pjbooks Chapter 156 The Sea Breeze Oath and Eternal Protection
Chapter 156 The Sea Breeze Oath and Eternal Protection
Chapter 156 The Sea Breeze Oath and Eternal Protection
On the balcony of a luxury apartment in the port area.
Kitahara Shin sat in a rattan chair, toying with three small objects that emitted a faint blue light in his hands.
A World War II military lighter found at a flea market, a pair of rusty tailor's scissors, and a fountain pen bought from a down-on-his-luck writer.
In the past few days, relying on that [red thread of fate], he scavenged for quite a few "good things" like a scavenger. Although most of them were green junk that could only add a little bit of attribute, after several attempts at synthesis, he finally managed to collect these three blue rare equipment pieces.
"Three-in-one — hopefully we'll get a purple item."
Kitahara Shin looked at the synthesized interface on his retina, his finger hovering over the "Confirm" button.
Although the system didn't explicitly state that blue couldn't be combined into purple, given its gacha-like nature, the probability must be ridiculously low.
Just as he was about to press the button, his movement suddenly stopped.
He looked up at the Tokyo Tower in the distance.
"The feng shui here doesn't seem to be very good."
Kitahara Shin chuckled self-deprecatingly and put away the three pieces of equipment. Since it was such a crucial moment, it would be better to find a place with more "spiritual energy."
Or perhaps—find someone who can bring him good luck.
He took out his phone and dialed the number he knew by heart.
"Beep—Beep 1"
The phone was answered after ringing twice.
Akina: "What's wrong? Why aren't you asleep yet, so late?"
Her voice was a little hoarse, and there were some noisy voices and electrical sounds in the background, so she was obviously not at home.
Kitahara Shin: "Are you free now? Can I come over?"
Akina: "Wrong? But I'm not home yet, I'm still recording a show. It was during the break when you called."
""
Kitahara Shin: "Which TV station?"
Akina: "Are you coming to pick me up? Maybe not. My manager recently told me to tone it down a bit."
"While the previous TV series was well-received, it also attracted a lot of paparazzi. If I were photographed meeting you, I'd be on the front page again."
Kitahara Shin: "What show are you recording? Your own variety show?"
Akina: "I'm not as big a star as you. I don't have a personal variety show. It's just a regular talk show."
She paused slightly at this point, a hint of probing in her tone:
Akina: "Why—you never used to call me all of this suddenly. Did you do something bad and are afraid to let me know, so you're trying to make up for it this way?"
Kitahara Shin: "————"
Kitahara Shin: "It's as if I've cheated on my wife."
Akina: "Don't you have one?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
In those few seconds of silence, Akina's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the phone.
Although she said it in a half-joking tone, she was actually a little unsure of herself.
She is 27 years old.
In this extremely demanding industry for female entertainers, this age is awkward. They don't have the limitless potential of newly debuted idols, nor have they fully transitioned into established actresses who can live off their past success for life.
Moreover, her relationship with Kitahara Shin has always been in a delicate, ambiguous state.
too long.
This situation has lasted for far too long.
She didn't want to wait until she became an unwanted old maid before playing some kind of innocent love game.
Kitahara Shin: "—I'll definitely go see you later."
Hearing this answer, Akina breathed a sigh of relief, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.
Akina: "Since you insist, then I can't help it. Okay, I'll talk to my manager later. You can come pick me up at the TV station. I'm hanging up now to get ready to continue recording. It'll be about an hour and a half later."
After hanging up the phone, Kitahara Shin lit a cigarette.
Smoke swirled in the night.
He looked at the three pieces of equipment in his hand and remembered what Akina had said earlier.
"Cheating? —"
-
An hour later, in the parking lot downstairs from Fuji Television.
Kitahara Shin sat in the car without turning off the engine.
Through the car window with privacy film, he keenly noticed that there were quite a few "rats" in the area.
A faint red dot flickered inside the bread cart by the roadside; those were the indicator lights for the security cameras. Several furtive figures were also crouching in the shadows behind the flowerbed.
[Mind Equipment: Red Thread of Fate (Treasure Hunter Edition) Passive Warning]
Although the active skill of this equipment is to find treasure, it is also particularly sensitive to gazes that have a "spying" connotation.
Kitahara Shin squinted.
If Akina were to get on board right now, the headlines tomorrow morning would be absolutely explosive.
He thought for a moment, turned off the car, put on a baseball cap and mask, changed into an inconspicuous work jacket, and got out of the car.
Rather than being a target outside, it's better to infiltrate.
With his top-notch acting skills and familiarity with the internal structure of the television station (after all, he had just filmed a movie here), Kitahara Shin easily bypassed the front desk and sneaked into the backstage area of the studio.
He stood still in the shadows of the side curtain.
On the stage, the lights shone brightly.
Akina Nakamori, wearing a white dress, is sitting on a high stool and being interviewed by the host.
She had lost some weight, but seemed to be in good spirits. Her signature eyes, which always carried a hint of melancholy, appeared exceptionally clear under the light.
Host: "Everyone knows about Akina-san's past experiences. To be honest, after going through all that, what are your thoughts on life in the entertainment industry now?"
This is a rather pointed question.
Akina held the microphone and thought for a moment.
Akina: "Because everyone knows about my past experiences, I personally don't have any particular attachment to this industry."
The audience erupted in uproar.
Fans sighed with regret.
Akina smiled and continued, "Although I don't have much attachment to the industry, I am very grateful to everyone and to my fans who have always supported me. I am very grateful that everyone likes my songs and my acting."
"but----"
She raised her head, her eyes shining with an unprecedented determination: "In my own life, I feel it's about time I took a new step."
The host was somewhat surprised: "A new step? Is this a plan to get married and retire?"
Akina: "Marriage is too soon. But—"
She paused, a shy yet courageous smile appearing on her face: "There's someone I've been interested in lately. Maybe—I'll take the initiative to pursue them."
"Wow--!!!"
The audience erupted in cheers.
Standing in the shadows backstage, Kitahara Shin blinked upon hearing this.
This silly girl.
To say something like that in such a public place is practically handing the paparazzi ammunition against me.
but----
Looking at the woman on the stage with a bright smile, Kitahara Shin felt as if something had gently bumped into his heart.
Recording complete.
Akina returned to the dressing room and had just opened the door when she hadn't even had a chance to call her manager.
A hand suddenly reached out and covered her mouth.
"Huh?!"
She was so frightened that she was about to struggle when she heard that familiar voice in her ear.
Shh. Don't shout, it's me.
Kitahara Shinsuke released his grip and locked the door from the inside.
Akina turned around and stared wide-eyed at the man who had appeared in her lounge like a thief.
Akina: "You—what are you doing here? There are so many security guards outside—"
Kitahara Shin removed his mask and smiled. "I have my own way of doing things. I'm so glad to finally see you."
Akina looked at his slightly tired but still handsome face. The words of complaint she wanted to say turned into a sigh.
sigh.
Akina: "What are you talking about? It's not like we haven't seen each other for a long time—"
She herself was stunned when she said this.
It has been a long time indeed.
Since filming began for "The White Tower," he has been staying in a hotel near the film set. Meanwhile, she has been busy releasing a new single and recording TV programs.
It seems like it's been half a month since the last time we sat down for a proper meal.
A bittersweet feeling of "longing" suddenly welled up in my heart.
Before she could speak, Kitahara Shin had already taken her hand.
Kitahara Shin: "Let's go."
Akina: "Where to?"
Kitahara Shin: "Go to that beach before."
Akina was stunned.
"You mean—Kujukuri Beach? Are you crazy? That's in Chiba Prefecture! It takes two hours to drive there! And what time is it now? Don't you have filming tomorrow?"
Kitahara Shin: "What's the big deal? It's not like I'm new to pulling all-nighters. I have plenty of energy, don't worry."
Akina looked at him.
That look in his eyes was very serious; it didn't seem like he was joking.
That long-lost feeling, tinged with a touch of madness and willfulness, reminded her of Kitahara Shin, who dared to stand against the entire agency for her sake.
Akina: "————You really are the same as always."
She chuckled and gripped his hand tightly in return.
Akina: "Let's go then. I'm off tomorrow anyway."
Two o'clock in the morning.
Ninety-nine li shore.
The sea breeze howled, whipping up black waves that crashed onto the beach.
There are no lights here, only the faint glow of a distant lighthouse and the starry sky above.
Kitahara Shin parked the car on the side of the road, and the two stood side by side on the beach.
Kitahara Shin: "After so long, coming back here again, what are your feelings?"
Akina wrapped her trench coat tighter around herself and looked at the dark sea.
"Feelings? Quite a lot. When I first came here, I really wanted to die. I felt like the whole world had abandoned me, and living was torture."
"But now—"
She turned to look at the man beside her: "It's completely different now. So many things have changed, you've changed, and I've changed. It seems—everything is changing for the better."
Kitahara Shin listened to her tone.
Although that's what he said, there was no sense of relief or "survival" in his tone; instead, there was a hint of melancholy.
Kitahara Shin: "Judging from your tone, you don't seem very satisfied?"
Akina: "That's normal, isn't it? After all, I'm just an ordinary woman. Women like to fantasize, fantasize about unrealistic things. Romance, or rather, promises that can't be kept. Anything is fine."
"But you know, these things are impossible to achieve."
She kept her head down, drawing circles with her toes on the sand.
Kitahara Shin watched her retreating figure, then slowly walked over and hugged her from behind.
Akina's body stiffened for a moment, then went limp and leaned against him.
Akina: "Nobu, am I being a little too greedy?"
Kitahara Shin: "No. You're normal. There's no such thing as being greedy or not."
Akina: "Can I really trust you? Trust that you're not the second person to deceive and take advantage of me? Trust that you—can you truly love me?"
This question was asked lightly, yet it carried a heavy weight.
That was a hurdle she could never overcome in her heart. Even if Kitahara Shin treated her well now, even if he helped her solve her problems...
They helped her make a comeback, but the fear of being betrayed and controlled was like a thorn, deeply embedded in her flesh.
Kitahara Shin hugged her tightly.
He rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice deep and firm:
Kitahara Shin: "I will prove everything with my actions. Of course, I truly like you too. I will definitely treat you well."
"I can swear on that."
"If I ever betray Nakamori Akina in the slightest, or force any negative emotions upon her, may I be struck by lightning!"
Before he could finish speaking, the person in his arms suddenly turned around.
Akina reached out and covered his mouth.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, but in the moonlight, they shone with an astonishing brightness.
Akina: "Alright, alright. Your eloquence is so poor that you could say such stupid things. It seems I've really put you in a difficult position."
She stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and smiled through her tears: "Then I'll believe you."
"Believe me, love me well tonight."
"6
The sea breeze howled, tousling their hair.
On this deserted beach, in this world that belongs only to them, their two hearts finally came together without reservation.
A few hours later.
In the bedroom of an apartment in Minato Ward, Tokyo.
The curtains were drawn tightly shut, and the room was filled with the lingering afterglow of what had happened.
Akina was already asleep. She was curled up in the blankets like a cat, a tear still clinging to her eyelashes, but a satisfied smile on her lips.
Kitahara Shin sat on the edge of the bed, wearing only a pair of pajama bottoms.
He looked at the sleeping Akina with tenderness in his eyes.
Although he had been up all night, he was not sleepy.
He took the three blue pieces of equipment out of the bedside table drawer.
[Mind-Controlled Equipment: Military Lighter (Blue)]
[Mind-Controlled Equipment: Tailor's Scissors (Blue)]
[Mind-Bound Equipment: The Down-on-His-Luck Writer's Pen (Blue)]
"synthesis."
He silently recited it in his heart.
Three blue rays of light spun, merged, and compressed on my retina.
A few seconds later.
A dazzling, heart-stopping purple light exploded out.
[System notification: Synthesis successful!]
[Acquire new equipment: Guardian's Oath - Ring of Life (Purple Epic)]
[Type: Accessory/Halo]
[Description: This is not just about personal strength, but also a promise to loved ones. It is a bulwark of life and a source of health.]
【Equipment Effect 1: Absolute Physique (Host Exclusive). The wearer's all-around physical attributes are increased by 50% (including endurance, etc.)
(Strength, resilience, immunity). Furthermore, they gain the trait of "immunity to all diseases," becoming immune to all common viral and bacterial infections.
[Equipment Effect 2: Life Link (Shared Bond). The host can designate up to 3 opposite-sex targets with whom they have a deep emotional bond (body and soul connection) to share the protection of the "Ring of Life".]
[Shared Effect: Target's constitution increases by 20%, and they gain "Misfortune Saving"—automatically triggering a fatal parry upon encountering a serious illness or accidental injury (30-day cooldown), and significantly slowing down aging to maintain youthful vitality.]
Kitahara Shin stared at the words and froze.
Is this the power of purple equipment?
Not only can it strengthen itself, but it can also protect those around it?
He turned his head and looked at Akina beside him.
Her health had never been very good due to long-term stress.
And now, we have this.
"Binding".
Without hesitation, Kitahara Shin chose Akina as the first connection object in his mind.
A soft, invisible light flowed from his fingertips and gently entered Akina's body.
Akina seemed to sense something in her sleep; her brows relaxed a little, her breathing became longer and more even, and the weariness that had always been on her face seemed to dissipate considerably in that instant.
Kitahara Shin held her hand, feeling its warmth.
"That way—I can truly protect you."
He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.
This is the best equipment.
It is also the best vow.
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