Zaboru inserted the disc and began installing the game. After about five minutes, the setup was complete, and he launched the program. The game started instantly, without any splash screens, logos, or even a proper title screen — a clear sign that it was still in its early prototype stage. The screen simply faded into the opening scene, minimalistic and raw.
The moment the visuals appeared, Sanika practically jumped out of her seat, her voice echoing through the room. "WAIT—FATE/STAY NIGHT HAS A GAME!? Nii-san, how could you not tell me this?! I'm a huge fan of your work, and you never mentioned this once!"
Zaboru winced and quickly covered his ears. "Aaagh! Sani-chan, my ears! Tone it down, will you?" He gave her a half-annoyed, half-amused look before continuing. "And like I said earlier, this is just a prototype. It's not meant for public release — not yet, anyway. Now, let's just take a look at how the gameplay turned out."
Zaboru launched the game, and it started right away. The screen displayed a series of still images accompanied by lines of text, almost like a moving illustrated book. Moments later, the first decision point appeared—simple choices that let the player influence how the story would unfold.
Ayumi, Hidetaka, and Sanika looked surprised. The gameplay was far simpler than they had expected—no action, no complex systems, just reading and making decisions. Yet despite that, they found themselves quickly drawn in. The story was compelling, the artwork was expressive, and even the music playing in the background added depth to the experience.
Zaboru glanced at them and smiled as he began to explain. "See how the main gameplay is just reading, enjoying the artwork, and choosing between different options? That's all there is to it. And that's exactly the point. This is what I call the 'Visual Novel' genre. It's not something you really see in the market yet—at least, but I believe it's a powerful storytelling game."
He clicked through a few more scenes to demonstrate how the choices changed the dialogue and shaped the outcome. The others watched in silence, captivated by the format. It was simple, yes—but also rich, immersive, and full of creative potential.
Sanika, Ayumi, and Hidetaka sat in awe, clearly amazed by what they had just witnessed. It felt surreal — as if Zaboru had conjured an entirely new genre from thin air. The idea that such a simple gameplay concept, focused on story and visuals alone, could be turned into a full-fledged gaming experience left them speechless. To them, it was proof of Zaboru's creativity and unconventional thinking.
Zaboru leaned back slightly and continued his explanation, now more animated. "You see, the story is the heart of everything here. Since the gameplay mechanics are intentionally kept simple — just reading, viewing, and choosing — you don't need to pour tons of resources into complex coding, physics, or action systems. But that doesn't mean it's easy. Because the story, the characters, and the artwork take center stage, you have to make each part meaningful."
He gestured toward the screen, where another choice prompt was displayed. "Every decision the player makes matters. Each one changes how the story moves forward. What the main character chooses affects the relationships, the world, and ultimately, the ending. And the beauty of it is that no two players may end up with the same experience for first time. One story can become five different journeys depending on the choices made."
He paused for a second, letting that idea sink in. "That's the kind of depth you can build when you put narrative first. And for creators like you, Sanika, it opens the door to new ways of expressing your ideas without worrying too much about complex mechanics."
Sanika's eyes widened in amazement. "That means I can create something like this too, Nii-san?" she asked, her voice filled with hope and curiosity.
Zaboru chuckled warmly. "Well, technically, yes—you absolutely can. If your goal is to create a game on your own, then this is one of the best genres to start with. The Visual Novel format is perfect for solo creators. But," he added with a teasing grin, "while you're certainly capable, I still think your talents would shine even more within a team setting, Sani-chan. With the right people around you, your stories and art could become something even greater."
Hidetaka Miyazaki adjusted his glasses, clearly intrigued. "Zaboru-san, earlier you mentioned that the game has branching decisions. So... does that mean the story in the Fate/Stay Night game is different from the one in your manga?"
Zaboru gave a knowing smile and nodded. "Exactly. In fact, the story featured in my one-shot manga 'Fate/Stay Night' is just one of the possible endings within the full game. The visual novel includes multiple paths and outcomes depending on the choices the player makes."
Hidetaka's and Sanika's eyes grew even wider as the realization hit them — there were far more stories hidden within the game than they ever imagined. The game was more than just a retelling — it was a world waiting to be explored from different perspectives.
Sanika then said with pleading eyes, "Nii-sama, can I play this please…?"
Zaboru snorted and raised an eyebrow. "Nii-sama? Really? No way, Sani-chan," he teased. With a mischievous grin, he hovered over the mouse and promptly deleted the Fate/Stay Night prototype from the PC. "Just wait until I release it, okay?" he added, giving her a playful wink.
Sanika's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Stingy!" she huffed, puffing her cheeks in frustration, clearly annoyed by the teasing.
Zaboru laughed heartily, amused by her reaction. After catching his breath, he continued in a more thoughtful tone. "But hey, jokes aside, this is something you can totally do. With your current skills and creativity, I honestly think you have what it takes to create a visual novel yourself. The tools are more accessible now, and you've got the artistic and narrative talent to pull it off."
He paused, then added more seriously, "Though to be fair, we don't know yet how gamers will react to this kind of experience. Some might find it slow or too passive, while others might love it for its emotional depth and storytelling. That's just how it is with video game genres. They don't affect everyone the same way. One person's masterpiece might be another's skip button, and that's perfectly okay. The important thing is creating something meaningful to you — and sharing it with those who'll appreciate it."
Hidetaka Miyazaki nodded slowly, clearly starstruck. His expression was one of admiration and disbelief, as if he were watching a magician pull off an impossible trick. To him, Zaboru wasn't just a game developer — he was a pioneer, someone who casually reshaped the very definition of what video games could be. "Zaboru is so cool," he thought, awestruck. "He just... invented a whole genre out of nowhere. Who even does that?"
Until now, Hidetaka had never seriously considered the possibility of a game built entirely around text and visuals, yet here it was, working beautifully in front of him. Zaboru had not only imagined the concept — he had brought it to life and proved that the boundaries of game design were far more flexible than he had once believed. It was as if a new path had opened in front of them, one that dared to ignore convention and embrace creativity.
Ayumi smiled too, visibly impressed, and leaned forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "That's a real mind-opener, Zabo. Do you think there'll be an endless number of video game genres in the future?"
Zaboru grinned and gave a confident nod. "Absolutely. That's why I love it when studios experiment — whether it's with genre, mechanics, or storytelling approach. There's no rulebook saying we have to stick with what's been done. Video game genres aren't fixed — they're fluid. That's the beauty of this medium. It evolves with the imagination of the people creating it."
Sanika, energized by the whole conversation, bounced a little in her seat and asked eagerly, "So, Nii-san! How many genres have you already thought about that you haven't shared yet? Are there more ideas you're hiding from us? Come on, can't you tell me just one?"
Zaboru chuckled and said with a sly grin, "Well, it's plenty... but it's a secret."
Sanika groaned in frustration, crossing her arms. "You're the worst!" she pouted. The others burst into laughter at the playful exchange, the tension in the room lifting entirely.
Despite her mock annoyance, Sanika couldn't help but feel inspired. For the first time in a while, her thoughts were clear and focused. Her earlier doubts and worries felt lighter. Now, she had a purpose — a personal challenge she genuinely wanted to pursue. She looked at the now-blank screen and made up her mind. Her goal was set.
She would create her own visual novel game, from start to finish, with her own hands and vision. It wouldn't be easy, but it was something she felt passionate about — something that could showcase her unique storytelling and art in ways she hadn't dared to before.
Zaboru noticed her expression shift and smiled knowingly. He then added, "By the way, I'm planning to officially release Fate/Stay Night to the public later this year. It'll be interesting to see how the audience reacts to the visual novel genre, especially since it's still unfamiliar to most players."
He looked at Sanika again. "That's why I want you to pay attention to how people receive it. Learn from it. You've got the spark, Sani-chan — now let's see what kind of fire you can build with it." Sanika nod clearly fired up
"I will, Nii-san! And Hide-chan, you should help me too!" Sanika said with determination.
Hidetaka Miyazaki scratched his head and smiled playfully. "But didn't you say you wanted to make this game alone?"
Sanika paused, caught off guard, then blushed and waved her hands quickly. "W-Well, that's true! You don't have to help me, Hide-chan!"
Everyone burst into laughter at her flustered response, the room filled with lighthearted energy as they continued enjoying their relaxing Sunday together enjoying the moment.
To be continue
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