Japanese Entertainment: A Comeback Beginning from Bankrupt President

"Me?" Amano Aki, who was empty-handed, felt uneasy under Sawashiro Kazuya's gaze. She involuntarily lowered her head to avoid his eyes and cautiously asked, "Um... President Sawashiro, could you please say that again?"

Has that day finally come?

Amano Aki was aware of the agency's situation, having watched it grow from a sizable organization with dozens of artists to just her alone. She had also heard that the current president, Sawashiro, was burdened with a lot of debt, and the agency was on the verge of collapse at any moment.

In the current situation, Kazuya Sawashiro has started talking nonsense, even saying that he would beat up Watanabe Entertainment.

Either I misheard, or he's gone mad.

But how could I have misheard?

So the president couldn't handle the pressure and his illness flared up, right?

Just as Amano Aki was lost in thought, Sawashiro Kazuya, who seemed to be having a relapse, spoke:

"I can say it a hundred times, I'm ready to regain my confidence and fight back against that arrogant Watanabe Entertainment. You—the last artist in the agency, the talent discarded by Watanabe Entertainment, the former Academy Award Best Actress, Amano Aki-san from Iwate Prefecture, are you willing to fight alongside me?"

Kazuya Sawashiro still had that smile, but there was a hint of expectation and confidence in his eyes.

He seemed very passionate, yet he was very measured at this moment. He didn't grab Amano Aki's shoulders and shake her violently; he simply stood in front of Amano Aki, and after speaking, he quietly waited for Amano Aki's response.

To be honest, it doesn't seem like an illness.

But if it wasn't due to excessive stress causing a mental breakdown, how could someone say something so unfounded?

Filled with doubt, Amano Aki slowly raised two fingers and cautiously asked Sawashiro Kazuya, "President Sawashiro... how much is this?"

"...Do I look like an idiot?" Kazuya Sawashiro tilted his head, blinked, and held up two fingers, saying, "This is two, but when we take pictures, we'll shout 'Year!'"

"Year!" Amano Aki shouted instinctively.

"Idiot, we're not taking pictures right now, and you're not thinking straight either." Kazuya Sawashiro raised his fist and punched Aki Amano on the head.

It's amazing that she can still say "Year!" at this time, even though she's already in a state of zero TV, zero movies, zero variety shows, and zero boyfriends, and still has to work part-time at a store regularly.

"You were the one who said something weird first," Amano Aki said, rubbing her forehead, looking aggrieved like a child. "No matter how you look at it, a group like ours is no match for Watanabe Entertainment. Aren't you the one who's out of your mind?"

That's what I mean.

How could a bankrupt president and disgraced entertainers possibly be a match for Watanabe Entertainment, whose business covers all aspects of the entertainment industry?

Amano Aki came here today to tell Sawashiro Kazuya that she is preparing to leave the entertainment industry and go back to work at her agency, and then gradually help Sawashiro Kazuya pay off his debts.

After all, the fact that the firm has become like this is inextricably linked to her.

And there's no hope for either of them.

"Don't say no so easily before you've even tried," Kazuya Sawashiro pinched Aki Amano's cheek, forcing the outspoken, disgraced entertainer to look into his earnest and determined eyes. "We have nothing left to lose, so why not take advantage of our youth and try one more time?"

"Because it's too difficult, it's simply impossible to do," Amano Aki calmly replied to Sawashiro Kazuya, counting on her fingers. "Firstly, the other party is a large agency that holds sway in many fields, and secondly, I've been absent from television for two years. My current popularity can't even compare to that of a newcomer who has just debuted. Can you understand that?"

"Well, what you said later is true." Kazuya Sawashiro understood her perfectly.

"Then you..."

"But it's too early to draw conclusions," Kazuya Sawashiro released his grip and looked at her seriously. "There was a female entertainer before, I can't quite remember her name, that person was blacklisted by a major agency just like you, and didn't have any acting opportunities for several years. Do you know how she did it?"

"…suicide?"

"So you underestimate humans," Kazuya Sawashiro said, raising his hand to give her a sharp rap on the forehead. "That girl was initially just as disappointed as you, but she didn't give up her belief in climbing up. She gradually discovered her talents, explored her possibilities in different worlds, and ten years later, through her own efforts, she finally broke through the blacklist of a major agency and successfully starred in a major television drama."

Upon hearing this, Amano Aki's eyes widened in astonishment.

She temporarily forgot the pain in her forehead, excitedly grasped Sawashiro Kazuya's hand, and couldn't wait to see him. "Who is this person you're talking about? What's her name? Is she someone I know? Can we meet her?"

"Her name is Rena Nounen, and like you, she came to Tokyo from the countryside."

"Hmm?" Amano Aki scratched his head. "Is it a senior? Why do I not remember this name at all?"

"Yes, your senior," seeing how well she could add to the story, Kazuya Sawashiro also lied without changing his expression, "She got married and retired about thirty years ago, so most people don't know about her. I only heard about her from my grandfather when I was a child. You definitely haven't heard of her."

"Eh..."

Upon hearing that it was a story told by an old man, Amano Aki immediately believed it to be 80% true.

Shocked, Amano Akiya began to seriously examine his attitude, then took half a step back and bowed to Sawashiro Kazuya in apology: "I'm sorry, I think I was a bit dejected just now. I shouldn't have said I was going to give up before I even tried."

"No... I really understand you." Kazuya Sawashiro reached out and helped her up.

Even Rena Nounen, who was unwilling to give up, once hid in a corner where no one could see her and shed tears when her life and career were at a low point, wondering if it would be better to give up.

Ultimately, she was just an ordinary person.

However, sometimes, just by persisting and taking a few more steps, you can see scenery you've never seen before.

And now, she has a supportive partner.

The two people looked into each other's eyes.

According to the progression of romance dramas, the seeds of love have already been sown at this point. Those that progress faster should confirm their feelings by the fourth episode, and then arrange some unexpected events to test their love.

At this moment, however, only one thought was in Aki Amano's mind—could he really find his own potential?

Just as she was feeling lost, Kazuya Sawashiro's confident voice rang out again: "Right now, it's just a ground-based air blockade. There are still many places we can explore: singers, painters, artists, directors, voice actors... things we've never done before, we now have the opportunity to try."

Amano Aki was taken aback by all that was said at once, but she quickly recovered and muttered softly, "But... I've never learned to sing, I can't draw or doodle, and I know absolutely nothing about directing, is this okay?"

"Of course you can," Kazuya Sawashiro looked at her, his eyes full of confidence. "As long as you are willing to change, anything is possible. What you need most to do these things is time, and what we have most of right now is time."

I don't have any acting jobs, of course I have time.

"Time?" Amano Aki asked, somewhat puzzled. "These are all talents that require innate ability, right? Is it really okay to just rely on time to practice? Besides, it seems like we don't have any practice materials, and we can't even find a teacher."

Even though she wanted to do it, both of them were broke. When Amano Aki was at Watanabe Entertainment, she had a newcomer contract with a 9:1 profit-sharing ratio. Now she has to work part-time four days a week just to barely make ends meet.

Those acting and vocal teachers charge several thousand yuan for a single lesson.

"I know, but you don't need to worry about any of this," Kazuya Sawashiro gave her a reassuring look, then leaned back comfortably on the sofa, smiling as he answered Amano Aki's questions:

"Although I am currently heavily in debt, I can still solve some problems thanks to my face and my father's connections."

I've already decided that my first step in the future will be to become a singer.

I can ask friends for help with the lyrics and music, I can borrow a recording studio, I can ask a vocal coach for help, I can ask juniors from my alma mater's clubs for the band needed for accompaniment, I can entrust the school's photography department to shoot the music video, and I can ask those students who have nothing to do for extras.

The students are young and full of life. As long as we express our difficulties and requests, they will gladly agree to such activities even without compensation.

While you are learning, I will manage your personal social media accounts and contact your fan club to increase your popularity, so that you are no longer a stagnant pool on the internet.

Our work will then be posted online.

The internet, a fertile ground yet to be fully explored, will be our main battleground in our future battles against Watanabe Entertainment. We will start here, gradually acquiring the popularity and traffic our artists need, turning the production team's financial backers into our partners and weapons, and bringing us back to terrestrial television.

Kazuya Sawashiro said a lot in one breath, but they were all things that were easy to understand. Aki Amano thought about it for a moment and knew what Kazuya Sawashiro wanted to do.

If you can't break through from the front, then try from the side; that's indeed a good approach.

But then again, with every step so clearly defined, couldn't this have been meticulously planned over a long period? Could it be that the initial confusion and helplessness were merely a facade to deceive others?

Amano Aki felt an itch to know more, so she stroked her chin and asked, "So, are we going to start as singers now? And Sawashiro-san... did you already plan to do this?"

"The beginning was right, but the end isn't quite right," Kazuya Sawashiro said, his smile fading as he sat up straight and extended his hand to her. "After realizing you're not the type to give up easily, I came up with this plan to turn things around online. There are still many details that need time and effort to perfect, so would you like to come with me?"

"I see... no wonder it sounded so hasty."

"There's no need to nitpick about these details." Kazuya Sawashiro rolled his eyes.

"Sorry, hehe..." Amano Aki chuckled, reaching out to shake Sawashiro Kazuya's hand. "But like you said, don't give up on things you haven't tried, so please continue to 'take' my time until we see the final result."

The two looked into each other's eyes, but there was no awkwardness, because at that moment, they only admired each other.

A wonderful life doesn't require taking a little time.

After a long eye contact, Kazuya Sawashiro raised their clasped hands and calmly said, "Don't worry, everything we do from now on will not be a waste of time. It's a brand new beginning for me, Kazuya Sawashiro, and for you, Aki Amano! We're going to absolutely beat those guys from Watanabe Entertainment to a pulp!"