Chapter 323: A Girl

Speaking of which, the rehearsal for the Japan Academy Film Prize award ceremony is actually very boring.

The early promotional VCRs and various behind-the-scenes short films were naturally produced long ago. The rehearsals on site are mainly interviews.

The nominated guests come in batches in advance to adapt to the interview process, knowing the general questions is enough. Everyone is in the entertainment industry, and saying a few scene words on the spot is naturally easy.

The guests who came today, Yuko Tanaka and the other three beauties, were naturally nominated guests for the awards, and they were all Best Actress nominees~

After the big screen played the nomination list, several people sat on the stage to accept interviews, and then the host asked some questions according to the interview outline. It might not be the same as the final award ceremony, but it was not much different.

However, for award presenters like Naoki Nagayama, it was not so troublesome. He only needed to know where to appear in the appropriate link, and then read the winner on the teleprompter.

Actually, the music award ceremony is more interesting. At least the winners need to show their talents on stage and sing a song, so the award ceremony is like a gala, which is more watchable.

Naoki Nagayama sat at the round table in the front row, watching the host interact with Yuko Tanaka and others, and after chatting, several people returned to the round table under the stage... watching another short film played on the big screen...

You say it's boring? Back and forth~

The rehearsal was naturally not so serious. Yuko Tanaka sat next to Naoki Nagayama and teased: "What's wrong with Naoki-san? Feels like you want to sleep."

"Because it's too boring, even though I was very curious before..."

"Haha, the award ceremony is like this~" Yuko Tanaka laughed. "By the way, Naoki-san should not know the beauties here yet, right?"

Saying this, she introduced the people next to her one by one, "These few are Keiko Matsuzaka, Ryoko Ishida, and Masako Natsume, and this is Naoki Nagayama~"

It feels like a matchmaking scene rather than an award ceremony.

"Nice to meet you! Please..." X4, simply a large awkward scene~

"Hahaha, it feels like you guys are here for a matchmaking session..." Never realized, is Yuko Tanaka actually a social powerhouse, or is she just like this among acquaintances?

However, this kind of joke immediately dispersed the slightly awkward atmosphere. Everyone knows that a girl's reserve degree is inversely proportional to the number of people. Now it is an absolute advantage of four to one, and the opposite is a younger kun. The three big sisters naturally won't admit defeat verbally.

Ryoko Ishida, the oldest, had a thin face, but her personality was quite bold, and she took the lead directly: "If I could matchmake with a handsome guy like Naoki-kun, that wouldn't be bad~ Hahaha~"

Keiko Matsuzaka, who was bright and atmospheric, also nodded in agreement: "Especially since Naoki-kun is so talented... just thinking about it is a profit!"

And Masako Natsume, who was slightly younger, covered her mouth and giggled on the side: "Yes, yes, is Naoki-san single? Hurry up and report your height, weight, and family situation! Sisters have taken a fancy to you!"

"You guys, restrain yourself! Naoki-san is only in his early twenties~ Don't scare people!" Yuko Tanaka pretended to be angry and patted the arm of the person next to her, but immediately couldn't help laughing.

Fortunately, Keiko Matsuzaka straightened the topic: "Naoki-san, you are also an award presenter, right? What award are you presenting?"

Naoki Nagayama had just been suppressed and couldn't speak. At this time, he could finally speak: "I am the Best Director Award. Is Keiko-san also an award presenter?"

"Yes, the award I am presenting happens to be Best Actress~"

This is a coincidence, because Naoki Nagayama and Keiko Matsuzaka were both nominated for the award they were presenting, so it might cause a situation where both of them presented the award to themselves.

"Haha, this award ceremony might be very interesting."

Just when Keiko Matsuzaka was about to speak, the host on the stage suddenly shouted, "The award presenter is Keiko Matsuzaka!"

"Yabai!" The big sister stood up immediately, then subconsciously tidied up her clothes and hurried to the stage.

Watching Keiko Matsuzaka on the stage change into a standard artist face, Naoki Nagayama really admired the expression control ability of these actors!

"Why didn't the other nominees for the Best Director Award come? Isn't the Best Director Award next to the Best Actress Award?" Naoki Nagayama asked Yuko Tanaka next to him.

"Because Best Director doesn't need to be interviewed on stage!"

"?"

Masako Natsume said: "Directors don't participate in interviews, isn't this an industry convention?"

"Eh? Is there this convention?" Naoki Nagayama was surprised.

"Because directors are behind-the-scenes people~ so the performance part is generally handed over to the actors~" Ryoko Ishida, who was experienced, said, "Later Best Cinematography, Best Music, Best Screenplay... etc., will not have interview segments. Only actor awards such as Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and Newcomer Award will have interview segments."

"Sure enough, only the stars in front of the stage are paid attention to~" Naoki Nagayama nodded. This is also a compromise made for traffic, right~

After saying a few words, Keiko Matsuzaka, who had gone through the process, walked down and said easily:

"It looks like today's task is completed!"

Then she started asking others about their plans, seeing if they wanted to go out for a meal or shopping, and specifically asked Naoki Nagayama, "Naoki-san, do you want to go together?"

"...... Forget it, I happened to meet Yuko-san last time, and then we had a meal and it was photographed as a scandal... If I go with four beauties this time... then it will definitely make the headlines!"

"Hahaha~ Speaking of which, the nickname of playboy Naoki is also very loud!" Masako Natsume actually knew this nickname and said it very impolitely!

"Hahaha~" Several young ladies laughed softly, simply like opening a tea party...

Naoki Nagayama ate a dumb loss and looked helplessly at the short film on the big screen. They were all behind-the-scenes footage of directors filming nominated films. Even the behind-the-scenes footage of himself in *A Scene at the Sea* was there.

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This must be the masterpiece of that cameraman Kijima Xu, who has a very low sense of presence. According to this level of candid shooting, the Best Cinematography Award should be awarded to him!

Just when Naoki Nagayama was waiting for the host to call him, two staff members suddenly came from the side of the venue, one carrying a video camera and the other holding a long-handled microphone.

"Sumimasen, we are the photographers of the Academy Awards ceremony, here to shoot rehearsal behind-the-scenes~" The guy holding the microphone handed the microphone directly to Naoki Nagayama. "Mr. Naoki Nagayama, can you talk about your feelings about coming to rehearse today?"

"Eh? Feelings?" Naoki Nagayama thought for a while. "Omoshiroi~ Never participated before, satisfied my curiosity~"

Scene words, who can't say!

The microphone guy didn't stop, but continued to ask: "May I ask if Mr. Naoki Nagayama came with others? I just saw that the people sitting next to Naoki-san are all beauties!"

He also signaled the camera guy to shoot the beauties sitting at a round table.

"No, no, I came alone. I just happened to meet Yuko-san at the entrance~" Just mentioned the scandal, Naoki Nagayama's vigilance rose instantly. "I just got to know several seniors in the entertainment industry."

Although the others still had smiles on their faces, they were obviously not in the relaxed state of private life just now.

Signaling the camera to turn, the microphone guy aimed the target at Masako Natsume, who was slightly younger.

"Ms. Masako Natsume, nominated for Best Actress this time, how do you feel now?"

"Hahaha, very surprised~ Just now I was telling Ryoko-san that I couldn't believe it~"

Beautiful women are the best at lying. Clearly, what they were talking about just now was the topic of playboy Naoki....

The microphone guy turned the topic to Naoki Nagayama again: "It's a coincidence to come to rehearse with Mr. Naoki Nagayama today. Is it the first time you've met?"

"Yes, I've seen it from afar at the award ceremony before, but I don't know it in private. I just got to know it today~"

"Then what do you think of Mr. Naoki Nagayama? Compared to the impression?" The microphone guy kept wanting to lead the topic to Naoki Nagayama~

"Ah, the impression is that he is a very talented young director. After getting to know him, I think his personality is also very good~"

Asking others about their feelings about themselves in front of them? Naoki Nagayama couldn't help but suspect whether this guy had any opinions about him? Why does it feel full of malice?

The microphone guy wanted to ask Naoki Nagayama about his opinion on Masako Natsume again. At this time, he heard the host on the stage say: "Next, please welcome the nominated guest, Mr. Naoki Nagayama!"

"Sumimasen, I'm going up!" Naoki Nagayama hurriedly walked up and left the microphone guy aside.

The male lead left, and the remaining few were people who had struggled to a certain status in the entertainment industry. They were not afraid of small interviews that might be slightly malicious. The artist face was superb, and the microphone guy couldn't find any flaws at all, so he had to walk away helplessly.

When Naoki Nagayama came back, he asked Yuko Tanaka: "What's going on with that interview?"

"Probably related to newspapers or something~"

Keiko Matsuzaka looked like she was used to it. "Media are all in the same group. The award ceremony needs attention, and entertainment newspapers want gossip. There are always internal staff who trade behind-the-scenes footage with reporters. This is an unspoken rule. But is Naoki-san offending someone? Why does that guy always ask some strange questions?"

"Well..... maybe~"

Naoki Nagayama understood. That guy must belong to the side of the major production company. He originally thought that the storm of boycotting him had passed, but he didn't expect that there was still hidden malice~

Anyway, his rehearsal was over, and he ran into this matter. Naoki Nagayama planned to slip away first: "Yuko-san, and all the beauties, it looks like I have to go first~ I don't know how many paparazzi are lurking outside~"

Ryoko Ishida, the oldest, said with a smile: "Go, go~ Don't let people catch you! We will also disperse after the rehearsal~"

They are all stars, and they all have deep experience in being secretly photographed. Naturally, they feel the same way at this time. Shopping and such naturally don't count~

Naoki Nagayama, who walked out of the Prince Hotel, put on his mask again, and after opening his black umbrella, he looked around and found that there were indeed several abnormal vans on the side of the road.

Who would open the car window halfway when it's raining.....

He didn't drive here today. Naoki Nagayama stepped toward the Onarimon subway station where he came. When he reached the station entrance, he slowed down his pace.

At this time, it was no longer the peak period, and the subway station looked very empty. Naoki Nagayama slowed down at the ticket gate, pretending to look for his wallet, forcing the paparazzi following behind to stop and wait, and then made good use of the pause to squeeze into the subway at the last moment!

Seeing the person with a strange big bag standing on the platform from the window, Naoki Nagayama knew that these guys were paparazzi. It seemed they still wanted to follow him, and it would be best to find his residence.

The troubles of celebrities!

Naoki Nagayama, who shook off his tail, easily sat to the studio.

The filming of *Boys Over Flowers* had ended, and the studio's popularity was full again after a long time, busily processing the filming materials and communicating about work matters loudly.

"Naoki-san!" "Naoki-san, you're here!" "Naoki-san, good afternoon!"

Seeing Naoki Nagayama's arrival, everyone greeted him enthusiastically. Unlike those old-fashioned companies, in Tree Friend Film, the biggest president doesn't like subordinates to bow and greet, and the top and bottom follow suit, so the atmosphere of the whole company looks very relaxed compared to other companies.

"Good afternoon, everyone~"

Naoki Nagayama also responded with a smile, and then walked to the office step by step. Sure enough, Shuichi Yin Tang was also there.

"Naoki-san, back from rehearsal?" Otomo Yoshimura asked first. "How is it, any problems?"

"There is no problem... It's just that the person in charge told us to pay attention, it's best not to say the acceptance speech like last time... Haha, Shuichi-san, did you hear that? You can't learn from me~"

Naoki Nagayama originally wanted to mock, but saw an unhappy expression on Shuichi Yin Tang's face.

"What's wrong? Gritting your teeth? Did someone provoke Shuichi-san?"

Looking at Shuichi Yin Tang, but that guy didn't answer. Instead, Otomo Yoshimura sighed: "Renbo Shimizu came before and told Shuichi-san some things."

"How did he provoke Shuichi-san?" Naoki Nagayama was puzzled. If Renbo Shimizu wanted to mix here, it was impossible to offend Shuichi Yin Tang?

"That guy wanted Shuichi-san to advertise the previous film in the acceptance speech... to increase the box office~"

Naoki Nagayama was surprised by this strange idea: "There is actually such a thing?! Did Shuichi-san agree?"

Shuichi Yin Tang lowered his voice: "Agreed..."

"Eh?"

Otomo Yoshimura added: "That guy used a bunch of reasons, such as the film losing money, the investors being unhappy, it being bad for the company, and bad for Shuichi-san's future directing career..."

In short, he persuaded Shuichi Yin Tang!

"Although I really want to say cheer up, Shuichi-san, advertising in the acceptance speech is very shameful, and it's still during a national live broadcast~" Naoki Nagayama didn't understand which point finally moved Shuichi Yin Tang.

"If it's for the company, there's no need! Investors don't have to worry~"

Anyway, I can earn a large sum of money in about a month! At worst, I'll invest it myself!

Shuichi Yin Tang still looked unhappy, but he still raised his head and thanked Naoki Nagayama: "Naoki-san, Arigato, but I am the director of this film, it is my work, and it is also my responsibility!"

"Investors invested in the film because of me. If it loses money, there is no way, but if there is a way and I don't do it because of a little bit of self-esteem, I can't accept it!"

...... Shuichi-san, do you have any misunderstanding about the live broadcast effect of the Japan Academy Film Prize? That's not a box office machine!

However, it looked like Shuichi Yin Tang had indeed made up his mind, and Naoki Nagayama didn't persuade him anymore. After all, they were all adults, and there was no need for others to say more about things that had been decided~

Anyway, it's just losing face~

Making money, it's not cold~

Naoki Nagayama told the two about the strange staff member who interviewed him during the rehearsal in the office.

"Otomo-san, it might be for gossip or inside information, but I always feel a bit strange." Naoki Nagayama said. "Recently, pay more attention to the news in the industry and see if there are any actions against us~"

"Those old-fashioned production factories? Still coming? The award ceremony is almost held!" Otomo Yoshimura nodded seriously. "I understand, I will investigate."

Next, the three chatted about the preparation of *Cat's Eye*, and then Naoki Nagayama was pulled into the editing room by Shuichi Yin Tang, where Masataka Komori was organizing the video tape materials.

The preliminary editing work of *Boys Over Flowers* was about to begin~

This work made him forget the time until late at night.

He drove the convertible parked in the studio back. When he arrived at Shanying Yuan, the spotlights in the courtyard had lit up again.

That cherry tree, which had been silent for almost a whole winter, began to bulge with small flower buds on its brown branches.

Only a little white at the top, as if the cherry tree had grown acne.

Naoki Nagayama stroked the lively Eitaro and looked at the cherry tree in the courtyard.

"Another cherry blossom season is coming, Eitaro~ Take advantage of this season, find you a girlfriend?"

"Woof woof woof!"

"Haha, you agreed so quickly! What a little perverted dog!"

He wanted to go upstairs to wash, but saw the message light of the phone recording flashing. After walking over and pressing it, a sweet voice came out: "Moshi Moshi, this is student Akina Nakamori! Is Naoki-san not at home? Where did you go?"

It turned out to be Akina!

"My latest album *Fantasy* is about to be released! I sent a copy to Naoki-san! You must listen to it! Otherwise, student Akina will be angry!"

"That's all!"

Hahaha, a clean and neat message, I always feel that a face with teeth and claws appeared in front of me~ ===== CHAPTER 324 =====