Tokyo Literary Masters: Starting from the Late 1980s

Chapter 79 The Birth of Banjing Spring Water (Third Update, Please Read On)

Roppongi, Tokyo, is a private club with a strict membership system.

The air here is filled with the aroma of expensive cigars and aged whiskey. Leather sofas create a private space for conversation, while crystal chandeliers overhead cast a soft and warm glow.

Inside the private room, Sachiko Kamachi's exceptionally clean and clear voice, untouched by any industrial mixing or retouching, flowed slowly through the expensive sound system.

Seated in the main seat was none other than Haruki Kadokawa.

This madman, who at this very moment wields immense influence in the Japanese film and publishing industries, is comfortably crossing his legs, a large Cuban cigar between his fingers.

Sitting in the guest seat to his side was Daiko Nagato, the founder of Being Music Production Company.

In the Japanese entertainment industry in 1989, Daiko Nagato became the most promising new force in the music scene thanks to his extremely keen market sense and strong production capabilities.

However, in terms of actual capital size and industry influence, it is clearly far from comparable to a media tycoon like Haruki Kadokawa, who controls a media empire.

Therefore, Daiko Nagato gave Kadokawa Haruki a very respectful audience when he was summoned unexpectedly.

He sat with his back slightly forward, his attitude revealing the respect due to a top figure in the industry.

But this did not prevent Nagato Daiko's sharp eyes, hidden behind his glasses, from flashing with desire and shrewd calculation for the Pangfu Film and Television resources in Kadokawa's hands.

In this private room filled with the smell of tobacco and power struggles, sat a figure who was completely out of place with his surroundings.

Sachiko Kamachi, dressed in a minimalist white shirt, sat somewhat awkwardly next to Iwata Kitahara.

In the Japanese entertainment industry, where beauties abound, she may not be considered the kind of beauty that is visually striking, but her features are delicate and her temperament exudes an extremely clean and elegant transparency.

Facing the scrutinizing gazes that Kadokawa Haruki and Nagato Daiko occasionally cast at her with a hint of business assessment, she neatly folded her hands on her knees.

Although she didn't tremble like a startled prey, her slightly tense, thin shoulders and somewhat stiff posture still betrayed her awkwardness and unease here.

Sitting next to her, Kitahara Iwa noticed that Kamachi Sachiko was tense, so he gently pushed a glass of warm water on the table toward her hand, while leaning forward slightly to subtly shield her from some of the scrutinizing pressure.

Haruki Kadokawa took in all these subtle interactions.

This financial tycoon, well-versed in the rules of the world of fame and fortune, flicked his cigar, already having made his plans.

He traded a trivial record contract for a genuine favor from Kitahara Iwa.

In Kadokawa Haruki's view, this deal was far more worthwhile than spending a fortune at the negotiating table.

"Brother Changhu."

Haruki Kadokawa exhaled a puff of smoke, breaking the silence in the private room with a smile, and said, "You listened to this a cappella audition tape too."

"So? Give me a straight answer."

Upon hearing this, Daiki Nagato gave an extremely professional producer's evaluation: "The tone is very clean, and the penetration in the high register is also very good. It is indeed a voice that was born for this."

But then he changed the subject, looking directly at Sachiko Kamachi sitting to the side and said, "But as a professional singer who wants to release an album independently, personality is a fatal flaw."

Daikichi Nagato leaned back on the sofa, shook his head, and said in a tone devoid of malice, only pure business considerations: "Too introverted, too reserved."

"In today's record market, singers can no longer simply hide in the recording studio and finish singing."

"If you want to go on a live music show like 'The Best Ten' or 'Music Station,' you'll have to face a dozen cameras and spotlights, and you'll have to be able to engage the audience's emotions on stage with ease."

Daisuke Nagato astutely pointed out the core contradiction: "Given Ms. Kamachi's current stage fright and awkwardness in front of the camera, if we force her onto the main stage and face that kind of high-pressure live broadcast, she absolutely will not be able to handle it."

"She lacks the most basic desire to perform as an artist."

From the perspective of a professional musician alone, Daiko Nagato almost cruelly pronounced her death sentence in the traditional record industry.

Upon hearing this straightforward and professional assessment, Sachiko Kamachi lowered her head slightly, and her hands, which were originally resting flat on her knees, unconsciously tightened a little.

She couldn't refute it, because every word Daiko Nagato said precisely struck at the deepest, most insurmountable inferiority and fear in her heart.

"Hahahahaha!"

As Nagato Daisuke finished speaking, Kadokawa Haruki suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, then pointed at Kitahara Iwa, who had remained silent, and said to Nagato Daisuke, "Nagato, you still don't understand the situation."

"She doesn't need to go on those high-pressure music shows, nor does she need to force a smile in front of the camera to liven up the atmosphere."

Kadokawa Haruki gave Kitahara Iwao a meaningful look and said, "Because this Miss Kamachi was brought here personally by Kitahara-sensei."

Upon hearing this, Daikichi Nagato's fingers, which were tapping on the sofa armrest, suddenly paused.

Northern original rock.

As a production company owner with an extremely keen eye for the entertainment industry, Daiko Nagato had naturally heard of Iwa Kitahara's name.

As a top creator who is currently creating a huge wave in the Japanese cultural scene, and as a writer who will publish articles in the literary field in the future.

Just this one name made Daiko Nagato put aside all his strict standards about a singer's qualities and a typhoon aura.

In this era that emphasizes the synergy between audio-visual media and books, music, publishing, and film have long been an intertwined chain of interests.

If one could exchange a special contract that tolerates the singer's absence from the public eye and television appearances for a connection with a core IP creator of Kitahara Iwa's caliber, and even potentially secure exclusive music production rights for his novels adapted into film and television dramas in the future—

This is hardly signing an ordinary girl who is not good in front of the camera.

This is clearly signing a golden ticket to top-tier cultural resources.

Thinking of this, Nagato Daiko's serious business face instantly melted, replaced by a warm smile.

"I see! Since he's Kitahara-sensei's friend, that's a different story!"

"We can try a different approach, such as signing a special exclusive contract."

Daikichi Nagato turned to look at Iwao Kitahara and offered a bargaining chip that would fully demonstrate Being's sincerity and strength: "We will not force you to appear on television or arrange any commercial engagements unrelated to music."

"Since Ms. Puchi is not good at facing the camera, let's completely avoid that and put all our energy into the recording studio, using pure record quality to climb the charts."

At this point, Nagato Daiyuki's gaze fell on Kamachi Sachiko, and his tone softened as he said, "Furthermore, if Ms. Kamachi has her own intuition about words, Being can give her enough space to take full responsibility for her own lyrics."

Upon hearing these conditions, which completely overturned the conventional exploitative practices of the Japanese record industry, Sachiko Kamachi's eyes widened in disbelief.

Even if she didn't understand business operations, she knew that in the hierarchical entertainment industry where newcomers were treated like dirt, there was no way any record company would offer such an unbelievable freedom clause to an unknown amateur.

The reason I was granted such freedom was definitely not because I was a genius or because my singing was so moving.

She subconsciously turned to look at Kitahara Iwa beside her, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry and disbelief, as if she still couldn't be sure if all of this was real.

Kitahara Iwa noticed the girl's bewilderment and said, "What are you staring at? Since President Nagato has said so, why don't you hurry up and thank him?"

"That way you won't have to worry about social engagements you're not good at anymore."

Hearing Kitahara Iwao's answer, Kamachi Sachiko clenched her fists and then took a deep breath.

Then, under the watchful eyes of Daisuke Nagato and Haruki Kadokawa, Sachiko Kamachi stood up, turned to Daisuke Nagato opposite her, gave a slight bow, and said in a soft voice with a firm determination that she would not back down, "President Nagato, I look forward to your guidance and the company's work from now on."

Nagato Daiyuki looked at her, nodded slightly, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

If Sachiko Kamachi agrees to sign a contract with him, then his goal will be achieved.

Then, Sachiko Kamachi turned around, faced Iwao Kitahara, and bowed deeply with utmost solemnity, saying, "Thank you, Kitahara-kun."

Her only response to Kitahara Iwa was this simple and sincere thank you.

But in that instant when she lowered her head, Sachiko Kamachi silently made a vow in her heart to Kitahara Iwao's unwavering trust:

I will definitely write lyrics that are worthy of this freedom.

I promise I will not let you down on this stage you fought for for me today. I will definitely sing the most touching music.

This unspoken purity and determination manifested in the almost stubborn brightness in her eyes when she raised her head again.

"However, there is still one problem."

After Sachiko Kamachi sat down, Daiki Nagato stroked his chin and raised a consideration regarding commercial packaging: "Sachiko Kamachi's real name—for a pop singer—is too obedient."

"

With the keen insight of a top producer, he objectively pointed out the conflict in market positioning: "The name Sachiko sounds like a traditional housewife from the 70s, or the kind of singer who sings enka in the countryside."

"It has such a strong sense of rural life from the Showa era."

Daikichi Nagato shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Since we are trying to create a new style for the Heisei era, this name lacks sufficient distinctiveness and modernity."

"We need to choose a new stage name that suits the characteristics of her voice."

As soon as Daisuke Nagato finished speaking, the entire private room fell silent.

Daiki Nagato frowned slightly, quickly filtering through vocabulary consistent with Being's usual style in his mind.

Haruki Kadokawa, however, simply smoked a cigar and remained noncommittal about such specific packaging details.

Just as Nagato Daiyuki was pondering, Kitahara Iwao spoke up: "In that case, let's call it Spring Water."

.

This seemingly mundane suggestion caused Nagato Daiki's thoughts to pause for a moment, and also made Kamachi Sachiko, who was standing next to him, subconsciously turn her head away.

Feeling the gazes of Daisuke Nagato and Haruki Kadokawa, Iwao Kitahara explained, "Sachiko wasn't really good at being the kind of dazzling, igniting sun in the entire arena."

"Since my voice is clean enough, I'll just quietly be a spring of water."

"No matter how volatile the external trends are, as long as we keep singing steadily and continuously, that's fine."

"spring----"

Daiki Nagato muttered the pronunciation twice in his mouth, and his business acumen as a top producer allowed him to instantly grasp the essence of the name.

"A good name."

Daiki Nagato's eyes suddenly lit up, and he tapped his finger heavily on the armrest of the sofa.

"Clear, resilient, with an industrial feel that is untouched by any artificial embellishment, and extremely memorable."

"It's a perfect match for her image-building approach of not showing her face and relying solely on her voice to climb the charts."

Then, in a producer's habit, Daiko Nagato continued to ponder, "Since the given name is so clean, what about the surname?"

"Should we pair it with a slightly more ornate and impactful surname to balance things out?"

Sachiko Kamachi, who had been listening quietly, suddenly looked up.

"No—no fancy surnames."

She spoke softly but with unwavering determination.

Under the watchful eyes of several people in the private room, Sachiko Kamachi mustered her courage and suggested her own surname: "May I use 'Sakai'?"

Before Nagato Daiki could ask any questions, Kamachi Sachiko took a deep breath and explained earnestly, "Sakai is an extremely common Japanese surname."

"I don't think I need those overly embellished and fancy words. That feels too aloof and doesn't suit me."

Although Sachiko Kamachi's voice was not loud, it revealed an extremely clear understanding of herself: "Sakai is simple and ordinary enough, without that sense of distance that keeps strangers at bay."

"It feels like the surname that best suits me."

"I want to use this name, which is closest to ordinary people, to sing the most authentic feelings."

As Sachiko Kamachi finished speaking, the entire private room fell into a brief silence.

Daikichi Nagato put down his pen, his gaze now showing a newfound respect for Sachiko Kamachi.

As a top producer, he instantly completed a market profile of the group in his mind.

A very approachable and down-to-earth surname, paired with a clear and pure given name.

This non-aggressive transparency is an irreplaceable breath of fresh air in today's extravagant and superficial world.

"Sakai spring water."

Daikichi Nagato nodded in satisfaction, finalizing the plan: "It strikes a perfect balance between public appeal and pure imagery."

"This is the one we'll choose."

Upon hearing this, Sachiko Kamachi, no, Izumi Itai, finally relaxed her tense shoulders.

She then turned her head to look at Kitahara Iwa sitting next to her.

Neither of them spoke, but in the instant their eyes met, Kitahara Iwa's eyes held a hint of appreciation as he nodded slightly.

From that moment on, the model Sachiko Kamachi, who was at a loss in front of the camera, was forever left in yesterday.

In the future, Izumi Sakai will use the most straightforward words and the purest voice to heal millions of people.

Today marks the birth of her.