Chapter 669: Counterattack (3)

It was past 10 at night.

In front of the main gate of AMOSE, a major entertainment company in Shibuya, six men in suits got out of three black sedans and blocked my way. It was obvious they were sent by CEO Tanaka of Aris Production.

When someone tried to cut ties with them, Aris Production often contacted their parent company, Bunnies Production, to send yakuza like this as a threat.

Since I had already anticipated this when I decided to sever ties with Tanaka of Aris, I was planning to follow them and take this opportunity to settle things once and for all. Ultimately, I needed to cut off all ties with Bunnies Production to completely end all contracts.

However, I couldn't act on mere assumptions. This wasn't Korea but Japan, and even a slight variable could make things difficult to handle. So I needed to know exactly who had sent them. Depending on whether it was Tanaka directly or an executive from Bunnies Production, my response would be different.

I asked the man in the suit, "Who sent you?"

"You'll find out when we get there."

'

Oh? Playing hard to get, are we?

'

At that moment, Hiroshi, who had come down to the main gate to see us off, cut them off coldly.

"Do you yakuza seriously think you can threaten my guest in front of my company? Do you really believe there'll be no consequences for this?"

Since AMOSE was a major entertainment company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, it had strong connections with the government, prosecutors, and police. Perhaps because of that, the suited man who had been acting forcefully toward me bowed politely to Hiroshi.

"We have no intention of embarrassing you, Mr. Ito. But we have circumstances that prevent us from just backing down. We'd appreciate your understanding."

A deep furrow formed between Hiroshi's brows. "And if I can't?"

"If necessary... we'll have to take him by force."

"Is that so? Then go ahead and try. Chief Jung is our guest, and you can't take him."

Hiroshi was trying to keep the promise he made to protect us from Bunnies Production. While the two men were talking, I briefly turned my head. I was worried about my people, including young Sae-Ri and Eun-Ah.

Then I saw Assistant Manager Sasuke, the second son of Ito Hiroshi, step forward in front of Kang Ji-Yung and my celebrities. Despite his fearful expression, it was as if he was trying to protect them. On the other hand, the first son, Managing Director Tetsuya, subtly stepped back. Unlike Sasuke, he seemed to want nothing to do with yakuza-like people.

Just from their actions, I could confirm that I had made the right choice about whom to trust.

'

I'm counting on you, Sasuke

.'

I smiled at Sasuke to convey that meaning, and he gave a flustered nod.

At that moment, the security guards from AMOSE who had been in the lobby all ran out. "Sir!"

As about ten burly security guards rushed out, the six yakuza tensed up and got ready.

As the situation teetered on the brink of violence, I asked the man in the suit again. "Let's not make things worse. Just tell me who called for me, and I'll go with you."

Keeping an eye on the approaching AMOSE security guards, the man in the suit answered, "Mr. Yamamoto sent us."

I had assumed it was someone sent by Tanaka or an executive from Bunnies Production, but I didn't expect the chairman himself to step in. It was a sign that they were taking this more seriously than I thought.

Just then, Kang Gam-Chan stepped in. "If it's Mr. Yamamoto, perfect. I was planning to pay him a visit anyway. I'll come too."

The man in the suit frowned. "He said to bring only Chief Jung."

"Then call him and tell him that President Kang Gam-Chan said he would never let Chief Jung go alone!"

The man in the suit glanced over the security guards, then slowly reached into his coat and pulled out his phone. He then made a call to Yamamoto.

"President Kang Gam-Chan of Hoop Entertainment says he'll only let Chief Jung go if he accompanies him. Yes. Yes."

Each time he said yes, the man in the suit bowed his head repeatedly. Moments later, he ended the call and tucked the phone back inside his coat.

"Only Mr. Kang may come with you."

Kang Gam-Chan looked at me. "Yoon-Ho, are you really okay with this?"

"We were going to have to confront them eventually anyway, right? Let's go."

Kang Gam-Chan nodded and turned back. "Ji-Yung, take everyone back to the hotel. I'll be back soon."

Kang Ji-Yung clenched her teeth and nodded. "I'll be... waiting. Please be careful."

"You don't need to worry." Kang Gam-Chan then turned to Hiroshi. "I'm sorry. We've troubled you even before signing a contract."

Hiroshi shook his head at Kang Gam-Chan. "Please don't say that. Now that the man who came to get Chief Jung has identified himself as Chairman Yamamoto of Bunnies, they won't act recklessly."

After that, Hiroshi looked at the men in suits.

"From now, you have two hours. If we don't hear from these two by then, we'll contact every connection we can and mention Chairman Yamamoto's name. Make sure you pass that along. Understood?"

Hiroshi's tone was half-threatening, and the men in suits didn't take it lightly. Now that a higher-up's name had been mentioned, this was beyond their control.

"Understood." With that, the men gestured toward the black sedan. "Let's go."

At that moment, Suzuki grabbed my arm and whispered with a grim expression.

-Mr. Jung. If Chairman Yamamoto called you personally, you'll either be going to Aris Production's office nearby or to his residence near Nogizaka Station. Hiroshi said two hours, but things could change quickly, so text me the moment you arrive. After that, update me every thirty minutes with your location and situation. If needed, I'll come help.

Having extra insurance was always a good thing.

-I was planning to ask you anyway.

-Be careful.

-I will.

I whispered back and got into the black sedan with Kang Gam-Chan.

***

Our destination was one of the places Suzuki mentioned—Aris Production's building.

However, the car driven by the yakuza stopped about thirty meters from the main gate. The eleven-story building in front of us had a sign that read 'ARIS PRODUCTION.'

'

Even now, Bunnies still doesn't have a headquarters building. It's just like before the regression.

'

The reason Yamamoto didn't summon us to the Bunnies Production headquarters was simple. Despite being a massive company known for dominating half of Japan's entertainment industry, Bunnies Production—founded with yakuza money—surprisingly had no actual headquarters. Its official address was currently registered to one of Yamamoto's personal apartments.

Instead, Bunnies Production maintained VVIP-only spaces on the top floors of over a hundred subsidiary buildings, including Aris Production. We were likely being invited to one of those.

At that moment, four security guards came out from the front gate of Aris Production. Then the yakuza in the front passenger seat spoke. "Please get out."

In the Japanese entertainment industry, any official connection to yakuza resulted in penalties. So, as if pretending not to know, they were planning to hand us over to the company's guards a little distance from the front entrance.

After getting out of the car, Kang Gam-Chan looked at me and tried to reassure me. "Nothing will happen, Yoon-Ho."

In truth, I wasn't afraid. After all, I knew the future and understood Yamamoto well. But Kang Gam-Chan, having none of that knowledge, came along with only the determination to protect me. His gesture deeply moved me.

"Yes, sir."

Just then, the four security guards who had come from the front gate approached right in front of us. The yakuza bowed after explaining that Yamamoto's name had been mentioned and what had happened with Hiroshi.

"Mr. Yamamoto's name was mentioned unintentionally. Please convey our apologies."

"Thank you for your efforts."

"We'll be on our way now."

The yakuza, saying their job was done, turned and left.

At that moment, the security guards wearing Aris Production badges around their necks spoke to us. "Please follow us. Mr. Chairman is waiting."

As they turned around, Kang Gam-Chan and I followed them toward the building. Just before we entered the main entrance of Aris Production, the automatic doors opened and a group of people came out.

As soon as they exited, they spotted me and shouted. "Chief Jung. You... why are you here?"

It was the members of Golden Road, exiled to Japan, coming out after practicing at Aris Production. They were Jang Eun-Yung, Park Soo-Jin, Choi Myung-Eun, Jung Yi-Soo, Yoon Ji-Hee.

Since they had all caused trouble and been kicked out, I had expected them to be downcast. However, they were surprisingly full of confidence. They were probably thinking of making a comeback with Aris Production's help.

Just then, Kang Gam-Chan shouted loudly from among the security guards. "'Chief Jung'? Since when are you on such familiar terms?!"

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Already a tense situation, and Golden Road's rude attitude made Kang Gam-Chan's voice rise.

Only then did the members notice Kang Gam-Chan and quickly lower their heads. "S-sir... you're here too?"

"I thought you'd reflect while in Japan. Clearly, I was wrong!"

Though the members, starting with Jang Eun-Yung, bowed their heads in surprise, it was already too late.

At that moment, the security guards gestured. "We're in a hurry. Let's go."

"Alright."

Kang Gam-Chan moved on, saying he would have a private chat with Golden Road later.

"Yes... sir."

With their heads bowed, the girls glared at me. Their eyes said 'just you wait,' but there was nothing to wait for. We were about to end all ties with Aris Production, the very company that would help them make a comeback.

"Take care~"

I casually greeted them and followed Kang Gam-Chan into the building.

***

In the elevator, one of the security guards tapped a card on the top button labeled with floor numbers. Immediately, a light labeled 'V' lit up above the 10th floor button. While holding the card in place, the guard pressed the button.

Whirrr~

In a blink, the elevator shot up vertically. It was designed to be accessible only with a card key.

Ding.

When we reached the floor—11th floor—the doors opened. The hallway lined with luxurious carpet was decorated with posters of numerous singers and actors from Aris Production.

However, nearly half of those pictured were people who had tried to leave the Bunnies-affiliated companies, ruined their image through tabloid scandals, and ended up returning to Bunnies out of necessity. Bunnies subsidiaries were notorious for attacking celebrities trying to leave in every imaginable way, And today, I planned to definitively end our partnership.

Before we knew it, we reached the end of the long hallway. We opened the elegant door and entered a meeting room. At the head of the table sat Chairman Yamamoto of Bunnies Production. To his left were Director Abe and a monk in robes named Fujita. Across from them sat Tanaka.

But the moment I saw Abe and Fujita, I almost cheered out loud. The reason I wasn't afraid of the Yamamoto I knew was because I had information related to them. It looked like this might go more smoothly than expected.

"Sir, we brought them."

Yamamoto gestured for the guards to leave, and they exited the meeting room.

Click.

Yamamoto slowly spoke while looking at Kang Gam-Chan. "Kang-kun, it's been a while."

'

Kang-kun? I guess Kang Gam-Chan and Yamamoto are more familiar with each other than I thought.

'

Kang Gam-Chan responded calmly, looking at Yamamoto. "Yes, it has been a while, sir."

"Let's sit down and talk."

Kang Gam-Chan and I sat at the far end of the meeting table.

As soon as he sat, Kang Gam-Chan asked, "What business do you have with Chief Jung?"

"I heard there was an unfortunate incident today between your Chief Jung and CEO Tanaka here. I called him to mediate."

"Then why call a mere chief to mediate? You should've called CEO Suzuki or me. What authority does a chief have for this?"

When Kang Gam-Chan's voice sharpened slightly, Yamamoto chuckled. "

Hahaha

. My friend, I didn't know you were coming to Japan. And besides, shouldn't the involved parties reconcile? Don't you agree?"

"When it's you calling, it's not reconciliation or mediation. It's a threat."

"Call it what you will, but the result is the same. Isn't it?"

Yamamoto was saying something terrifying with a sly smile. He was openly expressing his intent to force a 'mediation.' Of course, Kang Gam-Chan also picked up on his real intent.

"CEO Tanaka acted on his own and tried to sell the publicity rights of our entertainers to a pachinko company. How could we continue working with someone like that? And I've heard you, sir, don't even look at those who break promises."

"That's only when things become completely unreasonable." Yamamoto glared at us and said, "So in exchange for pretending this never happened, I'll offer five hundred million yen as compensation. With a promise that it will never happen again. How about it?"

Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "Once trust is broken, money is just another shackle."

At that, Yamamoto let out a long sigh. "I tried to settle this easily, but you're being difficult."

At that moment, his expression changed. The sly businessman disappeared, and his eyes took on a murderous glare. Though no longer a yakuza, he was still deeply connected to them. There were even rumors he was a former yakuza himself. The murderous aura he gave off was no joke.

"Seeing Kang-kun daring to look me in the eye now... time really has passed, hasn't it?"

Kang Gam-Chan answered in a tense voice. "A father protecting his child would fight to the death, even against a beast."

To protect me, Kang Gam-Chan was ready to clash with Yamamoto. I didn't know what kind of history the two of them shared, but Kang Gam-Chan was willing to throw it away for my sake. In my life, only Sister Michaela had ever stepped forward for me like this. I felt like bowing in gratitude, but first, I had to deal with the situation.

I asked, "Mr. Kang, may I speak with Mr. Chairman alone for a moment?"

Kang Gam-Chan tried to stop me with a worried look. "Chief Jung. No, Yoon-Ho..."

"I'm alright."

It was the first time I would be speaking directly to Yamamoto, even including before the regression. Yet I wasn't afraid.

Kang Gam-Chan reluctantly nodded. Only then did I meet Yamamoto's murderous gaze head-on.

"Do you think the same as Kang-kun? Refuse my mediation and continue a fight you can't possibly win?" Yamamoto asked.

He tried to push me with his cold voice and deadly eyes, but I calmly brushed it off. "Our industry is a battlefield too. But tell me, Mr. Chairman, would you go to war holding hands with someone who stabbed you in the back?"

"If necessary, yes."

"I have no such intention."

Holding back his anger, Yamamoto asked, "Enough with the word games! Are you saying you won't accept my mediation?"

Staring into his eyes that looked ready to draw a knife at any moment, I answered, "No. I cannot accept your mediation. Because it's not mediation but it's coercion."

"Well now. You've clearly learned some guts from Kang-kun. But I wonder if you'll still talk so boldly once your path into Japan is completely blocked. Listen carefully. If you reject my terms, I will ensure Hoop Entertainment can never enter Japan. Are you okay with that?"

Just as I expected, Yamamoto threatened to use the power of Bunnies. He was planning to control half of Japan's entertainment industry to block my entertainers' future.

However, I had not the slightest intention of letting that happen.

"Sir, have you ever heard the saying that even a worm will squirm when stepped on?"

Yamamoto let out a dry chuckle as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So you think you can hold out even after refusing my mediation. Fine then... let's see how much you squirm, like a worm."

This, I thought, is what lawlessness looks like. This is what it meant to be devoid of principle. And this was a world where people spoke of such shamelessness with confidence, and no one stopped them. One day, I intended to break that world. But for now, severing this connection came first.

"Mr. Chairman, are you really okay with this?"

Yamamoto let out an incredulous laugh. "

Hahaha.

What could possibly not be okay? Do you really think you can do something to me?"

I came to the conclusion there was no other way. Today, as Star Jung the Fortuneteller, it was time for an exorcism.

'

So what if he's a powerhouse in Japan's entertainment world? I am the only regressor in this world.

'

So now, I was determined to show Yamamoto that nothing is more powerful than knowing the future.