He is an idol and a childhood sweetheart.

"Please give me some advice...Eh? Wait, wait, [Parader]!?"

After hearing the name, Kento Watanabe first checked it repeatedly with the company name in his mind. After checking that it was correct, he straightened his back subconsciously and said in an unbelievable tone:

"Is it the company that suddenly became famous in the past ten years... by promoting all kinds of music records regardless of nationality, religion, or music category!?"

"Well, yes."

Mizushima Satoshi smiled and nodded, took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Kento Watanabe.

When Kento Watanabe saw this, he immediately took it with both hands solemnly, bowed his head to him very seriously and said:

"Thank you very much for your recognition! I'm really sorry that I couldn't reply to you immediately before..."

Kento Watanabe never expected that the gentle and elegant man in front of him would have such a high status.

Recalling the other party's first invitation and his slightly declining attitude in the reply, Kento Watanabe's juniors were all startled into a cold sweat.

Perhaps Watanabe & Associates has indeed achieved rapid development recently, but compared to such a world-class record company, it is still like a worm to a giant tree.

In order to make up for his original mistake, Kento Watanabe couldn't help but lower his head again.

"…………Eh."

It had the opposite effect.

Seeing Kento Watanabe bowing his head deeply to him, Satoshi Mizushima couldn't help but panic.

Mizushima Satoshi originally just wanted to show off to his outstanding son out of a little vanity as a father, but he didn't expect that his behavior would directly alienate the identity and distance between them...

"Please don't be so formal."

In order to relax his son, Mizushima Satoshi said quickly:

"After all, it was me who took the initiative to seek cooperation with you. If I really want to say it, it should be me thanking you for agreeing to my invitation."

"No, no, no, what are you talking about! The fact that you took the initiative to contact our office is enough to show your sincerity!"

Kento Watanabe's tone instantly became more awkward.

"This meeting should actually be arranged for you by me... that... was not well thought out, I'm really sorry!"

"I really don't mind at all. Please raise your head, Mr. Watanabe."

Mizushima Satoshi smiled bitterly and said:

"Today I really just

I came to see you with the idea of ​​getting to know you. As for things like identity, let’s put them aside. "

Ahhh, this is the worst first meeting ever.

Mizushima Chi couldn't help but deeply denounced the meaningless vanity in his heart.

As a result, my self-defeating behavior not only failed to have any positive effect, but actually made the atmosphere of this first meeting so tense and uneasy...

I really want to go back to 3 minutes ago and give myself a loud slap in the face for my vanity!

Just as both of them were holding different regrets in their hearts, the waiter finally broke the slightly awkward atmosphere by bringing the drink Mizushima Satoshi had ordered before——

"Hello, here are two glasses of craft beer for your order. Enjoy it while you're at it."

"...Ah, it's finally here."

As he spoke, Satoshi Mizushima pushed one of the draft beer glasses filled with craft beer in front of Kento Watanabe.

"Please use it, Mr. Watanabe."

"Yes."

Upon seeing this, Kento Watanabe immediately and solemnly took the beer glass in front of him.

Then, under the signal from Satoshi Mizushima's eyes, Kento Watanabe raised his glass and drank the drink carefully selected for him by Satoshi Mizushima——

"Eh? This...is beer?"

The familiar light bitterness of beer is first felt in the mouth, but what follows is a fresh aroma that Kento Watanabe has never experienced before, and a mild taste without any irritation at all.

Delicious!He has never had such a delicious beer!

In the past, Kento Watanabe had always simply pursued the excitement and numbness of alcohol when drinking, but this was the first time that the beer in front of him gave him this sense of enjoyment called "deliciousness".

“The main product of this izakaya is this IPA (India Pale Ale) craft beer. For those who like beer, this beer has a more fragrant and rich taste. For beginners of beer culture, IPA is usually the best. They are the most receptive types.”

Under the slightly surprised gaze of Kento Watanabe, Satoshi Mizushima introduced:

"Although in most social occasions, wine is only used as an insignificant companion drink. But if you can bring out a little unique insight into wine on such occasions, it may also be able to impress some people with the same taste. I’m impressed by you.”

After that, he also raised his glass and said to Kento Watanabe in a gentle tone again:

"As for today, please don't force it, just enjoy the drink."

"…………"

The light bitterness that first entered the mouth of the beer has dissipated at this time, and the subtle fruity aroma and residual warm taste that followed have also made most of Watanabe Kento's nervousness disappear.

Although Mizushima Satoshi is indeed a prominent industry leader, but... he may really be a gentle person who is very easy to get along with.

So, under the influence of this craft beer full of care and kindness, Kento Watanabe finally let go of his guard and restraint, and started their first meeting with the mysterious music director in front of him...

Chapter 39: The keenness and confusion that alcohol cannot blunt

After that, Mizushima Satoshi ordered many kinds of wine for Kento Watanabe that he had drunk in the past and that he also liked better.

And Kento Watanabe also gradually let go of his original restraint and uneasiness in this novel and enjoyable experience.The feeling of intimacy that arose when we first met was further heightened as we talked with each other... and turned into a feeling of closeness like a friend.

"……are you OK?"

Looking at Kento Watanabe's face that had turned slightly red, Satoshi Mizushima put down his glass and asked:

"If you feel uncomfortable, you must stop in time."

"It's okay, I just drank a little fast."

Because the wine recommended by Satoshi Mizushima was very delicious, Kento Watanabe drank much faster today than in the past.Coupled with the bonus brought by mixing different types of alcohol, Watanabe Kento already felt extremely drunk.

"As expected of Mr. Mizushima, who is well-informed... he actually recognizes so many delicious wines."

"Every time I go to a different place, I first go to a local bar or izakaya to taste various kinds of alcohol. Over time, I have accumulated a little understanding of alcohol."

Seeing that Kento Watanabe liked his recommendation so much, Tomoya Mizushima smiled happily and said:

"But of course, I did encounter many unacceptable types in the process... The one that impressed me most was [la fée verte] (absinthe) that I drank in France. Not only did it have a high alcohol content, It’s outrageous, and the bitterness and intensity are even more...tsk, if it’s not paired with sugar cubes, it’s really hard to eat it alone.”

"This time it's France..."

In the short exchange just now, Mizushima Tomoe had already named nearly a dozen countries.

These are all countries that Satoshi Mizushima has visited in the past. As for the purpose... it is to find singers, bands, and musical instruments of various styles, and record them one by one on his own records.And this is exactly what he pursues in life, and what he is willing to spend his whole life working towards.

While sighing at Satoshi Mizushima's lofty goal, Kento Watanabe couldn't help but admire his perseverance and ability to act.

Being able to always stick to your ideals and work hard for them...is a very remarkable thing.

When he was only in his early twenties, he had already experienced setbacks and difficulties that almost made him give up. So how many hardships had the mature man in front of him, who was already in his 40s and traveled around the world, experienced...

In addition, Watanabe Kento also has another more realistic doubt about Mizushima Satoshi:

"So... from your perspective, who is so knowledgeable and has good taste... what is it about my Watanabe Office that attracts you?"

Kento Watanabe asked with a puzzled look:

"Although I have always been proud of my idols...but culturally speaking, idol music is only a very superficial part of popular culture, and my children do not yet have the uniqueness you are pursuing, let alone I don’t have any superb skills worthy of your personal invitation... What are your reasons for approaching us?"

"…………"

After listening to this, Mizushima Satoshi paused for a moment while raising his glass, and then slowly said:

"Maybe it's because the concept of 'Unius' feels similar to my own."

"...? What does that mean?"

"Follow your heart, go your own way...and have the ambition and potential to change the industry."

Mizushima Satoshi said:

“This kind of acting style that doesn’t know the heights and heights of the world but always sticks to one’s heart reminds me of myself when I was young.”

"........."

Indeed, few record companies in the world, let alone Japan, can understand the ideals Mizushima Satoshi pursues.

Not only because of the vague and unknown business prospects, but more importantly because of the time and energy required to invest in it.

Without musicians like Satoshi Mizushima who are willing to practice, travel around the world and know how to appreciate music, [Parader] would not have been able to release so many great records that are world-renowned and have inspired countless music lovers in this decade.

Kento Watanabe couldn't imagine how much effort it took him to get the record company to agree to his almost crazy decision, nor could he imagine how passionate he was about music.But this determination and courage to overcome all difficulties just to stick to his ideals and beliefs still made Watanabe Kento feel as moved as if he had found a confidant.

However... apart from this feeling, Kento Watanabe naturally did not lose his common sense and reason.

"...Mr. Mizushima, do you know Mai Watanabe?"

"This……"

When he heard this unexpected name, Mizushima Satoshi's expression couldn't help but be briefly shaken.

However, this momentary reaction was directly seen by Kento Watanabe.

"Sure enough."

Kento Watanabe couldn't help but reveal a smile of understanding but helplessness.

Of course, he understood Mizushima Satoshi's wavering as the possibility he imagined——

"Just like Mr. Kitani before...you are also the 'backer' that my mother contacted for me."

"........."

Of course, Satoshi Mizushima already knew about Mai's contact with Chatan Studio for Kento Watanabe.However, he never expected that Kento Watanabe would take this matter so seriously and connect it with his meeting...

But then, just when Mizushima Tomogo wanted to explain that it was not because of Mai's request, but because he took the initiative to find the other party, he suddenly had a new idea.

"...What would you think if I said yes?"

This was the perfect time for him to test Kento Watanabe's views on "parents".

If Kento Watanabe shows a similar feeling of disgust towards Mai's "help", it means that it is far from the time to recognize him.

If Kento Watanabe shows a similar happy emotion, it means that he does not have too obvious dislike for himself and Mai, and maybe he can really get to know him as soon as possible.

After such consideration, Mizushima Satoshi began to wait nervously and anxiously for Kento Watanabe's reply——

"To be honest, I'm a little bit confused."

As a result, the answer given by Kento Watanabe was completely out of Mizushima Satoshi's prior considerations.

"I can understand my mother's care and support for me, and I also understand that she has the ability to help me. But if this is the case, why did she suddenly appear now, and why has she never told me for so many years? My own business..."

"……………………"

Kento Watanabe's question instantly pierced Satoshi Mizushima's heart like a sharp arrow.

The excitement brought about by just talking with his son instantly cooled down and was replaced by cold and practical facts.

"You will be confused... and of course. After all, in this matter, Mai and I... her husband really failed to fulfill any of his responsibilities."

Satoshi Mizushima let out a long sigh, and then he spoke under Kento Watanabe's slightly stunned gaze:

"This is a rare opportunity. Next, let me tell you a little story."

"A story about a couple who have done nothing but their job."

Chapter 40: The past of Mr. and Mrs. Watanabe

"I also became a music producer at Xianren's age

Human...as for the reason, it is exactly the same as him, just because he simply likes music.After graduating from college, I went to a record company to apply for a job with the first song I wrote. Fortunately, they took a liking to my talent right away and hired me directly. Unfortunately, this record company The company is controlled by [Pulchra].As for their operating style, I think you can understand it even without me having to say more. "

"...Ah, it's not hard to imagine."

Toru Asakura nodded.

"Pulchra's singers basically have behind-the-scenes writers. However, in order to promote their singers as 'all-round musicians', they will completely block all information about the behind-the-scenes writers."