Chapter 559

"Naoki-san, come take a look at this~" Otomo Tatsumura handed over a photograph. "See if you think this person fits the protagonist of *April Story*."

Naoki Nagayama took it and looked; it was a photo of a young girl. Although she looked slightly immature, her exquisite features and fair skin already held the potential for breathtaking beauty.

"This is...... Yasuko Sawaguchi?" Naoki Nagayama thought of her name.

"Ah, so Naoki-san is paying attention too~" Otomo Tatsumura said. "This is the beauty pageant that Toho Entertainment just managed to pull off; it's about the same as those national high school girl beauty contests...... It just ended in January, and this Yasuko Sawaguchi is the grand prize winner of the first edition.

Toho's Cinderella!"

Naoki Nagayama nodded repeatedly as he listened. He generally liked watching comedy variety shows, so he really hadn't paid attention to beauty pageants.

However, Yasuko Sawaguchi—this was the idol known as the last great beauty of the Showa era; he had heard of her...... But, had she debuted this early?

It was only the 59th year of Showa; could it be that there wouldn't be any beautiful new faces in the entertainment industry for the next few years?

Otomo Tatsumura was still beside him, gesturing at the photo with great excitement:

"How about it, beautiful, right? She stood out among 30,000 people! In the end, she was the only one who got that glass slipper!

I heard that when she was in school, she was already the center of attention because of her beauty, and many boys from other schools would come specifically to see her....."

"Otomo-san, be careful......" Naoki Nagayama pushed the balding man a little further away. "You're at your age, how can you be as excited as a teenager when you see a beautiful girl."

"What's wrong with that? Can't an old man like looking at beautiful girls!" Otomo Tatsumura had no integrity at all. "Men are boys until the day they die!"

"......."

Since arriving in the Showa era, Naoki Nagayama had already encountered countless "future celebrities," so he wasn't overly surprised after learning it was Yasuko Sawaguchi; instead, he held the photo and began to think.

"How is it? Naoki-san, do you think she is suitable for *April Story*?"

Because this film was in a rush to be released in April, Otomo Tatsumura had been very anxious about finding a lead actress over the past two days.

"Hmm..... she is very beautiful, of course......" Naoki Nagayama was a bit hesitant; he just felt something was still missing. "Very confident, a very gentle feeling......"

"But..... a girl like this, who has grown up amidst everyone's praise since she was a child, just feels a bit different from the image of someone shyly harboring a secret crush."

Naoki Nagayama continued, "Besides, doesn't she already have a film contract with Toho?"

The person who wins Toho Cinderella gets a debut opportunity provided by Toho; this is also why Toho Cinderella is hailed as the contest with the best opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Otomo Tatsumura nodded as well. Indeed, to invite someone to participate in another film at this time...... Toho wouldn't let her go, right!

"Then, what about the other idols?"

"...... Forget it~" Naoki Nagayama looked through the other contestants and said, "None of them are suitable~"

Otomo Tatsumura was troubled: "This...... do we really have to hold an open audition......"

Should they imitate Toho Cinderella and have a Tree Friend Ugly Duckling? Not to mention whether the fame could be mentioned in the same breath as Toho, holding an open audition for the lead actress of an art film that was less than an hour long really didn't make much sense.

Naoki Nagayama's eyes rolled: "Otomo-san, actually it doesn't have to be that troublesome...... Come to think of it, there are places that have already helped screen them; most of the remaining people are beautiful, and we will definitely be able to find someone suitable."

"? What kind of place?" Otomo Tatsumura was puzzled.

"Horikoshi High School! And...... Hinode High School!" Naoki Nagayama said. "Among the students in these two schools, there must be suitable candidates!"

Actually, similar to schools like the Central Academy of Drama or Beijing Film Academy in later generations, which specialize in cultivating students for the performing arts, these two key aristocratic schools in Japan were full of handsome men and beautiful women.

Especially Hinode High School, which was currently still called Hinode Girls' Academy High School, specializing in cultivating female entertainers.

Otomo Tatsumura looked as if he had been enlightened: "That's right, these two schools! And at this time, the largest batch of students is just about to graduate! It fits the timeline in Naoki-san's movie perfectly!"

April is when freshmen enter university; it is currently February, and the entrance exams have just finished...... It fits the timeline of *April Story* perfectly.

Naoki Nagayama smiled: "Then I'll trouble Otomo-san to get in touch with the two schools. If possible, reaching a long-term cooperation with these two schools isn't out of the question!"

For the developing Tree Friend Group, fresh blood with formal training was extremely important.

"Hai! I will contact them as soon as possible!"

Otomo Tatsumura's motivation suddenly surged.

There weren't many things in the studio that required Naoki Nagayama to handle directly; at most, it was just the final signature.

Most of the time, he just needed to check the project progress and accounts at the end of the month and the end of the year. However, as the boss, the most important thing was actually to maintain good relationships with business partners......

So Naoki Nagayama took cameraman Kongming Sakata and assistant Guangming Xiaoyuan with him to Fuji TV.

"Sakata-kun, Xiaoyuan-kun, remember this." Naoki Nagayama said to the two employees in the elevator. "During the filming and recording process of the program, you must take the initiative. This program is our Tree Friend program."

"Hai!" X2

Naoki Nagayama had come for the *New Words and Buzzwords Awards*, so he didn't go to see familiar faces like Department Head Kazuki Takano or Daitai Sugiura this time; instead, he went directly to find Haruta Kamiya of the Second Production Department.

"Naoki-san, you're here!"

Because he had called ahead, Haruta Kamiya received the three of them very enthusiastically in the conference room.

"Kamiya-san!" Naoki Nagayama greeted him, then introduced, "Behind me are cameraman Kongming Sakata and assistant Guangming Xiaoyuan; they are the personnel for this shoot."

"Nice to meet you..... please take care of us." After a brief exchange of greetings, Haruta Kamiya also said very efficiently, "Regarding the recording location for the new program, we have already cleared it out. It doesn't matter when Naoki-san wants to start."

"That's great." Naoki Nagayama said. "Then, what about the host of the program?"

"Ah...... the host has also been decided. Come to think of it, he's an acquaintance of Naoki-san!" Haruta Kamiya laughed.

Just at this moment, there was a knock on the door of the reception room, and then a familiar-looking person walked in.

"Naoki-san, we meet again~"

"Ah..... who are you?" Naoki Nagayama had seen this person before; it seemed he had even interviewed him once, but he hadn't remembered his name.

"My name is Naotaro Zhongxi! I am a reporter and host for Fuji TV!"

The person who came in wasn't angry; that day had indeed just been a random interview, and he hadn't introduced himself, nor had he given his name during the subsequent interview at the cinema. In short..... he was just a familiar face.

Ever since that scoop, Naotaro Zhongxi had shown his face on the TV station and had his name remembered by his superiors.

His colleague, cameraman Naoto Tsuji, had already obtained the opportunity to operate the camera on a popular program, while he himself was a step behind. This was because all the current programs already had fixed hosts.

When Naoki Nagayama's new program was launched, Kazuki Takano sent Naotaro Zhongxi over directly.

"Hai, Zhongxi-san, please take care of us."

"Haha, Naoki-san can just call me Naotaro~" Naotaro Zhongxi kept a very low profile; after all, Naoki Nagayama was the person in charge of the program.

"Okay~" Naoki Nagayama nodded.

"Naotaro-san, Kamiya-san, since the team is almost assembled, we will prepare to start recording next."

In the internal meeting, Naoki Nagayama didn't say anything empty or grandiose; instead, he said sincerely,

"The program is divided into two parts: interviews and follow-up filming before the studio recording. It will mainly be filmed by Naotaro-san, Sakata-kun, and Xiaoyuan-kun. Shogakukan and the Japan Free National Society will send two guests, and they will also provide monthly new words and buzzwords for reference. Of course, we at Tree Friend will also provide a list. Your main job is to film the origins of the words, the guests' explanations, and interviews with passersby about their views on them....."

After finishing the introduction for the outdoor segments, Naoki Nagayama talked to Haruta Kamiya about the recording requirements for the studio, including the production of the main background.......

Because this program was a monthly show, it wasn't too urgent, but the necessary preparations could never be lacking.

"Everyone here is experienced, so I won't say much about filming and recording." Naoki Nagayama said. "I will be on-site for the first recording; after that, it will mainly be up to Kamiya to take care of things."

As someone inserted by Fuji TV, Haruta Kamiya needed to play a relatively important role in the program, so Naoki Nagayama gave him the position of on-site director.

"Hai, I will definitely not let down Naoki-san's high expectations."

"Haha, Kamiya-san will definitely be fine~"

After continuing to discuss some issues regarding program production, Haruta Kamiya invited the group to the studio to take a look, saying that it was a studio that had been hard to clear out, and the equipment inside was all high-end stuff.....

The studio for a small program was naturally not as large as programs like *Night Hit*.

Walking into the studio, what Naoki Nagayama saw was just a room about the size of a basketball court, still with traces of the previous program's recording; the white cloth and stage background were still there.

Haruta Kamiya explained: "Within a month, this studio still has other programs for the first three weeks, but the last week is reserved specifically for us."

"If you want to invite an audience, our TV station will also be prepared."

Naoki Nagayama looked around and just nodded, while Kongming Sakata and Guangming Xiaoyuan checked the equipment; sure enough, it was all relatively new gear.

When they were about to leave, Naoki Nagayama said to Naotaro Zhongxi:

"Naotaro-san, the people from Shogakukan and the Japan Free National Society are set for tomorrow, so we can probably start filming the day after tomorrow. The current interviews are quite fragmented, and Kongming Sakata and Guangming Xiaoyuan have only filmed movies and TV dramas before, so I'll have to trouble you a lot."

"Hai, I will work hard!" Naotaro Zhongxi was very good at handling people. "Kongming-san and Guangming-san's filming experience is absolutely no problem!"

"Hmm~"

Just as they were talking, Naoki Nagayama heard a voice: "Naoki-san!"

Looking closely, it turned out to be Rumi Nishi!

The little beauty walked over quickly: "Naoki-san, why are you here today? How come I didn't see you in the preparation group...."

Naoki Nagayama smiled: "I came to communicate about another program today; I haven't been to the *Twilight Meow Meow* preparation group yet."

"Is that so..... then why don't you go over now!" Rumi Nishi said with a smile. "It seems things have finished here, and the latest *Twilight Meow Meow* is being previewed!"

"I see~" Seeing this, Naoki Nagayama could only say to the others: "Kamiya-san, Naotaro-san, then I'll go over and take a look first..... Sakata-kun and Xiaoyuan-kun, you two can go back on your own~"

After everyone said their goodbyes, Naoki Nagayama followed Rumi Nishi to the *Twilight Meow Meow* preparation group. Opening the office door, sure enough, Daitai Sugiura and Yasushi Akimoto were watching the preview tape of the latest episode.

"Naoki-san, you're here!" Daitai Sugiura's eyes were surprised.

"Hmm, I originally came to discuss another program, but I heard the latest preview was ready, so I came to take a look while I was at it." Naoki Nagayama explained, then turned to greet the chubby young man, "Akimoto-san~"

"Naoki-san......"

Yasushi Akimoto was slightly bothered by Naoki Nagayama now. He now viewed the Onyanko Club as his own private property, but last time, under Daitai Sugiura's request, he had actually sent Kaoru Kobirumaki to Naoki Nagayama...... and he heard that Tree Friend had already signed her......

This was a proper "giving away the girl"! If Yasushi Akimoto's life were a novel, this would be a huge plot point that would make readers drop the book!

So he was a bit conflicted and awkward seeing Naoki Nagayama at this moment, and after greeting him, he turned his gaze back to the program.

Daitai Sugiura, on the other hand, was completely oblivious and said very enthusiastically: "Naoki-san, are you satisfied with that Kobirumaki?"

"Haha, that girl is very liked by Xiu-san, and it's already been decided to let her join the new movie!" Naoki Nagayama laughed.

"Really? That's great!" Daitai Sugiura was even happier when he heard this; this showed that his move to build a relationship with Tree Friend was very successful!

After chatting for a while, Daitai Sugiura said: "By the way, Naoki-san, come over and watch *Twilight Meow Meow* with us. It's the version after changing the flow..... The recent ratings have been unstable, and we're all looking for the reason~"

"Unstable?" Naoki Nagayama walked to the side and began to watch along with them.

The program *Twilight Meow Meow* was currently very famous among junior high and high school students. Because it aired at 17:00, students would rush home to turn on the TV every time school ended; this was definitely not a rumor.

However, the increasing number of members in the Onyanko Club and the increasingly complex flow, while taking the program's entertainment value to a new level, also made it appear a bit bloated.

Naoki Nagayama could see the shadows of future variety shows like *The Voice* or *Idol Training Camp* in the program, but such a program was ultimately like a shooting star; it was at its peak at the beginning, and then it would keep falling!

However, he still tried his best to offer some suggestions, at least to let this program survive this year!

"Daitai-san, the Onyanko Club is an idol group after all...... the work of releasing records needs to be considered......" Naoki Nagayama said. "Since it's a multi-member group, it's best to have those video tapes that combine images and singing......"

"Also..... offline activities can be done more. After increasing the stickiness of the fans, it will also be very beneficial for the profitability of the Onyanko Club."

After all, the positioning is "commoner idol group," so the distance from the audience must not be too far.....

Daitai Sugiura and Yasushi Akimoto both listened quietly to Naoki Nagayama's words, and they also had a rough idea about the next stage of the program in their hearts.

"Eh? How does Akina know?" Naoki Nagayama's tone on the phone was full of surprise. "It was only decided not long ago."

"Honto?"

In the Holiday Inn in the Bahamas, Akina Nakamori, who had just finished washing up, was lying on the bed holding the receiver, her beautiful eyes widened in surprise,

"I just told Fusunori-san earlier that Naoki-san wouldn't go abroad!"

"? Fusunori-san? Why would he bring me up?" Naoki Nagayama was very puzzled. "So concerned about me?"

"This....."

Akina started laughing and began to talk about the guesses of Maki Ueda and Fusunori Miko, that Naoki Nagayama was deliberately manufacturing chance encounters or something....

Naoki Nagayama, on the sofa in Shanyingyuan, laughed. So that's what the manager on Akina's side was thinking!

"Come to think of it, the first two times I went abroad, they were indeed chance encounters....... but the meetings after that were all carefully prepared!" Naoki Nagayama didn't hide it at this time; he had already chased her successfully, after all. "Especially the time I went to Europe, I specifically begged the flight attendant to upgrade Akina to the seat next to me!"

"Eh~~~" Akina Nakamori listened to her boyfriend talking about how he planned the chance encounters and traveling together, and felt sweet inside. Her upper body was lying on the bed, but her little legs kept swinging in mid-air. "Naoki-san is really cunning!"

"What's cunning about wanting to be close to my girlfriend....."

Naoki Nagayama wasn't embarrassed at all; instead, he said proudly, "Wasn't Akina also very surprised at that time~"

"Not at all~" Akina was a bit embarrassed and decided she couldn't let her boyfriend continue talking, so she hurriedly changed the subject,

"Where is Naoki-san going this time?"

"This time, I'm going to Australia...... the company needs to shoot some short films for the summer and autumn seasons." Naoki Nagayama didn't intend to hide it. "Probably about a week or so."

"I see...." Akina was a bit disappointed; it seemed she wouldn't be able to see her boyfriend this time.

Naoki Nagayama naturally noticed: "What's wrong? You sound a bit unhappy~"

"It's just...... I won't be able to see Naoki-san until the awards ceremony...." Akina Nakamori said in a low voice. By the time she finished filming here, it would be more than a week later, just in time for the Japan Film Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony.

"That's true...."

It had been almost a week since they last met. For a couple in the honeymoon phase, as the saying goes, a day apart is like three autumns. Calculating it, they hadn't seen each other for 12 years~ The urge to see Akina was getting heavier and heavier.

Naoki Nagayama suddenly thought of something: "When Akina comes back, will you also have a layover in Xia Weiyi?"

"Hmm, I even said I wanted to stay in Xia Weiyi for a day." Akina said. "To experience the Hawaiian atmosphere."

"A day, huh...." Naoki Nagayama pondered for a moment. "Akina.... why don't I wait for you in Xia Weiyi~"

"Eh?" Akina Nakamori was a bit surprised and sat up from the bed. "But isn't Australia in the Southern Hemisphere? Doesn't Naoki-san have to work?"

"Don't worry about that...... does Akina want to see me in Xia Weiyi?" Naoki Nagayama threw a direct pitch.

Work? Isn't that the employees' business? What does it have to do with the boss? Besides, can work be more important than a girlfriend?

"......." Akina fidgeted in the room for a while, and finally said softly,

"I do~"