Chapter 454: Are you willing to share your year-end bonus with Naoki Nagayama?

When arriving at the studio again, one could clearly feel that the atmosphere inside had begun to grow tense.

How should one put it? It was that kind of atmosphere where a huge pile of deadlines was right ahead, and everyone had no choice but to work desperately.

Over these past few days, Naoki Nagayama had added too many burdens onto the partners at Tree Friend Films.

Originally, aside from the daily work of a few artists and the promotional work for *Crows Zero*, the entire studio had been in a relaxed atmosphere following the completion of a major project.

But now, there was suddenly a debut plan for a new idol artist, the filming work for *Ringu*, plus the work for a casting call—and all of this had to be completed before the end of September, with only one week left!

The heartless capitalist Naoki Nagayama still walked into the studio with a carefree air; with one word from the leader, those below were busy to the point of chaos, while he himself remained very relaxed~

"Morning~ Hua-chan~"

The newcomer Xing Jiahua had not yet been exposed to too much work, so she appeared a bit more relaxed.

"Naoki-san, morning."

Employees who saw Naoki Nagayama in the lobby greeted him one by one. Naoki Nagayama strolled into the office, but Yin Tangxiu was not there.

"Dayou-san, morning~" Naoki Nagayama looked at the empty desk. "Xiu-san actually didn't come? Has the time finally come for me to mock him for not coming to the company?"

"Morning." Otomo Yoshimura rolled his eyes. "Xiu-san went to handle matters regarding the film's preparation; he already came by this morning."

"Ah~ so that's how it is~" Naoki Nagayama didn't feel a shred of shame; instead, he looked at Otomo Yoshimura again. "How truly hard-working! Then what about Dayou-san? What are you busy with?"

"Looking at the preparation plan for the casting call and the debut project for Chikako Aoyama."

"Ah, so that's how it is~ How truly hard-working~"

Naoki Nagayama was just thinking of using his previous stock phrases to exchange pleasantries, but as soon as "how truly hard-working" left his mouth, Otomo Yoshimura cut in directly: "Since Naoki-san also knows it's hard work, then come and share some of it!"

"Eh? You want me to share what?"

"At least help by taking a look at these application letters that were sent in!" Otomo Yoshimura brought out a cardboard box from behind his chair, which already contained dozens of letters. "Although it was only announced yesterday, we already received application letters this morning!"

"So fast?" Naoki Nagayama looked curiously at the letters inside the box and took one out to open it.

"These should just be from the neighborhood; the real bulk of the letters will probably arrive tomorrow or the day after," Otomo Yoshimura said. "Naoki-san, take a look first, then organize some preliminary screening criteria; afterwards, we'll have Minna-san help with the initial screening."

"Mm-hmm~"

Naoki Nagayama looked at the text on the letter paper; it was a student still in school who actually wanted to play Sadako? The reason was actually because that way they could scare others? What kind of fetish is this?

Otomo Yoshimura had wanted to continue reviewing the project proposal, but he glanced at Naoki Nagayama:

"Naoki-san, the meeting with Fuji TV yesterday?"

"Ah, Fuji TV wants the director position for *Evening Meow Meow*, and they also want controlling shares in the new company," Naoki Nagayama said flatly.

"Nani?!" Otomo Yoshimura grew anxious all of a sudden. "These TV stations, they really are still the same style!"

"Yeah, the near-monopoly status of the major TV stations..."

Otomo Yoshimura's expression was very displeased; this reminded him again of when the Wild Cat Group was snatched away, but clearly, Tree Friend Films had already seen great development now...

Looking at the calm Naoki Nagayama, Otomo Yoshimura thought to himself: with Naoki-san's proud personality, he shouldn't agree, right?

"Naoki-san, this is simply too excessive. Anyway, this program can't earn much money, how about we..."

Indeed, a variety show could earn at most one or two hundred million, while a film they shot could earn at least four or five billion!

"I agreed!" Naoki Nagayama looked at Otomo Yoshimura, his gaze calm but carrying determination.

"How could..." Otomo Yoshimura looked at Naoki Nagayama, somewhat dazed.

"I agreed!" Naoki Nagayama repeated. "The condition is a cooperation framework agreement for the next five years."

"Five years? Cooperation?" Otomo Yoshimura seemed unable to believe it; clearly, they had been robbed, yet they were still going up to cooperate?

"Yeah, exchanged for this program," Naoki Nagayama said to Otomo Yoshimura. "Dayou-san, if we want to avoid having our peaches picked in the future, we must build our own community of interests in the entertainment industry."

"But..." Otomo Yoshimura wanted to say something, but for a moment, he had no words.

"When *Evening Meow Meow* becomes a craze in Japan, we must take the opportunity to establish connections with the major TV stations," Naoki Nagayama said. "Not that kind of buy-and-sell trading relationship, but a relationship of joint initiation, joint production, and win-win cooperation."

"Dayou-san, starting next year, you and the planners and agents under your name need to run to the TV stations more often!"

Otomo Yoshimura did understand; Japan's major TV stations were both competitors and common vested interest holders, and the relationship network in between was intricate and complex, making it very difficult for outsiders to break in.

Using *Evening Meow Meow* to build a reputation, and using the framework agreement with Fuji TV as a key, starting from Fuji TV to make connections and break into the TV station relationship network.

"Five years, huh?" Otomo Yoshimura nodded. "Since Naoki-san has already established a bridgehead, I will definitely do the work that follows well!"

Upon hearing this, Naoki Nagayama revealed a smile: "Dayou-san, no need to rush. We still have plenty of time!"

"In any case, in the subsequent negotiations, make sure to ask for a higher fee for the share transfer!"

Having only arrived in the Showa era for a little over two years, Naoki Nagayama's mindset was actually very level-headed.

The morning time passed leisurely~

Just as Naoki Nagayama was buried in reading the application letters, Yin Tangxiu returned to the studio.

"Naoki-san, you're here!" Seeing Naoki Nagayama in the office, Yin Tangxiu was very surprised. "I thought you would again..."

"What are you saying!" The person reading the letters raised his eyes. "I have been seriously reviewing application letters all morning!"

Although it was hard to believe, Yin Tangxiu didn't refute anything; instead, he said, "Naoki-san, the declaration process for *Ringu* has already been completed; we can start filming at any time."

"Then Xiu-san, first get the storyboard out based on the script; besides the Kyoto courtyard, other scenes also need to be arranged."

Yin Tangxiu asked, "Then is the main filming location this time in Kyoto?"

"Hai, if there's no better choice, then let's just have it there." Anyway, for a traditional atmosphere, Kyoto is better. "Then for those props and such, let the prop team start preparing."

"Hai, I understand!"

Yin Tangxiu nodded in agreement, then joined in the work of checking the application letters.

At this moment, Naoki Nagayama said, "Xiu-san, do you know any actresses who can use body language to express that kind of twisted, thrilling feeling?"

"Naoki-san is talking about the role of Sadako?"

"Mm, because the setting is that she doesn't need to show her face, the requirements for her physique will be higher."

"I need to think about this." Yin Tangxiu scratched his head. "Who can come to play Sadako..."

At the same time, inside the Fuji TV building, Sugiura Daitai was in the office of Department Manager Takano Kazuki.

"Manager, Naoki-san has already made a huge concession!" Tai Sugiura's tone was sincere. "Under these circumstances, people usually wouldn't agree!"

Kazuki Takano looked helplessly at his subordinate in front of him. This guy Tai Sugiura was very talented, but at critical moments, he couldn't find his own position.

You are a person from our Fuji TV, how can you speak for others?

"Sugiura-kun, since Naoki Nagayama agreed to the concession so simply, it means there is even more room for concession!" Kazuki Takano said, as if giving a hint. "If we talk a bit more, we should be able to win more benefits for the TV station!"

"Manager Takano!" Tai Sugiura had a headache. "The fee aspect can continue to be discussed, but the cooperation framework agreement, why hesitate? It's clearly a win-win situation!"

Kazuki Takano shook his head: "You guy still don't understand!"

"The current trend is that large production companies are declining day by day, and TV stations are increasingly valuing their own production teams. In the future, most programs and TV dramas will slowly be produced by us."

"Such a framework agreement is equivalent to giving Tree Friend Films the status of an extra-departmental staff member of the TV station!"

Tai Sugiura was puzzled: "Isn't that good?"

"It's equivalent to a portion of our production department's cake for the next five years being divided away," Kazuki Takano laughed. "Sugiura-kun, are you willing to share your year-end bonus with Naoki Nagayama?"

"This..."

"You aren't willing either, right?"

Tai Sugiura reacted immediately: "But if the program is high-quality, then won't we get more advertising fees and sponsorships? So this is actually just a trade-off!"

"Yeah, but can you guarantee that Tree Friend Films' programs are all high-quality?"

"This..." Tai Sugiura thought for a while. "I trust Naoki-san!"

"Is this Naoki Nagayama so worthy of your trust?" Kazuki Takano was a bit surprised. "And worthy of us signing this framework agreement?"

"Yes, from *Evening Meow Meow*, one can see Naoki-san's talent!" Tai Sugiura seemed to have suddenly thought of something and said hurriedly,

"Manager, if we don't sign, TBS might intercept it! You have to know that one of the planners for this program is TBS's Yasushi Akimoto!"

"Naoki-san trusts me, which is why he considered our Fuji TV first! If it's bought by other TV stations, then what we lose won't just be this little year-end bonus!"

"Mm..." This was indeed a concern. If Naoki Nagayama produced *Evening Meow Meow* with other TV stations, then Fuji TV's triple crown this year wouldn't be maintained.

Kazuki Takano thought for a moment:

"Since that's the case, the framework agreement can be signed, but we must add a bet in the terms, making requirements for the ratings; if it doesn't reach them, then..."

"I will explain this to Naoki-san!"

On a late September afternoon, the sunlight that had dissipated its heat was very comfortable.

On the train from Hokkaido to Tokyo, Akina Nakamori was listening to the report from Fusai Akina.

On the small table between the four seats, a copy of *Tokyo Sports* was acting as a placemat, and on the page, one could vaguely see the news about *Ringu* starting to recruit actors.

And on top of the newspaper, there was a bowl full of oden, the favorite of the foodie Akina.

"Akina-chan, this national tour has been hard work; after returning to Tokyo this afternoon, you can rest for a while."

Fusai Akina was reporting the subsequent arrangements very dutifully, trying his best to avoid seeing Akina Nakamori putting fish balls into her mouth; although her eating manner couldn't be called ugly, and she even looked very sweet, if seen by fans, Akina's idol image might collapse for a while~

"Most of the work until the end of the year is in Tokyo; besides the preparations for a few song festivals and the Red and White Song Contest, it's just routine announcements; it should be a bit freer."

"Hai!" The fresh and sweet fish balls made Akina Nakamori's mood very beautiful, and her face was full of smiles. "It would be great if I could have a vacation!"

"Mainly there's also the promotion of the new song," Fusai Akina said. "The trend for *Forbidden Zone* is quite good, but there is a major enemy on the Oricon chart in September; Yutaka Ozaki's second album *Youth* and that extra *Song of the Sunset* have dominated the top two spots for two weeks!"

"Ozaki-san is doing quite well!" Akina was still in the appearance of being immersed in food. "*Song of the Sunset* is also very powerful!"

"Akina-chan, he is a competitor after all..."

"But good is good!" Akina said as a matter of course. "When you see the excellence of others, you have to face it squarely, and then you can learn! Only then can you surpass them!"

Fusai Akina sighed: "How can you learn from Yutaka Ozaki's songs? You two aren't even the same style..."

"Who says you can't!" Akina Nakamori said. "We can also ask Naoki-san to compose for us!"

Uh... this seems to be a good way. If you can't find a way to defeat the enemy, turn the enemy into one of your own! Her own idol seems to be able to come up with crooked ideas from time to time.

However, it was said that Naoki Nagayama never accepted external invitations!

Fusai Akina thought of this and suddenly looked at Akina Nakamori opposite him...

"If it's Akina-chan, it seems it's not impossible."

"Eh? Fusai-san, what did you say?" Akina seemed to have heard someone's subconscious muttering.

"Ah, nothing." Fusai Akina hurriedly found a topic to switch. "By the way, Akina-san, regarding the film shooting mentioned before, the company has already selected a few scripts and wants you to take a look."

Fusai Akina took a stack of manuscripts out of his briefcase and placed them on the small table.

"Oh?" Akina Nakamori was very curious; she even picked up the oden and asked Maki Ueda to help spread out the script.

Fusai Akina introduced from the side: "One is a film script about a yakuza girl, similar to that film *Sailor Suit and Machine Gun*; the main idea is that it overlaps somewhat with the label on Akina-chan."

"Uh..."

Akina's face was full of disgust; actually, she was very dissatisfied with the image of a delinquent girl. It's just a pity that *Girl A* was her signature song...

Fusai Akina wisely introduced the next one: "Then there is a sports youth film, which also fits Akina's athletic cells very well... Remember *Volleyball Girl*? It's similar to that."

Akina Nakamori bit into the kelp, her expression still a bit hesitant: "If it's sports... actually..."

Actually, sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball are completely impossible!

Fusai Akina silently withdrew this script: "Besides that, there is another film, a youth romance film; the plot is very cliché, but the other party is a very famous popular idol from Johnny's..."

"Eh? A romance film, huh..."

Akina Nakamori didn't even look at the script; the image of Naoki Nagayama flashed in her mind immediately.

If she shot such a film, Naoki-san would be angry, right?