America: My Time

Chapter 643 Reminder
Chapter 633 Reminder

"Akiko, tell them about Akina's situation so they're mentally prepared and don't get tricked without realizing it, and foolishly do something rash!" John asked Kuroki Hitomi to explain things to them, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. Even though the matter had been 'explained,' John's anger wasn't so easily quelled, and he was also eager to know what these Japanese guys were up to.

Soon, Hitomi Kuroki pulled the group aside and whispered to them about Akina Nakamori's suicide, revealing the hidden details behind it. These words sent a chill down Yasuko Sawaguchi's spine; they were all shocked, something they hadn't expected. While the entertainment industry was indeed dark and suicides were not uncommon, most people persevered, so Akina Nakamori's suicide had a profound impact on them.

"Sister Akiko, how could this happen? We didn't hear a word about it. How is Akina-chan doing now?" Yasuko Sawaguchi asked Hitomi Kuroki in a low voice, a hint of worry and fear flashing in her eyes. Because her contract wasn't with Elite Agency either, she was also worried about her safety.

"Don't worry, Akina-chan is not in danger. It's just that because of the two music festivals, idols like Akina are under media scrutiny, so we can't visit her in the hospital. We're just letting you know so you're prepared. If anyone asks about Akina's condition, you'll know how to answer. Don't make any mistakes and cause any more trouble!" Kuroki Hitomi warned the group in a low voice. She didn't completely trust them. If someone had malicious intentions, it wasn't impossible for them to do something inappropriate. After all, that's how realistic this industry is.

"Sister Zhaozi, surely no one would dare to report something like this? Didn't many media outlets receive warnings before? Who would dare to report such a major event at this time?" Yasuko Sawaguchi said softly. In her opinion, with the powerful deterrent of Phoenix Group, no one would dare to do this. Moreover, they had all witnessed John's strength and the strength of Phoenix Group before.

"It's better to be safe than sorry. There are always some people in this industry who dream of instant success. There's nothing they wouldn't dare to do. And you haven't forgotten the incident of Matsuda Seiko being assaulted, have you? Even a madman knows the desire for fame. Do you think those small media outlets wouldn't take the risk? Don't be careless. If you think like that, you're not far from danger. Don't be too career-driven. Let go when you need to!" Kuroki Hitomi whispered to Sawaguchi Yasuko. In her opinion, her and Naoko's choices were the best. Not everyone has the good fortune of Kamachi Sachiko, who was accepted so quickly, or Sunny. So she hoped that Sawaguchi Yasuko could make some changes.

Unfortunately, Hitomi Kuroki's good intentions were wasted. Yasuko Sawaguchi did not think deeply about it and was still immersed in Akina's suicide. She simply nodded and did not realize Hitomi Kuroki's good intentions.

Seeing Yasuko Sawaguchi's performance, Hitomi Kuroki couldn't help but sigh. In contrast, Momoko Kikuchi nodded thoughtfully. Compared to others, Momoko Kikuchi had more feelings about this industry, and she no longer had the initial pursuit of fame, after all, she had experienced too much.

"Perhaps retiring is a good option!" Kikuchi Momo couldn't help but have this thought in her mind. However, she still had a little worry. She was not Naoko, nor was she Hitomi Kuroki or Akina Nakamori. Would she be abandoned after retiring? This was her biggest concern. After all, there were many such cases in Japan, and many idols had experienced them. So Kikuchi Momo also had a little worry in her heart!
Compared to Kikuchi Momoko's reaction, Nakayama Miho, Sawaguchi Yasuko, and Moritaka Chisato's reactions were much weaker. After all, they still had aspirations for fame and wanted to take things further; they had no intention of giving up their careers. This was the difference between them. Even though Kikuchi Momoko only had a few years more experience than them, she had a different perspective. Although it was only Kuroki Hitomi who reminded her, she could sense the many dangers behind it.

The Kikuchi Momoko of today has lost the girlish dreams of the past and has begun to consider everything for her future! The Nakamori Akina incident served as a wake-up call for her, making her realize that even with a powerful backer, one must also make changes. Without changes, there will be no results. Not everyone can be like Nakamori Akina, and her instincts also made her feel that Nakamori Akina's incident would also affect women like them, after all, this matter was a bit too upsetting.

"If I did the same thing, could I end up like Akina?" Kikuchi Momoko wondered to herself. In the end, she didn't think that was possible; perhaps that would be the beginning of her being abandoned.

Actually, Kikuchi Momoko was overthinking it. As long as Akina didn't actively choose to leave or make a big mistake, there was no need to be so tense and worried. At least John wasn't that cold-blooded yet, and didn't have too much resentment towards Akina because of this! Of course, if Akina couldn't understand, she would still be caught in her family's misfortune, and ultimately, it wouldn't end well. Just as Morita Akio said to Riko, people's patience has its limits. Beautiful women are pleasing, but a woman who doesn't know when to advance or retreat will eventually be abandoned. In Morita Akio's eyes, it was already a blessing that Nakamori Akina had stayed by John's side for so long. For these women in Japan, this was also a test. Beautiful women are desirable, but they also need to face some tests. At least Kamachi Sachiko passed the test. When faced with this situation, she didn't choose to hide, but faced it together with Naoko. This alone was enough for John to approve of her character. Beautiful women are pleasing, but women with good personalities are even more pleasing.

Whether they can pass the test depends on their own reaction. If they are malicious, no matter how beautiful they are, it will be useless and they will be abandoned by John. Telling them about Akina is a test and a reminder. How they choose is their own business. Whether they can pass depends on their own character.

Although Hitomi Kuroki could see things clearly and wanted to remind the women, Yasuko Sawaguchi obviously didn't understand. As for whether the others could understand, she didn't know. She had said what she needed to say, and saying anything more would only provoke John's displeasure. Hitomi Kuroki wouldn't do something so foolish as to let herself be affected by these women!
“Akiko, I remember during the stock market crash, we acquired a lot of hot spring properties in Minami-Aoyama and Minami-Azabu, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Bunkyo, Ota and other wards in Tokyo. What’s the status of them now? Have those guys from Mitsui Fudosan completed the renovations?” When the stock market crash broke out, John also acquired a lot of natural hot spring sites in Tokyo to lay out his future resort hotel plans.

"The initial renovation is basically complete, but the interior decoration still needs professional designers. Is it time to hand it over to the Mandarin Oriental Group?" When John mentioned these properties, Hitomi Kuroki was a little surprised. These assets were originally planned to belong to the Mandarin Oriental Group, but the renovation work has not yet been completed.

“No need. Keep it for now. It’s not a good time for the Mandarin Oriental Group to expand, otherwise it will make many people uneasy. Although their scale is not large, their number is still considerable, which will cause a lot of concern. Even if they give up those commercial hotels in Japan, the resort hotels owned by the Mandarin Oriental Group are still a considerable asset. Now is not the time for them to expand! Leave the villa in Minami-Azabu to Sachiko and let her choose the style of decoration. You and Naoko can help her take a look when you have time. Keep Minami-Azabu as well, so that you will have a temporary place to stay in the port area!”

Do Hitomi Kuroki, Naoko, and Akina not have any residences in the port area? No, they all do. John had them build their own homes according to their own wishes, but many people don't know that, and they have never actually lived there!

Kuroki Hitomi was very familiar with these villas under renovation and construction. The ones that impressed her the most were Minami-Azabu and Minami-Aoyama, both of which were long-established hot spring bathhouses. A lot of money had been spent to acquire them. When she saw these two hot spring bathhouses, Kuroki Hitomi was a little puzzled. They were obviously not suitable as resort hotels, and the renovations were more geared towards family living. However, she did not want to express her opinion. Now, John's words made her finally understand that all of this had been arranged in advance.

When it came to choosing real estate, both Yasuko Sawaguchi and Chisato Moritaka opted for Minato Ward. Minato Ward not only boasts high property values ​​but also offers convenient access to their offices, saving them considerable time. Only Akina, Hitomi Kuroki, and Naoko didn't reside in Minato Ward, believing it received too much attention. Oh, and there's one more: Sachiko Kamachi. She also didn't choose Minato Ward but instead chose a quieter location in Setagaya, in the same area as Naoko's garden.

Naoko and Sachiko Kamachi had a good relationship, which might have been one of the reasons she chose to live in Setagaya instead of Minato Ward. However, since Naoko no longer spends much time in Tokyo, John offered her a new option: a hot spring villa in Minato Ward, so she wouldn't have to spend so much time commuting every day. John didn't care what others thought of this arrangement; after all, he couldn't please every woman.

(End of this chapter)