[Chapter 33: Sakai Izumi and Sakai Noriko]
The subsequent promotional tours in Berlin and Rome went smoothly, including media interviews, TV special appearances, documentary filming, talk shows, radio call-in segments, magazine interviews, fan meetings, and more.
On December 24th, Christmas Eve, he even attended a New Year's Eve countdown event in Italy.
Linton was busy nonstop. On the 25th, they spent Christmas together in Rome, calling family members and friends like Aunt Kelly, Cameron, Naomi, Winona, Sophie, and some colleagues to wish them a Merry Christmas. Unfortunately, there wasn't any romantic kind of scenario like with Sophie Marceau.
But the promotion's effect was quite visible. Album sales soared in several regions. You're Beautiful topped the charts last week on the UK charts, France's music TV chart, and the German charts.
Rome's response was quite positive; though the latest Italian music chart data hadn't come out yet, it was very likely he'd take the top spot. Bella was also successfully establishing fan groups in several locations.
---
On the 26th, he left Rome and flew to Japan. At the airport, he was hit with unbelievable news -- "The Soviet Union had dissolved."
The announcement was broadcast over the airport loudspeakers, nearly causing chaos among the crowd. No one could believe it. A superpower that had opposed the West for over forty years had disintegrated, and everyone scrambled to verify this astonishing fact.
Once confirmed, everyone was ecstatic, celebrating feverishly. The promotion team was also filled with joy.
Duke exclaimed, "The Soviet Union has fallen! From now on, it's our world! Our records can be sold anywhere in the world."
Everyone nodded in agreement, optimistic about the future.
...
Back in December 1990, Universal Music was acquired by Japan's Panasonic Group. So, their promotional tour in Japan felt like going back to their home base.
Japan's deep admiration for American culture meant Hollywood stars and American singers were very popular there. Number-one hits like Linton's three singles and album did very well in Japan and ranked high on the Japanese charts.
Last week, What Are Words, You're Beautiful, Natural, and That's the Way Love Goes all entered the top ten, achieving remarkable results.
Strangely, due to regional cultural differences, What Are Words performed the best, ranking second last week.
...
Linton's arrival in Japan had the Universal division there very focused on him, organizing many promotional activities.
On the evening of the 26th, there would be a welcoming event at the airport, followed by interviews with two newspapers.
On the 27th, he would record a talk show on Asahi TV in the morning, then shoot a segment for a comedy show in the afternoon, and at night, interact with fans via Tokyo Broadcasting Station to promote his songs.
The 28th included a commercial event with Pepsi, an interview with the music magazine Musica, and a dinner hosted by the local branch of Universal Music.
On the 29th, he would be touring famous landmarks in Tokyo with the branch's help in the morning, and in the afternoon he would be holding a fan meeting (which was usually scheduled for evening on weekdays and afternoons on weekends).
On the 30th, he would fly to Seoul, South Korea.
The entire trip would be filmed by Asahi TV for later promotional shorts.
...
At 6 p.m. Tokyo time, at Tokyo International Airport, the president of the Japanese branch, Ichiro Koi, came to pick him up.
Koi bowled deeply at a 90-degree angle, exchanged pleasantries, then reminded Linton that many media and fans were waiting outside.
As soon as he stepped out, nearly a thousand Japanese fans erupted into cheers. Photographers' flashes blinded him, more intense than anything he'd experienced at home.
It didn't seem like Koi's standard service or arrangement -- 'Could I really be this popular in Japan?'
With this question in mind, Linton asked Koi directly on the way to the hotel,
"Do I really have so many fans in Tokyo?"
"Yes, Anderson-san. Your image and talent are very popular among Japanese youth. Your songs and albums are hits here. You're now considered a top idol. Your last month's album sales exceeded 800,000 copies, ranking third among all foreign artists."
"Who are the first two?"
"Michael Jackson and Madonna."
This made Linton quite happy and eager for the upcoming schedule.
...
At the Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo, the lobby was bustling with enthusiastic fans. With security's help, they finally checked into the hotel.
In the room, he stepped out onto the balcony. The building was not tall, and he waved and blew kisses to the fans below.
The excited cheers, women's screams, and shutter clicks from reporters filled the air. He interacted with them for over thirty minutes before returning to his room, with the fans gradually leaving.
...
After a simple dinner, Linton was interviewed by two newspapers in the conference room -- the communication went smoothly, thanks to pre-set promotional scripts, and the interview wrapped up by 9 p.m.
Just as he returned to his room, Koi knocked on the door again. After confirming their schedule, he said, "Anderson-san, since this is your first time in Tokyo, I'd like to introduce you to two young Japanese female singers who just debuted. They're very beautiful and popular -- you're all young. They'll guide you around Tokyo's night scene later."
"Since we're fellow artists, of course we should exchange ideas," thought Linton, surprised at this treatment.
Koi made a call. Soon, two young, beautiful women were brought in.
"Anderson-san, this is Sakai Izumi, and this is Sakai Noriko."
"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you," Linton greeted warmly. Both were huge stars in Japan during the 1990s, probably just starting their careers now. It was a great opportunity, and Koi must have put a lot of thought into arranging this.
"You young people should chat more," Koi finished introducing them and then left.
...
Because they had only just met, everyone felt a bit awkward. Linton also felt a little uneasy. Though he was no rookie, he'd never encountered such a one-on-two situation.
To ease the mood, he opened a bottle of red wine, pouring a glass for each of the two singers. The atmosphere relaxed. Sakai Izumi was a bit older and more confident.
"Anderson-san, I heard all the songs in your album are written by you?"
"Yes, that's right. You're amazing, I really admire you," Noriko said enthusiastically.
"Actually, you can too -- just observe and pay attention to your surroundings. When you have good ideas, write them down. Even if it's rough, keep practicing and improving. With your talent, you'll find your style eventually. Plus, your voices and looks are great, I believe you'll be big stars very soon," Linton encouraged sincerely, knowing their potential.
As the night went on, the mood grew more lively. They opened a second bottle of wine, and soon, they became tipsy, and the atmosphere began to become ambiguous.
Sakai Izumi leaned into Linton's embrace, acting cute, and Noriko, caught up in the moment, joined in.
The game's tone shifted from casual to flirtatious. Linton took the lead in the playful battle, feeling unthreatened despite the one-on-two.
During this intimate encounter, Linton confirmed that these two were quite popular, not far behind Winona, and their presence helped boost his skill points.
It was fair to say they were rising stars, though still a bit behind Sophie Marceau -- but in two years, that might change.
...
"My dears, I have a busy schedule today, I'll be on the go until tonight. Do you have plans?" Linton asked.
Sakai Izumi and Noriko exchanged glances. Sakai Izumi said, "My agency gave me five days off. I'll stay with you during that time. You go ahead with your meetings, and I'll wait at the hotel until the event and fan meeting on the 29th."
"Me too," Noriko added.
What thoughtfulness! Koi was truly considerate -- he had a bright future.
Linton then asked Duke to contact Universal Japan to arrange for the two singers' agency to invite them as guest performers and pay the standard professional fee.
Duke was almost jealous -- first Sophie Marceau, now Sakai Izumi and Noriko, both at the same time. Was there no justice in the world?
*****
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