Chapter 1347

After finishing a day of editing, just before getting off work, receptionist Hana Hoshika delivered a package.

"Naoki-san, this was sent from Shogakukan..."

Hana Hoshika handed the package to Naoki Nagayama and thoughtfully provided a letter opener before leaving,

"It seems to be a book..."

"A book?"

Naoki Nagayama then remembered that Kuniharu Morikawa had mentioned sending him a trial print version...

Opening the packaging, he saw it was indeed the trial print of "I'm Sorry, I Love You." However, the cover of the novel actually featured a sketch of a man and a woman... full of that Japanese light novel aesthetic of loneliness and beauty...

"Hmm..."

Seeing this cover, Naoki Nagayama felt a bit helpless; it lacked any intense emotional color!

He flipped through the pages casually; the paper inside was thick and soft, the printing was very clear, and the quality was definitely at the highest level for books on the market.

"This cover... it won't do!"

As he spoke, the stills from "I'm Sorry, I Love You" flashed through his mind.

In his mind, the cover of the "I'm Sorry, I Love You" novel had to be that scene of the male and female leads next to the trash can!

His eyes turned to the phone on the table, and he picked it up directly.

"Moshi moshi, this is Kuniharu Morikawa..."

Kuniharu Morikawa's voice came through the receiver, and Naoki Nagayama spoke,

"Morikawa-san, it's me, Naoki Nagayama..."

"Ah, Naoki-san!!" Kuniharu Morikawa's tone was very enthusiastic, "Did you receive our trial print? How does it feel?!"

"The printing quality of the book is very good... the text is also very clear..."

Naoki Nagayama praised it first, then said,

"However, I have some opinions about the cover..."

"Hai, please speak, Naoki-san, we will definitely correct it! We'll ask the designer to redesign it!"

"No, no..."

Naoki Nagayama said,

"I'll handle it myself. I'll take a cover photo and send it to Shogakukan; just use that cover when the time comes!"

"This..."

Kuniharu Morikawa was stunned for a moment, then immediately said,

"No problem, Naoki-san can use whatever cover he wants!"

Naoki Nagayama was a great director and the chairman of the Friend Group! He would never let anything be amiss with his own book!

"Hmm... then please pause the printing for now..."

"Daijoubu!"

One day later~

At Shanying Yuan, Naoki Nagayama was holding a wavy rainbow-patterned wool sweater, feeling very satisfied!

Akina and Naoki Nagayama were admiring it together. This rainbow sweater was drawn by her based on Naoki Nagayama's description and then immediately made into a sample by her own Bubble Factory.

Because she was the boss, the whole process took less than a day!

From top to bottom, the wavy gradient from light blue to pink made this sweater full of appeal; even a fashion pioneer like Akina liked it very much...

"Naoki-san, is this the effect you wanted?!"

"Yes!"

Naoki Nagayama nodded with satisfaction. After the trial print of "I'm Sorry, I Love You" came out, he was dissatisfied with the cover designed by Shogakukan and wanted to find someone else to shoot it, which is why he asked Akina.

"Seeing the look of this garment, I feel that gradient elements might become the next popular trend after polka dots."

This year's fashion trend was polka dots, but after seeing this sweater, Akina felt that gradients were very attractive.

"Perhaps~"

Naoki Nagayama didn't know much about fashion trends; he only knew that after "I'm Sorry, I Love You" was filmed, it might influence some trends for a short time.

"Is this piece of clothing for a model to wear?"

Akina's words were a bit sour, but Naoki Nagayama, who was examining the sweater, didn't notice.

"Hmm~ I need a model to wear it to shoot the cover! It shouldn't be too big..."

And the model, Naoki Nagayama had already decided, was Rie Miyazawa!

"Tsk tsk tsk... designed for a model, huh..."

Akina was sour on the side,

"Naoki-san has never designed clothes for me..."

"?"

Naoki Nagayama finally realized that his wife was jealous!

"Ah? Hasn't Akina always been the one designing clothes for me?! Where would my aesthetic be as good as Akina's!"

"..... This sweater is clearly very good!"

"This was just a whim... combined with the novel's story..."

"Then why didn't Naoki-san have a whim to design a set for me~ Is it because my figure has changed now that I can't wear them!"

A pregnant woman carrying a baby has rapidly changing moods... clearly she was just admiring the clothes with Naoki Nagayama, and now she suddenly became angry and then dejected...

"....."

Disaster. Usually, when encountering such a situation, there's no way to win an argument!

As for this set, even if he gave it to Akina, she wouldn't accept it... because it wasn't designed for her!

Naoki Nagayama quickly recognized the situation, hurriedly apologized to his wife who was carrying their baby, and promised to design a stunning set of clothes for Akina in the future...

Then he secretly used his toes to nudge little Xia Hua, who was playing nearby, to make her cause a scene and divert Akina's attention, which finally let the storm pass~

Sigh... it's too hard!

The next day, Naoki Nagayama didn't go to the Friend Building first, but drove to the old Friend studio.

It was the one contributed by Shuichi Yitang to Friend, and it had now become a very commonly used studio for Friend~

When Naoki Nagayama arrived, someone was already preparing the scene in advance. Seeing Naoki Nagayama, they all greeted him:

"Naoki-san, good morning!" "Naoki-san..." "Naoki-san, you're here!"

"Yes, yes, thank you all for your hard work!"

While nodding and greeting the staff, Naoki Nagayama asked the photographer,

"Has the model arrived?"

"Hai, she's already getting her makeup done!"

"Hmm, then I'll go take a look..."

Naoki Nagayama took the box containing the sweater and walked into the makeup room, where he saw a man and a woman getting their makeup done by Rena Mayu.

"Rena-san..."

Rena Mayu was also a veteran at Friend. Naoki Nagayama greeted her first, then looked at the other two,

"Rie-chan, Fukuyama-kun... long time no see! Thank you for your hard work this time!"

"Naoki-san!" X2

Rie Miyazawa and Masaharu Fukuyama had only received the schedule arrangement yesterday to temporarily take on a cover shoot.

But neither of them expected that this cover photo was actually Naoki Nagayama's request!

And Naoki Nagayama had even come in person!!

"This cover is for my new novel, 'I'm Sorry, I Love You'!"

Naoki Nagayama introduced it to the two of them,

"Because your images are very suitable, I'd like to ask you to be the models..."

In fact, being chosen as the live-action cover for a novel meant being tied to the novel. When it came time to film, these two would be the male and female leads!

Rie Miyazawa was the female lead Naoki Nagayama had already decided on, while Masaharu Fukuyama was a new addition... Friend had relatively few young male artists over 1.8 meters tall...

"Hai, this is our honor! We will definitely cooperate!"

Masaharu Fukuyama, with his fluffy hair and a headband, dressed like a street wanderer, nodded. He knew this was actually an opportunity!

A big shot's private novel, being the cover lead for this book was an opportunity many people would fight for!

"Haha, that's good..."

Naoki Nagayama looked at Rie Miyazawa, who was already growing into a graceful young woman, and said with a smile,

"Rie-chan, I brought you a piece of clothing... wear this for the shoot later!"

"Ah?" Rie Miyazawa was stunned, then subconsciously nodded, "Hai!"

Taking the bag and opening it, she saw it was a brightly colored sweater!

Rie Miyazawa had originally thought it might be some strange, revealing clothing, and her heart suddenly felt relieved... but there was a hint of disappointment!

So Naoki Nagayama wasn't that kind of person!

Rie Miyazawa, already 16, had absolutely no resistance to a superior like Naoki Nagayama, who was handsome, rich, and could completely control her work!

When Rie Miyazawa put on this gradient rainbow sweater, her whole person exuded a charming cuteness~

"It's a bit big..."

Rie Miyazawa said, pulling at the clothes,

"I feel like the shoulders will slip..."

"That's the style!"

Naoki Nagayama said, then looked Rie Miyazawa up and down and said to the makeup artist Rena Mayu,

"Rena-san, Rie-chan's features are a bit on the heroic side... help make her look cuter, less aggressive..."

"Hai!"

Rena Mayu nodded, then pulled Rie Miyazawa back to the makeup table and began to get busy.

As for Masaharu Fukuyama on the other side, Naoki Nagayama also took a look:

"For Fukuyama-kun, the jawline should be firmer... he has the image of someone hanging out on the streets!"

"Hai..."

"......"

In the studio outside, Naoki Nagayama looked at the street corner set that had been built and felt something was missing... The two artists had shot many photos, but none had achieved the effect he had in mind...

"Forget it... you can't get a real-life feel in a studio!"

Naoki Nagayama looked up at the window; the weather was quite good. He looked at his watch; it was only past 8 in the morning... there was still time!

So he waved his hand:

"Alright, let's go find a real street corner, a real trash can!"

So a group of people with reflectors and other tools immediately got into the van outside and headed toward Minato Ward, where there were more Western-style buildings!

To be honest, a command to change the schedule so drastically at the last minute would usually be opposed by the camera crew, and the two models would also object... because it would definitely delay their subsequent schedule arrangements.

But since it was Naoki Nagayama who said it, everyone had no objections and executed it directly...

After arriving in Minato Ward, Naoki Nagayama instructed all the members to look for a large red trash can... preferably one with graffiti...

The group wandered through the old buildings of Minato Ward like street loafers~

Due to the popularity of "Long Vacation," Masaharu Fukuyama was already a famous artist, and Rie Miyazawa was also familiar to people because she had appeared on many well-known magazine covers, naturally attracting a lot of attention.

Many people saw the two artists walking in the middle, with others holding reflectors and cameras, and knew they must be there for a street shoot!

And... who was that person in the crowd who was not at all inferior to the two artists and had an even stronger presence?

"Ah, isn't that guy Naoki Nagayama!"

Someone finally remembered!

Naoki Nagayama's fame was actually a household name... it's just that he wasn't an artist, so his exposure wasn't that intense!

After the few were recognized, this news spread rapidly in the paparazzi circle, and many people slammed on the gas and arrived in Minato Ward...

Friend didn't allow private photos of artists, and Naoki Nagayama didn't allow others to photograph Akina Nakamori's private life, but this kind of street shoot scene didn't count!!!

"Hmm, this place is very good!"

Looking at the back alley exit of an office building in Minato Ward, a row of trash cans was lined up next to the exit... The dust- and stain-filled trash cans were full of signs of use... The wall next to them also had graffiti and various other marks...

This was something that could never be produced in a studio!

Ignoring some people peeking not far away, Naoki Nagayama directed the camera crew to start taking photos...

"Fukuyama-kun, squat down here at the exit... you know, that very manly squat, right?!"

"Hmm, Rie-chan, you squat down next to him... the kind where you hug your knees..."

As the director, Naoki Nagayama naturally guided the positioning, and then gave acting instructions to both of them...

"You two have just spent a difficult night, and now you're very tired but also in good spirits..."

"Come... look toward the upper right!"

"Don't smile yet... take one!"

"Take another one smiling!"

"....."

The photographer, who should have been the soul of the cover shoot, was being spun around by Naoki Nagayama, but didn't dare to have a single complaint!

Masaharu Fukuyama and Rie Miyazawa were seen squatting next to the trash cans like two homeless people, one smiling dashingly, the other smiling shyly...

One was a scrappy boy with tenacious vitality, the other looked like a frail young lady who had accidentally left home...

"Rie-chan, rest your head on your knees... smile like this!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Naoki Nagayama made a final adjustment, and finally, around 11 a. m., he took the perfect photo!

By this time, quite a few paparazzi had gathered not far away, all using cameras to photograph the situation here. If it weren't for the accompanying staff blocking them, they might have crowded in...

"Naoki-san, should we ignore them?"

Masaharu Fukuyama asked, a bit puzzled,

"They will take photos of us..."

"Ha, they don't even know what we're doing!"

Naoki Nagayama smiled and ignored these paparazzi... Even if they leaked this shoot, no one in the entire Friend Group, except for the two models in front of him, knew what these photos were for.

And leaking it now, sparking everyone's curiosity, would only increase the buzz when the novel "I'm Sorry, I Love You" was officially released...

"Alright, let's go!"

Saying this, he had everyone pack up their equipment and return to the car, then headed back toward the studio.

Upon arriving at the studio, Naoki Nagayama had the photographer develop the photos as soon as possible and send them to his office, then told everyone they could disperse!

"Naoki-san, this sweater..."

Before leaving, Rie Miyazawa walked over, pinching the wool sleeve on her body, feeling a bit conflicted. She didn't know whether to return it...

"Hmm?"

Naoki Nagayama looked over. This rainbow sweater on Rie Miyazawa was full of youthful energy and very harmonious,

"This sweater... does Rie-chan like it?!"

"I quite like it..."

Rie Miyazawa felt the material; it was definitely top-quality cashmere, the style was novel, and it was very comfortable to wear...

"Then keep it!"

Naoki Nagayama laughed,

"Maybe you'll be able to use it later!"

"??"

Rie Miyazawa wanted to ask more, but Naoki Nagayama was being mysterious and wouldn't say, telling her not to think too much about it... This left the girl in the midst of puberty feeling conflicted...

Why so mysterious...

Is Naoki-san flirting with me?!

Oh my, if so, what should I do... should I submit, or should I submit?!