parting as if to say something — "I…" — but Ayumi gently raised a finger and placed it against his mouth.
"Hussh," she whispered with a smile. "You're too kind sometimes, honey. You're so smart, so sharp and yet so gentle. People who don't know you might mistake that kindness for weakness, maybe even think you're stupid, naive or too soft. But I know better. I know your heart, Zabo — and it's made of gold."
She brushed her fingers lightly against his cheek. "So don't you worry about me or our son, okay? I've got this. I'll take care of him, raise him with all the love I have. But I want one thing in return. Just one. When you are in Japan or when we are in the same country with you, promise me you'll come home at night. Even if it's late. Just be here when the day ends."
She chuckled gently, but her eyes shimmered with emotion.
Zaboru sat there, stunned and silent. He knew — of course he knew — that Ayumi was giving up something enormous. Becoming a great video game developer had always been her dream. It was what had brought them together in the first place, back when she was just a rising talent and he was already making waves with ZAGE. She had the skill, the vision, and the passion. And now, because of their son… because of his ever-demanding schedule… She was willing to put that dream on hold. Maybe forever.
She was giving everything — for them. And Zaboru didn't know how to carry that weight, only that he would never let it go to waste.
Zaboru began to cry and immediately pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her shoulder. "You're too good for me, Ayumi… I don't deserve you."
Ayumi chuckled softly and rubbed his back in slow circles. "Hey, no need to cry, Big Boss. Go out there and make those incredible games you always talk about," she said with a warm smile. "And don't worry — I'll be right here playing them. Always. Someone has to be your number one fan."
She laughed again and wiped a tear off his cheek. "Besides, nobody said I can't be a gamer. I'll be here with Zenshin, controller in hand. I might even beat you in fighting games someday."
Zaboru let out a breathy laugh and nodded, wiping his face. But then his expression shifted — a thought hit him, clear and determined. He looked at her with renewed energy. "When the internet's fast enough… when Sendou's fiber optic project is finally complete and my plan for digital games is fully realized… I want us to make a game together again, Ayumi. Just you and me for the first time."
Ayumi's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. Her mind instantly traveled back to 1991 — the very beginning — when she created her first game: Karate Bunny. She had worked on it late into the nights, not expecting much beyond the joy of creation. And yet, when Zaboru played it and gave his review on the ZEPS 1, everything changed. His words weren't just encouraging — they were electric. He saw the depth in her design, the charm in her characters, the little touches she thought no one would notice.
He didn't just praise her work; he offered advice, technical insights, and thoughtful suggestions that opened her eyes to possibilities she hadn't even considered. He taught her things with such clarity and passion that even now, she could still remember the way he talked — animated, focused, confident. She could still picture that exact moment, how handsome he looked, totally immersed in talking about game mechanics and pixel art direction like it was the most important thing in the world.
And now, He was offering something far greater: a promise. A future where they would build something together again. Not just a game — but the dream they had shared from the start. A chance to create side by side, heart and mind as one, like they were always meant to.
She smiled brightly. "Yes! Let's do it!"
Zaboru chuckled and leaned in, kissing her gently on the lips. She kissed him back with warmth and certainty, sealing the quiet promise between them. In the background, little Zenshin stirred slightly in his crib, a peaceful smile resting on his face even in sleep — as if he somehow understood the love surrounding him.
And in that moment, the old saying echoed with new meaning: "Behind every great man, there's an amazing woman." For Zaboru, it wasn't just a quote — it was his reality. Without Ayumi, none of this would be possible. Without her strength, her belief, her quiet sacrifices, Zaboru wouldn't be the man he was becoming. He knew now, more than ever, that he didn't just rely on her — he needed her. And he always would.
But as the night goes on Zaboru realizes all of this is wrong..
To be continue
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