Flying over the bubble era

Chapters 1579 and 1580: A Delicate Alliance
Higuchi Norio requested a meeting, but received no response from Iwahashi Shinichi for a long time.

There was no refusal, no polite formalities, just complete disregard.

In the past, during his few interactions with Shinichi Iwahashi, Norio Higuchi had always maintained a dignified approach, showing sincerity in seeking positive cooperation, and thought that he could at least get a chance to meet with him now. But faced with Shinichi Iwahashi's disregard, this idea seemed pale and laughable.

This most powerful record company executive of the moment remained unmoved by his overtures.

Thinking the worst, Shinichi Iwahashi rejected all possibilities of negotiation.

But perhaps that's not the case.

Shinichi Iwahashi's placement cooled Higuchi Norio's emotions, causing him to subconsciously reflect on his actions.

Many things can be embellished if they are not brought to the forefront. Once they are, there is no possibility of redemption. Today, we should avoid directly confronting Shinichi Iwahashi's sharp edge.

A strong external shock may prompt internal change.

This is why Norio Higuchi harbored illusions about the crisis brought about by Shinichi Iwahashi.

Higuchi Norio, being part of Burning, naturally thinks from Burning's perspective. Therefore, he eagerly tries to leverage that bit of personal favor. But the tricky part is that no one knows what will move Iwahashi Shinichi.

What gives Shinichi Iwahashi the right to meet him, and what gives him the right to fight for a meeting?

Only after formally interacting with Shinichi Iwahashi can one truly appreciate the unwavering resolve of this man.

Shinichi Iwahashi's disregard forced Norio Higuchi to confront a question: what could he offer Shinichi Iwahashi?
Perhaps only by answering this question can one meet Shinichi Iwahashi in person. This hypothesis left Norio Higuchi with mixed feelings.

Higuchi Norio hesitated, then turned his gaze to the other two. On the surface, everything seemed calm at the office; Kawanishi Shigeo remained unmoved, simply fulfilling his duties as Suoh Ikuo's most loyal assistant.

Shunichi Baba proposed a strategy of outwardly remaining inactive while secretly stirring up trouble on the show, a strategy highly praised by Ikuo Suo. At the moment, this strategy was naturally the most feasible. Norio Higuchi thought to himself that if he could make good use of Tetsuya Komuro as a front, things would be a different story.

In a sense, Shunichi Baba should be Norio Higuchi's best partner.

……

Being so restless over information about a talent show makes one look down on them.

Tetsuya Komuro, thoroughly enjoying the show, came to see Shinichi Iwahashi and couldn't help but jokingly remark, "I heard from Baba-san that BURNING is furious about this program."

The fact that Shunichi Baba could complain about this to Tetsuya Komuro shows that he is very adept at handling such situations.

Shinichi Iwahashi laughed. "It's just a talent show, it shouldn't be this serious. It's clear that Komuro-san still has the power to influence people."

Tetsuya Komuro, navigating between the two factions, first witnessed Shunichi Baba's pretentious complaints, and today he witnessed Shinichi Iwahashi's nonchalant avoidance. He found both sides' attitudes intriguing.

However, Tetsuya Komuro was happy to see GENZO and BURNING in such a chaotic mess. At this moment, he readily accepted Shinichi Iwahashi's compliments.

This was not only due to his innate arrogance, but also because, after this incident, he was about to push forward with his own entertainment empire plan. BURNING and GENZO would all be just fleeting clouds.

...How could a genius like Tetsuya Komuro be confined to the small world of Japan?
Coming back to his senses after a moment of distraction, Tetsuya Komuro asked, "What are you planning to do next, Iwahashi-san?"

"How do we do it?" Shinichi Iwahashi asked in return.

Tetsuya Komuro paused for a moment before realizing his slip of the tongue. Shinichi Iwahashi, however, didn't seem to care about his reaction, and instead asked, as if answering his question, "Does Amuro-chan have any record release plans lately?" Komuro chuckled to himself, "Iwahashi-san's direct question makes me seem like a two-faced person."

Shinichi Iwahashi didn't respond, continuing on his own: "Ayu and Amuro-chan haven't had a showdown in a while. The audience needs some excitement every now and then."

Humans are inherently aggressive creatures.

Whether it's a sports meet or a competition, it's all a form of battle. The same goes for a showdown between two top female singers.

Since positioning Ayumi Hamasaki and Namie Amuro as rivals, the two have been constantly at odds. They engage in various media campaigns, and when choosing endorsements, they have several competing products, maintaining a perpetual atmosphere of "antagonism." This antagonism is precisely for the sake of a potential showdown, a spectacle for the audience.

“That’s true.” Tetsuya Komuro said with relief. “After all, these two kids are now arch-enemies.”

“And you, Komuro-san, are the link between our arch-enemies,” Shinichi Iwahashi said quipped.

But Tetsuya Komuro listened, sensing a deeper meaning in his words. Shinichi Iwahashi's direct inquiry into Namie Amuro's record release plans also implied that he didn't mind informing Shunichi Baba about Ayumi Hamasaki's whereabouts.

Tetsuya Komuro repeatedly savored the poses these two people struck, finding them extremely amusing.

In reality, once the two girls were portrayed as sworn enemies, their record companies formed a subtle alliance. This alliance was certainly unreliable, but its presence was undeniable, albeit always lurking beneath the surface.

The intercom on the table rang at that moment, and Tetsuya Komuro stood up: "I'll take my leave now."

……

Tetsuya Komuro came and went as he pleased.

Shinichi Iwahashi glanced at him and picked up the receiver. A short while later, Haruko Akamatsu arrived. He casually mentioned, "Muro-san just left."

The clerk then removed Tetsuya Komuro's cup.

Haruko Akamatsu lowered her head slightly and overheard Shinichi Iwahashi's next sentence: "Komuro-san knows perfectly well that he is relaying a message from Baba of Vermilion."

"Do you also have something for Komuro-san to convey?" Haruko Akamatsu asked after thinking for a moment.

Shinichi Iwahashi showed approval, but shook his head: "No need. ... This Mr. Baba is talented."

To be able to poach Tetsuya Komuro and promote Namie Amuro, Shunichi Baba is not an ordinary lackey, but a truly talented pragmatist.

Haruko Akamatsu thought for a moment, "Higuchi-san of Burning, like Baba-san, is directly involved in the production and promotion of artists."

Shinichi Iwahashi countered, "Is that what you think?"

"Nagato-san's band division has been stagnant for the past two years, unable to produce any new artists for long. Only B'z has remained consistently popular. Although Vermillion was formed after absorbing Nagato-san's BEING, it now seems that Baba-san has a brighter future..."

Haruko Akamatsu paused at this point, then said, "Iwahashi-san, external shocks might become a breakthrough for change; many people hold this view."

The problem is that different people often want different kinds of "change." Both Shunichi Baba and Norio Higuchi are so-called pragmatists, but their pragmatic directions and paces are vastly different. Ultimately, what they seek may be worlds apart.

To dismantle BURNING from within, it is precisely by exploiting these subtleties.