Flying over the bubble era

Chapter 1582 Chapter 1583. Game within a game
Iwahashi Shin pressed closer and closer.

All of Higuchi Norio's assumptions on his way here have come to naught. Breaking free from his unrealistic fantasies, the reality before him is that he has fallen into a situation where he could be humiliated at any moment.

He himself put himself in this situation.

Higuchi Norio felt a surge of heat in his chest, a fire ignited by Iwahashi Shinichi's attitude. At this moment, showing weakness would only plunge him into a worse abyss. Without salvaging his dignity, he would have no right to negotiate.

He recalled his earlier guesses and made a desperate attempt: "What can I use to impress you... Iwahashi-san, if you have no willingness to negotiate, how can there be a new showdown between Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki?"

Shinichi Iwahashi's expression changed slightly, almost as if it were an illusion.

Higuchi Norio, however, did not miss this moment. His mind calmed slightly, and in this desperate situation, he seized upon Iwahashi Shinichi's fleeting opening, pressing his advantage: "Did the duel between the two girls move you? Or is it Komuro-san's stance..."

"Higuchi-san".

Shinichi Iwahashi interrupted Norio Higuchi before he could finish speaking. He said casually, "'Duel' is a tried-and-true method in the industry."

As soon as those words were spoken, a subtle shift occurred in the atmosphere. Shinichi Iwahashi's aggressive stance softened. Even if only slightly, Norio Higuchi's confidence surged.

Shunichi Baba and Shinichi Iwahashi had already been having an affair in private.

At that time, Shunichi Baba proposed to Ikuo Suo to interfere in the program and stir up trouble in order to stop Shinichi Iwahashi's plan. If the two had already crossed paths before, then the validity of this plan is questionable.

But if these two were to cooperate, what would be it that temporarily binds them together?
What role did Tetsuya Komuro play in all of this?
“A publicity stunt.” Norio Higuchi smiled and posed a sharp question: “So, is this showdown between BURNING and GENZO a necessary outcome, or is it merely a tactic?”

A means to achieve a real goal.

Shinichi Iwahashi remained silent.

Higuchi Norio pressed his advantage—his arrogant demeanor when Iwahashi Shinichi arrived earlier, and the dissipation of his momentum after being correctly predicted, all point to the characteristics of his personality.

This person has no regard for the vague notion of "human relationships." When negotiating with him, the more humble the opponent is, the less he will yield. To impress him, you must demonstrate something that will impress him.

Having a clear idea of ​​what was going on, Higuchi Norio calmly pressed on with the next question: "Iwahashi-san, is my presence here part of your scheme?"

Shinichi Iwahashi straightened his expression and carefully examined the person in front of him. It was as if, for the first time since their first meeting that evening, he realized that Norio Higuchi was no ordinary person.

He smiled. "Higuchi-san, so-called methods are things that cannot be done openly but must be done behind the scenes. From my perspective, your presence here is by no means a method of mine."

“But on the other hand,” Shinichi Iwahashi changed the subject, “from BURNING’s perspective, Higuchi-san is using negotiating with me as a means to achieve this.”

Norio Higuchi asked, "Are you really going to embarrass Burning?"

Shinichi Iwahashi said meaningfully, "BURNING is indispensable in the entertainment industry. That's the contradiction. GENZO has reached a point where it needs to turn the tables on the world."

In this industry, it's all about who's stronger. When one side is powerful, everyone else has to back down. Norio Higuchi didn't entirely doubt Shinichi Iwahashi's words.

BURNING's ecosystem in the entertainment industry is unique. Even though its domineering style sometimes provokes dissatisfaction from television stations, these stations still need BURNING's presence. This industry consensus is the reason why Norio Higuchi believes this statement.

If the program airs as planned, with the backing of the TV station and Dentsu, and the participation of Tetsuya Komuro, BURNING will definitely be in for a world of trouble.

Shunichi Baba's plan to muddy the waters was undoubtedly the best solution. However, the endorsement from both the television station and Dentsu signaled the industry's dissatisfaction with Burning.

They needed to show weakness to the TV station and Dentsu while also preserving their own public image. If the matter could be resolved in a dignified manner, it would transform into a brilliant crisis management victory.

However, Norio Higuchi thought deeper. In his mind, this should also be a good opportunity to shed the stigma of poaching and establish a completely new system. Since BURNING is irreplaceable, and Shinichi Iwahashi is determined to turn the tide this time, what aspects of the irreplaceable side can be sacrificed? And what concessions can the side determined to turn the tide make?

The key to this is finding the right balance, which is the part of the negotiation that both parties can make.

In any case, since Shinichi Iwahashi had already revealed that he had no intention of fighting BURNING to the death, Norio Higuchi was convinced that there must be something attracting the president.

That thing, if it's not with me, is with Shunichi Baba.

or……

At this very moment, with his ambiguous relationship with Shunichi Baba, he still decided to meet with me. This means that what attracted Shinichi Iwahashi is something Shunichi Baba alone cannot accomplish. And he is the final corner of a triangle.

Having thought this through, Higuchi Norio was finally able to answer Iwahashi Shinichi's initial question.

……

The late-night banquet ended quietly.

Shinichi Iwahashi left, but Norio Higuchi didn't rush off. He poured himself a drink and waited for dawn.

He was to begin his operation after daybreak. But before that, Higuchi Norio replayed the conversation from that evening in his mind, trying to find any flaws in it.

Shinichi Iwahashi's, and his own.

In any case, Shinichi Iwahashi's performance was overly dramatic, from his initial arrogance to his change in attitude when it was revealed that he was connected to Shunichi Baba.

Having navigated the industry for so many years, Norio Higuchi is unlikely to be led by the nose.

The conversation tonight was quite heated, but it's no surprise that Norio Higuchi didn't entirely believe Shinichi Iwahashi's story. However, the truth doesn't matter.

The important thing is to define many things in the conversation with Shinichi Iwahashi.

Was Shunichi Baba's plan to stir up trouble a scheme orchestrated by Shinichi Iwahashi? Did these two have some kind of secret affair?
unimportant.

If this is a play, then Higuchi Norio's subsequent actions were simply his natural participation as an ally.

Even assuming that Shinichi Iwahashi was just putting on an act tonight, deliberately leading me to believe that Shunichi Baba had been having private dealings with Genzo.

Therefore, if Shunichi Baba is to achieve the plan he proposed to Ikuo Suo, he will need Norio Higuchi as an accomplice.

Tonight, Norio Higuchi's emotions were half-true and half-false, and his words were half-true and half-false.

But only one thing is true.

In this incident, what attracted Shinichi Iwahashi was also what attracted him.

Shunichi Baba is essential to completing this triangle.

He was determined to do it once day broke.

(End of this chapter)