Chapter 360

"Naoki-san!"

Not long after waiting, Kamihara Chinatsu led a man and a woman up, Sugiura Taitai and Nishi Rumi walking up together.

"Taitai-san, Rumi-san, you've arrived!"

Nagayama Naoki sat at the tea table and revealed a smile. The afternoon sun shone on his sharp-featured face, as if plating it with a layer of faint gilding, like an ancient Greek sculpture, making Rumi, a television station planner who had seen many handsome men and beautiful women in the entertainment industry, feel a little stirred.

"Naoki-san, long time no see. I feel like you've become even more handsome!"

As expected of a woman in the entertainment industry, she is truly very straightforward when complimenting people~

"Hahaha, Rumi-san saying that so suddenly makes me a bit embarrassed." Nagayama Naoki laughed, then greeted the proprietress Kamihara Chinatsu, "Please, have a seat! Chinatsu-san, you can bring the tea."

"Hai~" Kamihara Chinatsu replied respectfully, then went to prepare the tea and snacks.

Sugiura Taitai looked radiant. The phenomenal success of "Boys Over Flowers" just recently had allowed him to show his face well in front of his superiors, so he could be said to be enjoying success in his official career lately.

"Naoki-san, didn't I hear you went abroad for an awards ceremony and then traveled while you were at it? Have you already returned?"

When "Boys Over Flowers" was a hit, the reason Nagayama Naoki used to decline Fuji TV's promotional activities was that he was traveling abroad.

"Yes, because of some family matters, I returned early~"

"Oh? Wasn't it because of the scandal?" Sugiura Taitai raised an eyebrow, "How did it feel to spend a lovely night with a foreign beauty?"

Beside them, Nishi Rumi was already covering her mouth and giggling. As a television station staff member, she naturally kept an eye on foreign news and had naturally discovered a little piece of news about Nagayama Naoki.

"Uh... Taitai-san, that was all a misunderstanding..."

A dry explanation could not earn any trust; Sugiura Taitai and Nishi Rumi had clearly already decided it was a fact.

After Nagayama Naoki sighed, he stopped trying too hard, but at least after this bit of teasing, the conversation between the few became much more harmonious.

"Naoki-san, the ratings for Tree Friend Films' 'Cat's Eye' have also been very good recently~" Sugiura Taitai opened the topic, "I heard it has already reached 7% ratings."

"Yes, such high ratings are already quite good for a late-night slot." Nishi Rumi also chimed in, "Not to mention it has sparked very widespread discussion."

"Haha, that's because of the popularity of the manga. Manga-adapted dramas always have some added boost."

Nagayama Naoki said candidly, "When we originally planned to film this drama, it was just to promote the idols under our banner again. I didn't expect the ratings to actually be quite good."

"The Wild Cat sisters~" Sugiura Taitai revealed a memory, "I remember the Wild Cat Group at that time also came to the television station to participate in quite a few programs. Five sexy female idols wearing cat-ear lolita outfits—people at the station were very interested back then."

"Then why did they decline later on?" As a woman, Nishi Rumi might not have paid much attention to this type of female idol.

"I heard it was due to affiliation issues? Naoki-san?"

"Ah, that is indeed the case. At that time, the Wild Cat Group was taken over by the Burning Agency..." Nagayama Naoki did not hide it. At this time, Tree Friend Films, or rather the GG Agency under its banner, already had a certain degree of confidence, "At that time, their management contracts were not with the GG Agency."

"So that's how it was~"

Nishi Rumi sighed. In the entertainment industry, this situation is actually not uncommon. Large agencies directly poaching artists from competitors and using complex cross-contracts to control artists... she had seen too much of it.

Just at this moment, Kamihara Chinatsu walked up carrying a tea set, "Guests, the tea has arrived."

The emerald-colored tea rippled in the cups, as if it weren't brewed from tea leaves but rather the essence of Gyokuro tea extracted directly. The fresh fragrance of the top-tier tea leaves made the three people at the tea table immerse themselves in tasting it.

"Good tea~"

Nagayama Naoki had drunk it too many times after all and was not too obsessed: "Taitai-san, are you aware of the recent idol disqualification incident?"

"Of course!" Bringing this up, Sugiura Taitai immediately became spirited, "Several programs related to Tomoko Takabe have been ordered to be rectified, and even the television station has received a great many complaint letters... This time it really has become outrageous!"

"Yes... as an idol, how could she be so careless! To actually be photographed in that state..."

Nishi Rumi was not surprised by the idol's disqualification. As an insider, she naturally knew that the private lives of idols were very messy. What she was angry about was that this situation had actually been photographed!

And it wasn't even photographed by her own boyfriend...

"Yes, as a celebrity, one still has to be careful!"

Nagayama Naoki sighed, but was immediately mocked by Sugiura Taitai: "Hahaha, isn't Naoki-san often photographed? But fortunately, your image hasn't been disqualified..."

"......"

This point is really hard to explain...

"Taitai-san! Don't expose the painful truth!" Nagayama Naoki changed the subject, "But I heard that the discussion in the industry caused by this incident is huge, and TBS has even planned a program."

"Hai, you're talking about the 'Longing for Idols' planned by Yasushi Akimoto, right?" There are only five large television stations in Japan, so Sugiura Taitai naturally knows a lot about the programs of other stations, "It's a very bold program."

Nishi Rumi also nodded: "Akimoto Yasushi-san is a program producer with a very innovative spirit."

Innovative spirit... in Japanese culture, which values tradition, having an innovative spirit is not necessarily a complimentary term.

Sugiura Taitai asked: "Has Naoki-san met Akimoto Yasushi?"

"I met him once when I went to participate in a program." Nagayama Naoki still remembered that smiling little fatty, "He seems like a quite gentle person."

"Naoki-san, there is an animal called a smiling tiger!"

Nishi Rumi seems to have some opinions about this person; talking about him always carries a bit of personal grievance.

Nagayama Naoki did not continue to chat about this person; discussing others behind their backs is always bad. He led the topic to the theme of inviting the two to drink tea today:

"Taitai-san, I'm a little curious, what kind of program is 'Longing for Idols'?"

"Hmm..." Sugiura Taitai thought for a moment, "In short, it invites many popular idols, as well as some non-mainstream idols, to discuss several questions together, such as what kind of idol they want to become, what the bottom line idols should abide by, and other official topics. However, I also heard there will be some sharp questions."

"Sharp questions?"

"For example, what kind of person they like, whether they are in love, what kind of confession method they would adopt, and how they would notify everyone if they were in love. It hasn't been specifically determined yet."

Nishi Rumi added very excitedly, "In short, it's many places where people want to understand idols!"

"It's all about the emotional aspect. I see that Rumi-san is very concerned about it herself!" Nagayama Naoki is a master of stabbing people, "What kind of person does Rumi-san like? Are you currently in love?"

"Hahaha~" Sugiura Taitai was amused by this counter-question and hurriedly echoed, "Yes, Rumi-san, everyone is very curious~"

"Tch~ What's this?" After Nishi Rumi was embarrassed for a moment, she immediately replied: "Me? I'm currently single. Of course, I like handsome guys like Nagayama Naoki!"

】

"......" As expected of a city lady, she is generous and natural, leaving Nagayama Naoki not knowing how to respond. Fortunately, Sugiura Taitai said from the side: "You like Naoki-san? Then Rumi-san, you have to work hard!

Naoki-san's rumored girlfriends are all beautiful and unique beauties!"

"Rumored girlfriend..."

Nagayama Naoki sighed. It looks like this point cannot be escaped!

Nagayama Naoki in Tokyo was drinking tea, while in the Nagayama Group headquarters in Shimizu, the three people of the Nagayama family were also drinking tea.

"Kaede, has your luggage been packed?" The eldest grandfather was just like an ordinary old man at this time, "Has the address in Tokyo been determined?"

"Hai! The group members in Tokyo have already rented a house in advance!" Nagayama Kaede was still a bit confused at this time, "Grandfather, Father, didn't you say you were going to the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters? Isn't that in Kobe?"

"You guy, do you want to go to Kobe to be cannon fodder?" Nagayama Kumahara looked at his young son and said, "To show our attitude, naturally only Father and I need to go!"

"You guy, just go to Tokyo and expand the money bag for the Nagayama Group!"

Nagayama Hayato still valued inheritance more heavily, persuading his son Nagayama Kumahara not to let his only son get involved in the struggles in Kobe. No matter which faction they stood with, as long as the Shimizu Nagayama Group had more money and more members, it could always maintain its independence.

Anyway, at worst, the Shimizu Yamaguchi-gumi branch would just go back to calling itself the "Shimizu Family."

"Kaede, go to Tokyo and make a name for yourself. That is the true upper echelon of Japan. Only there can you broaden your horizons." Nagayama Hayato said, "Look at your cousin Naoki. In just a few years, he has already stood so high!"

"Grandfather... you don't want me to write books and songs like that guy Naoki, do you?" Nagayama Kaede looked terrified, "Grandson really can't do that!"

"Baka!" Nagayama Kumahara couldn't help but pat his stupid son on the head, "Of course we know you can't! You just go and learn how to make money in the entertainment industry for me!"

Amidst the expectations of his grandfather and father, Nagayama Kaede carried his duffel bag onto the high-speed train to Tokyo.

His back looked from afar just like a country bumpkin entering the city...

After spending an afternoon with Sugiura Taitai and Nishi Rumi at "Sanmi-kyo" in Ginza, Nagayama Naoki returned to Shanyingyuan when the sky began to turn dark.

"Has it already been six o'clock?" Nagayama Naoki stroked the big dog's head, "Eitaro, it looks like summer is getting darker later and later~"

He had drunk quite a bit of tea in the afternoon and eaten a lot of tea snacks. Nagayama Naoki made a little something to eat in the evening, mainly for Eitaro's dinner.

After eating, he started watching variety shows, his mind still turning with the conversation with Sugiura Taitai.

"'Longing for Idols'? Through the interaction between different types of idols, to stir up topics and create gimmicks..."

"Why the more I think about it, the more it feels similar to a reality show from later generations..."

"If the first episode is good, will they change stars episode after episode?"

"Ding-a-ling!"

While his mind was thinking aimlessly, suddenly the phone in the living room rang. A phone call at this time, not too early and not too late, certainly wasn't Akina. Who could it be?

"Moshi moshi, this is Shanyingyuan."

"Moshi moshi, may I ask if this is Naoki-san?" After the unfamiliar voice coming from the receiver was confirmed, he said very politely, "Excuse the intrusion, I am Yasushi Akimoto!"

And then, as if to add a little persuasiveness: "TBS producer, we met once before on the 'The Best Ten' program."

？

The guy he was just thinking about had actually called directly!

"Ah, hai, Akimoto-san, of course I remember." Nagayama Naoki suppressed the surprise in his heart and asked without revealing a shred of emotion, "Akimoto-san, you called me, is there any advice?"

"Hahaha, Naoki-san is joking. How could I have any advice... Naoki-san should be the one giving me advice!"

The tone of the receiver was very humble, but after some politeness, he quickly spoke about the topic.

"The thing is like this, Naoki-san. During this period, I planned a program called 'Longing for Idols'..."

He had only asked friends in the circle about it in the afternoon, and in the evening, the producer had actually called to explain it directly, making Nagayama Naoki sigh at the wonder of fate.

"The above is the general format of 'Longing for Idols'. Naoki-san, are you interested in participating?"

"Eh? Me?"

The final invitation made Nagayama Naoki even more confused. Although he had some fame, Nagayama Naoki's fame was more concentrated in behind-the-scenes aspects like writer, director, and screenwriter. Whether as a front-stage actor or an idol, he was actually quite average.

"Akimoto-san, why would you invite me? I don't seem to be the kind of idol 'Longing for Idols' is aimed at?"

"Hahaha, I know Naoki-san!" He had seen it when they met last time; the little fatty had a kind of admiration for Nagayama Naoki, "Although your main profession isn't an idol, you have achieved no small accomplishments in other aspects."

"In other words, you can be considered a very unique part-time idol!" Akimoto Yasushi continued to explain, "My program already has sweet idols, rebellious idols, funny idols, sexy idols, youthful idols... wouldn't it be very interesting to have one more part-time idol?"

"......"

What the hell is a part-time idol?

So I'm just going to add some fun?

Nagayama Naoki was about to refuse, but heard the voice from the receiver again.

"Naoki-san, in fact, due to the idol disqualification incident, people's discussion about the 'thing' called an idol has become very intense, and they have even questioned the meaning of an idol's existence.

I was thinking, if there were a guest like Naoki-san who is both a producer, a creator, and an idol, such a complex identity, perhaps it would better allow everyone to understand the meaning of an idol."

Uh... it sounds like it's very high-end. This Akimoto Yasushi's eloquence is quite good.

However, if he wanted Nagayama Naoki to participate, relying solely on high-sounding principles, the possibility was not high.

"Akimoto-san, there are already many people, right?" Nagayama Naoki said slowly, wanting to refuse tactfully, "You don't need me" was still on the tip of his tongue.

"Hai, currently Seiko Matsuda, Masahiko Kondo, Toshihiko Tahara, and Akina Nakamori have all agreed to participate." Akimoto Yasushi said quickly, "And the recent Cat's Eye sisters..."

"Alright then, I will participate!" Nagayama Naoki said righteously.

It is absolutely not because Akina is actually going to be in the same frame as a scumbag!