pjbooks Chapter 145 Black Rose "Hitomi Kuroki"
Chapter 145 Black Rose "Hitomi Kuroki"
Chapter 145 Black Rose "Hitomi Kuroki" (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Minato Ward, Hotel Okura, OrchidBar.
The hotel's lounge and coffee shop are interestingly designed.
Located on the same floor, the two areas are not physically separated but rather transition naturally from a bright afternoon tea atmosphere to a dimly lit and warm bar area through a gradual change in lighting and decor.
The threshold for this place is extremely high; those who come and go are either bigwigs in the political and economic world or top celebrities wearing sunglasses.
The privacy is excellent; even the waiters seem to have been trained as secret agents, remaining unfazed even when they see the Emperor.
Nine o'clock in the evening.
A corner of the coffee shop area.
Kitahara Shin held a cup of black coffee in his hand, watching the man across from him frantically taking notes.
Shinji Nojima.
This "golden screenwriter," known for exploring the dark side of human nature and social taboos, is currently in a state of extreme excitement.
Half an hour ago.
Have you thought about what kind of role you'd like to challenge yourself with next?
Shinji Nojima adjusted his glasses. "Although you've played yakuza, doctors, and romance dramas—a wide range—it's not enough in my opinion. You need a role, a role that only Shin Kitahara can play, or even one that can make L..."
The character whose soul is etched into the minds of the audience.
Kitahara Shin nodded in agreement.
"Indeed."
"So—" Shinji Nojima leaned forward, "Is there any type of girl you'd particularly like to try?"
Kitahara Shin pondered for a moment.
Having lived two lives, he seems to rarely choose scripts entirely according to his own preferences.
He recalled the hard days when he was still struggling and could only work as an extra.
Back then, whenever he finished a day of working as an extra and returned to his cramped rented room, his favorite thing to do was to eat a discounted bento box while watching suspenseful crime dramas or crime movies.
The thrill of navigating between black and white, and pushing the limits of intelligence, is his favorite accompaniment to meals.
"Crime genre".
Kitahara Shin provided the answer: "Besides, isn't what you, Nojima-sensei, are best at tearing open the dark side of human nature for people to see?"
Shinji Nojima laughed; clearly, this answer suited his taste perfectly.
"But crime is such a broad subject." He tapped his finger on the table. "Do you want to play the criminal being hunted, or the policeman who represents justice and goes to arrest people?"
Kitahara Shin put down his coffee cup and said calmly, "Can't I be both at the same time?"
Shinji Nojima was taken aback.
"He is both a criminal and a policeman," Kitahara Shin added. "He is both the source of darkness and the righteous judge of evil."
These words struck Nojima Shinji like a bolt of lightning.
His eyes were frighteningly bright, and he almost immediately pulled out his notebook and began writing frantically.
As he wrote, he kept muttering to himself, as if he had entered a state of frenzied reverie.
Kitahara Shin didn't disturb him, but quietly drank his coffee and looked at the Tokyo night view outside the window.
A full forty minutes passed.
Shinji Nojima finally put down his pen and let out a long sigh.
He pushed the densely filled notebook in front of Kitahara Shin, his eyes gleaming with an almost manic excitement.
"Take a look at this."
Kitahara Shin took it.
The notebook contained a few lines of large, hastily written characters, along with detailed character descriptions.
[Tentative title: Flower of Evil]
Main character: Seiji Himuro
1. Appearance (daytime):
Associate Professor of Criminal Psychology at Toto University, and Special Advisor to the First Investigation Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
He is gentle and refined, with impeccable manners, and always wears a well-tailored three-piece suit. He plays the cello exceptionally well and is recognized by the police force as a "crime-solving genius," as well as a stoic male god in the eyes of countless female students.
2. The Truth (Night):
Highly intelligent antisocial personality disorder.
He believes that existing laws are full of loopholes, that they are rules of the game designed to protect those in power, and that they cannot judge the real evildoers.
Thus, he transformed into the gardener of the "flower of evil".
He wanders the edge of the city, searching for the vulnerable abandoned by the system—students who commit suicide due to school bullying, wives who suffer domestic violence but have nowhere to turn for help, and corporate slaves driven mad by their bosses.
He wouldn't kill someone with his own hands.
He simply smiled, using psychological techniques to reopen their wounds, and then, like a student, taught them how to create the perfect alibi, how to dispose of a body, and how to carry out a magnificent revenge.
Kitahara Shin quickly finished scanning and looked up.
"That's very interesting."
He commented, "This kind of elegant devil is indeed very appealing. But—"
"But what?" Shinji Nojima asked urgently.
"It's perfect."
Kitahara Shin pointed to the "antisocial personality" section, "If he is just a born bad seed, or simply pursuing that kind of perverse aesthetic, then the audience will feel it is unrealistic, and may even think he is just a pretentious madman."
The motivation of "we need to give him a personal touch" is to make him more relatable.
Kitahara Shin's fingers tapped lightly on the table. "For example, he once had family. Perhaps it was a crime that the law could not punish that led to the tragic death of his family, or perhaps they experienced some kind of extreme despair. It was precisely because he was completely disillusioned with the law that he chose to become that judge in the darkness."
Shinji Nojima's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"That's right—revenge. Not just for others, but also for himself."
1
The two began a new round of brainstorming.
From the character's biography to the specific methods of the crime, and then to the ultimate goal, everything the protagonist did was to complete a shocking and perfect crime, to personally kill the enemy who ruined his life, the powerful mastermind behind the scenes who was beyond the reach of the law.
This is a very challenging drama.
It is not just a crime thriller, but also incorporates the widespread anxiety, confusion, and distrust of the system in Japanese society after the bursting of the bubble economy.
In an era where everyone is suppressing their anger, such a dark hero who "acts on behalf of heaven" can definitely become an outlet for countless people's emotions.
Before we knew it, it was past midnight.
That's all for today.
Shinji Nojima closed his notebook, stood up with satisfaction, and said, "I'll go back and organize these. Kitahara-kun, I have a feeling this will be a peak in our careers."
"I'm really looking forward to it too."
After seeing Shinji Nojima off, Shin Kitahara did not rush to leave.
He walked to the window, looked at the Tokyo Tower late at night for a while, and felt that his brain was still a little excited, so he decided to wash his face to clear his head before leaving.
Walk through the art gallery that connects the cafe and bar areas, and the restrooms are just around the corner.
Kitahara Shin had just finished washing his hands and was about to come out.
"oops."
Without noticing, he bumped right into a woman who was about to come in.
A rich and sophisticated perfume scent wafted into my nostrils.
Kitahara Shin instinctively reached out and supported her arm to prevent her from falling.
"Sorry, are you alright?"
The woman raised her head.
Eyes facing each other.
Kitahara Shin paused for a moment.
The woman in front of me was wearing a daringly tailored black velvet mini dress that revealed a large expanse of her fair and delicate back skin.
She had a very fashionable short, slightly wavy hairstyle for that era, and her makeup was exquisite and charming. A beauty mark at the corner of her eye added to her allure.
Hitomi Kuroki.
As the fastest-rising principal female role performer in the history of the Baojia Opera Company, she made an extremely successful transition after leaving the company.
With her unique "intellectual bad girl" charm, she has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry and is recognized as the epitome of "mature female charm".
At that moment, her eyes, which always seemed to hold a pool of spring water, brightened slightly after she saw Kitahara Shin's face clearly.
It's like a hunter discovering a rare prey that has unexpectedly wandered into his territory.
"Kitahara——Xin?"
She didn't show much surprise; instead, a meaningful smile appeared on her lips.
"Ms. Kuroki." Kitahara Shin nodded politely and released his hand from hers. "What a coincidence."
"That's quite a coincidence."
Kuroki Hitomi didn't make way for him; instead, she took a step forward and gently placed her hands, painted with red nail polish, on Kitahara Shin's arm.
"Since it's such a coincidence, could you do me a favor?"
Kitahara Shin looked at her with a hint of doubt: "What kind of help do you need?"
"Come with me for a moment and you'll find out."
Kuroki Hitomi winked playfully, a hint of girlish cunning shining through her mature womanly charm. "Don't worry, it's very simple, and you don't need to do anything. Just—borrow one of your people for a moment."
After saying that, she didn't give Kitahara Shin a chance to refuse. She naturally took his arm and pressed half of her body against him.
The soft touch and the overwhelming fragrance made Kitahara Shin freeze for a moment.
"Let's go."
She chuckled softly and led Kitahara Shin into the adjacent bar area.
Passing through the dim lighting and low jazz music, the two headed straight for a booth by the window.
There sat a man in an expensive suit, his hair neatly combed. Judging from his sophisticated demeanor and the expensive bottle of red wine on the table, he was clearly a man of considerable wealth.
Upon seeing Kuroki Hitomi walking over arm in arm with a young man, the elite man's expression instantly changed.
"I'm sorry, Sato-san."
Kuroki Hitomi smiled charmingly, gently resting her head on Kitahara Shin's shoulder. Her tone carried a hint of apology, but more so a resolute refusal: "The person I invited has already arrived. So I'm afraid I won't be able to drink with you tonight."
The elite man stared blankly at Kitahara Shin.
As someone in the industry, he certainly recognized that face.
Kitahara Shin, who has recently become incredibly popular.
Young, handsome, and currently very popular.
The elite man opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but seeing the intimate posture of the two, he could only give a wry smile and maintain his last bit of dignity: "So it's Kitahara-kun—since you have a date with me, I won't disturb you any longer."
He stood up, straightened his suit, and gave Kitahara Shin a deep look as he left.
That look in his eyes was very complicated.
There was jealousy and envy.
Kitahara Shin stood there, maintaining a polite smile on the surface, but feeling a little helpless inside.
Was I being used as a shield?
Once the elite man had completely disappeared from sight, Kuroki Hitomi released Kitahara Shin's arm as if nothing had happened.
"Thanks, Kitahara-kun."
She looked at him with a smile, her eyes full of the pleasure of a successful prank. "Not bad acting, you cooperated very well."
"so----"
Kitahara Shin straightened his sleeves, which she had rolled up, and asked with a hint of helplessness, "Who was that just now?"
"A boring person."
Hitomi Kuroki brushed a stray hair behind her ear, walked to the bar and sat down, snapping her fingers at the bartender. "Two whiskeys. With ice balls."
She turned to look at Kitahara Shin, her eyes full of meaning: "A second-generation rich kid from a prestigious family, his family has some influence. If you want to refuse his invitation, you need a decent reason. And you just happen to be here, such a perfect shield, might as well use it."
Kitahara Shin shrugged. At that moment, he finally understood this woman's character.
She appears gentle and intellectual, but inside she is a "witch" who loves to play tricks and is extremely good at using her advantages to control the situation.
Aren't you afraid of being rumored to be having an affair?
Kitahara Shin sat down next to her and took the whiskey from the bartender.
"A scandal?"
Kuroki Hitomi chuckled, picked up her glass, and swirled the amber liquid around the ice puck. "I've had plenty of rumors with people, from directors to big-name actors, enough to form a reinforced platoon. I don't care about one or two more."
She turned her head, staring intently at Kitahara Shin: "And Kitahara-kun, you are one too, right? In this industry, a man without scandals is considered less attractive, you know."
Kitahara Shin smiled noncommittally and took a sip of his drink.
Indeed. In the Japanese entertainment industry in the early 90s, the atmosphere wasn't as "clean" as it is now.
For top celebrities, a little bit of gossip is not a stain, but rather a badge of honor for their charm.
Especially for male actors who take the "sexy" route, the playboy persona is actually more appealing to fans.
"Speaking of which—"
Kuroki Hitomi rested her chin on her hand, her gaze sweeping unabashedly over Kitahara Shin's face as if appraising a newly unearthed work of art: "I'd only ever seen you on TV before, and I thought you were just a handsome little brother. But seeing you in person today—"
She paused, leaned forward slightly, and whispered in Kitahara Shin's ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "I've discovered that you're completely different from what I imagined."
"What's different?" Kitahara Shin didn't look away, but simply looked at her calmly.
"It's different everywhere."
Kuroki Hitomi narrowed her eyes, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her wine glass. "Your gaze is very experienced. That relaxed demeanor, that composure that shows no fear even in front of me—it makes me feel like you're older than me. I'm your senior, Kitahara-kun, you're really disrespecting your older sister, aren't you?"
"Miss Kuroki, you must be tired now."
Kitahara Shin put down his glass, turned to look at her, and said calmly but incisively, "We're not on a film set, nor in front of the media. If we have to act like seniors and follow those boring rules in private, wouldn't that be too tiring?"
Kuroki Hitomi was taken aback.
Then, the smile on her lips gradually widened, and the probing and defensiveness in her eyes dissipated considerably, replaced by genuine appreciation.
"Oh----"
She chuckled softly, then suddenly reached out and naturally adjusted Kitahara Shin's slightly crooked tie.
Her fingertips brushed lightly across his Adam's apple.
"That's right. Kitahara-kun, I think I'm starting to like you."
She withdrew her hand, picked up her handbag, stood up, and resumed her elegant and composed demeanor.
"Alright, it's getting late. See you in a few days."
"In a few days?" Kitahara Shin raised an eyebrow.
Kuroki Hitomi turned around, looked at his reaction, and chuckled, "Don't play dumb. Who in the industry doesn't know that the 'White Tower' project was restarted for your sake? That producer already leaked the news a long time ago."
"A lot of people are eyeing this kind of top-tier production. The auditions will definitely be very lively, and there will probably be a lot of big-name actors."
She walked up to Kitahara Shin, tilted her head slightly, and her eyes held a confident air of certainty mixed with a touch of alluring provocation: "You'll definitely be there too, won't you, the future 'Professor Zaizen'?"
Kitahara Shin nodded: "Of course."
In fact, he had already been chosen as the main character, but he still had to go through the motions.
"That's good."
Kuroki Hitomi winked at him, her mature womanly charm on full display in that instant: "So, do you think—if I went to audition, would I pass?"
Kitahara Shin smiled.
Looking at the woman exuding an aura of power before him, the image of Keiko Hanamori, the incredibly intelligent and alluring mistress from "The White Tower," immediately came to mind.
It was practically tailor-made for her.
"With Ms. Kuroki's abilities, if even you can't pass the test, then no one else can play this role."
"You have such a sweet tongue."
Kuroki Hitomi winked playfully and waved to him.
"See you on set then, Goro-chan."
After saying that, she stepped out of the bar at the exit, her high heels clicking to her own elegant rhythm.
Only the lingering scent of perfume remained in the air, a testament to the brief but brilliant exchange that had just taken place.
Kitahara Shin watched her departing figure, picked up his glass, and downed the remaining whiskey in one gulp.
This thorny black rose truly lives up to its name.