Flying over the bubble era

Chapters 1558 and 1559. The Third Way
Those who are confident will surely win, but the reason they win is not because of confidence itself, but because they have the trump card to win.

This summer is destined to be spectacular.

With the single's release date fast approaching, Namie Amuro's new single is being promoted with a barrage of publicity, from television media to street corners. According to a weekly magazine report, the promotional budget for this young woman's solo debut has reached a staggering 200 million yen, an unprecedented amount in the industry.

Of course, whether or not this amount of investment actually occurred is a secret known only to the record company.

Just like the "million-strong army" that marches in with great momentum, only the commander knows how many of them are truly combat-ready.

In fact, the more promotional expenses are spent on a singer's debut, the more likely the singer is to sign a stringent contract from the outset. High promotional costs are not just one aspect of the promotional process.

For artists, the first contract is a contract to repay the agency for the costs of packaging and training them.

Tetsuo Hira's firm's contracts are known in the industry for being notoriously strict.

Since he was certain that this promising young girl would become famous, he would definitely try every means to keep her under his control.

Since the record industry entered its prosperous era, all the various promotional methods and means of controlling artists that it has accumulated over the years have been generously used to promote this young girl.

With such a spectacle, it would be incomprehensible if they didn't become incredibly famous.

In contrast, the promotional scale for Maki Ohguro's new single has remained consistently moderate. There was no increase in promotional budget due to Vermillion Records' deliberate scheduling conflict, nor was there any intention to keep a low profile.

Regarding the clash between Namie Amuro's single and Maki Ohguro's release date, Shinichi Iwahashi's stance is clear: Namie Amuro is not Maki Ohguro's enemy.

"Our Dahei-chan is already a top-tier star with several million-selling singles and albums. She doesn't need to win over a newcomer to defend her position. She is unshakeable."

Shinichi Iwahashi made the final decision, directly defining the nature of the matter, and no one else seemed to have any objections.

However, the matter cannot be resolved so easily.

Those involved within the organization will not let this go easily.

In fact, Vermillion Records' actions were more like provocation and a shady test. While it could be called a declaration of war, the target wasn't Maki Ohguro.

Sending Namie Amuro to fight against the singers from GENZO's headquarters was intended to put Shinichi Iwahashi in a difficult position. While the target appeared to be Maki Ohguro, the real target was something else entirely.

This is precisely what Shunichi Baba's true purpose is.

Initially, Shinichi Iwahashi invited Ken-On to join him in establishing a new label for Tetsuya Komuro. Afterwards, he poured resources into the Komuro group, fully supporting its artists. Now, just three short years later, Komuro is openly producing artists for other companies.

Shinichi Iwahashi has to give his collaborators an explanation.

Therefore, it is necessary to characterize Tetsuya Komuro's actions as either betrayal or a permissible collaboration.

Either Shinichi Iwahashi punishes Tetsuya Komuro for his "betrayal," which would mean GENZO would have to sacrifice its own interests and break an arm. Or, Shinichi Iwahashi chooses to reconcile with Tetsuya Komuro and cooperate for mutual benefit, but in doing so, Shinichi Iwahashi's prestige would inevitably be damaged, and Shunichi Baba would then openly shatter the prestige that GENZO has now established.

No matter which side you choose, Shunichi Baba is guaranteed to win.

Compared to the easily defeated Nagato Daiko, or Suo Ikuo who is accustomed to using underhanded and violent methods, this Baba executive director is the opponent who truly needs to be taken seriously.

……

The first thing to figure out is how to view the collaboration with Tetsuya Komuro.

In GENZO's conference room, Shinichi Iwahashi sat at the head of the table, inevitably drawing everyone's attention.

If Tetsuya Komuro is GENZO's enemy, then he must be eliminated. Mayumi Watanabe remained calm, waiting for Shinichi Iwahashi's explanation, just like everyone else.

Shinichi Iwahashi's attitude remained unchanged: "In any case, I have no such enemy."

"So, Iwahashi-san means to let Komuro-san choose and change the way we cooperate?" It was Nozaki Kenichiro who asked the question.

"If it was all about waiting for this day, then there was no point in establishing the new label in the first place."

Most importantly, the GENZO alliance structure is loose but not disintegrating; to maintain it, a convincing authority is essential. Allowing Tetsuya Komuro to run rampant would shake the other forces currently attached to this network.

This is where the problem lies.

Shinichi Iwahashi said calmly, "If we dwell on this, we'll fall into Vermillion's trap."

It's a very simple principle. When faced with a difficult problem, don't dwell on internal arguments and debates; instead, redirect the problem outwards. If there's a fire burning inside that can't be extinguished, the best solution is to throw it out.

Isn't agonizing over this just like choosing one of two options given by Shunichi Baba?

Therefore, at this moment, the solution is to take the third path.

"Komuro-san is neither an enemy nor a friend. Rather..."

Shinichi Iwahashi paused, then said, "Part of the plan."

If we can get Tetsuya Komuro to side with BURNING and incorporate it into a plan, then we can simply adjust according to the other side's movements and adapt to the situation until we achieve the desired result.

The trends created by Tetsuya Komuro, due to their unique monopolistic nature, inherently possess a certain danger.

Now is the time to take advantage of this danger and puncture this festering sore. Whoever holds this hot potato will have to suffer the consequences of getting burned.

"The plan... So, what can we get out of the plan?" Kenichiro Nozaki asked.

There are mutually beneficial partnerships; even the name "Ken-On" (根音) associated with Akina Nakamori is that of Shinichi Iwahashi's wife. Ken-On and GENZO are the closest of partners.

However, the condition that Shinichi Iwahashi used to seduce Kenon included Tetsuya Komuro.

Therefore, how to handle this matter is crucial for Ken-On.

“Kenichiro-san,” Shinichi Iwahashi said, looking at him, “there is one thing that needs to be clarified: Komuro-san is actually harmless.”

Tetsuya Komuro is a character whose elimination would not threaten or shake the industry.

"Of course, I don't want to ruin Komuro-san. But sometimes, fulfilling his wishes also means destroying him."

Shinichi Iwahashi had a gentle expression, yet he spoke cruel words.

What makes Tetsuya Komuro interesting is that his actions are destined to lead to destruction. Those more deeply connected to him will be more deeply affected.

Shinichi Iwahashi admires Tetsuya Komuro, but that doesn't stop him from getting what he wants from him.

Upon hearing these words, Kenichiro Nozaki held his breath. Mayumi Watanabe paused, then capped her pen.

Both of them simultaneously realized that Shinichi Iwahashi was not just the gentle persona he had always presented.

This same person, with a simple and skillful maneuver, could stir up half the industry and then emerge unscathed, without revealing his true abilities.