Chapter 486

Returning to the Mountain Cherry Garden after a long absence, Naoki Nagayama stood before the gate, feeling a touch of sentimentality:

"The cherry blossoms have all fallen; the bare cherry trees really are an eyesore!"

There was no help for it; even though the garden's cherry blossoms bloomed twice a year, it was still a deciduous tree, and now only the black-brown branches remained, curled together like withered chicken claws.

However, this desolate posture actually matched the dry landscape in the courtyard quite well.

"Forget it, it's an eyesore." After sighing, Naoki Nagayama opened the gate and walked through the main entrance. "Eitaro, Meitaro, I'm home!"

Hearing only the heavy *thump-thump* of footsteps, Eitaro ran over. He first looked at Naoki Nagayama with some suspicion for a moment, sniffed him a little closer, and then immediately began rubbing against him excitedly.

"How does it feel like you've gotten fat again? Isn't the automatic dog food dispenser set to a fixed time and amount?" Naoki Nagayama walked into the living room, only to find no one in the Mountain Cherry Garden. "Is Tsuruko not home from school yet?"

Naoki Nagayama glanced at the dining room and kitchen; there were still traces of people living there. He had returned in the morning, so they really should have been at school.

"Eitaro, where's Meitaro?" He turned his head and searched around, and sure enough, he saw that orange ball sleeping on the artificial rockery in the courtyard.

It looked like this spot was both sunny and safe from Eitaro's harassment, which was why it was so peaceful there~ Naoki Nagayama didn't disturb the big orange cat's nap and turned to head upstairs.

After putting his things away, taking a shower, and changing his clothes, Naoki Nagayama had washed away the dust of his travels. Then, feeling refreshed, he went back downstairs.

"Eitaro, don't get fur all over my clean clothes!" Pushing away the dog that was crowding him, Naoki Nagayama walked toward the garage. "Your master still has to go get busy, I'll come back to play with you tonight!"

In the studio of Tree Friend Films, it had been bustling since the morning. The entire film crew had returned, and the office area, which had originally seemed somewhat spacious, immediately became cramped.

By the time Naoki Nagayama arrived by car, everyone was still enthusiastically discussing the latest movie.

"Naoki-san, you're here!" Xing Jiahua faithfully held her post and was the first to spot Naoki Nagayama.

"Hua-chan, has Shuichi-san come over?" Naoki Nagayama asked directly.

"I haven't seen Shuichi-san yet," Xing Jiahua said. "But Otomo-san told me earlier that if Naoki-san returned, I should send you straight to the conference room."

"The conference room?" Naoki Nagayama glanced at his watch; it was 10:00 AM, were they still in a meeting? "I understand~"

Gently pushing open the door to the conference room, Naoki Nagayama discovered that key members like Masataka Komori, Masami Inada, Guanglian Kitamura, Riko Hayano, and Tetsuya Komuro were all there, and Riko Hayano was currently reporting something.

"Naoki-san, you're here, come sit over here." After Otomo Yoshimura saw it was Naoki Nagayama, he signaled for him to sit nearby. "It's the monthly meeting at the start of the month, and Riko-chan is currently reporting on this month's plan."

"Ah, I see~" He'd come too early! As soon as he arrived, it was this kind of tedious meeting.

However, under everyone's gaze, Naoki Nagayama felt embarrassed to just slip away, so he could only listen reluctantly.

Riko Hayano was mainly responsible for the operation plans for each idol, and she summarized the situation of each idol at the current stage: "Otomo-san, Naoki-san, when reporting, I will summarize the idols separately."

"Junko Ito's development is the best; the national concert tour is still ongoing, currently in Osaka. There are two more stops, and the national tour will end in November. The concert results are very good, with venue attendance over 90%, and peripheral sales are also quite good..."

As the longest-serving idol under Tree Friend Films, Junko Ito, with Naoki Nagayama's strong support (five songs), had achieved certain results and was basically at her most mature stage. Producing new records and holding concerts were all proceeding according to plan, and the business model was also very mature.

However, being a first-tier idol was her peak; she had no potential to reach the very top.

"Yuki Saito's new record... didn't have the results we hoped for." Riko Hayano seemed a bit troubled. "After Yuki-chan transitioned from movies, her adaptability to the idol industry is still lacking."

Otomo Yoshimura nodded: "Hmm, Yuki-chan's own positioning is to be cultivated toward acting. Since that's the case, Riko-chan, you can plan toward movies and television next year."

He glanced at Naoki Nagayama: "Naoki-san, if there are any movies or TV dramas, let Yuki-chan participate more."

"Hmm, I will!"

Naoki Nagayama nodded in agreement, though he himself had no idea what he would be filming next year.

Riko Hayano continued: "As for the newcomer, Chikako Aoyama, her trend after debut is excellent. The sales of her debut song 'Heavenly Day' have also exceeded 00,000. She is currently actively participating in various announcements and is also planning to make a run at the major newcomer awards of the year."

Chikako Aoyama's debut as the finale on *Night Hit* truly surprised many people, and her popularity skyrocketed all at once.

"As for the Cat's Eye Sisters, they are currently participating in the filming of *Twilight Meow Meow*, and other work is temporarily suspended."

After Otomo Yoshimura heard this, he offered a few opinions on the operation plan for Chikako Aoyama, and the other idols continued to proceed at this rhythm.

After Riko Hayano finished reporting, it was Tetsuya Komuro's turn to report on Yutaka Ozaki's side:

"Yutaka Ozaki's second album and single have consistently ranked at the top of the Oricon charts, and there are currently no other records that can replace them. He is currently holding live performances in various cities and participating in some interviews and announcements..."

The hottest star at the end of the year was naturally Yutaka Ozaki. Under the management of Being Records, he was making a run at the Best Newcomer Award of the Year at the Japan Record Awards, and could be said to be the hottest young singer this year.

After listening for a while, Naoki Nagayama smiled: "Is Komuro-kun actually attending our regular meeting? This is my first time seeing it!"

"That's because you come too rarely!" Otomo Yoshimura said irritably. "Komuro-kun spends a lot of time at Being Records because he has to operate the Rebellion label, but he is our employee!"

"Haha, it's my fault~" Naoki Nagayama quickly admitted his mistake and asked Tetsuya Komuro with a smile, "Is Komuro-kun busy with work at Rebellion?"

"After Ozaki-san's second album, it's relatively free for the time being," Tetsuya Komuro said honestly.

After all, Being Records basically covered all aspects of operation and promotion, and after the record production was completed, Tetsuya Komuro was indeed a bit idle.

"I see~"

Naoki Nagayama's mind turned. How could this be? How could the future founder of the Komuro Family be idle? Wouldn't it be a waste not to squeeze such a talented person?

"Otomo-san, since that's the case, let Komuro-kun be responsible for our record production from now on!" Naoki Nagayama said to Otomo Yoshimura. "Previously, I was the only musician in the company, but I'm getting busier and busier, and my attention to the idols under my name has decreased. It's time to need a helper!"

Otomo Yoshimura silently complained in his heart: "Getting busier and busier? You even ran abroad for a month the month before last!"

"What Naoki-san says makes sense. Then Komuro-kun, let's start with Chikako Aoyama!"

Otomo Yoshimura said to Tetsuya Komuro,

"Chikako-chan's debut was a bit rushed, so we produced a single record first, and the first album is still in preparation..."

"... Hai, I understand!"

Suddenly being assigned a task, Tetsuya Komuro was a bit dazed, but as a worker, he nodded anyway.

The subsequent reports were very dull, and Naoki Nagayama had no interest in listening anymore. It was only when they finally made it to noon that this monthly meeting could be considered finished.

Otomo Yoshimura in the office put down the documents in his hand,

"Naoki-san, has the filming work this time been completed?"

Naoki Nagayama leaned back in his chair, feeling a bit decadent: "Hmm, *Ringu* has finished filming, and all that's left is the editing work."

Otomo Yoshimura said slowly: "I mean all the filming work."

"Ah, for *Love Letter*, we still need to film once more..." Naoki Nagayama sat up straight. "It can only be filmed when it snows again."

"Then have you thought about how to explain it to Shuichi-san?"

"Uh, this..." Naoki Nagayama was choked up and said a bit irritably, "I shouldn't have kept it from him in the first place. Now I'm in a bit of a bind..."

"Hahaha." Otomo Yoshimura rarely saw such a troubled expression on Naoki Nagayama. "Naoki-san, it's better to say these things as early as possible. If it's exposed by others like an idol affair, the consequences will be even more serious!"

"Sigh, let's wait a bit longer~"

Naoki Nagayama didn't want to continue the discussion and asked about other things: "Otomo-san, the *Twilight Meow Meow* program has finished recording, right?"

"Hmm, they told me several times before to let you go see it during the final recording. Didn't you turn it down~" Otomo Yoshimura continued, "Also, that song 'Learn to Meow' has already been licensed to Eiro Kikuchi's Kitten Club."

"His Kitten Club? That's Fuji TV's!" Naoki Nagayama retorted. "But as long as it's recorded, it looks like it will be released soon."

"The time has already been set, it's this Friday at 5:00 PM!"

"That's great, I'll be able to see it soon!"

Naoki Nagayama said easily. *Twilight Meow Meow*, which he had pushed forward with his own hands, was about to arrive in this era two years early. He wondered what kind of waves it would bring to the entertainment industry.

He continued to chat with Otomo Yoshimura about the gossip of this period: which top star had an affair during marriage and was exposed by *Shukan Bunshun*, which artist had close ties with the yakuza... In short, there were fresh things in the entertainment industry every day.

"By the way, Naoki-san, the FNS Music Festival rehearsal is on Thursday afternoon, which is today. Don't forget!"

"Alright, I won't forget, I specifically returned in the morning!"

He never waited for Shuichi Ito to appear in the studio; it looked like he was going to rest at home today.

When the afternoon arrived, Naoki Nagayama drove his beloved car toward the familiar Fuji TV.

Taking advantage of the fact that the rehearsal time hadn't arrived yet, he went straight to the independent office of the *Twilight Meow Meow* preparation team. The three people inside were discussing something with serious expressions. After seeing Naoki Nagayama, they were all surprised.

"Naoki-san?! Why are you here?"

"Otai-san, Rumi-chan, and Akimoto-san, you're all here!" Naoki Nagayama greeted them one by one. "Because there's the FNS Music Festival rehearsal, I arrived early, so I wanted to come over and say hello first!"

Rumi Nishi then remembered: "The final rehearsal for the FNS Music Festival! Naoki-san is a guest, right?"

"Hai~"

Seeing that they were about to start chatting, Sugiura Otai, who was beside them, hurriedly interrupted: "Naoki-san, you've come just in time. It will be officially broadcast tomorrow, come take a look at the final version of the program!"

Naoki Nagayama refused: "Otai-san, there's no need for that, it's already the final version. Besides, can't I trust the abilities of Otai-san and Akimoto-san? I believe that with the supervision of the two of you, this program must have reached the best level!"

Hearing such praise, a smile appeared on Yasushi Akimoto's chubby face:

"Naoki-san is too kind, the program is mainly Naoki-san's idea, and the brilliant songs~"

"Haha, I'm just throwing out a brick to attract jade; Akimoto-san's creativity and solid scriptwriting skills are the foundation of the program!"

"Not at all, not at all..."

The two of them started to blow smoke at each other like this, leaving Sugiura Otai speechless. The biggest contributor to the program was clearly himself, alright? Without Fuji TV's support, this program might not even exist!

"Since Naoki-san doesn't want to see it, then forget it." After Naoki Nagayama refused repeatedly, Sugiura Otai finally agreed. "Then let's look at the program's ratings tomorrow!"

"Rest assured! This program will definitely become popular all over the country!" Naoki Nagayama patted Sugiura Otai's shoulder confidently. "We shouldn't worry about ratings now, but should think about how to record the next episode!"

"Hahaha, as expected of Naoki-san!"

The few people in the office all laughed and started discussing the direction of the program afterward.

The characteristics of the *Twilight Meow Meow* program had already been established, and what followed was the filling of different content. On this point, Sugiura Otai and Yasushi Akimoto had much more experience than Naoki Nagayama, and even Rumi Nishi had more practical experience than Naoki Nagayama.

However, Naoki Nagayama had decades of future experience, and the ideas he occasionally proposed also made them feel refreshed.

This chat lasted for half an hour.

"The idea of revealing the nameplate is very interesting; it has plenty of confrontation and fun!" Yasushi Akimoto praised, and then raised a realistic difficulty. "But what worries people is that this is on-location filming. Can the camcorder track and film such intense scenes?"

"That's true, the stability of the picture also has difficulties," Rumi Nishi also said, pointing out the realistic difficulties.

"Anyway, this is just an idea, we'll see if it can be used later." Naoki Nagayama glanced at the clock on the wall. "Ah, it's almost three o'clock, the rehearsal should be starting..."

Sugiura Otai stood up: "Then Naoki-san can't be late, I'll go with you."

"Otai-san is going too?"

Sugiura Otai nodded: "Yes, for the year-end program, naturally everyone has to participate. I don't need to think about *Twilight Meow Meow* anymore."

"Haha, then let's go together! Speaking of which, I haven't thought about what to say in the acceptance speech yet, Otai-san can give me some advice..."

"Hahaha, alright~"

End of Chapter