Friday, July 2, 1993
After finalizing the concept for his latest game—a hybrid of DuckTales and Excitebike: Motocross Maniac—Zaboru called in his Japanese ZAGE team to brief them on the vision. As always, he worked diligently throughout the day, but by late afternoon, precisely at 16:00, he left the office to meet with his band, Zankoku, for an evening of music and recording. This wasn't just another session—it marked the beginning of a new chapter. Zaboru had already shared with the band his desire to produce a second full-length album under the usual moniker "Zaboru and the Zankoku Band."
Their first album, published by PolyGram, had been a commercial and cultural hit across Japan. Gamers and ZAGE fans alike had flocked to buy it, enchanted by its energetic compositions and Zaboru's and Miki distinctive vocal style. Due to PolyGram's global distribution channels, the album even reached American shores. While the Japanese-language tracks didn't all land with U.S. listeners, the English singles "GAS GAS" and "A Whole New World"—both sung by Zaboru—found widespread appeal. "A Whole New World" in particular became a breakout success. Its haunting beauty and powerful emotion caught the attention of international celebrities, many of whom asking Zaboru for permission to cover it. He refused each time. Thats because he don't have time to take care all that.
Zaboru had received offers to perform live in both Japan and the U.S., but he consistently declined. Between his leadership of ZAGE and his creative endeavors, there simply wasn't enough time. The Zankoku band never protested. Well-paid and treated like family, they were content to remain Zaboru's personal ensemble, supporting his vision from the background rather than chasing the limelight. Still, that didn't mean they never longed for it. Occasionally, members would express a desire to step into the spotlight, to feel the thrill of a roaring crowd and hear their names cheered. Zaboru understood and always made sure they had their moments. During major ZAGE events the Zankoku band would take the stage, performing alongside Zaboru in front of packed audiences and television cameras. These occasions gave them just enough shine to feel seen and celebrated.
By the time he arrived at the studio—now officially dubbed Zankoku Studio and located in the bustling district of Shibuya—the band was already inside rehearsing. This studio had once been a humble space, but thanks to Zaboru's funding, it had transformed into a state-of-the-art facility complete with soundproof rooms, top-tier recording equipment, and a cozy lounge area.
As he walked in carrying snacks and sake, Zaboru greeted them with a smile. "Hello everyone. Hope I'm not too late."
Kingo, the band's lively drummer, gave a wide grin and immediately fished out a cold beer from the fridge. "Oh, you're never late, boss—we're just too early!"
Masashi, the cool-headed keyboardist, chuckled and joined him. "Perfect timing, actually," he said, cracking open a can of sake that Zaboru bought.
Jun, the enthusiastic bassist, waved. "Sup boss. We already went over your new song list. Honestly? It's crazy how fresh every single track sounds. How do you keep doing this without repeating yourself?"
Miki, the band's lead female vocalist and rhythm guitarist, smiled and added, "That's just how cool our boss is. Creative magic all the way."
Zaboru shrugged modestly. "Don't overthink it. Anyway, let's focus. Are the folks from PolyGram already here?"
Jun nodded. "Yep—they're in the booth. Ready when we are."
"Great," said Zaboru. "Let's get started."
Their second album, aptly named Second Coming, featured tracks Zaboru had brought with him from his past life. He didn't mind that they weren't his original what mattered was how deeply he connected with them. The band, unaware of their origin, had already received the scores and demos months earlier, and tonight they were ready to record.
**Tracklist for **Second Coming:
"Aoki Dokugan" – From Onmyoza (male and female vocals)
"TOBE! Gundam" – An iconic theme to be featured in future anime"
Ai Wo Torimodose" – From Hokuto no Ken"
Nanka Shiawase" – From Flame of Recca"
Kouga Ninpou Chou" – Female Vocal Another Onmyoza track"
I Wanna Be the Very Best" – The famous ZAGE Pokémon English opening
"Home" – Originally by Michael Bublé, now a Zaboru staple
"Blue Forever" – A sentimental ending from Saint Seiya
"Butterfly" – The legendary Digimon opening
"Harmonia" - Naruto Ending Female vocal
Most of these tracks were destined for future ZAGE games or anime projects. One song in particular, "Home," had already touched hearts. When Zaboru was in the ZAGE offices he once sang this with his acoustic guitar and Ayumi heard it. Ayumi, upon hearing it for the first time, cried. She believed it was Zaboru's way of expressing how much he missed Japan while working in America. While not entirely accurate, Zaboru let her believe it—it made the song's emotional resonance all the more powerful.
Recording went smoothly. The PolyGram representatives were impressed and confirmed they'd begin mastering the tracks immediately. As the clock approached 20:00, Zaboru stood up and said, "Alright, dinner's on me. Let's go celebrate."
They headed to a high-end yakiniku restaurant, where the group gathered around sizzling grills.
Kingo, happily chewing on grilled wagyu, said through a full mouth, "Boss, you're the best. I mean it."
Jun and Masashi nodded in agreement, while Miki handled the cooking, flipping meat with practiced ease.
Zaboru smiled. "Eat all you want. You've earned it."
Jun set down his chopsticks. "Hey boss, I've been thinking. Maybe it's time we change our name. 'Zaboru and the Zankoku Band' feels a bit too long—almost like a feature."
Zaboru laughed. "Are you guys really okay with that? I mean, I'm not exactly a full-time musician. I make albums for fun, and I always say no to live shows—unless it's at a ZAGE event."
Miki chimed in, "We don't mind. We love working with you. Being your personal band has been amazing." Although Miki had already accepted that Zaboru was in a relationship and any chance with him was long gone, her admiration for him never faded. She still idolized him—not because of fame or charisma, but because of the way he poured his soul into his craft , how his voice carried emotion, and how effortlessly he created melodies that touched people's hearts. To her, he wasn't just a bandmate or a boss—he was an artist whose presence inspired her to grow as a musician. So whenever possible, Miki always found herself wanting to stay close to Zaboru, quietly supporting him from nearby, content just to be part of the world he built.
Kingo raised his glass. "Yeah! How about 'Z&Z'? Short, catchy, and it has a nice ring to it."
Masashi's eyes lit up. "Z&Z... I like it!"
Zaboru nodded. "Alright then. Z&Z it is. Let's let PolyGram know tomorrow."
Zaboru then reminded the group, "Don't forget, tomorrow we're performing at the ZAGE E-Sport: Street Fighter event, so make sure you don't stay up too late tonight. We need to be sharp."
Kingo and Jun responded with enthusiastic thumbs up. Miki gave a firm nod, her eyes already shifting into performance mode. Meanwhile, Masashi let out a dramatic groan.
"Ehh, but I really wanted to stay up playing Magical Chase on my ZGB... I just got to stage five!"
Miki narrowed her eyes playfully and leaned in. "Oh? Is that so?"
Caught off guard, Masashi turned pale. "N-no! I mean, yes? I mean—uh, the concert definitely comes first! Of course! Music before games, always!"
The others burst out laughing, their spirits high. Even Zaboru chuckled, shaking his head. "You can play all you want after the concert."
Masashi sighed in mock defeat. "Fine... but someone better bring a ZGB backstage just in case."
Jun clapped him on the back. "Deal. But only after we melt some faces."
Their laughter filled the restaurant, blending with the warm hum of conversation and the crackle of grilled meat. Despite the pressure of tomorrow's performance, the group felt at ease—confident, bonded, and ready.
To be continue
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