Tokyo Literary Masters: Starting from the Late 1980s

Chapter 168 Nakamori Akina’s Family

Upon hearing Izumi Sakai's words, Iwao Kitahara turned to look at her.

Izumi Sakai sat to the side, her hand still lightly resting on her sleeve.

Her voice was not loud, but it was very earnest.

"Go with her down there."

Kitahara Iwa did not answer immediately.

In the six months or so that they had been dating, Izumi Sakai rarely spoke like this.

She is quiet most of the time.

She wouldn't disturb Kitahara Iwa when he was writing; she rarely interfered when he was making decisions.

Even when she's just sitting in a corner of the living room reading, she always manages to strike the perfect balance.

This time, however, she did not retreat to a bystander's position.

Kitahara Iwa looked into her eyes.

Izumi Sakai's eyes remained gentle, but with a hint of determination than usual.

She is not actually someone who likes to interfere in other people's private affairs.

Especially in a situation like Nakamori Akina's, which involves family, agency, money, and reputation, any outsider who rashly intervenes could easily create new trouble.

But when Nakamori Akina mentioned her father and brother, Sakai Izumi remained silent, her heart slowly sinking.

She's seen too many things like this.

In this industry, many girls shine brightly on stage, but once they return backstage, to their families and agencies, they become people who are pushed forward.

The money they earn seems to never truly belong to them.

Their refusal is always labeled as "immature," "ungrateful," or "changing after becoming famous."

Nakamori Akina's current appearance was all too familiar to Sakai Izumi.

That's not simply weakness.

Rather, it's because after being repeatedly asked to compromise for too long, a person's strength to even say "no" is almost worn away.

So this time, she couldn't continue to sit quietly to the side.

Izumi Sakai said softly, "In her current state, she might not be able to say no if she goes down alone."

Upon hearing this, Akina Nakamori's fingertips trembled slightly.

She lowered her head, as if she wanted to refute, but couldn't bring herself to say it.

Because Izumi Sakai was right.

She wasn't unaware that the contract had problems, nor had she not considered refusing it.

But the thought of her father, brother, agency president, and others who were already used to using the word "family" to suppress her made it difficult for her to even breathe.

Kitahara Iwa remained silent for a moment. He didn't answer with words, but simply raised his hand and gently pressed his fingertips, which were draped over the spring water, against his sleeve.

The movement was subtle, yet it provided a clear answer.

Izumi Sakai understood this unspoken agreement, and slowly released her grip, revealing a faint and appropriate smile to Kitahara Iwao.

Kitahara Iwa stood up, walked to the entrance, took off his suit jacket and put it on.

Akina Nakamori remained seated stiffly on the sofa until she saw Iwata Kitahara straighten his clothes. Only then did she seem to wake from a dream and raise her eyes, looking blankly at the entrance.

"Teacher Kitahara————"

Akina Nakamori's voice was strained, and her eyes were full of astonishment.

Akina Nakamori stared blankly at Iwata Kitahara, her throat feeling as if something was blocking it.

She had initially thought that Izumi Sakai's words were just a well-intentioned attempt at comfort.

After all, Kitahara Iwa was willing to review the contract for her and explain the risks involved, which was already a great help.

Taking another step would be crossing the line.

What's more, she and Kitahara Iwa had that embarrassing night in the past.

What happened that night was unknown to outsiders, but in Nakamori Akina's heart, it remained like a small thorn.

She knew that Kitahara Iwa had saved her, and she also knew that she had completely lost her composure in front of him.

That's why she dared not easily bring trouble to Kitahara Iwa.

Moreover, Kitahara Iwa now has Sakai Izumi by his side.

Whether for the sake of his reputation or to avoid putting Izumi Sakai in a difficult position, she shouldn't ask for anything more.

So from the very beginning, she didn't dare to hope for too much.

She was just thinking that as long as Kitahara Iwa could tell her exactly what was wrong with the contract and give her some peace of mind, she would be grateful.

But to her surprise, Kitahara Iwa actually stood up.

Akina Nakamori's lips moved slightly.

She wanted to say no, that she had already troubled him enough, and that she wondered if this would cause Izumi Sakai to misunderstand.

But when those words reached his lips, he couldn't utter a single one.

Kitahara Iwa didn't offer any further words of comfort. He simply glanced at her and said calmly, "Let's go."

"I'll go down with you."

After a pause, Kitahara Iwa added, "It's also a good opportunity to meet your brother and the head of your agency."

Akina Nakamori sat stiffly on the sofa, her fingers unconsciously clenching the file folder on her lap.

This was far beyond what she dared to hope for.

She subconsciously looked at Izumi Sakai on the other side of the sofa.

Izumi Sakai was tidying up two white porcelain teacups on the coffee table when she noticed Akina Nakamori's gaze. She looked up and nodded slightly at her.

It was a very light touch.

It is the understanding and support that a woman gives when she sees another woman on the verge of collapse.

Akina Nakamori's eyes welled up with tears again.

However, she quickly lowered her head, not letting the tears fall, and simply put the crumpled tissue in her hand into her trench coat pocket.

Then, Akina Nakamori stood up and put the real estate contract marked with 800 million yen on the coffee table back into the dark brown file bag.

Akina Nakamori's fingers were still trembling as she picked up the file bag.

But it's much lighter than when I first entered.

At least this time, she wasn't going down to face those people alone.

Kitahara Iwa was already standing in the entrance hall waiting for her.

Akina Nakamori followed, her head down as she changed her shoes, as if she still couldn't believe that she wasn't going downstairs alone.

Izumi Sakai was also brought to the entrance, but she didn't go downstairs.

If Izumi Sakai were to appear in this situation, it would only make Akina Nakamori feel more embarrassed and give the group downstairs more room to make trouble.

Just as Kitahara Iwa was about to leave, Sakai Izumi suddenly raised her hand and gently smoothed the collar of his suit jacket.

She did it so naturally, as if she had done it many times before.

This gesture wasn't overly intimate, but it was enough for Nakamori Akina, who was standing to the side, to understand that there was a sense of security between them that no one else could intrude upon.

After straightening her collar, Izumi Sakai looked at Akina Nakamori and said softly, "I'll wait for you to come back."

Akina Nakamori paused for a moment, then bowed deeply to Izumi Sakai.

"thank you."

Izumi Sakai gently shook her head.

The elevator doors opened, and Kitahara Iwa stepped in first, followed by Nakamori Akina.

4:04 PM.

The atmosphere in the coffee shop downstairs in the apartment building was very somber.

Beyond the lobby, a full-length glass wall faces Tokyo Bay.

There were very few customers in the store at this time, and the occasional sound of business people talking in hushed tones could be heard from the corner.

Two men who had been waiting for a long time sat at the four-person table near the floor-to-ceiling window.

Facing the door is Akina's older brother, Yoichi Nakamori.

Although the dark gray suit he had specially changed into was made of good material, the outdated cut and the slightly tight tie made him look like he was putting on a brave face.

The black coffee in front of him had completely cooled down, and his fingers were rapidly tapping on the wooden countertop.

Sitting next to him was Toshio Nozaki, the president of Ken-On Agency.

Unlike Yoichi Nakamori's anxiety, Toshio Nozaki sat much more upright, with his briefcase containing the contract neatly placed against the wall.

At that moment, Toshio Nozaki picked up the still-steaming coffee beside him, took a sip, and glanced down at his watch.

"Yoichi-kun."

Nozaki Toshio's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a subtle sense of pressure: "It's been twenty-five minutes."

Yoichi Nakamori abruptly stopped slamming his hand on the table. His face darkened, and he stood up, unable to contain himself, saying, "I'll go get her. She always drags her feet when it comes to important matters—"

"Wait a little longer."

Hearing Nakamori Yoichi's words, Nozaki Toshio shook his head, reached out and pressed his forearm, saying, "Wait five more minutes. If he doesn't come down, we'll go up together."

Nakamori Yoichi gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger, and sat down again.

But just as he settled down, the glass door at the entrance was pushed open, accompanied by a soft tinkling of a wind chime.

Yoichi Nakamori immediately looked up.

The moment his gaze fell upon Akina Nakamori, the muscles on his face instinctively tightened, and he was about to reprimand her.

"Akina! What's wrong with you?!"

"Why does it take this long for such a small matter!"

But the next second, his voice suddenly stopped.

Because he clearly saw the man walking beside Akina.

A dark charcoal gray suit, a composed gait, and the face of Kitahara Iwa, which has recently been frequently featured in the literary sections of major national newspapers.

Yoichi Nakamori's posture, which was ready to teach his sister a lesson, froze completely the moment he saw who it was.

People who only dare to show off in front of their families will instinctively shrink back when facing the elites who truly hold the power of social discourse.

He opened his mouth, but swallowed back the accusation that was about to come out, and stiffly withdrew his fingers under the table.

Compared to the stunned expression on his face, Toshio Nozaki's reaction was much more composed.

The moment he recognized Kitahara Iwa, the condescending composure on his face vanished instantly.

The president, who was used to giving orders in the entertainment industry, immediately stood up and even took a half-step ahead of Yoichi.

"Mr. Kitahara."

Nozaki Toshio's voice carried just the right amount of warmth and respect as he said, "I never expected to see you here."

Nozaki Toshio smiled and gave a slight bow, trying to hide his fluster with politeness, saying, "Our agency has been wanting to invite you to a conversation, but we were afraid it would interfere with the promotion of your new book—"

However, Kitahara Iwa did not go along with Nozaki's enthusiasm.

His gaze swept indifferently over the two people opposite him, finally settling on the leather briefcase beside Nozaki Toshio's hand.

Then, Kitahara Iwao slowly said to Nakamori Akina beside him, "Sit down."

Upon hearing this, Akina Nakamori nodded quickly, clutching the dark brown file bag tightly to her chest.

In the past, when facing her family and the company president at this distance, she would have habitually bowed her head and shown weakness.

But today, behind the barrier erected by Kitahara Iwa, she unusually didn't look at her brother's expression.

She took a half-step to the side of Kitahara Iwa and sat down quietly.

That half-step distance allowed the two people on the other side to see clearly.

Kitahara Iwa is Nakamori Akina's source of confidence.

Kitahara Iwao ignored Nozaki Toshio's enthusiastic remarks and immediately sat down next to Nakamori Akina.

Seeing Kitahara Iwao's actions, Nozaki Toshio's smile faltered slightly.

Yoichi Nakamori froze on the spot, his half-bent posture looking somewhat awkward, unsure whether to continue bowing or sit back down.

However, Kitahara Iwa ignored them and took the dark brown file bag directly from Nakamori Akina and placed it in the center of the table.

Snapped.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was very clear.

The file folder was on the table, and the cup of black coffee next to it, which had already gone cold, trembled slightly.

Upon seeing this, Nakamori Yoichi's expression immediately changed.

Nozaki Toshio's smile froze for a moment.

However, he was a seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry for over twenty years, and after a short while, he put his smile back on.

"Teacher Kitahara, it's really kind of you to personally accompany Akina down here today—"

"Mr. Nozaki."

Kitahara Iwa interrupted him, his tone calm but without any intention of exchanging pleasantries.

"I've read this contract."

"7

Nozaki Toshio's words remained unspoken.

Kitahara Iwa's finger lightly tapped on the file bag.

"Joint and several liability guarantee, second mortgage on residential property, and several additional clauses regarding additional mortgage and priority repayment of income."

With each sentence Kitahara Iwa spoke, the atmosphere around the table grew colder.

"This is not an ordinary real estate investment contract."

97

Kitahara Iwa raised his eyes and looked at the two people opposite him.

"This is a structural trap that puts Ms. Akina's income, cash savings, and personal credit for the next few years into the banking system."

Nakamori Yoichi's expression changed, and he subconsciously wanted to speak.

"you----"

He had barely uttered a single word when Nozaki Toshio turned his head and gave Nakamori Yoichi a faint glance.

The gaze vanished in an instant, but the warning it conveyed was all too clear.

Nakamori Yoichi had no choice but to swallow the reprimand that was on the tip of his tongue.

His already gloomy face became even more unsightly, but due to the other party's accumulated power, he dared not utter another syllable.

However, Kitahara Iwao didn't look at them and continued, "So, Akina = won't sign."

As soon as he finished speaking, the table fell silent.

Nozaki Toshio's smile gradually faded.

He didn't immediately refute, but instead sat back down in his seat, picked up his coffee, and slowly took a sip.

When the bottom of the cup falls back onto the coaster, it makes a very soft sound.

Then, Toshio Nozaki looked up at Iwata Kitahara.

"Teacher Kitahara."

This time, Nozaki Toshio's tone was no longer as warm as before.

Although still polite, there was an added layer of subtle sharpness.

"In literature, our entire entertainment industry holds you in high esteem. I have also read your works. The analysis of human nature in 'White Night' is truly shocking."

Nozaki Toshio chuckled softly as he finished speaking.

"But literature is literature, and the entertainment industry is the entertainment industry."

Nozaki Toshio raised his hand and lightly tapped the table with his fingertips.

"Akina is an artist signed with our agency."

"Outsiders may not know how much manpower and money the company has invested in her records, promotion, television exposure, and concert resources over the past few years."

He glanced at Akina Nakamori.

That seemingly gentle glance made Akina Nakamori's shoulders hunch slightly.

"This investment arrangement wasn't decided on a whim. The company's senior management, Akina's family, and her father's side have all communicated with each other many times."

At this point, Toshio Nozaki emphasized his words.

"This is a decision made by the Nakamori family."

Hearing Nozaki Toshio's words, Nakamori Akina's fingers clenched the hem of her clothes.

At this point, Toshio Nozaki continued, "Yoichi is Akina's older brother. The Nakamori family's father also called me personally the night before last to confirm this."

Nozaki Toshio looked at Kitahara Iwao, and a smile returned to his face, but the smile had cooled considerably.

"So this matter is not just Akina's personal choice."

"This is an internal arrangement made by the Nakamori family regarding the family assets."

Upon hearing this, Nakamori Hiroshi finally seemed to regain some confidence and quickly added, "That's right, Akina, this isn't just your problem."

"Our family has sacrificed so much for you over the years, and now we're just asking you to cooperate. You can't—"

"Yoichi-kun."

Nozaki Toshio called out softly.

Yoichi Nakamori stopped talking again.

Nozaki Toshio didn't let him continue.

This crude pressure based on family ties is not suitable for Kitahara Iwa.

What he wanted to talk about was something else, something more effective.

Nozaki Toshio looked at Nakamori Akina again and said, "Akina."

Nozaki Toshio's voice softened a bit.

"I know you've been under a lot of pressure lately, and I also know you might have some misunderstandings about this contract."

"But you should understand that a company can't keep taking risks for its artists without getting any cooperation in the long run."

Hearing Nozaki Toshio's words, Nakamori Akina lowered her head and remained silent.

But Nozaki Toshio's tone remained gentle as he said, "If you refuse to sign today, it will be very difficult for the company."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "According to the contract, the company has the right to reassess your work arrangements."

"The deals already negotiated this quarter for Nissin and Polaroid may be temporarily shelved."

"The production of the next album will also be postponed."

"The national tour at the end of the year also needs to be re-discussed."

Akina Nakamori's face gradually paled.

Nozaki Toshio's meaning was now crystal clear: if Nakamori Akina didn't agree, he would try to undermine her resources.

Nozaki Toshio lowered his voice even further as he observed Nakamori Akina's performance.

"If things continue to deteriorate, the liability for breach of contract will not be a small amount."

"A rough estimate is about 700 million yen."

Nakamori Hiroshi was visibly taken aback when he heard the number.

He only knew that he needed his sister to sign, but he never really thought that if things went wrong, it would involve such a large sum of money.

But Nozaki Toshio ignored Nakamori Yoichi.

His self-illumination always fell on Akina Nakamori.

"And your father's side too."

Upon hearing this, Akina Nakamori visibly paused in her breathing.

Nozaki Toshio said slowly, "If you insist on refusing, the Nakamori family may re-evaluate your income and family expenses over the years."

"Akina, you should know what this means."

The atmosphere at the table turned completely cold.

Nakamori Yoichi sat down next to him, and his earlier arrogance resurfaced.

He finally understood that Nozaki Toshio's words were far more effective than his own shouting.

Toshio Nozaki doesn't need to shout or curse.

Simply presenting Akina Nakamori with terms like "GG," "album," "tour," "breach of contract penalty," and "family liquidation" is enough to push her back into that familiar position.

Akina Nakamori lowered her head, her face pale, and her fingers tightened little by little as she held the file folder.