America: My Time

Chapter 896 The cruel reality

Chapter 866 Cruel Reality
"You've noticed, haven't you? Your arrogance has left you with no friends, not even in the firm. It's because you're too arrogant. Your success came too easily. You think it's all due to your own abilities, but actually it's mostly about resources and people giving you face. If you were to lose all of that, you know what the consequences would be. Make a change. Don't drag it out any longer, or you'll truly have no chance left!" As she said this, Kuroki Hitomi sighed, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. Even now, Sawaguchi Yasuko didn't truly understand how perilous her situation was!
"Sister Akiko, what should I do?" Sure enough, Yasuko Sawaguchi still didn't know what to do. It has to be said that she hadn't experienced much, which made her unable to handle unexpected events. When such a thing happened, she panicked and didn't know what to do. If she continued like this, she would lose her last chance.

Kuroki Hitomi never believed that the ten-year promise could last until the end. Because no matter how successful or glorious one is, it will gradually fade away with time, and one will go from being infinitely glorious to being unknown, or even ignored by everyone. She knew how terrible this psychological gap was. After all, Kuroki Hitomi had a lot of experience in Takarazuka and knew how treacherous people's hearts were and how terrible gossip could be. Naoko and the others wouldn't say anything, but what would people in the circle say?

"Let's go. Pack your things and come with me to see him and apologize. This is your only chance. If you miss it, there's nothing I can do. This isn't just your problem. There's also Nakayama Miho. Kikuchi Momoko is trying to persuade her, but we don't know what the outcome will be. I don't want to see you fall into endless darkness, and Kikuchi Momoko doesn't want to see Nakayama Miho in such a crisis either! New people replace the old. You're not Naoko; you don't have that much sentimentality to waste. And have you ever seen Naoko act arrogantly? No, never. At least I haven't seen her act arrogantly. Even when I suddenly appeared, she behaved very appropriately. But you and Nakayama Miho have become arrogant. Perhaps this is the result of success coming too easily. Things that are too easily obtained are never cherished."

Just as Hitomi Kuroki said, Momoko Kikuchi has now found Miho Nakayama and, like Hitomi Kuroki, went straight to her residence. Miho Nakayama doesn't live alone but with her younger sister. Right now, her mind is all on her sister, Shinobu Nakayama, and she doesn't know that she is about to face a storm.

"Momoko-nee, what brings you here?" Nakayama Miho was a little surprised to see Kikuchi Momoko appear, because she knew that Kikuchi Momoko had been very busy lately and hadn't had much time.

“Miho, I didn’t want to come to you, and I didn’t want to put pressure on you, but I had to. I’ve been trying to persuade you, but you wouldn’t listen, and now trouble has arisen.” Kikuchi Momoko sighed as she said this. Nakayama Miho hadn’t yet felt the pressure and remained calm.

"Momoko-nee, is it because of the agency? Did someone tell him about Shinobu?" Nakayama Miho asked calmly. In her opinion, there was only one thing that could make Kikuchi Momoko so nervous!
"No, it's not about Shinobu. He doesn't care about Shinobu's situation and even appreciates your choice. He's glad you value friendship. But I'm not here today for that. It's about your own problem. I've advised you more than once, but you didn't care. You only focused on making money and ignored everything else. That's foolish. You understand the saying 'a new generation replaces the old,' and you're aware of the rumors in the industry. Today, this has happened. Toyota has made its move. The most important thing is your attitude towards Yasuko Sawaguchi. He gave that newcomer ten years. After ten years, he can be free and leave. He also gave you and Yasuko ten years. Do you understand what that means?"

"Why did this suddenly happen? I don't understand!"

"You don't understand. It's actually very simple. It's still a matter of attitude. He has never forced us to do anything. He has always given us so-called freedom. We all know that. Even Akina-nee is the same. Even though her guy did so many things, it didn't affect his attitude towards Akina-nee. Why is that? If you think about it carefully, you'll understand. It's a matter of attitude. You and Sawaguchi Yasuko have always been on the sidelines. You've always had a deep-seated worry, always preparing to leave. So many years have passed. Do you think you've changed? Have you ever taken the initiative? No, you haven't done that. In fact, after you gained the so-called fame of being an idol for four days, you became even more arrogant. Everything came too easily, and you gradually lost your true self and forgot the danger."

At this point, Momoko Kikuchi paused, not continuing, but giving Miho Nakayama time to consider whether her words were correct. She knew that without proper reflection, Miho wouldn't understand her mistake.

Soon, Miho Nakayama's expression grew paler and paler, clearly realizing how serious her mistake was. Unlike Yasuko Sawaguchi, Miho Nakayama came from a truly humble background and had experienced the most impoverished life in her early years. Therefore, when she calmed down, she was able to quickly understand everything and realize how foolish and ignorant she had been.

"It seems you've finally figured it out. Your attitude has always been problematic, you just haven't realized it yourself, but many people can see it. That's why you've encountered so many problems at the agency. Why is it that others don't have problems, but you do? Does Moritaka Chisato have a lot of resources? Does Sachiko-chan have a lot of resources? Does Sawaguchi Yasuko have a lot of resources? They all have more than enough, and they're very free, yet no one says anything. But here, people are gossiping, bringing up Shinobu. It's mainly because of your own attitude! Now, Akiko-nee has gone to see Yasuko. She has the same attitude problem as you, but her time at the agency is limited, and she has Akiko-nee behind her, so no one dares to say anything. But you're different. I don't have Akiko-nee's abilities, nor do I have that much influence. Just like Sachiko-chan has Nahoko-nee behind her, no one dares to talk about them!" "Momo-nee, I understand now. I was indeed too presumptuous and arrogant!"

"If you understand, you should change. Don't just say you understand without taking any action. And now you're using your resources to help Shinobu, which isn't helping, it's harming her. The higher you lift her up, the harder she'll fall. What are you trying to achieve by piling so many resources on Shinobu? You can only go further by taking one step at a time. Besides, this kind of promotion of Shinobu will have a significant impact on her future. While beauty is the foundation of success, it can also be the beginning of disaster. Have you thought about what will happen after you lose protection by promoting Shinobu so highly? Why is everyone targeting you? Shinobu's basic skills are problematic, her singing is terrible. Actually, you shouldn't have let her go down this path. It's too late to regret it now."

As she spoke, Momoko Kikuchi couldn't help but sigh. Her singing skills weren't very good either, at least not as good as Minako Honda's among her peers. As a result, her career development was gradually affected. Miho Nakayama was similar to her, but Shinobu was even worse off. Her singing skills were terrible, yet Miho insisted on giving her a lot of resources. Wasn't that just making people jealous?

"Sister Peach, thank you for reminding me. I'm ready to apologize as soon as possible!"

"What are you even preparing for? Go and admit your mistake right now. Since you're wrong, you should admit it quickly. The longer you delay, the less recognition you'll receive. And you fool, how many times have I told you that money isn't important, recognition is the most important thing. Do you think I'm short of money right now, or do you think Sachiko-chan, Chisato-chan, and the others are short of money, or do you think Akiko-nee is short of money? And Naoko goes without saying, she's all about freedom! You could spend your whole life in this industry and still not earn as much as Martin's fund. Riko-nee's words were wise advice, and they were based on her experience!"

At this moment, Kikuchi Momoko couldn't help but think of Riko, the older sister who had been kind to all of them. Although there were other reasons, she was truly dedicated to guiding them, passing on all her experience. However, few of them actually listened; at least Sawaguchi Yasuko and Nakayama Miho ignored her advice. Of course, there was also Sachiko, but Sachiko was more favored by John, so their starting points were different.

"But Shinobu hasn't come back yet..."

Before Miho Nakayama could finish speaking, Momoko Kikuchi interjected, "Shinobu isn't a child anymore, and you don't need to worry about her. There are housekeepers at home, so you should take care of yourself first. To be honest, I strongly disagree with you bringing Shinobu into this circle, but it's too late to back out now!"

Kikuchi Momoko was right. It's too late to back out now. Someone with ulterior motives has already set their sights on Shinobu. After all, that's how crazy Japan is. Without a powerful backer in the industry, the consequences are dire. Nakayama Miho is well aware of this. She made her decision because she understood the cruelty and ruthlessness of this industry. Now, after her strong push, Shinobu will inevitably be targeted by someone with ulterior motives. Without a backer, the outcome will be miserable. This is the most realistic and cruel side of Japan, more terrifying than imagined.

(End of this chapter)