Chapter 485: Having secrets makes one anxious and fretful~

Entering November, Kyoto has donned a gorgeous robe woven from autumn leaves.

Naoki Nagayama sat on the Shinkansen, watching the maple leaves flash past the window like an Impressionist painting splashed with pigment; the only thing that left an impression was the sea of red stretching across the mountains.

The mountain scenery on both sides of the tracks was layered with maple trees, which had stolen the spotlight from all other greenery at this moment.

"Momijigari (autumn leaf hunting)..." Naoki held a brochure introducing Kyoto's scenery, which he had picked up for free at the station.

Beside him, Kijima was also gazing at the beautiful scenery outside the window:

"Naoki-san, should we film some shots of the Kyoto autumn leaves?"

"There probably won't be a chance, right?" Naoki said nonchalantly. "Ito Shuichi-san's side should be just about finished, shouldn't it?"

"According to the shooting schedule, there should be one or two days left," Kijima recalled the previous progress.

"That was before," Naoki said. "The important shots have actually been completed, so the later parts go much faster. We left some buffer time before, so it should be finished by now."

What remained was the arduous task of editing in a small room. Thinking of this, Naoki frowned in frustration—he really didn't want to work!

Seeing Naoki's expression, Kijima wanted to let him be for a while, but there was a question he couldn't help but ask:

"Naoki-san, if we go back this time, are we still not going to tell Ito Shuichi-san what we've been doing?"

Hearing this, Naoki suddenly perked up: "Kijima-kun, you absolutely must not reveal it!"

"... But, keeping it hidden like this, I feel like I'm letting Ito Shuichi-san down~" Kijima fell into a moral dilemma of betrayal and concealment. "Ito Shuichi-san is our superior; we shouldn't be hiding side jobs from him."

"Kijima-kun, you have to think about it this way~" Naoki unleashed his silver tongue. "Your superior's superior is also your superior, right?"

"Yes."

"So, if your superior's superior gives you a task but doesn't tell your superior, then you should follow the orders of the superior's superior, right? Because the superior's superior is also your superior's superior! Don't you agree?"

"... Huh? Naoki-san, I don't quite understand..."

The convoluted logic left Kijima a bit dizzy, but that was exactly what Naoki intended to achieve:

"So, the relationships here are inherently complex; it's normal not to understand. But Kijima-kun, you just need to listen to me!"

"Ah, I see~"

Kijima was successfully persuaded, and Naoki breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed his "mouth-jutsu" hadn't lost its touch after all!

However, Kijima had reminded Naoki that he should consider how to handle things once Yin Tang Ito Shuichi discovered the truth!

With Jia Yi gone, Ito Shuichi-san has lost his Achilles' heel~

It took less than two hours from Kobe to Kyoto. After taking the Shinkansen and transferring to the subway, Naoki and his group arrived at the rented courtyard in Kyoto.

The film crew was packing up their equipment, seemingly preparing to head out.

"Ito Shuichi-san! What are you doing?" Naoki took the initiative.

"Ah, Naoki-san, you're back," Yin Tang Ito Shuichi finally noticed the group. "Perfect, we're planning to go film the final scene this afternoon."

"Eh? The final scene?"

"Yes, it's the part where Asakawa Reiko decides to show the videotape to her father to save her child..."

Naoki finally remembered that the movie contained that baffling "patricide" ethical segment.

He had only written it down according to the original plot when writing the script, but the fact that the entire crew had no objections to such a plot...

Sigh~ one can only say the cultural atmosphere in Japan is indeed a bit strange; middle-aged and elderly Japanese men really have it rough.

"So it's that part~" Naoki shrugged. "In that case, it can be finished today?"

Yin Tang Ito Shuichi gave the relaxed Naoki a look of annoyance:

"Yes, Naoki-san, you've caught the very end."

"Hahaha, how lucky!" Naoki shamelessly acted as if he hadn't heard the sarcasm. "Ito Shuichi-san, since we're all in Kyoto, let's have the wrap-up party tonight!"

"Well... that's not impossible~"

Naoki, who hadn't done much labor, wandered around the set, looking refreshed.

"Yuko-san, it looks like we'll finish today," he said, bothering Tian Tian Zhongyuzi, who was reciting her lines. "How do you feel?"

"A bit surreal, that a movie could be finished so quickly..." Tian Tian Zhongyuzi said to Naoki with a smile, "And that's with the director disappearing all the time."

"Yuko-san, I'm not the director! I'm the screenwriter and producer!" Naoki pointed at Yin Tang Ito Shuichi, who was directing on the side. "Ito Shuichi-san is the real director!"

"Yes!" Tian Tian Zhongyuzi nodded, still smiling. "And the strange atmosphere of your crew—the director doesn't act like a director, the screenwriter doesn't act like a screenwriter, and the producer doesn't act like a producer, yet the shooting process is surprisingly smooth."

Tian Tian Zhongyuzi had worked with many directors and understood their styles well. Without exception, the director was the soul of the set, and everyone had to listen to them; even a producer couldn't interfere with the director's work without cause.

Yet on the Tree Friend Film set, Naoki and Yin Tang Ito Shuichi had become the two cores of the crew, and no one seemed to have any objections.

Naoki thought for a moment. Perhaps this was trust, but he joked, "That's naturally because I am humble and gentle, and can always take Ito Shuichi-san's thoughts into account!"

"Hahaha, what a thick-skinned person!" Tian Tian Zhongyuzi laughed even louder.

After a bit of playful banter, Naoki asked about serious business: "Yuko-san, after filming is done and you go back, you'll be participating in the final rehearsals for the Red and White Song Battle, right?"

"Yes, I've already had rehearsals. Although there were a ton of opinions, they were all acceptable. If I practice more when I go back, there definitely won't be any problems." Tian Tian Zhongyuzi was full of confidence.

"Hmm, you really must practice a lot. After all, it's a live broadcast; the pressure is still very high!" Naoki sighed.

Hearing this, Tian Tian Zhongyuzi rolled her eyes: "Naoki-san, are you here specifically to add to my pressure?"

"Hahaha~"

Seeing Tian Tian Zhongyuzi raise her hand, Naoki quickly ran off with a laugh.

"But since Yuko-san is hosting, and Akina will be appearing too, should I go to the scene to join in the fun?" Naoki mused, asking Xiao Sen Xiaoshen Zhengxiao, "Xiaoshen Zhengxiao-kun, if I want to go to the Red and White Song Battle, does the company have a way?"

Xiao Sen Xiaoshen Zhengxiao was startled: "Eh? Naoki-san wants to go to the Red and White Song Battle? The program should be finalized by now, right?"

"I mean go to the scene to watch~"

"Ah, I see. That shouldn't be a problem. Otomo-san can definitely get a qualification!"

Tree Friend Film was now a well-known film production company in the entertainment industry, and they were currently collaborating with Fuji TV, so getting a ticket was very simple.

"I see~" Naoki made a mental note of this.

The filming process went very smoothly. Tian Tian Zhongyuzi performed perfectly, expressing the conflict, pain, and ultimate necessity of a mother's psychology.

The entire crew was also very relaxed, knowing this was the final scene.

"Cut!" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi shouted the final wrap-up. "Yuko-san, the performance was perfect! You passed!"

Tian Tian Zhongyuzi responded with a smile: "Thank you for the praise~"

Yin Tang Ito Shuichi nodded, looking at the expressions of the crew members around him, feeling a bit excited himself:

"Everyone! Our filming work is finished!"

Naoki was the first to applaud, and the entire crew followed suit, the applause loud and joyful.

Yin Tang Ito Shuichi raised his hand to signal for silence:

"Next, everyone pack up the things, put them back in the courtyard, and then we'll have a big meal together tonight!"

"Whoa~~~" "Thank you!" "Great!" "Can't wait~"

The entire crew erupted into noise again, everyone happily discussing the party that evening.

At the Warner Pioneer office in Tokyo, Tian Zhong Liang Ming was waiting for Zhong Sen Ming Cai to arrive.

The popularity of the previous song, "Forbidden Area," had started to decline, and production for the next song needed to begin. Never mind the end of the year; there were too many year-end programs.

However, it was very necessary to get a good start for next year.

Tian Zhong Liang Ming hadn't seen Akina for a week or two. He was holding several candidate songs, but a song called "Mysterious Love" was placed on top.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Tian Zhong Liang Ming knew Zhong Sen Ming Cai had arrived:

"Akina-chan, haven't seen you in a while... Eh?"

Entering was a young girl with short hair reaching her ears, a fair face, rosy cheeks, and warm, spirited eyes—young and beautiful.

"Akina-chan, did you cut your hair?"

Zhong Sen Ming Cai smiled. Many people had asked her this today: "Yes, because of the filming requirements, I changed my hairstyle a bit."

A bit? This was a huge change, wasn't it?

"Ah, I see. It's a very trendy feeling..."

Tian Zhong Liang Ming spoke incoherently, and seeing Ming Xing Mingxing Fangze follow her in, he gave him a fierce look—what kind of manager are you?!

Ming Xing Mingxing Fangze returned a calm look—what's there to be surprised about? It's just a change of hairstyle. If a different image is needed, she can just wear a wig.

After some pleasantries, Tian Zhong Liang Ming decided to put this aside and focus on business:

"Akina-chan, the next song has been created. It's a new song composed by Lin Zhe Si."

"Yes, is it ready?" Zhong Sen Ming Cai was very happy; she had specifically requested Lin Zhe Si to compose it.

"Yes, but there are some disagreements about the title. Some think it should be called 'Mysterious Love,' some say just use the English 'Love Mystery,' and others think 'Night Flight' is also good... everyone is a bit troubled."

Zhong Sen Ming Cai looked at the sheet music and lyrics, humming softly, very satisfied.

Tian Zhong Liang Ming continued:

"Although it's very tight, I hope Akina-chan can finish recording the song by the end of November, and then complete the cover and promotion in December. Our plan is to officially release it early next year."

Zhong Sen Ming Cai only listened to a rough outline of these things; she was more concerned with the song itself.

"The lyrics are also very good. Departing from the North Wing and flying to his side—that is what love is, a firm choice."

Tian Zhong Liang Ming said until his mouth was dry: "Akina-chan, do you have any problems with the arrangements for this song?"

"Ah, it's fine! No problems at all." Zhong Sen Ming Cai came back to her senses. "But Liang Ming-san, for the title of this song, why not call it 'North Wing'? It's the place that witnesses parting and love~"

"Eh..." Tian Zhong Liang Ming thought for a moment and felt that this title matched the story of the lyrics very well, seemingly more suitable than a vague title like "Mysterious Love."

"Akina-chan has a talent for naming things!"

"Hahaha~"

In the Mishimatei restaurant in Sakura-no-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Naoki Nagayama and Yin Tang Ito Shuichi, along with the "Ring" crew, were tasting authentic Guanxi cuisine.

This century-old shop still had the traditional old-style wooden structure, and the sukiyaki used beef from Kuroge Wagyu cattle.

They wiped the bottom of the pot with beef fat, sprinkled a little sugar, and then added broth, beef, and vegetables. The steaming sukiyaki elevated the cheerful atmosphere of the entire crew even further.

"Cheers, Xiaoshen Zhengxiao-kun!" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi was also very open-minded. "You've worked hard this time too!"

Xiao Sen Xiaoshen Zhengxiao said busily: "Not at all, not at all, this is what I should do!"

Others were also eating authentic Guanxi delicacies while chatting and laughing with those beside them.

Naoki drank a cup of shochu with the crew members, then picked up a piece of beef coated in egg liquid and put it into his mouth, using the melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu to suppress the rising alcohol.

He heard Yin Tang Ito Shuichi say to him: "Naoki-san, let's have a drink too!"

"Although Naoki-san left halfway twice, our filming work still couldn't have been done without Naoki-san's help!"

Naoki laughed a bit guiltily, but still braced himself and said: "Hahaha, it's mainly because Ito Shuichi-san is here, so I could take leave with peace of mind!"

"Haha, whatever, the filming is finally finished!" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi drank a cup of wine and laughed. "But when it comes to editing, Naoki-san can't run away, right?"

"Yes, yes, of course, of course!" Naoki agreed repeatedly.

Yin Tang Ito Shuichi sat to the side, seemingly feeling uncomfortable with the keys in his pocket, and wanted to take them out and put them on the table, but he pulled out a slightly crumpled note along with them.

"Ah, right!" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi handed it to Naoki. "Naoki-san, take a look and see if this is yours?"

"I found it in the gap between the furniture in the room in the courtyard. It has the address of a pottery workshop in Kobe on it. I asked the others, and it's not theirs." Yin Tang Ito Shuichi's expression was very normal. "I was worried it was important information, so I kept it until now."

"Eh?"

Naoki was shocked. He took the note and saw it clearly written: "Kobe City, Chuo-ku, Kita-nagasa-dori 3-1-14, Ochiai Pottery Workshop"!

This was the place they went to film!

Naoki's mind raced, and he immediately glanced at Kijima, finding that his expression was also stiff. That's right, Kijima must have been afraid of forgetting the address and wrote it down! And then he dropped it in the courtyard!

Naoki was looking at it when he heard Yin Tang Ito Shuichi's voice again: "Naoki-san, is it yours?"

Yin Tang Ito Shuichi held a glass of wine and looked at Naoki, seemingly really asking, but after just talking about taking leave halfway, this question, coupled with that knowing expression, forced Naoki to suspect:

Does Ito Shuichi-san know something?! Is he hinting at me here?

"Ah, this..."

Naoki stammered, unable to come up with a good reply. He glanced at Kijima again, who was stiff all over. If his presence wasn't so low, he probably would have been discovered!

"Is it that Naoki-san's courtyard needs to order a batch of pottery?" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi offered a reason at the right time.

Naoki could only step down the stairs for the time being: "Ah, yes... yes, many pottery pieces as decorations~ A workshop introduced by someone!"

"Hahaha, I knew I hadn't guessed wrong!" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi smiled and drank the wine in his glass. "But since it's such important information, you must keep it safe! Don't lose it again!

If the quality is good, next time I want to order pottery, I'll order from this shop too!"

"Yes, yes, definitely."

Naoki looked at Yin Tang Ito Shuichi's expression, unsure if he was speaking with hidden meaning, and could only nod in agreement, then stuffed the note into his pocket.

For the rest of the wrap-up party, Naoki ate absent-mindedly, keeping an eye on Yin Tang Ito Shuichi's expression.

"Did he take it out specifically at this time, and what exactly does he want to say?"

Until the party broke up, there was no result.

In the evening, walking on the way back, Yin Tang Ito Shuichi instructed Xiao Sen Xiaoshen Zhengxiao to watch over everyone, then walked to Naoki's side:

"Naoki-san, after the wrap-up party tonight, are we going back together tomorrow?"

"Eh?" Of course, they came together, so they should go back together!

"Is the filming in the Kyoto courtyard also finished? It's the time for Momijigari; do you want to wait a bit longer?"

Naoki finally reacted. He was staying at a hotel near the courtyard, not with the crew!

"Ah, that... it's just about done. But now the courtyard is full of dirt, and the trees haven't been planted yet!"

"Oh? Then it looks like we have to wait until next year?" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi wanted to say something else, but his head was dizzy, so he just mumbled, "Since there's nothing else, Naoki-san, gather with us tomorrow morning to go back!"

"Hmm, I'll check out of the room tomorrow morning." Naoki followed Yin Tang Ito Shuichi's words. "Is gathering around 9 o'clock in the morning okay?"

"No problem!" Yin Tang Ito Shuichi shook his arms. "Haha, Naoki-san can take a few photos of the courtyard before leaving~"

Watching the backs of the others walking further and further away, Naoki fell into deep thought:

"Does he know? Or does he not know?" "Every sentence is about the courtyard filming."

Damn it, having secrets makes one so anxious and fretful!

I will never lie again!

End of Chapter