Chapter 217

In the time that followed, Haruki Kadokawa acted like someone simply inviting friends to dinner, constantly introducing the specialty dishes here, appearing even more proficient than the hostess serving in the restaurant.

"Naoki-san, the mint jelly and fig soup just now were very appetizing, right~" Haruki Kadokawa peeled a Chinese lantern fruit, then picked up a cucumber roll and put it into his mouth, "The real meal comes after this~"

The hostess, dressed in a kimono, brought up a lotus leaf sashimi dish. Fresh lotus leaves were decorated with lotus flowers, and tiny water droplets swayed gently with the hostess's movements, as if a real lotus flower were blooming on the tray.

"At this time of year, it seems the lotus flowers in Tokyo haven't bloomed yet, right?"

Naoki Nagayama only muttered softly, but the hostess nearby answered gently but seriously: "The lotus leaves used in this shop are all freshly picked in the morning. The climate this year is very good, and the lotus flowers bloomed in the middle of the month."

Haruki Kadokawa also confirmed from the side: "Yes, Naoki-san, Kikunoi prepares dishes according to the season."

"Hahaha, I see. I must have a good taste of it!" Naoki Nagayama scratched his cheek, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Otomo-san, and Morikawa-kun, don't be polite. This sashimi is Akashi sea bream."

Otomo Yoshimura hurriedly said: "'Akashi sea bream'? Then I must have a good taste!"

As one of the most expensive and rare sea breams in Japan, it can only be caught when it migrates through the Akashi Strait.

In the summer Kikunoi, fish accounts for a large part of the dishes. In this meal, Naoki Nagayama had already tasted Akashi sea bream, conger eel, grunt, sea eel, etc., using techniques such as sashimi, searing, blanching, and grilling, paired with special side dishes and dipping sauces, making one feel the different flavors of several fish.

During this time, Haruki Kadokawa and Isao Morikawa also toasted from time to time. The atmosphere at the table was very warm, and Otomo Yoshimura's face was already visibly red.

"Haruki-san, another glass!"

This old man had completely lost his previous restraint and began to toast frequently, while Isao Morikawa played the role of a supporting actor, blocking drinks for his boss.

When the appetizers were basically finished, the hostess brought up a bowl of kudzu somen noodles. The noodles were mixed with various side dishes, drizzled with a sauce made of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin, and served in chilled pottery.

The refreshing and cool noodles made the heads of the few, which had been hot from drinking, suddenly feel refreshed. It seemed that to soothe the stimulation brought by the cold bowl, the following dishes were a bit slower, and there was a break in the middle.

Naoki Nagayama didn't want to be so curious anymore, so he asked directly:

"Haruki-san, why did you suddenly think of inviting the two of us to dinner today?"

Haruki Kadokawa didn't hide it upon hearing this and said very straightforwardly: "Haha, there's no special reason. I just heard the news about Naoki-san from Morikawa-kun—that there's actually another film about to be released! This speed is truly curious. Then I thought about the help with the bill before, so I took the liberty of inviting you two."

"Naoki-san, Otomo-san, please feel free to enjoy the food. It has nothing to do with film promotion, and there are no other issues." Isao Morikawa also corroborated from the side.

"Hahaha, since Haruki-san and Morikawa-san have said so, then I have nothing to be reserved about." Naoki Nagayama smiled and picked up a glass of wine, toasting the two: "To be honest, this is my first time eating such authentic kaiseki cuisine."

Usually, who would drive for two hours for no reason just to come here for a meal that is dead expensive, and not necessarily bookable?

Haruki Kadokawa drank this glass of wine and began to refill it: "This is the second time I've witnessed Naoki-san's alcohol tolerance. Up to now, you're not drunk at all!"

"Haha, Naoki-san is a heavy drinker!" Otomo Yoshimura urged from the side, "We haven't seen him drunk yet!"

"Oh? That's truly amazing!"

The Japanese-style room returned to its previous liveliness, and the hostess brought up the last few dishes one by one.

The top-grade A5 beef rump, after being braised, had a soft texture combined with different sauces and ingredients, creating layered flavors, each of which was very delicious.

The sweetfish rice used the tribute sweetfish of Emperor Qianlong. The grilled sweetfish was crushed and combined with rice cooked in kelp and bonito dashi. After being served in a small bowl, the rice had the fragrance of fish, and the fish had the flavor of rice, paired with thick soup as the final main dish.

The final desserts were also very novel, being sweet matcha shaved ice, which was both palate-cleansing and cool.

They said they wanted to witness Naoki Nagayama's alcohol tolerance, but the other three in the restaurant didn't have that capacity. Amidst the continuous toasting, they soon became muddled.

Naoki Nagayama was a bit dizzy at this time, but he was still a long way from being drunk.

Haruki Kadokawa's private driver was indeed very professional and sent everyone home.

After Naoki Nagayama gave the address for Otomo Yoshimura, he walked swayingly into Shanyingyuan. He was greeted by the dog wagging its tail, which ran to his feet but then jumped away because it smelled the alcohol, and then jumped back and forth in hesitation.

"Eitaro, go up first~"

After drinking a glass of milk in the living room to sober up and checking if there were any messages, Naoki Nagayama took Eitaro upstairs to rest.

In the middle of the night, as the solar lights went out, the entire Shanyingyuan was silent.

Akina Nakamori, who hadn't slept well yesterday, had filmed all day today, and had also participated in a program in the evening, dragged her exhausted body back to her apartment.

But her spirit seemed to be overtired. Although she was very tired, she didn't want to sleep at all. After taking a shower, she sat blankly on the bed, not wanting to move at all.

She thought of the book she had stayed up late to read yesterday, and looked at the phone next to her. She had the urge to make a call, but it was already past 11:00 PM.

"Naoki-san must have rested already~" The understanding girl eventually didn't disturb him. The stationery on the table suddenly gave her inspiration, so she took out a sheet of stationery and began to write...

Half an hour later, Akina put the stationery into an envelope, intending to mail it tomorrow.

As if she had completed some task, her mind suddenly relaxed, and the sleepiness that had accumulated all day surged into her heart.

She lay back on the bed, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

She was still clutching a letter in her hand.

The progress of the film editing had always been fast. After a few days, having completed the editing of the general main plot, Naoki Nagayama could no longer intervene in the continued perfection and fine-tuning.

Now his job was to sit in the editing room for a while, looking like a capitalist watching Xiu Yin Tang and Masataka Komori work with excellence, praising them from time to time; and for a while, go to the office to slack off, read newspapers and magazines, and show some presence in the studio.

"Naoki-san," Otomo Yoshimura, who walked into the office, saw Naoki Nagayama, "You're still here?"

"What do you mean 'still here'..." Naoki Nagayama was unhappy when he heard this, "I'm here to edit the film, okay? I've been working continuously for many days!"

Otomo Yoshimura chuckled: "Hasn't it been completely handed over to Xiu-san and the others?"

Even if he wasn't often in the office, he knew the status of the film editing. At this time, whether Naoki Nagayama stayed here or not was already insignificant.

"With their skills, they are still far off!" Naoki Nagayama glanced at the editing room next to him, confirming they hadn't heard, "In the end, I still have to be the one to check it."

"Hahaha, hai, I understand." Otomo Yoshimura sat on the chair in a relaxed manner, and his whole person seemed to have put down some burden.

Naoki Nagayama asked curiously: "What's wrong, Otomo-san? Did you pick up money? You look like you're having a blast?"

"Pick up money? I suppose you could say that!" Otomo Yoshimura said mysteriously, "Kadokawa's commission for contacting the cinema chain this time is almost zero!"

"? Why is that?"

The previous two times Kadokawa Pictures helped contact the cinema chain and arranged for the screening, the proportion charged was almost 10% of the total box office.

Plus the 40% given to the cinema chain, half of the box office was gone.

Are they giving away money for nothing?

"Department Head Morikawa said that Kadokawa is the second-largest shareholder of Tree Friend Pictures after all, and we are all one family, so it is only right to contribute to the company!"

This sentence sounds high-sounding, but in fact, you can't believe a word of it.

"Sure enough, the meal that day wasn't very simple. Otomo-san, by retreating to advance, Kadokawa is probably going to increase its involvement in Tree Friend Pictures."

"Eh? Why? Aren't they already a shareholder?"

Naoki Nagayama thought for a while: "It should be that we are developing too fast. Two films with over 2 billion yen have already surpassed Kadokawa Pictures. Such a large industry is no longer something that can be handled casually."

"Otomo-san, be prepared. It is expected that after this 'Hachiko's Story', Kadokawa Pictures will send people to participate in the company's operations."

"Meaning, they will send people to supervise?"

"Ah, yes. It is highly likely that they will supervise the finances."

How could a VC investment startup company in the previous life not care after investing money? Putting someone in the financial process is certain. For the more stringent ones, they will intervene in the personnel and decision-making of the startup company.

Otomo Yoshimura was silent for a while after hearing this, remembering the several times he had his fruits snatched by capital before.

"Naoki-san, then will someone come to snatch the peaches again?"

"Snatch peaches? Seize power?" Naoki Nagayama smiled, "Otomo-san, don't worry. The most important assets of Tree Friend Pictures are always the three of us! Besides, I am the major shareholder! After such a long period of development, we are no longer the weaklings who couldn't resist before."

Naoki Nagayama's reassurance made Otomo Yoshimura calm down a bit. That's true, this young man is the core asset of the company!

"Haha, I'm relieved that Naoki-san said so."

Having recovered his mood, the motivation returned to Otomo Yoshimura: "Naoki-san, do you have anything to do later? Do you want to go see Junko Ito's event?"

As soon as Junko Ito's second song was released, it quickly rushed into the top twenty of the charts. Although it was a pity, Akina Nakamori's popularity at this time was completely incomparable to Junko Ito's.

The idol with a greatly increased fan base had often started holding events like handshake meetings, and she had also appeared on music programs on TV. She also often showed her face in non-music variety shows. In general, she was already an idol on the right track.

"Handshake meeting?" Naoki Nagayama thought for a while. What's the point of watching a group of excited young guys? So he decisively refused.

"Naoki-san, what are you talking about? Can't hide! Come and have a drink!"

Shinichi Chiba on the side was already flushed. Seeing that Naoki Nagayama hadn't drunk much, he came to toast.

Didn't this guy see that others didn't drink with him?

It seems you have no self-knowledge about your drinking capacity!

However, he also helped Naoki Nagayama leave the awkward atmosphere, so I won't pour you wine!

The celebration banquet lasted until 9 o'clock in the evening. Most people were already drunk, especially Shinichi Chiba, who was already drunk and confused, while Naoki Nagayama only felt a little dizzy in his brain.

Some young people in the crew also planned to go to nightclubs and clubs to be chic, but Naoki Nagayama didn't have this interest. He asked the restaurant to call a designated driver, ready to send the drunk Yoshimura Otomo and Shuichi Ido back.

Out of the restaurant door, everyone dispersed in twos and threes. Kanako Higuchi and Nana Okada were also ready to go home together. Although the two drank a little wine, they were only flushed and had no problems at all.

"Kanako-san, Nana-chan, do you really don't need me to arrange for someone to send you back?" Naoki Nagayama asked at the door.

"Hai, we are completely awake now!" Kanako's eyes were bright, and it seemed that there was no problem. She was about to call a taxi.

"Oh, wait for the two." Naoki Nagayama remembered something and hurriedly went to Yoshimura Otomo's car to get it.

After returning, he handed each of the two girls a book.

"'Love Letter'?" Nana Okada, whose head was a bit dizzy, looked at the book title puzzled. What is this, a love letter for us? So straightforward?

"This is what I got from the publishing house this morning. It's my new release. I'll give it to you as a gift~" Naoki Nagayama laughed. "Please support it!"

"Eh? Nagayama-san also published it?" Nana Okada was surprised!

"Hahaha, Nagayama-san can also do many things!" Kanako laughed on the side. "Nana-chan, come to my house today, I can tell you about it~"

"Eh? Is that so?" Nana Okada was suddenly a bit panicked, but Kanako on the side grabbed it very tightly!

None of them found that in a car not far from the restaurant, two people wearing ordinary clothes were holding high-precision cameras and taking photos one by one.

"Big harvest! Nana Okada, Kanako Higuchi, Naoki Nagayama..." ===== CHAPTER 215 =====

After getting off the car, before even entering the shop, he saw Akihiro Hirayama already greeting him: "Naoki-san~~ You're finally here!"

"I've been waiting for you for many days!"

This deep and affectionate voice, full of grievance, was like a heartless man who had done something bad to him, making Naoki Nagayama's hair stand on end:

"I say, Manager Hirayama, can you not speak so mushily?"

Akihiro Hirayama seemed to realize it was inappropriate, hurriedly restrained himself, returned to the tone of an ordinary salesperson, and asked familiarly with a smile: "Hahaha, then what attitude would Naoki-san like me to use?"

"Uh, if possible, I like that kind of unruly look..."

Naoki Nagayama posed a difficult question, making Akihiro Hirayama unable to handle it for a moment, and he could only pretend not to hear and forcibly return to the main topic:

"Naoki-san is here to pick up the car today, right? Please follow me."

"Hehe, ~"

After signing a pile of documents, Akihiro Hirayama took Naoki Nagayama to a nearby warehouse and opened the warehouse door.

"Naoki-san, this is your Toyota Century."

A car was parked quietly inside. With a pure black shell and silver lines, the appearance looked very simple and low-key, but it had a minimalist beauty. The spacious body and length were a circle larger than other cars, solemn and atmospheric; the internal seats were high-end velvet material, equipped with traditional white curtains and white headrest towels, and the rear row also had bookshelves and reading lights.

This car is the representative of low-key luxury.