Tokyo Psychic

Just as he had defied public opinion to allow Toyokawa Shoko to remain by her father's side—he hoped that the heir to the Toyokawa family would be someone capable of independently handling difficulties and setbacks, and able to stand firm in the face of major issues, rather than a submissive, pampered young lady who was helpless in the face of all dangers.

During the period when Shido Masayoshi was rapidly rising to power, the Toyokawa family, as an old and established family in Tokyo, had been targeted and attacked by him many times. It took a lot of effort to protect themselves from that crazy politician.

During this period, the head of the Toyokawa family was also forced to change some of his previously stubborn or even outdated ideas.

The rapid rise and fall of Shido Masayoshi made this old man, with one side of his body in a coffin, truly realize the truth that "times have changed."

However, he had been using the various methods he had employed in the Toyokawa family since the Showa era for too long. He was too old to make such radical changes, and he no longer had the courage and skill he had in his youth.

Since Toyokawa Shoko wanted to stay outside, he could only reluctantly let her go.

There was nothing particularly special about taking her out for dinner this time.

I just wanted to remind her of one thing:

"No matter what kind of person you want to become, never forget that your surname is Toyokawa."

The menu is more than halfway complete.

Narisawa rarely achieves such high efficiency.

The old man took a cup of thick soup from the chef, whose face was full of humility and flattery. Holding the porcelain cup, he watched with great interest the girls who were arguing at the two tables on either side.

Suddenly, someone called out to Anhe Subaru, "Miss Anhe!"

"Uh... I'm here!" An and Subaru quickly straightened their posture and smiled broadly.

The old man said, "I can spend more time with my son, Xiaoxiang, in the future."

Anwa Subaru then noticed Toyokawa Shoko, and then sensed the subtle unease in the atmosphere. Her smile suddenly became somewhat forced.

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(It's my birthday today. I'll try my best to update a few more chapters after I wake up.)

(Speaking of birthdays, it suddenly occurred to me that White Day is February 14th, and Toyokawa Shoko's birthday happens to be February 14th... This final twist in the COOP storyline is something even I can't help but look forward to.)

(Finally, I'd like to recommend another book by a fellow member of the group, an original Western fantasy harem novel.)

095. It turns out to be a training program (two-in-one).

"Mr. Yoshizawa, is there something you need from me?"

Once the office was quiet, Akira Kurishi asked Yoshizawa, who was standing in front of her, a question she already knew the answer to.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Yoshizawa's eyebrows twitched, and he finally replied with a forced smile, "Of course, the work at the firm is very busy, and there's no reason to just call you out casually."

What kind of work could I possibly have? Akira Kurusu, whose main business was with record companies, looked slightly confused... He remembered that his contract at the time didn't include any entertainment-related arrangements.

Unexpectedly, Yoshizawa actually pushed open an office door and invited Akira Kurusu inside.

He gestured for Lai Qixiao to sit down, then took out a tablet computer from the drawer and picked up his phone to make a call.

"Iwai, come to my office right away."

Just as Akira was pondering the other person's thoughts, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Munehisa Iwai pushed open the door and entered. "Excuse me!"

Fangze shook his head, simply turned on the tablet in his hand, and brought up a video—

That was the End Band's first performance.

Because the footage was taken by a passerby with their mobile phone, the camera was shaky, and the background was filled with various chaotic noises. The sound of the performance also sounded particularly distorted due to the limitations of the equipment.

Yoshizawa asked Iwai Munehisa, "Your only artist right now has formed his own band, even put on shows and released new songs... You really don't know anything about this."

While he was verbally reprimanding Akira's manager, he was also giving Akira a rather intriguing look.

The meaning is clear: "Tonight, at least until I get off work... you're not going to be able to get back to that restaurant."

Akira Kurusu made a token expression of resistance, but her bottom was firmly nailed to the bench.

Faced with his superior's reprimand, Munehisa Iwai remained relaxed and indifferent, saying, "According to the 'Most Promising Newcomer Contract' he signed, I don't have much right to interfere in his life."

Fangze laughed in exasperation, "So what have you been doing for him all this time?"

"I negotiated a series of business collaborations with DB Bunko on his behalf, focusing on his light novels."

"Light novel?" Yoshizawa thought he had misheard.

"Oh yeah, this guy wrote a light novel with an isekai (another world) theme under the pen name 'Kurasu Akatsuki'."

Is "Kurasu Akira" a stage name he chose for himself?

"Yes." Munehisa Iwai nodded repeatedly.

Unexpectedly, Fang Ze on the other end of the line flew into a rage. "He's even thought of a stage name for his debut as a band member, but what about his albums? Didn't he write several songs?! Could it be that he's published a light novel he wrote in his spare time, but he's just hanging his name in our agency and collecting a base salary every day? Do you really think that contract is so easy to sign? Every penny of his base salary is deducted from your paycheck!"

Hearing this stern warning, Iwai Munehisa stood ramrod straight, abandoning his joking thoughts. "Regarding this, I actually inquired with Master Meguro..."

"Does Master Meguro have any thoughts?"

"Master Meguro suggested that we give him more autonomy."

"Autonomy?"

“Yes, he has a band, so let them figure out the album themselves... We are only responsible for the production of the record and planning various activities around the band,” Iwai Munehisa said, his expression becoming somewhat troubled. “But ‘End Band’ seems to be a completely amateur band that is just doing it out of interest, and they don’t have any intention of becoming professional at all.”

Then Yoshizawa looked at Akira Kurusu and asked, "Is that how it is?"

Akira Kurusu looked up at the ceiling for a while, "Mr. Iwai is right."

Fangze put aside her personal prejudices and earnestly advised him from the firm's perspective, "You should know that with your current financial situation, you have to take the professional route, right?"

"Ah... that's how it is." Akira Kurusu sat up straight, listening attentively to the method of getting rich that the other party was about to impart.

Fangze tapped the table. "I have three options for you."

"The first option is to persuade your current band members to change the band's development goal to long-term professionalization... Is that even possible?"

“No way.” Akira Kurusu thought of the rather complicated backgrounds and purposes of the various girls in the band, as well as the band’s only year left, and could only shake her head.

"The second option is for you to quit your current band and find a suitable professional band to join."

“This is not appropriate.” Akira Kurusu’s schedule has been very tight lately, making it impossible for her to join a professional band, rehearse every day, or travel around Tokyo performing.

Fangze could only sigh, "Then, only the last option remains."

Lai Xixiao straightened her posture and said, "Please go ahead."

“I’ve heard Master Meguro say that your musical talent is very unique, even inexplicably amazing… You can play a piece perfectly and fluently even if it’s the first time you’ve heard it.”

"You flatter me."

Yoshizawa's eye twitched slightly. He rubbed his slightly itchy wrist and asked Akira Kurusu across from him, "Do you know what 'flying knife' is? This special term refers to the act of an outstanding doctor using various means of transportation during his rest time to go to other hospitals to perform surgery at their invitation. It is often a 'rescue' operation and has a heroic connotation."

He stared intently at the young man in front of him. “Since you have talent and ability, then go and become a ‘hero of rock and roll.’ There will always be bands that are in trouble and need someone to step in and save them during a performance… After that, you can take advantage of the situation and invite them, as professionals, to work with you on a record production… This kind of persona and experience will undoubtedly generate a lot of buzz and will bring a very high level of support to your albums. Your development direction should lean more towards being a solo artist.”

"So here's the problem: how do I find bands in trouble?" Akira Kurusu frowned. "Will a band with members all having troubled families, even full of emotional conflicts, and with considerable online buzz just fall from the sky and be waiting for me to save the day?"

The little bit of enthusiasm that had finally risen in Fangze's heart also froze. "Think positively. Maybe it's a band with a delicate atmosphere and on the verge of collapse, like a socially awkward and introverted guitarist, a stressful keyboardist who ran away from home, or a bassist with both parents dead, waiting for your help."

“So this ‘Plan Three’ is completely unreliable.” Lai Xixiao scratched her messy hair. “Can I go home now? It’s almost nine o’clock, and I have to go to school tomorrow.”

At this point, Yoshizawa tried to persuade him to stay, saying, "Let's put the record and album matters aside for now... Iwai!"

He looked at Akira Kurusu's manager beside him and said, "Let's talk about the DB Bunko matter in more detail later."

Munehisa Iwai nodded, and then, at Mr. Yoshizawa's prompting, went over and locked the office door from the inside.

......

When Lai Qixiao returned to LeBron exhausted, it was already 10 p.m.

He truly hadn't expected that "Yoshizawa Kazuhiko" could be so ruthless as to drag a group of people into the firm and force them to work overtime without pay until the very end.

I see. I understand now that you want to protect your daughter's heart!

In return, I will definitely take the initiative to invite your daughters out on a date when I find the right opportunity!

The thief muttered to himself, then pulled the light cord, opened the refrigerator in the brightly lit kitchen, and took out two eggs to prepare a simple meal.

He hasn't had dinner yet...

At this point, Akira Kurusu couldn't help but start to miss the "cohabitation life" that Shoko Toyokawa had proposed.

It would be great if someone could help with the cooking.

The thief skillfully cracked the eggs and put them in a bowl for later use. He then took a dozen slices of bacon and put them in an oiled pan to fry until both sides were golden brown.

Eggs and bacon, plus some toast.

After finishing dinner, Akira Kurusu returned to the attic and began exercising.

I did three sets of planks and push-ups, then hurriedly ran to the bathroom to take a shower.

When Lai Xixiao changed into her pajamas and returned to the attic, she heard her phone ringing for a long time. It turned out to be a video call from Jing Qinrencai.

"What is it?" Lai Qixiao answered the video call. Looking at the girl on the screen, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed in short sleeves and shorts without any worries, looking even more petite and cute, she felt that the girl's guard against her had completely dropped to "0".

"Although Amamiya comforted me several times after school, I'm still worried about tomorrow's exam..." said Serina, somewhat troubled.

"You can just say you have insomnia."

"Oh... I have insomnia."

"Are you going to listen to my bedtime story?" Akira Kurusu asked in a tone that sounded like she was coaxing a child.

Jing Qinrencai was a little angry, "I'm not a child!"

"Then lie down first, and speak softly so as not to disturb Mr. Sakura's rest," Akira Kurusu said. The girl on the screen nodded in agreement and then obediently did as she was told.

Accompanied by a rustling sound, the image on the phone screen also began to spin and change.

Finally, it landed on the girl's pillow, and you could clearly see her bright, azure eyes and her thin, pearly lips... When she opened and closed her mouth, she made a very cute, deliberately low sound, like the whispered secrets between lovers.

"I can't sleep..." There was a hint of grievance in Serina's voice. She almost instinctively acted coquettishly towards Akira Kurusu—perhaps because she had always lacked someone to rely on without worrying about the consequences, someone she could act coquettishly towards as much as possible. So she always subconsciously showed a very soft side when she was alone with Akira Kurusu.

Akira Kurusu sat on the bed. "Are you worried about doing poorly on the exam?"

"Ah."

"You did very poorly on the last test, so this time it's an improvement no matter what, so please go to sleep without worry."

Upon receiving such a cruel answer, Iori Rina's eyes widened instantly. "Hey!"

"Keep your voice down," Lai Qixiao reminded him promptly.

"Mmm..." Jingqin Rencai, who had wanted to argue with him, obediently covered her mouth to show that she was listening.

Akira Lai said, “Since you can’t sleep, how about we memorize some English words? When I say a word, you say its meaning, and when I say the translation, you say the corresponding English word.”

Jing Qinren blinked. "Should I turn off the light?"

"Turn it off." Looking at her obedient appearance, Lai Xixiao felt a great sense of powerlessness... Was she too dependent on me? Was this really okay? ...Thoughts like these flashed through Lai Xixiao's mind.

Then he said, "Pneumoconiosis."

"Pneumoconiosis?" Jing Qinrencai lay in bed with the lights off, her eyes filled with confusion.

Why don't you pronounce the English words?

"This wasn't taught in English class."

“Okay, then I’ll teach you. I’ll say it once, and you can repeat it after me.” Lai Qixiao had specifically searched her memory for this “2019 world’s longest recognized English word,” which consists of a full 45 letters.

Jing Qinrencai obediently followed his instructions.

After several lessons, all that could be heard on the other end of the video call was the sound of even breathing.

After watching Ishigaki Rin's sleeping face for a while, Akira Laiqi hung up the video call and stretched while sitting on the edge of the bed.

Taking care of a child is exhausting.

He thought about it.

But now I finally understand why those elderly people who had families in their past lives complained endlessly about taking care of children, yet still did it with great pleasure.

Watching someone grow little by little brings a unique sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that is hard to describe in words.