Chapter 378: As long as the villain is good-looking, the audience's values will follow their facial features!

The morning after the rain is always exceptionally clear. Even in summer, the morning breeze on one's face has a bit of chill; it's cool and very comfortable.

Naoki Nagayama sat in the convertible, letting the morning breeze blow through his hair, which had grown a bit longer. After staying home for so long, he had actually managed to grow his hair out.

This era seemed to have a preference for semi-long hair on men. Naoki Nagayama, who had almost merged into the Showa era, was considering whether he should also keep a flowing semi-long hairstyle.

Before the sun became more intense, the sports car had already arrived at the studio.

"Otomo-san~ I'm here!" Greeting the other employees of the company, Naoki Nagayama met Otomo Fushimura in the office.

"Eh? Naoki-san... why have you become so haggard..." Otomo Fushimura asked with concern when he saw Naoki Nagayama, who felt like he had lost a circle of weight, "Have you been sick these past few days?"

Naoki Nagayama touched his cheeks. He hadn't felt it when he was alone, but it seemed many people had just felt he had lost weight.

"Ah, no." Naoki Nagayama waved his hand to indicate, "It's just that I've used a bit more mental energy these past two days."

"Mental energy?" Otomo Fushimura seemed to understand something, "Naoki-san, have you started creating again?"

When writing "Love Letter" and other longer scripts before, Naoki Nagayama seemed to have experienced a similar process, and that brief period of creating songs also showed that Naoki was under great pressure on his brain when creating.

"Did Otomo-san guess so accurately?" Naoki Nagayama was a bit surprised, "Yes, I created a piece these past few days, titled "Koizora"."

"Naoki-san..."

Otomo Fushimura didn't know what to say. He was amazed by Naoki Nagayama's extraordinary talent, but at the same time, he was worried about the health of the friend in front of him. After all, deep feelings don't last long, and extreme intelligence causes damage; many genius creators died young.

Naoki Nagayama felt the concern of this old manager, but he didn't know that if he didn't write it out, it would be truly bad for his health.

"Otomo-san, don't worry, I know my own body!"

"Naoki-san... you know that when characters in TV dramas say 'I know my own body,' it means they are about to go offline..." Otomo Fushimura couldn't help but complain, "Don't push yourself too hard, Naoki-san. You are still young, and there is a lot of time waiting for you in the future~"

"Hahaha, that sounds like something a grandfather would say." Naoki Nagayama really didn't know how to explain it to him, so he simply didn't explain, "Otomo-san, didn't you say you were going to take me to see the site yesterday?"

Between friends, stop when it's enough.

Otomo Fushimura saw that Naoki Nagayama didn't intend to continue, so he changed the subject, "Yes, the school is located in Nagano Prefecture. If we leave now, we should be able to make it for lunch after we get there..."

"That would be great, Nagano's mushrooms have been famous for a long time!"

Naoki Nagayama became excited when he heard about food. His body, which had consumed a lot of energy, was exactly in need of high-quality protein.

Otomo Fushimura organized a few documents, stood up, and continued, "As for the casting call, let's talk about it on the way."

"Let's go now!"

"Hmm!"

After a long discussion, Tree Friend Film finally compensated with a pretty good high-end Toyota sedan as a company car. This time, the few of them were taking this car to Nagano.

Driving in the front was the young Masataka Komori. There was no help for it; who told the two in the back to be his superiors~

Otomo Fushimura took out the materials from his briefcase, "Naoki, we searched through the new generation of male actors in the entertainment industry and selected these candidates."

Naoki Nagayama got the materials and, unsurprisingly, saw idols from Johnny's like Masahiko Kondo, Yoshio Nomura, Toshihiko Tahara, and the Shibugakitai.

"As expected, looking for male idols in this era, one can't escape Johnny's."

Otomo Fushimura knew that Masahiko Kondo held hostility toward Tree Friend Film, so he said, "There's no help for it. After all, they are very good at shaping male idols. According to Naoki-san's requirements, we need a group of high school age with influence; they can't be escaped. However, if Naoki-san feels Johnny's won't do, then we'll go explore further!"

"Eh... if we specifically avoid them, Johnny Kitagawa of Johnny's will bring some obstacles to the film..."

Just from the current perspective, Tree Friend Film actually had a pretty good relationship with Johnny's. After all, they had already collaborated with their Shonentai many times.

If Johnny's felt that Tree Friend Film had specifically excluded them, it would also be an unfavorable factor for later promotion.

"Well~ let's stick with Shonentai this time~ Anyway, we need a lot of actors this time... Toshihiko Tahara is also fine... forget it, the others are all fine, just don't have Masahiko Kondo~"

Naoki Nagayama excluded one of them; he had no ill feelings toward the others.

"In addition, if possible, look for others from other agencies, find those who need acting skills... it's best if they have good looks too!"

Otomo Fushimura felt he had misheard, "Good looks? Male actors playing delinquents?"

"Yeah! Otomo-san, we are making a movie!" Naoki Nagayama said helplessly, "Do I not know that real delinquents are all ugly and crooked? Where would a guy who is handsome, studies well, and is popular with girls go to be a delinquent!"

"But we are making a movie full of passion; the protagonist, regardless of other aspects, must be handsome!" Naoki Nagayama emphasized, "Even if it's a villain who is rotten to the core, he must have a special kind of charm!"

"But we are making a passionate movie; the protagonist must be handsome, regardless of other aspects!" Naoki Nagayama emphasized, "Even if he is a villain rotten to the core, he must have a special kind of charm!"

As long as the villain looks good, the audience's values will follow their facial features!

"Only in this way will girls come to watch the movie! And only then will they bring more boys along to watch it too!"

Sitting in the back row, Kuniharu Morikawa was too old and was shocked by such a viewpoint, leaving him speechless for a moment, while in the front row, the driver, Masataka Komori, felt as if he had heard the truth of filmmaking at this moment, his mood stirred with excitement.

"As expected of Naoki-san! This is truly holding the audience in the palm of his hand!"

Nakairiyama, Shimotani-ue, Yamada-cho, Nagano Prefecture—this building located at the foot of the mountain, looking like a shelter, was actually a school!

The school building was slightly dilapidated, the walls covered in graffiti, and the playground was already covered in a layer of fallen leaves, with puddles of stagnant water remaining; even the main gate was loose and covered in rust.

However, perhaps because it was a shelter building, the main body of the school building was quite sturdy, and for the time being, there was no sign of it becoming a dangerous structure.

Naoki Nagayama looked at it and couldn't help but laugh: "Otomo-san, how did you find a place like this?"

Kuniharu Morikawa felt a bit sentimental: "This is my alma mater, you know~"

"Eh?!"

Naoki Nagayama and Masataka Komori both looked over, "Alma mater?"

"That's right, my home is in the village on the mountain." Kuniharu Morikawa said, as he was originally from Nagano, "In my early years, I attended junior high school here; back then, junior high and high school were together, after all, there weren't many schools in Nagano."

"Later, things gradually got better, schools were built in the village on the mountain, and new ones were built in the town at the foot of the mountain, so this place was slowly abandoned."

The balding old man's face showed a nostalgic expression: "Back then, I could run all the way from the mountain to the school! And run back when I went home!"

The two people beside him looked at his potbelly: "You definitely can't run now!"

"Anyway, I begged the old principal for a long time before he agreed to let us use this school as we please!"

Kuniharu Morikawa looked serious; he wouldn't mention that the old principal had already become the town mayor, and this time he had brought a large investment to the town government at the foot of the mountain.

Naoki Nagayama walked to the front of the school building and found a few spray paint cans thrown aside, seeing that there was still a large blank space at the main entrance, as if those graffiti guys only dared to doodle in the corners.

"Haha, that's really not bad... but this level isn't enough!"

He bent down to pick up a spray can, shook it with his hand, and it seemed there was still some paint left, so he walked to the main entrance, pressed the nozzle, and started spraying.

Soon, a simple stick figure giving the middle finger appeared on the school's main gate, and he arrogantly added the line—"surprise! motherf**ker!"

Naoki Nagayama stepped back and took a look at his masterpiece: "Haha, now this is more like it! Otomo-san, this place is great, but we still need to find some real graffiti masters to turn this school into a kingdom of crows!"

"How can a place called Crows High School be so clean! Hahahaha~"

Kuniharu Morikawa and Masataka Komori looked at Naoki Nagayama, who was laughing somewhat wantonly, and exchanged a glance~

Masataka Komori: "I told you Naoki-san was a bit abnormal! As expected..."

Kuniharu Morikawa: "Although I don't know why I can understand your look, it's best not to further stimulate Naoki Nagayama right now; let's just follow his ideas!"

Masataka Komori: "Hai, I understand! After we return to Tokyo, I will find someone who understands this field to take a look at Naoki-san!"

Kuniharu Morikawa: "Hmm!"

Naoki Nagayama didn't know that his two subordinates had reached a consensus within seconds, and he turned back to continue:

"Otomo-san, since we're going to play, don't be too stingy with money; rent some other houses in this town, and we'll transform them into the scenes needed for the movie!"

"Hai, I understand!" Kuniharu Morikawa nodded in response.

After wandering around the school several times and even going up to the rooftop, they finally determined the general plan for the renovation, and Naoki Nagayama's group returned to the town.

Then, under the familiar guidance of Kuniharu Morikawa, they came to a small but very clean restaurant.

As expected, living off the mountain means eating from the mountain; the landlady's mushroom cuisine was very authentic, whether it was the cold-dressed small flat mushrooms or the clear-stewed umbrella mushrooms, the freshness of the mountain mushrooms was displayed perfectly, making one linger and forget to return; the verdant Nozawa greens were refreshing and delicious, and the chewy soba noodles had a rich texture, completely satisfying the bellies of the foodies.

Naoki Nagayama was eating while muttering to himself: "Red stalks, white umbrellas, eat them and we'll all lie on the boards together~"

Kuniharu Morikawa asked curiously from the side: "Naoki-san, what are you saying? Is that Chinese?"

"Ah, yes~" Naoki Nagayama said, "It's a praise for the deliciousness of mushrooms!"

"Right, I told you the taste here is good!" Kuniharu Morikawa said with a proud face, "Nagano's mushrooms are the best!"

In the afternoon,

Kuniharu Morikawa was anxious to settle the venue matters in the town, so he didn't follow the two back to Tokyo; anyway, his hometown was on the mountain, and he could just rest at his parents' house for the night.

As for Naoki Nagayama and Masataka Komori, they stepped onto the highway back to Tokyo.

The return journey was a bit rushed, and Masataka Komori drove a little faster; both of them wanted to get back to Tokyo quickly.

Naoki Nagayama was still thinking about checking the effect of the lotus lanterns, while Masataka Komori had to go to the airport to pick up people and materials.

Yes, after more than ten hours on the plane, Shuichi Yin Tang and his group finally returned from Germany!

Along the way, they chatted from time to time about the details of filming "Crows Zero," and Naoki Nagayama taught all the little tricks for the protagonist to look cool to Masataka Komori, making his eyes shine and his mood even more excited.

After dropping off the boss at the studio, he sped off toward Tokyo Airport.

And Naoki Nagayama drove his convertible to Murayama Event Support Co., Ltd.

This time, the receptionist, Eri Narita, recognized the big client at a glance: "President Nagayama! You're here~"

"Hai, I made an appointment with Department Manager Yamakawa yesterday, and I'm coming over this afternoon~" Naoki Nagayama smiled kindly, "Is he here?"

"Of course! Department Manager Yamakawa gave me instructions that as soon as I see President Nagayama, I must notify him immediately!"

Eri Narita called Shigeo Yamakawa the moment she saw Naoki Nagayama, and at this moment, she diligently led Naoki Nagayama to the reception room and then served him ice water.

"Please wait a moment~ Department Manager Yamakawa will be here soon."

"Okay, you go ahead and get busy!"

Eri Narita's back hadn't disappeared for more than a minute before the hurried footsteps of Shigeo Yamakawa were heard.

"President Nagayama, you've arrived!"

"Hai, sorry to keep Department Manager Yamakawa waiting!" Naoki Nagayama nodded in greeting.

"What are you saying, isn't this what I should do?" Shigeo Yamakawa said with familiar politeness, "Where did President Nagayama come from? Was the journey tiring?"

"Ah, I just came back from Nagano this morning and looked at the film set there~" Of course, it didn't matter whether he said it or not; this was just a topic for small talk.

"Oh? Judging by President Nagayama's tone, it must be very satisfactory, right?"

"Hahaha, thanks to you, it's not bad~"

Shigeo Yamakawa then turned the conversation to the main topic: "Then I hope this product will also satisfy President Nagayama. President Nagayama, please come with me~"

"Shigeo-san, please don't be so polite; just call me by my name."

"Hai, then I will be rude. Naoki-san, please walk this way."

Naoki Nagayama followed Shigeo Yamakawa to their company's warehouse, where a row of lotus lanterns had already been placed on the table in the middle.

"Naoki-san, these are the lotus lanterns made of silk, still using waterproof electric lights, and the outer silk lampshade has good light transmission!"

Saying this, he turned off the warehouse's main lights, and then the lotus lanterns lit up, arranged in five colors on the table, emitting different brilliance, swaying like real lotus flowers, and the petals seemed as if they could really be picked.

"This is really great~" Naoki Nagayama exclaimed, "Are these lanterns all remote-controlled?"

"Yes, with just one switch, they can all be turned on together!" Shigeo Yamakawa turned on the warehouse lights, "Besides that, they also have waterproof capabilities and long battery life, at least five hours!"

Small button batteries, that's already quite good~

Naoki Nagayama expressed his satisfaction, "Shigeo-san, how are the other preparations going?"

"Hmm, regarding the decorations for Bentendo, we begged the head monk for a long time, and finally, using the excuse of filming a program, we finally got them to agree to hang some different decorations in the temple."

"You must have offered quite a lot of donations~"

"Hahaha, there was indeed a little bit, but this is all included in the contract!" Shigeo Yamakawa had integrity and didn't take the opportunity to raise the price.

"Naoki-san, do you want to go see it today? About half of it is already installed."

"Since it's not finished, then I won't go~" Naoki Nagayama said, "Anyway, please finish it completely by the first week of July."

"Hai, we will definitely do it!" Shigeo Yamakawa bowed slightly to show his sincerity.

After continuing to communicate about some details of the event, Naoki Nagayama left Murayama Event Support Co., Ltd. amidst Shigeo Yamakawa's respectful farewell.

Looking at the sky that was gradually turning dark, Naoki Nagayama smiled:

"Akina-chan, this is going to be a big surprise!"