Inside the high-end reception room named [Paulownia] at HORIPRO Agency, the air seemed to have experienced a brief relaxation after Michiya Gōshin proposed that bold and meticulous counterattack plan.
However, immediately following Sakurajima Mai's decisive declaration—"I have still decided not to renew"—it solidified once again, becoming even heavier than before.
Hori Takeo's face, etched with the marks of time and usually radiating a natural authority, was now clearly written with disbelief and a chilling anger from being deeply provoked.
Thinking back on his decades of traversing the entertainment industry, personally sculpting countless rough gems into masterpieces, he had long been accustomed to the rhythm of control and obedience.
Sakurajima Mai, this proudest creation whom he had watched grow from a little girl into a national actress, had just made a decisive stance. To him, this was not merely a betrayal of HORIPRO, but a flagrant challenge to his personal authority.
The old man's eyes, sharp as a falcon's, stared dead at Sakurajima Mai, as if trying to pin her in place with his gaze and force her to retract that "treasonous" decision.
However, Sakurajima Mai simply gazed back at him quietly. In those beautiful eyes, the humility usually reserved for elders was gone, replaced only by a clear, unshakeable determination.
She held her head slightly high, her slender neck curving with stubborn resolve, like a bird about to leave the nest and fly irrevocably into the vast sky.
Standing beside her, Sakurajima Sachiko, although her brows were still locked tight and her hands nervously clasped, held a look deep in her eyes that went beyond worry for her daughter. It was a sense of relief born from burning one's bridges, and a secret anticipation for a future of independence.
The independent agency she had quietly been preparing already had a rudimentary form. Although her daughter's decisiveness was risky, it coincided perfectly with her own plans. At this moment, she chose to face this together with her daughter.
"Sakurajima, are you sure you really want to do this?"
"Yes."
Sakurajima Mai nodded vigorously. After the confrontation just now, she had firmly solidified her own thoughts.
"...Good. Very good."
It took a long time for old man Hori Takeo to squeeze a few words out through his teeth. His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a deeply suppressed fury and profound exhaustion.
He waved his hand, a movement that seemed to drain his strength. He no longer looked at Michiya Gōshin and the others, his gaze locking solely onto the Sakurajima mother and daughter.
"Michiya-kun, you all can go ahead and start preparing your affairs."
Hori Takeo's tone allowed no doubt, carrying the last shred of dignity belonging to a superior.
"As for Sakurajima, you and your mother stay. And Director Matsuda from the management division, you stay as well. We all need to sit down and have a good talk..."
"Understood."
The woman named Matsuda nodded and bowed.
Everyone else who did not belong to this agency knew that this was a clear order to clear the room. It meant that within HORIPRO, a final showdown concerning core interests, face, and future relations was about to take place.
Michiya Gōshin naturally understood the implication.
He stood up, his gaze subconsciously drifting toward Sakurajima Mai. Coincidentally, Sakurajima Mai was looking at him at that exact moment.
In the instant their eyes met, the ice-like resolve in the girl's eyes quietly melted, replaced by a gleam of extreme gentleness, reassurance, and trust. She seemed to be telling Michiya Gōshin: Please don't worry. Go do what you need to do. I will handle everything here.
Sakurajima Mai was a very special existence to him; Michiya Gōshin had known this for a long time.
Thus, Michiya Gōshin gave a solemn, slight nod to her, and also to Sakurajima Sachiko. Everything was understood without words.
Subsequently, accompanied by Kato Megumi, who remained silent as a shadow, and his manager Nakahara Kazuya, whose forehead was still stained with sweat, he quickly and quietly left this conference room filled with invisible smoke and gunfire.
As soon as he walked out of the HORIPRO headquarters—that building symbolizing power and history—and sat into the waiting car, Michiya Gōshin immediately took out his phone.
The winter afternoon sunlight was suddenly a bit blinding. A calm plan floated up in his mind. Every second counted. The volcano of public opinion was still erupting; he had to put the plan into action as soon as possible.
For the first call, he dialed Suo Hayato without hesitation. The call was connected almost instantly.
"Gōshin-kun, what's the situation? Did HORIPRO relent?"
Suo Hayato's voice came through, carrying obvious urgency and a trace of lingering hostility. Clearly, he had been waiting anxiously for news.
"I've temporarily stabilized Hori Takeo with the plan, but there was a small accident."
Michiya Gōshin was referring to the matter of Sakurajima Mai not renewing her contract. After all, he had only just learned today that she actually thought that way.
"Suo-san, the counter-measure plan can be initiated. I need you to send a few capable hands."
"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing."
Suo Hayato paused. After listening to Michiya Gōshin's request, his tone likewise became cold, hard, and efficient. "I understand! I'll personally bring people over to find you. Is the location your apartment?"
"Yeah."
Suo Hayato's voice continued through the receiver. After the scandal was exposed, he was likely even more anxious than Michiya Gōshin himself.
"This thing came so suddenly. The one playing tricks behind the scenes is eighty percent likely to be my 'good elder brother'! There's a shell company under his name that has had unclear financial flows with the executives of Shukan Bunshun! Except for him, no one would calculate so deliberately to destroy my lead actor before my movie starts filming!"
"Yeah, I also think it's him." Michiya Gōshin's eyes flashed with a cold light. "Then I'll have to trouble you first, Suo-san."
"Enough, we're family, no need for polite words. Wait for me, Gōshin-kun, I'll be there within half an hour."
Suo Hayato hung up the phone crisply. Although this second son of the Suo conglomerate had a perverse personality, he truly had nothing bad to say when it came to his own people.
Less than half an hour later, the doorbell of Michiya Gōshin's apartment rang.
Kato Megumi opened the door to see Suo Hayato standing outside with a grim expression. Behind him followed two men built like iron towers.
Both wore inconspicuous black casual clothes, but their muscles bulged, and their eyes were as sharp as knives. Their stance was steady, and every movement bore the traces of rigorous training. One look was enough to tell they were not people to be trifled with.
They stood silently behind Suo Hayato like two emotionless combat machines, the pressure they brought instantly filling the entryway.
"Suo-san, please come in." Michiya Gōshin stepped forward to welcome him.
Suo Hayato stepped inside and pointed to the two behind him, introducing them. "Shimada, Sugimoto. They are trustworthy insiders. Shimada used to be in the special forces, skilled in reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, and combat. Sugimoto worked as a criminal detective for ten years; his tracking, ambush, and evidence securing skills are top-notch."
His introduction was simple and direct, yet it fully explained the professional capabilities of these two men.
After the introduction, both Shimada and Sugimoto bowed slightly to Michiya Gōshin as a greeting. Neither showed any superfluous expression on their faces.
"I'm already clear on your plan. Our first step is to choose a suitable 'fishing' location," Suo Hayato went straight to the topic, his gaze sharp. "This location must meet several conditions: sufficiently private to lure the opponent into taking the bait, but it must also be under our complete control to ensure safety and evidence collection."
"Hearing Suo-san say this, do you already have a location in mind?" Michiya Gōshin smiled faintly, noticing Suo Hayato's confidence.
"Naturally. Don't underestimate my resources."
Suo Hayato spoke slowly. "I have a private villa in Karuizawa, registered under my mother's name. My older brother absolutely does not know about this place. The environment there is secluded, a standalone property. I upgraded the security system myself later on, but the perimeter isn't impregnable; there's a patch of woods at the back that fits the characteristics for infiltration perfectly."
"Karuizawa, is it... That works." Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Since the location is confirmed, the next step is to accurately cast the 'bait' right in front of that fish."
***
Meanwhile, in a disused storage room within the Shukan Bunshun company building, senior reporter Nakamura Satoshi was hunched over, cupping his phone. He was reporting to the person on the other end in a voice suppressed extremely low but unable to hide his excitement.
"Vice President Suo, you can rest a hundred percent assured! Public opinion right now is simply one-sided! That kid Michiya Gōshin has been scolded bloody, and even Sakurajima Mai's fans have started to defect, calling her love-brained and saying she has terrible taste!"
"I just received a tip that this afternoon, Hori Takeo of HORIPRO Agency personally stepped in. He called the people from Hoshino Talent Agency and Michiya Gōshin himself to headquarters for 'tea'!"
"Given Old Man Hori's explosive temper and HORIPRO's style of protecting their own calves, they absolutely won't let this go easily. They will definitely force Michiya Gōshin to apologize publicly. Once that happens, regardless of the result, that kid Michiya Gōshin will stink to high heaven! In my opinion, We Made a Beautiful Bouquet is going to flop before it even starts filming! Hahaha!"
On the other end of the line was Suo Shogo.
He sat in the leather chair of his luxurious office, gently swirling a glass of red wine while listening to Nakamura Satoshi's report. A sinister smile of assured victory appeared on his face.
"That old stubborn mule Hori Takeo... has always been someone who can't tolerate a speck of sand in his eye."
Suo Shogo spoke unhurriedly, his tone carrying a trace of understanding—and exploitation—of the old-school style. "How could he allow the ace card he spent over ten years cultivating to be easily defiled by a wet-behind-the-ears brat? Very good, Nakamura-kun, you've done a great service this time! Keep staring them down for me. I want to see with my own eyes as Michiya Gōshin continues to be attacked, and then make my good little brother's... wishful thinking fall through completely!"
"Yes! Yes! I will definitely not let down the Vice President!"
Nakamura Satoshi hurriedly promised. Although he was a Shukan Bunshun employee, who wouldn't want to hug the thick thigh that was Nenshi?
Just then, Nakamura Satoshi's other spare phone suddenly vibrated violently. Flashing on the screen was the name of a core informant he had been working with, someone planted within the circle of artist assistants.
Seeing the name, his heart gave a violent jump. He immediately said to Suo Shogo: "Vice President! Please wait a moment, a new informant is contacting me."
He quickly answered the spare phone, lowering his voice even further, and exchanged a few rapid sentences.
As the informant revealed the information, the expression on Nakamura Satoshi's face changed rapidly like a palette—from initial caution to incredulous surprise, and finally transforming into a twisted ecstasy he could barely suppress!
After hanging up, even his breathing had become heavy. He turned back to the phone with Suo Shogo, his voice slightly distorted from excitement.
"Vice President! Heaven is truly helping us! I just received top-secret news. Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai might be having a secret meeting tomorrow night at a private vacation villa in Karuizawa! They say it's to avoid the ubiquitous eyes in Tokyo. I've even got the specific address! The source is absolutely reliable; it's an old informant I've worked with for many years!"
Karuizawa, located in the southeastern part of Nagano Prefecture, is hailed as "Tokyo's Back Garden."
Since its development as a summer resort in the Meiji era, this highland resort area has forged an indissoluble bond with Japanese celebrities from all walks of life. Since the Canadian missionary Shaw built a villa here in 1886, it gradually became a summer sanctuary favored by diplomats, artists, and aristocrats.
The tennis court where Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met has become a romantic tourist destination, while the luxury villa areas hidden in the larch forests are now the top choice for entertainers to hide from paparazzi and go on secret dates. After all, the people living inside are either rich or noble; ordinary reporters rarely dare to trespass there.
"Karuizawa... a private villa?"
Suo Shogo thought for a moment, and soon his voice revealed an unconcealed excitement. "Indeed a good place."
"Secluded enough, and also... intimate enough. Very good! Nakamura-kun, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Drop everything at hand immediately, bring your top-tier equipment, and go there in advance to lie in wait. If you can take clear frontal photos of the two of them in the same frame inside the villa, or even... more explosive hard evidence, then this matter will be completely irreversible!"
"I understand! President! I'll go prepare the telephoto lenses and miniature equipment right now and set off for Karuizawa immediately to scout the spot and set up!"
Nakamura Satoshi trembled with excitement, as if he could already foresee himself ascending to the peak of his career relying on this set of photos, stepping on countless peers beneath his feet.
"As long as they dare to come, they definitely won't be able to run!"
***
Michiya Gōshin's apartment.
Shimada and Sugimoto, brought by Suo Hayato, had already quietly left. They were heading to the villa in Karuizawa to conduct layout and reconnaissance in advance.
In the living room, Michiya Gōshin and Suo Hayato were looking at the villa's structure diagram on a tablet, confirming the final details of the operation.
At this moment, the doorbell rang again.
Kato Megumi walked over to open the door. Standing outside was Kurokawa Akane, her eyes slightly red and her face wearing a look of urgency and worry. The girl had clearly rushed over; even her hair was slightly messy.
"Gōshin-kun!"
Upon seeing Michiya Gōshin, Kurokawa Akane couldn't help but cry out immediately, her voice choking with emotion and relief. "It's so good that you're okay! I saw the news... I was really so worried about you!"
Kurokawa Akane walked in quickly, disregarding the fact that Suo Hayato was standing nearby. Her large eyes looked Michiya Gōshin up and down, as if to confirm he was well. That undisguised concern and affection warmed Michiya Gōshin's heart slightly, while also making him feel a bit apologetic.
"Akane, why did you come? I'm fine, don't worry." Michiya Gōshin softened his voice, gently comforting her.
"How could I not worry!" Kurokawa Akane pouted, but her eyes quickly became determined. "Gōshin-kun, do you... do you have a plan? Do you need help? I absolutely must help!"
Seeing the girl assuming a stance of "I won't leave if you don't let me help," Michiya Gōshin felt a mix of helplessness and being moved. He briefly told her the plan to lure the snake out of its hole.
Of course, he omitted some of the troublesome details.
After hearing the plan, Kurokawa Akane's beautiful big eyes lit up immediately. She clapped her hands together. "That's right! As long as we catch evidence of that reporter breaking the law, we can turn the tables!"
At this moment, Kurokawa Akane seemed to think of something. Her eyes widened even further, and her tone became excited and certain.
"Gōshin-kun, you can ask my father for help! He can help with exactly this kind of thing!"
"Your father?" Michiya Gōshin was stunned. Then, the image of Senior Superintendent Kurokawa Osamu, whom he met during the New Year's visit—with his powerful aura and torch-like gaze—floated into his mind.
"Yes!"
Kurokawa Akane nodded vigorously, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. "If police personnel can intervene legitimately and catch that reporter trespassing in a residential area red-handed on the spot, wouldn't that be the most favorable evidence? I'll call Papa right now! He will definitely help!"
Saying this, Kurokawa Akane, whose ability to take action was always high, gave Michiya Gōshin no chance to stop her. She immediately took her phone out of her small bag, scrolled to her father's number, and dialed it without hesitation.
She even deliberately pressed the speakerphone button, seemingly wanting to prove to Michiya Gōshin that she "could be of help."
Standing to the side, Suo Hayato had been watching this scene with crossed arms, a trace of amusement and scrutiny in his eyes since Kurokawa Akane entered.
When he heard Kurokawa Akane say she wanted to ask her dad for help and mentioned "police personnel intervening legitimately," the cold expression on his face finally couldn't be maintained. The corners of his mouth even twitched slightly.
He looked at Kurokawa Akane's matter-of-fact, even slightly proud appearance, and then looked at Michiya Gōshin's expression, which was full of helplessness and an inability to interrupt.
After a while, the conglomerate scion finally couldn't hold it back. He leaned into Michiya Gōshin's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, filled with teasing and amazement.
"Gōshin-kun, this Kurokawa-san's father is..."
"He is a Senior Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Department."
"..."
Suo Hayato fell silent for a few seconds. Then his gaze swept back and forth between Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane, who was dialing. It took a while before he spoke again, and his tone was extremely peculiar.
"You really are something else. First, you settled a national actress like Sakurajima Mai... and here there's an even fiercer one, bringing out her Police Senior Superintendent dad directly? And at a critical juncture like this?"
He clicked his tongue and shook his head, the expression on his face as colorful as it could be. "Gōshin-kun, I really couldn't tell. Would you say this counts as... living off women?"
"..."
Michiya Gōshin was left knowing whether to laugh or cry by Suo Hayato's deliberate teasing. He could only respond with a helpless smile.
Fortunately, he hadn't told him about Sakurajima Mai wanting to terminate her contract with HORIPRO Agency yet; otherwise, wouldn't he be even more surprised?
Just then, Kurokawa Akane's call connected.
"Moshi moshi... Akane? What is it?"
From the other end of the line came Kurokawa Osamu's steady and magnetic voice. Even through the speaker, one could feel that unquestionable authority.
"Papa!" Kurokawa Akane immediately spoke in a tone that mixed wheedling with urgency. "Please help Gōshin-kun quickly! He's been framed. A reporter is writing nonsense news about him. We have a plan now to catch that bad guy, but we need police personnel to lend Gōshin-kun a hand when the time comes."
"Papa, send a few reliable uncles over to help! Okay?"
Kurokawa Akane recounted the matter with rapid speed, highlighting that [Michiya Gōshin was framed] and the reporter's [illegal behavior].
After she finished speaking, silence fell on the other end of the line for a few seconds. Clearly, Kurokawa Osamu was digesting this sudden information.
A moment later, his steady voice sounded again, his tone even more serious.
"Akane."
"Give the phone to Michiya-kun. Let him explain it to me personally."
________________________________________
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