Tokyo Bubble Life

Chapters 1528 and 1537: Just having a drink, how did I overhear such a big secret?!

Chapters 1528 and 1537: Just having a drink, how did I overhear such a big secret?!

A dimly lit underground bar~

This is a quiet bar. Apart from the bottles and glasses on the bar counter reflecting a shimmering glow under the neon lights, the only other thing is the warm light above the booths, which is just enough to see the people opposite you.

The bar was playing soft music, just the right amount of music to hear each other clearly.

Most people who come to this bar are really just here to have a drink, relax, and chat with friends. Otherwise, there are plenty of other nightclubs in Roppongi that are more lively and offer more opportunities to drink and dance.

Masaharu Fukuyama had been drinking here for several days in a row, feeling excited, guilty, and somewhat confused. This was because he had met a "friend" here: Yamato Kishimoto, the sales manager of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

"What do you think of what I said last time, Mr. Fukuyama?"

Kishimoto Yamato held a glass of gin, his eyes fixed on Fukuyama Masaharu's expression.

"As long as you come to our Sony Pictures Entertainment, you can have the breach of contract penalties and other related matters handled by the company."

"You should know that although Sony Pictures Entertainment has only just been established, it is backed by the Sony Group! And it just acquired Columbia Pictures for a huge sum of money."

"Our company has a huge vision. We want to expand into Hollywood and the world."

"There are plenty of opportunities."

After discussing the prospects, Kishimoto Yamato began his manipulative tactics.

"Although Fukuyama-kun used to be Japan's national boyfriend, his popularity has declined drastically due to his relationship."

"I've been unemployed lately, so I'm probably at the bar drinking away my sorrows."

"This can't go on!"

"Sony Pictures can help you transform your business and move towards film development."

"."

As Kishimoto Yamato uttered those enticing words, they stirred ripples in Fukuyama Masaharu's heart.

He was aware of Sony Group's formidable strength, knew that Akio Morita was a tycoon who could make billions of dollars in business with just a few words, and had also heard about Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures.

Indeed, as Yamato Kishimoto said, Sony Pictures Entertainment has ambitious goals, and as a newly established company, it has many opportunities.

But

Do I really have to leave Tree Friends because of this?!

Masaharu Fukuyama recalled the time when Masaharu-san picked him out of the host club, the time when he first starred in "Love Generation," and the protection his company gave him when his relationship with Yukiko Okada was exposed.

"Kishimoto-san, I have no plans to change agencies for the time being!"

Masaharu Fukuyama said firmly,

"Thank you for the invitation!"

"."

Looking at the young Fukuyama Masaharu in front of him, Kishimoto Yamato felt a lot of resentment in his heart but didn't know how to express it.

Sony Pictures Entertainment was indeed newly established and needed mature and promising artists to support it, which is why they sent them around to poach talent. Anyway, given Akio Morita's influence in Japan, as long as he negotiated with each agency, they could basically "transfer" their agencies amicably.

Furthermore, for some reason, the company seems to favor artists from the Shuyou group, and has given instructions to aggressively poach talent from them, offering very lenient terms.

But why are the artists under Shuyou's management so hard to recruit?!

He has already contacted several firms, and after speaking with them, almost all of them rejected him outright. This is very rare in other firms!

Agencies for comedians like Watanabe, Burning, Johnny & Associates, and even Yoshimoto Kogyo, would be more or less tempted after hearing the terms, and some would immediately start discussing benefits and compensation.

However, communication between tree friends and tree friend artists failed at the very first step!

Even Masaharu Fukuyama, who is young and facing a career crisis, has no intention of leaving.

Did the tree friend give the artist a Three-Corpse Brain-Boosting Pill or implant a mental imprint on him?

"Ahem. Fukuyama-kun, don't be in such a hurry."

Kishimoto Yamato believed that Fukuyama Masaharu could still be persuaded, and softened his tone as he spoke.

"My invitation is valid indefinitely. Wait and see; perhaps it will become a viable option!"

"."

Seeing Kishimoto Yamato raise his glass, Fukuyama Masaharu hesitated for a moment, unsure how to refuse, yet also not wanting to create an awkward atmosphere between them, since the other man meant well.

In the end, I raised my glass and clinked it with his.

After finishing the drinks, I decided to leave!

Meanwhile, Yutaka Takenouchi, who had finished filming, came to this bar to have a drink.

After all, filming is currently underway, and as the male lead, he has been sternly warned by his manager, Kitagawa Tetsu, that he cannot be drunk, go clubbing, cause trouble, or have scandals during the project, otherwise it will affect the reputation of "I'm Sorry, I Love You"!

Kitagawa Tetsu didn't go into detail about what would happen if someone made a mistake, or what the punishment would be, but he did cite the example of a paparazzi who offended a friend of the tree and then became a monk in asceticism.

Having realized his mistakes, he finally attained enlightenment, eradicated all worldly worries, and found peace and tranquility.

Although Takenouchi Yutaka felt that Kitagawa Toru's expression at the time was very playful and that he was probably just trying to scare him, he didn't want to try the feeling of having his head shaved!

Going to a temple for ascetic practice?!

What normal person wants to go to a temple to eat pickled vegetables?! Takenouchi Yutaka is a rising star, destined for a life of luxury!

"Hey, have a beer, please!"

Sitting at the bar, Takenouchi Yutaka suppressed his craving for strong liquor and opted for beer to alleviate his body's alcohol intake.

"Give me some more snacks to go with my drinks."

The bartender, unfazed, casually placed some salted edamame and persimmon seeds on a plate and served it with a glass of beer.

Takenouchi Yutaka took a big gulp, savoring the aroma of wheat and the foam of hops, and felt as if the day's hard work had lessened. Then, while listening to music and eating persimmon seeds, he aimlessly surveyed the bar's environment.

"It's alright, quite quiet. I can come here often in the future."

"The people over there look familiar."

"Huh? Isn't that Masaharu Fukuyama?!"

Both of them are under Shuyou's management, and they occasionally bump into each other at the agency, but they are just nodding acquaintances.

Because he heard that the male lead in his drama "I'm Sorry, I Love You" was someone else who stole him, Yutaka Takenouchi even studied Masaharu Fukuyama very carefully!

In the end, one can only conclude that this guy was too young, preferring beauty to his career.

"Still at the age of longing for love!"

Who is he talking to?

"They even clinked glasses."

Just as he was pondering this, he saw that Masaharu Fukuyama had already stood up. He quickly turned his face away and lowered his head to eat, to avoid being seen in this situation, as it would be very awkward for them to meet!

Masaharu Fukuyama left, but the person opposite him remained, seemingly drinking leisurely and observing the others, as if searching for prey.

"Could it be a herbivore type?!"

Takenouchi Yutaka tensed up and quickly took a sip of beer to calm himself down.

Just then, a newcomer walked in from the door and happened to sit not far from the bar. Takenouchi Yutaka immediately recognized her as Hiromi Go!

This bar attracts a lot of people from the entertainment industry!

Takenouchi Yutaka didn't seem inclined to go over and say hello, but when he saw the person who had just sat opposite Fukuyama Masaharu, he quickly walked over and sat directly opposite Go Hiromi, and the two started chatting warmly.

"I'm very interested in Kishimoto-san's previous suggestion!"

Xiang Guangmei said in a low voice,

"However, there are penalties for breach of contract and pressure from the firm."

"Don't worry, don't worry, the penalty for breach of contract is not a big deal. Sony also has face on our side, so we will definitely take responsibility!"

Because of his joy and confidence, Kishimoto Yamato's voice became much louder.

"Sony Pictures is in dire need of talent right now, and with Hiromi Go joining us, we have gained another capable member. It's fantastic!"

"Ha ha."

Cheers!

"."

Takenouchi Yutaka vaguely heard words like "penalty for breach of contract," "Sony," and "urgent need for talent," and then saw the two of them clink glasses, chat quietly for a while, and soon went out together.

At this moment, Takenouchi Yutaka held a bean and stared blankly for a long time without eating it.

"Is this... a poaching operation?"

Yutaka Takenouchi, who was already working, naturally understood what this meant, and then he thought back to what had happened before.

"Well, Masaharu Fukuyama just clinked glasses too."

"Ya Bai!!"

Has Masaharu Fukuyama already reached an agreement with Sony Pictures?!

Takenouchi Yutaka was astonished by his own conclusion. He had only gone out for a drink, how did he suddenly overhear such a huge secret?!

After much deliberation, Takenouchi Yutaka now faces a choice.

Should I tell my agent or someone else about this?

In the Prime Minister's office in Nagata-cho, Doi Tagako is listening to Kawabata Juto's report.

"The budget for next year has been compiled and is awaiting approval before it can be sent to the Prime Minister's Office."

Kawabata Juto said,

"There's no problem with the cabinet approving it before the end of the year!"

"Um"

Doi Tagako nodded. This year's fiscal plan was actually formulated before she took office, which was already at the end of the year. If it hadn't been approved, the government might not have been able to distribute the money. So, in her first year in office, she could only live frugally.

Next year's budget is a guarantee of good governance, and given the ruling party's current majority in the House of Representatives, there is no possibility that it will not pass.

Thinking of this, she suddenly remembered the government bond issued by Naoki Nagayama.

How is the progress of the Special Debt Law?

"That's absolutely no problem."

Kawabata Juto laughed, "These low-interest, long-term government bonds, already backed by corporations, are pure windfall for the government. It's a mutually agreed upon arrangement, and Congress won't object."

"This proposal will be voted on together with the 'Culture-Based Nation' strategy bill at the extraordinary session of parliament at the end of the month."

"Excellent. In that case, construction on the new National Theatre can begin!"

Doi Tagako was pleased and, after hearing "building a nation through culture," continued to ask:

"Is the bill on building a nation based on culture going well with Xiu Yi-san? I haven't seen him these past couple of days?"

"These are reportedly the detailed implementation rules that were finalized within the Cultural Policy Research Office."

Kawabata Juto paused for a moment, as if something was amiss.

"Also, it seems that Shuichi-san is currently preparing a victory celebration party, and has invited quite a few senior figures from the Social Democratic Party."

"oh?!"

Doi Tagako was taken aback.

Generally speaking, it is taboo to invite senior party members to a gathering without the party leader's approval, as it easily gives the impression of forming cliques.

However, Shuichi Itō is different. He is not a politician. If you think about it that way, he may just be celebrating the passage of the 'culture-based nation' strategy.

"A victory celebration banquet?! Didn't you invite me?"

Even if I don't attend, it's just a matter of courtesy.

"Um, it should be an invitation in order, with the grand finale being the last one."

Kawabata Juto said a few kind words for Itō Shuichi.

"Hahaha~"

Doi Tagako clearly believed it, and then she shook her head.

"This Xiu Yi-san, the matter isn't even settled yet! And he's already in a hurry to hold a celebration banquet."

As a seasoned politician, Doi Tagako may not have heard of the terms "setting a flag" or "raising a banner," but she understands that everything is subject to change until a final decision is made.

Planning a celebration in advance in this way is very unwise.

"Still young!!"

In politics, a 40-year-old can be considered a young politician, a 50-year-old a mature politician, a 60-year-old in their prime, a 70-year-old with rich experience (as seen in the neighboring United States), and a 80-year-old can still be considered "young"!

"Hey, Xiu-san doesn't seem very steady without several years of experience in politics."

"Never mind. It's because he's a newcomer with drive that he was able to accomplish such a big thing. It's understandable that he wants to celebrate!"

"Let him prepare it himself."

"Hi!"

The conversation in the Prime Minister's office did not get out, but Shuichi Itō in the Cultural Policy Research Office scratched his neck.

"It's cold, and there are still mosquitoes?"

The thought flashed through his mind, and Shuichi Itō picked up the office phone and dialed the number in his contacts.

"Are you Representative Narasaki? I'm Shuichi Itō from the Cabinet's Cultural Policy Research Office."

"Hi, sorry to bother you with this call."

"We would like to invite you to our year-end party."

"Yes, of course I know you. You're the investigator who broke the Licourt case!"

"You can rest assured that we were able to invite you. This gathering is purely for celebration and has absolutely nothing to do with 'black money'."

"Celebrating the adoption of the 'Culture-Based Nation' strategy"

"."

After hanging up the phone, Shuichi Itō breathed a sigh of relief.

This Representative Narasaki is a ruthless man. In order to obtain direct evidence of the Recruit bribery case, he installed cameras in his home and publicly exposed the bribery scene, which directly launched a full investigation into the Recruit case and brought down the previous cabinet.

This is also an important factor in the Social Democratic Party's ability to become the ruling party, so Representative Narasaki is also a contributor to the ruling party. However, his overly radical approach has made him an isolated figure in the Diet, and no one dares to risk associating with him!

"Ha, they even invited Representative Narasaki this time."

"Shouldn't all the well-known members of the Social Democratic Party have been invited?!"

"Haha, this gathering will show everyone that there are still so many people that the tree friends can support!"

Itō Shuichi looked in the direction of Prime Minister Doi and a smile appeared on his face.

Ever since Doi Tagako distanced herself from him and pressured Nagayama Naoki to donate money at the opening ceremony, Itō Shuichi had been secretly planning this gathering.

Once the lively gathering begins, and Naoki-san and the Social Democratic Party bigwigs are having a pleasant conversation, Doi Tagako should start to feel her position is unstable.

It's important to know that within the Social Democratic Party, besides the numerous factions, there are also members who split off from the Liberal Democratic Party!

These old men are all dissatisfied with a woman holding so much power!

"Prime Minister Doi, will you be afraid then?"

"."