Tokyo: My Best Actor Gear List

Chapter 50 The Last Frenzy of Bubbles

1989 12 Month 25 Day.

For the Japanese, this night was the last hurrah of the Showa era. It was also the last powerful beat before the heart of the behemoth that was the bubble economy stopped beating.

Akasaka Mitsuke, "Akasaka Prince Hotel".

The jagged crystal palace designed by Kenzo Tange is brightly lit tonight.

The ramp leading to the hotel lobby was completely blocked. There wasn't a single taxi stuck there; it was a steel torrent of Ferraris, Porsches, and Rolls-Royces.

"Is this... the legendary 'Chipuri'?"

Sachiko Kamachi, who had just gotten out of the car, stared blankly at the scene before her.

She wore a little black dress today. Although it was a high-end item that Kitahara Shin had someone choose for her, she still seemed a little awkward in this world of fame and fortune where mink coats and diamond necklaces were everywhere.

"take it easy."

Kitahara Shin extended his arm, gesturing for her to take it. "President Nagato specifically instructed me to let you see what the top of this industry is like. Just think of it as a research trip."

"Fetching materials?"

"Yes. Look at how these people spend their money, how they laugh, how they swim in this terrifyingly huge bubble."

Shin Kitahara wore a dark gray double-breasted suit, his hair combed back. Having been exposed to Takeshi Kitano's films, he exuded a much more composed demeanor, appearing completely at ease even among this group of dignitaries.

Stepping into the banquet hall, a wave of heat hits you.

The champagne tower was taller than a person. The air was thick with the smell of expensive cigars and perfumes.

"Oh my! Isn't this President Takada?!"

A commotion arose from not far away.

The familiar president of Takada was standing in the center of the crowd, beaming, with a popular gravure idol in his arms.

He laughed loudly, pulled a car key wrapped with a red ribbon from his pocket, and casually tossed it into the actress's wine glass.

"Merry Christmas! Honey! That red Ferrari downstairs is yours!"

"Wow--!!"

A burst of screams and applause erupted around them. The actress, overwhelmed with excitement, kissed the greasy-faced middle-aged man.

Sachiko instinctively shrank her neck and tightened her grip on Kitahara Shin's arm.

"Mr. Kitahara... that was a Ferrari. Just like that... you gave it away?"

"Here, money is just paper."

Kitahara Shin took two glasses of champagne from the waiter's tray and handed one to Sachiko. "For them, if they don't spend hundreds of millions tonight, they'll feel like they've lost out when they wake up tomorrow. Because everyone believes that the stocks will rise again tomorrow, and the land will double in value."

"This is insane..." Sachiko frowned as she looked at the laughing crowd. "It's unsettling."

"Feeling uncomfortable means you're still conscious."

Kitahara Shin led her to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

It's relatively quiet here, isolated from the deafening clamor behind us.

Through the glass, the entire Tokyo night view is laid out before you.

Countless neon lights flickered at my feet, and the traffic on the highway flowed like a golden river. In the distance, Tokyo Tower resembled a giant red candle, burning with the last vestiges of the nation's exuberance.

"Remember this moment, Sachiko."

Kitahara Shin looked out the window at the scenery, his voice low and deep, "Remember this gold scattered everywhere, remember these people waving banknotes."

"Because this kind of scene will never be seen again."

He took a sip of champagne, the cold liquid sliding down his throat. "After tonight, Japan will never be the same again."

Sachiko didn't quite understand.

In her view, although the current economy is too good, everyone says this is the beginning of the "Heisei boom" and the future will only get better.

But when she looked at Kitahara Shin's profile, her heart skipped a beat for no reason.

The lights outside the window reflected in his pupils. He stood in the heart of the bustling city, yet like an outsider, calmly watching the massive wave about to collapse beneath his feet.

"Mr. Kitahara...you don't seem happy." Sachiko gripped her wine glass tighter.

"I'm just waiting."

Kitahara Shin turned his head and smiled.

Only he knew that four days later, on December 29, the Nikkei index would reach its all-time high of 38915 points.

Then came a long, thirty-year fall.

Those who are laughing now will soon be crying and jumping off buildings, or homeless on the streets.

But he doesn't regret it.

They even felt fortunate.

I am grateful to have been reborn and to be able to stand here and witness this most spectacular and absurd moment in human economic history.

Starting tomorrow, the bubbles of the old era will gradually burst.

But his era, Kitahara Shin's era, had only just begun. He would build his castle on the ruins, using these banknotes that were about to become worthless to buy up the hope of the future.

"Cheers."

Kitahara Shin raised his glass and gently touched Sachiko's glass to his.

"A salute to this crazy era."

"And a toast to the coming... real world."

Sachiko raised her glass, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"A tribute to... the real world."

With a crisp clinking of glass, the Christmas bells of 1989 rang.

A deafening cheer erupted in the hall, and confetti rained down.

Amidst the commotion, Kitahara Shin downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.