Chapter 1208

The filming base in Ota Ward, after suddenly losing one production crew, didn't feel idle in the slightest; it was still bustling with people coming and going.

The filming of "Long Vacation" was also proceeding according to plan... Ever since that impulsive kiss on the banks of the Sumida River last time, the plot had developed rapidly.

However, it was just a momentary impulse between urbanites; the two hadn't become a couple, but instead had each found new romances and had developed to the point where they needed to separate and find new residences.

At this moment, outside the apartment where the male and female leads lived, a scene of parting was taking place~

The female lead, played by Chikako Aoyama, was downstairs, looking up at the apartment window with expectant eyes, hoping that someone would take a look... And just at this moment, Masaharu Fukuyama actually poked his head out of the window...

Their eyes met, and the more mature older sister spoke up with a smile first:

"It'll be lonely, you know... Even though I wanted to tear you to pieces last night, but... it really will be lonely after you're gone!"

"Is that so..." Masaharu Fukuyama nodded stubbornly, "Just a little bit..."

Downstairs, Chikako Aoyama looked at the stubborn younger brother and felt a bit of sadness in her heart.

To break this sorrow of parting, an idea suddenly popped into Chikako Aoyama's mind. She couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth and teased him loudly and somewhat vulgarly:

"If I'd known, it would've been great to do it once!"

"???!!!"

Masaharu Fukuyama upstairs was so shocked by such bold words that he couldn't speak. Are urban older sisters really this open?!

"Do... do what..."

"Secret!" Chikako Aoyama didn't forget to tease him even as she left.

"Big sister, this isn't the right thing to say in broad daylight, is it?!"

Such dramatic dialogue dispelled the sorrow of parting and made them both laugh.

"Hold on a second."

Masaharu Fukuyama seemed to suddenly remember something, turned around, and took out the fireworks he had bought earlier from the room,

"This... you forgot this!"

Chikako Aoyama was stunned for a moment when she saw the fireworks, then said:

"I wanted to set them off last night, but it started raining, so I couldn't~"

"It's yours now~"

Finally, Chikako Aoyama bowed generously and said with a smile:

"Thank you for taking care of me for so long!"

Masaharu Fukuyama upstairs nodded silently.

Chikako Aoyama's smile slowly faded from her face, and finally, she forced herself to wave:

"Bye-bye..."

Then she turned and walked away with long strides. As an urban woman, even if the parting is reluctant, one must leave with style!

The older sister and younger brother who had lived together by chance both understood that this sudden fate seemed to be ending here~

"Cut!"

Tomoyuki Nishimoto shouted with a smile on his face,

"Very good! Chika-chan, Fukuyama-kun, your acting is becoming more and more natural!!!"

Both of them came to the director's side and watched the playback on the camera.

Masaharu Fukuyama couldn't help but laugh when he saw Chikako Aoyama's bold words from the third-person perspective:

"Chika-san is really amazing to be able to say that without changing her expression! Hahaha~"

"..."

Chikako Aoyama rolled her eyes and punched Masaharu Fukuyama on the arm,

"I'm a professional actor! This is the foundation of my lines!"

"Hahaha~"

The surrounding staff also laughed. They could already imagine that after this episode aired, the vulgar slang "do it once" might become popular among urban men and women~

It's more likely that parents will cover their children's ears and tell them not to watch this kind of drama that only adults can understand...

Tomoyuki Nishimoto talked to them for a while and then said:

"That's enough for this week's filming. Let's stop here for today, I'm going back to edit. Next week, we'll be filming the piano competition in the theater; it's a big scene... Fukuyama-kun, be prepared!"

"Hai!" Masaharu Fukuyama nodded, "I'll do my best!"

"Hmm~"

When the director notified the crew to wrap up, Chikako Aoyama looked up at the original set of "Departures" and asked suspiciously:

"Why haven't I seen the 'Departures' crew today either? It's been several days..."

"'Departures' has already wrapped up!"

Tomoyuki Nishimoto went back to the company every day, so he was well-informed,

"It's going to be announced tomorrow... the completion disclosure meeting, and the wrap-up party~"

"Hontou?" Chikako Aoyama was surprised, "Filming finished so quickly?!"

Tomoyuki Nishimoto, as a director, also glanced at the original set and sighed:

"That's Naoki Nagayama for you! What Naoki-san is most praised for is that he films movies and dramas very quickly... Of course, it's not the fast pace of shoddy work, but that the shots he takes are very precise. Every shot is what he needs and will be used in the end!"

"Director Nishimoto, what does that mean?"

Masaharu Fukuyama didn't quite understand, and Tomoyuki Nishimoto started chatting with the people who gathered around as if sharing some interesting story:

"You all know that during the process of filming a movie, many shots are actually cut in the end. Sometimes the entire role of a character is cut... This wastes a lot of time and energy, and it's all for nothing."

"Of course, this isn't what the director wants to do, but before the editing is finished, even the director himself isn't sure what the final effect will be... So when editing, in order to better tell the story or for other considerations, many shots are cut."

"But Naoki-san doesn't do this when filming. Every shot he takes will be used..."

Tomoyuki Nishimoto paused, thinking about how to describe it,

"It's like... it's like he already has the finished film in his head, and he's filming according to that film!"

"This makes him very fast when filming and editing... One work every three months, that's how the Tree Friends speed comes out!"

After talking for a long time, Tomoyuki Nishimoto sighed:

"It's very difficult for others to learn this skill of Naoki-san's!"

The people who gathered around were surprised to hear this, and then filled with admiration.

Chikako Aoyama also nodded. She had a vague feeling when she participated in Naoki Nagayama's filming before, but Masaharu Fukuyama, who heard it for the first time, was a bit skeptical:

"Is it really possible? An entire movie, and not a single shot is wasted?"

"More or less..." Tomoyuki Nishimoto packed his things and said casually, "If you don't believe it, you'll understand when you see Naoki-san editing!"

"....... Alright~"

Masaharu Fukuyama was actually a talented person himself, and he maintained a skeptical attitude toward this rumor, but there was no need to say it out loud.

"Haha~ you don't believe it?"

Tomoyuki Nishimoto stood up,

"How about this, since you're also a rising star artist of Tree Friends, I happen to be going back to edit 'Long Vacation'... 'Departures' is right next door, I'll take you to see it and you'll know!"

"Uh... is that okay..."

"It's fine~"

Tomoyuki Nishimoto nodded, called Masaharu Fukuyama, and they got into the car together.

I don't know if Japanese people have a habit of deifying leaders, but this group of old-timers who had followed Naoki Nagayama for a long time was very keen on deifying him, and they loved to see the transformation of newcomers from skepticism to treating him like a god.

However, when Tomoyuki Nishimoto took Masaharu Fukuyama back to Tree Friends, Naoki Nagayama was actually not in the Tree Friends building.

Today was the day Akina's mother was discharged from the hospital. It had been agreed upon earlier that he would pick her up, so Naoki Nagayama accompanied Akina to the private hospital again.

After arriving at the VIP ward, he only saw Miho inside helping to pack up items, while Chieko-san stood to the side and occasionally lent a hand.

"Okaasan~ are the things packed up?"

Akina walked in and asked.

"Hmm, almost... there wasn't much anyway..."

Chieko nodded, and when she saw Naoki Nagayama who followed, a smile appeared on her face:

"Naoki..."

"Mother-in-law..." Naoki Nagayama asked, "Have you recovered?"

"Still a bit weak, but the doctor said this is normal. Just rest slowly after going back."

Chieko Nakamori said,

"Sorry to trouble you today..."

"Not at all..."

Seeing the three of them organizing personal items, Naoki Nagayama found it inconvenient to stay,

"I'll go check if the discharge procedures are finished..."

After Naoki Nagayama left, Miho asked:

"Didn't you say brother-in-law was filming a movie? Can he just come over?"

Chieko was also a bit worried:

"It wouldn't be good if he delayed his work to pick me up... Akihiro is a taxi driver, he could have just come to pick me up..."

"It's already wrapped up... he's currently in a break, so don't worry."

Akina and Miho put their mother's personal items into two bags, then each took one, and led Chieko toward the hospital lobby.

"Okaasan... are you really not going to stay at Sanyingyuan for a while this time? Hana-chan can already say a lot of things, maybe she can call you Grandma..."

"Let's forget it this time."

Chieko didn't want to disturb her daughter's life because of her own health,

"I've been in the hospital for so long, I just want to go home and see... I don't even know if the flowers in the yard have been watered."

Whether the flowers have been watered is naturally just an excuse, but it's true that the older one gets, the more one misses familiar places.

Akina didn't continue to persuade her, there's plenty of time anyway~

After walking to the lobby, Naoki Nagayama had already collected the receipts, and seeing the three of them, he took them to the parking lot.

To pick people up today, he naturally drove the Toyota Century with the most space.

Naoki Nagayama's driving skills were those of an old hand; he drove as steadily as an old man, and Akina and Miho could chat freely in the car.

Now that Miho had her own flower shop business, she wasn't too jealous of Akina's success, and their relationship had improved a lot.

"In September this year, does Miho want to go to Yokohama to see Michael Jackson's concert? I have some tickets here..."

"Hontou? Yes, yes!"

Miho was pleasantly surprised. International superstars like Michael Jackson were also very popular among young people in Japan, and tickets were very hard to get,

"How does Akina have tickets to his concert?"

"Because I'm a guest, I'm going to perform on stage..."

"Akina is actually going to perform with Michael Jackson?!"

Miho's exclamation made Chieko interested too:

"Is this star very amazing?"

"He's an international superstar! The King of Pop!" Miho said a little, "This world tour is sold out everywhere!"

"I see..."

Chieko glanced at Akina in the passenger seat. In her eyes, her daughter was already a top-tier superstar. She didn't expect her to be a backup singer for someone else this time?

"This is a rare opportunity." Akina said, "The agency fought for it... it's very helpful for future overseas expansion..."

Miho didn't care about overseas expansion, but asked instead:

"Akina, can you get me an autographed photo?!"

"No problem..."

There is one benefit to reaching a high position in the entertainment industry: you can get autographed photos of any star you want.

"What song are you singing?" "When is Michael coming to Yokohama?" "Will you meet privately?" "..."

Along the way, Miho kept asking questions about the big star, and her excitement was obvious.

In this atmosphere, Kiyose... arrived!

It was still a town-like landscape. Naoki Nagayama was very familiar with driving to the address of the Nakamori old house. The flag in the yard was raised high; that was for Chieko to pray for Akina.

The once-unknown town of Kiyose, because of the big star Akina Nakamori, often had fans coming to check in in recent years. Even the commercial street had become much livelier, and some shops even used slogans like "Akina Nakamori's favorite childhood snack" to attract customers...

This kind of behavior is originally in a gray area of endorsement and should be paid for~

But Akina didn't pay much attention to these, after all, they were all neighbors... and she did love to eat them when she was a child...

"Ah... finally here!"

Akina looked at the increasingly old house and sighed. After getting out of the car and walking to the narrow entrance, she felt a bit helpless:

"The entrance should be made bigger..."

"Daijoubu, now only Miho lives with me, it's fine~"

Chieko Nakamori, who returned home, was full of vitality and went straight to the kitchen to boil water and make tea.

Miho is the only unmarried one left in the family, and the other children have already started families and moved out. In this respect, Chieko Nakamori can be considered very lucky.

Naoki Nagayama looked up at the aging beams and the slightly sunken foundation, and a thought popped into his head:

"Should I call Honma-san to renovate it?"

Then record the renovation process and make it into a program. The name is ready-made, just call it "The All-Powerful Renovation King" or "Dream Renovation Expert"!

Then let Akina watch the renovated home on the show and exclaim... and keep thanking Takashi Honma...

"Akina Nakamori's Dream Renovation, Big Star Moved to Tears..."

Just thinking about it, it's very gimmicky!

"Naoki-san, what's wrong with you?!"

Just when he was stunned, Akina walked over and asked,

"What's wrong with this wall?"

"Ah... nothing..." Naoki Nagayama changed the subject, "It's a bit damp..."

"It's the rainy season, old houses are like this."

Akina looked like she was used to it. Having grown up in this house since she was a child, she knew where mushrooms would grow.

When walking to the hallway, she saw the narrow stairs again:

"The stairs are also a bit steep..."

"And they creak too~" Miho also came over to join the fun.

A few people walked around the old house a little, felt the characteristics of the old house, and then returned to the Japanese-style room...

Although they wanted Chieko to rest, the old lady was very stubborn about entertaining Naoki Nagayama after returning home, and the two daughters had no choice... After returning home, Chieko is still the boss.

But it doesn't matter, just boiling water, not much exercise.

"Naoki, have some hot tea first..."

Chieko Nakamori brought the tea on a tray,

"It's a pity the tea snacks are gone, I didn't have time to make them..."

"Daijoubu, it's already very good." Naoki Nagayama hurriedly took the hot tea and thanked Chieko.

The family sat in the Japanese-style room, looking at the green in the small yard from the eaves, chatting and resting.

However, everyone avoided the other person who should have been there, Akio Nakamori.

As Chieko's nominal husband and the head of the Nakamori family, he hadn't shown his face since Chieko had surgery.

Even now that she's home, he hasn't been seen.

It seems they are really just a couple in name only, not even willing to put in the effort to keep up appearances.

I heard that the coffee shop he wants to open now is half-dead and has no business, but it didn't stop him from playing pachinko and drinking flower wine... After all, Akina's subsidy to the family is enough now.

He sleeps in the bedroom on the top floor every day, eats lunch with Miho in the flower shop downstairs, and even the cleaning is done by Miho.

Life is so carefree~

"Mother-in-law..."

Naoki Nagayama said,

"The house is a bit old... you are getting older and your body is weak... should we do some renovation and install some more convenient tools..."

That's the kind of aging-friendly renovation~

"Renovation?"

"Hai..." Naoki Nagayama nodded, "Akina and I are very familiar with Honma Architectural Firm, we can let them come up with a renovation plan... The comfort of living will be greatly improved after the renovation."

"This..." Getting older, one is a bit resistant to change, Chieko Nakamori shook her head, "No need... lived here for so many years."

But Akina supported it very much after hearing it:

"Okaasan, your body is different now... And that entrance and stairs, I've been unhappy with them for a long time!"

"Hahaha~" everyone laughed.

Naoki Nagayama continued:

"Actually, the house structure is very complete, and it's very fast to renovate... Most of the rooms upstairs are empty now, and downstairs too. After the renovation, the space will be much larger..."

"As for the money, don't worry, we have a lot of cooperation with Honma Firm, we can let them help for free!"

After all, there is an island being handed over to Honma Firm to build!

If you change the background, it's equivalent to contracting a city's commercial complex to a real estate company... So what's wrong with asking to renovate a house?

It's no problem to get a kickback for a whole building!

Listening to her son-in-law's proposal, and with Akina constantly encouraging her on the side, Chieko Nakamori agreed.

Of course, Naoki Nagayama didn't say he really wanted to record a show... Akina doesn't lack popularity now, it's more important to protect her privacy!

Things like "Dream Renovation Expert" can wait until later!

(End of chapter)