Chapter 288: Akina-chan, the transfer storm is coming~

Nobuo Tomioka's earth-shattering inquiry made Akina Mori panic all of a sudden. This person who had been with her since her debut was not only a senior who had given Akina great help in publicity work, but also a good friend in life.

Now that the word "transfer" was suddenly spoken from his mouth, it was a very unexpected attack for Akina.

"Nobuo-san, are you talking about transferring?" Akina couldn't help but confirm again.

"Hai!" Nobuo Tomioka answered affirmatively. "I plan to resign, and together with some employees of Warner Pioneer, I plan to establish a new company, 'Hummingbird'. A new record company brokered by Tokyu Agency."

Nobuo Tomioka advised: "If Akina-chan agrees, the directors and producers who have been working together won't have any problems. They will come over together, and the team members won't change."

Akina, who was not yet an adult, had never faced such a thing. Even though she had experienced many storms in the entertainment industry, this kind of choice was still a bit too early.

"Eto... Nobuo-san suddenly said this..."

"Akina-chan, don't be in a hurry. You can think about it carefully. At least until the next single is completed, everything will remain unchanged." Nobuo Tomioka didn't put further pressure on her. "Akina-chan's potential is also highly valued by Tokyu Agency. Even if you go to 'Hummingbird', the support for Akina won't be weakened."

The popularity of "Shojo A" and "Second Love" had already allowed Akina Mori to see the scenery of a top idol. The industry had already reached a consensus on Akina Mori's charm. No matter which record company it was, they wouldn't let go of such a rising star.

After leaving the Warner Pioneer office building, Akina Mori frowned in the car. Seeing Koji Okawa who was driving, she couldn't help but ask:

"Koji-san, do you know about the employees of Warner Pioneer going to a new company?"

"Ah... Akina-chan heard those rumors, huh."

Koji Okawa was a manager sent by Ken-On, so he was actually separated from the internal movements of the record company by a layer. However, the fact that even he had heard of it meant that there were already undercurrents beneath the calm water surface.

"There are some rumors, but for Akina now, you should actually focus on the next song itself. No matter where you are, Akina-chan's idol path will receive support."

Koji Okawa actually still viewed Akina Mori as a child who hadn't grown up. Moreover, such things were generally decided by the production company and the agency. The idol's own opinion couldn't be said to be unimportant, but it couldn't play a decisive role.

Akina's small face puffed up. These older employees all treated her as a child, and it was the same at work and during performances!

Ginza, Sanmaikyo.

Naoki Nagayama soon drove here and was waiting for the arrival of the two directors in a private room on the third floor.

And Masaki Kobayashi and Masahiro Shinoda arrived together in a taxi more than ten minutes later.

After getting out of the car, looking at the distinctive architectural appearance of Sanmaikyo, Masaki Kobayashi even took off his sunglasses slightly.

"It's really a peculiar place. I've seen it several times when passing by, but I didn't expect someone to open such a teahouse in Ginza. Masahiro-san, have you been here?"

Masahiro Shinoda shook his head. "It's my first time here too."

Masaki Kobayashi laughed: "Naoki Nagayama was photographed here last time. Let's go in and take a look."

As the manager, Yasui Katsuo recognized the two spirited old men at a glance. As soon as they entered the door, he greeted: "Are you Mr. Masaki Kobayashi and Mr. Masahiro Shinoda?"

"Hmm? You know us?" Masaki Kobayashi asked.

"Hai, Naoki-san has already greeted us. He has already booked a private room. Please follow me, both of you." Yasui Katsuo respectfully led the two to the third floor.

Along the way, Masaki Kobayashi looked at the design of Sanmaikyo with great curiosity: "Masahiro-san, this place is quite interesting. I feel like I can use it as a scene when filming movies in the future."

Masahiro Shinoda also nodded. There were many temples with carved beams and painted rafters, but this modern teahouse that combined Chinese and Japanese styles gave people a peculiar impact.

"It makes people remember it at a glance."

After arriving at the private room, Yasui Katsuo opened the door, revealing Naoki Nagayama, who was sitting by the tea table and admiring the scenery outside the window.

"Naoki-san, the two guests have arrived."

"Ah, thank you, Katsuo-san." Naoki Nagayama stood up and greeted the two great directors: "Director Masaki Kobayashi, Director Masahiro Shinoda, thank you for coming. I am Naoki Nagayama from Tree Friend Film."

Masaki Kobayashi waved his hand easily and greeted Masahiro Shinoda to sit down, as if he were in his own home: "No need to be so polite, Naoki-san. The Masahiro Shinoda beside me, didn't we meet once last time?"

Naoki Nagayama muttered silently: "When we met last time, this guy seemed quite unhappy. I don't know if I offended him at some point."

But since there was already someone who was familiar with the situation among the three, the atmosphere naturally opened up easily.

"Then Masaki-san, Masahiro-san, come and taste the tea quickly. I have prepared the finest Gyokuro tea—Yame Gyokuro." Just as Deputy Manager Chika Sakakibara brought the tea leaves and tea snacks, Naoki Nagayama took the opportunity to invite the two directors to drink tea.

As a tea master with exquisite tea skills, Chika Sakakibara's brewing techniques for top-tier tea leaves were naturally impeccable, and the performance was also very wonderful. For a time, both directors were clearly immersed in the tea ceremony.

Masahiro Shinoda tasted the tea in the tea cup carefully and sighed from time to time: "This aroma, this sweetness, it is indeed Gyokuro~"

Masaki Kobayashi was also tasting it, clearly quite approving.

Naoki Nagayama had been drinking Gyokuro all the time recently, and actually felt a bit dull. He felt that Gyokuro was actually just like that... but at this time, he naturally echoed it.

When the atmosphere entered a good state, Naoki Nagayama finally entered the main topic: "Masaki-san, Masahiro-san, why did you two recommend 'A Scene at the Sea' so wholeheartedly?"

Masaki Kobayashi smiled slightly: "Why, do you think your film is not worth recommending?"

Naoki Nagayama naturally wouldn't tear down his own stage when talking about this: "That's not it... It's just that the help from Masaki-san and Masahiro-san made me a bit confused."

Masahiro Shinoda put down the tea cup and looked at Naoki Nagayama: "Speaking of which, it was actually Masaki-san who persuaded me. Although I felt it was very excellent when I watched this film at the beginning, there was no reason for me to fully support it."

He glanced at his old friend who was leisurely drinking tea and continued: "But Masaki-san talked to me about the fact that Tree Friend Film is being collectively suppressed by old-school production companies. I feel that this is wrong!"

"Those film studios are already outdated!"

Masahiro Shinoda became excited: "Clearly occupying the best resources, but producing films that are increasingly similar! And suppressing emerging directors and low-budget films. This is a destruction of the future of the film industry!"

Masahiro Shinoda, who led the Japanese New Wave, was very aware of the status quo of the film industry.

The studio system was disintegrating, old-school film production companies were declining, Nikkatsu began to focus on erotic feature films, Toei's "Yakuza" series of films were becoming increasingly violent, and Shochiku was barely recovering by relying on comedies...

Enterprises from other industries were entering the film industry, which also had a huge impact on the distribution and screening methods of films.

This was an era of transition between the old and the new, and also an era full of destruction and rebirth.

Masahiro Shinoda had also experienced suppression, so he felt the same way now.

Masaki Kobayashi finally put down the tea cup at this time: "Naoki-san, actually don't worry. Recommending your film didn't have much of a purpose, just couldn't bear to see such a novel film being buried. In fact, it was because 'A Scene at the Sea' was indeed outstanding."

It was difficult for Naoki Nagayama to have a real sense of the general trend of the film industry, because he was neither a professional director nor had he studied film history. However, after learning that the two directors had no other intentions, his heart also relaxed.

"Regardless, I still want to thank the two directors for their strong support."

Naoki Nagayama toasted the two old directors with tea instead of wine.

The subsequent chat was even more relaxed. He didn't know much about the past, but for the development of the film industry for more than 30 years in the future, all of Japan couldn't find anyone who knew more than Naoki Nagayama.

He chatted with the directors about his imagination for the future of films, digital films, 3D films, and manga-adapted films, etc. From the evolution of shooting tools to the development of film business models, he perfectly exerted his ability to blow water on the Internet in his previous life.

This made the two old directors listen with great interest, and they increasingly felt that the young man in front of them was the pillar of the future Japanese film industry.

They didn't even go out of Sanmaikyo for lunch, but asked Yasui Katsuo to order it from a nearby high-end restaurant and have it delivered.

It wasn't until the evening that he parted ways with the two directors who were already a bit exhausted.

Before returning to Yamasakura-in, Naoki Nagayama drove to the film studio to chat with Funamura Otomo about participating in the film selection later.

When walking into the film studio, he happened to see Yuki Saito coming out of the conference room. Funamura Otomo, Riko Hayano, and Masami Inada were all in the office.

"Naoki-san!" The little girl was very happy after seeing Naoki Nagayama and walked quickly to his side. "I haven't seen you for a long time~"

"Ah, yes~" Naoki Nagayama looked at Yuki Saito, who was very cute when she smiled, and was also very happy. "What is Yuki-chan here for today?"

"It's about some arrangements for her debut." Funamura Otomo walked out and took over the conversation. "Yuki-chan's record has been completed, and the rest is to arrange the progress of the debut."

"Eh? Before the end of the year?"

Riko Hayano also walked over: "The current arrangement is to go on some announcements first, and then officially debut at the beginning of the year."

Unlike other idols, Yuki Saito did not debut through a talent show and had no natural accumulation of fans in the record industry, which was equivalent to starting from zero. But unlike other newcomers, she had a very popular film and had a little fame, as well as some film fans.

"Is that so~" Naoki Nagayama nodded. "The time is about the same."

Riko Hayano was a bit puzzled: "What time is about the same?"

Naoki Nagayama pulled the few people back into the conference room: "Otomo-san, I came back today to tell you. Since Yuki-chan is here, let's just say it together."

"'A Scene at the Sea' is basically confirmed to win Best Film at the Mainichi Film Awards." As two big shots in the Japanese film industry, they still had a prediction for this news, because even most of the jurors were their friends.

"Honto?!" Riko Hayano and Yuki Saito were both surprised. "Isn't it just nominated?"

Funamura Otomo didn't let the two young children continue to ask questions that shouldn't be asked: "Naoki-san has chatted with the two directors?"

"Hmm, talked about various reasons. Anyway, what can be confirmed so far is that many directors and filmmakers who are not big production companies will support us." Naoki Nagayama's tone was firm, giving the people on the scene a definite answer. "It's not just Best Film, but also Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Score, and Yuki-chan is also very likely to win Best Newcomer."

"..." Yuki Saito was stunned by the pie that fell from the sky.

"And it's not just the Mainichi Film Awards. The subsequent Japan Academy Film Prize and Blue Ribbon Awards will all have nominations for 'A Scene at the Sea', and the possibility of winning is also very high!"

Funamura Otomo was also shocked by this news. He drank a glass of water to settle his mood.

"Naoki-san, are you sure?"

"It's highly likely to come true."

Naoki Nagayama thought of the group that Masahiro Shinoda said was suppressed by big production companies in the film industry. His film seemed to have become a symbol of their resistance against old-school forces.

Funamura Otomo suppressed his fluctuating mood and looked at Yuki Saito, Riko Hayano, and Masami Inada: "Then Yuki-chan's debut time needs to be adjusted."

These major awards would basically have results in January and February. That time would be the most glorious time for this film. If she debuted while taking advantage of the trend, Yuki Saito might jump into the ranks of top idols in one fell swoop.

As for whether she can maintain it later... at worst, just pester Naoki-san for another song~

After Riko Hayano came back to her senses, she immediately agreed: "Hai, I understand. I'll go adjust the schedule right away!"

Yuki Saito was the first idol she was responsible for publicizing. At this moment, Riko Hayano seemed to see the gold medal producer's sign already beckoning to her!

Funamura Otomo still gave a hint: "Yuki-chan in the film is silent, but Yuki Saito as an idol is vocal. You can work hard on this point and combine the heat of the film with the song."

"Hai, I understand!"

Riko Hayano pulled the future idol who was still in a daze and quickly walked out of the conference room. Masami Inada, who was silent on the side, bowed and followed out.

Naoki Nagayama looked at the backs of the few people: "Otomo-san, Masami-kun's words seem to be getting fewer and fewer."

"As a man in black behind the scenes, of course, the fewer words, the better!" Funamura Otomo said casually. "Masami-kun is getting closer and closer to a mature manager."

"... But aren't Otomo-san's words quite a lot?"

Funamura Otomo rolled his eyes: "Naoki-san, sometimes your words are also quite a lot!"

After fighting with Funamura Otomo in the film studio for a while, and then extorting a meal from the Mediterranean uncle at a restaurant outside, Naoki Nagayama drove back to Yamasakura-in.

Eitaro, who was waiting for his master to return, was naturally greeted with enthusiastic care from his master again, and his dog head was rubbed fiercely.

Then he quickly changed from a favorite to a biological foot warmer.

In the evening, Naoki Nagayama, who was watching TV, was attracted by the phone ringing by the sofa and reached out to pick it up:

"Moshi moshi, this is Yamasakura-in."

"Naoki-san..." A somewhat depressed voice came from the other side of the receiver, and the mood seemed very low...

"Akina-chan? What's wrong?"

(End of chapter)