Chapter 15 - 14: The First Installation
The early morning sun cast long shadows across the floor as Zaboru paced in his small living room, the phone clutched tightly in his hand. His mind raced as he thought about the logistics of moving five bulky ZAS machines to Bakudan Arcade. Each machine, a product of months of hard work and sleepless nights, was a culmination of his passion and ingenuity. He couldn't afford to damage them.
Taking a deep breath, he dialed the number of Tanaka Movers, a local moving company. The line connected with a gruff but friendly voice.
"Hello, this is Tanaka Movers. How can I help you?"
"Good morning, Tanaka-san," Zaboru said, trying to keep his voice steady and professional. "I need help moving some equipment from my house to Toki-san's Bakudan Arcade. They're about the size of a small fridge, 10–15 kilograms each, and there are five of them."
Tanaka let out a hearty chuckle. "That's not a problem. My truck can handle that load. The cost will be 2,000 yen. I'll send Kojiro, one of my best guys, to help with the lifting. He'll be there in about 15 minutes. Is that alright?"
Zaboru nodded, though Tanaka couldn't see it. "That's perfect. Thank you, Tanaka-san."
Hanging up, he glanced out the window at the garage, where the ZAS machines waited. Despite the nervous energy coursing through him, a sense of pride swelled in his chest. These machines weren't just arcade cabinets; they were symbols of his determination and creativity.
Exactly 15 minutes later, the low rumble of an approaching truck broke his thoughts. A medium-sized vehicle pulled into the driveway, and a stocky man in his early 30s climbed out. His work boots crunched against the gravel as he approached.
"This is Zaboru's house, right? I'm Kojiro. Let's get started," he said with an easy smile.