Chapter 335: Taken a fancy to Ozaki Yutaka?

Near the end of the workday, Naoki Nagayama finally had a moment of free time.

He stretched his back and rubbed his sore shoulder blades, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. Finally, the day's work was coming to an end!

In his heart, he recalled the wish he had made when he first arrived in the Showa era, and he couldn't help but whisper:

"Sure enough, working for others is impossible; I, Naoki Nagayama, will not be a wage slave!"

Just at this moment, the office door was knocked on once again. The smile on Naoki Nagayama's face instantly turned into a look of misery.

Riko Hayano pushed the door open and walked in: "Naoki-san?"

It was already time to get off work; didn't she know that if she gave him work right before leaving, a wage slave would... complain but still take it on...

"Ah, Riko-chan... could it be that there are more documents?"

Riko Hayano shook her head. "Being Records called. They want to schedule a time with Tree Friend Films to meet with the company president."

Being Records?

Naoki Nagayama recalled that he didn't seem to have any connection with them. Although both were startups only a few years old, they were barely on the same side under the pressure of the established production companies.

"Did they say what it was about?"

"It seems to be about forming a band..."

How strange; his company didn't seem to have any bands that needed forming. Naoki Nagayama couldn't figure out their intention, but meeting them didn't seem like a bad thing.

"I understand. Riko-chan, confirm a meeting with them for tomorrow morning—no, tomorrow afternoon." Tomorrow morning would likely still be a pile of miscellaneous tasks.

"Yes!"

Riko Hayano walked out. Naoki Nagayama then remembered that this girl's main job was actually planning for idol development; how did she become an office secretary? It was a bit of a waste of talent.

Since he was temporarily filling in for daily management, should he assign a dedicated secretary to the truly busy Otomo Yoshimura?

Would Otomo-san be able to keep his composure...

Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Naoki Nagayama watched the clock and left right on time.

In Japanese workplace culture, if he didn't leave, the other employees in the studio office wouldn't leave either. Even if he did leave, many would still choose to work overtime.

It wasn't that Naoki Nagayama didn't want to change this atmosphere, but this habit rooted in culture was truly not something one person could easily turn around.

However, since he couldn't change the world, at least he wouldn't let the world change him. Naoki Nagayama was determined never to work overtime!

There was still a dog at home that needed feeding!

The story branches out; this morning,

Nakano Ward, below the Akina apartment building.

"Akina-san? What's wrong?"

Minami-ko Fusa-nori, who went to pick up Akina in the morning to head to Hokkaido, had a look of astonishment on his face; because Akina Nakamori, who should have been full of energy, actually had two dark circles under her eyes at this moment and seemed to be in a very bad mood.

"It's nothing... Mingxing-san, let's set off!" Akina Nakamori said with a wooden face.

"Ah... yes~"

Fusanori Mingxing upheld the principle that a manager should not interfere with an idol's private life, so he didn't ask more. However, he was very curious in his heart: how could the always strong Akina Nakamori become like this? What happened?

Why was it a bit like when female idols were heartbroken in the past?

Actually, Akina hadn't finished watching all three episodes last night, because when she reached the seventh episode, a famous scene appeared—Hanazawa Rui kissing Tsukushi Makino in the stairwell.

Yes, that was the scene Naoki Nagayama filmed so awkwardly!

Akina saw it!

And then she didn't sleep well all night...

As the sun set, Naoki Nagayama, who knew nothing, was still walking easily on the main road back to Mountain Cherry Garden.

His eyes were full of the beautiful scenery along the way. Looking at the cherry blossoms in full bloom by the roadside, he was still thinking about when to ask Akina out to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

The night at Mountain Cherry Garden was lively for a long time, because a lively younger sister had come, and dinner was already prepared.

After Naoki Nagayama finished this hot meal, Nagayama Hezi began to reveal her true colors:

"Nii-chan, when are you taking me to buy a bag?"

Alright, she didn't want to delay yesterday's promise for even a moment.

"This weekend~" Naoki Nagayama returned from the garage and handed her the three videotapes in his hand. "I have to cover for a colleague these two days."

Nagayama Hezi excitedly took the videotapes and hurriedly went to binge-watch the show, while Naoki Nagayama could only sit on the side and watch along.

Honestly, watching the TV series he acted in was actually... quite interesting, because he could recall the fun scenes during filming.

"Ring ring."

The phone beside the sofa rang, waking the two who were watching the show. Naoki Nagayama reached out and picked it up.

"Moshi moshi, this is Mountain Cherry Garden."

"Naoki, it's me!" The exhausted voice of Genta Nakai came from the receiver.

Naoki Nagayama was a bit worried: "Genta, what's wrong? Your voice sounds a bit off?"

"Ah, it's nothing, I just haven't slept well lately."

Ever since Naoki Nagayama handed over 2 billion to him to manage, along with his own money, Genta Nakai couldn't sleep every night, wishing he could stare at the stock market every moment.

"Really? Don't push yourself too hard, Genta. You're only in your 20s, and you have a bright future ahead." Naoki Nagayama thought he was just too tired from work.

"Hehe, no more joking, Naoki." Genta Nakai's tone became much more formal. "I'm going to the United States for a while, staying for about half a year. Do you want to go together?"

"Go to the United States?"

"Yes, I fought for an overseas assignment opportunity from the company." Genta Nakai said, "With such a large sum of funds, there are still procedures to handle. Besides, it's more convenient to operate over there. How about it? Do you want to go together?"

Naoki Nagayama considered it: "Genta, I probably won't go abroad until May. Let's go over then."

Genta Nakai on the other end of the phone was stunned: "Naoki, that's 2 billion yen! Don't you care at all?"

Ah... Naoki Nagayama just remembered that he still had a sum of money in the US stock market.

"Haha, I almost forgot..." Naoki Nagayama laughed. "But with Genta there, I'm very reassured. It's fine, I'm going to attend an event in May, and I'll go to the United States to see you then."

Al... most... for... got...

These four words instantly struck Genta Nakai. It turned out that the large sum of money he was thinking about day and night was actually insignificant to Naoki Nagayama?

For a moment, Genta Nakai seemed to see his soul entangled by money mocking himself...

Forget it, I don't want to talk anymore. Whatever happens, happens!

Naoki Nagayama noticed that there had been no sound from the other side for a long time, and reminded: "Genta? Genta-san?"

"Yes... I'm here." The voice in the receiver felt a bit hopeless.

"Ah, then it's settled. I'll see you in May. After arriving in the United States, remember to tell me your address!"

"Yes~"

After Naoki Nagayama hung up the phone, Nagayama Hezi had already leaned over: "Nii-chan, are you going abroad for a trip?"

"Yes, and attending an awards ceremony by the way. Why?"

"Eh... that's great. I haven't been abroad yet~" Nagayama Hezi's tone was full of envy.

"Want me to take you?" Naoki Nagayama's words made Nagayama Hezi's eyes shine, but her head was pushed away by Naoki Nagayama. "In your dreams. Study hard, improve every day, and then earn your own money to go out and play!"

"Che~" Nagayama Hezi turned her head away, ignoring her hateful brother.

Naoki Nagayama, however, looked at the graffiti painting hanging on the stairwell wall, thinking of his friends he had known for only one day in New York, Basquiat and his girlfriend Madonna.

By the way, have these two broken up yet?

Has Madonna started to become famous yet?

When Naoki Nagayama stepped into the studio office again, he didn't see any trace of Shuichi Yin Tang.

This guy decided not to come and see Naoki Nagayama make a fool of himself today.

The preparation work for "Cat's Eye" had entered the final stage; the production committee had been established, and some sponsorships had been secured.

Even Masataka Xiaosen was called out by him to prepare. There was really no other way; besides actors, scripts, and filming equipment, the art galleries to be filmed needed to be contacted, and some replicas of precious collections and artworks needed to be made.

The initial investment this time was about the same as "Boys Over Flowers," and there were many places where the production team needed to be meticulous.

Naoki Nagayama sat carelessly in the office, waiting for his subordinates to hand over documents and materials, but after waiting for a long time, there wasn't a single person, which was really strange.

He walked out and asked Riko Hayano, who was sitting in the open office:

"Riko-chan, why are there no documents today?"

"Uh..." Riko Hayano looked at her slightly naive president, not knowing what to say for a moment. "Naoki-san, yesterday was the beginning of the month, so there were so many documents that needed to be signed and approved. Usually, there aren't many documents."

"Eh? Then what does Otomo-san usually do?"

"As for Otomo-san, he is usually either promoting the announcements and activities of Junko Yin Teng, Yuki Saito, and the Wild Cat Three Sisters, or contacting clients, maintaining relationships, and finding more announcements for the company's artists."

Thinking about it this way, it seemed Otomo-san's usual work wasn't too much either? A thought popped into Naoki Nagayama's mind: "Should I add a little burden to Otomo-san?"

Sure enough, unknowingly, he had already become a mature capitalist!

Naoki Nagayama shook his head and understood. Besides this work, the production of new records for the artists under the company, holding concerts, promoting new labels, etc., were all things Otomo Yoshimura needed to worry about, not to mention the company's own administrative management.

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He was just filling in during a gap period.

"I see, I understand~" Naoki Nagayama smiled at Riko Hayano, making the little girl not dare to look at him. "Riko-chan, continue with your work~"

Sure enough, for a period of time afterward, employees would still come into the office from time to time, either to sign documents or to ask for opinions on certain matters.

It was a bit busy, but still acceptable.

In the afternoon, when the scheduled meeting time was approaching, the people from Being Records arrived on time.

What Naoki Nagayama didn't expect was that the founder of Being Records—Daiko Nagato—actually came in person, and also brought a young man.

"Nice to meet you, I am Daiko Nagato of Being Records. Please take care of me." Daiko Nagato, who looked very mature, introduced himself very enthusiastically. "This is our music producer, Tetsuro Oda."

"Nice to meet you, Nagayama-sensei. I am Tetsuro Oda. Please take care of me!"

Tetsuro Oda bowed very humbly to say hello, because this guy opposite him, who was younger than himself, already had several songs in the top ten of the Oricon charts and had already gained great fame in the industry.

"Yes, nice to meet you. I am Naoki Nagayama. Please take care of me too!"

Facing two polite guys, Naoki Nagayama had to reply according to the cumbersome etiquette. But it didn't matter; his waist had already adapted to the custom of bowing at every turn.

Not to mention Daiko Nagato, this young man named Tetsuro Oda seemed very interesting. Even Naoki Nagayama, who didn't pay much attention to Japanese male singers, had heard that song "Sekai ga Owaru Made wa" (Until the World Ends).

However, Naoki Nagayama no longer had the excitement he had when he first arrived in the Showa era regarding celebrities of later generations. After all, he had seen too many.

After taking the two to the conference room and exchanging a few pleasantries, they went straight to the theme:

"Nagato-shacho, the person who contacted me before said you wanted to cooperate. I don't know what specific aspect it is?"

"Haha, Nagayama-shacho is really direct..."

Daiko Nagato was a bit surprised. When talking about cooperation with other companies in the past, these guys were like old foxes, hiding and tucking away, just waiting for his side to propose first to gain the so-called upper hand.

"Actually, coming here rashly today is for the new label Rebellion that your company is cooperating with Sony Records, as well as the artist under it—Yutaka Ozaki."

? Yutaka Ozaki? What's wrong with that kid?

Naoki Nagayama reviewed it. Yutaka Ozaki's record had just been released recently, but because "Boys Over Flowers" hadn't become fully popular yet, the sales of the record as the theme song weren't very good. However, this guy was very popular in livehouses and seemed to have attracted a large group of fans.

"Ozaki-kun? Nagato-shacho, I don't quite understand."

Daiko Nagato hurriedly explained: "Nagayama-shacho, currently our Being is cooperating with CBS Sony, providing lyrics, composition, packaging, and so on."

This was also a routine operation for large companies, outsourcing some work.

"In the process of cooperation, we want to find a singer with great potential and create songs for him."

Naoki Nagayama understood: "So you have taken a fancy to Ozaki-kun?"

"... Yes!"

There was nothing to hide; they just took a fancy to him.

Being Records during this period was in an awkward position, neither up nor down. Although it had a certain strength, the company didn't have any truly big hits, and the style hadn't been determined, so it didn't have its own label in the industry.

So after learning about Yutaka Ozaki before, Daiko Nagato also went to observe Yutaka Ozaki's performance in person and felt that he had the potential to become very popular.

It just so happened that he was an artist belonging to Sony Records, so he wanted to ask if there was a chance...

"Nagato-shacho, you also know that we value Ozaki-kun very much, so we specially established a new label for him." Naoki Nagayama found it a bit funny. "Do you want to snatch him away?"

"No!" Daiko Nagato explained. "We don't have big ambitions! Coming here rashly is just to cooperate with your company."

"? How to cooperate?"

"Being is willing to tailor-make records for Yutaka Ozaki!" Daiko Nagato pointed to Tetsuro Oda beside him. "Oda-kun has very rich experience in arrangement and creation and has a deep understanding of rock music. He can create rock albums for Yutaka Ozaki."

Tetsuro Oda seemed a bit old-fashioned and serious, not knowing how to be tactful when speaking:

"Pardon me, although Nagayama-shacho is also a very famous creator, the style of composition seems to lean towards female singers. Regarding the field of male singers..."

Daiko Nagato hurriedly took over the conversation: "There must also be very high insights into the field of male singers!"

"However, Nagayama-shacho, our Being Records has good experience in the field of male singers and can provide more systematic packaging and promotion for Yutaka Ozaki..."

Daiko Nagato kept talking about the services his company could provide for Yutaka Ozaki, like a salesman going door-to-door. However, Naoki Nagayama didn't say no, because he really hadn't listened to much Japanese rock music. The songs he used to loop in his previous life were, of course, girls' songs...

Being Records wanted to use Yutaka Ozaki as a further stepping stone, and Naoki Nagayama also happened to lack a next-step plan for Yutaka Ozaki. Why not take the benefits delivered to his door?

"Nagato-shacho, I understand." Naoki Nagayama interrupted him. "It just so happens that we are planning Ozaki-kun's next record. Perhaps we can try starting from the production of this record."

Although there was music producer Tetsuya Komuro, he was still a newcomer with no experience. If Being Records was introduced, Yutaka Ozaki's early debut would undoubtedly be smoother.

Having received the promise, a smile appeared on Daiko Nagato's face: "Yes, then let's start from here!"

The two presidents reached a consensus, and the specific matters afterward would naturally be handled by subordinates.

In the time that followed, Naoki Nagayama and Daiko Nagato chatted about recent gossip and interesting things in the entertainment industry, and both were very happy.

It was just that Tetsuro Oda looked at Naoki Nagayama as if he wanted to say something, but was always stopped by Daiko Nagato.

After agreeing to go for tea next time, the two from Being Records left.

Naoki Nagayama returned to his relaxed time.