Chapter 498: At first glance, he's not a good person, so I'll strike first!

After causing a commotion, Naoki Nagayama and the others managed to escape those inquisitive gazes by relying on the obstruction of the old western-style house.

After walking into the living room, Shuichi Itō was very curious about this house used as a filming scene, running around like a child who had arrived at a relative's house, while Masataka Komori had to help move the luggage of the two into the vacant room.

Naoki Nagayama opened Ye Zi's airline crate and placed it in the corner. The big orange cat inside was in a state of high excitement, and its consciousness was still a bit unclear. After the medicine wore off, he would let it come out to explore by itself.

On the other side, Eitaro had already recognized Akina Nakamori, who had been to Sanyingyuan. At this time, he was shaking his head and tail next to the sofa, accepting the head-rubbing service.

"Akina hasn't seen Eitaro for a long time, right?" Naoki Nagayama walked to the side and also reached out to touch the dog's head. "It's rare that he still recognizes you."

"Of course!" Akina squatted down and hugged the dog, vigorously rubbing the thick fur. "Eitaro likes me the most, right?"

Anyway, Eitaro couldn't speak, so he could only smile foolishly and agree.

"But Naoki-san actually flew over by helicopter, it's too reckless!" Akina Nakamori stood up and frowned slightly at Naoki Nagayama. "What if there's an accident?"

"Haha, isn't it fine~" Naoki Nagayama's laughter didn't make Akina relax her brows. Facing his girlfriend's reproachful expression, Naoki Nagayama could only explain, "It's mainly because this filming also needs helicopter assistance, some shots need a high-angle view..."

After saying a lot, he finally coaxed Akina, who was a little angry. The beautiful girlfriend finally rolled her eyes: "Naoki-san, next time, don't do such outrageous things..."

"Hai, I'll listen to Akina~"

If there weren't too many people in the house, Naoki Nagayama would have wanted to give Akina a hug~

Seeing that his little girlfriend, who had been coaxed, was stroking the dog again, Naoki Nagayama joined in. Their fingers touched, and a big hand quietly grabbed a small, white, tender hand. Perhaps the fireplace flame was too strong, and a faint red light appeared on Akina's fair cheeks.

Between the fireplace and the sofa in the living room, a faint warm atmosphere appeared, making Otaru, which was already below zero, as warm as spring.

"Naoki-san!" A sudden call destroyed this atmosphere.

Akina immediately pulled her hand back, tidied up her short hair reaching her ears as a cover, and then pulled Eitaro and said she wanted to go out to the courtyard for a walk.

"Is Akina-san going out?"

Naoki Nagayama looked at Masataka Komori, who walked over with a confused face, and suppressed the displeasure in his heart. "Masataka-kun, do you have anything to call me for?"

As a Japanese person, don't you know how to read the air? Don't you see the boss is here picking up girls?

"Ah, it's Shuichi-san who asked me to ask, do you want to start filming this afternoon?" Masataka Komori answered honestly. "It's not even three o'clock in the afternoon, the light is still very good!"

Naoki Nagayama looked at Masataka Komori with a feeling of "hate iron for not becoming steel." Didn't you notice that even Shuichi Itō didn't come to ask?! Being so silly, how could he become a famous director?!

"Masataka-kun, pay attention to grasping the key points when listening to people! Otherwise, how can you become a famous director?!" Naoki Nagayama said without changing his expression. "Today, we flew for more than five hours by helicopter, and everyone is very tired. Let's rest today! Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"Hai!"

After Masataka Komori nodded, he ran to tell Shuichi Itō, and then ran to sit down by the fireplace.

"Such a fireplace is rare in Tokyo!"

"This warm feeling is no worse than a *kotatsu*!"

This guy actually started to sigh beside the fireplace, and he still wanted to chat. He didn't notice Naoki Nagayama's increasingly unhappy eyes at all... Akina in the courtyard had looked over several times!

"Masataka-kun~" Naoki Nagayama called him "kindly."

"Hai? Naoki-san?"

Naoki Nagayama continued to say "kindly": "I suddenly remembered that Kijima-kun has also arrived at a hotel not far away with the equipment. I don't know if they have settled down yet... Why don't you help me visit them?"

"Eh? Me? Now?" Masataka Komori was a little surprised, three questions in a row.

"Yes, Masataka-kun, ensuring the state of the filming equipment is the basic skill of becoming a famous director!" Naoki Nagayama said with a fake smile. "So Masataka-kun will definitely not disappoint people, right?"

"... Uh..." How come I feel like Naoki-san is fooling me again?

"Masataka-kun?" Naoki Nagayama's smile deepened a little. "You can ask Masami-kun for the address, go and come back quickly~"

"... Hai!"

Masataka Komori had no power to fight back, so he could only ask Masami Inada for the address, put on his coat, and ran out.

Evening, Tokyo, Nakano Ward.

In a rented apartment, the fatter paparazzi, Tadayo Numata, was watching Fuji TV's latest program, *Evening Meow Meow*.

Ever since the first episode appeared, he had fallen in love with this variety show. Today, he specifically agreed with his roommate Katsutoshi Kawano that he would squat at the entrance of the TV station, while he would watch the second episode at home.

"Let's learn to meow together, meow meow meow meow~"

Humming *Learn to Meow* with the opening of the TV program, Tadayo Numata opened a bottle of soda and potato chips. Today, he, Numata, is going to eat dinner with the cute high school idols!

"Ding ling ling!" The telephone in the corner rang.

"Ding ling ling!!" The phone rang a second time!

"Ding ling ling!!!" The bell urged for the third time!

"Doesn't not answering the phone mean you don't want to answer it now!" Tadayo Numata regretted it very much. The one in the rented house was still the old-fashioned kind of phone, without even a recording function.

However, in order not to let the phone continue to disturb him from watching the program, he crawled over and asked very unhappily:

"Moshi moshi, what's the matter?"

"... Are you Tadayo Numata?" The voice on the phone was Kinji Fukasaku's. After confirming that he didn't call the wrong number, Kinji Fukasaku scolded loudly, "Have you guys been paying attention to Naoki Nagayama at all?!"

"Of course, of course!" Tadayo Numata answered carelessly while watching the program on TV. "That guy Victory is squatting there!"

"Squatting? Squatting in the toilet?" Kinji Fukasaku felt he had found the wrong person. "I think it's waiting for a rabbit!"

"... Director Fukasaku, you have to believe in our ability and experience. We will definitely be able to catch Naoki Nagayama at the TV station!" Tadayo Numata defended his reputation as a gold-medal paparazzi.

"That guy Naoki Nagayama has already gone to Otaru City!!!" Kinji Fukasaku increased his volume. "I heard that Akina Nakamori is not in Tokyo! They say she is working outside!"

"The weather forecast says it's going to snow in Otaru again!! They must have gone there to film!!"

"Eh?" Tadayo Numata was anxious to watch the Kitten Club and said impatiently, "Maybe they are just staying at home~ Director Fukasaku, rest assured, we will keep paying attention!"

"You guy!!!" Kinji Fukasaku was furious. "Go to Otaru City and find them for me!! If you can't take photos, don't even think about the money later! Return the deposit to me too!!"

*Pa! *

The phone hung up. With such a sound, he must be very angry...

Tadayo Numata put down the receiver easily, and then remembered something, picked up the receiver and put it aside.

"This way no one can disturb me from enjoying the Kitten Club!"

"Let me see, aha~ The Cat's Eye Three Sisters are also here! So sexy! Hahaha~ There are new faces again!"

Tadayo Numata was addicted to the Kitten Club and couldn't extricate himself, occasionally letting out silly laughs. As for Otaru City or something, let's talk about it tomorrow~

The afternoon in Otaru was indeed overcast, and it seemed that the forecast that it would snow at night was very accurate.

The *Love Letter* film crew, who had been resting in the old western-style house all afternoon, had a very happy time because Naoki Nagayama provided a game called Werewolf, and a group of people played very happily~

"Naoki-san! Aren't we on the same team! You actually exposed that I was a werewolf to everyone!!" Akina Nakamori was indignant, looking at the group of people around her. "I said I was a good person, why didn't you believe me!"

Maki Ueda whispered: "Because after Akina got the identity card, she kept smiling sneakily. At first glance, she didn't look like a good person!"

"..." Akina didn't speak. People who have everything they think in their hearts appear on their faces are easily seen through!

Naoki Nagayama also said: "And Akina is not good at lying. I was very worried that being on the same team as Akina would be exposed, so I struck first!"

Akina Nakamori's little face puffed up: "Again, this time I'll be the referee!!!"

Amidst the laughter of everyone, Akina finally got the opportunity to become a referee. In the funny baby voice, the werewolf started killing again~

"It's dark, please close your eyes~"

Eitaro beside the fireplace yawned. The warm firelight shone on his body, and the carpet under him was also very soft. Such a beautiful afternoon, that group of people didn't think about having a good sleep, but instead made a fuss, which was really a waste!

And at this time, Ye Zi had long since gotten rid of the catnip addiction. After cautiously exploring several times, he walked out of the airline crate and began to wander around the old western-style house.

It's so cold outside, Naoki Nagayama is not afraid of him running far.

After playing a few more games, Naoki Nagayama glanced at the sky outside: "It's this time, why don't we have dinner first? If you still want to play, come back after eating."

Everyone looked at the time, it was already past 7 o'clock in the evening, and after feeling the empty stomach, they all agreed.

In a small city, naturally there are not many takeout restaurants, but Masami Inada had already prepared enough ingredients in the refrigerator and storage room, so they did it themselves.

There are five men and two women present, but only Naoki Nagayama, Akina Nakamori, and Maki Ueda can cook.

"Sure enough, there are too few men who can cook these days!"

Maki Ueda glanced at the four people in the living room who pretended not to hear, and then looked at Naoki Nagayama who was busy in the kitchen, sighing silently in her heart.

"How can there be a man like Naoki-san who is handsome, rich, talented, and can cook? Did Akina-chan win the lottery?"

In the Showa era, women cooking was almost the default rule in the family. Even the father, Ken Nagayama, who ran an *izakaya*, waited for his mother, Nanako Nagayama, to serve him after returning home, although his own cooking level was much higher than his mother's.

This is slightly better in big cities. Among young men and women, there are many men who cook. With the arrival of the bubble era and the prosperity of feminism, women who cannot cook and do not want to be housewives are slowly increasing.

Naoki Nagayama didn't feel anything. The experience of two lifetimes made him accept gender equality very well. Women can hold up half the sky, right? What's wrong with cooking by yourself? The food you make yourself is more fragrant!

"Akina, you go fry the tempura, I'll make a twice-cooked pork!" Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori cooperated in the kitchen. "Spicy!"

"Hai~" Akina happily took over the heavy responsibility of frying tempura.

When dinner was truly served, the rich dishes of six dishes and one soup soon conquered the stomachs of the other six people in the crew. The pilot Kazuhiko Suda, who participated in the dinner for the first time, looked at Naoki Nagayama with great surprise:

Tokyo, Shibuya's club.

"My family runs an *izakaya*, so I learned it since I was a child~" Naoki Nagayama said with a smile.

Kazuhiko Suda looked at Akina Nakamori again: "Actually, what is even more unexpected is that the two who are idols and artists are actually the best at cooking..."

"Hahaha~" Akina laughed, and Maki Ueda gave a roll of her eyes.

In fact, when Kazuhiko Suda just learned that this crew was participated in by Akina Nakamori, he was much more shocked than now. Although he is not a fan, seeing people who often appear on TV appear in front of him is indeed a bit at a loss.

Dinner was very happy, but everyone came from a long distance today. After eating and drinking, the strong sleepiness came up, so they didn't continue to play Werewolf, but washed up and prepared to return to the room to rest and recharge.

Naoki Nagayama, who had taken a hot bath, walked into the living room on the first floor in a thick pajama.

There were still a few big pieces of firewood burning slowly in the fireplace. The red light made people feel very warm. On the plush carpet, Naoki Nagayama used a cardboard box to make a temporary nest for Eitaro. At this time, Ye Zi and Eitaro were both in the nest, snuggling together.

"Eitaro, sleep here tonight! By the way, watch the house!"

Naoki Nagayama touched the dog's head, and then prepared a water basin for the night beside the cupboard, put the fireplace fireproof board away, and then walked towards the second floor.

"Naoki-san?" Unexpectedly, he saw Akina Nakamori, who was also wearing a thick pajama, on the second floor. "Did you go to see Eitaro?"

"Ah, yes~ Hasn't Akina rested yet?"

"I was a little sleepy, but after taking a bath, I felt much more energetic..."

Eh? Long night, no heart to sleep?

Naoki Nagayama smiled, walked up to pull Akina and walked to the small living room on the second floor. Since there is no sleepiness, naturally they can chat well~

The small living room on the second floor is in a corner of the western-style house. The oval window can see the scenery of nearly 240 degrees outside; besides a small tea table and a few chairs, there is also a piano, surrounded by old books. It must have been a place for afternoon tea to entertain guests in its heyday.

"Naoki-san, why did you think of bringing both Eitaro and Ye Zi this time?"

Akina Nakamori sat on a large chair holding hot milk, and her whole person appeared even more petite.

"Always leaving them in Sanyingyuan, isn't it too lonely?" Naoki Nagayama also held a cup of hot milk. "Besides, Eitaro is two years old, it's time to see the world!"

"*Pu*" Akina couldn't help it.

"It was originally like this, he hasn't seen the cherry blossoms of Meguro River, the red leaves of Kyoto, the hot springs of Atami, the snow of Hokkaido..."

Akina Nakamori couldn't help it: "Many people haven't seen it either!"

"I don't know..."

Due to the snow, the night outside is also white, making people unable to distinguish whether it is early morning or night.

Two people holding hot drinks, on the chairs in the small living room, chatting plainly about interesting things in life, even if there is occasional silence, they don't feel awkward, but make people enjoy this moment of tranquility...

The piano on the second floor can actually still be used!

Naoki Nagayama put down the milk in his hand, sat on the piano seat, played a few notes slightly, feeling that the pitch was slightly low, but it didn't matter.

"Akina, what do you want to hear? I'll play it for you~"

"What to hear... I have to think about this carefully!"

Akina also sat next to the piano stool, lightly leaning against Naoki Nagayama's arm,

"Anything is fine?"

Naoki Nagayama smiled, his eyes gentle: "As long as Akina says it~"

Akina Nakamori only felt that from her eyes to her heart, it was warm~

She actually became shy, her eyes drifted to the side, wanting to find something to ease her mood.

In the sky of Otaru, a light *sha sha* sound came from outside, and snowflakes like goose feathers slowly fell from the sky, falling on the previous snow...

"Naoki-san, it's snowing!" Akina suddenly pointed out the window. "Such big snow~"

"Is it snowing?" Naoki Nagayama looked at the snow outside the window and suddenly smiled. The previous weather forecast was really accurate!

"It came just at the right time~"

"Eh?" Akina looked over a little puzzled. "What is the right time?"

"The song Akina ordered!" Naoki Nagayama smiled, recalling the song he remembered a long time ago,

"The name is *Snow Flower*, Akina, I'll play it for you~"

Naoki Nagayama said, then calmed down and recalled the music score. As his fingers touched the keys, a soft and mournful piece of music was played...

Under the dim yellow light, Naoki Nagayama, wearing white pajamas, was playing *Snow Flower* with full concentration. His hair emitted a faint luster like black jade. In this contrast, his fair and handsome face was even brighter than the pajamas on his body.

Akina Nakamori next to him was also wearing white pajamas. Her short hair reaching her ears did not cover her slender neck like a swan this time. The delicate skin like beautiful porcelain extended to her cheeks, and her whole person was as exquisite as a porcelain doll.

Slender fingers touched the keys, pressing out moving notes, and she was also humming the lyrics in her mouth...

"..."

This year, the first snow flowers of the year

The two of us snuggling close

In this time we spend gazing at them

"Happiness overflows (シアワセがあふれだす)"

It's not about being spoiled or weak

It's just that I love you

I felt that from the bottom of my heart

Akina, who has excellent musical sense, listened to her boyfriend hum it once and soon learned this song.

When playing from the beginning again, she was already able to sing along with the accompaniment of the music.

The snowflakes outside the window were getting bigger and bigger, as if they wanted to fill the entire courtyard.

And on the second floor of the old western-style house, a pair of young people were playing soft piano music. The handsome man was playing the piano, and the beautiful lady was singing. The beautiful melody spread to the guest room, attracting the temporary residents to open the door to check.

Fusunori Akisachi looked at this scene that seemed like a match made in heaven, and could only sigh in his heart:

"Forget it, I'll vote in favor for this pair..."

And Maki Ueda was looking at the scene not far away with eyes shining, as happy as if she had eaten sugar.

Shuichi Itō was very surprised, and secretly complained in his heart: "This song, it seems I have never heard it before! Could it be that Naoki-san just created it?!"

Masataka Komori suddenly understood why he was driven out once in the afternoon...

And Kazuhiko Suda, who saw this scene for the first time, was full of shock: "So artists are like this in private? It's like holding a concert every day!"

He turned his head and looked at the few people next to him: "Working as a staff member around artists is really making a lot of money!"

For a long time, the music slowly faded away.

"Naoki-san, this song?" Akina Nakamori's black and white eyes flowed, very surprised by the song her boyfriend suddenly played. "Could it be a temporary creation?"

"Temporary creation is not that easy..." Naoki Nagayama smiled. "This is a song written when it snowed in Tokyo last winter. It is very similar to today's scenery, right?"

"Well... that's why I thought it was specially created." Akina held Naoki Nagayama's arm, her head leaning on her boyfriend's shoulder. "What a beautiful winter love song..."

"Akina~" Naoki Nagayama moved in his heart and said softly, "How about this song as the theme song of the movie?"

"*Love Letter*?" Akina sat up straight and looked at Naoki Nagayama.

"Yes, isn't it very suitable?" Naoki Nagayama gently touched the beautiful cheeks in front of him, as delicate as newly peeled eggs. "Would you like Akina to sing it?"

Akina Nakamori felt like she had drunk a can of hot red bean soup, warm and sweet: "Hmm~"

Looking at his little girlfriend's beauty, Naoki Nagayama was just about to go further, when he heard a "cough cough" sound.

Turning his head, he actually found that the other five people were watching the small living room like an audience...

"Hehe, everyone is not asleep~"

In this situation, even a thick-skinned person like Naoki Nagayama had to blush, not to mention the shy Akina, who covered her face and ran back to her room...

The extra update mentioned before is made up! Wait for tomorrow afternoon for the early morning update... Not a drop left! ===== CHAPTER 499 =====