Chapter 516

In the bedroom in the early morning,

Naoki Nagayama opened his eyes,

The bed next to him was empty...

This was to be expected!

Yesterday at noon, Akina came over for lunch, and then in the afternoon, Naoki Nagayama sent her to the Kohaku Uta Gassen rehearsal.

They only kissed and hugged for a while; that little bit of time at noon, what could they possibly do~

Today was the day to attend the preview of "Ringu." Although it was in the evening, he had to go to the company early to prepare.

The sudden rain had stopped, and Tokyo had been washed clean.

The winter sunny day was bright and blue, with a few white clouds dotting the vast sky, perfect like a scene from a manga world; some rainwater remained on the city roads and the branches of trees, frozen into crystalline shards of ice, sparkling in the morning sun.

Through the car window glass, Naoki Nagayama admired the city after the rain while rushing to the studio.

The atmosphere in the studio today was busy. The movie that occupied the bulk of the company's business was about to have its preview, the company boss was going to attend, the relevant press releases and follow-up publicity needed to keep up, plus various other guarantees...

Although only a portion of the people were busy, this atmosphere permeated the entire studio.

"Naoki-san, you're here!" The newcomer Kieda Ochiai quickly integrated into the Tree Friend Film team and greeted Naoki Nagayama along with everyone else.

"Kieda-chan, why don't I see Riko-chan?" Naoki Nagayama looked around.

"She went to the site to prepare," Kieda Ochiai replied. "She went early to set up the background board for the media meeting and the security measures for the preview."

"Security measures?"

"Hai, it's things like ambulances and medical equipment." Kieda Ochiai smiled. "Although it's unlikely that any problems will occur, we still have to ensure everything is foolproof!"

"Haha, Riko-chan is indeed reliable." As a boss, his technique for praising people was already second nature.

"Naoki-san, then I'll go get busy. There are still a few media outlets that need to be contacted."

"Hmm, hmm~"

Why do many bosses like to stay in the company?

Because only in the company can there be many subordinates who can listen to his instructions, complete the tasks he assigns, and then make him feel like an important person.

Naoki Nagayama had a similar feeling.

After walking into the office, sure enough, Otomo Yoshimura and Ito Shuichi Ido were already inside.

"Otomo-san, are you going to today's preview?" Naoki Nagayama asked while sitting in his chair.

"Forget it... I don't want to review that kind of horror scene again!"

A trace of lingering fear appeared on Otomo Yoshimura's face. He wouldn't tell Naoki Nagayama that ever since he watched the movie in advance, he had been trembling even when getting up at night for those few nights.

"Alright then~" Naoki Nagayama didn't try to persuade him further. "Then the subsequent publicity and release are all prepared, right?"

"Hai!" Speaking of business, Otomo Yoshimura's expression became serious. "After the preview ends tonight, there will be reports coming out. The next two days are the peak period for publicity, and it will be officially released on the weekend evening!"

"Relevant posters, display stands, leaflets, and other promotional materials are already in the cinemas, and every cinema has also prepared a set of first-aid equipment."

Naoki Nagayama nodded repeatedly: "How is the cooperation of the distribution company from Kadokawa this time?"

Otomo Yoshimura paused: "Kadokawa Pictures is naturally very cooperative."

Although they had shares in Kadokawa, after all, they were a competitor to Kadokawa Pictures, and a company whose performance was far better than Kadokawa Pictures itself...

Although the upper management still supported and encouraged them, during the distribution process of "Crows Zero" last time, Naoki Nagayama's side had already discovered some delays or, one could say, resistance.

It was just a pity that the appeal of every movie from Tree Friend Film was ridiculously high, so it didn't cause any losses.

"Sigh... this is also something that can't be helped." Ito Shuichi Ido said. "After all, we are just using the channels of Kadokawa's distribution company, and we still have to go through their film company. Costs and such are all kept to a minimum. And other promotional work, including the premiere, press conference, etc., is actually planned and executed by ourselves..."

Naoki Nagayama wasn't too worried. For this kind of thing, there was naturally a solution: "As expected, as a film production company, we still need to have our own distribution channels."

Ito Shuichi Ido sat up straight: "Are we going to build our own distribution company?"

"A small startup company doesn't have this strength and reputation." Naoki Nagayama glanced at Ito Shuichi Ido: "But Ito Shuichi-san, in fact, our scale is already fully capable of building our own distribution department."

"Build the department first?"

"Hai." Naoki Nagayama took a breath. "Actually, I feel that the current business of Tree Friend Film, besides movies, importantly includes idols, records, copyright management, and some asset management. Of course, this part is mainly me... Hahaha, I bought a bit too many houses..."

Otomo Yoshimura and Ito Shuichi Ido both laughed, but Naoki Nagayama's rental income and the earnings from that disco were actually not much less than some small companies.

"And I also plan to open an investment-related company next year." Naoki Nagayama continued. "In short, the current organizational structure of Tree Friend Film can no longer keep up with our development."

The other two people in the office were a bit surprised: "Does Naoki-san mean that we are going to carry out company reform?"

"More or less."

"Next year, I plan to spin off different businesses into independent subsidiaries and upgrade Tree Friend Film into Tree Friend Group!"

Naoki Nagayama hadn't managed a group company before; in his previous life, the highest he reached was a technical director. However, even if he hadn't seen a pig run, he had eaten pork, right?

"This..."

Otomo Yoshimura and Ito Shuichi Ido couldn't believe it. In just about three years, were they already going to manage a group?

"Although it sounds like it's on the same level as big groups like Mitsubishi Group and Mitsui Group, in reality, we are still just a small-to-medium-sized enterprise. It's just making the respective businesses and work more clearly defined."

Naoki Nagayama explained slightly, and then said a famous quote that often appeared in TED talks,

"In short, take it one step at a time, and let professional people do professional things!"

"Hai, we understand!"

Looking at the firm expressions of the two, Naoki Nagayama couldn't help but mutter, what exactly did they understand...

Early in the morning, he first shocked his two friends with a plan that sounded high-end, but after that, they still had to do what they had to do!

"Naoki-san, you've been absent from the editing of 'Love Letter' for a long time! Before going to the preview today, stay in the editing room for a while!"

"... Hai."

Also in the morning, Yoji Yamada from Shochiku handed an invitation to Kinji Fukasaku.

"Shinji-kun, are you really going to watch that movie?"

"Of course!" Kinji Fukasaku even smiled. "I even specifically contacted some media to let out the word that I'm going to 'appraise' the horror movie of a cutting-edge director.

By then, as soon as I come out, they will definitely come to interview me!"

"And then I will say things like 'not living up to the name' or 'mediocre'!"

As he spoke, Kinji Fukasaku actually laughed:

"Hahaha, horror movies belong to niche films and rely heavily on word-of-mouth. If the news that it was criticized by a senior in the industry gets out, how many people will still go to watch it?"

Yoji Yamada looked at the junior in front of him and felt that he had become a bit obsessed:

"Shinji-san, maybe this movie has its merits too~ Better keep some professional courtesy!"

Kinji Fukasaku was very disdainful: "Even if the movie is not bad, it won't stand up to careful and detailed analysis. I will definitely watch it carefully with my eyes wide open. If I can find a few continuity errors, that would be fun!"

"... That's a horror movie, aren't you afraid of being scared?"

"Hahaha, at my age, what horror movie tropes haven't I experienced?!"

Kinji Fukasaku became increasingly confident. "This time, I'm going to let Naoki Nagayama know what it means to lose face!!!"

Yoji Yamada could only offer encouragement again: "Ganbatte! Shinji-kun!"

By the evening, Naoki Nagayama and Ito Shuichi Ido drove to the "Bungeiza" cinema in Ikebukuro again. The reason for choosing this place for the movie preview was because there were more young people here.

"Bungeiza" didn't have a parking lot, so the two parked their car in a roadside parking space far away.

"Naoki-san, why are you wrapped up so tightly?"

Ito Shuichi Ido, who had gotten out of the car, noticed that Naoki Nagayama had turned up his high collar and was wearing a large scarf, covering half of his face.

"I was photographed in a scandal by reporters here last time. Given the current situation, I'd better be careful."

"Hahaha, is the fickle Naoki-san actually starting to fear scandals?" Ito Shuichi Ido mocked him again. This scandal had caused such a big stir that it had become a running joke for him to tease his friend.

"..."

Forget it, better not pay attention to this guy; the more you pay attention, the more he gets into it.

Turning to walk toward the cinema entrance, he indeed found an ambulance parked next to the cinema, and he could see doctors and nurses in white clothes already prepared.

Walking into the cinema lobby, he found another small table next to the front desk, with first-aid equipment placed on it.

"Naoki-san, do you think it will be used today?" Ito Shuichi Ido asked curiously.

"Didn't we already ask older audience members to choose carefully?" Naoki Nagayama predicted. "In all likelihood, it won't be used."

People were already entering the lobby one after another. There were many reporters carrying cameras, as well as some familiar faces—industry film critics and movie enthusiasts who had been invited. Other young faces were lucky audience members drawn from thriller programs and clubs.

Moreover, some tickets were released at the lobby site; if any audience members who didn't know about it wanted to take a look, they could also come in.

"Naoki-san, Ito Shuichi-san!"

Riko Hayano had been waiting here for a long time. Seeing her boss come over, she hurriedly greeted them.

"Riko-chan, thank you for your hard work~"

Naoki Nagayama looked around. "Is everything going smoothly so far?"

"Hai, everyone from the crew has arrived, and the invited guests have also arrived for the most part..."

While listening to the employee's report, Ito Shuichi Ido was already greeting familiar industry insiders. However, when Naoki Nagayama took off his scarf, a bunch of reporters actually ran over...

"Naoki-san, we haven't seen you lately!" "Naoki-san, can you talk about the FNS Music Festival?" "Is today's movie the same one as Akina-san's movie?"

Accompanied by the clicking of camera flashes, reporters began to ask other questions. For a moment, the cinema lobby seemed to have turned into Naoki Nagayama's media meeting.

"Riko-chan, I'll leave this to you!"

Naoki Nagayama had no choice but to escape. Taking advantage of the gaps in the surrounding crowd, he immediately ran to the screening hall.

He only heard Riko Hayano saying loudly in the lobby:

"... Today is the preview of 'Ringu,' other questions will not be answered!"

The screening hall was dim and quiet. He found his seat in the front row and sat down, finally getting rid of the reporters' questioning.

Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, a voice came from behind:

"Haha, Naoki-san is indeed the hottest topic recently!"

"Ah, it's Yuko-san~" Naoki Nagayama turned his head and saw Yuko Tanaka. "Didn't see you just now."

"Thanks to Naoki-san, the reporters were all attracted away, so I could walk in quietly." Yuko Tanaka sat down next to him and took off her scarf. "Naoki-san is indeed scandal-prone!"

"Sigh..." Naoki Nagayama sighed, but he didn't intend to explain, so he simply changed the subject,

"How have you been lately, Yuko-san?"

"Just finished filming a movie, naturally I'm resting and occasionally appearing on shows." Yuko Tanaka's tone was relaxed. "It's almost New Year's, I'm planning to go to Sapporo for the New Year after this period of movie promotion."

"Sapporo?" This was the first time Naoki Nagayama knew Yuko Tanaka's hometown was Sapporo.

"Yeah, it's already snowing heavily in Hokkaido, very suitable for skiing..."

"Yeah, I've been skiing before too..."

The two chatted, seemingly not worried about today's preview at all.

And at this moment, in the screening hall, there were already many sharp eyes staring at Naoki Nagayama, one of which naturally belonged to Kinji Fukasaku.

Watching Naoki Nagayama and Yuko Tanaka chatting idly, he sneered:

"This guy Naoki Nagayama is indeed someone who forgets where he is when he sees a woman. An important preview, and he's not nervous at all! Just wait for my criticism, old man!"

There was another pair of eyes belonging to freelance writer Masayuki Matsuzawa. Where there was Naoki Nagayama, there naturally had to be him. However, because he was a freelance writer, it was difficult to get into TV station programs, so he had missed many of Naoki Nagayama's interviews.

In the corner, there was another pair of eyes from Naotaro Zhongxi of Fuji TV. Ever since he was teased by Naoki Nagayama, he felt humiliated and had set his sights on Naoki Nagayama, even bringing a cameraman along!

"Naotaro-san, are we just here to watch a movie?" Cameraman Hisato Tsuji was puzzled. The end of the year was a busy time for a low-level cameraman like him. "There are many materials to film at the TV station!"

"Hisato Tsuji, believe me! Today we will get big news here!"

Naotaro Zhongxi had already decided to take action directly against Naoki Nagayama during the interview after the movie!

As more people arrived, the lights in the screening hall dimmed, and the movie playback time finally arrived!

I originally wanted to write the climax of the preview directly, but I always felt something was missing, so this chapter served as a setup~

(End of chapter)