[Chapter 217: Izumi and Noriko's Idea 2]
Izumi cuddled close to Linton and whispered, "Honey, do you remember the first time we met?"
Linton smiled, gently brushing her hair back. "Of course. That was when I was promoting my album in Japan."
Noriko slid under the covers beside them. "Back then, my agency told me I had to accompany a client that evening. My heart froze, but I couldn't say no. Luckily, it turned out to be you. Izumi and I actually got lucky because of that."
Izumi nodded. "Yeah, me too. I thought I'd be forced to entertain some old man. I was overwhelmed with tears but had no power to refuse. Thankfully, it was you."
Linton wrapped his arms around both women, pulling them close.
"After you two made the arrangement with me, the agencies backed off. No more forced PR assignments."
Noriko leaned against his chest. "Once you made it clear you cared for both of us, nobody dared push us around anymore."
Izumi smiled softly. "Your rising fame shielded us. We've finally found freedom."
Linton glanced between them. "Are you saying you want me to help your friends the same way?"
Izumi squeezed his hand. "In Japan, if a female star doesn't have powerful protection, she eventually ends up on PR 'assignments' -- set up by agencies and entertainment conglomerates. Sometimes, she's expected to accompany one or even several unfamiliar old men. As long as she wants to stay famous, she can't escape these arrangements."
Noriko added grimly, "That's why so many female stars here are pitiful. They don't have a choice."
"Multiple old men at the same time?" Linton frowned. "That's.. so sick."
"Yes, it's twisted," Noriko agreed. "The industry is entirely controlled by conglomerates. They use young women as tools."
"And if someone resists," Izumi said, her voice low, "the punishment is total blacklisting. No roles, no appearances, no media exposure. Even the biggest star fades away without a platform."
Izumi sighed. "My Hollywood success didn't mean much here -- until Complicated broke into the Billboard Top 50. That changed everything."
Linton kissed her temple. "That one hit turned you from an Asian star into a global superstar."
Izumi met his eyes and kissed him gently. "Thank you for always watching over me. We've asked about inviting Shizuka Kudo and Akina Nakamori in the group. Everyone's on board."
Noriko added, "They'll need to fully commit, but if they do, they'll be safe -- and free."
Linton nodded. "Then we'll support them."
Noriko reached for her glass and raised it slightly. "Let's set the terms tonight."
---
Noriko glanced at her watch. "It's eleven. Akina's waiting at the hotel." She picked up her phone. "I'll call her now -- she dropped her vacation the moment I asked."
She put the call on speaker. Akina's voice came through, soft and slightly tense. "Hello?"
Izumi leaned in. "Akina, it's us. Are you at the hotel?"
"Yes… I've been waiting. Honestly, I'm nervous."
"You're not alone," Izumi said gently. "We've been there too. Desperate for a way out."
Noriko added, "We understand more than you think. Without strong backing here, it's only a matter of time before you're pushed into those PR assignments. That's exactly why we asked you."
Akina was silent for a moment. "Do you really think it's possible to break free?"
Izumi nodded, even though Akina couldn't see her. "My Hollywood experience didn't mean much here -- not until Complicated hit the Billboard Top 50. That changed everything."
Noriko chimed in, "Same for me. Happy Death Day hasn't released globally yet, but just being part of a Hollywood production gave me leverage. It opened doors."
"You both got lucky," Akina murmured. "That kind of experience -- it's a dream come true."
"No," Noriko said firmly. "We had Linton."
Linton glanced up from the couch but didn't say a word.
Izumi smiled. "Once he admitted he cared about both of us, no agency dared to push us around anymore. We stopped being treated like tools. We became protected."
"And now," Noriko said, "we're offering that same protection to you -- if you want it."
Akina hesitated. "But… what does it really mean?"
"It means full commitment," Izumi explained. "Being with him means stepping away from your current assignments. But in return, you gain peace, safety -- and a future."
"We've already spoken to Shizuka Kudo," Noriko added. "She's waiting to hear back too."
"You're both beautiful, Akina," Noriko continued. "Obedient and sincere. That matters more than you realize. He's kind -- he never promises anything he can't give, but when he chooses to help, he truly changes lives."
Linton raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.
"With him behind you," Izumi said, "you're free from the agencies' control. No more being told to 'accompany' strangers just to secure a role or a campaign."
Akina exhaled. "This is all so fast…"
"It has to be," Izumi said softly. "The window doesn't stay open forever. You've already missed two major events this season. If you delay more, they'll reassign you."
"And if that happens," Noriko said, "you might be dragged back into those old circles."
"There's no pressure," Izumi said gently. "But if you're serious, this is your clean shot."
Akina's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'll come."
Izumi smiled. "Good. We'll talk through the details when you arrive."
*****
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