Miyamoto Sawa did not head directly to the production studio prepared by the program team for this episode, but instead paid a visit to the Morita family's manor.
Morita Sho fiddled with the tea set, the kettle boiling water.
“Miyamoto, to be frank, I am very unsatisfied with your performance in this competition of 'Era Music King'.”
Hearing the movement behind him, Morita Sho did not turn around.
“I have failed Mr. Morita,” Miyamoto Sawa's expression changed upon hearing this.
“You haven't failed me, you've failed so many of your Japanese fans who support you,” Morita Sho poured the boiled water into the teapot and said in a deep voice.
According to the predictions before the competition, Miyamoto Sawa was expected to be at least in the top three. However, he was currently ranked fourth on the leaderboard, a result that somewhat disappointed Morita Sho.
Furthermore, Miyamoto Sawa had lost again in the spar at the izakaya before the competition. Many Japanese people online had begun to doubt him, and the faith the Japanese people once held in him was close to collapsing.
“I will try my best this time!” Miyamoto Sawa lowered his head.
His opponent this time was Ting Yu, who was the biggest dark horse in the current 'Era Music King'. His fame even surpassed that of Sean.
As long as he defeated Ting Yu, even if Miyamoto Sawa's ranking on the leaderboard did not change, he would be able to establish his reputation.
Ting Yu was a dark horse, and also like the flesh of a Tang Monk.
Everyone wanted to end his winning streak, because everyone knew how explosive the effect of defeating him would be.
It could even be said that the effect was second only to winning the championship!
“It’s not about trying your best,” Morita Sho shook his head. “My mission for you is that you *must* win!”
“If you defeat Ting Yu, Sean will be first on the leaderboard. I’ll be direct with you: the Americans have offered me an offer I cannot refuse. As long as you take first place on the leaderboard, not only will you receive a generous reward, but your wedding with Yumi-chan will be held at the end of the year. If you lose, you should know the consequences!”
As he spoke, he picked up the teapot, poured two cups of tea, and handed one to Miyamoto Sawa.
Morita Sho did not explicitly state it, but Miyamoto Sawa understood what was going on with just one sentence: after Sean took first place on the leaderboard, America would offer an irresistible price.
The venue for 'Era Music King' was chosen by the person ranked first on the leaderboard. This meant that after Sean won first place, he would have the right to decide the location of the next competition. This value was undoubtedly enormous for a nation's culture and economy.
“I will definitely win!”
Miyamoto Sawa suddenly lowered his head and said very solemnly!
He was not attracted by the reward, but by the engagement to Morita Yumi.
Morita Sho had no sons, and the family would certainly be passed down to his daughters in the future. Morita Yumi was the elder sister. Although she had lost her position as chairman, the fundamental reason was that Morita Yumi was infatuated with Ting Yu from China. As long as he married Morita Yumi, with his status as the strongest producer in Japan, Morita Sho would definitely give the chairman position back to Morita Yumi.
In this way, Miyamoto Sawa, as Morita Yumi's husband, could logically work decades less, no, several lifetimes less!
He had to win!
He had to win no matter what!!
At this moment, Miyamoto Sawa was filled with unprecedented fighting spirit!
“Don’t worry. Although the program team’s supervision prevents us from playing any dirty tricks, minor incidents during live performances are quite normal, such as cheers and shouts.”
Morita Sho's lips curved into a faint smile.
His words were subtle, but Miyamoto Sawa could still understand them.
During live singing, cheers and shouts were essential for enhancing the atmosphere, but it also depended on the type of music.
If it were rock music, the more cheers the better. However, for sentimental ballads, cheers could even affect the singer's emotional state.
Tampering with this aspect was not a violation of the rules, and there were countless excuses to shirk responsibility.
“Then I have even more confidence!”
After figuring it out, Miyamoto Sawa felt much less pressure.
Now it all depended on what type of song Ting Yu would perform. As long as it wasn't rock, his chances of winning would be much higher.
…
Backstage of 'Era Music King'.
The song creation area for producers.
Losov and a few others were leisurely drinking coffee.
From the beginning, Losov was the only one in this area. Now that Roman and Lauren had joined, it was already quite lively.
Moreover, the feeling of being ostracized had disappeared, and everyone was chatting and laughing.
“After this episode, we should have one more person join us, right?” Losov took a sip of coffee, leaning back on the sofa, exuding a comfortable aura.
“I don’t like Miyamoto Sawa. Because this person usually doesn’t speak, the dog that doesn’t bark is the one that bites,” said Lauren, the British producer, shaking his head.
After losing to Ting Yu in the previous episode, he had proactively joined this small group and suddenly felt like he had found his tribe.
In fact, during this past month, the three of them had also gone out for drinks a few times.
Because they had all lost to Ting Yu, they shared the same experiences, which naturally gave them more common topics.
When they were drunk, they even called each other brothers.
“Although Miyamoto’s personality is not likable, we have all experienced being ostracized. So, after this episode, let’s accept him. Let’s not be like them and lack vision,” Losov continued.
He was the first contestant to be eliminated by Ting Yu and the initiator of this small group, so his words were supported by the other two.
Having been ostracized themselves, they should not ostracize others. They were all fellow travelers.
“Hahaha, Losov is right. Our vision should be broader. Let’s accept Miyamoto,” Lauren couldn't help but laugh heartily.
Compared to the relaxed atmosphere here.
Sean's side was slightly somber.
Because of the pressure from Ting Yu, they had tried cooperating to counter Ting Yu for two episodes with not very good results. Therefore, this time, they did not discuss writing songs together. Not only that, they didn't even have the mood to chat, sitting there glumly drinking coffee.
“Why does it feel like Sean and the others are the ones who lost?”
“Hahaha, I feel the same way. Losov and the others are chatting and laughing, while Sean and the others have gloomy faces.”
“This is what real program effect is. Originally, only Ting Yu was ostracized and targeted. Now, the situation is gradually developing into this, the program effect is maximized!”
“Speaking of which, everyone doesn’t seem to be in a hurry this episode. So much time has passed, and they haven’t started writing songs yet?”
“Why even ask? The theme for this episode is Mount Fuji. Everyone must have guessed the topic correctly, as there are only a few famous landmarks in Japan.”
Mount Fuji is the most famous landmark in Japan, so the producers had spent a month researching and preparing for it.
After several episodes, they had figured out the program team's usual pattern for setting topics, so guessing the topic this time was not difficult at all.
Therefore, all the producers were in the lounge drinking coffee and not rushing to write songs.
Ting Yu also did not come very early; instead, he went to the izakaya from that day.