Tokyo: My obsession with China led me to become the king of Japanese entertainment.

In 2023, a young man entered the J-pop scene.

Born in 2008, the 15-year-old masked singer Tuki released her first original song, "Dinner Song Bansanka," which quickly became a sensation.

The music video and digital single garnered over a million views in just a few days, and well-known singers such as Yuri covered the song. In less than four months, the total streaming views exceeded 100 million, making her the youngest solo artist in Japan to achieve this milestone.

Then, at the end of 2024, he made it to the Kohaku Uta Gassen, the Japanese equivalent of the New Year's Eve gala, with his performance of "Dinner Song," appearing completely masked, which became a miracle that was talked about by many.

Admittedly, Tuki faced considerable criticism and controversy in Japan, where everyone is petty, due to his own words, actions, and development.

People say she's just a product of a facade, or that she's overly eager to perform... and so on.

But that doesn't detract from the fact that Dinner Song is an exceptionally good song, and... it's very suitable for Jun Sakurada to use on this occasion!

Although it might seem a bit like bullying a ten-year-old girl, this song is simple, touching, lyrical, and extremely beautiful. Most importantly, it's a song that Jun Sakurada has heard and can remember.

It can be said that this is the only musical work that Jun Sakurada can confidently and boldly present.

After quickly tuning the guitar, Jun Sakurada looked up and was greeted by seven pairs of bright, wolf-like eyes.

Minami Hamabe even picked up her phone, probably wanting to record Jun Sakurada's upcoming performance.

No, it's just singing a song, why are you so excited...? Seven pairs?

Sakurada Jun was slightly taken aback. He glanced around again, and only then did he realize that there was indeed a travel-worn figure in the bushes not far away. For a moment, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Seriously, do you have to be so efficient? I hung up on you this afternoon, and you came all the way from Tokyo tonight?

But... since we're already here, wouldn't it be unreasonable not to let you have a taste?

Thinking this, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Simple yet catchy guitar chords began to echo across the rocky beach of Taodong Valley, followed by the boy's clear and melodious singing:

Jun's tears

Because I can make you cry, that's why I can't be with you.

Jun をcry かすからEarly くforget れてdesire しいんだ

Because I make you sad, I hope you can forget me as soon as possible.

The human world is the same as the human world

Because we are human, we sometimes want to try different foods.

君を笑かすからそう君を笑かすから

But you'll cry, yes, I don't want to hurt your feelings.

……

Almost the instant he opened his mouth, Taka was already stunned.

Because Japanese music is so popular, it's extremely difficult to stand out. Therefore, almost every singer who manages to gain a foothold here possesses a certain degree of "singing power that makes you kneel down with your first note".

Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to retain any audience at all.

Taka himself possesses the top-tier ability to make people kneel in admiration upon first opening.

Even among this group of people who are instantly captivated, Jun Sakurada is definitely in the most exaggerated category, even more amazing than Taka himself.

His voice is extremely pure and mellow, without any noise, and full of youthful charm, with only a slight hoarseness at the end.

However, it does not ruin the overall listening experience; on the contrary, it gives his singing a tension that is not unique to a young man.

Taka could tell that the key of "Dinner Song" was extremely high, making it a song entirely suited for female vocals.

In Jun Sakurada's singing, it is obvious that he has not received training in head voice and strong mixing, the two core techniques for high notes.

However, even with the simplest and most direct way of using his natural voice, he still managed to perform the song quite easily.

Such a wide vocal range can only be described as dreamlike.

In addition, there's the effortless, sustained breath control that allows him to effortlessly handle long and complex sentences, and the extremely clear, natural pronunciation of foreign languages...

Taka suddenly had an impulse:

The impulse to train Jun Sakurada into a superstar capable of dominating J-pop.

He was quite certain that even without considering songwriting, Jun Sakurada's musical talent was top-notch, not to mention that he was also a great songwriter.

The monkey's large, bright eyes shone especially brightly as he quietly absorbed and memorized the melody, lyrics, and emotions of the dinner song.

Then, when Jun Sakurada sang the second chorus, he voluntarily added harmonies:

How many times have the night passed?

No matter how many times night falls, I still cannot

爱してるを和べてみて

Say the three words "I love you"

How many times have the night passed?

No matter how many times night falls, I still cannot

The highest level of wear

To eat that kind of top-notch cuisine

……

He may be the best male singer under 40 in all of Japan, but he didn't steal the spotlight from a newbie. Instead, he willingly played a supporting role, quietly adding depth to the song's vocal parts.

At the same time, he used his exceptional skills to subtly influence Jun Sakurada's singing style.

Gradually, although he was still very unfamiliar with the style, Jun Sakurada subconsciously began to incorporate a little bit of Taka-style technique into his singing.

Taka thought to himself, "His learning ability is also outstanding."

Aside from him, the other five people in the audience who didn't have much knowledge of music theory and singing skills could only listen blankly.

They only felt that Jun Sakurada's voice was so pure, the songs themselves were so beautiful, and the emotions they contained were so pure.

When harmonizing with Taka, the sound is even more heavenly.

The tranquil and serene demeanor of Sakurada Jun as he slightly bowed his head to play the piano...

Minami Hamabe believes she has seen many handsome men, and has worked with and interacted with just as many.

But no one has ever brought her such a pure audiovisual impact as this little brother in front of her.

That is devoid of lust, and devoid of likes or dislikes; it is simply the purest enjoyment of beauty.

She will probably never forget what happened today...

……

In the distance, among the trees.

The slight resentment that Takizawa Hideaki had felt due to his rushed schedule and tiring travel vanished the moment he heard Jun Sakurada and Takahiro Moriuchi sing together.

Twenty years ago, Taka was a musical prodigy who was highly regarded by Johnny & Associates, Johnny Kitagawa, and Hideaki Takizawa. He was supposed to take on the role of lead vocalist for that promising new force.

But Johnny's ultimately failed to seize this opportunity, instead handing their rival AMUSE their rock ace for the next decade or so.

And now, another musical genius, whose talent is no less than Taka's and who far surpasses him in other aspects, has appeared before Hideaki Takizawa.

Watching the collaboration of two generations of geniuses, Hideaki Takizawa's vision blurred for a moment.

He clenched his fists tightly.

This time, no matter what, he will not let Jun Sakurada, or Johnny's, slip through his fingers again!