Zaborn_1997
patreon
Chapter 647 Moving Forward.
🕑 Added 2025-09-14 23:37:23 +0000 UTCFriday 19 February 1996 Kobe Japan One of Temporary Shelters
Seto Kawami was one of the survivors of the Kobe earthquake, and now he was working tirelessly to help others in the temporary shelter. As one of the able-bodied men around, he felt a responsibility to assist those who were still reeling from the tragedy. His gaze shifted to a nearby family he knew well—the Ryonaku family, who had suffered a terrible loss.
There had been five members in the Ryonaku family. Tragically, the father, Yuji Ryonaku, and the youngest child, Yusha Ryonaku, had both lost their lives in the earthquake. The eldest child, Yuki, was still in his second year of high school, around sixteen years old. He had a younger sister, Yuzu, who was thirteen, and their mother, Hima, a housewife who now faced life without her husband and youngest son. In the days following the disaster, she had been inconsolable, crying endlessly in her grief. But with time—and with the realization that she still had two children who needed her—Hima had found the strength to carry on.
Seto, who had known Yuji Ryonaku personally and respected him deeply, stepped in to help the grieving family. He assisted them in navigating the camp, gathering supplies, and taking care of daily tasks. For Seto, it was a way to honor Yuji's memory and support a good man’s family in their time of need.
The current state of Kobe is steadily improving. Hospitals have begun to reopen, and the roads are now cleared of debris, allowing for smoother transportation and faster recovery efforts throughout the city.
Before long, a convoy of ZAGE trucks arrived, and Seto smiled as he watched them roll in. It was clear that ZAGE genuinely cared about the people of Kobe—they had already given so much, and now it seemed they had more to offer. From one of the trucks stepped Zaboru Renkonan, and the crowd instantly lit up with excitement.
People gathered quickly, many smiling and calling out to him. Zaboru greeted everyone warmly, shaking hands and bowing respectfully. A swarm of children ran up to him, their eyes wide with admiration. He smiled and gently patted each of them on the head. The children idolized him, and even the adults couldn’t help but feel uplifted in his presence. Zaboru wasn’t just popular—he was a symbol of hope and kindness in a difficult time.
Then ZAGE arrived with a fleet of ice cream trucks, all arranged by Zaboru to provide free ice cream to the survivors of Kobe. The children were overjoyed, their faces lighting up as they lined up in an orderly fashion to receive their treats. The joy wasn’t confined to just one location—the trucks were sent to several safe zones and temporary shelters across the city, spreading happiness wherever they stopped.
ZAGE had partnered with numerous ice cream vendors for this charitable initiative. Many of the vendors were so moved by the cause that they offered their services at half price, simply wanting to bring a little sweetness and joy to those who had suffered so much. Even something as small as an ice cream cone brought smiles, laughter, and a rare moment of peace to the children and families who needed it most.
Zaboru then stood quietly, watching as another truck rolled in—this one filled with toys and the latest ZGB handheld consoles, each loaded with six games and extra batteries. As the truck doors opened, children’s eyes lit up with joy. This was to be Zaboru’s final gift to the victims of Kobe.
Each survivor received a special package: one ZGB console, six games, a plush Pokémon doll, Spawn Pins , Donkey Kong Water bottle , Hello Kitty watch , each Tamagotchi and Digimon , a Mario hat, and either a SpongeBob or Sonic-themed bag. Everyone received one, and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and excitement.
What made the gesture even more extraordinary was that Zaboru funded the entire effort out of his own pocket. He didn’t use company funds—he personally covered the cost, which exceeded a billion yen. But to him, it didn’t matter. Seeing the happiness on people’s faces, especially the children, was worth every yen.
Adults and kids alike cherished the thoughtful gifts. For non-gamers, the packages held value that could help them financially if sold. For gamers, however, these were priceless treasures—symbols of kindness, joy, and hope in a time of hardship.
Within the Ryonaku family, Yuki Ryonaku—the eldest—looked down at the package he had received. Beside him, his sister Yuzu Ryonaku and their mother Hima were smiling warmly. Yuzu's voice rang out with excitement. "Woah, Mom, look at this! The SpongeBob bag is so cute, and I actually got a ZGB too! And six games! Look at this Hello Kitty watch—so cute! And a Tamagotchi too! Hehehe!"
Hima nodded, touched by her daughter’s joy. Yuzu then added softly, "Yusha would have loved this."
At that, Hima's eyes began to well up again, the memories still too raw. Yuki clenched his jaw, anger and grief tightening his chest. All of this—everything—reminded him of Yusha. If only Yusha hadn’t gone to his friend’s house to play games, maybe he would still be alive. Yusha had died there during the earthquake. Their father had also died at work that same day. The weight of it all pressed down on Yuki. Overcome, and perhaps not thinking clearly, he quickly strode toward Zaboru, who was still smiling and speaking kindly with the children nearby.
Zaboru noticed a young man approaching him. He was about to ask what was going on when, all of a sudden, he sensed something was off. Before he could react, the young man suddenly punched him. Zaboru didn’t know why—but he chose not to dodge. The blow landed squarely on his face.
Everyone around him stood in stunned silence—even Hima, Yuki’s mother, was shocked. “Yuki! What are you doing!?” she cried out.
Seto rushed forward, grabbing Yuki by the shoulders just as the boy began shouting, his voice cracking with grief and rage. “IT’S BECAUSE OF YOU! YOU CREATED THOSE STUPID GAMES! MY LITTLE BROTHER DIED! HE WASN’T EVEN TEN! HE WENT TO HIS FRIEND’S HOUSE TO PLAY AND HE DIED THERE! IT’S YOUR FAULT! DON’T THINK YOUR STUPID GIFTS CAN BRING HIM BACK!”
Seto, trying to calm him, raised his voice in return. “Hey, Yuki! That’s not fair. You can’t blame Zaboru for what happened. That’s not right!”
But before Seto could say more, Zaboru gently raised his hand. “It’s okay. Let him go,” he said calmly.
Zaboru turned to face the boy, then bowed his head deeply. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the pain you’re feeling. I’m so sorry.”
Yuki was stunned. He hadn’t expected that—Zaboru, a billionaire and creator of a gaming empire, bowing to him, apologizing. His anger trembled and began to break apart.
Then his mother came forward, her voice trembling. “You fool!” she scolded Yuki. “This isn’t Zaboru’s fault! No one’s to blame! We have to let go... Yusha... I hope he’s smiling somewhere, but you can’t destroy your life over this, Yuki.”
She suddenly dropped to her knees, bowing deeply to Zaboru. “Please forgive my son, Zaboru-sama. I only have Yuki and Yuzu left. I beg you—don’t let his mistake ruin his life.” She's afraid because of this Zaboru will ruin her son and daughter life because Zaboru are man with influence.
Zaboru quickly stepped forward and gently helped her up, shaking his head. “Please, ma’am. Your son did nothing wrong. I’m not upset. He’s just grieving, and that’s okay,” he said with a warm, understanding smile.
The moment was heavy with emotion. People around them, even those who didn’t know the family well, were moved to tears. It wasn’t just about the punch—it was about pain, loss, and the overwhelming tide of emotions still washing over the survivors. And in that moment, Zaboru’s compassion stood taller than his wealth.
After the incident, Zaboru went on to visit other camps throughout Kobe. At each stop, he took time to speak with survivors, share meals, and even sing songs to lift their spirits. His playful demeanor and heartfelt gestures brought comfort and moments of joy to people who desperately needed it. The more he interacted with the survivors, the more his own heart began to heal. Little by little, Zaboru’s mental health improved. Step by step, he began to feel like himself again—stronger, steadier, and more at peace.
To be continue
