Chapter 269

On the afternoon of this day, three female university students from Meiji University walked out of the Iwanami Hall cinema.

Fish-scale clouds were loosely yet neatly arranged in the sky, revealing only a little bit of blue. Under the dim light of the afternoon, it appeared vast and leisurely.

"So beautiful..." Yona Kono murmured while looking at the sky, not knowing if she was talking about the beautiful scenery in front of her or the movie she had just seen.

Shoko Fukumoto added: "The music was also very nice... but it was a bit sad..."

"In short, it's a good movie!" Akiko Tsukada made the final decision, summarizing today's viewing.

These three initial fans of Naoki Nagayama's support group, after learning about their idol's movie, came to Iwanami Hall together to watch it. Sure enough, just as they expected, even though Naoki Nagayama didn't appear on screen, this movie was still a masterpiece!

"Sure enough, Naoki-san isn't just a superficial idol with only looks!" Shoko Fukumoto suddenly became happy, as if she had won a battle. "He's completely different from the currently popular male idols!"

"Right? He really didn't let us down!" Akiko Tsukada nodded in agreement.

Finally, Yona Kono became excited: "Since there's such a good movie, we must let our classmates realize Naoki-san's charm again!"

And so, these three people started promoting "A Scene at the Sea" at Meiji University without rhyme or reason, calling it: Naoki Nagayama's Great Counterattack!

In a direction Naoki Nagayama hadn't expected, the movie "A Scene at the Sea" began to spread wildly among the university student population, and its word-of-mouth effect was even more powerful than the previous "Paranormal Activity."

And usually, it was one man and one woman coming to watch it together; watching it two or three times was also a common occurrence.

University students' final exams were in September, and it was almost the end of the year, so their coursework was very relaxed, and they had plenty of time~

Ginza, Toei Headquarters Building.

In the office of the Film and Television Planning and Sales Department, Department Head Toshitaka Yamamura looked at the list in his hand with great surprise.

That was the selection list for this year's Blue Ribbon Awards for Japanese films. As a big shot in the film industry, he was naturally qualified to participate in the voting.

"Nakano, isn't the film submitted by Shu-Yu Films 'Hachiko Monogatari'? Why is there another Naoki Nagayama movie on the list?"

And his assistant, Toru Nakano, was also very strange: "Yes, what Shu-Yu Films submitted is indeed 'Hachiko Monogatari,' but this 'A Scene at the Sea' was submitted by the 'Hyogen-sha' (Expression Company) of director Masahiro Shinoda."

"Masahiro Shinoda?" Toshitaka Yamamura was very surprised. Why would this senior director in the film industry suddenly promote this movie?

"Nakano, do you know about this movie?"

"It's said to be a niche movie, and it's been playing at Iwanami Hall during this period." Toru Nakano hadn't gone to see it himself, but he had heard about it many times from his peers.

"It's said that the filming technique is very unique, basically has no dialogue, the personality is very distinct, and the soundtrack is excellent."

"For a movie, being remembered for one thing is already considered excellent. For this movie, there are actually three points?" Toshitaka Yamamura looked at the movie's name and said, "Did Naoki Nagayama direct this movie himself?"

"Yes, the script, soundtrack, and filming were all completed by Naoki Nagayama alone." Toru Nakano nodded. "It can be said that Naoki Nagayama produced it entirely."

"He's actually no longer satisfied with just being a screenwriter." Toshitaka Yamamura put down the list. "Nakano, find a chance to go see it together."

"Uh... Yes, I will arrange it."

As a confidant, Toru Nakano understood that Toshitaka Yamamura had developed a greater interest in Naoki Nagayama this time. Otherwise, how would Department Head Yamamura have the leisure to watch an obscure, niche movie?

For the Blue Ribbon voting, Department Head Yamamura would definitely vote for their own movie, "The Life of Hokusai's Daughter."

At the same time, basically everyone of note in the Japanese film industry had received the list of films participating in the selection. In the next period of time, they would basically choose to watch the movies on the list to be well-informed.

And the big shots of several major production companies only focused their attention on Shu-Yu Films' "Hachiko Monogatari," thinking that as long as this movie didn't win, it would be fine. Instead, no one paid attention to an inconspicuous, niche movie.

"Naoki Nagayama? Is there such a director in the film industry?"

"Oh, he used to be a screenwriter for Shu-Yu Films?... An art film to test the waters? Then it's fine~"

They didn't pay any attention to the movie itself. For them, successfully blocking "Hachiko Monogatari" was the greatest victory of the year.

However, another group of people, including directors like Masaki Kobayashi and other film enthusiasts, driven by the list and the recommendations of directors like Masaki Kobayashi, began to pay attention to this unknown movie.

And that touch of blue in the movie slowly began to infect their hearts.

After the "Hana Yori Dango" project was signed, the people from Fuji TV's Production Bureau and Shu-Yu Films began closer communication.

The production committee was being set up, but due to Fuji TV's wealth, it didn't really need the participation of other companies.

Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura looking for sponsors was just to get some convenience during filming, such as venues, costumes, props, etc.

Using other people's money to do one's own business, that's called ability.

Naoki Nagayama didn't care much about advertising sponsorship; after handing it over to Otomo-san, he completely forgot about it.

Otomo Yoshimura had done a lot of this kind of sponsorship pulling when he was doing adult magazines, so he could be said to be experienced, and his thick skin was also honed during that time. And now, with Fuji TV's backing, pulling sponsorship might be much easier.

Besides, even if he couldn't pull it, he wasn't afraid. It's just a few luxury items... At worst, he'd buy them himself! It's not like he didn't have money!

Naoki Nagayama was currently considering casting. Three people could basically be confirmed as the Shonentai, but what about the fourth person for F4? And who should be the heroine?

Daitai Sugiura and Rumi Nishi had almost given up on the production of "Tales of the Unusual."

Anyway, they were already familiar with that side, and as long as they checked the final results, it would be fine. The two of them were now fully devoted to the early preparations for the new project.

"Naoki-san, when is it expected to start filming?"

Almost every time they met, Daitai Sugiura asked this question, and Naoki Nagayama always delayed it with the excuse of "it's in preparation."

And today, Daitai Sugiura and Rumi Nishi came over with a large pile of materials again.

"Naoki-san, we've organized a list of data from the artists we've collaborated with in the past. Take a look and see if there are any suitable actors?"

Just like an interviewer screening resumes, Naoki Nagayama used the elimination method one by one according to the criteria:

"This one is too old," "This one is too weak," "This one is too pretty."

Rumi Nishi raised her eyebrows when she heard this: "Too pretty won't work either?"

It's a campus romance, so naturally, the prettier the heroine, the better. Not just the heroine, but the supporting actresses, passersby, etc., should all be as pretty as possible.

"Yes, the heroine of our drama needs to be pretty, but not too pretty... She can't let her appearance take away the character's own arc..."

Naoki Nagayama said things that were hard to understand, making Daitai Sugiura and Rumi Nishi feel that it sounded profound even if they didn't understand it.

In reality, Naoki Nagayama couldn't fully state the criteria either; he could only substitute various versions of actors in his mind and see if any of the actors currently on hand were just right.

"This one... too old..." Just as he was about to put a file aside, Naoki Nagayama suddenly saw the name: Mieko Harada...

This name, so familiar. Ah, isn't she one of the Showa beauties selected by later generations?

And she's an actor who left a deep impression on everyone with just one shot. That movie... seems to be the 1979 "Hell," right? Or was it a horror thriller!

Sure enough, beauties come out of horror movies. You can always trust the aesthetics of horror movie directors!

"Daitai-san, this actor... can we invite her over to chat?"

Finally hearing Naoki Nagayama pop out a suitable name, Daitai Sugiura and Rumi Nishi both looked over.

"Mieko Harada? An actor who has won the Blue Ribbon Newcomer Award and the Best Supporting Actress Award." Daitai Sugiura looked at Naoki Nagayama. "Do you know her, Naoki-san?"

"I haven't met her, so we need to meet face-to-face to get to know each other~" Naoki Nagayama said.

"I'm interested in this actor because of her previous film 'Hell'; the look in her eyes in it was very unforgettable." Naoki Nagayama used this movie directly as his reason.

"'Hell'?" Daitai Sugiura didn't remember this movie, but he couldn't show his ignorance at this time. "I see. Then let's go and invite her."

After finishing, he took the file: "But Naoki-san, Mieko Harada is already 24, right? To play a high school student now?"

"Actually, for actresses in this age group, as long as the baby fat on their face hasn't disappeared, they can play anything from a high school student to a young urban woman who has just graduated."

Rumi Nishi casually interjected: "And what if the baby fat has disappeared?"

Naoki Nagayama looked at her. Rumi Nishi's face indeed no longer had baby fat, and the three-dimensional feel of her face was revealed:

"Hahaha, then she can play a mature and charming urban beauty~"

Rumi Nishi smiled until her eyes squinted~

Two flowers bloom, each representing a branch.

While Naoki Nagayama was looking for a heroine for the new drama, Akina Nakamori, who had almost become the heroine, was currently running wildly on the road.

Ah, no, the car was running wildly.

Although the momentum of "Shoujo A" already had a downward trend, it was still ranked at the top of the music charts, and it could still find a place in the rankings of "The Best Ten." On the other hand, the momentum of "Second Love" was also very obvious, and it had the strength to reach the top of the charts in the next week or two.

So now Akina had to perform "Shoujo A" for announcements while also promoting the new song "Second Love." Combining the two things led to Akina rushing between various cities in Japan.

Because work was too busy, sometimes she even had to participate in three programs a day, and she slept in the car.

"Akina-chan, do you want to rest for a while?"

Kenji Hatanaka wasn't driving at this time; driving was done by the other two in shifts, while he specifically served Akina Nakamori's needs alone.

"Daijoubu, let's continue to the next venue." Although she was very exhausted, Akina had always persisted. This strong perseverance made the well-informed manager sigh in admiration.

Watching Akina Nakamori put on her headphones and close her eyes to rest, Kenji Hatanaka signaled the driver to start the car. From Nagoya to Osaka, it was also a journey of more than an hour.

He took another look at Akina's headphones, which had now become Akina's treasure; she didn't let anyone touch them except herself...

"Akina-chan is good at everything, it would be even better if there were no Naoki Nagayama!"

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Akina Nakamori suddenly opened her eyes: "Kenji-san, after the program in Osaka, is there a half-day break?"

"Yes, after the morning program, there's the evening one. Akina-chan can rest in the afternoon."

"In that case, can I trouble Kenji-san with one thing?"

"Yes, please say it, Akina-chan, I will definitely try my best to do it!" Kenji Hatanaka patted his chest and promised.

"Please help me buy a movie ticket for 'A Scene at the Sea', Kenji-san."

"Eh? A newly released movie? I haven't heard of it?"

Akina Nakamori seemed to smile: "Naoki-san said it's a niche movie, only showing in art cinemas."

Is it that guy Naoki Nagayama again? Kenji Hatanaka felt a sense of disgust in his heart, and he also found an excuse: "Then... Osaka's art cinemas might not show it, right?"

Art cinemas were just so maverick; the movies they showed were very much at their own discretion.

"Daijoubu, Naoki-san said that art cinemas in the near future should all be showing it, because Iwanami Hall is going to show it for three consecutive months." Akina Nakamori said. As one of the leaders of art films, since Iwanami started showing it, those "Iwanami-affiliated" theater chains would all be showing it.

"Since that's the case, then I'll go look for it." Kenji Hatanaka still agreed. However, since Naoki Nagayama was mentioned,

"By the way, Akina-chan, after returning to Tokyo, the Tori-no-Ichi program is about to start. Don't forget the subsequent purification ceremony!"

"Alright, alright, I won't forget!" Akina Nakamori looked at Kenji Hatanaka with suspicious eyes. "Speaking of which, Kenji-san, recently Nobuo-san and you have often mentioned this purification ceremony... It wouldn't be?"

"Nani? What is it?" Kenji Hatanaka's heart jumped, almost thinking his little thoughts had been discovered, but on the surface, he still appeared very normal, even showing a degree of confusion at just the right time.

Akina Nakamori looked for a long time and didn't see any flaws: "It's best if it's not some prank program..."

Speaking of which, variety shows where stars are pranked had begun to slowly find their way to Akina Nakamori, making her start to feel nervous all the time.

Seeing Akina Nakamori close her eyes again, Kenji Hatanaka silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately! Having served so many actors, his acting skills had at least improved a little!