Flying over the bubble era

Chapters 1577 and 1578. Each with their own thoughts.

This is a sign of things getting out of control—

On his way to the firm's headquarters, the oppressive feeling brought about by this fact clung tightly to Norio Higuchi's heart.

The tricky part isn't that Tetsuya Komuro is wavering between the two companies, but that all the forces at play are cooperating with Shinichi Iwahashi to orchestrate this drama.

This means that the industry is dissatisfied with the BURNING Group's consistently domineering style.

However, if the TV station was merely dissatisfied with BURNING's practices, they would never have directly offended Ikuo Suo. Such ruthlessness can only mean two things:

The TV station's dissatisfaction wasn't with Burning's way of doing things.

There are even more powerful forces that are determined to elevate Suo Ikuo to a high position, and the person deemed qualified by all parties to do so is Iwahashi Shinichi.

Those that are set up high will become targets.

If BURNING is the target, then what weapon will hit the bullseye?
Norio Higuchi arrived at headquarters with unanswered questions, heading towards the president's office. Of his three key associates, Shigeo Kawanishi was the first to arrive. He cautiously and solemnly explained the details to Ikuo Suo.

Suoh Ikuo's face was ashen, and he remained silent, his right hand unconsciously reaching for the drawer below.

Kawanishi Shigeo, with his sharp eyes, exclaimed in a low voice, "Suoh-san!"

Higuchi Norio's heart raced. It was a drawer that couldn't be opened. Suo Ikuo, jolted back to his senses by the sound, nonchalantly withdrew his hand, looked at his trusted lieutenants, and frowned: "Haven't we arrived at Baba yet?"

The answer came from Shigeo Kawanishi: "The matter with the record company hasn't been resolved yet."

Zhou Fangyuxiong sneered.

Baba Shunichi arrived late, his gaze sweeping over his two colleagues before finally turning to Suo Ikuo. "Suo-san, this matter is indeed troublesome."

He cut to the chase, which made Suoh Ikuo feel a little better. He asked, "So, how should we respond? This is undoubtedly a provocation."

Higuchi Norio remained silent. Acknowledging this as a provocation meant he had to come up with a solution that could overwhelm Iwahashi Shinichi, and he lacked that confidence.

Shunichi Baba, however, remained composed. "Suoh-san, if you confront him openly, you'll fall right into Iwahashi's trap. His goal is to provoke you."

"Then what do you mean?"

Shunichi Baba replied, "In any case, please remain still. Iwahashi wants to openly damage BURNING's dignity, so we must handle this discreetly. Once we confront him head-on, he will be in an invincible position."

Suo Ikuo listened carefully and nodded. "Go on."

In this situation, if Suo Ikuo cannot be given a solution, it is better to remain silent. Baba Shun had already prepared for this: "On the surface, remain inactive, but in private, find a way to get involved in this program and muddy the waters."

Suo Ikuo smiled, his face showing approval. "As expected of our Baba-kun."

Baba Shunichi lowered his head in slight humility, while Kawanishi Shigeo glanced at him sideways without saying a word. Higuchi Norio took in the expressions of everyone present, his gaze lingering on Baba Shunichi, lost in thought.

This man's cunning far surpasses that of Kawanishi Naruo. However, he has been feigning ignorance all along, and BURNING's current predicament is largely due to Baba Shunichi's actions, knowing full well that poaching Komuro Tetsuya might not be a good thing.

But Baba Shunichi managed to escape unscathed from this situation and even won Suo Ikuo's favor by offering him advice. Higuchi Norio couldn't help but wonder what Baba Shunichi was really up to.

Once you start scrutinizing things, you can't help but think there's more to the story than meets the eye.

The people present each had their own thoughts. Suoh Ikuo had no intention of guessing his subordinates' ideas. Baba Shunichi provided a feasible plan, but how to implement it would require further consideration.

Back then, it was Shunichi Baba who facilitated the recruitment of Daiko Nagato and the establishment of VERMILLION Records, through the efforts of Ikuo Suo. The launch of Namie Amuro and the contact with Tetsuya Komuro were also orchestrated by Shunichi Baba.

Now, naturally, this important matter concerning the firm's dignity falls to Shunichi Baba. Clearly, Shunichi Baba is the one whom Ikuo Suo relies on most.

Leaving behind Shunichi Baba, Norio Higuchi and Shigeo Kawanishi withdrew from the president's office. The two exchanged glances, and Shigeo Kawanishi casually remarked, "Your premonition came true, Higuchi."

At the New Year's banquet, Shinichi Iwahashi announced his plan to produce a new talent show, which was widely discussed and ridiculed. At that time, Norio Higuchi worried that Shinichi Iwahashi had ulterior motives.

When asked about this, Norio Higuchi asked, "After that, didn't you follow up on any information about the program?"

Kawanishi Chengfu countered, "Who would care about a talent show in this day and age?"

Higuchi Norio was speechless. Kawanishi Shigeo also realized that his tone was a bit harsh, so he softened it and said, "Baba is good at dealing with the music industry."

Higuchi Norio simply felt it was a pity. When Namie Amuro debuted, he was secretly delighted. This girl was different from others, had her own personality, and could perfectly handle the musical packaging for her; she was an undisputed genius.

Even without Tetsuya Komuro, given time, this girl would definitely become a top star. Norio Higuchi believed this.

But Shunichi Baba saw this girl as merely bait to lure Tetsuya Komuro away.

When Tetsuya Komuro announced that he would become Namie Amuro's producer, Norio Higuchi felt a sense of helplessness, as if he had fallen at the last minute.

With industry resources becoming increasingly scarce and the investment in training new talent growing ever larger, poaching is becoming increasingly unforgivable. Norio Higuchi foresaw this early on and firmly believed that transformation was inevitable.

Shunichi Baba's acquisition of Tetsuya Komuro with the approval of Ikuo Suo signifies that Suo has no intention of abandoning his established methods. The ensuing series of events indicates that Norio Higuchi's concerns are becoming a reality.

Today, Shunichi Baba easily won over Ikuo Suo again. But the core of his proposed plan was not how BURNING would work, but rather Shinichi Iwahashi's idea.

This is an obvious truth.

So, where does Shunichi Baba's confidence in making this suggestion come from? What methods will he use to negotiate with Shinichi Iwahashi?

Higuchi Norio subtly noticed Baba Shunichi's flaws, but he knew nothing about his true thoughts and intentions.

Shunichi Baba had ulterior motives, while Shigeo Kawanishi watched coldly from the sidelines. Norio Higuchi arrived with a sense of urgency weighing on his heart, and when he left, this sense of urgency not only did not lessen, but became even heavier.

We are now on the verge of spiraling out of control, and we have to do something to break this deadlock.

Higuchi Norio surmised that the only breakthrough lay with Iwahashi Shinichi. That one sentence from back then, a reminder, felt like a thorn, neither too hard nor too soft, pricking his heart. If that could be considered having some connection with Iwahashi Shinichi…

We should try to meet with Shinichi Iwahashi; perhaps that can help mend the relationship between us.

Higuchi Norio was still hesitant.