Chapter 7: It All Begins with a Kick to the Rear

Chapter 7: It All Starts with a Kick to the Butt

Why was Takeshi Iwata so determined to have his film screened at the Iwanami Theater?

In truth, this was part of his distribution plan.

How does one go about distributing a film?

In Japan, the cinema chains are dominated by Toho and Shochiku, the two biggest players.

Did the Iwata team have any connections?

Yes and no.

Nowadays, television clearly outshines cinema, and the Iwata team had previously focused their efforts there.

So Takeshi Iwata had no choice but to take a different path; he needed to find a way to make a splash.

Thus, the Iwanami Theater was the perfect choice.

Originally, the Iwanami Theater was established through the collaboration of Mr. Kawakita from Toho and Shigeo Iwanami, with the mission of showcasing excellent films.

As a time traveler, Takeshi Iwata was well aware of the Iwanami Theater’s standing in the Japanese film world.

Though it was a modestly sized venue, it attracted considerable attention.

In fact, it was considered a trendsetting theater.

Films that failed to screen there weren’t necessarily bad, but any film that did could be counted among the best.

Imagine someone like Takeshi Iwata, an unknown independent filmmaker, managing even one chance to try screening his film there.

What would happen?

At the very least, the media would pursue coverage, and Toho would certainly approach him about distribution, right?

Of course, the film’s quality had to meet a certain standard — if the critics laughed it off, it would be over.

Takeshi Iwata was confident; he could make a good film.

By the time he left the Iwanami bookstore, night had fallen.

Well… first things first, he needed to find dinner.

Heading west from Jimbocho, there were plenty of eateries.

The standard here was decent, though the places were small and tucked into narrow alleys.

Since Takeshi had amnesia, he didn’t know which restaurants were good.

Tokyo’s shopping streets were generally plastered with countless flashy signs, which made choosing a place quite difficult — even the seasoned Goro would wander aimlessly when hunting for food.

So he just walked casually.

Unexpectedly, at the entrance of a dark, cramped alley, he heard strange voices.

“Gosh, how little is this?”

“Maybe they’re hiding some, right?”

“This is really all I have, honestly.”

“Who are you kidding? A rich kid in class would never have this little pocket money.”

“I’m not some rich kid.”

“That won’t do — not even ten thousand yen? That’s ridiculous.”

“Idiot!”

“Oh… no, no more hitting…”

Without even looking, Takeshi knew exactly what was going on.

Classic school bullying.

For some reason, it reminded him of his own past — or rather, Liu Qing’s school days.

Now, he was “Demon Takeshi.”

That thought passed briefly as he stepped into the alley.

Sure enough, two boys in high school uniforms were punching and kicking another boy dressed the same.

“Hey, stop it.”

Takeshi’s opening was simple, with a slight snap of his tongue.

Unfortunately, the two didn’t notice anything special.

“Who are you?”

“Haha… trying to be a hero?”

The alley was narrow, unlit, and moonlight didn’t reach it, so the pair ignored him, landing two more punches on the unlucky victim.

Takeshi kept walking, unfazed.

“I’m starting to get angry.”

His tone was cold, and finally, the two sensed something.

They stopped, though one still gripped the victim’s collar.

“You’re angry? Haha…”

“So what if I am? Who do you think you are?”

Bullies are always arrogant.

These two were no different, even cocking their necks and giving each other those distinctly villainous glances.

As Takeshi approached them, a car happened to pass by.

Its headlights briefly illuminated the dark, cramped alley.

“Scary…”

“Who… what are you?”

Finally, the two reckless high school bullies realized danger.

This guy had an intimidating face — terrifying!

Takeshi knew well the power his appearance wielded and deliberately wore an even fiercer expression.

Normally, his calm face looked angry; now that he truly was angry, what could that mean?

“You two…” Takeshi’s voice took on a more yakuza-like tone, drawing out the last word, “Baka yarou!”

It sounded as if he might spit a thick gob of phlegm next.

The two boys’ legs trembled, recalling the true feeling of facing a yakuza.

But they were still young and foolish, unconsciously stepping deeper into the narrow alley.

“Bastard! I’m not afraid of you!”

One of them, standing close, mustered his courage to retort.

Takeshi interlocked his fingers and lightly cracked them, the subtle sound enough to intimidate any veteran fighter.

Yet the boy, reckless as ever, continued shouting, “Don’t think you’re special just because you look scary…”

Such stupidity deserved no mercy.

In a flash, Takeshi delivered a lightning-fast kick.

The boy screamed and doubled over, falling to his knees, curling up like a cooked shrimp, trembling uncontrollably.

His companion, still gripping the collar, was dumbfounded.

He’d just been twisting arms — how did it turn into a kick?

This guy was clearly a master fighter!

“Sumimasen… sumimasen, please spare us! We won’t ever do it again…”

They bowed repeatedly, clutching each other.

Takeshi didn’t press further.

After all, their apologies seemed sincere, and these were smart kids who knew who held the power and had not abandoned their friend.

Besides, this alleyway incident was minor.

No need to waste his precious time.

Watching them flee, Takeshi turned to the victim, who lay on the ground, battered.

“Let’s be good people to the end.”

He crouched and patted the boy’s face twice.

“Hey, kid, you still alive?”

…

Koh Shin felt deeply distressed, and it showed plainly on her face.

What had happened?

It was her first time going to karaoke with classmates.

At their age, karaoke was purely about singing.

Oh, was there karaoke that wasn’t about singing? She had no idea.

When everyone had sung their fill, Shin finally took the microphone for the first time, a bit shy, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before starting.

From the first second, everyone was stunned.

After one minute, some were already massaging their temples.

Three minutes in…

“Is… is the pitch off?”

“Oh? You actually know about the staff notation system in this world?”

Karaoke was no fun at all!

Though teased relentlessly, Shin wasn’t embarrassed; she simply felt she needed more practice.

She resolved to sing more, believing that with enough effort, she would improve.

She understood fully: if she wasn’t embarrassed, then the embarrassment belonged to others.

But.

She was a diva, the younger sister of Miho Nakayama!

In fact, if her sister knew her thoughts, Miho would probably pretend not to know.

Having decided to keep trying, Shin still felt sad.

She wanted a place to cry.

Fortunately, a small alley lay ahead — just right.

She hurried a few steps and turned inside.

Then…

“Hey kid, if you’re not dead, at least react. Gosh, you’re making this hard for me.”

Though the alley was dark and cramped, a man squatted over someone lying on the ground, repeatedly slapping him in the face.

This…

Beep beep.

Another car passed, its headlights briefly lighting the alley again.

At last, Shin saw clearly—the person on the ground had a face bruised black and blue, utterly terrified.

This was too much! Bullying to this extent?

Shin made up her mind.

She turned and left the alley.

There was no way she could beat that man; the gap in strength was absolute.

If even the high school boys couldn’t handle him, she certainly couldn’t.

Shin was smart and made the right choice, but suddenly she noticed a police patrol.

Her sense of justice flared up.

Still smarting from the teasing earlier, Shin wanted to vent.

Without hesitation, she sprinted back and kicked the man who was crouching down!

…

Takeshi Iwata was immersed in the joy of his first victory since crossing over.

Moreover, he was acting righteously, standing up for justice.

Caught completely off guard by the footsteps, it was too late when he heard them.

Before he could turn, he felt a sharp sting in his left gluteal muscle.

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(End of chapter)