Chapter 1163: A natural-born magnet for headlines—every move she makes is front-page news!

Akina Nakamori's new song, "TANGO NOIR," had been out for over a week. In this era, Western culture was already immensely popular in Japan, and the rich, classical flair of the tango style once again sparked a frenzy among fans.

Akina, whose popularity was already soaring due to *Ghost*, was once again leading the musical trend. Her heat was now completely on par with the legendary Momoe Yamaguchi, the top idol who had conquered film, television, and music alike back in the day.

"Akina!!!" "Akina-chan!" "Akina Nakamori~~~" "......"

At the entrance of the TBS building, as a familiar car slowed down to pull into the station, fans and paparazzi who had been waiting for a long time surged forward, waving support flags and surrounding the vehicle...

Because "TANGO NOIR" had already entered the *The Best Ten* charts, they were certain Akina Nakamori would come to the TBS building for the live broadcast, so they had been waiting at the entrance since early on just to catch a glimpse of their idol.

Some held up the new album, others clutched glow sticks, and some were crying until they were breathless... surrounding the car, shouting their idol's name, hoping to speak with Akina Nakamori.

Looking down from above, the crowd looked like ants swarming around the car, slowly moving toward the TBS building.

The car windows remained closed, and under the escort of the security guards at the gate, it slowly drove toward the parking lot. However, the flashes had long since illuminated the people inside... Sitting in the back row, Akina Nakamori—it seemed there was someone else next to her?

It wasn't until they entered the parking lot that the crowd was finally separated by TBS staff...

"Akina's popularity is truly explosive!"

Naoki Nagayama, sitting beside her, remarked with emotion.

"Do you encounter this kind of situation every time you appear in public?"

"This is the fans' support for me~"

Akina's reply showed the professionalism of an artist. She looked at her husband and said,

"Everyone waited outside so hard just to see me; it would be truly shameful not to respond at all... If Naoki-san weren't in the car today, I definitely would have opened the window to talk to them~"

"Then I am truly grateful for Akina-chan's consideration~"

Naoki Nagayama shrugged. If Akina's fans saw him sitting next to her, they probably wouldn't feel very good inside.

After all, the goddess in their hearts was someone else's wife...

After the car was parked, Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori's team stepped out, with Ryōmei Tanaka and Maki Ueda leading the way.

Today was the day Akina was participating in the live broadcast of *The Best Ten*. Previously, Akina had invited Naoki Nagayama to participate in the filming of a dance short film, and they had already rehearsed the steps in the practice room, ready for shooting.

This matter had been sniffed out by the well-connected production team at TBS, who then strongly invited Akina Nakamori to participate in the live broadcast alongside Naoki Nagayama during *The Best Ten*... Doing so would make the show's ratings explode!

As one of the three major music programs of the Shōwa era, it had high exposure and high viewership, making it the station's ace program. The television station had launched a charm offensive, pleading time and again, and even Yasushi Akimoto had called Naoki Nagayama.

Coupled with the fact that Naoki Nagayama felt he should support his wife's new song, he agreed to appear on the show together...

That was why he had come to the TBS building with Akina today!

Inside the station, Naoki Nagayama saw many familiar faces, and even TBS General Manager Mitsuhiro Yoshioka came over to greet him:

"Naoki-san... It is a great honor that you could come to participate in the program this time!"

"Haha, General Manager Yoshioka, you flatter me. *The Best Ten* is a very excellent program; if it weren't for Akina, I wouldn't have had the luck to participate..."

Flattery is a two-way street; Naoki Nagayama and Mitsuhiro Yoshioka exchanged pleasantries with smiles.

"I suppose it's time for rehearsals now?"

*The Best Ten* was a live broadcast, so they had to rehearse before going on air to ensure no mistakes were made.

"Hai! It seems the rehearsal is two hours early?"

Naoki Nagayama looked at Akina; he wasn't familiar with live broadcast schedules.

Akina gave a clear answer:

"Mm... Everyone should be here by now. We need to go change clothes... and head to the studio for rehearsals..."

Hearing this, Mitsuhiro Yoshioka smiled and said:

"Then I won't disturb you two any longer... Naoki-san, it shouldn't be too late after the program ends. Let's go have a drink!

Station Manager Kōtarō Ogata also wants to have a good chat with Naoki-san~"

This was an invitation issued on behalf of the Station Manager. Naoki Nagayama nodded:

"Hai, since General Manager Yoshioka has so kindly invited me, how could I refuse..."

"That's good, that's good~ Then please excuse me~"

After setting the appointment, General Manager Mitsuhiro Yoshioka took his leave with a smile, leaving Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori in the lounge to prepare for the stage.

"As expected, Naoki-san receives all sorts of social invitations the moment you appear~"

Akina looked at her husband and said,

"Even the Station Manager, who rarely shows his face, wants to have a drink with Naoki-san..."

"It's probably because of the Film Industry Association..." Naoki Nagayama guessed casually, then smiled at Akina, "Your husband is quite the hot commodity right now~"

"But Akina, there is a very important matter right now!"

Naoki Nagayama looked around Akina's private lounge, where Maki Ueda and Ryōmei Tanaka had already moved in the performance costumes and other items.

"Nani?"

"There's only one room here. What should we do when it's time to change clothes... Should I change in front of Akina?" Naoki Nagayama leaned in and joked, "I'll be shy!"

"!!!" Shy?! Clearly, he had ill intentions!

"You're so thick-skinned..."

Akina pushed away Naoki Nagayama's face... How could this thick-skinned guy become a big shot that even the station manager had to curry favor with?!

As TBS's flagship program, the *The Best Ten* studio was the largest one in the station.

In addition to the main stage, there were over ten performance areas for the various guests... and each one was a creative stage with a different style!

Akina Nakamori's stage was designed to look like an exquisite dance floor, and it could even be filled with mist during the performance. One could only say that the stage art of this era was truly incredible!

When Naoki Nagayama arrived at the studio, he had already changed into his performance outfit, and his face was covered with a masquerade-style mask, looking very mysterious.

Beside him, Akina Nakamori had chosen a black fishbone-style puffy dress for her performance outfit today. Her jet-black, lustrous hair was pinned up, and she wore pearl earrings, revealing her fair cheeks and shoulders... She looked as noble and elegant as a black swan~

The studio was already filled with audience extras, many of whom were Akina's fans. After she entered, a wave of cheers erupted, drawing envious gazes from the other performing guests~

Naoki Nagayama saw the familiar Toshihiko Tahara and the members of Shōnentai, and he also saw the surprised expressions on the faces of Shizuka Kudō and Izumi Sakai... They hadn't expected their boss to come to the show as well!

Akina also smiled and waved to greet them, then headed to the dance floor with Naoki Nagayama to rehearse before the live broadcast... In truth, it was just to get familiar with the positions according to the music; Naoki Nagayama and Akina had already filmed the short clip~

"Akina-chan..."

During a break, the program director, Hitoshi Nagashima, walked over with the host, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi,

"And Naoki-san, let's clarify the program flow one last time."

"Hai..." Akina Nakamori and Naoki Nagayama listened carefully.

"This is the first time Akina-chan's new song has entered the charts, so the ranking is slightly lower..." Hitoshi Nagashima said, "So the performance will be earlier..."

This was to be expected; *The Best Ten* charts calculated the sales data and influence of all records over the previous two weeks.

Akina had released her new song quite late. Although she had caught up to others' two-week sales volume in just over a week to enter the charts, she could only be ranked eighth for now... Therefore, performing from lowest to highest, Akina's performance would be quite early.

"After the program starts, Akina-chan will enter through the revolving door, and Kuroyanagi-san will conduct the routine interview... Naoki-san will not be with her at that time..."

Hitoshi Nagashima gestured toward Tetsuko Kuroyanagi beside him and said,

"Then, after the performance, Akina-san and Naoki-san will go to the guest seating together... At that time, Kuroyanagi-san will interview Naoki-san..."

"Hai!"

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi also said:

"The questions won't be anything difficult... just a simple explanation of why you came to help out will suffice..."

"Mm-hmm~"

Naoki Nagayama nodded; this had already been agreed upon. He had confidence in Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's decades of hosting experience... she wouldn't let guests face any awkward situations in front of the camera.

"That's settled then... I hope the live broadcast goes smoothly..."

With the live broadcast starting soon, Hitoshi Nagashima had many things to worry about. After speaking a few words with the Nagayama couple, he went off to arrange other matters.

Time slipped away in the tense preparations, and soon it was time for the evening slot.

"3, 2, 1... Live broadcast starting!"

Program assistant Hitoshi Yamagishi waved to signal the control room and the host on stage, reminding them that the program had begun broadcasting live!

As the music started, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi immediately entered work mode:

"Minna-san, welcome to today's *The Best Ten*!"

"Speaking of which, this is the first *The Best Ten* since entering the cherry blossom season... Sa, let's take a look at the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in Tokyo..."

The screen cut to the cherry blossom garden in Ueno Park, Tokyo, with the camera focusing on a cherry tree that had already bloomed... With a skilled opening address and harmonious guidance of the audience's emotions alongside the assistant host, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi performed with ease...

After the commercial break, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi said:

"Come... let's look at the rankings for this *The Best Ten*..."

"Ranked tenth is..." As the rankings on the screen kept changing, the assistant host shouted, "Yui Asaka, 'STAR', influence index, 6854 points."

After the announcement, Yui Asaka slowly walked out from the revolving door behind the host...

At the same time, Akina Nakamori, who was waiting backstage, said to Kyōko Koizumi:

"Naoki-san was invited... I couldn't refuse..."

"Eh? I thought Akina had strongly requested it!"

"I wouldn't force Naoki-san to do anything..."

"Hehehe, what a virtuous wife~" Kyōko Koizumi said with a smile, "I really want to marry Akina-chan home!"

"Kyōko-chan, you should get married soon too!"

"Ha, I don't want to..."

Both of them had participated in *The Best Ten* many times, so they didn't seem very nervous... until the stage manager notified Akina Nakamori to prepare...

"Ranked eighth is... Akina Nakamori... 'TANGO NOIR', 7865 points!"

"Welcome..." "Welcome, Akina-chan!"

Amidst the cheers, Akina Nakamori lifted her skirt and slowly walked from the revolving door to the front of the stage~

"Wow..." Tetsuko Kuroyanagi praised exaggeratedly, "Akina's performance outfit today is like a European noblewoman!"

"Arigatō... It is indeed inspired by European classical clothing styles... a fishbone skirt..." Akina Nakamori said with a smile, "And a corset..."

"Ya... it really makes the waist look very thin..."

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi steered the topic directly to the upcoming performance,

"Does this have any impact on the performance later?"

"It's a little heavy, but it has better expressiveness!" Akina spun around, "Spinning won't be affected either..."

With Akina's current popularity, even a light spin drew a wave of sighs and admiration from the audience...

"I heard there's a surprise in the performance, right?"

"Mm... there is~"

"Then we look forward to the surprise Akina-chan brings us! Please head to the performance area..."

There wasn't much time for the pre-performance interview. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi quickly cued the flow, and the assistant host beside her picked up the thread,

"The tango steps are full of mystery; on the dance floor, the exotic dancer shines. Next, please enjoy Akina Nakamori - 'TANGO NOIR'..."

The lights on the dance floor dimmed, and the spotlight shone into the clouds of mist swirling at their feet... Akina Nakamori and Naoki Nagayama had both struck their poses, especially Akina, whose exaggerated backbend made one worry if she might strain herself...

When the rhythmic music started, Akina began her performance with a low, husky voice.

At this moment, Naoki Nagayama, wearing a mask and a tuxedo, acted as the sole mysterious dance partner behind Akina, dancing the tango in sync with her steps...

Akina Nakamori sang while moving her body, the two of them dancing a duet tango in front of the camera~

"

Tsumetai yubi de tekubi tsukamarete fumidashita kuroi shusu no kutsu kara

(My wrist was grabbed by cold fingers, and I stepped out in black satin shoes)

Owari no konai yoru hajimatta no Pas de deux noir

(The endless night began, a black duet)

"

Halfway through the song, in the gap between lyrics... Naoki Nagayama reached out high to hold Akina, and with a slight force from his other hand, guided her to spin... The fishbone puffy skirt spun like an umbrella... showcasing the elegance and agility of the tango...

The audience below couldn't help but gasp in surprise!

This was a very characteristic 360-degree spin for a female dance partner in the tango...

It wasn't until after a few spins that Naoki Nagayama reached out to wrap his arm around Akina's waist, freezing the pose and letting Akina sing the remaining lyrics...

".....

Aishita dake de watashi kowarete yuku

(Just by loving you, I am slowly breaking down)

Nokezoru munamoto kuchizukerare Tango Noir

(You left a kiss on my arched chest, Tango Noir)

"

As the music faded, enthusiastic applause erupted from the extras!

There were even continuous shouts and whistles...

"Akina~~ Akina~~~ Akina!"

"Akina-chan is the best!" "Ah~~~" "That was amazing~" "...."

This kind of cheering didn't require any direction from the on-site staff; it was entirely the fans' spontaneous behavior.

The camera moved back to the host's desk. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi clapped while saying:

"That was truly an outstanding performance; it even made me interested in the tango... Akina-chan, please return to the front of the camera..."

Without immediately preparing for the next guest's performance, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi specially asked Akina Nakamori to return to the host's desk today,

"And, bring that dance partner along!"

Akina Nakamori and Naoki Nagayama came to the stage together, listening to Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's instructions...

"Akina-chan, you said earlier there would be a surprise... So what is the surprise? Is it this mysterious dance partner?!"

"Hai..." Akina Nakamori said with a smile, "Today's performance was all thanks to him..."

"Oh? Then may I ask who he is?" Tetsuko Kuroyanagi echoed Akina Nakamori, "He's been wearing a mask the whole time..."

"This is..."

Akina Nakamori reached out and removed the dance partner's mask, revealing Naoki Nagayama's handsome face,

"Naoki Nagayama!"

A wave of gasps came from the audience, and even the other guests peeking from backstage let out exclamations. The appearance of the famous Naoki Nagayama shocked everyone present!

The buzzing discussion in the audience grew louder and louder. The on-site director, Hitoshi Nagashima, had to have his assistants go and control the audience's emotions before the live broadcast could return to normal...

"It's actually Mr. Naoki Nagayama!"

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi pretended to be surprised and then handed the microphone to Naoki Nagayama for an interview,

"Naoki-san, how did you come to participate in the performance?! Was it Akina-chan's request?"

This interview question was just as they had discussed, very easy to answer... just needed a little bit of agreement.

However, at this moment, Naoki Nagayama, who hadn't stood under the spotlight in a long time and was now in the public eye, felt his "party animal" side being triggered again, and his desire to stir up trouble began to stir,

"Hai..."

"?" The extremely short reply caught Tetsuko Kuroyanagi off guard, and she had to repeat the question, "Was it Akina-chan's request?"

"Request? That wasn't a request!"

Naoki Nagayama's eyes shifted to his wife, making Akina feel that something was wrong,

"That was a threat!!! Akina said if I didn't participate in the performance, she wouldn't let me sleep in the bed!"

"!!!" "Hontō?!" "Nani!" "....."

As soon as these words were out, Akina's face flushed red, and she immediately covered her face. The gasps from the audience erupted again, and discussions rose and fell... This time, even the on-site director didn't bother to maintain order~

As a host, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi had years of experience, after all. Her shocked expression lasted only a few seconds before she reacted:

"Haha, Naoki-san really loves to joke... Not letting your husband sleep in the bed... Is Akina a tigress?"

"Yes, Akina is the kind that bites!"

Naoki Nagayama "accused,"

"If anything isn't to her liking, she'll bite!"

Saying this, he went to roll up his sleeve to show people the bite marks on his arm...

"Naoki-san, what are you talking about~"

Akina, beside him, covered her mouth with one hand, and with the other, tried to cover her husband's mouth, both angry and laughing...

There were indeed bite marks on his arm, but those were from when Naoki Nagayama and she were playing around and being affectionate... Speaking of which, besides his arm, there were some on his chest too~

"This is... this is..."

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi looked at the man and woman in front of the camera, ostensibly bickering but actually showing off their affection, and could only sigh...

Although she had over a decade of hosting experience, she had never seen such a display of "showing off affection" in front of a live camera!

Quickly pulling the two apart, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi looked at the shy and angry Akina, and the mischievous Naoki Nagayama on the other side, and couldn't help but ask:

"Naoki-san, if you say things like that, aren't you worried that you won't be able to sleep in the bed tonight either?"

"Daijōbu, I'm already used to it... At worst, I'll go squeeze in with Eitarō!"

"Eh... Eitarō is?" Tetsuko Kuroyanagi asked, confused.

"Eitarō is the Labrador I raise..."

As soon as these words were out, the audience and staff all laughed... Squeezing in with a dog...

"Pfft..." "Hahaha~" "Is this for real?!" "...."

Naoki Nagayama hadn't been on a show in a long time. This time, his appearance seemed to remind people of the past...

It seemed that a few years ago, when Naoki Nagayama was on shows, he was just as fun!

This impression didn't quite match the feeling of being a great writer or a great director; it was very down-to-earth and approachable~

"Alright, alright..."

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi smiled and patted Naoki Nagayama,

"If we keep talking, everyone will think we came here to perform a comedy routine today! Akina-chan, don't you agree?!"

"Mm-hmm... Everyone, don't listen to Naoki-san's nonsense!"

Akina Nakamori had already recovered from the initial surprise. At this moment, she seemed to be seriously explaining to everyone,

"Naoki-san wouldn't squeeze in with Eitarō; he usually squeezes in with Nyatarō..."

"Nyatarō?"

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi was speechless... She felt that Akina Nakamori also seemed to have become a bit abnormal!

"Hai, Nyatarō is the orange cat in my house... Its bed is more comfortable..."

"Pfft..." "Hahaha..." "Hontō desu ka?" "......"

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi patted her forehead... When did Akina Nakamori also become a comedian?!

Is it true that when a couple is together for a long time, they influence each other?!

At this moment, due to the live broadcast, the numerous viewers in Japan also saw the scene of this interview in real-time.

"So Akina Nakamori is a tigress in private... No way, right?!"

"Does she really bite? She's just like my girlfriend... Are all girls the same?"

"Is it possible that Naoki Nagayama won't be able to sleep in the bed either?!"

"Sure enough, after stars get married, their married life is about the same as ordinary people~ Interesting... Haha~"

"......"

For a time, laughter filled the space in front of television sets... Although it was a bit unexpected, it also made the viewers understand one thing: idol stars are just like everyone else, ordinary people who also have all sorts of strange situations in private...

Under Naoki Nagayama's revelations, it felt like Akina Nakamori's image had become even more real! I like her even more now!!!

Without a doubt, tomorrow's headlines would definitely be news about Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori...

Whether it was Akina Nakamori being a tigress who bites... or Naoki Nagayama not being able to sleep in the bed at night and squeezing in with the cats and dogs at home, it would all become topics of conversation for everyone...

Sure enough, this guy Naoki Nagayama was a natural-born magnet for headlines; every move he made was a headline... He could grab the attention of the media and the public just by saying anything casually!

(End of chapter)