Chapter 172

Another sunny day.

The warm sunshine spilled onto the streets of Tokyo, letting pedestrians coming and going on both sides of the road feel the warmth of spring.

In this weather, wearing a thin jacket is enough to frolic all over Tokyo.

The street trees on both sides of Chiyoda Road were lush and green. Walking north from Jimbocho, clusters of wild grass and flowers appeared from time to time in the gaps between the sidewalk and the street. Before long, one could also find a small park. Lush trees had conquered every corner of the park, and even the ornamental pebble paths were in danger of being invaded.

Red, white, yellow, and purple flowers were dotted in the green canvas, depicting a magnificent scene of spring.

Not far from the small park, there was a gray-brown two-story Western-style building hidden among green bamboos. Beside the building, a pink cherry tree was in full bloom. A breeze blew, and pink petals drifted down one by one, landing in the empty courtyard.

Naoki Nagayama on the second floor of Shan Ying Yuan was packing his luggage. This afternoon was the time to take a flight to New York, USA.

He was holding the phone between his neck and head while folding a jacket with his hands, preparing to stuff it into his suitcase.

"Otomo-san, I'm leaving this afternoon. Just keep the record promotion on track. Finding new songs can be done in the

JASRAC music library~ Recently, teenagers are so rebellious, just find some rebellious, 'chuunibyou' songs."

"What is 'chuunibyou'?" Naoki Nagayama was stunned. Oh, right, there was no such definition at this time, but he continued without changing his expression, "It's that feeling of middle school second-year students, an over-inflated self-consciousness that 'I am the greatest in the world'."

Then he turned the tables: "I say, Otomo-san, you have to keep up with the pulse of the youth in the record business. You can't let the generation gap continue to widen just because you're a middle-aged person."

Tatsumura Otomo on the other end of the phone roared: "I'm just a mere agent! Why do I have to care about the pulse of the youth! Isn't that the producer's job! Also, I'm only in my early forties; do you know that for a man, this is the age of blooming like a flower!"

Naoki Nagayama folded his clothes and freed his hand to move the receiver further away. He waited until it was calm on the other side before continuing: "Otomo-san, you can't just look at what's right in front of you; you have to broaden your perspective~"

"Junko Ito's debut phase has passed beautifully. After that, just continue to work hard according to the standard idol promotion plan~" Junko Ito's "Puzzle" sold 60,000 copies in its first week, which was quite good for a newcomer.

After finally fooling Tatsumura Otomo, the person on the other end of the phone changed to the resentful Ito Shuichi Yin Tang. Are these two guys playing a wheel war?

"Naoki-san, you're actually running away at such an important time~"

"Running away! What are you talking about!"

Although he had the idea of avoiding the day-and-night rush of promotional appearances, he was going to the United States for a serious exchange this time!

The publicity from various newspapers and media was already in place, and the market had high expectations for the newly released "Big Chance."

"Yin Tang-san, such a simple promotional activity actually doesn't need me at all~"

"...... Naoki-san...... don't make excuses; you just want to run away!"

Kuso! This guy, why does he hold onto one point and not let go?

To prevent Ito Shuichi Yin Tang from continuing to pester him, Naoki Nagayama had to come up with a dirty idea: "Yin Tang-san, go find out about that robbery incident that happened in Tokyo before. See when the next node of the case is, and see if we can hype up the news again around the premiere..."

"This kind of promotional method seems a bit..." Ito Shuichi Yin Tang had some things he was embarrassed to say. Deep down, he still had a bottom line.

"It's a low-class method~"

Naoki Nagayama didn't feel anything. In the internet era decades later, what is integrity? How much exposure can it be exchanged for?

"But it's worth a try."

"Hai, I will contact them." Ito Shuichi Yin Tang reluctantly agreed, but he no longer had the interest to continue chatting with Naoki Nagayama. "I wish Naoki-san a smooth trip to New York~"

"Hai! Yin Tang-san, I'll remember to bring you a gift~"

"Who wants your gift! Do you think I'm a child?" Ito Shuichi Yin Tang muttered and hung up the phone.

Naoki Nagayama smiled after putting down the phone: "Tsk, if you have the ability, don't accept the gift later~ Tsundere~"

He zipped up the suitcase and put the prepared luggage in the living room. When a man goes out, one large suitcase for a change of clothes and a backpack for a wallet, important documents, etc., is enough.

Eitaro was sent back to his hometown the day before yesterday, falling into Nagayama Hezi's clutches again. He hoped that when he returned from the United States, he would still be safe and sound.

And everyone who needed to be informed had been notified; he was just waiting for the taxi to take him to the airport in the afternoon.

After several days of media offensive, people who often go to the movies almost all knew that a comedy was about to be released.

According to the reporters who attended the preview and some audience interviews, the quality of this movie was excellent; it was a comedy movie suitable for all ages that could make the audience laugh from beginning to end.

Professional film critics, from the background and plot of the movie, saw the creator's reflection on social phenomena and exploration of young people's psychology. The whole movie was absurd but revealed reality; it was a rare black comedy movie.

Of course, some people also thought that "Big Chance" was related to real news and might lead young people to commit crimes. Although it was a comedy, there was no need for the robbers to get away perfectly at the end.

And among these media discussions, a small group in the Meiji University girls' dormitory also learned about this movie.

Akiko Tsukada happily told Yona Kono and Shoko Fukumoto, who were studying: "Yona-chan, Shoko-chan, Naoki-san has another movie coming out!"

"Eh? Really? What movie? When is it coming out?"

Since meeting Naoki Nagayama before, this self-proclaimed Naoki Nagayama fan group had been sparing no effort to promote Naoki Nagayama among their classmates.

But unfortunately, Naoki had very few film and television works. If there was an excellent new work this time, then they could definitely attract more fans~

Akiko Tsukada held the newspaper: "There is no specific release date yet, roughly in early March. It's a comedy, oh!"

Yona Kono and Shoko Fukumoto leaned over to read the newspaper report.

"It looks like an excellent comedy; everyone is praising it so much."

Shoko Fukumoto felt a bit regretful: "I thought Naoki-san would act in horror movies~"

Didn't expect this girl, who looked the most natural, to actually like watching horror movies!

"But daijobu, as long as it's Naoki-san's movie, I will definitely go see it."

Yona Kono also nodded: "If it's a comedy, we can call everyone to go see it together! By the way, isn't the student council going to hold an event? Why don't we organize to go see the movie! This way, more people will know about Naoki-san!"

"Yona-chan, good idea!"

How should one describe the United States in 1982?

Due to the Gulf incident and the Iran-Iraq War, the second oil crisis broke out. The United States was in a very turbulent period, with economic downturn, high inflation, and high unemployment... Once, some people thought that the United States would re-enter the Great Depression.

Contrary to the economy, the American entertainment industry showed a strange prosperity in this situation, emerging with a group of superstars like Michael Jackson and Madonna. Sylvester Stallone's "First Blood" was also released this year.

New York at this time was, on one side, high-rise buildings, debauchery, and glamour; on the other side, gangs, street culture, and racial discrimination. Advancement and backwardness, elegance and vulgarity, order and chaos, success and failure, all gathered in New York, such a Big Apple city.

And when Naoki Nagayama walked out of the airport and stepped on the land of New York for the first time, he couldn't help but complain:

"So dirty..."

In New York at the end of February, it was still hovering around zero degrees. He didn't know if it had rained or sleeted last night. On both sides of the road this morning, white snow mixed with plastic trash was piled up at the street corners. The slightly melted, dirty snow water flowed wantonly on the road. In the square, there were unfinished hot dogs, beer cans, plastic bags, broken dolls, etc. Judging from the smell of the square, the existence of public urination could not be ruled out.

After more than ten hours of hard flying, he finally came to New York, and you show him this?

There was no airport pickup; the manpower and material resources of the event organizers couldn't keep up. Writers participating in the exchange activities had to come on their own. Naoki Nagayama called a taxi at the airport and headed to the already booked New York Plaza Hotel.

The Plaza.

The driver was a black brother who clearly didn't expect this young man with an Oriental face to speak fluent English. He chatted happily with Naoki Nagayama, his speaking speed fast and rhythmic. Was the talent for black rap really flowing in his blood?

Upon learning that Naoki Nagayama was here to participate in a writer exchange event, his tone became even more respectful. Although money worship was rampant in the United States, the respect for culture at the grassroots level still existed.

Traffic jams in New York in this era were not that serious, but it took half an hour to reach the destination. After Naoki Nagayama said goodbye to the taxi driver, he looked at this famous hotel.

The New York Plaza Hotel had a history of more than 70 years. After the founder of the Hilton Group took over and renovated it decades ago, it had always been one of New York's iconic buildings.

The hotel doorman came over diligently to take the luggage and then led Naoki Nagayama to the front desk to check in. No bizarre event of looking down on people happened; after all, it was an international hotel, and people coming and going were all wealthy people with status. Maybe the inconspicuous old Middle Eastern man you saw was a sheikh from some Arab oil field.

As soon as he entered the door, he saw the famous Palm Court.

In the golden French court style, under the huge transparent ceiling were beautifully shaped gilded carvings. The light of countless crystal chandeliers and wall lamps reflected each other. The silver tableware lying on the white tablecloth, matched with the vivid green of the palm leaves, was a masterpiece of the Renaissance. The solemn luxury of Western aesthetics was condensed in a hall.

No wonder New York's upper-class people liked to come here for afternoon tea.

Naoki Nagayama followed the doorman to the front desk. Unlike the Japanese front desk that liked to use young girls, the front desk here was a dignified lady. Her meticulous dress and temperament made people feel the hotel's professionalism and care.

Of course, he didn't book a presidential suite this time; the price of a suite for one night was something Naoki Nagayama couldn't afford yet. It was just a 6th-floor standard single room.

The doorman carried the suitcase and led Naoki Nagayama from the elevator to the 6th floor. After opening the door, he followed him and put the suitcase in the room. At this time, although he didn't say it, he still had to give a tip. Naoki Nagayama took a 1-dollar bill from his wallet and handed it to the doorman.

"If you have any needs, you can call the front desk to notify us!" The young man smiled and closed the door.

A dollar in this day and age already had strong purchasing power in the United States.

The single room was about 40 square meters, mainly a bedroom + living room, and a separate washroom.

Opening the window, facing the evening sun, he could clearly see Central Park outside.

Snow covered most of the open grass, and the leafless branches were also wearing white winter clothes, occupying different areas of the park in a staggered manner.

The unfrozen water surface rippled slightly, reflecting the broken sunlight.

Under the sunset, there was a strange beauty.

He decided not to go down for dinner.

Naoki Nagayama called to order a simple Wellington steak set and asked the waiter to send it to the room~

He was ready to enjoy his first dinner in New York with this scenery.

Flowers bloom on two branches, each telling its own story.

It was morning in Japan. Nobuo Tomioka arrived early at the office of Akina's publicity department.

He was in a bad mood, not only because he was too busy last night and didn't sleep well, but also because he saw the newly released "Shukan Bunshun" on the train this morning.

And in this week's "Shukan Bunshun," there was an article titled "This Undebuted New Idol Stole Seiko Matsuda's Die-hard Fan!"

The article explained the situation on the day of the movie preview, including Naoki Nagayama admitting that Akina Nakamori was his idol, and then later detailed the interview Naoki Nagayama had on a show a year ago, confirming his status as a die-hard fan.

Before long, Chao Terabayashi also came over. Seeing Nobuo Tomioka's bad face, he felt a bit strange.

"Tomioka-kun, what happened?"

Nobuo Tomioka handed the magazine to Chao Terabayashi. After a while, Chao Terabayashi finished reading the article and then thought with a frown.

"This is a good thing!" He gave this report a definition. "It's a good thing for Akina-chan. Stealing a die-hard fan of a popular idol will make many people curious about Akina-chan's charm."

Nobuo Tomioka hesitated: "But this will cause resentment from the Seiko faction."

"Hahaha~" Chao Terabayashi laughed. "Tomioka-kun, what do you think we are doing? We are going to steal fans from Seiko Matsuda~"

Hearing this, Nobuo Tomioka's face relaxed. Indeed, being resisted by the Seiko faction was only a matter of time!

"Naoki Nagayama is the person who invited Akina-chan to the preview that day, right?"

"Hai, didn't expect this guy to have filmed a movie."

"Hahaha, didn't he film one before? It seems he is a talented young man." Chao Terabayashi praised him, and then his tone changed, "But we can't let him have much contact with Akina-chan anymore!"

Nobuo Tomioka's face became stern: "Hai! Although the training course is about to end, Akina-chan will go to Los Angeles, USA, next week for recording, which will last for a whole week.

Promotional activities after the debut will be more frequent. I will ensure that they have no chance to meet!"

Chao Terabayashi nodded. After the debut, the promotional activities he arranged for Akina Nakamori occupied almost the entire second half of Akina-chan's year.

This time was just an accidental mistake.