Tokyo: My Best Actor Gear List

Chapter 143 A chance encounter with Rie on a Ginza date, and a lucky find of mysterious running shoe

Chapter 143 A chance encounter with Rie on a date in Ginza, and a lucky find of mysterious running shoes (Seeking monthly votes)

The next morning, Tokyo's sunlight, unusually, pierced through the clouds.

Downstairs in a luxury apartment building in the port area, Kitahara Shin leaned against the black Toyota Century, looking down at his watch.

A few minutes later, light footsteps could be heard at the entrance of the building.

Akina Nakamori wore a beige knitted cardigan with light blue jeans and a beret. Although she was wearing a mask, her eyes, which were visible, curved into crescent moons.

She walked up to Kitahara Shin, but instead of getting into the car, she walked around in a circle.

Her clothes fluttered gently with her movements, giving her an air of freshness and vitality unique to early summer.

"How is it?"

She stopped, tilted her head, and looked at Kitahara Shin with anticipation in her eyes.

"very beautiful."

Kitahara Shin opened the car door, smiled, and made a "please" gesture. "Especially today's hat, it's so cute."

Akina nodded in satisfaction, then climbed into the passenger seat like a praised little princess.

Kitahara Shin got into the driver's seat and didn't start the car right away. Instead, he turned to the side and helped her pull the seatbelt over.

The two were standing very close.

Akina could smell the faint scent of cologne on him, and her heart skipped a beat. It wasn't until she heard the "click" of her seatbelt being fastened that she came back to her senses. Looking at Kitahara Shin's profile, she felt as if she had been given two spoonfuls of honey, so sweet it was almost cloying.

Ginza.

As the most luxurious shopping district in Japan, this area is not as crowded as Shinjuku, even on weekends. Most of the pedestrians are well-dressed and walk at a leisurely pace.

Nobukazu Kitahara and Akina Kitahara, both wearing masks, walked side by side into a designer fashion store.

Although half of their faces were covered, the two women's aura was truly outstanding. One was as upright as a pine tree, while the other was petite yet exuded a unique star quality. As soon as they entered, they attracted the attention of many shop assistants and customers.

Akina picked out a few clothes and went into the fitting room.

Kitahara Shin sat on the sofa in the rest area, seemingly casually flipping through a magazine while simultaneously activating "treasure hunt mode."

My gaze swept over the gleaming display cases, the vintage chandeliers, and the decorations in the corners.

Based on past experience, equipment mostly appears on older, more vintage items. But no one can guarantee that a rare find won't appear in a place full of luxury goods.

Unfortunately, no golden or blue light flashed.

"Click".

The fitting room door opened.

Kitahara Shin raised his head.

Akina changed into a fitted black dress.

The skirt hem only reached above the knee, revealing a pair of beautifully shaped, fair and slender calves.

The black fabric accentuated her slender waist perfectly.

Although she is already 27 years old, time does not seem to have left many marks on her. Instead, she has developed a unique temperament that is between the innocence of a young girl and the charm of a mature woman.

She walked to the mirror, looked at herself, then turned around and looked at Kitahara Shin.

"How is it?"

Her voice was soft, tinged with a barely perceptible nervousness, "Won't it seem too mature?"

Kitahara Shin closed the magazine, his gaze lingering on her waistline and calves for a few seconds before he nodded seriously: "It looks great. Black is slimming and complements your skin tone very well."

"snort."

Akina pouted, though she was secretly pleased, she still had to feign arrogance: "I feel like no matter what I wear..."

You always say that.

"Because I'm telling the truth."

Kitahara Shin smiled, and his candid tone deepened Akina's smile.

The saleswoman next to me, with a keen eye, walked over, holding a pair of black stockings: "Miss, if you wear these stockings with you, the effect might be even better. They're the most popular style in Paris this year."

Akina glanced at Kitahara Shin, and seeing that he seemed quite interested as well, she nodded, took the stockings, and went back to the fitting room.

A few minutes later.

When the fitting room door opened again, Kitahara Shin admitted that he couldn't take his eyes off it.

Black stockings encased her straight legs, adding a touch of mysterious allure to her originally innocent charm.

She stood there, and with just a slight adjustment of her skirt, her captivating femininity emanated from her.

Akina noticed Kitahara Shin's gaze fixed on her legs.

Beneath her mask, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

Although nothing was said, the sense of accomplishment from "captivating the person you like" is more real than any praise.

"I'll take this one."

Kitahara Shin took out his wallet from his pocket and handed a black card to the sales assistant without even asking the price.

His decisive and efficient manner made the female sales assistant next to him's eyes light up.

Handsome, rich, and doting on his girlfriend so much—what an amazing boyfriend!

After buying the clothes, the two went to a high-end perfume shop next door.

Just then, at the other end of the same store...

Two stylishly dressed young women are standing in front of the counter trying on perfumes.

One of them wore non-prescription glasses and a simple white T-shirt and jeans, yet her natural beauty was still undeniable.

Rie Miyazawa.

-

Beside her, the girl holding her arm was dressed head to toe in designer brands and carrying several shopping bags; she was clearly a rich second-generation who knew nothing of hardship.

She is Rie's classmate at Horikoshi High School, and the daughter of the president of a large construction company, Saeki Reiko.

"Rie, Rie! Look at that!"

Saeki Reiko suddenly tugged at Rie's sleeve and said excitedly in a low voice, "Is that person Kitahara-kun?"

""

Rie Miyazawa was smelling the perfume test strip when she heard this and casually turned her head.

The next second, she froze.

The man standing in front of the counter, looking down at the perfume bottle, had a profile so familiar that her heart skipped a beat.

Beside him, the woman testing the fragrance—though wearing a mask, her petite figure and those signature eyes, always carrying a hint of melancholy and stubbornness, were still striking.

Akina Nakamori.

"It really is!"

Reiko Saeki was so excited, as if she had discovered something amazing, she almost jumped up. "Are they on a date? Oh my god, Kitahara-kun and Akina-san! This is huge news!"

"Rie, should we go up and say hello?"

Rie Miyazawa looked away, lowered her eyes, and unconsciously clenched the perfume tester in her hand.

"Don't go."

She turned around, her voice a little hoarse, "They're on a date, it's not appropriate for us to disturb them."

"What's inappropriate about it?"

Saeki Reiko persisted, a typical action-oriented person. "It's rare to see these two big stars, how can we just leave like that? We should at least get their autographs or take a picture with them, right? Rie, can you get me an autograph? I want Kitahara-kun's. I want Akina-san's too, I'm sure I can sell it for a good price back at school."

"You're not short of money." Rie gave her a helpless look.

"This isn't about money, it's about social connections!"

Reiko Saeki shook her finger confidently, "Think about it, if I get their autographs, won't all those girls who usually look down on me be green with envy? That's called investing in connections. Come on, let's go!"

As she spoke, she didn't care whether Hui was willing or not, and forcibly dragged her arm in that direction.

Rie Miyazawa wanted to refuse, but her feet seemed to be rooted to the spot.

Reason told her she should turn around and leave, and not be that annoying third wheel.

But a voice inside me was screaming: Go take a look. Just one look.

Just as she was hesitating, Akina seemed to want to go to the restroom. She said a few words to Kitahara Shin, then turned and walked towards the passageway on the inside of the store.

Only Kitahara Shin remained standing in front of the counter.

This is a great opportunity.

"Quick, quick! Akina-san's gone! Perfect timing!"

Reiko Saeki reacted quickly and pushed Rie, who was still in a daze, away.

"Why?!"

Caught off guard, Rie Miyazawa stumbled a few steps and stopped right in front of Shin Kitahara.

Hearing the noise, Kitahara Shin turned around.

Eyes facing each other.

He blinked, looking at the girl who had suddenly appeared in front of him with some surprise.

Although he was wearing glasses and dressed simply, he recognized him at a glance.

"Rie?"

He put down the perfume bottle, smiled, and said, "What are you doing here?"

Rie Miyazawa steadied herself somewhat awkwardly, scratching her hair uncomfortably, her eyes darting around: "Ah—well, I came with a friend to buy some things. What a coincidence, Shin-kun."

She paused for a moment, as if to bolster her courage, then asked casually, "Are you alone?"

Even though she had clearly seen Akina just now, at this moment, she still felt an inexplicable urge to test him. To see how he would answer when Akina wasn't around.

Kitahara Shin looked at her somewhat cautious appearance, his eyes still gentle and open.

He shook his head: "No, I came with Akina. She went to the restroom, she should be back soon."

There was no concealment, no ambiguity.

That candid admission of "I'm on a date with Akina" made Rie Miyazawa feel a pang of sadness, yet also a strange sense of relief.

This is Kitahara Shin.

He would never lie about such things, nor would he hide anything to please anyone.

"I see—"

Rie lowered her head, concealing the disappointment in her eyes, and forced a smile. "Then—I won't bother you any longer."

After speaking, she turned around and wanted to leave.

But then, Saeki Reiko, always eager to stir up trouble, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking her way and flashing Kitahara Shin an extremely bright smile: "Kitahara-kun! Hello! I'm Rie's friend, Saeki Reiko! I'm your biggest fan! Could you please sign my autograph?"

Kitahara Shin paused for a moment, then nodded politely: "Of course."

He took the notebook from Saeki Reiko and quickly signed his name.

"Thank you, Kitahara-kun!" Saeki Reiko hugged the notebook, looking infatuated.

Kitahara Shin smiled and closed the pen cap, thinking that this chance encounter was over and the two girls would know to leave.

However, at that very moment...

Akina, who had just returned from the restroom, was walking out of the passageway.

Her footsteps were very light and made no sound.

But Rie Miyazawa, who had been keeping an eye on the other side out of the corner of her eye, keenly caught sight of that figure.

I don't know what the psychology is—maybe it's resentment, maybe it's wanting to assert some kind of presence, or maybe it's just the actor's "acting addiction" kicking in at that moment.

Just as Kitahara Shinku handed the pen back and was about to turn around...

Rie suddenly stepped forward.

Without any warning, she reached out and hugged Kitahara Shin's arm affectionately and tightly, even pressing her cheek against it.

"Shin-kun! Thank you so much!"

The shout was very loud, carrying a deliberately sweet and coquettish tone.

Kitahara Shin froze completely.

He stared blankly at Rie, who was clinging to his arm like a koala, his mind filled with questions:

Weren't they all leaving? What's gotten into this girl all of a sudden?

Before he could even pull his arm out, a voice rang out: "—Rie?"

A somewhat surprised voice rang out from the side.

Akina Nakamori stood two steps away, still clutching a tissue she hadn't had time to put back in her bag.

She frowned slightly as she looked at the scene before her.

Of course she remembered Rie Miyazawa.

That night, when Kitahara Shin brought the little girl, covered in filth and with eyes like a frightened wild animal, to her home, she felt genuine heartache.

She told her her most painful experiences piece by piece, teaching her how to protect herself in this cannibalistic world, how to practice her breathing, and how to use her acting skills to fight against that crazy mother.

Even in the months that followed, she continued to keep a close eye on Rie's activities and would occasionally send her messages of encouragement.

She didn't dislike Rie at all; in fact, she thought the girl was quite cute.

But now—

Rie was holding onto Kitahara Shin's arm tightly with both hands, and even her chest was almost touching his.

Akina's mood instantly became somewhat complicated.

The feeling was like a stray cat that you've been feeding suddenly running into your house and taking over your sofa.

It wasn't anger, but a sense of unease, like "So you're not what I thought you were."

Seemingly noticing Akina's gaze, Rie feigned surprise, as if she had just noticed, and released her grip, sticking out her tongue: "Oh, Akina-nee! Long time no see!"

Her smile was so bright it was almost dazzling, completely unlike her earlier dejected look. It was as if her hugging Kitahara Shin was simply a junior's way of being affectionate with an elder.

Akina looked at her face, which was full of "innocence," and then glanced at Kitahara Shin, who looked helpless beside her.

She took a soft breath, suppressing the strange discomfort in her heart, and gave a polite smile: "Long time no see, Rie. What a coincidence?"

"Yes! What a coincidence!"

Rie rolled her eyes, then casually took Kitahara Shin's other arm (though only lightly, she didn't let go), and said with a smile, "Since it's such a coincidence, why don't we go shopping together? I'm thinking of buying some clothes too, so Shin-kun can give us some suggestions!"

Akina's lips twitched uncontrollably.

Now, the "delicate" feeling in her heart had completely turned into "certainty".

That girl did it on purpose.

Thus, an extremely bizarre scene appeared on the streets of Ginza.

Kitahara Shin walked in the middle, with national diva Nakamori Akina on his left and popular idol Miyazawa Rie on his right.

As the two women walked, they engaged in seemingly friendly but actually witty conversations across him.

"Akina-nee, your dress is really beautiful, it has a very mature woman's charm. But if this style were a little tighter, it might make your belly show a bit."

"Really? I think it's fine. But Rie, you're so young, why are you wearing such a loose T-shirt? Is it because you're too skinny to fill out a skirt?"

-

Standing in the middle, Kitahara Shin kept his eyes straight ahead, his face expressionless.

At times like these, it's crucial to stay calm.

As long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed.

As long as I don't speak, the flames of war won't reach me.

The three of them walked into a high-end women's clothing store.

Rie and Akina seemed to be competing with each other, and started trying on clothes like crazy.

"Xin-kun, how's this one?"

Rie changed into a backless short dress and deliberately twirled in front of Kitahara Shin, showing off her youthful and energetic back and long, beautiful legs.

"It looks good." Kitahara Shin nodded.

"And this one?"

Akina walked out of another fitting room, wearing a deep V-neck red dress. Her mature charm instantly overshadowed Rie's naivety.

"It looks good too." Kitahara Shin continued to nod.

This is practically a death sentence.

Rie bit her lip, somewhat unwilling. She leaned close to Akina and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Akina-neechan, actually I didn't mean anything by it just now."

Akina, who was adjusting her skirt, glanced at her upon hearing this and said, "Oh? What do you mean by that?"

"Mainly—"

Rie lowered her voice and said with a serious expression, "I just noticed that it seems like paparazzi are following you and taking pictures of you. They're in that car across the street."

"Paparazzi?"

Akina paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked out the window.

"real."

Rie nodded earnestly, "I was afraid they'd capture some inappropriate scenes, so I deliberately came over. After all, if I were there, it would be a gathering of seniors and juniors," not a "rumored date." I was doing this to protect your reputations."

This statement was half true and half false, yet its logic was surprisingly sound.

Akina looked at her suspiciously, trying to find a clue in those innocent big eyes.

But Rie is an actress after all, her acting skills are on point, and her eyes are as clear as a little white rabbit.

"----real?"

"Really!" Rie nodded vigorously.

Akina remained silent for a few seconds. Although she still felt something was off, the reason made it impossible for her to get angry.

"Alright."

She sighed. "Then let's go somewhere else, let's not stay here."

Rie was secretly delighted, but on the surface she nodded obediently.

While the two women went to change their clothes, Kitahara Shin decisively chose a tactical retreat.

"I'll go check out the shoes over there."

After saying that, he strolled leisurely to the men's boutique section on the other side of the store.

He randomly picked a shop, thinking he'd let them calm down on their own.

He then began to observe the store, making a habitual inspection.

Although this store mainly sells fashion, it also displays some high-end leather goods and shoes in a corner.

Kitahara Shin casually picked up a few pairs and looked at them, but didn't feel anything special about them.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, his gaze swept over the bottom shelf of the display case.

They were a pair of white sneakers without any logos.

However, the craftsmanship of these shoes is extremely exquisite.

The upper is made of top-grade kangaroo leather, with stitching at the seams so precise it looks like it was machine-made, yet the texture of the leather exudes the warmth of handcraftsmanship. It lies there quietly, seemingly out of place among the ostentatious luxury items around it.

But in Kitahara Shin's eyes, the shoes were emitting a faint blue light.

I've finally found some good stuff.

【Item Name: The Craftsman's Unfinished Masterpiece (Prototype No. 1)】

[Quality: Excellent (Blue)]

[Description: An ergonomic prototype shoe hand-sewn by a legendary shoemaker from a century-old Ginza shop. It was never released to the market due to its exorbitant cost and inability to be mass-produced. The sole incorporates a special shock-absorbing structure that perfectly conforms to the arch of the foot.]

[Equipment Effect (Physical Fitness Reshaping): This isn't just a pair of shoes that instantly make you run incredibly fast; it's a mobile gym. Prolonged wear (or equipping) of this item will provide continuous micro-stimulation and optimization to the host's leg muscle groups.]

[Passive Buff: Stamina recovery speed +30%, Constitution growth speed +20%. The longer you wear it, the higher your stamina and burst damage caps will be.]

Kitahara Shin's eyes brightened slightly.

Finally, something good has arrived?

Although it doesn't have any fancy active skills, this kind of "passive growth type" equipment is the most practical.

After all, whether it's the intense filming ahead or dealing with his increasingly clingy singer at home, ample physical strength is the foundation of a man's success.

"Sir, you have excellent taste."

A male shop assistant walked over and, seeing the shoes in Kitahara Shin's hands, looked somewhat surprised: "This is a limited-edition prototype created in collaboration between our brand and an old shoemaker. There's only one pair in size 43 in all of Japan. Although the appearance is understated, the comfort is absolutely top-notch."

"I'll take this one."

Without the slightest hesitation, Kitahara Shin pulled out his black card. "No need to wrap it up, just put it on the bill from before."

"Okay, no problem."

While the clerk was swiping the card, Kitahara Shin had a sudden thought.

[Mind Equipment: The Craftsman's Unfinished Masterpiece Has Been Activated]

Current Status: Equipped

In an instant.

A subtle sensation came from the soles of my feet. It wasn't the exaggerated feeling of instantly becoming light as a feather, but rather an indescribable sense of "steadiness".

It felt as if my feet were enveloped by a gentle yet resilient force, and with each step, I could feel the muscles in my thighs and calves performing a highly efficient rhythm.

Although the improvement may not be immediately apparent, it is a "physical fitness reshaping".

Over time, the results will be absolutely amazing.

"call----"

Kitahara Shin moved his ankle a bit and felt that the vague soreness had indeed lessened considerably.

Although the current situation doesn't require superhuman physical abilities, it's always good to be prepared.

He walked back to the women's clothing section in a good mood.

However, when he returned to the rest area, he found that the once lively "battleground" had already dispersed.

Rie Miyazawa and that noisy Reiko Saeki have disappeared without a trace.

Where are they?

Kitahara Shin walked over, asking the question he already knew the answer to.

Akina was sitting on the sofa, holding the pair of black stockings that Kitahara Shin had just praised. Hearing the sound, she didn't even look up and just pursed her lips: "He's gone. He said he had something to do."

After saying that, she looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of jealousy and sarcasm: "Someone's really popular. Even just going out for a stroll, he runs into girls throwing themselves at him. I think I'd better not bring you out next time, lest you attract too much attention."

Seeing her sullen expression, Kitahara Shin wisely chose to keep quiet.

At this point, explaining is just covering up; silence is golden.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Akina gave a soft snort, picked up her bag, stood up, and strode towards the door.

"go home!"

Throughout the journey, Akina kept a straight face, looking out the window at the scenery, as if to say, "I'm very angry, leave me alone."

It wasn't until she got into the car that Kitahara Shin helped her fasten her seatbelt.

"Click".

After fastening his seatbelt, Kitahara Shin did not back away as usual.

He maintained that bent-over posture, his hands braced on either side of the chair back, trapping Akina between himself and the chair.

Akina was startled and instinctively tried to shrink back, but there was nowhere to avoid it.

"What are you doing?"

Looking at the face so close to hers, her heart began to race, and the cold expression she had maintained began to crumble.

Kitahara Shin remained silent.

He simply looked into her eyes, then slowly lowered his head and kissed her.

It was a long and tender kiss.

It carried a hint of soothing, but also a hint of domineering possessiveness.

At first, Akina symbolically pushed him away a couple of times, but she quickly softened under his advances, her hands unconsciously wrapping around his neck as she awkwardly responded.

After a long while, the two finally separated.

Akina's face was flushed, her lips were moist, and her eyes were dreamy. The jealousy she felt earlier had long since vanished after the kiss.

"----snort."

She gasped for breath, gave a weak groan, and turned her head to the side, trying to regain some ground: "Don't think that a kiss is enough."

"How about two kisses?"

Kitahara Shin chuckled and leaned in to peck her cheek again, then whispered in her ear, "I'll cook for you when we get home tonight. You can eat whatever you want."

Upon hearing the word "cooking," Akina's eyes lit up, and her stomach growled in agreement.

Tempted by the delicious food and soothed by the kiss, she finally couldn't hold back and a smile appeared on her lips.

"That's more like it."

The car started and smoothly entered the traffic.

Although the atmosphere has eased, some issues still cannot be avoided.

Akina gazed at the receding street scene outside the window, her fingers tapping lightly on her knees. After a long while, she casually asked, "So—besides me, how many other women have you been involved with?"

This question is very sharp.

Kitahara Shin's hands on the steering wheel didn't tremble. He looked straight ahead, his tone calm and sincere: "Besides you, there's only the spring."

The carriage was quiet for a few seconds.

Akina turned her head, looking at his profile with a scrutinizing gaze: "Just one?"

Just one.

Kitahara Shin nodded.

This is the truth, at least so far.

Akina stared at him for a while, seemingly trying to confirm whether he was lying. After a moment, she looked away, turned back to the window, and softly said "Oh."

"---It's alright."

Her voice was very soft, and you couldn't hear much emotion in it.

Actually, in her heart, this answer wasn't too bad.

This is the Japanese entertainment industry in 1992.

It's common for men to have a bit of a flirtatious streak.

Moreover, Kitahara Shin is so young, so popular, and so talented; to say that he has no women around him would be a lie.

If there's only spring water—

Akina thought about the girl who seemed quiet but had an amazing talent for music.

She doesn't actually dislike spring water.

Even after listening to ZARD's songs, she admired the girl's resilience.

Moreover, compared to the unpredictable and always aggressive Rie Miyazawa, Izumi's personality is actually more reassuring.

"never mind."

Akina sighed inwardly.

As long as he cares about me and can be as honest with me as he is today, then let's leave it at that for now.

After all, if you want to find a man who is not only handsome and rich, but also a good actor, a great cook, and seems to have superhuman abilities, you probably can't find another one like him in this world except for Kitahara Shin.

Moreover, Kitahara Shin was the one who saved her.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I owe him my life.

Since that's the case, let's allow him to be a womanizer for a while.

After experiencing certain things, Akina no longer harbors those naive and dreamy ideas.

After mentally preparing herself, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I want omelet rice."

"Okay," Kitahara Shin replied with a smile.

"And I'll have fried pork cutlet too."

"no problem."

>