Chapter 242

The weather in Tokyo had entered autumn, but the small island of Okinawa was still very hot, with sunshine all year round, known as the Xia Weiyi of Japan.

Naoki Nagayama wore the floral shirt and large sunglasses he had brought back from Xia Weiyi again, and together with Masataka Komori and several other members of the filming crew, he arrived on this island. Tomo Arimura would follow with the male and female leads.

He looked up at the brilliant sunshine and stretched. "Masataka-kun, this weather is truly the best~"

"Indeed, Naoki-san~" Masataka Komori agreed quite a bit. With this little sea breeze blowing, wasn't it more comfortable than the weather in Tokyo that changed randomly?

"Then Masataka-kun, find a vacation house first to serve as our base for filming during this time." Okinawa was considered a tourist destination, and the whole island was full of inns that could be rented. Those with needs could even rent an entire building directly.

As for finding a house, of course, the subordinates would do it. This was the benefit of being the boss~

"The others go find transportation, props, surfboard shops, and so on for this period~ Let's gather at the restaurant here at noon~"

After Naoki Nagayama dismissed the others to make preparations, he wandered around alone. The island wasn't large; walking along the road, he arrived at the seaside in less than ten minutes.

The beach, which hadn't been specially maintained, certainly didn't have the fine white sand of Xia Weiyi. Okinawa's beaches were actually similar to the mudflats along rivers inland, except that the continuous waves washed over them again and again, washing most of the mud away.

The seawater wasn't as blue and clear as in the movies; instead, due to the presence of a large amount of impurities, the waves appeared a murky gray-blue, looking a bit disheartening.

After all, this wasn't a movie, but reality!

Using his hands to frame the shot, Naoki Nagayama was recalling the filming methods for the movie in his mind. Only by having a plan in mind could he possibly finish filming the movie completely within a week or two.

Renting a bicycle, Naoki Nagayama spent the morning touring the urban area called Kin Town, figuring out the locations of the school and the waste disposal station. A rough filming schedule was gradually taking shape in his mind.

At noon, after meeting up with Masataka Komori and the others, they enjoyed a seafood feast with local characteristics in an open-air restaurant, and then moved into a homestay converted from a private residence that Masataka Komori had rented.

The small sign was just posted at the entrance; if someone hadn't brought them, one wouldn't be able to tell it was an operating homestay at all.

"Naoki-san, I've already told the owner that they will only host us for these few days, and they can also cooperate with our filming in the meantime."

"Hmm, once the sign is taken down, no one will think this isn't a real residence."

In the afternoon, he dismissed the filming crew, calling it "scouting locations," but in reality, it was just giving them a holiday to go play.

Naoki Nagayama huddled in his room, holding a map and drawing the filming route.

When Tomo Arimura arrived the next day, he brought the male and female leads and the Cat's Eye sisters. Tomo Arimura wore the floral shirt Naoki Nagayama had given him. Dressed in that gaudy way, surrounded by four beauties, he looked exactly like a wealthy old man seeking pleasure.

"Naoki-san, I've brought them over~" Tomo Arimura took off his sunglasses, his voice full of energy. "This is Kojiro Shimizu; you haven't met him yet, right~"

The handsome but inconspicuous, tough-looking young man beside him greeted him cautiously: "Director Nagayama, I am Kojiro Shimizu. Nice to meet you, please take care of me."

"Hai, I am Naoki Nagayama, nice to meet you..."

Being about the same age, the two didn't bow stiffly but shook hands instead.

Then Naoki Nagayama turned to the female lead. Yuki Saito was wearing a red sweater paired with jeans, simply styled in a single ponytail, but what people noticed at a glance was still those bright, large eyes.

"Yuki-san, is this your first time in Okinawa? Are you adjusting?"

Yuki Saito had come alone. Such a young girl—weren't her parents afraid someone would sell her?

"Daijoubu, Uncle Arimura takes good care of me."

Tomo Arimura beside her said sadly: "Yuki-chan, always calling me uncle will accelerate other people's aging. I'm clearly still very young~"

Naoki Nagayama patted his shoulder helplessly: "Arimura-san, don't struggle anymore~ Hair doesn't lie~"

Then he greeted the Cat's Eye sisters and brought them all to the homestay.

This time, the entire crew was gathered in the lobby of the homestay. There were over ten people, which was still far from other big-budget movies, but although the sparrow was small, it had all the internal organs.

Naoki Nagayama spread the map he had drawn yesterday on the coffee table in the middle of the lobby: "Minna-san, since everyone has arrived, we can start filming now~"

Everyone looked at the map in the middle. Naoki Nagayama continued to introduce: "This script doesn't have a detailed filming plan, so everyone just barely follow this map~"

The map only used a marker to indicate the filming dates and general scenes; everything else was unknown. Everyone had read the plot of the script, but they thought it was just a story outline and that there must be a script. For a moment, they were all a bit stunned:

"Naoki-san, what about the lines?"

"This movie doesn't have many lines."

A completely silent film would make people feel bored, so the supporting characters would have some embellishing lines, but there weren't many, and this contrast would highlight the silence of the movie even more.

Seeing that everyone didn't quite understand, Naoki Nagayama smiled: "Daijoubu, just listen to me~"

Since the director said so, everyone naturally had nothing to say.

In the afternoon, Naoki Nagayama began what could be called the most baffling filming.

He first used a Polaroid to take photos of the male and female leads. After they developed, he gave them to Yuki Saito, letting her stick the photos onto the surfboard she had bought. Then he placed the surfboard on the beach, leaving a series of individual footprints on the messy beach.

And this scene was also filmed by Masataka Komori behind the beach.

"Masataka-kun, how is it? Did you get the shot?"

"Hai!" How could he not get such a simple shot?

Then Naoki Nagayama placed the surfboard by the beach again, letting the waves wash over it.

"Masataka-kun, use a close-up here... get the photo in the shot! Zoom in."

"Hai!"

(Empty line)

After this segment was finished, he found a high place and threw the surfboard into the sea with force, shouting excitedly to Masataka Komori: "Masataka-kun, hurry, hurry, use a long shot here, from big to small."

"Hai!"

(Empty line)

The crew had no idea what he was doing. Even Masataka Komori was confused, feeling like he was following an unreliable tour guide, doing a little bit here and a little bit there.

Until Naoki Nagayama returned to the crew and said with a smile: "Minna-san, the ending of our movie has already been filmed!"

"??? Eh?"

What movie films the ending first!

!

In Tokyo, Akina Nakamori had just finished her afternoon activities and was discussing the upcoming schedule and songs with everyone in the Akina Promotion Office.

"Shinjuku Music Festival, Ginza Music Festival, Yokohama Music Festival, ABC Song Newcomer Grand Prix... and the FNS Music Festival at the end of the year." Nobuo Tomioka pointed to the various music festivals on the schedule. "Akina-chan has to participate in so many selection competitions before the end of the year~"

"But with the popularity of 'Shojo A', it's entirely possible to stand out among many works!" Yuzo Shimada was full of confidence. "This year's newcomer award must be Akina-chan's."

"That's not necessarily true. Not to mention others, Junko Ito from the GG Agency is a strong rival. Her debut song 'Puzzle' and second song 'Koi Oto to Amazora' both rushed into the top ten of the music charts, and the momentum hasn't stopped!" Nobuo Tomioka was still a bit worried.

Hearing GG Agency, Akina, who was originally drowsy, woke up instantly. Naoki-san's agency.

Yuzo Shimada said aggressively: "Then we should launch the next song as soon as possible, taking advantage of the current popularity to reach a higher level."

He already had a song called "1/2 no Shinwa" in his hands; if possible, he could arrange for a record release immediately.

Nobuo Tomioka naturally knew that Yuzo Shimada already had a song, but as a supporter of orthodox idols, he was actually somewhat dissatisfied with Akina Nakamori's rebellious style.

"Striking while the iron is hot is indeed a good idea, but will that '1/2 no Shinwa' really be popular? Can it make Akina-chan's popularity reach a higher level? No one can guarantee that!"

!

"It's just a song written by an unknown composer. 'Shojo A' spread widely because it was controversial. The miracle of this song can't be repeated!"

Seeing that Akira Terabayashi was also listening carefully, Nobuo Tomioka emphasized his tone:

"Moreover, are we just going to let Akina-chan's style be completely rebellious? You know, rebellion only satisfies the expectations of some young fans.

I believe Akina-chan has the potential to be liked by everyone!"

Hearing this, Akina Nakamori smiled shyly, clearly agreeing very much.

Yuzo Shimada was choked and couldn't speak. At the beginning, because Akina-chan's debut wasn't smooth, they had no choice but to use this unorthodox path. Now that it was clearly gaining momentum, should they still take such a risk?

"Then what do you suggest?!"

In the end, Yuzo Shimada threw the question back to Nobuo Tomioka.

"We must strike while the iron is hot! Launch a third title song!"

"Eh?"

Yuzo Shimada just wanted to say that this wasn't the same as his, but he reacted quickly. It turned out he wanted to be the producer himself. Sure enough, the sternness just now was fake. This cunning fox!

"Do you have a song too, Nobuo-san? Can you guarantee it will really be popular? Can it make Akina-chan's popularity reach a higher level?"

Like a contrarian, he kicked the question Nobuo Tomioka had just asked him back.

"Hai, I can guarantee it!"

Nobuo Tomioka's confident appearance made Akira Terabayashi, who had been pretending to be ignorant on the side, open his eyes and say solemnly:

"Director Tomioka, such a guarantee is already a military order! Do you really have confidence?"

Even the address had changed to his official title. It seemed Akira Terabayashi was really serious. If Nobuo Tomioka couldn't give a good reason, then waiting for him might be being out of the game.

"Hai! The third song I propose is 'Silent Love', the song that has already been recorded!"

"Oh? That one."

Akira Terabayashi had heard the demo tape; it was indeed a good song, but how could Nobuo Tomioka have such great confidence?

"Director Tomioka, why do you have such great confidence?"

"Because it was written and composed by Naoki Nagayama, especially for Akina-chan!" Nobuo Tomioka said seriously.

And Yuzo Shimada became instantly furious when he heard this name.

A few days ago, Naoki Nagayama had actually mailed a stack of photos to the Akina Promotion Office. They were all photos of himself drunk in Los Angeles, and he didn't use an envelope, just tied them with a rope, letting everyone in the office see them, which caused a huge joke.

"That guy? So what about that guy? Does it mean it will definitely be a hit?!"

"It will definitely be a hit!"

Nobuo Tomioka answered decisively, and then turned to Akira Terabayashi, who had the final say.

"The first song Naoki Nagayama created was 'Cherry Blossom', sung by Seiko Matsuda, which once reached number one on the Oricon charts.

The second song was 'Sakura ~Anata ni Deaete Yokatta~' (Cherry Blossoms, I'm Glad I Met You), sung by Yoshie Kashiwabara, top five on the Oricon charts!

The third and fourth songs were 'Puzzle' and 'Koi Oto to Amazora', both sung by newcomer Junko Ito, and they also entered the top ten of the Oricon charts!"

"This is a creator whose every song is a famous hit! Naoki Nagayama is undoubtedly a genius!"

Such a fierce record also shocked Akira Terabayashi. He really hadn't carefully summarized the songs created by Naoki Nagayama: "Is he really that amazing?"

"Hai, if Naoki Nagayama weren't always very reclusive and completely unwilling to accept custom songs, every famous singer now would want to ask him for songs."

This ironclad record left Yuzo Shimada speechless, while Akina Nakamori listened from the side, her eyes full of admiration.

Akira Terabayashi closed his eyes and pondered for a while:

"'Silent Love' was recorded a long time ago, and the contract has already been signed, right?"

Nobuo Tomioka breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed it had been decided.

"Hai!"

"Then let's make this song the third one!" He made the final decision, then looked at Akina and said, "However, Akina-chan's style shouldn't be limited to sweet songs. '1/2 no Shinwa' should also be prepared."

"Such a versatile singer might bring a fresh trend to the dull entertainment industry!"

At this stage, Akina Nakamori both respected and feared Akira Terabayashi, so she naturally agreed to his words.

"Hai, I will do my best!"

A certain director abandoned at the studio looked at the clean lobby and was speechless.

"Arimura-san, didn't you say to let Naoki-san help look into the core of the yakuza movie? Why did he leave?"

Shuichi Itou sat blankly in the office for a while. The filming of the yakuza movie during this period made him irritable, and he didn't even want to spend the energy to groom himself. At this moment, his face was covered in stubble, unkempt.

He was still thinking about how to continue dealing with the financiers and actors when Kiyoshi Renbo pushed the door open like a tag-along: "Shuichi-san, why are you daydreaming here? The set is already waiting for you! Why don't you hurry over?"

Ah, right, there was also a life-chaser like Kiyoshi Renbo, who was also someone he had to deal with. He was supposed to be the middleman and lubricant coordinating between the director and the financiers, but he stood completely on the other side, desperately squeezing him.

On the set, although there were staff members from Tree Friend Film, most of them were low-level employees who couldn't speak up. He felt like he was fighting alone...

"Naoki-san... where are you... I really want to film that movie of yours..."