Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 143

A Divine Song

“Phew…”

Seeing her almost enchanted, ranting frantically, Kurosawa also breathed a sigh of relief.

Honestly, relying on his mastery of the piano, world-class skills, the talents of a photographer for the cover, and having such a good piano and recording studio, he was quite confident. 

However, since the video was released, due to Itsuragi’s excessive nervousness, his own heartstrings were stretched tight.

Until this moment, Itsuragi suppressed herself for so long and finally burst out, allowing the sun to shine through the clouds.

Just as he anticipated, “Croatian Rhapsody,” this piano piece, had the power to make people kneel upon hearing it.

The original version of this piece was already invincible, propelling Maksim to global fame, making him a renowned contemporary pianist.

Now, with the power of his mastery-level piano skills, he made slight adaptations, and the impact was beyond prediction.

“Kurosawa, you’re much better than the Karaoke Song Deity! He gets tens of thousands of views a day, relying on ‘Lemon’ as his opening song, and you completely outshine him with original content and zero fan base!”

After contemplating for a while, Itsuragi gradually regained some composure and couldn’t help but remark.

Hearing this, Ninomiya felt that she had regained her sanity, so she no longer hugged her.

“Signing with me, do you think you made the right choice?”

Seeing the almost worshipful look in her eyes, Kurosawa, who had already changed back into his own clothes, smiled.

“Yes, absolutely. Looking at the current response, it’s definitely a divine song.”

Itsuragi nodded vigorously. She could already feel countless banknotes flying towards her.

Twenty million a year? 

That was just the beginning. She had scrimped and saved for six years just to buy a house.

She wanted to earn more. From now on, she no longer had a boss above her head because she was the boss!

“Is the response to that video really that good? It’s just over 400,000 views, and you’re already thinking about a hundred million, two hundred million views.”

Ninomiya couldn’t help but make a sarcastic comment.

This guy, just a moment ago, got so excited that she even hugged Kurosawa recklessly. She must be out of her mind.

“Chizuru, a hundred million and two hundred million views is an exaggeration. The video has just been featured on the homepage, and it will definitely continue to rise at an even more crazy speed… Do you know how much the video with the most growth on YouTube in a year gets?”

Itsuragi noticed her dissatisfaction and apologized with an apologetic look, then began to explain.

“How much?”

Ninomiya had no concept of such data and records.

“Six hundred and fifty million, just in one year, YouTube’s user base, globally, is over two billion! Once featured on the homepage, the video’s views will only grow at an exponential rate. To put it bluntly, it won’t take a month for the name ‘Zero Hour’ to resonate nationwide.”

Itsuragi’s expression was very serious, and there was an excitement that couldn’t be concealed.

If she didn’t know the value of this, how could she have crazily kissed Kurosawa just now?

She was well aware that the Zero Hour Agency was destined to rise.

Moreover, Zero Hour might become even more popular than Fujiwara Rika, becoming a nationally recognized piano musician. 

Considering his singing skills, he could even become a global sensation in the future.

“It’s that crazy?”

Ninomiya looked at Kurosawa on the sofa opposite her in amazement.

It was hard to imagine that just by posting a video, in less than a month, Kurosawa would transform into a nationally renowned celebrity.

“I didn’t expect it either.”

Kurosawa sensed her gaze and thoughts and shrugged his shoulders.

Honestly, if Itsuragi hadn’t told him, he wouldn’t have known how terrifying the value of his video was.

“Kurosawa, starting from today, whenever you come to the agency or meet with me, you must wear a mask and sunglasses… Of course, if you don’t want to be a masked artist, you can choose not to wear them.”

Itsuragi gave a very serious admonition.

“Really?”

Kurosawa looked at her with some surprise.

“Yes… Your current growth rate in fans is even comparable to those superstars who have been on YouTube for a long time, and this is just the beginning. By this time tomorrow, your video will have at least several million views. The most crucial thing is, take a look at the comments.”

Itsuragi nodded, then used the mouse, propped up the laptop, and aimed it at him.

Hearing about this, Kurosawa curiously took a look.

Seeing this, Ninomiya was also curious and walked over.

The distance between the two was a bit close, and a pleasant fragrance filled the air.

Then, they started looking at the comment section together.

“So good, right?”

“This song is bound to be a hit! Divine song!”

“The music is so good, and the person is handsome, too charming, I’m melting.”

“Zero Hour! Zero Hour!”

“Was invited to watch this video, in my opinion, although the level of this song is not top-notch, the playing level is very high, at least at an international level. I wonder which master you are?”

“His voice is so nice!”

“His hands are so beautiful! Long, white, and slender!”

“So elegant, can you show your face?”

“I bet Zero Hour looks super handsome, so charismatic.”

“The response is pretty good.” Kurosawa felt pleased seeing these comments, experiencing a sense of recognition.

Are his hands really good-looking? 

After reading these comments, Ninomiya, with her beautiful eyes under the frameless glasses, glanced sideways at the man next to her.

She took a look at Kurosawa’s hands… In fact, she didn’t really understand what kind of hands could be considered good-looking. 

After all, she wasn’t someone who focused on hands, and she rarely paid attention to such details. But after being reminded, she started to think about it.

Kurosawa’s hands did look quite attractive… Long fingers, large palms, not too thin nor too chubby, overall very perfect.

“The one invited to watch is a renowned pianist. He said that, and your status has been elevated very high… The key is that your piano playing is too charming, and now these fans are starting to be curious about what you look like under the mask.”

Although she was on the other side, Itsuragi felt that they had finished reading the comments, so she explained.

She had been using the computer, closely monitoring the growth of views and reactions, and naturally paying close attention to the comments.

She had already clicked on the creator’s profile page to see the introduction. He was a well-known pianist from abroad.

“Okay.”

Kurosawa, who never wanted his real identity to be discovered, realized that he had suddenly become a celebrity, attracting people’s attention. He nodded in acknowledgment.

Anyway, now that he had become famous, making money wouldn’t be a problem.

“For you.”

At that moment, Ninomiya took out a pack of wet wipes, pulled one out, and handed it to him.

“What’s this for?”

Kurosawa, seeing her handing him this, subconsciously took it and felt confused.

“Wipe off the lipstick marks on your face.”

Ninomiya looked at the six lipstick marks on his face and felt a bit annoyed, but her face remained calm.

“Are there still lipstick marks? Okay.”

Kurosawa reacted and took the wet tissue to gently wipe his face.

“Sorry.”

Seeing this scene, Itsuragi, thinking about her impulsive kisses in the excitement earlier, couldn’t help but apologize.

“It’s okay.”

Kurosawa glanced at Ninomiya and saw her expressionless face, so he shook his head.

This matter could be big or small, after all, kissing on the face was considered etiquette in some foreign cultures, and it wasn’t a significant issue.

In fact, being kissed like that, although he was a bit confused, he found it quite enjoyable. 

After all, Itsuragi was very beautiful, a rare short-haired beauty. It was no exaggeration to say that being kissed by such a beauty, no man would be unhappy.

However, in front of Ninomiya, he couldn’t show any reaction.

“Let’s eat, let’s order takeout to celebrate.”

Itsuragi, feeling a bit uneasy, glanced at Ninomiya, then stood up to change the subject and shift the focus.

“Celebrate all you want, but no more drinking.”

Ninomiya, although feeling a bit jealous, wasn’t really angry. She had a decent amount of tolerance, so she casually mentioned it.

“Huh?”

Upon hearing this, Itsuragi, who was initially happy about the celebration, suddenly lost her enthusiasm.

“If you get drunk again, Kurosawa will have to carry you home, and that’s inconvenient for him.”

“I can sleep here; the bed is already made.”

“If you want to drink, go ahead.”

Ninomiya realized that Itsuragi was genuinely happy and insisted on celebrating with drinks, leaving her no choice.

After all, they were best friends, not sisters or mother and daughter, so there was no authority to restrict each other.

“No more drinking. I’ll be the designated driver tonight to take you both home. What do you want to eat?”

Seeing Ninomiya compromise, likely having let go of the earlier frustration, Itsuragi felt relieved and gave a mischievous smile. She then picked up her phone and shook it.

After a week of anticipation, the heavy burden on their hearts finally lifted, and they could now breathe a sigh of relief.

With her triumphant laughter, the atmosphere in the lounge was completely liberated, becoming relaxed and cheerful.

As for what to have for dinner, they weren’t particularly picky. After all, they weren’t living a high-end lifestyle, and their meals tended to be simple, often opting for home-style dishes.

……

At the Illusion Star Agency, as a top-tier agency in the industry, they always kept an eye on potential newcomers and emerging trends in society.

They also paid attention to new talents on YouTube. If someone showed potential, they would consider signing them.

At 7:00 in the evening, Hamada Miya had already returned home but was still working in her study.

Sitting in front of her laptop, her phone logged into the company’s group chat app.

The chairman of Illusion Star Agency sent a voice message in the group chat.

 “Zero Hour used Japanese in his self-introduction, which means he’s from Neon… Does anyone know who he might be?”

After listening to the voice message, Hamada was about to say something when someone beat her to it.

“A masked performer with such strong piano skills, especially at this time, could it possibly be Kurosawa Hikaru, the one rejected by Illusion Star?”

“This guy!”

Hearing this, Hamada was instantly filled with anger, her eyebrows furrowing in displeasure.

“Absolutely impossible. Kurosawa Hikaru’s skill level is far below his; they are not even in the same league.”

The next moment, she spoke using her phone, expressing her opinion firmly through a voice message.

“They are indeed not on the same level. If Kurosawa Hikaru is considered a young prodigy, then this ‘Zero Hour’ is a piano master. Looking at Neon, there are very few pianists who can be compared to him.”

The chairman, who also had a good understanding of music, acknowledged her statement.

Following that, the chairman spoke again.

“Piano music has been dormant for many years, yet it still possesses such terrifying power. His appearance might unleash a storm in Neon’s music scene… Reach out to him. Even if collaboration is not possible, attempting to establish a good relationship won’t hurt.”

“A masked artist can unleash such formidable energy… I always feel like we missed out on Kurosawa Hikaru. We missed the new wave in the piano world.”

At that moment, the troublesome director, who was not on good terms with her, continued to provoke with seemingly casual words, subtly insinuating.

“You jerk, don’t let me catch you off guard!”

Hearing such targeted and unpleasant remarks, Hamada glared angrily, sternly responding.