Chapter 458

President Hana-mi-hira of Onyanko Club had always been very concerned about the pillars of Onyanko Club, and was also very attentive to the future development plan of Akina Nakamori.

During the morning meeting, he was communicating with the team members about the main work of this week. After understanding the work progress of Akina Nakamori at the Song Festival and the Red and White Song Festival, he suddenly thought of other aspects:

"Fangze-san, has Akina's movie been chosen? Which script does she like?"

Although he really wanted to expand Akina's career, after getting along for more than a year or nearly two years, Hana-mi-hira also witnessed the willful side of his idol artist at work.

Songs she didn't like, programs she didn't like, clothes she didn't like... When encountering these situations, the expression on her face would absolutely not let people misunderstand!

So even for movies, it was Akina who chose first~

Akina Nakamori's chief manager, Mingxing Fangze, had a slightly bitter face. In fact, just yesterday, when Akina Nakamori saw him, she very happily gave him a movie script...

"Fangze-san, look at a good thing for you!"

Mingxing Fangze could even recall when Akina Nakamori gave him the script; it was the expression of "This is it! It definitely won't change! Even if everyone else says it won't work, I just want this one!"

"President Hana-mi, regarding this point, Akina-chan seems to like another script more..." Mingxing Fangze said cautiously and handed the script to Hana-mi-hira.

"Another script? Can it be better than our three choices?"

Hana-mi-hira's tone revealed disdain while he took the script,

"These three scripts of ours were created by famous screenwriters in the industry! And it's a movie in collaboration with an agency like Johnny's, which has a strong guarantee for box office and influence!"

"I want to see where the unknown screenwriter came from, writing a strange script to deceive Akina-chan, who is still young!"

Hana-mi-hira opened the file bag with scrutiny, and then after he pulled out the draft, he saw the big name of the movie script:

"'Love Letter'? The screenwriter is... Naoki Nagayama?!"

Mingxing Fangze and the other colleagues who were in the meeting together witnessed the whole process of President Hana-mi-hira from disdain to silence,

Just a slight change in micro-expressions could actually express psychological changes vividly. The president's skill in facial expressions was truly amazing!

"How did Naoki Nagayama's script leak out?"

Even a middle-aged man like Hana-mi-hira, who didn't care much about movies, knew about the currently popular "Crows Zero", as well as the sudden scandal a few days ago and the upcoming "Ringu" that Shuyou Film was about to start filming.

"'Love Letter' isn't one of Naoki Nagayama's best-selling novels? How did it become a script? How did it get into Akina-chan's hands?"

At this time, President Hana-mi's head was full of questions and could only look at the source of everything.

Mingxing Fangze hurriedly said: "Isn't it very common for novels to be adapted into movies? Naoki Nagayama should want to try it out on his own novel!"

"As for how it got into Akina-chan's hands..."

Mingxing Fangze couldn't help but recall Akina Nakamori in the back seat of the car:

"Naoki-san heard about the situation of the three movies and felt they were all very average—average plot, average popularity, average director, average production company...

If I want to enter the film industry, it's better for him to film a movie for me himself... So he wrote this script for 'Love Letter'."

Akina Nakamori, who said this, had a face of "it should be so" and didn't feel there was anything wrong at all.

Mingxing Fangze was dumbfounded at the time. Is filming a movie so casual? Are good scripts so easy to come by? Don't you need to hire a director? Don't you need to guarantee the box office? Don't you need to inject capital?

But thinking about it, the person who said that was Naoki Nagayama—gold-medal screenwriter, famous director, Naoki Prize-winning author, boss of the fastest-growing film company...

Well, okay! Whatever he says goes~

"Fangze-san? Fangze-san?!"

Hana-mi-hira called Mingxing Fangze twice with some displeasure. Young people nowadays were really unreliable; they actually zoned out when the leader was asking questions!

"Ah, President~ excuse me!" Mingxing Fangze reacted and hurriedly apologized,

"This movie script for 'Love Letter' is because Naoki Nagayama feels that Akina-chan is very suitable for the protagonist role, so he specifically came to ask if Akina-chan has any thoughts on appearing in it!"

Of course, he couldn't say that Naoki Nagayama was Akina-chan's boyfriend at this time!

Akina Nakamori herself hadn't made it public to the employees yet!

Although it was still an attitude of burying one's head in the sand, since it hadn't been poked through, he, the manager, had the responsibility to protect the idol's privacy!

As for the president, he would talk to him after the meeting~

Hana-mi-hira nodded: "So that's how it is. 'Love Letter'... very good~"

He originally wanted to talk about what shortcomings this movie had, but he really couldn't find any. And after flipping through it a little, compared to this script, the gap between the three scripts provided by Onyanko Club before was really a bit far.

"However, the previous script did have an intention to cooperate with Johnny's..." But he was still a bit hesitant.

Mingxing Fangze reminded: "President, Akina-chan highly approves of this script!"

"Is that so... Then there's no way."

Hana-mi-hira thought for a while and popped out a sentence, "Can we let Johnny's people participate too?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Otomo Yoshimura roared at Naoki Nagayama very excitedly, "Naoki-san, how can you have such an idea!"

"Otomo-san, it's possible! It's definitely possible! When filming 'A Scene at the Sea' before, didn't we film it very simply~"

Naoki Nagayama said nice things with a smile. After all, to open a small account to film a movie and not let Yin Tangxiu know, Otomo Yoshimura's cooperation was indispensable!

Otherwise, how would the power be approved, how would the contract be processed, how would the screening be arranged...

"Times have changed!" Otomo Yoshimura widened his eyes, "Not to mention that you, Naoki-san, actually want to hide it from Xiu-yi-san this time! Aren't you afraid that he will find out and duel you?"

"It's precisely because I'm afraid of being discovered that I need Otomo-san's help!" Naoki Nagayama said, "Actually, it's very simple to film, but the time span of the script is a bit long, so the filming time is stretched out."

"Of course, I will also be present throughout the filming of 'Ringu'!"

Seeing that Otomo Yoshimura still felt like he couldn't be persuaded, Naoki Nagayama finally used profit to lure him:

"Otomo-san, when filming 'Love Letter', we need very good snow scenes. I remember the hot springs in Hokkaido in winter are of very high quality. If you soak in them more, it can nourish your health and consolidate your foundation... Let's go with the crew then~"

"Ahem... What's the big deal about hot springs in Hokkaido~ Nagano Prefecture has them, Izu and Hakone have hot springs!" He was still a bit stubborn, but his tone had softened a lot.

"Otomo-san, how about I treat you?! I'll also arrange health massages! The most expensive kind!"

"This..."

Kuso, he was tempted!

When Naoki Nagayama left the office, Otomo Yoshimura had a smile on his face that men understood tacitly.

Everything was ready. When filming "Ringu", "Love Letter" could also be filmed!

Naoki Nagayama chatted with the studio staff with a relaxed mind and prepared to go home early. However, the office door suddenly opened, and Otomo Yoshimura greeted:

"Naoki-san, Sugiura Daitai from Fuji TV has called!"

"Daitai-san?" Naoki Nagayama walked into the office and picked up the phone.

"Naoki-san, do you have time today? Let's go out for a drink~" Sugiura Daitai's tone in the receiver sounded a bit depressed.

"Ha, is that so~" Naoki Nagayama's eyes rolled, "Don't mind if I call a few more people, right? Accompanying Daitai..."

"Of course I don't mind~"

After hanging up the phone, Otomo Yoshimura immediately asked: "Is it 'about the matter of 'Onyanko Club'?"

"Mm, it should be about time for a result!" Naoki Nagayama looked at Otomo Yoshimura and said, "Otomo-san, let's go drink today!"

"Eh? Me?"

"Also need to call Yasushi Akimoto. Let's settle everything today." Naoki Nagayama really didn't want to spend too much time on this program. Grinding back and forth with these old foxes was really too annoying.

"Hai!"

When men go out to drink at night, they naturally go to Roppongi.

Even though Yasushi Akimoto wasn't the future star of Roppongi yet, he was also very interested in Roppongi's clubs. After hearing that Naoki Nagayama was inviting people together, he immediately agreed.

In the evening, Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura took a taxi to the Lotus Club they often visited. When the Mama-san, Naoto Fukushima, saw Otomo Yoshimura, she immediately greeted them:

"Otomo-san, and Naoki-sensei, welcome to Lotus Club again."

Otomo Yoshimura smiled and said: "Haven't been here for so long, I really missed Naoto-chan."

"Otomo-san is truly good at talking~"

Looking at the way these two were familiar with the road, Naoki Nagayama's impression of Otomo Yoshimura as honest and simple changed. No, when was Otomo Yoshimura honest and simple? He was clearly an old oil stick in the entertainment industry when they first met!

"Naoto-chan, please arrange a quieter booth for us." Otomo Yoshimura said to Naoto Fukushima, "We invited other guests today. They are two young people. One is named Yasushi Akimoto, and the other is named Sugiura Daitai. When they arrive, lead them directly to the booth."

"Hai, Otomo-san, I'll arrange it right away!"

Naoto Fukushima instructed the duty manager while leading the way for the two. After arriving at the booth, fruit platters and common snacks and drinks were soon served.

"Please enjoy, two of you. Otomo-san, and Naoki-sensei, do you need the young ladies to come and chat together?"

Naoki Nagayama shook his head: "Not needed for now. Let's wait until the people we invited arrive~"

After Naoto Fukushima retreated, Naoki Nagayama looked at Otomo Yoshimura: "Otomo-san, it looks like you haven't come to the club less!"

Otomo Yoshimura wasn't ashamed at all. In Japan, it was very normal for men to go to clubs, and it might even be considered an act of ability and capability:

"Of course. Now that I have money, and because I have to entertain personnel from other companies, I come to the club very frequently."

"It looks like I have to learn from Otomo-san in this regard in the future!"

Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura chatted while drinking. Not long after, Yasushi Akimoto arrived first.

"Naoki-san! And Otomo-san, long time no see~"

"But we clearly met last month..." Naoki Nagayama smiled and greeted this chubby young man, "Is the recent program going smoothly?"

"No improvement. The audience has started to get tired of these conventional variety shows." Yasushi Akimoto took a big gulp of beer and sighed, "The ratings haven't gone up."

Otomo Yoshimura comforted him from the side: "TV stations nowadays are all much the same. The outstanding programs are still music programs."

"Yeah, 'Yoru no Hit Studio', 'The Best Ten', 'Yoru Hit'... these simply monopolize the attention of music."

Yasushi Akimoto had no way to deal with these ace programs. Who told them they had already reached the extreme? Even things like connecting abroad had been tried.

"Hahaha, then start from other aspects~" Naoki Nagayama said to him with a smile, "Those prank programs are always fun~"

"There are also many programs about celebrity pranks~" Pranking idols and celebrities and watching their reactions was the core attraction of these prank programs.

Naoki Nagayama said: "Don't just look at the celebrities' reactions~ It's also very interesting to shift the attention to passersby!"

A program called "Human Observation" was recalled from his mind, and Naoki Nagayama took this opportunity to chat with Yasushi Akimoto:

"It's just hiding the camera in a corner and filming what reactions ordinary people will have when facing situations that will never happen in daily life~"

Yasushi Akimoto had some questions: "Ordinary people? Will anyone watch?"

"Haha, you can link it with celebrities~" Naoki Nagayama's interest in talking came up, "For example, suddenly discovering that one's wife was an idol when she was young? And even shot a magazine cover?

Suddenly discovering that a friend one usually knows has a new girlfriend who is actually a popular idol?

Hahaha, wouldn't it be very interesting?"

Otomo Yoshimura interjected at this time: "The first one is quite interesting, but for the second one, I wouldn't be surprised at all~"

"?" Naoki Nagayama and Yasushi Akimoto both looked over.

"After all, people I usually know have scandals with popular idols from time to time~"

"......."

"Hahaha~"

Yasushi Akimoto laughed out loud. This joke was played well! Naoki Nagayama really couldn't refute it!

But after laughing, Yasushi Akimoto also pondered: "What Naoki-san said seems very interesting... Maybe a program can really be made."

Just at this moment, Sugiura Daitai walked up: "Naoki-san, Otomo-san, and Akimoto-san, how long have you been here?"

As a person in the production bureau of the TV station, Sugiura Daitai naturally knew Yasushi Akimoto.

"Only a few minutes."

"Just saw you guys laughing very happily here. What are you chatting about?" Sugiura Daitai took off his coat, picked up an iced drink, and took a sip first.

"Chatting about prank programs."

Yasushi Akimoto told him what Naoki Nagayama had just said, making Sugiura Daitai look at Naoki Nagayama with a surprised face,

"Naoki-san really has many ideas! This is a good direction!"

"Daitai-san, don't grab it. I've already booked it!" Yasushi Akimoto said to him with a smile. A program idea was very popular among a group of planners.

Sugiura Daitai sighed: "Not grabbing it. What I'm worried about now is the matter of 'Onyanko Club'."

"What's wrong with 'Onyanko Club'?"

Although he had always been in contact with Yasushi Akimoto, currently he only knew that Fuji TV wanted to intervene in the program's control and also wanted the shares of the subsequent idol operation company.

"Didn't I already agree?" Naoki Nagayama was also very curious. His own shares were all agreed to be sold, "What other problems are there?"

"Regarding the subsequent cooperation framework agreement, the manager hopes to sign a gambling agreement. If the ratings don't reach a certain standard, then the acquisition amount of the next program needs to be reduced..."

Otomo Yoshimura became anxious upon hearing this:

"This... cooperation with TV stations is all in advance. The ratings of the program have a lot to do with the TV station. How can it be linked to the acquisition amount?! Besides, even if it's the production bureau of the TV station, they can't make demands on the ratings!"

"I know this is a bit difficult, but the manager and the others think that this cooperation agreement, which lasts for five years, is a burden for our TV station..."

Otomo Yoshimura continued to argue with Sugiura Daitai about the cooperation agreement. Naoki Nagayama thought silently for a while on the side and suddenly interjected:

"Daitai-san, since it's a gambling agreement, if the ratings are lower than a certain level, the acquisition amount needs to be reduced. Then what if the ratings are higher than a certain limit?"

"Eh?" Sugiura Daitai was a bit caught off guard, "Higher than a certain limit?"

He originally only thought about restricting Shuyou Film. He didn't expect Naoki Nagayama to be so confident?

"It's a gamble!" Naoki Nagayama stopped Otomo Yoshimura's idea of continuing to communicate, "If it's high, we need the acquisition amount this time to be over 200 million, and the acquisition amount of the next one must rise by at least 30%! And the broadcast time of the program must be set in prime time!"

"This..."

"Daitai-san, we have already made many concessions... If Fuji TV is still so worried, I think TBS, where Akimoto-san is, should also be interested!"

Naoki Nagayama smiled at Yasushi Akimoto. Calling Yasushi Akimoto over also had the idea of applying pressure.

This chubby guy also cooperated by drinking and nodding.

Sugiura Daitai's mind turned. However, he thought that a high-rating program was something that couldn't be met by chance!

On this point, the manager and the others would definitely agree!

"Hai, Naoki-san, we agree on this point!" Sugiura Daitai agreed on behalf of his own TV station, "No other problems. After signing the contract, our 'Onyanko Club' can be prepared!"

"Mm mm, that's good!" Naoki Nagayama laughed, "Kikuchi Etsuro over there can't wait anymore!"

None of them called Kikuchi Etsuro when they gathered, but that side had already asked many times!