Tokyo: My Best Actor Gear List

Chapter 49 Prelude to Christmas

Roppongi, "BIRDMAN WEST" recording studio.

This is the headquarters of the Being Group.

The control room was filled with smoke.

Daiko Nagato, hailed as "the strongest producer since Tetsuro Oda," was sitting behind the mixing console.

He twirled an expensive Montblanc pen in his hand, glanced at the uneasy Sachiko in the recording studio through his sunglasses, and then turned his gaze to Kitahara Shin on the sofa.

"Kitahara-kun, it has to be you."

Nagato Daiko, like a shrewd antique dealer inspecting goods, said in a nonchalant tone, "If anyone else dared to hand me a mannequin at this time, I would have had security kick them out long ago."

He pointed to a sheet of music on the table: "How were those two bottles of vintage champagne from last month? Thanks to your insistence on using Tube's 'Season in the Sun,' the single's sales doubled. For that, I'll give you twenty minutes."

"President Nagato, you're too kind."

Kitahara Shin lit a cigarette, his attitude casual. "The wine is good. As for bringing her here today, it's the same principle—if I can help you pick a good song, I can naturally help you pick a good voice."

"Make money? You're quite the talker."

Nagato Daiki chuckled and finally picked up Sachiko's resume. He glanced at it only once before tossing the paper back onto the table.

"His resume is as blank as a sheet of paper. Kitahara-kun, let me make this clear from the start: even if you recommend someone, if their voice doesn't match, I still won't accept them."

"Of course." Kitahara Shin exhaled a puff of smoke. "If you think it's not acceptable after listening to me, I'll take my men and leave immediately."

Daikichi Nagato raised an eyebrow and pressed the call button: "Hello, the one inside. Stop shaking. Sing your best song."

Inside the recording studio.

Sachiko was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans recommended by Kitahara Shin today, and her face was as clean as a college student's.

Upon hearing the instructions in her earpiece, she subconsciously glanced at Kitahara Shin outside the glass window.

Kitahara Shin didn't speak, but simply made a "please" gesture to her, his expression calm.

Sachiko closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Sung a cappella, without accompaniment.

The melody was "Don't Give Up," the song that played outside the convenience store that day.

「ふとした Instant sight,がぶつかる (I meet your eyes for an inadvertent moment)...」

It was a little tight at first.

But in the second sentence, that signature straight voice burst out.

Daiko Nagato, who had been twirling his pen, stopped.

He took off his sunglasses, leaned forward, and stared intently at the girl inside.

The writing was rough, the breathing was loud, and the technique was clumsy.

But there's a certain energy in this voice. Unlike the cloyingly sweet idol voices on the market, this voice has a grainy texture, like sandpaper, and is as dazzling as the midday sun in summer.

One minute later, the singing stopped.

The control room remained quiet for a long time.

Daikichi Nagato threw his sunglasses on the table and turned to Shin Kitahara: "Kitahara-kun, it's a shame you're not a talent scout."

"I'm an actor, observing people is my job." Kitahara Shin stubbed out his cigarette.

I'll remember this favor.

Daikichi Nagato pressed the call button. "Come sign the contract tomorrow. But I have one condition—quit your modeling job and change your old-fashioned name."

"The name 'Sachiko Kamachi' sounds too soft, like an ordinary girl next door. That's not the feeling I want."

He crossed out his name on the resume and then wrote three characters next to it in a flowing, evocative style.

"From today onwards, your name is Izumi Sakai."

Sachiko—or rather, Izumi Sakai—stared blankly at that name.

spring.

Clear, surging, seemingly fragile yet inexhaustible.

"And another thing," Daiko Nagato continued, writing another line in English below, "we'll be forming a band with you at the core. I've already thought of a name."

ZARD.

"Z, A, R, D".

Daiko Nagato tapped the word with the nib of his pen. "Although I haven't figured out a specific meaning for it yet, the pronunciation of 'Za' is very strong, it sounds like Blizzard, which fits my idea. Remember, we're not going to be some sweet idol, we're going to be rock and roll."

"Izumi Sakai is the lead vocalist of ZARD, understand?"

……

9 PM, Ginza Chuo-dori.

Having settled Sachiko's matter, Kitahara Shin walked alone on the street.

In early December, the last Christmas of the bubble era will arrive.

The plane trees lining the streets were adorned with colorful lights, and the streets were filled with people carrying designer shopping bags, the cold wind carrying the scent of expensive perfumes.

"Ring ring ring—!!"

The mobile phone in my arms started vibrating.

Kitahara Shin pulled out the antenna: "Feed."

"Moshi Moshi~ Is that the big star Kitahara-san?"

A familiar voice came through the receiver, accompanied by static. It sounded lighter and more cheerful than before, lacking its previous heaviness.

Kitahara Shin stopped in his tracks: "Isn't it early morning in New York? Staying up late will cause wrinkles."

"None of your business."

Akina Nakamori seemed to be in a good mood, with jazz music faintly playing in the background. "I just finished watching a Broadway show. Compared to this stage, the Japanese idol show is like child's play."

"Then study hard and come back to teach these people a lesson."

"Of course."

Akina paused, her tone becoming somewhat subtle, "But... I heard that someone was having a pretty good time while I was away?"

"Um?"

"Weekly Bunshun has even been sent to New York." Akina scoffed. "'Mad Dog Kitahara Shin's Secret Meeting with a Beautiful Woman in a Karaoke Box'... I heard it's a model? Her name is Sachiko?"

Kitahara Shin rubbed his temples in exasperation.

"The paparazzi have a really good nose. She's just a friend; I helped her find a job, and she was just talking about signing a contract with Daikichi Nagato."

"Helping someone find a job and then going to karaoke?"

Akina's tone was a little sour, "Why haven't I seen you so enthusiastic towards me before?"

"I even lifted the gold screen for you, isn't that helpful?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"...Yeah, you're crazy."

Akina's voice softened, "That Sachiko...does she sing well?"

"It sounds good," Kitahara Shin said honestly.

"How about me?"

"no the same."

Kitahara Shin looked at the reflection in the shop window. "Your songs are like late-night drinks, they make you want to cry. Her songs are like morning coffee, they make you want to run a couple of laps on the track, or stride briskly to work."

"puff……"

Akina laughed out loud. "What a weird analogy. You sound like an energetic kid. Fine, I won't hold it against you then."

"Letter," she suddenly called out.

"Um?"

Merry Christmas. It's a bit early, though.

"And... don't run too fast. If you've become a big shot I can't catch up with when I get back, I'll be angry."

"Then you'd better run faster."

Kitahara Shin looked at the electronic snowflakes falling from the sky, tightened the collar of his trench coat, and said, "I'm going full speed ahead."

"Arrogant fellow."

Akina cursed and hung up the phone.

Kitahara Shin put away his phone and looked at the bustling streets of Ginza.

It's not bad to be remembered by two people.

……

The system has a bug!

The order has been changed! My apologies.