Traveling Through the Tokyo Bubble Era

Chapter 1061 Driven by Profit
"Hanyu-kun, was the surprise I gave you what you guessed?"

After spending his time in Taiwan, Hideki Hanyu returned to Sendai and was greeted with a surprise inquiry from Akina Nakamori.

"So, she's the surprise you gave me?"

Hideki Yuzuru looked at Kyoko Koizumi in front of him, but there was no surprise on his face.

"Doesn't the teacher want to see me?"

Seeing the scumbag in such a state, the little fairy deliberately put on a tearful expression. Although it was very affected, it was very much in line with the style of the little fairy and Hideki Hanyu when they were together.

Akina Nakamori chimed in, "Yeah, is Hanyu-kun unhappy to see Kyoko?"

I knew Yuzuru-kun had been so busy this year and hadn't seen Kyoko much, so I specially invited her to Sendai to spend the New Year together.

Hideki Yuzuru quickly denied it, saying, "No, it's just that I knew Kyoko was coming all along."

Because President Suo spoke to me on the phone before the New Year, specifically mentioning that Kyoko would not be participating in New Year's events, and that she would reduce her activities after the New Year to focus on the agency's operations.

At this point, Hideki Hanyu felt inexplicably emotional.

Although Kyoko Koizumi is a year younger than Akina Nakamori, she was born in 1966 and will soon be 25 years old.

For the average person, this is certainly still very young.

But for female artists who debuted as idols, this age is already quite old.

In Japan, female idols debuting at fifteen or sixteen is not considered early, and thirteen or fourteen is even more common.

Generally speaking, if someone hasn't made it big by the age of eighteen or nineteen, they should consider leaving the entertainment industry and finding another path.

The idols who debuted in the early 1980s, such as Akina Nakamori and Kyoko Koizumi, can be considered a generation that "carries on the past and opens up the future" in the history of Japanese idols.

After Momoe Yamaguchi laid the foundation for the female idol industry in Nansha, they pushed the idol industry to an unprecedented peak in the 1980s, the most glorious era of neon Japan.

Even if the ice age of idols ends, this timeline, driven by various forces, will once again see Yasushi Akimoto create the same 48 idol groups, allowing the idol industry to reach new heights.

But those idols are quite different from the ones of their predecessors in the 1980s.

The dazzling brilliance of Seiko Matsuda and Akina Nakamori, along with the supporting cast of other idols, created a golden age of mainstream idol culture that truly led an era.

As time has passed, the glory days of the Japanese economy have come to an end. Even in this current era, the age of idols in the entertainment industry has truly begun to draw to a close.

What evoked the most complex emotions in Hideki Hanyu was the decade that ended along with the idol era, which was also the most exciting decade he experienced after his time travel.

However, amidst his感慨 (feelings of deep emotion), Hideki Yuzuru was also very fortunate, because at least after his time travel, he was also one of the participants in this glorious era of idols.

As Hideki Hanyu finished speaking, the little fairy's questioning voice rang out, "But even so, how did you know I was coming to Sendai, teacher?"

Upon hearing this, Hideki Yuzuru tapped the little imp on the head in annoyance, "Do you think President Suoh wouldn't tell me if you used me as an excuse?"
Or do you think that if you hadn't used me as a reason, President Suoh would have easily agreed to your request?

Although your popularity isn't what it used to be, you're still one of President Suoh's most profitable entertainers.

When have you ever seen an entertainment agency give high-earning artists a holiday during the New Year period?

"what?"

The little fairy was completely bewildered, finally realizing that what she thought was a clever concealment had already been exposed to Hideki Hanyu.

"No wonder President Suoh agreed to my request so readily; it turns out that my teacher spoke up for me."

Looking at the little imp who had just realized what was going on, Hideki Yuzuru said helplessly, "It's not just about talking. I also promised President Suoh some overseas collaborations."

Upon hearing this, the little fairy immediately showed a dejected expression.

"So, I've been a burden to my teacher?"

"It's not worth using such an exaggerated adjective as 'a burden.' It's just a small matter, and it's worth it if it allows Kyoko to get a good rest."

The scumbag launched a passionate offensive at the right time.

When the words reached the little vixen's ears, she was so moved that she threw herself into the scumbag's arms, as if she had nothing to repay him with and wanted to give herself to him.

Cough cough--

Just then, a soft cough was heard outside the house where they were.

"Onii-chan, I'm so sorry, I think I've arrived at the wrong time."

Judging from the voice and tone, Hideki Hanyu knew that the person who came was his sister, Yui Hanyu.

The other person had a day off the day before yesterday, and today happened to be the same day as him, returning to Sendai, only arriving home a little earlier than him.

Yui Hanyu's words made the little fairy somewhat embarrassed, and she fled from Hideki Hanyu's embrace.

If it were anyone else, the little fairy might not have cared, but since the visitor was Hideki Yuzuru's sister, she was somewhat nervous.

On the other hand, Hideki Hanyu, the scumbag, calmly asked Yui Hanyu a question.

"Yui, is something the matter?"

"Dad said he wanted to talk to Onii-chan about some things regarding the education fund."

Yui Hanyu explained her purpose.

Although his expression was normal, his eyes still darted curiously over his older brother, Akina Nakamori, and Kyoko Koizumi as he spoke.

Clearly, this is a qualified bystander.

"I understand. I'll go with you to see him."

After finishing his sentence, Hideki Hanyu explained the situation to Akina Nakamori and the fairy, then took his sister and headed out of the bamboo grove.

Before leaving with Hideki Hanyu, Yui Hanyu smiled and nodded to Akina Nakamori and the other woman.

The two women nodded in return, knowing that Hideki Yuzuru doted on his younger sister.

Even the two big stars felt a slight sense of inferiority when facing Hideki Hanyu, who was youthful, poised, confident, and beautiful.

After all, Yui Hanyu, who grew up in the love of Hideki Hanyu at a young age, possesses a kind of reserved and demure temperament that is clearly not something that can be cultivated by ordinary wealthy families. It is something that girls from ordinary families can only dream of.

……

After leaving the bamboo grove, Hideki Yuzuru looked at his younger sister, who was skipping and jumping around beside him, and deliberately slowed down, asking in a gentler voice.

"After finishing my studies at the University of Tokyo next year, do you want to stay in Japan to continue studying at a university, or do you want to study abroad?"

Upon hearing this, Yui Hanyu grabbed Hideki Hanyu's arm and said in a coquettish tone, "Why does Onii-chan ask about my studies as soon as he opens his mouth? Doesn't he care about me at all?"

Hideki Hanyu retorted, "When I asked you where you wanted to study, wasn't that because I cared about you?"

Yui Hanyu retorted, "Besides my studies, can't my older brother care about anything else? Like my love life, doesn't he care whether I have a boyfriend or not?"

"Ha ha……"

Hideki Yuzuru looked at his beautiful younger sister and let out a cold laugh.

"I'm not worried about that at all, because I've already given orders to your bodyguards: any man who approaches you with ill intentions should have his legs broken."

"what!"

This completely shocked Yui Hanyu.

"How could Onii-chan do this? No wonder I haven't had any boys pursuing me in school even after almost three years of studying."

Hideki Hanyu said irritably, "School is a place for studying, not a place for dating."

Yui Hanyu complained, "Onii-chan is so domineering!"

Hideki Hanyu said matter-of-factly, "I'm protecting you." "Hmph, why can Onii-chan do it himself, but I can't?"

Yui Hanyu muttered to herself.

Hideki Hanyu didn't hear him clearly. "What did you say?"

Hideki Hanyu raised his voice, bothered by the fact that "I mean, even though Onii-chan can like so many girls, he can't let other boys like me."

"Hehe, I didn't say it's not allowed. You can pursue him if you want, as long as you're better than me. I won't make things difficult for him. Looks, wealth, honors, as long as he surpasses me in any one of them, it's fine."

As soon as Hideki Yuzuru said this, he immediately received two eye rolls from his younger sister.

"Onii-chan, this isn't even considered being difficult? How could there be a man like this in all of Japan?"

Hideki Hanyu continued confidently, "If you can't beat me, then what makes you think you can pursue my sister?"

"Onii-chan is being unreasonable!"

Yui Hanyu turned her head away, feigning annoyance, but didn't let go of Hideki Hanyu's arm.

Soon, the girl turned her head again, asking with a mysterious and curious look, "Onii-chan, between Nakamori Akina and Koizumi Kyoko, which one do you like better?"

I like both of them.

Hideki Hanyu answered without hesitation.

Such a scumbag answer naturally drew criticism from his own sister.

"Lovely!"

"I call this universal love. If a man as outstanding as me only liked one girl, how many girls would be heartbroken?"

Unfortunately, I'm a soft-hearted person and can't bear to see girls sad because of me, so I reluctantly like them all and give them all my love.

Hideki Hanyu spouted his fallacies and heresies.

But when it reached Yui Hanyu's ears, it made the girl nod in agreement.

"Onii-chan is just too good. Even if all those women were combined, they wouldn't be good enough for my Onii-chan."

This shows that Yui Hanyu, as Hideki Hanyu's younger sister, wholeheartedly supports and endorses her older brother.

Even though she used to be a fan of Akina Nakamori, she didn't think that a female celebrity was good enough for her older brother.

Having been pampered by Hideki Hanyu since childhood, Yui Hanyu's perspective and habits are actually quite different from before. She is more like a typical aristocratic lady raised in the upper echelons of Japanese society.

Therefore, the confidence and politeness they show to outsiders is actually a kind of pride and aloofness from the bottom of their hearts.

As they were about to reach the plum garden where the old man lived, Hideki Yuzuru hurriedly asked the same question he had asked earlier.

"Yui, you still haven't told me your plans after graduating from university?"

Yui Hanyu tilted her head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then answered.

"I want to continue my studies, but I don't want to study in Japan."

Hideki Hanyu asked, "Oh, where would you like to go? America or Europe?"

However, Yui Hanyu then gave an answer that Hideki Hanyu did not expect.

"I want to study in China."

"?"

……

The old-fashioned man approached Hideki Hanyu to discuss the Hanyu Education Foundation. The matter wasn't complicated; he simply hoped the foundation could provide targeted student loans to outstanding graduates of Sendai Rinko High School.

Hideki Hanyu did not immediately agree to the old-fashioned idea.

He also understood very well why the old-fashioned man had this idea.

It was only after he traveled through time that he realized that in some overseas countries, whether it was America or Japan, student loans were completely different from the student loans he had heard about in China in his previous life.

The purpose of student loans in China is to help students facing economic hardship complete their studies, ensuring that students who are admitted to university will not be unable to attend due to financial reasons.

In many overseas countries, student loans are purely for the purpose of making money.

Tuition fees at many universities in Japan are exorbitant, especially for private universities.

And those student loans had interest rates that were even more outrageous than the usurious loans offered by yakuza groups.

Even in Japan, many school scholarships are not free to use; students are required to repay them.

That's why the old-fashioned man hoped he could help some graduates who were financially disadvantaged but had good grades.

However, for Hideki Hanyu, this matter makes it difficult for the Hanyu Education Foundation to operate directly.

In particular, it involves some of the unspoken rules of financial companies.

After all, student loans are essentially high-interest loans from these companies, and Hideki Hanyu's meddling is like ruining their business.

Don't say it's only on a small scale, implemented only internally.

But those companies won't believe it, because once it happens, it will happen again.

Of course, the most important thing is that his original intention in setting up the Yuzuru Education Foundation was not actually to promote education in Japan.

His initial goal was to use the fund to indirectly bribe high-ranking officials and cultivate relationships with them.

Investing in a school in Sendai for an old-fashioned man is just giving him something to do when he's bored, and incidentally, it's just a way to show off his achievements.

The amount of money invested in this is negligible.

Compared to the annual "sponsorship funds" of the Yuzuru Education Foundation overseas, that's nothing.

To put it bluntly, the Yuzuru Education Foundation was established from the very beginning to serve the upper echelons of the Japanese elite.

As for the "lower class" in Japan who can't afford to go to school, they are not even considered by the education fund, and Hideki Hanyu doesn't care at all.

Expecting a time traveler like him to work hard for the future of Japan is probably wishful thinking.

If there's no profit to be made, he won't even bother to consider it.

In Japan, he was a born, profit-driven capitalist.

Moreover, he was more concerned about Yui Hanyu's desire to study in China.

Does Hideki Hanyu support this?
Of course, I support it.

If we don't consider whether or not, then the question is where to go.

The two universities in the capital will definitely be the first choice.

Thinking of this, he immediately made a phone call.

That was someone who was responsible for receiving him when he last went to the capital to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games.

After briefly understanding the relevant policies, Hideki Hanyu realized that going through the formal study abroad process was not as effective as taking matters into his own hands.

But there's no rush, Yui Hanyu has a long way to go before graduating.

He will be going to China for the Spring Festival next February as usual, and he can handle it personally then.

(End of this chapter)