Saturday 11 January 1998.
On a quiet Saturday morning, Zaboru found himself tucked away inside his private workshop on the 51st floor of ZAGE Tower. Unlike the high-level brainstorm session or hardware testing he was used to, this space felt personal—a sanctuary built for something far more playful today about his new passion: cosplaying. Not just wearing the outfits, but making them entirely from scratch with his own hands.
"Hehehe, this is gonna be great," Zaboru muttered with a boyish grin, delicately holding a miniature costume he had been working on for hours since last night. The fabric was blue, the shapes rounded, and the gloves ridiculously adorable—it was clear that this wasn't just any cosplay. This was a project made with love.
Zaboru was no stranger to dressing up. At ZAGE events, he'd often wear elaborate costumes of ZAGE IP designed by professionals—whether it was Doom Guy ,Zabo-man the company's iconic mascot, or Raoh. But those costumes were made by others. This time, it was different. This time, the costume wasn't for publicity or showmanship. It was for someone who meant the world to him.
Ever since his son Zenshin had started toddling around—now already a year and four months old—Zaboru had found himself pulled toward the kind of joy he never fully appreciated before. Fatherhood had awakened something inside him, something deeper than nostalgia. He didn't just want to dress Zenshin up for laughs—he wanted to create something special with his own hands. A gift, a memory, a legacy.
And what better way to start than with a little Megaman costume?
He wasn't just a clueless beginner—far from it. Back when he ordered costumes from professionals, Zaboru had always been curious about the process. He would quietly observe how the materials were measured, how the seams were stitched, and how the final touches brought a character to life. Thanks to his Deep Memory Dive ability, every detail, every technique he saw was stored perfectly in his mind, ready to be recalled at will.
Now, as he adjusted the tiny helmet, smoothed the seams of the foam arm blaster, and double-checked the precise stitching along the bodysuit's edge, his movements were fluid and confident. Despite being new to crafting with his own hands, Zaboru's natural dexterity and the agility of his Enlightenment-enhanced body made him work like a seasoned expert. Each cut, each thread, each piece aligned with a precision that rivaled—and in some ways, even surpassed—professional craftsmanship.
The result was nothing short of remarkable. The Megaman costume he created wasn't just good—it was studio-quality. A blend of creative passion, technical understanding, and raw love infused every inch of it. This wasn't merely cosplay anymore—it was artistry, born from memory, refined by talent, and perfected with care.
Zaboru grinned, already imagining his son's reaction. This was more than a hobby. This was a new kind of happiness he didn't even know he needed.
Now inside the warm and lively Renkonan household, Ayumi was sitting cross-legged on the floor, gently playing with Zenshin while softly caressing her four-months pregnant belly. Her expression was serene and full of joy as she watched their son, who was now happily stacking colorful puzzle blocks, his tiny hands fumbling but determined. The sun beamed gently through the wide living room windows, casting a cozy morning glow across the tatami flooring and illuminating the small, loving scene like something out of a photo album.
Nearby, Zaboru's father, Zanichi, sat in his favorite reclining chair, dressed in his usual weekend yukata. With a steaming cup of rich black coffee in hand and the weekend newspaper stretched wide in front of him, he was enjoying a rare, tranquil morning. Occasionally, he would lower the newspaper and glance over to watch Zenshin's adorable attempts at building structures, a soft grin forming on his face each time the little boy giggled or cheered himself on.
Across the room, Keiko, Zaboru's mother, was lounging on the couch. The TV was on, tuned to a peaceful morning show, but the volume was kept low so she could better enjoy the family atmosphere. From her seat, she had a perfect view of Zenshin, and she couldn't help but let out a delighted chuckle every time he knocked over a tower of blocks with both hands and a triumphant shout. Her maternal warmth radiated as she occasionally clapped for him, encouraging his small victories.
Sanika, Zaboru's energetic little sister, wasn't present at the moment—she was out enjoying a weekend date with her boyfriend, Hidetaka Miyazaki. She had sent a cheerful message earlier saying she might drop by later, but for now, the house felt peaceful and grounded in its family rhythm.
Then, without warning, the familiar sound of a car rolling into the driveway stirred the stillness. The vehicle engine shut off, the door opened and closed with a firm but careful thud, and the front door soon clicked open. Footsteps echoed softly through the hallway.
Zaboru had returned from the office—a rare event on a Saturday, which immediately stirred curiosity throughout the room. Even more curious, though, was the massive, sleek black briefcase he carried in one hand. It looked heavy, but Zaboru held it with ease, wearing a mischievous smile as he stepped inside.
Ayumi glanced up in surprise, raising her eyebrows. "Huh? Zabo? Welcome home! But… what's that you're carrying?" she asked, genuinely puzzled but smiling.
Zaboru chuckled under his breath, clearly enjoying the sense of mystery. He placed the briefcase gently on the floor, then leaned closer to Ayumi with an exaggerated whisper. "Hehehe… Ayumi, let's go to our bedroom. Bring Zenshin too. I have something special for him, hehe."
Keiko and Zanichi exchanged glances, both raising eyebrows with interest. But they didn't press. They could tell Zaboru was setting up a surprise, and neither wanted to ruin it. Instead, they watched curiously as Ayumi stood up, supporting her belly with one hand and lifting Zenshin with the other.
Zenshin tilted his head and pointed at the briefcase. "What's that, Papa?" he asked in his toddler voice.
"You'll see, Zen-chan," Zaboru said with a wink, leading his wife and son down the hallway toward their bedroom.
The door clicked shut. A beat of silence passed—then came the sound of zippers being undone, fabric rustling, and a loud gasp from Ayumi followed by bursts of playful laughter. Zenshin's excited squeals filled the air, as if something magical had just happened behind those doors.
Keiko and Zanichi exchanged warm smiles. They still had no idea what the surprise was, but judging by the sounds of joy echoing from the bedroom, it was something wonderful.
Then, after around twenty minutes passed, the door to Zaboru and Ayumi's bedroom slowly opened, creaking just slightly. Standing proudly in the doorway was Zaboru, a wide grin plastered on his face, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Mom, Dad—look at this!" he called out, his voice filled with pride and joy.
He stepped aside, and out came little Zenshin, now fully dressed in the miniature blue Megaman costume that Zaboru had poured so much love and effort into. The bodysuit fit perfectly, and the foam blasters on each arm made soft, squeaky noises as he waved them around. The helmet sat snug on his head, and a massive smile stretched across his face as he stomped forward like a proud little hero. His eyes sparkled with glee, and he even struck a pose, mimicking what he'd seen on his dad's game posters.
Zanichi's eyebrows shot up in surprise before a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "It seems we've got a new hero in the house," he said with amusement, his voice laced with admiration.
Keiko, meanwhile, gasped as her eyes lit up like fireworks. "Whoa! Zen-chan! You're so cute!" she exclaimed, immediately getting up to follow the little Megaman around the room. Zenshin, playing along, began to pretend-shoot her with his foam blasters, making little "pew pew!" sounds with each shot. Keiko dramatically dodged and giggled, throwing her hands up in mock surrender, "Oh no! The mighty Megaman is unstoppable!"
Zenshin squealed with laughter, spinning around and firing again, now aiming at his grandfather, who raised his newspaper in mock defense. The entire room erupted into warm, wholehearted laughter. The moment felt timeless—one of those rare, golden family memories that would be treasured forever.
Seeing the joy and excitement brimming from everyone, Ayumi quickly fetched the family camera, and soon everyone was taking turns snapping photos of Zenshin in his adorable Megaman costume. They posed him beside the coffee table, on his mother's lap, and even with Zanichi pretending to be the villain.
It wasn't long before the room filled with the soft clicks of the camera shutter and the delighted commentary of a family lost in happiness. What started as a simple hobby had turned into a core memory—a beautiful, shared moment of play, imagination, and love.
Now, Keiko was cheerfully playing with Zenshin outside in the family yard. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting playful shadows across the soft grass where Zenshin was running around, still in his Megaman costume, firing imaginary blasts at flowers and fence posts with wild enthusiasm. His little legs carried him in circles around the yard, and he paused occasionally to giggle and declare victory over invisible enemies.
Keiko clapped her hands and played along, pretending to get hit and dramatically falling back onto the garden bench, making Zenshin burst into laughter. Her maternal energy seemed boundless, and despite her age, she chased him a few steps before pretending to collapse in defeat, laughing the whole time.
Zanichi, meanwhile, was seated nearby under a large parasol, leisurely sipping from yet another steaming mug of coffee. His eyes followed his grandson with amusement, though his movements remained slow and relaxed.
Keiko, catching her breath after the pretend battle, glanced sideways at her husband and narrowed her eyes playfully. "Anata… how many cups of coffee have you had today?"
Zanichi gave her an innocent look as he took another slow sip. "Hmm… this is my third one."
Keiko sighed, crossing her arms and giving him a mock scolding look. "You really need to cut back. You're getting older, and that much caffeine can't be good for you."
Zanichi chuckled warmly and leaned back in his seat. "Keiko, believe me, this is already reduced. Back in the day, I'd have had five by now. I can't function properly without it—it's like oil for my brain." He gave the cup a fond look, then grinned. "Besides, you fell in love with me even when I was a coffee maniac."
Keiko shook her head with a smile, clearly used to this banter. "You'll end up turning into coffee at this rate."
Their gentle teasing filled the yard with warmth. Zenshin, unaware of their conversation, had now taken to climbing a low wooden bench and proclaiming himself "the king of heroes," his blaster arm raised high.
Keiko clapped for him again, and even Zanichi couldn't help but chuckle, raising his coffee in a toast. "Long live the tiny hero," he said, and took another sip.
Then, not long after, Sanika arrived with her boyfriend, Hidetaka Miyazaki. Her presence was as energetic and radiant as ever—her steps light, her smile wide, and her eyes filled with delight the moment she caught sight of little Zenshin dashing around the yard in his vibrant Megaman costume.
"WHOA! Zen-chan, you're sooo cute!" Sanika squealed, immediately rushing over to scoop him up in a big playful hug. She twirled with him in her arms as Zenshin giggled wildly, delighted by the sudden burst of affection. Despite being eighteen years old now, whenever she was with her family, Sanika's cheerful and youthful personality took over, making her seem like the playful younger sister she had always been.
Hidetaka Miyazaki followed behind at a more relaxed pace, chuckling softly at the sight of Sanika and Zenshin. His eyes then turned to the detailed costume, and he approached Zaboru, clearly impressed. "Zaboru-san, this Megaman costume… where did you get it? It looks professionally made," he asked with genuine curiosity, adjusting his glasses.
Zaboru stood tall, arms crossed proudly over his chest, and patted Miyazaki on the shoulder with a satisfied grin. "Hide-chan, I made it myself. This is my new hobby now," he said confidently.
Miyazaki's eyes widened. "Whoa, really? You made this by hand? That's incredible! The craftsmanship is seriously top-notch! But… weren't you completely new to this?" he asked, still surprised.
Zaboru chuckled. "Yeah, but I've been studying techniques for a while. I'm just built different hehehe and call me the Cosplay Master now."
Hidetaka let out a light laugh and nodded. "Well… as expected of Zaboru-san. Always surprising people."
Meanwhile, Ayumi was nearby, holding the family camera and capturing candid shots of everyone enjoying themselves. Sanika, still cradling Zenshin in her arms, turned to her sister-in-law with sparkling eyes. "Ayumi-nee, can you snap a photo of me with Zen-chan? Please?"
Ayumi smiled warmly, raising the camera to her face. "Of course! Say cheese~!"
Sanika beamed brightly, lifting Zenshin a little higher as the toddler grinned, still wearing his foam arm blasters. The camera clicked, capturing another heartwarming moment in the growing collection of Renkonan family memories.
Then Sanika said to Zaboru with bright eyes, "Nii-san, you're really making your own cosplay costume now?"
Zaboru chuckled and gave her a confident nod. "True. Call me the cosplay master now!"
Sanika's eyes lit up with excitement. "Nii-san! I want to cosplay too! Please, please make a costume for me! I want to look cool like Zen-chan!"
Miyazaki, quietly standing nearby, suddenly blushed. It was subtle, but it was obvious to anyone paying attention—his thoughts had clearly drifted into the gutter. He seemed to be imagining Sanika in some kind of tight outfit, and although he tried to hide it by sipping from his drink and glancing away, the red creeping up his ears gave him away.
Zaboru grinned, clearly sensing what was going on, and decided to play along. "So, what do you want to cosplay as, Sanika?"
Sanika beamed. "I want to become Samus! The full armor version, just like in Metroid Prime! All the plating, the arm cannon, the helmet—everything!"
Suddenly, Hidetaka Miyazaki's expression shifted. His face drooped ever so slightly in disappointment, like a child being told Christmas was canceled. He tried to mask it, but the timing made it obvious.
Sanika raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. "Hide-chan...? Why do you look so disappointed all of a sudden?" she asked innocently, though her teasing tone made it clear she already had a good guess.
Hidetaka panicked slightly. "N-No! I'm not! I was just... I mean, it'll be a tough costume to make, right?" he deflected awkwardly, waving his hands.
Zaboru burst out laughing. "Hahaha! I can try to make it, Sanika-chan," he said with a wink. Then he leaned forward slightly, voice lowering into a playful tone. "But Hide-chan definitely wants to see you in the Zero Suit version, doesn't he?"
Ayumi's hand shot out immediately, smacking Zaboru lightly on the back of the head. "Zabo! Stop teasing them!"
Zaboru laughed harder, rubbing the back of his head. He leaned toward Ayumi and whispered cheekily, "I've also prepared a Chun-Li outfit for you tonight."
Ayumi froze, then flushed a deep shade of red. She quickly looked away, flustered, and walked over to pick up Zenshin, who was still playing nearby, using him as an excuse to hide her blushing face.
Sanika laughed out loud. "You two are ridiculous!" She said, covering her mouth and leaning on Miyazaki, who was still recovering from embarrassment.
The atmosphere remained light and joyful. The banter, the teasing, and the playful chaos—it was all a part of what made the Renkonan household so lively and full of love. Zaboru's new cosplay hobby wasn't just a personal passion anymore—it had become something that brought the whole family closer, sparking laughter, imagination, and shared dreams.
To be continue
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