Chapter 16: Akina

It was already after the New Year.

I never expected that it would actually snow in Tokyo again, and once it started, it just wouldn't stop...

The snow kept falling, sometimes intensely, sometimes gently.

Fine snowflakes drifted onto the city streets, slowly weaving a silver blanket. The shrubs, hibernating for the winter, stretched out their branches and donned white gauze dresses. It seemed as if the entire city's hustle and bustle had been hidden behind a white curtain, appearing gentle and serene.

In weather like this, it is, of course, best to curl up at home, lie inside the kotatsu, and watch TV while eating hot pot.

Naoki Nagayama had been living such a decadent life for nearly a week. Aside from buying daily necessities and taking out the trash, he basically hadn't stepped outside, and he felt like his whole person was about to fall apart.

At noon that day, "I can't go on like this! If I keep being this decadent, I'm really going to break!" Naoki Nagayama forced himself to leave the warm kotatsu, put on a coat, and went out.

But where to go?

It seems one can go anywhere alone, but it also seems lonely no matter where one goes.

Back when I needed to work 007, I didn't have to worry about such troubles. Loneliness? What loneliness? Has this requirement bug been fixed yet?

The satisfaction of being filled with work all day long... Could it really be a blessing? Hahaha...

No, I can't think about it anymore. The big pie drawn by the boss is going to follow me into this life!

Even if I'm alone, I'm going out to have fun!

Since it's snowing, I might as well go see the snow at Tokyo's famous scenic spots~

Thinking of the more familiar Ginza and Shinjuku...

Naoki Nagayama felt his wallet and decided not to go for now. Is there anywhere I can go that doesn't cost money but can still kill time?

I'll go to Senso-ji Temple. I've heard the snow scenery is quite nice, and there are all kinds of specialty snacks. Besides, getting close to the Buddha isn't bad either, and considering my luck hasn't been great lately and my get-rich-quick plan has been forced to delay, I can also go ask for a fortune.

In fact, Naoki Nagayama is a typical pan-believer. Whether it's Buddhism or Taoism, it's all the same. If there's a need, I'll believe; if there's no need, then heh heh.

After transmigrating, his attitude toward faith has changed a little. After all, he experienced a miracle once.

However, he wouldn't be particularly superstitious about religion. Otherwise, if he kept believing, what if the legendary Flying Spaghetti Monster was the one who made him transmigrate...

Senso-ji Temple is less than 30 minutes from Waseda. After exiting the station, Naoki Nagayama walked slowly along the road with an umbrella.

He thought there wouldn't be anyone else out in the snow, but he didn't expect the road to be full of tourists coming to see the snow.

Some were young students, some were young men and women, some were families, and some were groups of friends...

There were also a few solitary figures like Naoki Nagayama.

It had been more than a week since New Year's Day. Logically, the peak period had passed, but as expected of a famous temple, it was never short of devotees all year round.

The slowly falling snowflakes had already draped a layer of pure white clothing around the temple, giving people a feeling of having arrived in a pure land. However, from afar, one could see the bright wooden beams and pillars, white walls, and black tiles of the Senso-ji Five-Story Pagoda, which looked even more Zen amidst the pure white.

Entering Senso-ji Temple, he strolled around the courtyards a few times. Unfortunately, he didn't actually have any special feelings; it was just a temple with nice renovations.

After passing the famous Thunder Gate, the monks in the temple led people to draw fortunes...

After a round of operations, he didn't know if his heart was sincere, but he got a number anyway...

Naoki Nagayama took the number he shook out and found his fortune slip—the second fortune, Small Blessing: "The moon is obscured by floating clouds, and one is confused in their actions. Fortunately, I beg for the protection of the Yin Lord; why worry about not being able to open my brows..."

Is it this accurate?

The get-rich-quick plan does indeed have a shadow and cannot be completed for the time being; I'm just thinking about how to get rich quick, but I haven't made up my mind to do it, just drifting with the tide; it seems I haven't found that person worth working hard for, otherwise I could work hard toward happiness; but it seems good things will happen in the future, making all these worries disappear...

Naoki Nagayama was a little surprised, then hurriedly tied the fortune slip in the temple's designated courtyard.

Bodhisattva, you don't need to guide me! I'm fine...

I only hope the Bodhisattva Guanyin blesses me to get rich quick so I don't have to work!

Religion is something that is always effective if you believe in it. The fortune slip at Senso-ji Temple was just something Naoki Nagayama interpreted at will according to his own subjective thoughts.

From this, it seems Naoki Nagayama doesn't have much wisdom.

In this era, there are no mobile phones or Moments, so he can't take pictures everywhere, P them, and then pair them with some profound-sounding words, nor can he get many likes after posting them to Moments...

This really made traveling a little less fun~

However, the commercial street leading from the Thunder Gate to the Treasure House Gate and the main hall was really lively. Not only were there many souvenirs, but there were also all kinds of specialty snacks, besides octopus balls, taiyaki, oden, various rice balls...

Naoki Nagayama even saw grilled meat skewers...

Is this really okay near the Buddha?

It smells so good... After filling his stomach, Naoki Nagayama walked around the neighborhood again. Besides snow, there was only snow.

After killing an afternoon at Senso-ji Temple, he slowly returned home. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about continuing to go out and play at night, but Genta Nakai had called to remind him earlier that "Night Hit" would be broadcast tonight, and he had to watch it.

It was definitely not because of his wallet.

The effect of the program and the feeling of rehearsing backstage were completely different. Naoki Nagayama didn't expect that after editing, his proportion in the program would be so large. Even the scene of Seiko going backstage was recorded...

"I was careless. Japanese programs in this era are notoriously bold. I should have thought that there were hidden cameras backstage!"

Seeing the program broadcast the segment where he raved about Seiko Matsuda, his toes were curling in embarrassment...

Thinking of the fortune slip at Senso-ji Temple in the afternoon, does this damn thing also count as good things happening?

At the same time, a family in Kiyose City, Tokyo, was also watching "Night Hit."

"Akina, Akina, look, is that person the young man from the cabaret last time?" Miho Nakamori couldn't quite remember.

Akina, who was reading a magazine, also took a look: "It shouldn't be. Naoki-san is very thin and not that handsome... This should be some newcomer~"

Akina Nakamori still remembered her "fan." However, when the program host introduced Naoki Nagayama, Akina was also surprised. It really was Naoki-san!

The four Nakamori sisters were all gathered in front of the TV. Everyone was very curious about the young man from that day, who had actually made it onto TV!

Mother Chieko also became curious: "Is this young man Akina-chan's fan? I didn't expect him to be so handsome!"

As the program continued, everyone learned that Seiko Matsuda's latest single was actually created by Naoki Nagayama. "Naoki-san is actually a creator!"

When the host explained that this was a song written by a fan for his idol, Akina Nakamori's face became very surprised and a little frustrated. "He clearly said he was my fan..."

And when the program started playing the scene where he met Seiko Matsuda, Akina Nakamori's round face turned red with anger. "Damn it, I never expected you to be such a fickle bad guy, a scumbag!"

The others hurriedly comforted her...

Hezi in Shizuoka was also watching TV, and she immediately called her mother Naizi out:

"Oka-san, Nii-chan is on TV again!"

"Achoo..."

Naoki Nagayama sneezed for no reason. Could it be that he was too wild today and caught a cold?

Sure enough, "good things" keep happening... ===== CHAPTER 17 =====