After being elected as the governor of Tokyo, he will debut as a band!

He had a charity project in Cambodia, but it was difficult to move forward due to communication problems with the local authorities. Qingshan helped him contact a non-governmental organization called... Fuzhou Chamber of Commerce, which solved the problem for him in less than two hours.

He had a very pleasant conversation with Aoyama, and when he learned that Aoyama also liked rock music and was a drummer, he felt as if they had known each other for a long time.

The two later performed together at a charity gala in Kuala Lumpur. Coolidge was amazed by Aoyama's drumming skills, almost regarding him as a fellow musician, and even asked him if he had released an album.

Aoyama Mukoto also values ​​his friendship with Coben Coolidge. When he went to meet him this time, he brought Sickhack's latest album with him. Coolidge had asked him for the album before, but at that time he was still a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and a special advisor to the Metropolitan Police Department. He was busy running for a party position in the Sigure Party and had not yet started playing in a band again.

This time, giving him Sickhack's new album is also a way of giving him closure. Coolidge was very disappointed that he didn't join a professional band but went into politics. He felt that he was wasting his talent and using his precious life on the most meaningless thing in the world, which is being a politician.

As for the meeting place, it was naturally the governor's residence.

That place is perfect for doing these semi-public things; it's very convenient for entertaining provincial officials or media reporters.

Things should have gone smoothly, but when Aoyama arrived at the underground parking lot, he saw Minami Yurui walking towards him.

"Why did Mr. Minamida end up here?" Aoyama asked Utsunomiya Takuya, who had come down with him, with a frown. "Shouldn't this area where we parked be fenced off?"

“He must have come up the stairs. You know, very few people go that way, so the guards probably didn’t notice him,” explained the staff member from the Security Division. “Please wait a moment, the guards will ask Mr. Minamida to leave immediately.”

Without needing Utsunomiya Takuya's orders, the two guards accompanying Aoyama Muko immediately rushed forward and blocked Minamida Yurui's path.

"Sir, this is not an open area. Please leave immediately."

"I have something to say to the governor."

"Please leave immediately. If you do not heed our advice, we will take legal action against you."

The two guards were both strong young men. Seeing that the middle-aged man in front of them wouldn't listen to their advice, they immediately stopped being polite, grabbed him, and pushed him toward the emergency staircase.

Yurui Nanda turned around with all his might, unwilling to give up, and shouted in Aoyama's direction, "Governor! Don't you care at all? What happened last night, if it gets back to Chief Prosecutor Ogikubo and Chief Prosecutor Morita, it will be very bad for you! That was a minor..."

The two guards pushing him stopped what they were doing when they heard this.

One of the younger ones even turned his head to look at Aoyama, but was stopped by a look from the senior who was with him.

As if he hadn't heard what Nantian Yourui was saying, Aoyama got into his Lexus and signaled to the driver to leave immediately.

Soon, the car was driving on the road.

It was Utsunomiya who couldn't hold back any longer. Sensing the car was picking up speed, he asked, "Governor, what did Mr. Minamida say just now..."

“Nonsense. When have I ever made a mistake in such a matter?” Qingshan Xiang didn’t even frown. “In my opinion, the Ni Jing Group has recently been in dire straits, and Secretary-General Nantian has been overworked and has developed mental problems… Once he has sobered up, he will probably come here to apologize to me.”

"Um, Governor, as you know, I'm on your side, so if there really is any special circumstance... please don't hide it from me."

Takuya Utsunomiya was still somewhat uneasy.

Aoyama was, after all, in his thirties, full of energy, and still quite prone to making mistakes in matters of love and sex.

Of course, for someone in his position, a minor misconduct is not a big problem, but if the person involved is a minor, things could be more complicated... Even if it doesn't directly threaten his political life, it would still require a certain amount of political resources to completely resolve the issue.

"I know what you're worried about, but don't worry, the trouble you caused over that North Korean is now under the 24-hour protection of two departments of the Metropolitan Police Department. They can..."

That's enough to be my witness.

"Two departments? You mean the Security Division and the Special Division?"

"That's them."

"That's good..." After receiving confirmation from Aoyama, Utsunomiya breathed a sigh of relief. "However, Governor, you should have informed me about your being protected by the Special Department beforehand. Although the Special Department is a confidential department with strict management regulations and usually won't leak information that could damage your public image, we should always prepare for the worst. Only by taking precautions in advance can we avoid being caught off guard in case of an accident."

"Well said, Utsunomiya. This was my oversight. I really hope those idiots in Fukushima can be as meticulous in their work as you."

Aoyama said sarcastically.

Isokachi Music Awards: 113 Superstars to perform for Sickhack

The meeting between Aoyama and Coolidge went very smoothly.

The two leaders exchanged views in front of the media on charitable activities and human rights protection programs in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region. They also reminisced about their past collaborations within the Phnom Penh Development Declaration organization and briefly announced the achievements of official and semi-official non-governmental organizations in Tokyo over the past few months.

Following the media briefing, representatives from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Japan Trust Fund, the Minister in Charge of Child Policy, and officials from UNESCO accompanying Coolidge discussed funding for the two collaborative projects for the year, as well as several honors to be awarded to Japan—primarily for outstanding youth.

This part of the meeting had little to do with Aoyama and Coolidge, so Aoyama took Coolidge to the governor's residence and gave him a newly released Sickhack album CD at a later time.

"This album is the second one I've released with the band members this year after I joined an independent band under a concealed identity. Coburn, you can give it a listen if you're interested."

Aoyama gave a brief introduction to the album's contents, while Coolidge commented on Aoyama's joining the band as "Hack" with only one word: "Cool."

He has always been the kind of artist who dislikes commercialized band activities and focuses on pursuing art and expressing personal emotions in music. Therefore, he greatly admires Aoyama's unconventional behavior because of his love for rock and roll. What's more, Aoyama joined an independent band that was completely free from the constraints of management companies and commercial planning, which touched his heart even more.

He immediately stated that Aoyama was practically a confidant to him, and even planned to invite Sickhack as a guest performer at his Tokyo concert next month.

Qingshan readily agreed.

However, Coben Coolidge's Tokyo concert can only be held after he returns from his trip to Sri Lanka, which is at least a month away, a bit too long.

So Aoyama took the initiative and invited Coolidge to perform at the Sickhack concert.

“Oh, my friend, that’s probably a bit difficult… My appearance fee is very high, and even if I wanted to drastically reduce it for you, my agent wouldn’t agree. Maintaining and enhancing my commercial value has always been his primary goal.”

Coolidge scratched his long hair, his face showing resentment and regret. His conflict with his management company had been going on for a long time, but because of the contract, he was unable to break with the company. When they signed him, they set a 15-year contract term and a huge penalty for breach of contract. Moreover, not only him, but also the other six members of his band signed long-term contracts with high penalties for breach of contract.

This means that if he were to break ties with his management company alone, he could grit his teeth and afford the penalty for breach of contract. However, if he wanted to take the entire band with him, he couldn't afford the penalty for breach of contract for all seven members. Other management companies that wanted to sign him were only willing to pay the penalty for him alone, while they looked down on his band members and even hoped that Coolidge would kick them out and let them go solo.

Coolidge also knew that if he really went solo, his brothers and sisters who had been with him since college would be doomed. They didn't have his fame and creative talent, and they would definitely be blacklisted by the company, making it difficult for them to ever appear on a formal stage again.

"Kobold, let me give you a suggestion. Sneake out when your manager isn't looking... and hide your identity, just like I did. Ditch all the fame that's attached to you, and simply enjoy the music, simply bring music fans an audio-visual feast without the filter of celebrity."

Aoyama gave this suggestion.

"Hide my identity? Is there any good way? If it's just wearing sunglasses and a mask, even if I cover myself up completely, my agent will recognize me at a glance."

"How about a mask, a wig, and traditional Japanese clothing? If you wear all three, not only your manager, but even your own mother standing in front of you wouldn't recognize you, right?"

After listening to his story, Coolidge imagined what she would look like dressed up and couldn't help but feel a little tempted.

While Japan's security level may not be as high as that of major western countries, it is still among the top tier globally. Even in Kamurocho, one of the most chaotic neighborhoods in Tokyo, you don't have to worry about getting caught up in gunfights...

"Then I'll have someone go and buy the things you mentioned."

"Why bother?" Aoyama laughed. "Strictly speaking, this place is still my residence. I have everything here, from masks and wigs to clothing. You can take them with you when you leave."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Lao Xiang! You must help me choose a mask and wig that are both cool and have a wild, beast-like feel. I hope my new identity will leave a powerful and majestic impression on the music fans in Japan."

Coolidge patted Aoyama's shoulder hard, his gray-blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.

……

The following evening, Aoyama went to the FOLT performance hall in Kamurocho for the first time in a long time to find the store manager, Yoshida Ginjiro. Seeing that no one was around to bother him, he went over to talk to him.

"Ah Yin, business's been good lately?"

"It's alright... Oh! Hakusan! You haven't performed at FLOT in ages! Quite a few customers have been chasing after me asking about it as soon as the show ends!"

Yoshida Ginjiro, who was counting money, stopped what he was doing, turned around and looked at Aoyama and asked.

Aoyama is now considered FOLT's top musician, with popularity comparable to Hiroi Kikuri, and his personality is more reliable than Hiroi Kikuri's.

Therefore, he didn't want to be distracted when communicating with Aoyama.

"Sorry, I've been a bit busy with work on the other side lately... However, to apologize for my absence these days, I've brought my friends to perform at FOLT."

"Your friend? Who is it? Is it a famous independent musician?"

"That's not it."

Coben Coolidge is certainly not a well-known "independent musician"; behind him is the behemoth that is Columbia Records.

“Just an ordinary person? That’s fine too,” Yoshida Ginjiro, of course, wouldn’t refuse him, and nodded with a smile. “I can definitely trust the musician recommended by Hakusan… We’ll skip the audition. I’ll have Shin arrange his performance, tell him his name, and when he’s coming. (Shin is a young man working at FOLT.)”

"Let's set the time for tomorrow night. My friend isn't very available. As for his name..." Aoyama

Without keeping anyone in suspense, he revealed his name directly: "Coburn Coolidge."

"Going on stage tomorrow is a bit too rushed, my friend... wait, who are you talking about?"

Yoshida Ginjiro jumped up from his seat, his heel knocking the chair off.

……

I've been having a bit of writer's block lately, orz.

Thank you @英梨々大勝利 for the donation!

Thanks to @你好～ for the monthly pass!

Isogachi Music Awards: 114 This is the taste of 200 million yen.

"Coburn Coolidge is coming to perform at Folt?"

After his initial shock, all that remained in Yoshida Ginjiro's mind was the word "outrageous".

As an industry insider, he did know that Coben Coolidge had recently visited Tokyo, but the rock star would only stay for three days before flying off to Bangladesh, leaving him no time to perform.

And even if it were to be held, it wouldn't be Shinjuku Folt's turn.

Even top-tier performance venues like the Tokyo Dome, Budokan, and Kasumigaoka Stadium have long queues for Coolidge's band.

Putting aside everything else, the reason why the Budokan, a venue originally mainly for sports competitions, became a top stage in the entertainment industry is because the Beatles held their first large-scale concert here.

Coolidge, a Grammy Award winner and a shoo-in for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, may not have been as influential as The Beatles, but his band, Repoman, was a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary music scene. At its peak, their popularity even surpassed that of Guns N' Roses and Mikey.

If he really did hold a performance at Folt, Folt's reputation would immediately surpass all other performance halls in Japan—regardless of size, whether private or national—and would be able to sit at the same table as the Budokan and Tokyo Dome (although only temporarily). Moreover, the first inch of Folt's backstage area would become a holy site, with countless music fans spending tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of yen to make a "holy pilgrimage" there.

This was a situation that Yoshida Ginjiro could never even dream about at night... It was so unrealistic that after a brief moment of astonishment, he returned to his composure.

"Haha, Brother Hack, you might be joking. Okay, you've definitely made him happy. If you're going to perform at Sickhack's show today, I'll give you an extra 5% of the ticket sales."

Yoshida Ginjiro chuckled twice as a response to Aoyama's "good intentions".

“I’m serious.” Aoyama pointed to his eyes. “Look into my eyes, they’re full of sincerity.”

"...Brother Hack, you didn't get dragged into drinking two bottles of alcohol by that guy Hiroi today, and you're talking nonsense in front of me?" Yoshida Ginjiro sniffed, looking puzzled. "I can't smell any alcohol."

"You really didn't believe me..."

"It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that what you said is too outrageous..." Yoshida Ginjiro was speechless. He didn't know why his usually reliable friend Hark would insist on arguing with such a ridiculous statement.

"In that case, wait a moment, I'll show you a treasure."

After Aoyama finished speaking, he turned and walked out of Folt, then directed Mori and Megure to carry in a rectangular solid wood box that was almost big enough to fit a small adult.

"Mr. Yin, there are too many people and too much chatter here. Let's go to the back lounge."

"Brother Hark, what's inside here...?"

"You'll see when you see it." Aoyama didn't answer him directly, but instead made a shushing gesture as if to be mysterious.

Yoshida Ginjiro felt a little apprehensive, after all, the box looked like a small coffin, and it would be terrible if there was someone inside.

He even suspected that Aoyama might have kidnapped Coben Coolidge's daughter, after all, he had previously heard Hiroi Kikuri's drunken ramblings say things like, "Mr. Hack is very influential in the yakuza. After he joined Sick Hack, even if he stumbled upon a yakuza fight on the street, he could leave safely as long as he mentioned that he was a member of Sick Hack"...

Mr. Huck was so confident just now, could he be planning to use this to blackmail Mr. Coolidge into performing here? Damn it, will I be considered an accomplice and sent to jail by the Metropolitan Police Department?

When Aoyama saw Yoshida Ginjiro shivering inexplicably, he couldn't help but wonder if he was having a high blood pressure attack—it wasn't impossible for a 38-year-old man to have blood pressure higher than his height, given his irregular sleep schedule, frequenting nightclubs and bars, and his love of smoking and drinking…

Fortunately, Yoshida Ginjiro recovered after a few seconds. He sighed, then put on a resolute look and walked towards the backstage, saying in a heavy tone, "Come with me."

Aoyama, of course, had no idea that Yoshida Ginjiro was thinking, "If there really is a little girl in the box, I will force Mr. Hack to turn himself in, even if it means threatening to kill myself," and simply gestured for Inspector Megure and Mori to follow.

……

"Alright, Mr. Huck, you can open the box now and let me see what's inside."

After watching Megure and Mori carefully place the black wooden box on the table and turn to leave the room, Yoshida Ginjiro said in a trembling voice.

"Mr. Yin, why are you so nervous? Have you guessed what's inside?"

Green mountains lead to a wondrous path.

"No, no... You're overthinking it. I didn't guess anything."

Yoshida Ginjiro got goosebumps, fearing that he might say the wrong thing and be killed to silence him.

"Oh... then you should calm down and not be frightened by what's in the box."

"Okay, don't worry." Yoshida Ginjiro said this, but his hand unconsciously gripped the back of the chair next to him.

Qingshan bent down and opened the combination lock on the box. With a pleasant "creak," the lid of the wooden box was lifted, revealing its contents.

The all-black electric guitar looks unremarkable, but there are wear marks on the left side and the upper left corner of the body, and there is a signature on the headstock that reads "To Keben".

"this is……"