Flying over the bubble era

Chapters 1567 and 1568: Building a Brand

In moments like these, the couple passing the same cup can create a warm and tranquil atmosphere. Shinichi Iwahashi subconsciously put aside the shock he felt from living in this era.

When history becomes the present, living in this moment means living within the era. But because there is someone who can pass the same cup around, one can forget the impact of the times and experience the true essence of everyday life.

In fragile times, genuine connections are needed all the more. Shinichi Iwahashi is grateful for this moment, for he has Akina Nakamori, his wife and daughter, and such a home, a cup filled with a cup of tranquil wine.

"It's so good to be married to you," he said sincerely.

Akina Nakamori seemed to have been hit by a flying ball, snapping out of her daze. She smiled and said, "I'm really glad you think that way." She looked at Shinichi Iwahashi, "...But why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

This doesn't necessarily stem from a woman's curiosity. Rather, it's a concern that needs no words.

Shinichi Iwahashi smiled as well, “It’s just a natural part of everyday life.”

Living with a woman like this, such genuine feelings will naturally arise. It's not just that marrying her is wonderful, but it must be her, and only her.

No matter the situation, she always retains a touch of innocent naiveté that deliberately tries to comfort people. Even when she realizes she's living in the midst of societal upheavals, she can still use this naiveté to pull her emotions back to the real present. This is something only Akina Nakamori can do.

Only when he is with such a person can Shinichi Iwahashi be completely focused.

“What’s the difference between this and calling someone a fool…” Nakamori Akina said, unable to suppress a laugh. She thought for a moment and said, “It’s certainly a good thing to be praised for being smart. However, I’m increasingly feeling that fools are more valuable.”

Shinichi Iwahashi also thought so.

In times of uncertainty, human kindness should fill the gaps in order, providing spontaneous mutual support and assistance.

But for those living in this era, the tragedy lies in the destruction of past beliefs, yet the inability to establish new consensus. Society as a whole is hollow, powerless yet filled with a hatred of incompetence. They resent the elites and loathe stupidity.

An era that shames weakness will only lead to irreparable division.

In such an era, it is not easy for those in power to avoid losing their humanity.

That's why Shinichi Iwahashi is even more grateful for Akina Nakamori's existence.

He told Akina Nakamori, "I've decided, this winter, Ayu will debut."

Akina Nakamori asked a good question: "What's the reason for choosing winter?"

“Because of jewelry. Jewelry shines even brighter in winter,” Shinichi Iwahashi said. “Ayu is a diamond.”

Akina Nakamori blinked. "Shinichi sees Ayu as an adult, not a girl?"

She demonstrated her exceptional sense of smell when it came to making things.

“That’s not all.” Shinichi Iwahashi recalled the past. “Back then, when you appeared on a TV show to promote your music, you used a Hermès scarf to make your stage outfit, which became a big topic of conversation. I’ve always remembered that.”

Akina Nakamori remained attentive, not distracted by the mention of her past.

“You’re a star who can use any product, whether it’s a luxury item or a 100-yen shop decoration, with complete freedom…” Shinichi Iwahashi changed the subject, “But Ayu is a diamond.”

"Does 'diamond' mean a commodity?" Akina Nakamori asked.

Shinichi Iwahashi did not deny it.

When Miwa first entered the industry as a manager, she told me not to treat her like a commodity to be sold. Later, when I was producing for Akina Nakamori and we had a disagreement, she asked me if I was treating her like a commodity.

Now, after a long time, I've heard this question again.

“Being a diamond certainly means being a commodity. But from another perspective, a diamond is also a brand,” Shinichi Iwahashi told her, sharing his thoughts.

In the years since I entered this world, I've been promoting artists and popular culture.

Finding a balance between selling goods and not treating people as commodities—with Ayumi Hamasaki, Shinichi Iwahashi finally found the answer to this question.

He said, "Ayu, Ayumi Hamasaki, is the brand itself."

Shinichi Iwahashi wanted to build Ayumi Hamasaki into a brand, rather than simply displaying her as a product in a shop window.

A product may become a trendy item, enjoying fleeting popularity and being prominently displayed, only to be removed later. But building a brand and integrating it into the daily lives of its audience ensures its enduring success.

Akina Nakamori initially had mixed feelings because of the diamond analogy. But after hearing the rest, she suddenly understood.

She was thrilled for Ayumi Hamasaki, who wasn't present, and her heart was pounding: "Ayu is definitely a diamond. If it were Shinichi, he would definitely make everyone see Ayu's brilliance."

Shinichi Iwahashi smiled. He said, "However, I believe Akina-san is capable of this job."

"...Why did you suddenly call me 'Akina-san'?" Nakamori Akina, like a cat whose tail had been suddenly pulled, bared her teeth and glared at him, but waited quietly for him to continue.

"I've been saying for a while that I want you to be her producer. Now, I'm officially inviting you to join Ayu's production team. Akina, you'll be an excellent brand designer." Shinichi Iwahashi presented a new opportunity to Akina Nakamori.

The girl who once lived in her house, the girl who witnessed her growth… a diamond. Nakamori Akina took a breath, and said solemnly, “Then, please speak with my agency, President-san~”

Shinichi Iwahashi agreed: "Tomorrow, I'll send the invitations to Ken-On and Warner."

"It feels like they were in cahoots..."

Akina Nakamori found it amusing. Shinichi Iwahashi, now in a mood for jokes, said, "I'm going to pour out my troubles. I've used every trick in the book to persuade Akina-san to join us."

"Am I that difficult?" Nakamori Akina squinted at him, watching him spout nonsense.

Shinichi Iwahashi said seriously, "Yes, yes." He finished the rest of his drink. "But it's better if they're a bit more difficult."

……

The Tokyo subway sarin gas attack had a wide-ranging and profound impact on the public.

The mundane routine can be so easily disrupted, and the consensus that routine is safe is being undermined. This disruption inevitably triggers panic, and the panic will spread to every corner and linger for a long time.

The police, who were supposed to protect citizens, failed to take timely and effective action despite having been warned multiple times beforehand, triggering a crisis of public trust in the police.

The television industry also suffered a major blow.

The television station gave an incorrect report on the first sarin gas attack and then chose to remain silent, refusing to correct the erroneous report. It wasn't until the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack and the arrest of Aum Shinrikyo leader that they finally apologized and admitted that the previous "gas incident" was a misreport.

The arrogance of the media towards the public has pushed public skepticism towards traditional media to new heights.

The deeper blow came later when NTV conducted an exclusive interview with key members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult who were involved in the sarin gas attack. The interviewed members revealed on the program that a TBS program producer had shown them a recording of TBS interviewing lawyer Sakamoto.

Attorney Tsutsumi Sakamoto is a well-known anti-cult activist who has been collecting evidence of Aum Shinrikyo's various misdeeds in preparation for launching a class-action lawsuit against the cult.

In 1989, a TBS program interviewed him, and violated the principle of press confidentiality by showing the video of the interview to key members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult without Sakamoto's knowledge.

The interview program was ultimately not broadcast due to protests from Aum Shinrikyo, and the Sakamoto family subsequently disappeared without a trace.

Following the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, Aum Shinrikyo was formally investigated, and the remains of lawyer Sakamoto and his family were finally discovered. Years earlier, after watching TBS videotapes, Aum Shinrikyo considered lawyer Sakamoto a thorn in their side that had to be eliminated, and murdered his entire family.

The truth of the matter has finally come to light, and the public's anxiety and distrust of society have erupted dramatically.

Faced with public outrage, TBS initially dismissed the issue with a mere "no factual basis," only slowly launching an internal investigation as the boycotts and protests from viewers intensified.

Rumors and gossip last only seventy-five days, and so does public sentiment.

The TV station's idea was that simple.

By diverting attention with a hundred other news stories, the initial backlash will simply fade away. That's why the TV station doesn't apologize.

If the authorities continue to remain silent and offer no new developments, public attention will naturally be diverted. However, once a response is made, each response serves as a new reminder to the public.

However, this incident is different from the past.

Every report about Aum Shinrikyo, every follow-up investigation of its victims, serves as a reminder to the public.

Moreover, it was various television stations that initially reported the sarin gas incident as a "gas accident," and only TBS showed the videotape of the interview with lawyer Sakamoto to Aum Shinrikyo.

Directing the conflict to TBS is a practical application of the strategy of "diverting public attention".

In times of widespread anxiety, people hope that their unease and distrust can be reliably contained by something. However, TBS, which became the target of public criticism, amplified this anxiety to an even greater extent in this way.

In the months that followed the incident, the antagonistic sentiment between the public and the media had accumulated into a pressure ball that was already full and whose timing and manner of detonation were unknown.

As one side gains and the other loses, the public will begin to question traditional media, and more people will share information, vent their emotions, and band together for mutual support on the internet.

When enough people participate in a new form, many things naturally emerge.

Websites for sharing album audio have emerged on the internet.

When Shinichi Iwahashi learned of this information, he was making final preparations for Ayumi Hamasaki's debut.

This young woman was constantly pressured to rush to various work locations, and the more tired she became, the more determined she was to go against Shinichi Iwahashi. Before debuting, this assertive newcomer always puffed up like a pufferfish.

In a moment of utter tension, Shinichi Iwahashi suddenly learned that the era of piracy was beginning to take shape, and he couldn't help but laugh.

A new era has fully arrived.