Chapter 494

"Naoki-san, you ran away again!"

In the editing room of the studio, Ito Shuichi Ido said indignantly to Naoki Nagayama.

And Naoki Nagayama, while watching the newly edited clip through the screen, responded: "You can't say it like that. Didn't I tell you? Ito Shuichi-san?"

"You only said you were going to see a friend's child at noon, but you didn't come in the afternoon!" Ito Shuichi Ido continued to accuse, "We've been editing for so many days, and you've skipped more than half of it!"

"Eh? Doesn't asking for leave at noon mean I'm not coming in the afternoon either?"

Naoki Nagayama seemed to have completely not heard the second half of the sentence, still speaking in a flat tone, forming a strong contrast with the somewhat agitated Ito Shuichi Ido.

"There's no such thing as asking for leave like that! If you're asking for leave in the afternoon, you should say you're asking for leave in the afternoon!" Ito Shuichi Ido was furious.

"Ah, so that's how it needs to be done!" Naoki Nagayama seemed to react only then, "Then Ito Shuichi-san, I'm asking for leave this afternoon!"

"Nani?" Ito Shuichi Ido showed an expression of disbelief, "What did you just say, Naoki-san?"

"I'm asking for leave this afternoon!"

Before Ito Shuichi Ido could speak, Naoki Nagayama hurriedly added the reason: "This afternoon is the final rehearsal for the FNS Music Festival!"

"?" Didn't you say before that this was the final rehearsal?"

"Is that so? Then I must have accidentally said it wrong before!" Naoki Nagayama said very nonchalantly, "This time is the final one."

Noriyuki Misako on the side was sweating profusely. Naoki-san, say less, can't you see Ito Shuichi-san is about to hit someone!

"By the way, Ito Shuichi-san." Naoki Nagayama didn't hear Noriyuki Misako's inner thoughts and continued to say to Ito Shuichi Ido, "It's already snowing in Hokkaido. Once the snow accumulates, the filming of 'Love Letter' will begin."

"Eh? Ah!" Ito Shuichi Ido reacted, "That's this week?"

"Should be. However, there is a scene in a blizzard during the filming process, and it's very likely we'll run into the awkward situation of having no snow, so we need to prepare snow machines and large fans in advance." Naoki Nagayama said to Ito Shuichi Ido.

"Hi, I understand, I'll have them prepared in advance!"

"Hmm, just put them in the old Western-style house in Otaru. The filming location is there too."

"Okay~"

Noriyuki Misako watched in a daze as in less than a minute, Ito Shuichi Ido went from angry to calm, and was even discussing the preparations for filming very seriously. Only then did he realize that Ito Shuichi-san was completely manipulated by Naoki-san!

The boss in this editing room should undoubtedly be Naoki-san!

"Naoki-san, are you thirsty?" Noriyuki Misako handed over the coffee he had bought earlier, "I have coffee I just bought here, it's still hot!"

"Uh, arigato~"

Naoki Nagayama didn't know what had happened, but the feeling of someone treating him to a drink was still quite nice.

Having completed the morning's editing work with all his might, when eating lunch, Naoki Nagayama originally wanted to chat with Otomo Yoshimura about the very likely prospect of opening an investment company, but this guy had actually gone out.

"Otomo-san sent Chikako Aoyama to TV Tokyo." The receptionist and administrator, Hoshika, told Naoki Nagayama, "It seems like it's her first time, so Otomo-san is taking her."

"Is that so~"

Otomo Yoshimura is Chikako Aoyama's chief manager, so he does occasionally need to take action personally.

"Then let's talk about it tomorrow~"

Putting this matter aside for now, Naoki Nagayama drove to Fuji TV, which already felt like his own home, and ran familiarly to the preparation office for "Evening Meow Meow."

"Tai-san!" After Naoki Nagayama knocked and entered, he found only Sugiura Tai. "Are Akimoto-san and Nishi Rumi-san not here?"

"Ah, they both went out to record the third episode of 'Evening Meow Meow'." Sugiura Tai stood up, "Nagayama-san, you came just in time. Let's look at the final version of the second episode together."

"Is the second episode already edited?" Naoki Nagayama was surprised, "The speed is very fast, they're already going to film the third episode!"

"Yes, after forming a process, the filming speed suddenly became fast. At this very moment, there are several screenwriters writing scripts!" Sugiura Tai pointed to the office next door, "Right next door."

"Hahaha, the program is becoming more and more standardized."

Sugiura Tai turned on the player directly and started playing from the beginning of the videotape. The first thing they heard was naturally the currently hottest "Learn to Meow."

In weather of over ten degrees, watching the Kitten Club members wearing cool outfits outdoors, Naoki Nagayama felt a bit sorry for these girls:

"It must be very cold, right? Are they actually wearing swimsuits?"

Sugiura Tai was very strange: "It hasn't even snowed yet, isn't this very normal?"

Ah, it is I who am ignorant!

Japanese girls wear ultra-short skirts in the middle of winter, and Japanese children also wear shorts in winter... not to mention anything else, their cold resistance is top-notch!

However, wearing swimsuits definitely has other purposes! Naoki Nagayama knew a thing or two about Yasushi Akimoto's integrity; this guy definitely knew how to grab the audience's attention!

After watching the outdoor game interaction for a while, when they transitioned to dancing again, Sugiura Tai suddenly said:

"Nagayama-san, actually during this time, Akimoto-san also created a very demonic song called 'Don't Take Off My Sailor Suit.' I think it also has its own characteristics."

"Oh? Akimoto-san is indeed a talented guy." Naoki Nagayama knew that this song was the Kitten Club's signature song, so he had absolutely no objections, "Then we can try it in the later programs. If the effect of this song is good, we'll just replace the other one."

Sugiura Tai quietly glanced at Naoki Nagayama, confirming that he wasn't angry, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief:

"I thought Nagayama-san would be angry!"

"Angry? Why?" Naoki Nagayama looked over.

"About your own song being replaced or something..." Sugiura Tai avoided his gaze, "It's clearly Nagayama-san's program."

"Hahaha, what's there to be angry about with something like this? If other songs are better, of course we'll use that song." Naoki Nagayama patted Sugiura Tai on the shoulder, "After all, Tai-san and Akimoto-san are the specific people in charge of the program now. You are on the front lines, and you must be more sensitive to audience feedback than I am."

"If Nagayama-san says so, then I'm relieved." After Sugiura Tai put his worries aside, a smile appeared on his face, "These past few days, Akimoto-san and I have been worried sick about this."

"As long as it's good for the program, I won't have any objections."

After all, the purchase fee for the program "Evening Meow Meow" had already been deposited into Tree Friend Films' account, and the follow-up would be the operating dividends of the Kitten Club. Naoki Nagayama naturally hoped that this girl group would be red-hot.

"Hahaha." Sugiura Tai didn't talk about this topic anymore, "Nagayama-san, today is the final rehearsal for the Music Festival, right?"

"Hmm, today is already the 7th. After that, it should be the live broadcast at the beginning of December."

"Yes, first the preliminary selection, then the final selection." Sugiura Tai said with a smile, "But isn't it at Nakano Sun Plaza? How come Nagayama-san is here?"

"The time is still early, so I came to see the progress of 'Evening Meow Meow'~" In reality, he didn't want to keep staying in the studio editing the movie~

The two chatted and chatted until they talked about what to do at the end of the year, where to spend the New Year, and where to travel. However, with the current situation of the "Evening Meow Meow" program being so good, Sugiura Tai probably wouldn't have time to take a proper annual leave this year.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Naoki Nagayama drove to Nakano Sun Plaza. Generally speaking, the preliminary selection for the FNS Music Festival is held here, while the final selection is held at the Nippon Budokan.

After walking in, he found that the performance hall was already bustling, and almost all the participating personnel had arrived.

He followed the guide to the backstage, and then was stuffed into the guest lounge. Naoki Nagayama saw the program hosts, Shigeru Tsuyuki and Mari Yoshimura, here, as well as some guests he had seen once or twice during the previous rehearsals.

He politely greeted everyone, but couldn't stay for long after a while. He was only relatively familiar with the hosts, but the two of them had to prepare to host, and the others were strangers.

Naoki Nagayama used the excuse of going to the restroom and began to wander around backstage~

"Nagayama-san!" A familiar male voice sounded from behind... Why do people nowadays always like to hide behind others?

"Ah, Ozaki-san, you're here!" Naoki Nagayama saw his only male star and a smile appeared on his face, "Where have you been holding concerts recently?"

"It's already over for this year..." Yutaka Ozaki was speechless. He's the company boss, at least, doesn't he even care about his subordinates' national tour?

"Is that so... Hahaha~" Naoki Nagayama laughed it off, "Then now there are only various music festivals and announcements left, right?"

"Yes, until the end of the year, there's nothing else."

As a pure singer, Yutaka Ozaki was much better off than idols like Akina Nakamori. After releasing a record, at least he didn't have to go on all kinds of programs.

Naoki Nagayama nodded, then raised an eyebrow: "How many awards are you planning to win this year?"

"This... this still depends on the judges' judgment..." Yutaka Ozaki wasn't a complete veteran yet and was still a bit shy about the various operations in the music industry, "However, President Nagato of Being Records said he would help me go for the Best Newcomer Award at all the music festivals."

"There's definitely no problem with that!" Naoki Nagayama agreed very much, "There's no one cooler than you this year!"

"..." Nagayama-san, which dialect are you speaking? Why can I understand it?

While Naoki Nagayama and Yutaka Ozaki were chatting awkwardly, the rehearsal for the FNS Music Festival officially began. When it wasn't his turn to go on stage, Naoki Nagayama sat under the stage and watched the artists on stage performing their programs to their heart's content.

To be honest, the programs of male artists in this era were actually a bit of an eyesore, because besides Enka, male idols basically sang and danced... and this kind of singing and dancing was fine on TV, but live...

In short, Naoki Nagayama couldn't appreciate it.

However, the performances of female artists were much more pleasing to the eye, at least most of them were passable in appearance.

"Mr. Naoki Nagayama, please prepare to go on stage to present the award..."

For live award ceremonies like this, the final award results were unknown, so the contestants needed to prepare several acceptance speeches, and the hot favorites even had to prepare several copies.

And the award presenter...

Actually, just a few sentences like "They are the most outstanding singers I have ever seen!", "In my opinion, they deserve this award!", "The winner today makes one want to applaud..." would do.

However, today's award presentation was just going through the motions.

Mari Yoshimura said into the microphone on stage: "Next, let's invite Mr. Naoki Nagayama to present the award to today's winner!"

Naoki Nagayama followed the master of ceremonies from the side of the stage, with another master of ceremonies following behind, carrying a tray with the medal.

After standing still among the contestants, Shigeru Tsuyuki walked to the side and whispered: "Nagayama-san, just put the medal on the winner next. During the official live broadcast, I will ask, 'Do you have anything to say to the winner this time?'"

This wasn't Naoki Nagayama's first time, "Haha, I think the winner this time deserves it~"

"Perfect!" Shigeru Tsuyuki continued, "Next, bow, and then you can go off stage!"

Naoki Nagayama walked off the stage just like that. Just as he was about to return under the stage, he ran into Akina Nakamori, who was preparing to go on stage, backstage.

"Akina, you're going on stage!"

"Ah, Naoki-san." Although she knew Naoki Nagayama was at this music festival rehearsal, the areas for singers and guests were separated, and she had only just seen him, "Yes, I'm two spots away. Are you going down?"

"Haha, yes, my job is very simple. I wonder if they will give the award to Akina when the real award presentation happens~" Naoki Nagayama laughed.

"Eh? Just presenting the award? Shouldn't Naoki-san also be winning Best Lyricist, Best Composer, Best Arranger, etc.?"

A miscalculation. He hadn't remembered that he might also win an award! During the last rehearsal, he had left as soon as the award presentation process was over.

"... Haha, it's also possible that I won't be the one winning."

"Naoki-san will definitely win an award!" Akina Nakamori had great confidence in her boyfriend, "Ozaki-san's two songs are both strong contenders!"

It looks like I still need to prepare an acceptance speech!

However, Naoki Nagayama didn't take it too much to heart. At worst, he would just thank everyone first.

"What award is Akina going for this year?"

Also a young person, Akina was also very shy: "I heard from Ryoaki-san that the Grand Prize this year is very difficult, and generally the Singing Award and Music Award are given to Enka, so I want to go for the Best Hit Award and Best Viewer Award."

"So that's why your stage costume is like this~"

Naoki Nagayama took a small step back, looking at the black ballet-like stage costume Akina was wearing, and she was actually wearing golden silk stockings on her legs...

"Naoki-san!!!"

Akina hid to the side, shy. It was fine on stage, but being looked at so closely by her boyfriend was not okay!

"Hahaha~ Akina will definitely impress the judges!"

The Showa-era diva was already beginning to show her style!

Amidst Naoki Nagayama's laughter, Akina shyly patted his arm, and before more people backstage could look over, she hurriedly ran towards the stage entrance.

Naoki Nagayama, on the other hand, slowly returned to his seat under the stage.