Tokyo's bubble economy: From literary giants to great entertainers

Shuichi Kambara bowed slightly, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and left.

Takako Tokiwa watched his figure disappear around the corner of the corridor before turning around gently and walking towards the elevator on the other side of the corridor.

As usual, she walked with her head slightly lowered, not out of inferiority, but simply because she liked to immerse herself in her own world. But at this moment, her clear, large eyes were filled with excitement.

"I never expected to encounter such a wonderful novel so soon after becoming an editor. And if I can get along well with Kanbara-san, I might be able to learn more about the creative process and even see more manuscripts in advance."

By the way, should I ask him out for coffee next week when we're due, to chat about the plot? Becoming an editor was definitely the right choice! Lucky me!

When good things happen, people are in high spirits. On her way back to the editorial office, her steps were light and cheerful, almost as if she were standing on tiptoe. When she opened the door, a sweet smile was still on her face. But compared to her happiness, the senior editors in the office had mixed feelings—helplessness, envy, and even a bit of a toothache.

Now everyone knows that Takako Tokiwa, this unambitious little rabbit, has stumbled upon a work with tremendous potential!

Yes, they have all read the manuscript of "The White Tower".

These days, the manuscript review process is basically that an editor finds a good manuscript, submits it to the topic selection meeting, the entire editorial department reviews and discusses it, and finally the editor-in-chief makes the final decision.

The reason remains the same—printed weekly magazines have very limited space.

Not only does the publication of a work affect resource allocation, but even the placement of the work in the beginning, middle, or as the opening chapter of the weekly magazine directly impacts the performance of each editor.

Therefore, most large publishing houses require all staff members to review and collectively approve any works they intend to sign before they can be published. This is both to prevent inferior manuscripts from being published based on the tastes, interests, or personal benefits of a single editor, and to ensure credibility among the publishing community.

Without a doubt, any normal editor, after reading the first 30,000 words of "The White Tower," would be able to see the potential of this work. The only uncertainty lies in the extent to which that potential can reach.

The thought that such a promising work could have ended up in their hands caused many editors a pang of regret. Murakami, the middle-aged editor who was originally assigned to the project but later declined, was particularly upset. She peeled three or four small oranges in one go, stuffing her mouth with a sweet and sour taste, but she couldn't suppress her frustration.

Interestingly, Takako Tokiwa is very perceptive when it comes to literary matters, but quite clumsy when it comes to interpersonal relationships.

Seeing that it was almost time to leave work and her boss hadn't mentioned working overtime, she felt even better. Humming a tuneless little tune, she packed her bag, put on a light oatmeal-colored cardigan, and then bowed to everyone with a smile, "Dear colleagues, I'll be going now!"

"...That lucky girl, watch your step!"

"Hmph, I'll have to bring some refreshments from Akihabara Station tomorrow to help my seniors calm down!"

"Hi~~~ Takako will bring some delicious snacks tomorrow!"

Takako Tokiwa cheerfully raised her hand, bowed again, and then skipped away from the editorial department, humming a little tune.

"This girl..."

"I guess this is what they mean by 'the simpler a person is, the luckier they are'."

The veteran editors, seeing this lively young woman who, despite being a competitor, had no ill intentions, all raised their teacups, shook their heads with smiles, their eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both joy and reflection).

.

Five o'clock in the afternoon is the normal time to get off work, but Asahi Group's main business is media and news, and its work rhythm has always been unconventional, so the working hours are naturally much more relaxed.

A cool spring breeze swept across the street corner as Takako Tokiwa, carrying a small handbag, strolled leisurely towards the bus stop near her company. There weren't many commuters waiting at the bus stop yet; the gentle twilight made everything exceptionally peaceful.

But just as she stepped into the sunshade, a short and abrupt horn blared from under the shade of a nearby tree. The people waiting quietly on the platform were all startled; some nearly jumped up, some frowned and looked around, and even Takako instinctively shrank back.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, a luxury car bearing a triangular emblem slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees, its body gleaming with an understated yet undeniably luxurious sheen in the setting sun.

"A Maybach? There are definitely a lot of rich people in Ginza."

"So what if it's a Maybach! Honking in public is so rude!"

"Exactly, he's probably some nouveau riche, what's he showing off for!"

Amidst the murmurs around her, Guizi, who had been pouting and muttering to herself, froze when she saw the familiar license plate number. She awkwardly shrank back.

Just then, the car door clicked open, and an elderly woman, about seventy years old, short in stature but in good spirits, leaned out.

She was dressed in an expensive kimono, her hair styled in a neat updo, and a dragon tattoo was faintly visible on her neck. She was clearly a beautiful witch who had been involved in the Yakuza in her youth. But now, her wrinkled old face was full of loving smiles as she waved her handkerchief enthusiastically at Tokiwa Takako.

"Hey~ My precious child~ Grandma's here to pick you up from get off work!"

"...Mother-in-law! Keep your voice down!"

Guizi practically lunged forward to cover her mouth, her cheeks flushed red, her voice urgent and low, but her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.

Sure enough, the passersby who were just complaining about nouveau riche were now all looking at her with surprise. It even seemed that a few Asahi employees recognized her and were covering their mouths in surprise and whispering among themselves.

"It's all your fault, mother-in-law!"

Tokiwa Takako put her hands on her hips, a hint of anger appearing on her face.

Matsuzaka Chiyoko scratched the back of her head awkwardly, chuckling as she tried to smooth things over: "Hehe, it's been a week since I last saw you, Grandma's a little excited... Okay, okay, let's get in the car."

"snort!"

Tokiwa Takako tossed her head arrogantly, her smooth black hair tracing a disgruntled arc in the air. Just then, the driver's side door opened, and a female secretary in a fitted black suit stepped out gracefully. She was tall, with a cool and elegant demeanor, exuding a sharp yet respectful aura.

"Please get in the car, young lady."

"Hey, Kurohime, when did you get back?" Takako's eyes lit up. "Wait, your return means..."

"Yes, the second young lady is waiting for you."

The female secretary, Kurohime, reached out and opened the back door of the car. Tokiwa Takako leaned over and saw a woman sitting inside who looked to be in her early twenties, but exuded a mature and aloof aura.

Her long, purplish-red hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her red lips were slightly parted, and her fingertips rested lightly on the leather handbag on her lap. She exuded an aura of a domineering older sister who was unapproachable.

"Keiko-chan, you're back!"

"What kind of behavior is this, a woman yelling like that in public! Get in the car, you idiot, unnie!"

.

Ten minutes later, the Maybach was driving on the road to Shimokitazawa.

"So, the company's idol drama was canceled by NTV?"

Takako Tokiwa lowered the car window slightly, leaving a crack through which the night breeze, carrying the warm light of the streetlights, drifted in. Her brow furrowed slightly, and her tone betrayed a hint of unease.

Beside her, Keiko Matsuzaka, with her legs crossed in a glamorous pose, nodded. "Yeah, the ratings plummeted after the fifth episode aired. I flew to Hawaii and spent a long time negotiating with the head of NTV's film and television department, who was on vacation, but I still couldn't salvage the situation."

At this point, she pulled a pack of slim cigarettes from her handbag, lit one, and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, saying with displeasure, "Speaking of which, old woman, you trusted those old cronies too much. A director who's only made a few AVs dared to direct an idol drama?!"

"Well... there was nothing we could do about it. The original director had a huge debt to loan sharks, and halfway through filming, he was suddenly sunk in Tokyo Bay. The TV station was pressing us for a solution, and you were handling other projects in Hokkaido. So, Grandma had to find someone to fill in temporarily..."

Chiyoko turned around from the passenger seat, rubbing her hands together, her old face full of a doting and ingratiating smile—Tokiwa Takako and Matsuzaka Keiko were both her granddaughters, but half-daughters, one taking her mother's surname and the other her father's.

Moreover, although the Matsuzaka family has now cleaned up its act and transformed from the once invincible "Matsuzaka Group" into a respectable Matsuzaka Entertainment Co., Ltd., due to the near-annihilation of the family in a vendetta many years ago, the Matsuzaka family bloodline now consists only of these two little girls.

These are all her precious children.

Keiko Matsuzaka glared at her fiercely. "You old hag, don't you dare make decisions for me anymore! Or I'll kick you out!"

"Yes, yes, I'll listen to you from now on, Keiko." Chiyoko nodded repeatedly, her smile unwavering, her wrinkles brimming with flattery.

Tokiwa Takako gently touched Keiko's thigh and said softly, "Alright, Keiko. Grandma was just worried about you getting distracted. Besides, things were so rushed back then. Even if you came back, you might not be able to find a reliable new director."

"Guizi is so caring. Let Grandma give you a kiss."

Seeing her eldest granddaughter defend her, Chiyoko's wrinkles instantly smoothed out like a chrysanthemum, as if she wanted to stick her head out and pout to act cute. But the next moment, her old face was stepped on by Matsuzaka Keiko's black-stockinged beautiful foot and pushed back without any politeness.

"Old woman, don't interrupt!"

Keiko snorted and withdrew her foot, switching legs and crossing them over. Her tone was slightly annoyed: "Forget it, I have too much to do today, I won't settle accounts with you, old woman. By the way, sis, do you still have Mr. Riyi's contact information?"

"Huh? The school teachers' contact information?"

"Idiot! Even though that show was canceled, the lease on the venue and all the equipment we rented hasn't expired yet. TBS's hottest show right now, 'Say Yes Again,' and two other dramas are also about to end."

Of course, we should take this opportunity to film another drama to test the waters. We've already invested the initial budget, but the company doesn't have much cash on hand right now. We can only afford big names for the main characters; for the supporting roles, we need to find cheaper actors.

Keiko held a cigarette between her slender fingers, took a deep drag, rubbed her sore eyes with her left palm, but her other eye was filled with lingering frustration.

She's been under a lot of pressure lately.

Matsuzaka Entertainment has had three consecutive box office flops, and its cash flow is now in dire straits.

If it weren't for the solid foundation laid by the former head of the company—Takako Tokiwa's mother—the situation would probably have spiraled out of control long ago.

The woman who raised her and Tokiwa Takako was strong-willed but very methodical in her actions.

As a finance major, she was once hailed as the "top female talent in the Department of Finance at the University of Tokyo". When she first took over the company a few years ago, she also keenly sensed the signs of a structural recession in the Japanese economy, so she never used leverage like other companies.

However, no matter how prudent a financial strategy is, an entertainment company can't withstand a string of flops.

"I really have no artistic talent."

"If this drama doesn't work out after filming, we'll have to find a way to transform the company. Well... during an economic downturn, due to the lipstick effect, large-scale consumption will be severely restricted, but affordable necessities and low-cost entertainment will buck the trend and rise. Since last year, Daiso's 100-yen stores have been all over Tokyo, and even bubble baths in Kabukicho have reduced their prices significantly."

"If all else fails, going with the trend of consumer downgrading and developing affordable businesses might be a viable option..."

Keiko Matsuzaka held a cigarette between her fingers, her gaze slightly somber, still pondering a solution.

At this moment, Takako Tokiwa frowned and hesitated slightly before speaking, "I don't have the teacher's contact information. However, I do know a friend who is studying directing at the Japanese Arts University... How about I ask him for you? See if he has any related classmates or friends."

"Him?" Matsuzaka Keiko raised an eyelid. "—A man?"

She sized Takako up and down, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Her tone was flippant and mischievous: "Oh my, this is really something. The Tokiwa princess, who was so scared in middle school by having her shoe closet overflowing with love letters that she transferred schools the next day, actually has a boyfriend now? What do you mean? Is this the iron virgin who's held onto her love for twenty-four years finally blossoming?"

"Keiko~~! I'm the older sister! Don't you dare make fun of your older sister! Besides... besides, Keiko, aren't you the same way!"

"Me? Please, I just haven't met any men I like, not that I'm afraid to approach them. I'm not a coward like you, sister."

"Keiko! I'm the older sister!!!"

Tokiwa Takako's face flushed red, and she put her hands on her hips. Matsuzaka Keiko laughed so hard she almost choked on her cigarette, quickly stubbed it out, and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Go ahead and ask, it's always good to have more options."

"Hmph! That's more like it."

The two sisters chatted and laughed in the back seat, while Chiyoko, the grandmother in the passenger seat, had a loving smile on her face.

At that moment, the female secretary, Hei Ji, who was holding the steering wheel, glanced at the rearview mirror and suddenly frowned. "Miss, Second Miss, I have discovered the West City Group."

"The West City Gang?"

Keiko Matsuzaka stopped her playful fight with Takako Tokiwa and looked out the window. She saw a Toyota H50 van with black veneer on its windows speeding past on the left.

"What are they doing in Shimokitazawa?"

Matsuzaka Entertainment has no connection with the Saijo Group, but the Saijo Group is a well-known yakuza organization in Tokyo. However, Shimokitazawa is not their territory, and the Diet had just implemented the "Organized Crime Control Law" at the beginning of this month.

At this critical juncture, why are the West City Group members coming to Shimokitazawa? Aren't they afraid of being the first to stick their necks out?

She looked puzzled, and her secretary, Kurohime, pondered, "I don't know the exact details either. But a few days ago, a serious case of mass food poisoning among young children broke out in Shinjuku."

Rumors are circulating that Musugi Foods, the catering company for those kindergartens, apparently obtained their business licenses by threatening the kindergartens with the Xicheng Group. This matter has been under close media scrutiny lately.

"News media?"

Keiko Matsuzaka understood. She shook her head. "It seems these guys came all the way to Shimokitazawa to shut up some unlucky reporter. But to dare to act recklessly at this critical moment, I don't know if the Saijo Group has gone mad or if Kisugi Foods has really been pushed to the limit."

"I don't know about that."