Chapter 216: It's all Naoki-san's fault!

After finishing a day's work, it was almost 10 o'clock. Akina Mori was sent back to her apartment by her agent.

"It's troublesome for Kenji-san to send me back today, arigato." After getting out of the car, Akina Mori thanked Hatanaka Kenji very politely. "Pay attention to safety on the way back~"

"Hai, Akina-san, rest early, I will come to pick you up at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning." Hatanaka Kenji nodded, then started the sedan and drove onto the main road.

Akina Mori waited until the car slowly disappeared before turning back to return to the apartment. Passing by the mailbox, she took out all the letters, magazines, flyers, etc. that were stuffed in the mailbox. There was actually a thick stack.

Akina, who was holding this pile of things, didn't feel too laborious. After all, she was a child who helped her family with housework since she was a child, and her arms were also clearly lined.

Things were not heavy, but it was very inconvenient to hold. After opening the door with one hand, Akina kicked off her shoes and didn't bother to wear slippers. She walked quickly to the living room and threw the things she was holding onto the coffee table, making a "bang" sound.

Among the scattered debris, a large kraft paper envelope package was revealed.

"What is this?"

Akina picked up the package and looked at it. The recipient's address only wrote the room number, and the sender's address wrote "unknown", as well as Chiyoda-Sanyingyuan.

"Ah, it was mailed by Naoki-san!" Akina was very happy to see it. She opened the envelope and found a letter and a white book that still exuded the smell of ink—"Love Letter".

"Akina-chan, this is my new publication, please taste it! — Naoki Nagayama"

The letter paper was a short sentence, and Akina Mori was full of joy in her heart. At this time, she remembered the breaking news she saw in the morning, and couldn't help but say angrily:

"Humph, it's this book~"

"It turns out it's a new one from Naoki-san, sent to friends to read in advance~"

"I said how could someone send someone else 'Love Letter' casually!"

After muttering in the living room for a while, Akina Mori suppressed the urge to read "Love Letter" immediately, put the book on the bedside, prepared to read it for a while before going to bed, and then went to wash up in a happy mood.

A night of silence~

Early in the morning, Hatanaka Kenji came to pick up people on time. This morning, he was going to participate in an outdoor variety show, which was in the forest, so he had to set off early.

Akina Mori was naturally waiting at the door of the apartment on time. As far as professionalism is concerned, Hatanaka Kenji can guarantee that this minor idol is definitely one of the best artists he has served.

However, today's Akina Mori seems...

"Akina-san, didn't you rest well yesterday?"

Hatanaka Kenji saw the haggard Akina from the rearview mirror, with bloodshot eyes, big dark circles, and swollen eye sockets. The original good-looking silkworm was about to break the cocoon and become a butterfly~

If it weren't for his own idol, Hatanaka Kenji would want to say that it was like a social animal who had just finished working overtime and didn't sleep.

"Ah... I really didn't sleep well."

Akina Mori's voice was also listless. She only slept for 3 hours and was woken up by the alarm clock again. No one could hold it.

It was clear that she just wanted to watch it for a while and then go to sleep, but after opening "Love Letter", she couldn't stop. She read it to the end without knowing it... It was too good...

Silently said in her heart: "It's all Naoki-san's fault!"

Hatanaka Kenji had no way to deal with this situation, so he could only persuade a little: "Akina-san, take care of your body. If we arrive at the filming location, it will take about an hour or so. Take this opportunity to adjust first."

"Hai, then it will be troublesome for Kenji-san on the way." If you want to rest, driving will be more stable, which is more energy-consuming for the driver.

"Where is that, this is what I should do."

So, Japanese agents all have a driving technique!

When eating breakfast in the morning, Naoki Nagayama was surprised to find that not only Tokyo Sports Newspaper, but also some other newspapers had his scandals.

However, in some newspapers, the content explains that it was a work dinner, highlighting that the Tree Friend Film that Naoki Nagayama is in is making a movie, and the leads include Shinichi Chiba, Kanako Higuchi, Nana Okada, etc.

Although there is no specific movie name, the report pointed out many filming details, and even the few Akita dogs were noted. At a glance, it was Yoshimura Otomo's handwriting;

And in another type of article, the focus is on different stars. Which star is starring, which actor is participating for the first time after a certain play, first time cooperating with someone... Obviously, the offices behind Shinichi Chiba, Kanako Higuchi, and Nana Okada also took advantage of the situation to promote their own artists.

"They are all smart people~" Naoki Nagayama put down the newspaper and was surprised by the sensitivity and execution of the entertainment industry offices. "As expected of an agency that can stand in the entertainment industry."

It is conceivable that under the tacit cooperation of several parties, there will be waves of articles in the next few days, constantly maintaining this heat. In the end, the movie is preheated, the exposure of the artists has increased greatly, and the unlisted new book "Love Letter" will also be known... It is a win-win situation.

The only thing that might be negative is that Naoki Nagayama might be labeled as a fickle impression. He has been in the media several times before, it seems because of scandals!

But what does that matter? I, Naoki Nagayama, don't intend to accept interviews!

Peacefully finished breakfast, Naoki Nagayama took Eitaro for a walk, and by the way, brought a new book to old man Aoyama, asking him to pass it to Aoyama Chikako. What kind of youth does an old man want to see~

However, when this old man looked at the words "Love Letter" on the cover, the eyes looking at the opposite person seemed to be looking at some scum...

"You guy!" Aoyama Shin weighed it, his eyes scanning the vital parts of the opposite body, seemingly looking for a place to shoot down.

Before the old gentleman said anything, Naoki Nagayama roared: "Stop! This is a serious one! It will be on sale soon! Just treat Chikako as a friend and send a copy in advance! That's all, goodbye!"

Then he slipped out with Eitaro, leaving a widowed old man in the shop helpless~

Halfway, Aoyama Shin sat on the chair and opened it:

"I want to see if this is a serious one!"

Coming to the studio, there were still three people in the editing room: Shuichi Ido, Masataka Komori, and Naoki Nagayama who had just arrived.

"Ido-san, Masataka-kun, you are already here."

"Hai, how did Naoki-san rest yesterday?"

Shuichi Ido yawned. Even if he went home early, he kept thinking about the plot of the editing, so he didn't sleep well at all.

This is still under the situation that Naoki Nagayama sorted out the general plot storyboard. If he relied on himself to edit, at this time, let alone not being able to sleep, his hair would probably keep falling down.

"I'm fine, but Ido-san seems to have poor spirit." Naoki Nagayama patted Shuichi Ido on the shoulder. "Ido-san, you are only in your 30s, this is the peak age, how can you be like this?"

Shuichi Ido patted his hand away and said angrily: "You and Masataka-kun are the peak age, right? Look at Masataka-kun, he organized until midnight yesterday, and he is still full of energy today!"

Masataka Komori on the side looked really energetic. Hearing this, he smiled shyly. He didn't dare to talk about this topic of his boss.

"Hahaha, Masataka-kun is really hard-working, Ido-san will give a big red envelope this year!"

Masataka Komori smiled even more brilliantly~

Shuichi Ido rolled his eyes at Naoki Nagayama: "What you say! Alright, start working!"

The boring editing work naturally has nothing to say, but it is just mechanical repetition plus occasional inspiration.

However, part of the filming script was modified, and the actors were also different, so it was impossible to edit exactly the same as the movie seen in the previous life. In these different places, it depends on the two directors Shuichi Ido and Masataka Komori to perfect it.

He still mooched a bento at the film set at noon. After editing for an hour or two in the afternoon, Otomo Yoshimura arrived at the studio.

"Naoki-san, are you very busy this afternoon?"

"Uh, busy? Well, I suppose I'm a little busy..."

But on second thought, the general plot was already there; occasionally dumping it on Xiu Yin Tang and Masataka Komori wasn't impossible. This was a chance to train their editing skills!

"But if there is something urgent, I can still squeeze out some time."

Otomo Yoshimura nodded, "It's like this: Mr. Haruki Kadokawa wants to see you again."

"Eh? Wants to see me? Why?" Clearly, since the last celebration banquet, there had been no interaction at all.

Otomo Yoshimura was also puzzled: "I was originally negotiating promotion matters with Isao Morikawa of Kadokawa Pictures today, but after he took a phone call, he said Haruki Kadokawa was very interested in the new film and wanted to come talk about it together, and he specifically mentioned Naoki-san."

"I see."

Naoki Nagayama had no idea what Haruki Kadokawa was thinking, but as long as it wasn't a bad thing, it was probably fine. "Let's go then; it shouldn't be a problem."

"Good, let's set off."

"Is it that urgent?"

"It's an invitation to dinner."

"Uh, alright then~"

After explaining the situation to Xiu Yin Tang, Naoki Nagayama hurried back to Shanyingyuan to change his clothes and, by the way, dropped Eitaro back home. Since this counted as a business meeting, it naturally had to be a bit more formal.

On the way to the restaurant, he was in Otomo Yoshimura's car. Naoki Nagayama looked at this somewhat old sedan and said:

"Otomo-san, this car is already too old! You've already earned so much money; haven't you considered changing it?"

Otomo Yoshimura shook his head with a bitter smile: "Naoki-san, where would I get that much money..."

"Eh? Didn't we just split over 100 million recently?" Naoki Nagayama was surprised. No matter how you look at it, it should be enough to change a car.

"It all went into the house..." Otomo Yoshimura said, "And Jingxin's tuition... private aristocratic schools are really expensive."

"That shouldn't cost that much, right? Is Otomo-san's new house a 100-million-yen mansion?... Wait, could it be that Otomo-san paid in full?" Naoki Nagayama sensed something was wrong.

Otomo Yoshimura nodded blankly: "Of course. Didn't you also pay in full, Naoki-san?"

Naoki Nagayama shook his head: "Otomo-san, actually, with the current economic situation, buying with a loan is very advantageous. I only did it because I simply didn't want to be a 'mortgage slave'... When I first started buying property, I also used loans."

When the economy is developing rapidly and causing inflation, money becomes less and less valuable. By the late bubble period, paying a million yen in monthly mortgage payments would be like giving pocket money to a child.

"Eh? Is that so?"

Otomo Yoshimura was surprised. As a member of the generation that started working right after junior high school, his concept of economics was not strong at all.

But Naoki Nagayama didn't say anything more: "Daijobu, paying in full is fine. No need to feel like you owe anyone money. Let's change it after this film is shot."

By then, you could just buy a mansion outright!

The place Haruki Kadokawa chose to host the dinner was always unexpected. Otomo Yoshimura's car drove straight to the Kikunoi main store in Shimogawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, a famous kaiseki restaurant with over 70 years of history.

A bit to the east of Gion, one could see a restaurant with a very quiet facade. The surrounding environment was also very secluded, lonely, and stylish.

After entering and reporting their names to the manager, a hostess led Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura to a private room.

"Naoki-san, Otomo-san, you've arrived!" Seeing the two enter, Haruki Kadokawa greeted them very enthusiastically, and Isao Morikawa, standing to the side, also greeted them with a smile.

"Haruki-san, you actually booked this place?" Otomo Yoshimura also exchanged pleasantries familiarly, "I heard the Kikunoi main store requires booking a month in advance, right?"

"Hahaha, I am a regular customer here and am very familiar with the manager. Today, because I am hosting important friends, I specifically asked Manager-san!"

Haruki Kadokawa's words made one feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze, making Otomo Yoshimura very happy.

"Haruki-san's kindness is truly overwhelming."

Even though he was smiling so much that the wrinkles on his face were showing...

Naoki Nagayama also chatted with Haruki Kadokawa with a smile, not probing too much into the purpose of the visit, just like a normal conversation between friends.

"I heard that Naoki-san's new film is already in the post-production stage? Is the filming going smoothly?"

"Thanks to you, the filming process is going very smoothly. It is currently in the editing stage, and it is expected to be released in July."

"Oh? Is it that fast?"

Haruki Kadokawa was startled. For a film, the editing process is perhaps the most important and energy-consuming part, yet Tree Friend Pictures is actually this fast...

"Does Naoki-san's team have any special techniques for editing?"

"Hahaha, Haruki-san, you're joking. We just thought of the general scenes during the script stage, so now we're just following the map to find the treasure, just piecing it together." Naoki Nagayama didn't boast too much, attributing the credit to the pre-production preparation.

"That's also because Naoki-san's script is well-written. I heard it's a story between a person and a pet, right?" Haruki Kadokawa mentioned it casually and didn't continue to ask.

"Ah, yes. Actually, Haruki-san has heard of it; it's the story of Hachiko the loyal dog. We just filmed it this time."

How could Haruki Kadokawa not know the specific plot of the film? Asking here was just testing the waters.

"Hachiko the loyal dog, what a touching story."

Haruki Kadokawa seemed to be reminiscing, and then the topic suddenly started to shift again.

"By the way, Naoki-san, I remember when I invited you all to the nightclub before, you were the one who paid the bill at the end, right?"

"Eh? Ah, I suppose so." The sudden turn made Naoki Nagayama almost unable to keep up, "Everyone was drunk at that time, so I took the liberty of paying in advance."

"Hahaha, then don't worry about it this time; I've already paid in advance!" Haruki Kadokawa laughed, "And even if you get drunk, it doesn't matter; my driver will safely send everyone home!"

"Hahaha, then thank you very much, Haruki-san~"

Suddenly calling me over and specifically mentioning the nightclub bill?

What exactly does this Haruki Kadokawa want to do?

Naoki Nagayama was a bit confused.