Chapter 383: Chapter 105: Trip to Japan (2)

Adrian had made up his mind. Even though Sony had managed to seize an opportunity due to a moment of carelessness on his part, he would not change his stance, nor would he, unlike some other Americans, take advantage of them–which alone was quite commendable.

But then again, if he were to scheme against them, it would have to be done covertly, and in other fields. If it were in the film industry, it could tarnish his own reputation. It was precisely because Sony understood this that they tried every possible means to collaborate with him. Unfortunately, they were destined to be disappointed, Adrian thought, but would it really be so?

For the first few days, there wasn’t much going on; he just attended some receptions arranged by Sugigi, which included some big names from the entertainment industry and heads of consortiums. They were purely Western-style receptions, no different from those in the United States, something the Japanese had thoroughly adopted. Adrian wanted to try the Japanese style, but he refrained due to his unfamiliarity with the specific rituals and taboos.

There wasn’t much to talk about between them; it mainly consisted of mutual introductions and compliments. Since Adrian was not only the chairman of AC Media but also a major Hollywood director, he didn’t worry about running out of topics; most people congratulated him on his latest Oscar nomination for Best Director.

Armed with comprehensive materials prepared by Sugigi, Adrian had no trouble responding–except that the English proficiency of these Japanese was far worse than Sugigi’s. Modern Japanese itself was a product of Japan’s departure from Asia to join Europe, with many syllables evolved from English. This meant that once mispronounced, it could sound almost right yet completely wrong, thus confusing what the other person was trying to say.

Many had strong accents, so Adrian had to guess and infer to understand their meanings–well, at least it was easier than guessing plots of Japanese dramas. Even so, Adrian maintained a well-mannered smile, even though sometimes he couldn’t understand a word. Sometimes, he wanted to say in Chinese, “Can we communicate in Chinese?” just to see their shocked expressions, but that was just a fleeting thought.

In addition to these activities, he also visited numerous film and television production companies, touring a great number of them without remembering a single name; he was just going through the motions. But these places were unavoidable visits under the guise of scouting the Japanese market. The only moment he perked up was when he finally met Mikami Shinji at Capcom.

Mikami looked ordinary, slightly gaunt, just like an average Japanese. Without the classic game “Resident Evil,” although he did fairly well at Capcom, he was stuck in a middling position–always buried without opportunity, as it often happens everywhere.

Since he had come here specially, Adrian felt no guilt; he even maliciously asked Mikami about his opinions on “Resident Evil.”

“It’s a puzzle adventure game with quite a novel concept, particularly the fixed scene transitions, which deeply capture the players’ fear that monsters might approach from blind spots,” Mikami Shinji, although confused by why Adrian would ask him instead of many other developers, responded honestly. He added, “We had a similar concept before, very close, but it was rejected.”

“How can you talk like that, Mikami!” the Capcom department manager who accompanied Adrian immediately disapproved, visibly upset.

Adrian quickly smoothed things over; with him there, the manager didn’t say much else, just glared fiercely at Mikami. Although Adrian didn’t know the details of the internal disputes at Capcom, it was evident that it had something to do with Mikami Shinji, especially combined with his rather defiant remark. Moreover, considering the past attempt by a Japanese person to acquire the game adaptation rights for the “Resident Evil” novel, Adrian could guess a bit.

He wasn’t troubled by it at all–it was exactly what he wanted to see, wasn’t it? Even then, he was thinking about how else he could tease the Japanese besides managing the matters he had come for.

After various visits wrapped up, Adrian naturally planned to sightsee around Japan. Dennis, that guy, had disappeared without a trace after attending a reception with him.

“I can’t be of any help to you anyway,” he had said.

In that case, why don’t you just go on a trip alone? Why bother coming to Japan with me?” Adrian thought, feeling a mix of amusement and bafflement. But that was okay; he hadn’t planned on traveling with him anyway. Dennis was also fairly well-known in Japan, after all, this was one of Hollywood’s largest overseas markets, and many somewhat washed-up American actors could land decent advertising deals here. If two grown men toured around and got recognized, it would be troublesome if those with a penchant for gossip made a fuss. So, it was better for him to explore alone.

Then, Adrian experienced Sony’s tactics.

“Mr. Adrian, since it’s your first visit to Japan, you must be unfamiliar with many places, so I’ve arranged a guide for you, who I believe you will find satisfactory,” Sugigi said, bringing a young woman to the hotel.

The young woman was around 24 years old, with delicate features that carried the soft beauty typical to Asians. Her black hair, cut just at shoulder length, complemented her beige coat, dark undergarment, white knee-length skirt, flesh-colored stockings, and white high heels. Sitting around 5 feet 3 inches tall, she sat with her legs slightly askew, squeezed tightly together, her hands resting on her thighs, exuding an air of properness and gentleness.

After Sugigi introduced her, she quickly stood up and bowed deeply, “Hello, Mr. Adrian, I am Takako Tokiwa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

———————————

“The exact time was around the sixteenth century, built by Minister of State Toyotomi Hideyoshi…” Inside the Castle Tower of Osaka Castle, Takako Tokiwa, who was accompanying Adrian, explained the ancient architecture.

“Although I’m not well-versed in Japan’s history, I’ve heard that this Minister of State started from very humble beginnings and made his way to the top through sheer perseverance and quite a bit of luck. It’s quite an inspiring story,” Adrian continued, following her lead.

“According to folklore, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s mother conceived him after dreaming of the sun god, so even from humble beginnings, he eventually became the Shogun,” Tokiwa added with a smile.

“Is that so?” Adrian suddenly laughed, “It seems the sun god couldn’t compete with the Sixth Heaven Demon King, Oda Nobunaga. If it weren’t for the Incident at Honnoji, Toyotomi Hideyoshi might never have had a chance to unify Japan.”

Takako Tokiwa couldn’t help but show a surprised expression, “Mr. Adrian, you are quite modest. Knowing about Oda Nobunaga and the Incident at Honnoji means you are not that unfamiliar.”

“I just happen to know a bit about this period of Warring States history,” Adrian shrugged, most of his knowledge probably coming from those video games; otherwise, who would be interested in learning about hundreds of people engaging in warfare?

He was quite pleased with Tokiwa’s reaction. Although half of her surprise was feigned, her expression was still very cute and pretty–there was indeed a unique charm to Asian women.

Changing the subject, he probed, “By the way, Miss Tokiwa, have we met before?”

“Yes, that day at the television station, I saw Mr. Adrian from a distance,” Takako Tokiwa maintained her smile. “I’m actually an actress and have played roles in a few TV dramas. Because I am fluent in English and worked as a tour guide during summer breaks while in school, I was recommended to serve Mr. Adrian.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, I remember now. The night I arrived in Tokyo, due to jet lag, I turned on the TV and saw you in a show. Although I don’t speak much Japanese, I couldn’t remember the name of the show; I think it was a romance, so that’s why I took an extra look at you at the TV station,” Adrian said, as if he’d just realized.

Then his interest piqued, “What made you decide to become my guide?”

“Mr. Adrian is a well-known person, and since your visit to Japan wasn’t publicized to avoid media attention–all that was shared by Sugigi-kun. For me, it’s an honor to serve Mr. Adrian. Last year’s ‘Forrest Gump’ was very touching,” Takako Tokiwa replied appropriately, her gentle demeanour never wavering.

“Thank you,” Adrian raised his eyebrows, smiling noncommittally.

After spending a day in Osaka, they stayed the night at a traditional Japanese inn near Wakayama. Although it was somewhat secluded, the inn was quite successful. Wakayama’s open-air hot springs were famous, drawing many visitors during autumn and winter.

To the Japanese, soaking in hot springs during a vacation in their own country was of utmost importance. Perhaps because of the active geological plates, Japan had many hot springs, and the Japanese loved bathing in them.

“Indeed not bad.” Leaning against the wall of the pool made especially with stones, Adrian wiped his face and exhaled deeply.

It was a room decorated in an ancient style, with Japanese charm visible everywhere. There was even a small waterwheel device nearby, where the bamboo tubes occasionally shifted up and down with the flow of water. Setting a wooden tray on the stone with a Japanese long-neck bottle and two cups added a unique flavor, though unfortunately, it was not outdoors.

It was winter, and the outdoor hot springs near Wakayama had been booked early. Adrian did not mind, so he casually chose one. Although he had experienced hot springs in Europe, the Japanese style seemed more atmospheric, perhaps because hot springs had become part of the lives of the Japanese, even a culture?

With a soft sound, the Japanese-style sliding door of the hot spring room was opened, and a petite, slender figure appeared at the doorway.

Although he had anticipated it, Adrian was still slightly surprised when he saw her clearly. Takako Tokiwa was actually wearing a kimono, which accentuated her delicate figure tastily.

She walked to the poolside with a clatter in her wooden clogs and then performed a 90-degree bow, “If Mr. Adrian does not mind, I know a bit of massage techniques that can help relieve your fatigue.”

Although her delicate face still bore a gentle smile, Adrian, who was experienced with women, caught a trace of confusion in the depths of her eyes, but he merely said simply, “Then let’s try it.”

Takako Tokiwa then knelt behind him and started massaging his shoulders back and forth with her hands. Although her technique was somewhat unskilled, the enjoyment at that moment was not merely from the massage, was it? Moreover, her soft breasts occasionally brushed against the back of his head, further confirming Adrian’s guess.

“What about my back and waist?” After Tokiwa had made another round from head to neck to shoulders, Adrian suddenly asked.

She hesitated, a shy blush flashing across her cheeks, but it soon disappeared, and she silently stood up and walked to one side, starting to undress in front of Adrian. Her kimono was not tied too tightly, and she wore nothing underneath, quickly revealing her pale body unreservedly before his eyes, even though Tokiwa had some common flaws of Japanese women, such as slightly thick calves, she was still very tempting at that moment.

She stepped into the warm water and came in front of Adrian, beginning to massage his back as soon as he turned around. Although Tokiwa continuously took deep breaths, her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her inner feelings.

Interesting, very interesting, Sony probably didn’t expect this, Adrian thought to himself with a soft chuckle, enjoying the touch on his back while glancing at Tokiwa behind him from the corner of his eye. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand, turned around, and pulled her into his arms, then clenched her waist.

“Gomen nasai!” Caught off guard, Tokiwa instinctively exclaimed in Japanese.

“What’s wrong?” Adrian, familiar with this phrase, immediately stopped, looking at the woman in his arms with interest.

“No… nothing… just a bit nervous…” Tokiwa stammered, “Just… a bit nervous…”

“Oh?” Adrian laughed softly, kissing her cheek, the tip of her nose, her eyebrow, and her earlobe gently.

Under his teasing, Tokiwa, with her eyes closed, soon hummed softly, and her tense body began to heat up and soften.

“Tell me, what did that phrase mean just now?” After kissing her earlobe again, Adrian whispered hot breath into her ear as he asked.

“No… Nothing…” Tokiwa’s blush deepened considerably, “That was just… a… an exclamation, somewhat similar to… similar to ‘ah’ like that… like that…”

“Very well,” a smile emerged on Adrian’s lips, “Next, I want you to shout that word louder.”

“Why… why?” Tokiwa, unconsciously winding around his body, stuttered her question.

“Because I want to hear it.”

“Mr. Adrian… please…”

“Call out now!”

“Please…”

“I command you to shout!”

“Ya… Yameniayo… Yameniayo…”

In the hot spring, with Tokiwa’s intermittent cries that sounded like both laughing and crying, bursts of vigorous splashes welled up.

When it was slightly bright, Adrian who lay on the tatami awoke, still somewhat unaccustomed to sleeping on the ground. Looking at the woman still curled up in his arms, his hand involuntarily roamed under the blanket on her torso once more, without worrying about waking her. Last night, Tokiwa ended up nearly passing out like a mud doll exhausted by him; knowing that even Monica and Julia together, when matched against him, had fled in utter disarray, and he was still left with energy to spare, let alone a mere Japanese woman.

However, it’s worth mentioning that, comparatively, Japanese women were indeed more submissive, basically letting him do as he pleased. Although most of the women around him were like this, even Sarah had dared to counter him at the beginning, and it was not without effort that he managed to dominate her, unlike Tokiwa who was completely obedient from the start.

Of course, this doesn’t mean he would increase his collection of Japanese “collectibles”, these women were just for fun and not to let down the goodwill of Sony.

With that thought, Adrian couldn’t help but admire Sony for really being willing to spend the money; although his memory bank had little information about Japan, he still remembered that Tokiwa had likely won the “Best Actress Award” at the Japan Drama Academy Award in ’95, and was the drama queen of the mid to late ’90s. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have noticed her during a visit to a TV station and even asked a few questions about her.

Clearly, Sony knew his tastes intimately, aware that the title of ‘Playboy’ was indeed fitting for him. Since they knew he had a woman he was interested in, they let her come to serve him.

“Hmm?” Tokiwa’s eyelashes fluttered, and she suddenly half-opened her eyes, still seemingly sleepy.

“Sorry, I woke you up.” Adrian said with an apologetic smile.

It’s obvious she had been receiving training from Sony these past few days, “Working as a tour guide during summer vacation while in school” was clearly untrustable. But most importantly, as a fresh face who had won the “Best Actress Award” at the Japan Drama Academy Awards, and seemed to have no relation to Sony at her firm, yet was able to come to serve Adrian at Sony’s request, he couldn’t help but express that kind of admiration. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)