Chapter 1170: It

The cherry blossoms in the Shanying Courtyard were already in full bloom. A gentle spring breeze rolled a few pink petals off the branches, sending them spinning down into the nearby pond.

The petals floating on the water surface attracted the chubby koi. A few of them broke the surface, fought to take a bite of a petal, then spat it out, deciding it didn't taste good...

"It looks like it's time to hold this year's cherry blossom viewing party~"

Naoki Nagayama held little Xia Hua in the courtyard, breathing in the fresh air and whispering to himself as he looked at the flowers covering the trees.

Originally, the annual cherry blossom viewing party was a small, intimate gathering—a great way to maintain connections. However, as their business grew, once a year seemed too infrequent, so they started holding them according to the Shanying Courtyard's blooming season: once in spring and once in autumn...

Especially these past two years, as the bubble reached its peak and was about to start its downward slope, everyone needed to keep in touch even more.

"Tomokazu-san and Momoe-san should be arriving soon!"

Akina Nakamori walked over, took the baby, and said to her husband,

"Naoki-san, you should go change your clothes too..."

"Eh?" Naoki Nagayama looked up and down at his loose T-shirt. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing..."

"We have guests coming; you should at least dress a bit more formally!"

Akina looked at Naoki Nagayama's clothes with some disdain. She had actually wanted to change her husband's wardrobe for a long time... but he kept saying he was used to them and was too nostalgic to let them go...

"The shirt is already in the bedroom."

"......"

Naoki Nagayama was actually a bit unconvinced. As a big shot, shouldn't he just wear whatever is comfortable? Just think of that certain someone who only wears jeans and T-shirts, or that other one who loves leather jackets...

But for the sake of family harmony, Naoki Nagayama still went to change into the shirt.

By 10 o'clock, a car slowly pulled up to the gate of Shanying Courtyard. Outside, a circle of lush green bamboo completely shielded the interior, with only the grey-brown roof visible.

Once the large iron gate opened and the car drove in, one could see the expansive lawn, flower beds, and a sizable pond where beautiful koi were faintly visible.

In the center of the courtyard, a manor-style building dominated by grey and brown tones sat quietly. The building was divided into two main sections, and beside the western wing, one could see a cherry tree in full, vibrant bloom.

"Shanying Courtyard... it's breathtaking no matter how you look at it!"

To have such a quiet and large place in the heart of Chiyoda was truly enviable.

Momoe Yamaguchi had actually been to Shanying Courtyard before, but never for a formal family visit like this. She also knew that Naoki Nagayama had bought the adjacent building and rebuilt the entire estate.

She didn't know the exact price, but it was estimated to be over 1 billion.

"Tomokazu-san, Momoe-san..."

Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori stood at the entrance to welcome their guests.

"Welcome to Shanying Courtyard~"

"Naoki-san, Akina-san, you are too kind... Little Xia Hua... she's getting prettier and prettier!"

"Ah... isn't this Yutaro? Do you remember me?"

"Hua-chan, come meet your two big brothers..."

The two families walked into the living room amidst warm greetings, and the butler and nanny promptly served tea and refreshments.

Ever since little Xia Hua was born, the living room in the west wing had been covered with soft carpets, allowing the children to play happily.

Yutaro was already in kindergarten, while little Xia Hua and Takahiro Miura couldn't speak fluently yet. The three children would crowd around whatever caught their interest. Today, Eitaro became the children's toy, surrounded and afraid to move.

Leaving the children to play, the four adults sat by the table, watching them while chatting.

"Momoe-san..." Naoki Nagayama asked, "A comeback is a huge decision... are you really sure about it?"

"Hai..." Momoe Yamaguchi smoothed her hair, looking at the children playing happily. "Although staying at home to take care of Yutaro and Takahiro is very fulfilling..."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Tomokazu Miura beside her:

"But when I think back to filming movies with Tomokazu, that time was even happier... it makes one want to experience it again~"

In reality, as Tomokazu Miura's popularity had recovered over the past few years, he had become busier, and the time he spent with his family had decreased.

That's how it is for celebrities; being apart more than together easily creates rifts between couples.

Akina nodded with deep feeling:

"That's right, filming a movie with the one you love is very interesting!"

The two women smiled at each other, seemingly reaching a consensus on a certain level:

"Plus, Naoki-san's script for 'Departures' is truly excellent! I only learned about the profession of an undertaker when a relative passed away..."

"Yes, this script was written after my grandfather passed away..."

"No wonder it's so moving..."

"Tomokazu-san, Momoe-san," Naoki Nagayama continued, "A comeback will definitely trigger a media frenzy. That is unavoidable... are you prepared?"

"Hai," Tomokazu Miura nodded. "We have decided to live somewhere else for a while to avoid the paparazzi... once the public opinion cools down, we will return to Kunitachi."

"Yutaro and Takahiro will be left in the care of our parents and elders for a while..."

Momoe Yamaguchi added,

"I hear that Naoki-san's filming pace is always very fast... by that time, 'Departures' should be starting production... Tomokazu-san and I will stay near the set temporarily... and pick up the kids to spend time together during breaks..."

"There's no need to go through so much trouble," Naoki Nagayama said. "There's no need to move."

"??"

"Momoe-san... since you are making your comeback in my movie, you will naturally be under the Tree Friend agency afterward," Naoki Nagayama said. "Since you are part of Tree Friend, you don't need to worry about harassment from media reporters or paparazzi."

"We will communicate with the relevant media to forbid the publication of any stolen photos... If anyone publishes them, Tree Friend's legal department will sue them until they suffer heavy losses!"

Naoki Nagayama continued,

"As for the paparazzi, someone will go and warn them..."

Other stars need to cooperate with various media outlets for exposure and traffic, so even if they are secretly photographed, they won't pursue it... but artists under Tree Friend don't have to worry, and Momoe Yamaguchi doesn't even need more exposure.

As for the paparazzi... if no one buys the photos, would they still risk becoming a monk just to take them?!

"The media and paparazzi won't give up so easily, will they..."

Momoe Yamaguchi was skeptical. She had been harassed by these people until she was exhausted... even after retiring for six or seven years, there were still people following her on the way home...

"Daijoubu! Momoe-san, just trust Naoki-san!"

Akina comforted her. "We've lived in Shanying Courtyard for so long, and no paparazzi have ever come to harass us!"

The location of Shanying Courtyard is not a secret to some, and the low bamboo fence couldn't stop those who really wanted to take photos... but power could!

Besides Tree Friend putting pressure on the media, Naoki Nagayama had donated to the Chiyoda Police Station, asking the officers to patrol the area more frequently to maintain order...

He also had Hamasaki Naogo, the foreman of Maple-big-brother's Chiyoda KTV, warn the sneaky paparazzi and obsessive fans with his subordinates... Over time, the eyes peering at Naoki Nagayama and Akina became fewer and fewer, until there were basically none.

"Don't worry about secret photos and harassment," Naoki Nagayama said. "The public opinion storm I mentioned refers to the fact that after the news is announced, you two will definitely have to hold a formal press conference... and you will also have to cooperate with the promotion afterward..."

"That is certainly no problem!" Momoe Yamaguchi nodded. "Since I have chosen to make a comeback, I must return to the spotlight."

"Since you have the resolve, we must start taking action..."

Naoki Nagayama said,

"Tree Friend will start communicating with Momoe-san's former agency regarding the transfer... and the management of the fan club will definitely be transferred to Tree Friend as well..."

"Hai!" Momoe Yamaguchi nodded.

Then Naoki Nagayama took out the standard contract of Tree Friend Agency and discussed the specific terms with Momoe Yamaguchi.

Looking at the contract, Momoe Yamaguchi was very surprised:

"Naoki-san... is this a contract specially tailored for me?"

"No, this is a standard contract... the terms inside are all negotiable," Naoki Nagayama said. "As for the specific salary and profit sharing... with Momoe-san's status, it can be even better."

"And if there are any other requirements, Momoe-san can bring them up... are there any terms that are unsuitable?"

Momoe Yamaguchi shook her head:

"No... this contract is much better than the one I signed before!"

Even Momoe Yamaguchi couldn't escape being squeezed by the agency taking 90% of her earnings; HORIPRO Agency's low salaries were famous in the industry... at Tree Friend, it was a 70/30 split.

Naoki Nagayama had thought about 50/50, but was stopped by Otomo Yoshimura, who said that if that happened, other agencies in the entertainment industry would collectively boycott Tree Friend...

A 70/30 split was already poaching, but 50/50 would be digging up the roots of the agencies!

"With such good benefits from Naoki-san, artists in the entertainment industry will be breaking their heads to get into Tree Friend!" Momoe Yamaguchi laughed.

"That's why Tree Friend is very cautious about recruiting! We don't recruit if there's no potential!"

Naoki Nagayama also laughed. Now that Tree Friend's talent pipeline had been built, there was no great need for expansion for the time being, so they weren't participating in talent shows anymore... Momoe Yamaguchi's joining this time could be said to be an exception.

After reading through the contract, there were basically no problems. Momoe Yamaguchi only mentioned that work arrangements needed to be discussed in advance, and that they should try not to interfere too much with her taking care of her family.

After taking notes, Naoki Nagayama put away the contract:

"I will have the legal department draft a final contract, and then I will have Momoe-san sign it formally."

"Hai, arigato!"

"Then the official business is basically over." Naoki Nagayama looked at Akina, who had gone to play with the children at some point, and said with a smile,

"Next, let's relax properly, and we can have lunch in a while~"

"Good~"

HORIPRO Agency.

The annual "HORIPRO Talent Scout Competition" was in full swing, and President Shingo Oda was so busy he couldn't even eat...

In comparison, Chairman Takeo Hori, who was already in his position, was much more relaxed, only needing to make the final decisions.

So he was currently relaxing in his office, looking at the contestants' profiles, while saying:

"The quality of the newcomers this year isn't very good~ Not a single one catches my eye!"

"Each generation is worse than the last!"

As he spoke, he recalled the peak of idols, when the HORIPRO Talent Scout Competition selected Momoe Yamaguchi, and formed the "Three Girls" group with Masako Mori and Junko Sakurada... HORIPRO's fame was truly at its zenith back then!

It was just a pity that Momoe Yamaguchi chose to marry and retire at her peak... This had always been his pain!

How could he possibly want his cash cow to retire? At the time, he even had the heart to kill Tomokazu Miura!

But Momoe Yamaguchi was very firm, even saying she was willing to pay the compensation...

If it weren't to avoid making things look so ugly in front of the media later, how could he have agreed~

"Why isn't there a contestant with the potential of Momoe Yamaguchi?!" Takeo Hori sighed. "If it really doesn't work, someone like Shizuka Kudo or Yukiko Okada would be fine too~"

Seiko Matsuda had already passed her peak, so there was no need to compare, and Akina Nakamori had even surpassed Momoe Yamaguchi in some aspects, so she couldn't be mentioned~

And just at this moment, the office door was knocked...

"Chairman..."

President Shingo Oda walked in with a strange expression.

"What's wrong?" Seeing his confidant's expression, Takeo Hori asked quickly, "Did something go wrong with the competition?"

"....... It's not about the competition......"

Shingo Oda's tone was full of strangeness,

"Actually, the department below just received a call from Tree Friend's legal department, asking us about Momoe Yamaguchi's IP matters......"

"Oh? Tree Friend?"

Takeo Hori was also a bit puzzled, but then he seemed to think of something,

"Ah, maybe Tree Friend's new movie needs to use Momoe Yamaguchi's image or songs?"

"No.... not just that....." Shingo Oda continued, "They also asked about the current status of Momoe Yamaguchi's management contract... and the rights to use her stage name, etc...."

"Generally speaking, they only ask about these details when they want an artist to participate in a movie....."

"?"

Takeo Hori was surprised,

"Could it be that Tree Friend also wants to invite Momoe Yamaguchi to participate in a movie?!

Hahaha, Momoe-chan has completely retired, she won't appear!"

"Yes, that's what I replied," Shingo Oda said. "But Tree Friend's legal director only said he was ordered to ask..."

"...... This is a bit strange~"

Takeo Hori stroked his chin and thought about the reason... feeling that perhaps there was some unexpected situation.

"But even if there is something about Momoe Yamaguchi, they should be asking me, right?"

Just at this moment, the phone in his office rang!

"Ding-a-ling!"

"Moshi Moshi Moshi Moshi..." Takeo Hori picked up the phone; only those close to him knew this number. "I am Takeo Hori..."

"Chairman Takeo Hori! I am Otomo Yoshimura from Tree Friend!"

A warm voice came from the receiver,

"We drank together at the Lotus Club in Roppongi a while ago!"

"Ah... Director Yoshimura!"

Takeo Hori naturally knew Otomo Yoshimura of Tree Friend. In fact, to outsiders, Otomo Yoshimura was the representative of Tree Friend, because he represented Tree Friend in almost all social occasions.

"Long time no see, how have you been lately?"

"Haha, thanks to you, everything is fine... and you?"

"Fine... all fine..."

Otomo Yoshimura and Takeo Hori exchanged a few pleasantries, and then finally stated the purpose of today's call:

"Hori-san... I'm calling to communicate something with your agency..."

"Please speak~"

"Recently, our Tree Friend's new movie 'Departures' is about to start production, but we have searched the entire entertainment industry and haven't found a suitable heroine..."

Otomo Yoshimura pulled the banner,

"Our President Naoki thought about it and felt that only one person is suitable for this role... and that is Momoe Yamaguchi!"

"So... I want to communicate with you about Momoe Yamaguchi's participation..."

Hearing this, Takeo Hori also understood his intention:

"Yoshimura-san... but... as everyone knows, Momoe Yamaguchi has retired! And her will is very firm. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't make her come out of retirement!"

"Haha, of course I know..."

Otomo Yoshimura didn't say that she had already agreed, but instead used a complaining tone,

"It's just that our President Naoki is relatively young and very persistent in his pursuit of art. He was once a fan of Momoe Yamaguchi, so he thought she must be the one to play the role."

"We just want to try..."

Otomo Yoshimura explained,

"Calling Hori-san is just to communicate in advance and confirm some things... By the way, Momoe Yamaguchi's stage name is still with your agency, right?"

"Hai... of course..."

"Naoki-san is very persistent about Momoe Yamaguchi... this stage name must be used in the movie..."

Otomo Yoshimura said,

"Then... if Tree Friend wants to buy Momoe Yamaguchi's stage name, do you think it's possible?"

"This... of course not!"

Takeo Hori said immediately,

"Momoe Yamaguchi's IP is a precious treasure of our agency!"

"Hahaha, Hori-san is joking," Otomo Yoshimura said. "It's just an IP... a commodity... as long as it's a commodity, it has value..."

"Even so, absolutely not for sale!"

"Ah... the price is negotiable... how about 100 million?!"

"This..." Takeo Hori's heart skipped a beat... but in the end, he refused, "No... this is absolutely impossible!"

"Is it impossible no matter what?"

Otomo Yoshimura's tone was a bit low,

"Then, how about renting? Rent it to us for a period of time..."

"That can be considered... is it also 100 million?"

"How is that possible!" Otomo Yoshimura pretended to be angry, "Hori-san, don't joke!"

"Haha, I was just saying..."

"5 million for one year... let's rent... rent for two years!" Otomo Yoshimura stated the price, "This is already the final price..."

"Uh..."

Takeo Hori originally wanted to raise the price, but then he thought, it's just Momoe Yamaguchi's stage name. He couldn't get any money from music records, and could only rely on some video tapes and peripheral profit sharing, which was only a few million a year.

"Okay..."

"Then it's a deal!" Otomo Yoshimura said, "I'll have the legal department draft the contract..."

"Good..."

After hanging up the phone, President Shingo Oda was a bit puzzled:

"Why suddenly rent Momoe Yamaguchi's IP? Is there any trap?!"

"How is that possible, it's not like renting for 99 years!" Takeo Hori shook his head, "No matter how Tree Friend wants to use it, it will come back after two years."

"That's true... but what does Tree Friend really want to do this time?"

Shingo Oda scratched his head,

"They won't really make Momoe Yamaguchi come out of retirement to film a movie, right?!"

"Hahaha, you think too much!" Takeo Hori patted his thigh, "Momoe Yamaguchi is impossible to come out of retirement! I have confidence in this!"

"......"

On the other side, in Tree Friend's office, Otomo Yoshimura also sighed after putting down the phone:

"I knew they wouldn't sell!"

"Of course... Momoe Yamaguchi's IP earns a sum every year, it's a golden goose that lays eggs!" Ito Shuichi Ito said, "If it were me, I wouldn't sell either!"

"Indeed."

"But two years is enough for Naoki-san to film this movie well!"

Ito Shuichi Ito was puzzled:

"But didn't Naoki-san say he wanted Momoe Yamaguchi to settle in Tree Friend? Then he will definitely have to use Momoe Yamaguchi's stage name in the future!

Only being able to use it for two years, how can that work~"

"Regarding this, Naoki-san also has arrangements..."

Otomo Yoshimura said. They had already discussed what might happen after communicating with other agencies,

"Isn't HORIPRO Agency thinking about going public these two years... I heard they are already planning to issue stocks... There must be moves in these two years!"

In fact, HORIPRO publicly issued stocks in 1989, preparing to go public...

"Ah, Naoki-san wants to buy HORIPRO's stocks?!"

"Hmm... become their shareholder, and there will be no relationship afterward... Anyway, we are not short of money, and HORIPRO is also a good investment channel."

"Naoki-san is really something!"

Ito Shuichi Ito's admiration for Naoki Nagayama went up a level, only feeling that Naoki Nagayama seemed to think of everything ahead of him~

(End of chapter)