Chapter 545: The film circle is just like this~

On Tuesday, the Oricon chart ranking was finally announced.

Because the statistical data of this era is relatively troublesome, the weekly chart actually counts the sales from two weeks ago, so this Oricon chart actually counts the first-week sales performance after the release of *Snow Flower*.

Sure enough, *Snow Flower* undoubtedly ranked first. Although the *THE BEST TEN* last Thursday had already reflected the top position of *Snow Flower*, this Oricon chart was a more authoritative conclusion.

Because the issuer was actually Shuyu, when Otomo Yoshimura reported to Naoki Nagayama, he had a smile on his face:

"Naoki-san, 520,000 record sales! It has broken the biggest sales achievement of our Shuyu!"

"Really?" Naoki Nagayama was also happy, after all, it was his girlfriend's achievement.

"Yes, as a movie theme song, it is indeed very popular... And the heat of *Love Letter* hasn't gone down yet. It is expected that the sales in the first month should exceed 700,000."

"Haha, maybe there is a chance to be popular again in half a month."

Naoki Nagayama was referring to the movie awards in half a month. Whether it was Akina Nakamori winning the Best Newcomer or this song *Snow Flower* winning the Best Soundtrack, it was possible to make the record sales more.

"Naoki-san's meaning... Could it be that this record has a chance to break one million?" Otomo Yoshimura's expression was a bit excited, "Million record?!"

In the standards of the Recording Industry Association of Japan, sales exceeding 250,000 is a platinum record, 500,000 is a double platinum, 750,000 is a triple platinum... After reaching 1 million, there is a proprietary name called a million record.

"Haha, work hard, it should be possible." Naoki Nagayama said with a smile, and then seemed to remember something, "By the way, I remember Chikako-chan's first album was also released. How were the first-week sales?"

"Chikako-chan's album sales were 370,000!" Otomo Yoshimura said, "It's already very excellent, ranking fifth on the Oricon chart!"

Naoki Nagayama was also very satisfied after hearing it. That song *Arigato (Thank You)* was indeed powerful.

The two discussed the trends of these two records in the office, and unanimously agreed that both records had great potential for follow-up and were worth continuing to promote.

Just at this time, Shuichi Ido pushed open the office door:

"Otomo-san, Naoki-san, what are you chatting about so happily?"

"Haha, the sales of the two records recently have been very good." Otomo Yoshimura said, and then asked, "Shuichi-san, did you just come back from the Film Academy? Don't you need to go drinking today?"

"No need, no need, all the people who should be met during this time have been met." Shuichi Ido turned to Naoki Nagayama, "Naoki-san, I have already found Teacher Machida. In the process of film awards, most of the Film Academy faction will give face!"

"Hmm... Shuichi-san is really working hard." Naoki Nagayama poured him hot tea, "But this time, so many favors were consumed. How should we repay them later..."

"The film circle is just like this, you help me, I help you~"

Shuichi Ido didn't care. Later, he would be in charge of the film company. It was impossible to only shoot his company's movies. Investing in his alumni, cooperating to shoot movies, and strongly supporting when other friends shoot good movies...

As a well-known director and the person in charge of the film company, he was already a figure in the film circle.

"Speaking of which, Naoki-san, have you chatted with your friends?" Shuichi Ido was referring to Naoki Nagayama's friends of different ages in the film circle.

"Ah... it's a bit troublesome." Naoki Nagayama got a piece of news when he was on the phone with Masaki Kobayashi before, "Do you still remember that director Masaki Kobayashi?"

"Ah! It's that director who was scared to incontinence!" Shuichi Ido blurted out.

"Haha, although it is like this, Shuichi-san should still keep some virtue~" Naoki Nagayama smiled, "I heard from Masaki-san that Director Fukasaku is currently actively running for the movie *The Makioka Sisters*, lobbying people in Shochiku to support this movie... It seems he has hooked up with quite a few favors."

"*The Makioka Sisters*? Isn't this Toho's movie?" Shuichi Ido was curious, "Why would Director Fukasaku of Shochiku spend so much money to support it?"

"How would I know..." Naoki Nagayama was not omniscient, "Maybe it's a deal behind the scenes."

"However, thanks to him, Masahiro-san here, besides himself and some good friends, there is no other support." Naoki Nagayama sighed, "After all, when *A Scene at the Sea* was released before, Masaki-san used a lot of favors."

"That's true..." Shuichi Ido nodded, and he also remembered this.

Naoki Nagayama continued: "However, Masahiro Shinoda said he would support it. Besides his 'Hyogen-sha', he also said he would find some alumni of the Literature Department of Waseda University to help..."

"That's a big help." Shuichi Ido sighed. These alumni circles of well-known universities are simply gathering places for contacts!

"Yes, Masahiro-san helped me a lot. This favor must also be repaid well." Naoki Nagayama decided to help when they shoot movies later.

Otomo Yoshimura had been listening, but since he mentioned this: "Speaking of which, Burning Productions' actions have also started. The resources of the Sasakawa Foundation have been mobilized. I have heard many friends in the entertainment industry say that the Sasakawa Foundation supports *Love Letter* in impacting the Best Newcomer Award."

"Haha, since that's the case, we already have three strong reinforcements, plus the judges who are on good terms with our Shuyu. This selection can be said to have a great chance of winning!"

Shuichi Ido said with a smile, as if this year's awards were already in the bag.

Otomo Yoshimura continued: "It's not three strong reinforcements, it's four!"

He turned to Naoki Nagayama, "Naoki-san, aren't we scheduled to visit Haruki Kadokawa tonight? He is also a shareholder of Shuyu!"

"Haha, that's true."

In the small office, the three people pointed out the important awards in the film circle, as if everything would go according to their plan.

Before noon, Naoki Nagayama left the studio.

After getting into his Toyota Century, Naoki Nagayama drove all the way to Sumida Ward... to find his girlfriend.

In the high-end apartment in Sumida Ward, Naoki Nagayama walked into the gate with his briefcase, and then pressed the doorbell...

"Moxi Moxi? This is the Nakamori family." Akina's voice came from the intercom at the gate.

"Akina, it's me..."

"Ah, Naoki-san, I'll open the door right away!"

Hearing the crisp click of the locked iron gate, Naoki Nagayama walked up the stairs under the strict gaze of the gatekeeper uncle.

By the time he walked outside the room, the apartment door had naturally been opened early. As soon as he entered, he saw Akina wearing home clothes and an apron. Seeing Naoki Nagayama, her eyes lit up, and she diligently handed over slippers at the entrance:

"Naoki-san, welcome, please change your shoes~"

"Hmm..." Naoki Nagayama handed the briefcase to Akina on the side, then changed his shoes and hung up his coat... turned his head to look...

"?"

Akina was gone!

Walking to the living room, he found that Akina had already happily opened the briefcase, and then held a stack of manuscript paper with a satisfied expression.

Naoki Nagayama walked to the side and poked his girlfriend's round cheeks:

"Akina, your expression just now... looks very much like a pervert..."

"Where is it!" His little girlfriend immediately put down the manuscript paper, as if to cover up, "It's just that I've been waiting for the follow-up plot for a long time! I'm just happy!"

Naoki Nagayama pretended to be sad: "So Akina is not happy that I came, but that the novel came..."

"Forget it, forget it, it was a mistake after all... Seeing Akina value the novel more than me, my heart is colder than the ice slag in the deep winter... Forget it, forget it..."

A Japanese version of Lin Daiyu's green tea quote made Akina stunned. The little girlfriend who came back to her senses showed an annoyed expression, turned around and hugged Naoki Nagayama, looking up at her boyfriend's face and smiling:

"Haha, what strange things is Naoki-san saying! It sounds... how so..."

Thinking for a long time, she couldn't say what kind of adjective it was.

Naoki Nagayama hugged Akina and smiled: "What's wrong, does it sound very annoying? But you don't know where it's annoying?"

Akina twisted twice in Naoki Nagayama's arms, raised her head again and said: "Yes, it feels very annoying... Is it something Naoki-san thought of specifically to annoy me?"

"Haha, who told Akina not to ignore me just now..." Naoki Nagayama smiled and leaned over with his face: "Then let Akina hit me..."

Feeling Akina's arm loosen from his waist, and then lift up, Naoki Nagayama thought Akina was really going to do it... But what he waited for was the arm wrapping around his neck, and then there was a soft touch on his cheek, and then it moved to his lips... like a dragonfly skimming the water~

Naoki Nagayama turned his face and saw his girlfriend's cheeks were white and red, her black and white eyes looking directly at him, and her bright eyes still carried a little shyness:

"This is compensation for ignoring Naoki-san!"

"It's compensation..." Naoki Nagayama rubbed her waist with both hands, his forehead touching his little girlfriend's forehead, "Then I feel this compensation is not enough..."

Then his hands exerted a little force, hugging Akina tightly, and his cheeks leaned over again, kissing deeply.

"Woo~~~"

The sound of boiling water in the kitchen woke up the little couple in the living room. Akina, who was a bit confused, suddenly remembered that there was something burning in the kitchen!

Hurriedly pushed Naoki Nagayama away: "Naoki-san, kitchen! Kitchen!"

Saying this, she hurriedly stood up, tidied up her messy clothes slightly, and ran quickly into the kitchen.

Today, in order to treat her boyfriend well, she specially bought fresh ingredients and wanted to make a big meal. Now there is miso soup stewing in the big pot.

Naoki Nagayama calmed down his rapid breathing and saw Akina busy in the kitchen, shaking his head. Young people in love, really can be detonated by a little spark.

After tidying up his mood slightly, Naoki Nagayama walked to the kitchen:

"What is Akina doing today? Do you need my help?"

"Absolutely not!" Akina Nakamori's expression was firm, "Today is a big meal specially made for Naoki-san, Naoki-san just wait for the meal!"

"Eh? Although you say so..." Naoki Nagayama peeked, "Do you really not need help?"

"If there is anything to help..." Akina stirred the soup pot with a large spoon a few times, and then scooped out a little soup, "Naoki-san, just help me taste the taste!"

The taste of the miso soup is very rich, and the saltiness is also very appropriate: "Very delicious."

"Then Naoki-san, go to the living room and rest well, it will be ready in a while!" Akina pushed Naoki Nagayama to the living room like guarding her own territory, and then got busy in the kitchen alone.

Seeing that his girlfriend was determined, Naoki Nagayama didn't say anything more and rested in the living room.

There were the latest magazines on the table, and there was a basket next to the music player, containing some new or old cassette records.

Naoki Nagayama walked to the side of the TV and saw that there were some movie videotapes in the TV cabinet... It seems that Akina also watches movies occasionally.

Turning on the TV, the noon news was playing, so he watched it by the way...

Not long after, the aroma of food came from the kitchen, making Naoki Nagayama's stomach start to growl.

"Naoki-san, you can eat~"

After waiting for ten minutes, Akina's voice came from the kitchen. Naoki Nagayama walked to the dining table, several plates had been placed on the table, and Akina had also served the rice.

Bright red sweet and sour pork, rich curry beef, and some bright pickles and miso soup...

"Naoki-san, this sweet and sour pork is a new dish I learned. Naoki-san seems to like Chinese food." Akina's tone was full of pride.

"Ha, discovered by Akina~"

Naoki Nagayama nodded. His eating habits are very complicated. After all, he can take out any cuisine in the future.

However, he eats Chinese food the most, and Japanese food has also become a habit, so he eats more Chinese and Japanese food.

"Then hurry up and taste it! I am very confident!" Akina Nakamori looked forward to it. For this dish, she specially asked the boss of the Chinese restaurant.

Naoki Nagayama put a piece in his mouth. The sweet and sour taste instantly filled his mouth, followed by the tender meat quality. The taste of the meat and the just-right sweet and sour feeling merged together. It was not the sweet taste of Japanese style at all, and the just-right sour taste made his appetite wide open.

"Hmm, Akina made it very authentic!"

Naoki Nagayama gave a thumbs up, and Akina beside him smiled with her eyes bent.

For the other dishes, the rich curry beef was poured on the white rice. The rice fragrance and beef fragrance were mixed with curry and eaten together, full of satisfaction.

The refreshing pickles were refreshing and had a cool feeling, comforting the taste buds that were stimulated one after another, making people feel the rich taste of miso soup again.

A simple and satisfying lunch made Naoki Nagayama very satisfied.

After eating, he naturally had to help clean up the kitchen. After everything was over, Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori could sit on the sofa and drink hot tea to rest...

"Really satisfied~"

Naoki Nagayama leaned comfortably on the sofa. The apartment window blocked the cold wind, letting only the warm sunshine shine in, shining on his body and drying out the laziness in his bones.

Akina Nakamori beside him leaned on him, talking while reading a novel:

"Naoki-san, I have to go abroad again in a while."

"Hmm? When? Where to?"

"Bahamas, probably in early February." Akina turned her face, "It's the recording work for the new album, and the shooting of the cover photo..."

"Bahamas? Near the equator." Naoki Nagayama thought for a while, "At this time, the temperature should be very high..."

"Hmm, they say it's the same as summer in Japan." Akina Nakamori reached out and took a flyer, "It just so happens that the new album is the summer season, and it has to be mixed with exotic customs..."

Naoki Nagayama leaned on Akina's shoulder and asked: "How long will you go?"

"Probably about a week... But because it's very far, it might take two weeks."

"It takes two days to fly~"

"Yes, and I have to transfer..."

Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori chatted in the warm afternoon sun. Sometimes they said a few words, and sometimes the words stopped, just leaning quietly.

Maybe it was because they were full, but there was no desire, just enjoying this warm atmosphere at this moment.

Akina Nakamori had been leaning beside her boyfriend reading a novel, occasionally turning her head to look at her boyfriend, even if she didn't speak, it didn't matter.

In the warm afternoon sun, Naoki Nagayama even felt that he seemed to have fallen asleep. ===== CHAPTER 546 =====

Under the warm afternoon sun, Naoki Nagayama even felt as if he had drifted off to sleep.