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Chapter 170: Adventures in Japan (Part 2)
🕑 Added 2025-01-01 09:56:05 +0000 UTC"What's this? He's not satisfied with you two?" Hiroya Onogi looked at his two daughters, who had retreated from Gilbert's room, and asked sternly.
Yae and Yuri, frightened of their father, couldn't even speak. They merely nodded nervously.
Hiroya Onogi seemed disappointed. "I've kept your purity intact until now, and yet you couldn't complete the task."
Kyoko, having somewhat recovered from the lingering sensations in the bathroom, suggested, "Why not send Yae and Yuri to study abroad in America? They could serve Mr. Landrini while they're there."
Hiroya Onogi thought for a moment and agreed. Turning to Yae and Yuri, he said, "Prepare yourselves. This summer, you will go to America to study. I'll talk to Mr. Landrini tomorrow and arrange for him to take you there."
Hearing they could go to America, the sisters' eyes lit up. The farther they got from Japan, the further they felt from their devilish father.
"We will follow Father's arrangements…" Yae and Yuri bowed.
"All right, then. Go and rest," Hiroya Onogi said, waving them off.
He rubbed his temples, thinking he couldn't let the night end like this. Calling his assistant from outside the door, he ordered, "Sasaki, visit a few entertainment agencies and see if there are any young and beautiful actresses. Bring one here.
"Our guest from America needs proper service to sleep peacefully."
Outside, Sasaki responded immediately and left to carry out the order.
If Gilbert had known what Hiroya Onogi was planning, he would have shouted, "I don't need any service! But if you must, send more."
As Kyoko helped her husband adjust his clothes, she expressed her curiosity. "Why are you so eager to please an American? Is there something special about him?"
Hiroya Onogi shook his head. "You wouldn't understand. The Prime Minister recently visited the United States, and during the trip, I heard the name 'Mr. Landrini' from Washington circles no fewer than ten times.
"Many of the heirs of Japan's wealthiest families are fans of Mr. Landrini's movies. This is an opportunity."
For a politician like Hiroya Onogi, offering a few women to win favor with Gilbert, a director with significant North American influence, was a small price to pay. It could elevate his standing in both Japan's political and business circles—a deal he considered highly worthwhile.
In Hiroya Onogi's eyes, his wife and daughters were just bargaining chips for the family's benefit. Only his son, the eldest of the Onogi family, mattered as the rightful heir.
Meanwhile, Gilbert, still tossing and turning, was pondering Hiroya Onogi's motives, unable to sleep. But before he could doze off, the guest room door opened again.
Gilbert immediately closed his eyes, curious to see what Hiroya Onogi was up to now. He braced himself for any sudden action.
Unexpectedly, a pair of icy cold hands slipped under his blanket, followed by someone climbing into bed.
In one swift motion, Gilbert turned over, pinning the intruder beneath him. His hands gripped their throat. Startled, the person let out a scream, which echoed through the mansion.
"It's a woman," Gilbert muttered as he released her. The woman gasped for air, clearly shaken.
Hiroya Onogi and Kyoko came to check on the commotion. Seeing nothing amiss in the guest room, they didn't enter, leaving Gilbert to his privacy.
Gilbert, now more confused than ever, asked the woman, "Who are you?"
Looking pitiful, she replied softly, "I'm Noriko Sakai. I'm a singer and actress."
"???" Gilbert felt the name sounded familiar.
"Did Hiroya Onogi send you here?" he asked.
Noriko Sakai nodded, her tearful eyes full of sorrow, evoking sympathy.
Gilbert sighed in Chinese, "My god, when will this end?"
Surprisingly, Noriko seemed to understand Chinese. She stammered, "Sir, I came here willingly."
"Willingly? More like forced to be willing," Gilbert retorted. He had some understanding of the plight of actresses in countries like Japan and South Korea, where many were merely pawns for the powerful.
The day's events had been bizarre enough, and Gilbert didn't feel like overthinking it. Resigned, he said, "Sleep…"
Noriko Sakai was taken aback. Shouldn't he have pounced on her like a wolf by now? Why was this American so different?
Fearing repercussions if she left, she steeled herself, slipped into the blanket in her nightgown, and nestled beside Gilbert.
Turning over, Gilbert wrapped his arms around her like a human pillow. Without further action, he drifted off to sleep.
Oddly enough, Noriko Sakai felt at peace, as if she were a wife taking care of her husband. In his arms, she too fell into a deep, serene sleep.
The next morning, Gilbert confronted Hiroya Onogi. "You set quite the trap for me last night. I barely managed to get out unscathed."
Hiroya Onogi bowed apologetically. "I'm terribly sorry, sir. I only wished for you to have an enjoyable stay here."
"I don't know about enjoyable, but you must have been laughing all night," Gilbert replied, glancing at Kyoko and recalling the bathroom incident.
Noticing his gaze, Hiroya Onogi added, "Sir, last night's arrangements were entirely my doing. My two daughters wish to study in America, and Kyoko will accompany them.
"They'll be unfamiliar with the place, so I'd appreciate it if you could look after them."
Gilbert understood the underlying implication. However, he countered, "Studying abroad is a great idea. With your capabilities, it should be easy to arrange housing for them in America."
Hiroya Onogi immediately responded, "Understood. Once they're settled, I'll send you their address so you can visit them."
Gilbert was speechless. The shamelessness of this man was unmatched. Even though Hiroya Onogi had no qualms about offering his wife and daughters, Gilbert couldn't afford to sever ties outright, given what had already transpired.
Recalling the comfortable sleep he had with Noriko Sakai, Gilbert said, "By the way, about that girl from last night…"
Hiroya Onogi quickly summoned Noriko Sakai, who had just woken up. "Noriko, from now on, you'll serve this gentleman. Understood?"
"But…" Noriko hesitated, but Hiroya Onogi's stern glare silenced her.
"Don't be so harsh," Gilbert interjected. Turning to Noriko, he said, "I hear you're a singer and actress. Keep up the good work—I look forward to seeing your projects."
"Did you hear that? The gentleman has granted your request. Show your gratitude," Hiroya Onogi barked.
Tears welled up in Noriko's eyes as she knelt before Gilbert. "Thank you for your kindness, sir. Please allow me to dedicate myself to serving you in the coming days."
Japanese women really knew how to play the game, Gilbert thought. While it certainly stroked his ego, he merely said, "Fine. Come to North America with me; think of it as a vacation."
Noriko knelt again. "Thank you, sir. Please allow me to serve you during breakfast."
After breakfast, Hiroya Onogi arranged a group photo and then had a car take Gilbert and Noriko back to the hotel where his crew was staying.
Watching their departing figures, Hiroya Onogi instructed Sasaki, "Deal with that screenwriter Noriko mentioned—Noriko Shingo. Make sure he never appears before her again."
"Yes, sir," Sasaki replied with a bow.
The production crew packed their belongings and prepared to return to North America. Seeing Gilbert bring a Japanese woman back with him, they exchanged knowing smiles.
Tom Hanks teased, "Gilbert, who's this?"
"Noriko Sakai, a Japanese actress," Gilbert replied nonchalantly.
"Another one of your rumored girlfriends? Are you planning to take her to Hollywood?" Tom asked.
"Not entirely impossible," Gilbert said, turning to Noriko. "Noriko, how would you like to come to Hollywood?"
Noriko's eyes widened in disbelief. "Sir, may I?"
"You probably won't get lead roles, but you could land some speaking parts," Gilbert assured her.
Overjoyed, Noriko realized that serving Gilbert might elevate her career further.
That afternoon, the crew boarded a flight back to North America, now with Noriko in tow. The promotional tour wasn't over, but there were a few days' break before the next stops.
Returning to Los Angeles with Noriko, Gilbert noticed Cameron Diaz's pout as they arrived at his home.
To diffuse the tension, Gilbert swept her into a deep kiss, leaving her breathless. Satisfied, Cameron finally let go of her jealousy.
"Where are Naomi and Charlize?" Gilbert asked.
"Naomi's working on Contact, and Charlize is shooting The Devil's Advocate with Keanu Reeves," Cameron replied.
"Contact?" Gilbert raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't Jodie Foster cast in that?"
"She dropped out after breaking up with her girlfriend, so Naomi got the role," Cameron explained.
Gilbert found it odd. Jodie Foster had expressed interest in the project since last year, back when George Miller was set to direct. After Miller chose to focus on Mad Max, Robert Zemeckis took over.
Still, Naomi landing the part wasn't entirely luck—her previous success in Sliding Doors had proven her potential.
Charlize was also doing well, steadily climbing toward A-list status. Gilbert had even planned a movie to ensure her breakthrough.
"And you? What are you working on?" Gilbert asked Cameron.
"I'm starring in My Best Friend's Wedding with Julia Roberts. Shooting starts soon," she replied, glancing at Noriko. "Enjoy your time with your Japanese beauty!"
With that, Cameron went upstairs, clearly still a bit jealous.
