MMB Chapter 181 The Invisible Vow, the Visible Flower of Evil
Chapter 181 The Invisible Vow, the Visible Flower of Evil
Chapter 181 The Invisible Vow, the Visible Flower of Evil
1993 October.
Tokyo, Roppongi, TV Asahi.
At the live broadcast of the hit music program "MusicStation," the air was filled with a suffocating sense of anticipation.
"Tonight's grand finale is a surprise debut at number one on this week's Oricon chart, and also the most unexpected dream collaboration in the history of the Heisei era music scene."
The host, Tamori, adjusted his sunglasses, his voice unusually tinged with barely concealed excitement, and he even gripped the microphone tighter: "Let's welcome—ZARD and Akina Nakamori!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the studio lights suddenly went out.
The stage was decorated to resemble a deep starry sky, with countless blue spotlights intertwining to create a vast and tranquil atmosphere.
Two figures slowly walked out under the spotlight.
On the left, Izumi Sakai wore a crisp white silk shirt and light blue jeans, her signature high ponytail tied back. Standing there, she was like the coolest breeze on a summer day—clean, clear, and untouched by any dust.
On the right, Akina Nakamori wore a black velvet dress, her long hair styled in soft curls and casually draped over her shoulders.
Her makeup was exquisite and aloof, her eyes deep and unfathomable, like a black rose blooming alone in the night.
One white, one black; one light, one shadow.
Two completely different extreme aesthetics miraculously merged into one picture at this moment.
The prelude begins.
It wasn't the upbeat rock that ZARD usually played, nor was it the melancholic Showa-era love songs like those by Akina, but rather a melodious, grand, yet resolute piano and electric guitar concerto.
The Invisible Vow.
The song caused a social sensation upon its release. The outside world speculated about its background, with some music critics even analyzing it as a cry to the times. But no one knew that the lyrics were written by two women late one night, while drinking red wine and talking about the same man.
This isn't a commercial single; it's a love letter that only that man can understand.
"On that desolate ruin, you built a towering tower all by yourself—"
The spring water spoke first. Her voice was clear and penetrating, like the first ray of dawn piercing through the darkness.
Every word in the lyrics sings of that figure who fights alone in the arena of fame and fortune, building an empire.
"I hear the wind weeping, and I see the scars beneath your mask—"
Then, Akina took over the next line. Her voice was low and husky, with her signature "Akina vibrato," like an echo from the abyss, gently enveloping everything. What she sang was the man's unknown vulnerability and loneliness.
Then, the chorus began.
Their voices blended perfectly at that moment.
The spring water's high notes are as soaring and clear as a bird, carrying unwavering support; Akina's mid and low notes are as deep and affectionate as the earth, carrying a gentle embrace that encompasses everything.
There was no stealing of the spotlight, and no showing off of skills.
Their voices intertwined and supported each other, forming a dreamlike harmony, as if they were proclaiming the same vow: "No matter how the world changes, no matter where you go."
"This unseen vow will forever protect you."
The audience held their breath, and many even forgot to wave their glow sticks.
They were awestruck by the harmony they had never heard before. It was not just a pinnacle of technique, but a resonance of emotion.
They couldn't understand why a new song could be sung so emotionally, as if the two singers were looking through the camera at someone distant and important.
The song ended.
The lingering sound echoed.
Izumi and Akina put down their microphones at the same time. They turned their heads and looked at each other across the stage.
Akina's lips curled into a lazy, satisfied smile, while Izumi's eyes sparkled with a gentle light.
No words were needed; the secret hidden in their eyes was known only to them.
The next second, thunderous applause erupted, almost lifting the roof off the studio.
In Kanagawa, at the site of an abandoned chemical plant, the film crew is shooting the climax of the first episode of "Flowers of Evil".
This is a true ruin, cold and damp, with the air filled with the rust and oil smells of old machinery.
"All departments, prepare! Action!"
'
As soon as the clapperboard fell, Rie Miyazawa instantly got into character.
This scene is the ultimate display of the second female lead's "fall from grace." She originally had a bright future, but was pushed into the abyss by family misfortunes and her boyfriend's betrayal, and eventually became severely addicted to drugs.
In the lens.
The "national beauty" who used to smile so brightly on the posters is gone.
Instead, there was a trembling, madwoman huddled in a corner. Her hair was deliberately tousled, and her expensive trench coat was covered in mud. Due to drug withdrawal, her fingers were digging into the cement floor, her fingernails filled with black grime, and her knuckles white from the excessive force.
"Give me—please—give me some—"
She looked at the man (Nobu Kitahara) standing in the shadows, her voice hoarse and trembling with tears. The humility that emanated from her very bones was like that of a stray dog whose spine had been broken.
This is the result of special training.
She poured all the unbearable experiences she had gone through, the despair of being treated as a cash cow by her own mother, into this role.
The male lead, played by Shin Kitahara, is dressed in a sharp black trench coat and leather gloves, like a demon in the night. He looks down at her, his eyes devoid of any pity, only a cold scrutiny.
But he reached out his hand.
What she held in her hand was not salvation, but the "poison" she craved (which was also the chain that controlled her).
"Do you want to live?"
Kitahara Shin's voice was soft, yet possessed a seductive magic: "Then sell me your self-respect, your personality, and your soul."
Rie Miyazawa suddenly raised her head.
In that instant, the photographer captured a chilling change in expression.
The humility in her eyes vanished, replaced by a twisted frenzy. As if grasping at a straw, she scrambled forward and clung tightly to Kitahara Shin's leg, her face displaying an expression a mixture of snot, tears, and a bizarre smile.
Madness.
Utter madness.
"Cut! Perfect!"
Kitahara Shin's voice rang out, signaling a halt.
There was a full three seconds of silence, followed by thunderous applause. All the staff were stunned—this wasn't just a pretty face; she was practically possessed by a god of drama!
Rie Miyazawa was still slumped on the ground, panting heavily, her chest heaving violently.
Kitahara Shin walked over, unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it to her, then helped her up from the ground: "Well done. That leg-grabbing move you made just now was very powerful."
Rie took the water and gulped it down. Hearing the praise, she hastily wiped the tears and mud off her face with her sleeve. Although her makeup was ruined, her eyes were still sparkling.
She stuck her tongue out at Kitahara Shin, giving him a slightly smug look: "How about that? Didn't embarrass the president, did you? For a moment just now, I felt like a pervert."
"It's pretty perverted," Kitahara Shin chuckled. "But I like it."
Next up is Nanako Matsushima's scene.
The scene shifts to the interior of a pre-built luxury apartment.
Nanako's character, a female villain, is dealing with a "corpse" (prop).
She was wearing an expensive burgundy silk nightgown, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, and she was holding a glass of red wine in her hand.
There was no ferocious expression, no hysterical movements.
This is the terrifying aspect of the "simulation school." Nanako completely hypnotized herself into becoming that emotionless killer.
She stared silently at the "corpse" on the ground, her eyes empty and cold, as if it were not a person, but a bag of garbage that needed to be sorted.
"Clean it up properly. Don't get the carpet dirty."
She spoke into the phone in a tone as calm as if she were instructing a housekeeper to clean. Even after hanging up, she tidied her hair in front of the mirror, revealing a faint, elegant, yet chilling smile.
She portrayed the extreme contrast between innocence and cruelty to the fullest extent.
"Okay! This one's approved!"
Kitahara Shin looked at the monitor and nodded in satisfaction.
Filming ended, but he noticed that Nanako was still standing there, swirling an empty wine glass in her hand, her eyes still maintaining that chillingly cold look, as if she hadn't yet stepped out of character.
Kitahara Shin walked over.
"Nanako?" he called softly.
Nanako slowly turned her head.
For a fleeting moment, her eyes remained lifeless, devoid of any warmth, as if she were eyeing her next prey. That trained, murderous aura caused the surrounding staff to instinctively take a step back.
however.
When her gaze focused on Kitahara Shin's face and she realized it was "the teacher,"
It's like ice and snow meeting the warm sun.
That terrifying coldness melted away instantly, and the silly, naturally naive Nanako instantly returned.
"Ah! Teacher!"
She blinked, her coldness vanishing instantly, replaced by a defenseless, silly grin. She even leaned closer, almost boastfully, "How was it? Was that look scary? Wasn't I amazing?"
Seeing her adorable expression, begging for praise, Kitahara Shin couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her still slightly chubby cheeks: "Terrifying, very terrifying."
"Well done. You truly are worthy of being my student."
Hehe~
Nanako didn't flinch when her face was pinched; instead, she laughed even harder, her eyes curving into crescents.
In a corner of the film set.
Wearing a brand-new policewoman uniform, Matsu Takako was silently watching all of this while holding the script.
She's the female lead, although she doesn't have many scenes today; she mainly exists in the background.
But her heart was not at peace.
As a young lady from a Kabuki family, she had seen countless performances by famous actors since childhood. But today, witnessing firsthand the transformative changes that Rie Miyazawa and Nanako Matsushima, originally defined as "idols," under the tutelage of Shin Kitahara—
The impact was too strong.
"So this is what they call breaking down and reshaping?"
Matsu Takako looked at the man who was chatting and laughing with Nanako not far away, and her eyes showed a deep sense of awe.
He is like a skilled craftsman.
No matter what kind of rough stone it is, once it falls into his hands, even if he polishes it in the most brutal way, it will eventually shine with a dazzling light.
"What a terrifying and formidable person."
The girl sighed inwardly, her grip on the script tightening involuntarily.
It wasn't out of fear, but out of anticipation.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this "stone" will turn out under this man's lens.
8 PM.
After finishing filming, Kitahara Shin did not stay on set, but hurriedly returned to his apartment in Minato Ward.
Today is a special day.
The two women released a new song and specifically asked him to "inspect" it.
Back home, Kitahara Shin took off his coat and, instead of resting, went straight into the kitchen.
Heat a frying pan and add butter.
The top-quality Kobe beef sizzles on the teppanyaki grill, releasing the aroma of rosemary.
Kitahara Shin skillfully flipped the pancake, controlling the flame. Although he was usually busy with work, he still put a lot of thought into this crucial moment—
of.
"Ding-dong"
Doorbell rang.
Kitahara Shin turned off the stove, washed his hands, and went to open the door.
There were two people standing outside the door.
Spring water and vegetables.
The two were clearly dressed up carefully. Although they weren't wearing stage costumes, their casual outfits actually had more style. Izumi wore a beige trench coat, while Akina wore a dark blue knitted dress.
They were carrying a beautifully packaged CD case.
"It smells so good."
Akina sniffed, looking at Kitahara Shin, who was wearing an apron, with some surprise: "I never expected to be able to eat the food of our President Kitahara. It's truly an honor~"
"For the sake of these two songstresses, I must show off my skills."
Kitahara Shin stepped aside to let them in. "Please come in. The steak is freshly cooked; it'll be ready to eat after resting for a bit."
The three sat at the dining table.
The candlelight flickered, and the red wine was slightly intoxicating.
"Eat first. It won't taste good if it gets cold." Kitahara Shin poured them some red wine.
Quanshui cut a small piece of steak, put it in his mouth, and his eyes lit up slightly: "Delicious. Cooked just right."
Akina also took a bite, nodded, then put down her fork and exchanged a glance with Izumi.
"I believe in you."
Akina pushed the CD case in front of Kitahara Shin, "We know you may not have heard this song before, but we still want you to hear it."
"The Invisible Vow".
Kitahara Shin put down his wine glass and picked up the CD case.
The cover features a photo of the two standing back to back, with interplay of light and shadow creating a beautiful and profound effect.
"it is good."
He got up and put the CD into the speaker next to him.
The prelude begins.
Kitahara Shin sat back in his chair, closed his eyes, and listened attentively.
It was a very strange feeling.
The sound of the spring water is clear and firm, like a believer searching for light in the darkness.
Akina's voice was low and mournful, like a phantom dancing alone in the abyss.
The two voices intertwined, just like the song's title, conveying an invisible yet real vow.
The song ended.
The room was quiet for a while.
Kitahara Shin opened his eyes and found two women looking at him, their eyes filled with a hint of expectation and a touch of shyness.
"It sounds wonderful."
Kitahara Shin said sincerely, "Really. This is probably the best duet I've heard in the Japanese music scene this year—no, in recent years."
"Is this all?"
Akina raised an eyebrow, seemingly still not satisfied with the assessment.
The spring water smiled slightly, without saying a word, but its eyes clearly conveyed the same meaning.
Kitahara Shin paused for a moment.
Is that not enough?
Before he could figure it out, the two women suddenly stood up.
They walked to Kitahara Shin's side, one on each side, and sat on the armrest.
He was enveloped in a subtle fragrance that blended the scents of perfume and shampoo.
"I believe in you."
Akina leaned close to his ear, her voice slightly languid: "This song wasn't just sung for the TV drama."
"This is also for you," the spring said softly from the other side.
next second.
Two soft touches landed on his cheeks at the same time.
Once to the left, once to the right.
Kitahara Shin froze completely.
Although he was an experienced player and used to juggling relationships with two women, he never expected that these two women, who were originally supposed to be rivals, would team up to do this to him!
What kind of divine treatment is this?
"Although—"
Akina pulled away from his cheek, her face slightly flushed, but her tone still carried a hint of arrogance: "I can't stop your womanizing, after all, you're a jerk. But—"
She reached out and poked Kitahara Shin's chest with her finger: "If there's a next time, whether it's a new movie or something important, you have to report to us first. Understand?"
Izumi didn't speak, but silently hugged Kitahara Shin's arm and rested her head on his shoulder. That silent attachment was more powerful than any words.
Kitahara Shin looked at the two women who loved him deeply.
A huge warm feeling welled up in my heart.
He didn't make any empty promises. In this day and age, in this circle, promises are the cheapest thing.
He simply reached out and pulled both women into his arms.
"I see."
After the candlelight dinner.
The three of them didn't separate immediately, but instead snuggled up on the sofa and watched TV for a while.
The atmosphere was warm and ambiguous.
Until late at night.
"tonight----"
Kitahara Shin looked at them, about to say something.
"I'm going to take a shower."
Akina stood up and walked naturally toward the bathroom, which was the master bedroom's bathroom.
-
Quanshui blushed slightly, but still stood up: "Then I'll go to the guest room—"
Kitahara Shin watched their retreating figures, then glanced at the night outside the window.
The moonlight tonight is so beautiful.
Half an hour later, Kitahara Shin watched the two sleeping beside him, but there was nothing he could do.
Silence fell.
Is that correct?
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