Monday 7 April 1999 Sonaya Offices
Now inside the spacious meeting room of the Sonaya offices, the atmosphere carried a mix of professionalism and curiosity. Sitting at the long polished table were two of the company's top figures—Hikaru Kurata, the CEO and major shareholder of Sonaya, and beside him, Junpei Hoshida, the head of Sonaya's gaming department. Both executives sat with a formal posture, but their expressions carried hints of anticipation. They were waiting for their special guest.
And that guest was none other than Zaboru Renkonan, the enigmatic and unpredictable figure behind ZAGE.
Zaboru, however, did not seem burdened by the formality of the room. Instead, he sat comfortably across from them, already nibbling on the snacks prepared by the Sonaya team. A plate of freshly made dango and perfectly golden taiyaki sat in front of him. He took a bite, letting the sweet flavors settle on his tongue before grinning in delight.
"These snacks are something else," Zaboru said with genuine enthusiasm, licking a bit of red bean paste from his finger.
Hikaru Kurata's brow twitched slightly in irritation. He let out a quiet sigh. "Somehow, I wonder how a guy with your manners became such a headache for the entire video game department of Sonaya, Zaboru."
Junpei, clearly more amused than annoyed, stifled a chuckle beside him, clearly used to the unorthodox behavior.
Kurata, keeping his composure, leaned forward and got straight to the point. "Alright, so what do you want to negotiate with me today?"
Truthfully, both executives were intrigued. Just last week, Sonaya had received an unexpected but formal message from the ZAGE secretary's office, requesting a negotiation meeting—but without disclosing any details. This lack of clarity only deepened their curiosity, as ZAGE was known for playing its cards close to the chest, and Zaboru especially had a reputation for dramatic reveals and unconventional strategies. Whatever this was, it wasn't going to be a simple business chat. And both men were ready to hear what wild proposition Zaboru had come up with this time.
Zaboru smiled, his eyes gleaming with a different kind of excitement. "Well, this isn't actually related to video games this time, Kurata-san," he began, his tone casual but deliberate. "This is about music. Yes—Sonaya Music, to be precise."
Hikaru Kurata frowned, his brows narrowing. "Music? What about music?" he asked, slightly confused.
Zaboru leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and continued, "Well, a couple of months ago, I finalized a deal with PolyGram. As you know, they're one of the biggest music recording companies in the world—probably second only to your very own Sonaya Music. The agreement allows ZAGE to use their entire song catalog across all media forms and projects. And of course, they agreed without much resistance." He smirked. "After all, much of their current success came from ZAGE games and productions featuring their music and also my own music. You could say our projects played a big part in reviving and expanding their reach, so now they're thriving."
In this world, PolyGram wasn't owned by Philips nor eventually bought by Universal Studios as it was in Zaboru's previous life. Instead, during a period when the company was struggling and on the verge of collapse, Zaboru appeared with his band, Zankoku, and chose PolyGram as their official recording label. What followed was nothing short of legendary. Zaboru and Zankoku's music exploded onto the scene, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. Their songs not only sold millions of copies worldwide but also became anthems for a generation. Over the years, many of their albums dominated the charts and even won multiple Grammy Awards, elevating PolyGram from the brink of irrelevance to one of the most powerful and influential music labels in the world once again. This meteoric rise was largely attributed to Zaboru's involvement, both as an artist and a visionary. As a result, the higher-ups at PolyGram developed a strong sense of loyalty and deep gratitude toward ZAGE and Zaboru personally. With their renewed global success deeply tied to ZAGE's projects and presence, PolyGram executives had no interest in antagonizing or challenging Zaboru's ambitions—instead, they quietly made it a policy to support his endeavors however they could.
He took another sip of tea, letting the warmth settle as he swirled the cup gently in his hand, then added with a slight chuckle, "They see it as returning the favor. Now, I'd like to extend a similar conversation to Sonaya—though with a twist that could benefit us both in an even bigger way."
Zaboru leaned forward slightly, his grin widening with excitement. "And now, I'd like to ask for something similar from Sonaya. What I'm proposing is a mutual collaboration between Sonaya Music and the partnership ZAGE currently has with PolyGram. I want to create an environment where music created within the Sonaya catalog can be freely used in ZAGE projects and across PolyGram-licensed media, while simultaneously allowing Sonaya to access and distribute PolyGram's extensive song library. It sounds complicated, I know—but think of it as cross-pollination of two musical giants, opening a pipeline of creativity, exposure, and revenue across multiple global platforms."
He paused, tapping the table thoughtfully. "The idea is not just about sharing resources; it's about blending legacies and influence. The synergy between ZAGE, PolyGram, and Sonaya Music could unlock a new level of cultural impact. It's about widening reach, maximizing value, and creating unforgettable experiences for audiences worldwide and also for my recent project that, well, it's a little bit complicated.."
Hikaru Kurata frowned, his curiosity piqued and his tone sharpening slightly. "Complicated? Elaborate…" he said, leaning forward in his seat.
Zaboru offered a sly smile, clearly enjoying the suspense. "In the next couple of months, the music industry is about to experience a serious disruption—one that ZAGE will spearhead. I won't reveal everything right now, but here's a little spoiler: we're launching a small, portable device that can store and play over 1,000 songs. Think about that—a thousand songs, in one sleek machine, right in your pocket."
He took another sip of his tea, letting the words sink in.
The moment Zaboru spoke those words, Hikaru Kurata's eyes widened in disbelief, and then quickly filled with concern. As the CEO of Sonaya, he didn't need any more details to understand what that meant. Devices like the WalkMan and portable CD players—once the gold standard of personal music—would be rendered obsolete if such a device truly hit the market. Gone would be the days of carrying a stack of CDs or cassette tapes. In their place would be a single compact gadget with the power to change everything about how people accessed music.
And worse, ZAGE was behind it. That meant whatever Zaboru was planning was not a hypothetical—if he said it was ready, then it probably was. Kurata felt the weight of the moment. This wasn't just an innovation; it was a revolution. And unless Sonaya adapted quickly, they might be left in the dust.
Hikaru Kurata said, his tone a mix of disbelief and growing concern, "You're not joking, are you? And if this is really true—if your device is actually ready to launch—then why are you asking us to collaborate with you in the first place? You realize this kind of technology could potentially ruin Sonaya Music's dominance in the hardware market, right? A thousand songs in one device? That could make our entire portable music division irrelevant."
Zaboru chuckled, not out of arrogance but as if he had anticipated the reaction. "Come on, Kurata-san," he replied with a calm but earnest smile, "music isn't like video games, and we both know it. There's no realistic scenario where PolyGram—or any one company—completely dominates the music space the way ZAGE does with video games. The music industry is vast, fragmented, and far more accessible globally than gaming ever was. The audience is broader, the genres more diverse, and the consumption habits deeply personal. In other words, the pie is enormous—there's more than enough for everyone."
He leaned in slightly, his eyes focused. "What I want to create isn't monopoly or disruption for the sake of destruction. I want to offer something no one else has yet—a seamless, revolutionary music experience. The ultimate experience for the consumer. Not just portability. Not just convenience. I'm talking about access, design, culture, emotion—all rolled into one. Something that changes how people listen, connect, and live through music. And that's why I want Sonaya to be part of it. Because I believe we can build something greater together, not just compete over scraps."
Zaboru continued, his voice steady and full of conviction. " I want consumers to have access to all officially licensed music—completely legal, fully supported, and incredibly easy to use. With this new device we're working on, that dream is finally within reach. Users will be able to browse, purchase, and download songs from both PolyGram and, if we work together, Sonaya's entire catalog—anytime, anywhere. That level of access and convenience hasn't existed until now. This isn't just a gadget—it's a gateway to the future of listening."
He paused, then leaned slightly forward, as if trying to drive the point home. "And to be clear, I'm not asking Sonaya to give anything away. Your profits won't be split randomly or unfairly. The model is very simple: every time a consumer downloads or streams a Sonaya song on our device, Sonaya will receive a percentage of that transaction—based on the licensing agreement we define. The finer details, such as revenue split percentages, reporting systems, and long-term support, can all be handled and negotiated properly with my legal and licensing team. But what I need to know today is simple: are you in or out, Kurata-san? Will Sonaya be a partner in this future or not?"
Hikaru Kurata leaned back in his chair, his thoughts spinning. As the CEO of Sonaya, he knew their position was nothing like Sonaya's struggling video game division. Sonaya Music was a powerhouse in Japan and had respectable reach internationally. What Zaboru had said wasn't wrong—music and video games were completely different beasts. The structure, the revenue models, the audiences—they operated on entirely separate planes.
Still, the risk was real. If this ZAGE device really delivered on its promise, then Sonaya's current portable music hardware lineup could be rendered obsolete overnight. Their entire line of CD players and WalkMan successors could become museum pieces. But Sonaya Music itself—the record label, the artists, the content—would survive. No, not just survive, it could thrive. Because even if the player changed, the music would still need to come from somewhere. And Sonaya had plenty of it.
A slow grin formed on Hikaru's face. This was a gamble, yes, but not a fatal one. In fact, it might be the smartest move they could make if they wanted to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
"Alright, I agree," Hikaru Kurata said, his voice steady but carrying a note of challenge. "Let's proceed with the details through our respective legal teams. However, I have one condition—something important to me personally." He leaned forward slightly, a grin forming on his face. "Sonaya has been developing a brand-new video game engine. We've decided that we're no longer interested in continuing to use the ZAGE Unreal Engine, mainly because of its terms around data collection. Our upcoming engine avoids that entirely, and it's on track to be completed by next month."
He looked Zaboru straight in the eye, his expression turning serious. "So, I want you to take a look at it once it's ready. Review it—not just as a business rival, but as someone who understands both the technical and creative demands of game development. I want you to give it an honest assessment, real feedback. What do you say?"
Zaboru burst into a hearty laugh, leaning back in his chair, eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and admiration. "Hehehe, cheeky, aren't you? After all that time using our Unreal Engine, you've gone and modeled your own version, huh?" He chuckled again, clearly not offended, but rather intrigued by the boldness of the move.
He shook his head in amusement, his tone light as he picked up another piece of taiyaki and took a generous bite. Speaking mid-chew with a playful grin, he continued, "But honestly? I genuinely respect that. It takes guts and determination to break away and create something from scratch. I think it's fantastic when developers step up and build their own tools from the ground up—it shows not only ambition, but also real technical and creative independence. That kind of move pushes the industry forward, and I'm always here for that."
Zaboru leaned forward slightly, now speaking with more conviction. "Of course I'll review it. Why wouldn't I? I'd be happy to give it a proper look. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I've helped a so-called rival in this industry. I'm a terrible businessman after all hehehe" He laughed again,. "But that's just who I am. I believe we grow stronger when we challenge each other, not when we hoard progress."
Hikaru Kurata chuckled, and Junpei grinned as well, sharing a moment of mutual understanding. Both executives agreed to proceed with setting up formal meetings for the official licensing negotiations. Since the finer details would be handled by their respective legal and licensing teams, there was no need for either Kurata or Zaboru to be personally involved in the upcoming sessions.
With the agreement in place, Zaboru took his leave and returned to ZAGE Tower, feeling satisfied with how the talks had turned out. The timing couldn't have been better—tomorrow, the leader of Team Enigma from the United States was scheduled to arrive in Tokyo. Zaboru had specifically requested their presence, knowing that their assignment for April had been successfully completed. Now, they were eager and ready to tackle their next major task.
To be continue
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