Chapter 384: Chapter 106: Trip to Japan (3)

The fact that Sony went to such lengths indicated not only their eagerness to pull Columbia Pictures out of its current predicament but also the extent of Adrian’s influence. Without the dazzling halo he had crafted for himself, why would Sony go out of its way to please him?

However, on the other hand, such endeavors were not too challenging for Sony. The financial cliques in Japan were interwoven with extreme complexity, with a degree of interconnectedness that surpassed that of the United States. There was still friction and strife between the US East and West coasts, and manufacturers and arms dealers each had their own interests to lobby for in Congress, while Japan was more like a loosely bound iron plate, with the Prime Minister’s position consistently in the hands of the Liberal Democratic Party.

So, even for a rising star like Takako Tokiwa, let alone if Adrian took an interest in popular actresses such as Nakayama Miho, Kudo Shizuka, or Miyazawa Rie, they would find ways to present them before him. Despite being highly popular stars and even national idols, these women had little choice in a society that still upheld a strong tradition of male superiority over female inferiority.

The entertainment industry in Japan and the rest of East Asia was different from the West. Americans and Europeans valued consensual relations and dignity; using force or overly apparent coercion was not only disgraceful but also unnecessary, as the body was considered part of one’s capital. But in East Asia, the powerful dictated terms to women, with South Korea especially notorious in this regard, and any exposure of such incidents always resulted in women facing greater public scrutiny than men.

Alright, enough about that. In any case, as long as Adrian hinted at a willingness to collaborate, they were ready to satisfy any of his interests. The only unlikely possibility was Namie Amuro — not because she had a strong personality or powerful backing, but because Avex was a rising company currently at odds with Sony Records.

Therefore, in the days that followed, Adrian toured Japan’s sights while thoroughly enjoying the attentions of Takako Tokiwa. It had to be admitted that Japanese women truly knew how to serve men; they were like putty, easily molded into any shape, and their relatively petite figures easily invoked a desire for domination.

However, play was play, and one still needed to take care when needed; women were not mere products after all, and while Adrian wasn’t into S&M like Madonna, he still provided the respect due.

“Mr. Adrian is a very gentle man,” Takako Tokiwa said more than once, her smile much brighter than on the first day, which had mostly been feigned.

Having accepted her favor, it was only right to show some appreciation. Adrian entrusted his main reason for visiting Japan to Sugigi Takuya.

“While I was browsing a bookstore, Miss Tokiwa recommended an excellent horror thriller to me. Although I have a limited understanding of Japanese culture, I find these atmospherically crafted Japanese horror tales to have a unique flair. In fact, after visiting some shrines and hearing numerous ghost stories under Miss Tokiwa’s guidance, I’ve already begun to form some preliminary ideas,” Adrian said over the phone.

“Do you mean to say you want to acquire the film adaptation rights to this novel?” Sugigi asked cautiously.

“Yes, but not now. Now is not the optimal time. I want the movie rights for at least a ten-year period. As for the present, I have other plans,” Adrian hinted.

“I understand,” Sugigi, as a smart man, instantly grasped the implications of Adrian’s words and excitedly agreed on the spot.

“In that case, I will have Sam contact you as soon as possible,” Adrian said before hanging up the phone. He then paused before walking over to the floor-to-ceiling windows to view the city’s nighttime landscape.

A gentle sound came from behind him. Turning around, he saw Takako Tokiwa, already changed into a kimono, shyly approaching with small, hesitant steps. She then bowed deeply. Unlike traditional kimonos, this one was a modified, sexy version, revealing her pale neck and delicate collarbone, with cleavage in clear view as she bowed and a high slit that could expose her thighs with a simple movement.

Adrian immediately embraced her into his arms, laying her down on the glass bed behind them, and began to knead her chest. Tokiwa emitted soft moans, her eyes half-closed. As Adrian’s hands moved, she grew increasingly passionate, clearly yearning for further violation. It was no wonder that she always played vulnerable characters in dramas.

She was so submissive before his eyes, making Adrian sigh once more, as he recalled having her dress up in the innocent fashion from “Tell Me You Love Me.” Those guys at Sony really knew how to scratch his itch; the decision not to get involved had barely held for a few days before he had to go back on his word. From this perspective, their intelligence-gathering capabilities were truly no joke.

That’s just the way with the Japanese, always able to perfect the details, yet lacking a sense of the bigger picture. The most classic example would be their exuberant checkbook-waving buying spree in the United States during the ’80s. If they had only kept a lower profile, even if the Americans wanted to “slaughter the pig,” they would have needed to put in much more effort and couldn’t have done it so swiftly. Instead, the Plaza Accord set them back a decade instantaneously.

To speak frankly, after having his way with Takako Tokiwa for a few days, Adrian really was tempted to taste the likes of Kudo Shizuka, Miyazawa Rie, or Sakai Noriko–the latter, despite later controversies, was still on the table for the time being. But the issue was that for all the advantages he took from them, a corresponding return was naturally expected. Giving a bit of ground to Sony was fine for now, but if Marvel successfully landed in his pocket, Sony-Columbia would lose its last chance to rally. Therefore, accepting Takako Tokiwa wasn’t out of the question.

But if he really indulged himself with those female actresses who were “national idols” in Japan, like Nakayama Miho or, a few years later, Takako Tokiwa, how could he not offer something substantial in return? Of course, if Adrian were a little thicker-skinned and darker-hearted, he could take what he wanted and then double-cross them as he pleased–it was, after all, a given for Americans to betray their own, and at most, it would provoke Sony’s enmity. However, he would inevitably face plenty of behind-the-scenes chatter, and his original halo would be tarnished. Hence, such character-damaging actions were best avoided.

Soon enough, reality proved his considerations correct. After communicating his stance in a phone call with Sugigi, the man’s enthusiasm redoubled. He then invited Adrian to a private restaurant to sample Japan’s most famed dish–female body serving, a method of consumption featuring meals displayed on the naked bodies of young women, a concept likely conceived only by the Japanese.

Had it simply been using the body of a naked girl to present food, it would have been one thing. But if the girl’s name was Nakama Yukie, that was a whole other story.

Honestly, when Adrian saw the naked girl lying on the table with her eyes closed, his heart gave a small startle. He had seen the very young Yukie during previous visits to such companies and, though unfamiliar with the Japanese entertainment industry, he retained memories of the drama queens from the ’90s to the early 21st century.

He’d never expected that a curious glance and a name never asked would be noted by the accompanying folks, and after getting the answers they wanted, to roll her out in such a manner. They were indeed very shrewd.

“Thank you for the hospitality, Mr. Fujisawa. Tonight has really been an eye-opener,” Adrian said to Fujisawa, the host, as he left after dinner.

“It is an honor to share a meal with such a promising young man as yourself, Mr. Adrian,” said Fujisawa, appearing to be in his early fifties and one of Sony’s senior executives, with a beaming smile, “I hope you enjoyed tonight’s dinner.”

His English was thick with an accent, and without Sugigi translating at his side, Adrian would have had quite the difficulty understanding.

“Indeed, it made a lasting impression and enhanced my understanding of Japanese culture,” Adrian said while maintaining a smile. Honestly, he didn’t eat much for dinner; he wouldn’t have minded indulging in a one-on-one private setting, but surrounded by several people, picking up the chopsticks now and then was mostly out of politeness and curiosity.

“Well, I won’t keep you any longer. I wish you a pleasant evening,” the man said with a meaningful smile before getting into his own car.

Before Adrian could reflect, Sugigi’s words grabbed his attention, “Mr. Adrian, we’ve had preliminary discussions with them, and he’d like to meet you.”

“Meet with me?” Adrian raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Yes, Mr. Suzuki would like to speak with you,” Sugigi nodded, still wearing a humble smile, “Please, understand an author’s affection for their work; this novel is also one of our cultural treasures.”

One of their cultural treasures? Adrian chuckled inwardly but did not show it: “No problem, you can arrange it now. I won’t be in Japan for long.”

“Hi,” Sugigi nodded more forcefully.

Trying to charge an exorbitant price? Not necessarily, judging by their performance tonight, they had already received his promise and definitely wouldn’t do something as redundant as that. They must be seeking recognition… On the way back to the hotel, Adrian pondered the meaning behind Sugigi’s words. In the end, he shook his head and tossed the thoughts aside–it didn’t matter if he couldn’t get his hands on it.

“Tokiwa, are you there?” Back in the hotel suite, Adrian called out a few times but saw no one; it seemed Takako Tokiwa wasn’t there.

She was probably out shopping. Adrian didn’t mind and started nibbling on some pastries he grabbed from the cabinet. Although he had been taking her everywhere these past few days, Female Body Serving was different; it wasn’t an event for women to attend, so he had left Tokiwa at the hotel today.

He rested for a moment and mulled over some matters. Looking at the time, it was almost ten o’clock, yet Takako Tokiwa still hadn’t returned. Adrian frowned, and before he could take any action, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

“Who is it?” he asked in a calm tone. There was no answer, and a few seconds later, the knocking came again.

Adrian raised his eyebrows, about to refuse, but then he realized something. He quickly went to the door and peered through the peephole, a slight, undefined smile slipping across his lips.

“What can I do for you, miss?” He opened the door, looking interestedly at the young girl in front of him. Her long black hair fell like a waterfall, and she wore a navy and white sailor uniform. That’s right, it was the type of female school uniform from Japan, which made her look especially innocent.

The girl outside the door went through a brief moment of panic, bit her lip, and then bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle: “Hello, Mr. Adrian, my name is Nakama Yukie, I am… I am… from earlier…”

Her English wasn’t fluent, but at least there was no accent. However, she started to stutter, and her pure face flushed a bright red.

The “serving ware” from earlier, right? Adrian finished the sentence in his mind. No wonder Takako Tokiwa wasn’t in the room–he had new entertainment for the night. She obviously told Sugigi and the others about his little hobby, otherwise Nakama Yukie wouldn’t have shown up like this.

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside.

Seeing that Adrian didn’t make her say that word, Yukie slightly relaxed and entered the room with her head bowed.

“So, what can I do for you?” After pouring a glass of water for the young girl, Adrian immediately asked.

Her body froze, holding the cup of water on her thighs, her head bowed even more. Seeing her like this, Adrian couldn’t help laughing, deliberately bringing up the matter from earlier: “Sorry, it was almost impossible to recognize you with clothes on. I apologize for the discourtesy earlier. You understand, as a Westerner, I rarely use chopsticks. Though I’m quite good with them, it’s inevitable to pick the wrong spot under such circumstances.”

Although Nakama Yukie had her head down, it was clear to see her blush spread to her neck. However, this seemed to calm her down, and after Adrian finished speaking, the young girl looked up at him, then got up and knelt in front of him, laying her whole body down: “I am here to serve you, Mr. Adrian.”

Well… that’s pretty direct. Adrian raised an eyebrow, but since things had come to this, and Fujisawa had even wished him a pleasant evening, there was no reason to turn it down, was there?

Plus, recalling some scenes from the meal earlier, he promptly sat down on the bed: “So, what can you do?”

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“Because Japan’s, or rather the whole of East Asia’s horror culture is different from that of the United States and Europe, Mr. Suzuki. For Asians, the more terrifying horror movies are those that suggest danger could spring from any unknown corner, evoking an intense internal shock; whereas for European and American audiences, the most terrifying scenes are those where monsters devour people, with blood and flesh flying everywhere–they don’t have the patience for danger that torments without showing itself,” Adrian said to a slightly overweight middle-aged Japanese man sitting in a coffee shop’s private room, with Sugigi Takuya and Sam Wood seated beside him.

The middle-aged man, enraptured and nodding in agreement, was none other than the author of “The Ring”, hailed as a “pyramid of horror novels”–Koji Suzuki! What Adrian wanted were the film rights to “The Ring”. Pressured by Hollywood, Japan’s movies had always only been popular domestically, and “The Ring” along with “Ju-on” were probably their only works with international fame, which only came about after the United States remade them.

What Adrian needed to do was to eliminate the remaking process and tell the Japanese that without him turning it into a movie, their stuff simply couldn’t make it to the big stage.

“So does Mr. Adrian believe that when audiences are used to, or even tired of, one style, suddenly switching to a different style would be very interesting to them, which is why he wants to buy the adaptation rights to my novel?” After Adrian finished speaking, Koji Suzuki quickly added.

“Yes,” Adrian nodded in affirmation, “Although, that’s why I’ve been paying attention to this stuff, visiting quite a few shrines in Japan during this time and listening to many related ghost stories. I even have a rough outline in mind, sadly I’m not Japanese and can’t produce that kind of flavor.”

As he spoke, he gestured to Sam, who immediately took several documents from his briefcase and handed them to Suzuki.

“I hope to find a Japanese writer to turn this outline into a novel or a screenplay,” Adrian said.

After Suzuki took it and glanced over, he showed a look of surprise: “Is this truly Mr. Adrian’s outline? Inconceivable!”

“It’s just an outline, many things are essentially the same, but making it complete is not that easy,” Adrian said with a smile.

“You’re too modest. For a foreigner like you to understand so much is already very remarkable,” Suzuki said admiringly, then handed the manuscript over to Sugigi.

Admiration aside, he did not show much interest, after all, he was essentially a science fiction writer, as could be seen from the so-called scientific explanations in “The Ring”, so he definitely wouldn’t care much for a pure ghost story.

“I am flattered to have caught the interest of the Miracle Director, but…” Suzuki pondered for a moment, “isn’t a ten-year term a bit too long?”

“Because they haven’t grown tired of it yet, and they might never tire,” Adrian said leisurely, “After all, some opinions are so deeply engrained they cannot be changed. A hint of a breeze will always be just that–a hint. So we must introduce this change when people need it the most, and now is not the best time.”

As he spoke, he sat up straight, looking down at the other party with a superior gaze: “You know, in doing anything, if you want to make money, market research is always essential, and our market research has always been done well, so I can grasp the audience’s taste very well. To get them to accept this style of Japanese film, it may take a few more years.”

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on wuxiaworld.site with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)