Chapter 437: It's all just business

Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo. Behind the simple red brick school gate are lush green plants and grass. The Ueno campus of Tokyo University of the Arts is hidden in this deep greenery.

Naoki Nagayama followed Ito Shuichi Yin Tang to his alma mater to participate in this event, which was like an alumni gathering.

"Naoki-san, this is my alma mater!" Ito Shuichi Yin Tang pointed to the buildings outside the car window. "I used to have classes here!"

If he were still shooting commercials and adult portraits, he wouldn't have had the courage to return to university.

But in the past few years, with the release of one hit movie and TV series after another, Ito Shuichi Yin Tang had become a well-known alumnus of Tokyo University of the Arts, occasionally talking about his experience to juniors.

"My teacher is a doctoral supervisor in the Graduate School of Film and New Media."

Naoki Nagayama was a little surprised: "Is Machida Taichi-sensei a doctoral supervisor? I thought he was just a professor in the directing department."

"Sensei is a professor in the field of film expression technology-directing, and also a doctoral supervisor~" Ito Shuichi Yin Tang introduced his mentor while parking the car outside the venue.

When they arrived inside the venue, Ito Shuichi Yin Tang saw the spirited Machida Taichi at the entrance at a glance:

"Sensei, why are you at the entrance?"

Machida Taichi was wearing a casual suit, and his whole person exuded a sense of relaxation: "I hope to see my former students as soon as possible."

After speaking, he saw Naoki Nagayama and Masataka Komori behind: "Naoki-san is here too?"

"Hai, came here by reputation." Naoki Nagayama also bowed politely and greeted, "I heard that the gathering here is very lively."

"Hahaha, it is indeed. Everyone is a practitioner in the film industry, and there are always intersections like this or that."

Machida Taichi knew the young man in front of him; he was a dark horse who had emerged in the film industry in the past two years. His arrival was a good communication opportunity for others at this gathering.

After the pleasantries, Naoki Nagayama walked into the salon-like venue. A simple projection screen was in the corner, and seven or eight round tables surrounded an empty space in the middle, with a microphone placed there. This should be the position for the speakers later.

Naoki Nagayama and the three found a seat and sat down. Ito Shuichi Yin Tang, who was next to him, soon found familiar people and started chatting.

And Naoki Nagayama naturally followed him and met many people in the film circle.

Although not everyone was very famous, people up and down the film circle had roughly met each other. Relying on his past achievements, he received many business cards.

Such a social occasion was not Naoki Nagayama's cup of tea, but for the sake of film promotion, putting on a smiling face at this time was an unavoidable move.

"Everyone, welcome to today's gathering. Everyone here is a practitioner in the film industry and understands the development of the film industry best."

It was actually Machida Taichi hosting, "Since this year, Japan has ushered in many good movies, such as *Antarctica* last month, and *E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial* which shone in the first half of the year.

Investment is getting more and more, box office is getting higher and higher, and everyone is very optimistic about the prospects of the film industry."

Next, naturally, there was another set of high-sounding words. Sure enough, everyone who can become a doctoral supervisor is not simple.

Naoki Nagayama listened to Machida Taichi's speech as if he were listening to a teacher's class, and inexplicably felt sleepy:

"Ito Shuichi-san, what is the process later?"

"Afterwards... play some representative film clips, and then communicate freely." Ito Shuichi Yin Tang turned his head and said softly.

"Can we slip away?"

Ito Shuichi Yin Tang had black lines on his forehead: "... Naoki-san, this is our own film promotion channel anyway!"

"Eh? Is there such a thing?"

Just at this time, Machida Taichi said: "Recently, another movie by our alumnus is about to be released. After watching part of the film, I felt very shocked and deeply felt that this is a movie that will cause a trend. I will share it with everyone here!"

After speaking, the projection screen behind him started playing the trailer for *Crows Zero*.

Naoki Nagayama was surprised: "Ito Shuichi-san, you actually let your teacher help promote our movie? Are you on such good terms with your teacher?"

Ito Shuichi Yin Tang had a smile on his face, and said in a tone with a sigh: "Naoki-san, Tree Friend Films donated 10 million to the school in my name..."

Naoki Nagayama was speechless. It's all just business!

In the eyes of a group of filmmakers, the trailer for *Crows Zero* was still very explosive.

And they also saw that unlike previous delinquent movies, this movie did not focus on the violence of the delinquents themselves, but instead made people see the blood and youth contained in it.

This was different from past movies! It aroused great interest among filmmakers.

After the screening, buzzing discussions immediately sounded in the venue. After Machida Taichi announced free communication, everyone started to gather around Ito Shuichi Yin Tang and Naoki Nagayama and started discussing film-related content with them.

Although this group of people were not big shots in the film industry, they were also screws in all aspects of the film circle. Letting *Crows Zero* ferment among these people would easily let the entire film industry understand the details of the new movie.

During this period, many people hoped to invite Naoki Nagayama and the others to have a drink alone after the meeting.

When he returned home at night, Naoki Nagayama felt a long-lost relaxation. Sure enough, after a week of busy work, it was very good to suddenly have a period of rest.

"No wonder most countries take five days of work and two days of rest as the norm. It turns out that people really reach their limit after working for five days!"

Naoki Nagayama was looking for excuses for his laziness, completely ignoring the social animals who were 996 or 007.

After taking a shower and walking downstairs, he saw Meitaro curled up on the sofa, and immediately collapsed next to Meitaro with a relaxed body, like a pair of good brothers.

Eitaro ran over quietly, seemingly wanting to join, but was pressed under Naoki Nagayama's legs without ceremony, acting as a dog-meat foot pad.

Cool air blew from the air conditioner, and the whole body was in a refreshing atmosphere.

"It's really comfortable!" Naoki Nagayama touched Meitaro's belly with one hand and turned on the TV with the remote control in the other.

It was prime time, and the screen was playing a popular TV series during this period, but Naoki Nagayama had never heard of it, just feeling that the acting was a bit exaggerated.

"Why do current TV series feel so boring?"

As he said that, he thought of the TV series scripts in his small inventory, as well as *Love Generation* and *Tokyo Love Story*, which are all very classic dramas in the future!

"Should I shoot them next year? Should I let Akina be the lead?"

Thinking about whether to occupy the embarrassing title of the father of Monday 9 o'clock dramas, Naoki Nagayama fell into reverie.

"Ding-a-ling~" The phone always rings when others are unexpected.

"Moshi Moshi Moshi Moshi, this is Shanyingyuan~"

"Naoki-san, what are you doing?"

It was Akina, whom he hadn't seen for many days, on the receiver! What's going on? Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives?

Naoki Nagayama said very straightforwardly: "Just thinking of Akina."

"Hahaha, Naoki-san is really good at talking! Have you often said this to other girls~"

Akina Nakamori, who was in a hotel in Tottori Prefecture, was lying on the bed talking on the phone. After hearing Naoki Nagayama's words, her calves swung more and more happily.

"Akina is wronging me, I have only said it to you." Naoki Nagayama was very confident at this time because he had indeed only said it to her.

"Flower-hearted Naoki... I don't believe it~"

It's this nickname again! Naoki Nagayama sometimes really wanted to catch the reporter who wrote the manuscript that time, but it was obviously useless to continue arguing at this time. Naoki Nagayama directly asked about Akina's recent situation.

"Holding concerts in different cities these days, how is the effect?"

"The concerts in various cities are very good, and everyone is very enthusiastic. Now I have arrived in Tottori Prefecture."

Akina Nakamori talked about her recent work history. Although the schedule was tight, she was becoming more and more comfortable with concerts, so everything was going smoothly.

"Tottori, it should be the time when pears are ripe~" Naoki Nagayama used the common sense of Japan in his mind, "Twentieth Century Pear~"

"Ah, speaking of this, local fans specially sent it to me!" Among Akina Nakamori's fan gifts, there was indeed a basket of fresh green Twentieth Century pears, "Fresh, sweet and juicy, very delicious!"

"... Akina is really a foodie!"

"Naoki-san, you said what was in your heart!" Akina Nakamori's tone suddenly rose. If it were a video connection, she might be able to see the angry bag on her cheeks now.

"Hahaha~" He wisely didn't continue, "When will Akina return to Tokyo?"

"Tomorrow's concert, I will come back the day after tomorrow, it should be *The Best Ten* program." Although there was no live connection last time, the TV station still invited her this time, after all, she is an idol whose popularity is currently hot.

"I can only see Akina the day after tomorrow~" Naoki Nagayama sighed.

"Shouldn't you say, I can see you the day after tomorrow! This happy tone!" Akina learned this sentence with onomatopoeia, making Naoki Nagayama's mood better again.

Lovers chatting on the phone has always been timeless. When Naoki Nagayama, who was sitting in the living room, looked up at the wall clock again, it was already midnight, and three hours had passed unknowingly.

Just as he was about to stand up, he found that Meitaro next to him called out very reluctantly.

"Eh? Meitaro, why does your belly feel like a bald patch here?"

Naoki Nagayama, who came to the studio again avoiding the sun, was full of vitality again.

"Aritsuna-san, morning~"

Tomo Aritsuna was looking at the newspaper on the table: "Naoki-san, you are very early today~"

"Finish the editing early, finish work early!" Naoki Nagayama glanced at the front page headlines casually, still various scandal headlines, but one point caught his attention.

The box office revenue of *Antarctica* in the first month reached 2 billion!

"Ah, this movie~" Tomo Aritsuna noticed Naoki Nagayama's gaze, "It's also a movie about people and dogs. It is said that it took three years to complete."

"Actually, it noticed the connection between people and animals earlier than *Hachiko Monogatari*."

Naoki Nagayama nodded: "Yeah, if they could be released earlier, maybe they would have pioneered a new film genre."

"But if *Hachiko Monogatari* hadn't led the way for them, maybe they wouldn't have achieved such good results." Tomo Aritsuna turned to the front of the report, "It is said that it cost 2.5 billion to shoot, and it hasn't made its money back yet."

"Haha, how can a movie starring Ken Takakura lose money~" Naoki Nagayama smiled, "Maybe the box office will exceed *E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial*."

"Naoki-san is joking..." This year's American imported film *E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial* set off a frenzy in Japan, leading the box office, and will undoubtedly take the annual box office champion.

"It is estimated that no movie will exceed *E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial* this year."

Just at this time, Ito Shuichi Yin Tang walked in and said hurriedly after hearing this sentence: "Who said that? *Crows Zero* definitely has this potential!"

"Ito Shuichi-san really has confidence in his own movie!"

Tomo Aritsuna didn't mean to argue with him, ended the topic lightly, and then said to Naoki Nagayama: "Naoki-san, this weekend, Etsuro Kikuchi of Burning is going to invite me to drink again. It's getting harder and harder to delay."

For this piece of chewing gum, Tomo Aritsuna was also a bit annoyed, but looking at the Burning Agency behind him, he had to go.

Naoki Nagayama frowned and thought for a while: "Aritsuna-san, is this Etsuro Kikuchi a veteran who has been working in the entertainment industry for decades?"

"Hai, he is a veteran of the Burning Agency." It's just that he has been squeezed out more and more in recent years.

"Such a person must have many contacts in the entertainment industry." Naoki Nagayama thought of his idea of expanding his influence in the entertainment industry and said to Tomo Aritsuna,

"Aritsuna-san, I will go with you this time and give him an ultimatum!"

"Ultimatum?" Tomo Aritsuna looked at Naoki Nagayama, "Is it to force him to give up the idea of *Cat's Eye*?"

"No, *Cat's Eye* is his only straw now! He won't let go." Naoki Nagayama said, "However, I am a bit greedy for his contacts now, so I want to pull him into the group and do *Twilight Meow Meow* together."

The program planned with Yasushi Akimoto was naturally told to Tomo Aritsuna and the others.

"So fast?"

"Yasushi Akimoto's planning is almost done, it's time to start!" The program Naoki Nagayama planned was to be launched in October or November.

Before walking to the editing room, Naoki Nagayama left a sentence for Tomo Aritsuna:

"This is the last chance I give him, he will definitely accept it. We are his only chance to turn over!"

Tomo Aritsuna looked at Naoki Nagayama's back as he walked out, feeling that this guy had changed.

"Naoki-san's ruthless words are also very imposing~" ===== CHAPTER 438 =====