Chapter 639: The gifts you receive have long been marked with a price!

It seemed that leaving Tokyo meant leaving the rainy weather behind. On the highway between Tokyo and Kyoto, the sun was shining brightly, giving people a feeling of summer.

The black Toyota Century sped toward Kyoto. The passenger window was rolled down, and a white dog had its mouth wide open, catching the strong wind, refusing to pull back even though it couldn't even open its eyes...

"Stupid dog..." Naoki Nagayama glanced sideways, unable to help but complain.

He had promised to bring Eitaro if he went to Kyoto, and he had kept his promise~

"Naoki-san, what did you say?" The voice came from the back seat.

"Daijoubu, nothing..."

In the back seat was Otomo Yoshimura. After receiving news from the Kobe Geino Agency in the morning that Hibari Misora could meet with Naoki Nagayama in the afternoon, he immediately canceled a social engagement, handled the matters at hand, delayed others, and then set off on the highway with Naoki Nagayama...

"Naoki-san, do you think my hairstyle is okay?" Otomo Yoshimura asked with some trepidation. "Will I be rude when I meet Hibari Misora-san?"

Looking in the rearview mirror, Otomo Yoshimura was wearing a high-end suit, and the few hairs on the top of his head were combed neatly, seemingly coated with a layer of hair oil, making the middle look even more... shiny...

"He must be using Standard hair oil..."

Naoki Nagayama silently complained in his heart, but on the surface, he gave him face:

"Yeah, Otomo-san, it's very good~"

But Otomo Yoshimura in the back seat was still restless. He was already the head of a multi-billion yen group company, yet he was still like a junior high school student chasing stars.

The drive from Tokyo to Kyoto took about four hours. If he hadn't brought Eitaro, Naoki Nagayama would definitely have chosen to take the Shinkansen, but it would have been troublesome to take a taxi and change cars after arriving in Kyoto.

Along the way, he and Otomo Yoshimura took turns driving. When they arrived in Kyoto, it was just about noon. Near the mountainous area of Sakyo Ward, Naoki Nagayama drove straight toward his garden.

"Naoki-san, your garden is near Rurikoin, right?" Otomo Yoshimura had been to Kyoto and had played at various attractions.

"Yeah, it's near the foot of the mountain."

Naoki Nagayama looked toward the distance; it seemed he could already see the small hill in his garden.

Soon, passing a long wall, Naoki Nagayama found the side gate of the garden. Takafumi Honma and Naoya Sakata were already waiting in the guard room at the side gate.

"Naoki-san!"

"Honma-san, Sakata-san, sorry to keep you waiting~" Naoki Nagayama shook hands with the two of them and then looked inside the garden. It was indeed different from last time. "The garden is finally finished. Thank you both for your hard work."

"This is what we should do!" Takafumi Honma said respectfully. "Naoki-san, please come in and inspect the results. Afterward, we'll nail up the garden's nameplate!"

The nameplate was actually a doorplate. Generally, in a detached house in the city, there would be a small sign with the surname, which was used by the postal service to distinguish the household. However, for something more special, one didn't have to use a surname... like a garden that occupied such a large area... Red Fish Garden~

"Hai, let's go in~" Naoki Nagayama greeted Otomo Yoshimura and then followed Takafumi Honma and Naoya Sakata inside.

Approaching summer, the temperature was already heading toward 20 degrees Celsius. However, under the influence of the small hill, the entire garden remained quiet and secluded, with a temperature of only about ten degrees, still like spring.

Lush greenery filled the eyes, with various postures and hidden order. Nestled among them were rockeries, strange stones, stone lanterns, and deer scarers... Stone carvings and stone Buddhas full of Zen could be seen everywhere...

A clear stream flowed out from the green bamboo of the small hill. At first, you could hear the gurgling sound of water, but once it entered the garden, it became silent again, blending into the gentle pond beside the antique red-and-white sleeping hall... A winding corridor extended to the depths of the pond, where there was an exquisite pavilion.

Ripples on the water occasionally revealed a red carp, which then quickly sank into the water, leaving behind circles of ripples.

Looking further into the garden, leaning against the small hill was a patch of maple trees. It wasn't autumn yet, so they were still green, filling the background of the garden with various other green plants. Flowers of various shapes were dotted in the garden, forming a beautiful natural painting together with the rocks and grass.

"Naoki-san, what a beautiful garden!" Otomo Yoshimura admired it all the way, the envy on his face overflowing. "Did you buy it last year?"

"Yes~" Naoki Nagayama took a deep breath, and the fresh air flowed into his lungs, as if his whole person had been purified.

A natural oxygen bar, maybe it's really not an IQ tax~

"I have to thank Honma-san and Sakata-san for their dedication..."

"Not at all~" Takafumi Honma's face was also very satisfied. This garden should be considered one of the best works of his life.

The sleeping hall with the "Xiangrui Yumen" sign hadn't changed much since last time, but after cleaning, the tidy environment was still very comforting.

The housekeeping staff from the management agency came regularly to clean, and the gardening staff would also come to take care of the garden's greenery... The annual service fee was over one million yen...

So, a garden is really something only rich people can afford to play with!

Sitting in the living room of the sleeping hall, Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura sat down to drink tea, let Eitaro out to run wild in the garden, and chatted with Takafumi Honma and Naoya Sakata.

"Naoki-san, the vacation house next to Lake Toya is also about to be completed~" Naoya Sakata said. "If you have time, you can go over and take a look."

"Umm, I'll find time for that later. I might be quite busy recently~" Naoki Nagayama nodded and then mentioned other things.

"The KTV in Tokyo has already opened its third branch. Kaede-san's ability makes Brother Kaede very satisfied."

"That's her honor~" Takafumi Honma said with a smile. "Kaede-chan's experience is insufficient, but her design inspiration is very full~"

Naoki Nagayama continued: "However, next, Brother Kaede's KTV might open one by one, expanding rapidly. In the second half of the year, I might have to trouble Honma-san to put in more effort!"

"Hai, that's what we should do."

In fact, Takafumi Honma couldn't be happier. That was a big order for more than half a year! Maybe it would continue next year!

"Eitaro, stop looking! You can't catch it!"

On the way to the front gate to nail the nameplate, Naoki Nagayama saw the stupid dog by the pond, staring intently at the koi in the water, as if he wanted to catch one.

"Woof woof!" Hearing his master's call, Eitaro ran over, shaking his head and wagging his tail.

Running wild in such a large yard, although it had only been about half an hour, he was already panting with his tongue out.

Naoki Nagayama and the others walked along the path through the yard to the front gate of the garden. The front gate with eaves was a section higher than the wall, but the simple wooden door only prevented gentlemen, not villains.

Naoya Sakata handed the carefully designed "Red Fish Garden" nameplate to Naoki Nagayama. The texture of the rosewood, the traditional Chinese characters, and the patterns of maple leaves...

Naoki Nagayama picked up the wooden hammer and nails, nailed the doorplate to the doorpost of the front gate, and next to it was the waterproof mailbox... Then he took a few steps back to look, nodding with satisfaction.

"Red Fish Garden is settled! If we come back during the autumn leaf hunting, it should be very beautiful!"

Hibari Misora's residence was not in Kobe, but in Rokurokuso-cho, Ashiya City, a 20-minute drive from Kobe. As a diva-level Enka singer who had been famous in Japan for decades, Hibari Misora was naturally rich.

Not only did she have a residence in Kobe, but she also had real estate in Tokyo...

It took nearly two hours to drive from Kyoto to Ashiya City. Today, almost half the time was spent in the car... The dog had completely lost the excitement of the morning and was resting on the back seat.

Sitting in the passenger seat was Otomo Yoshimura, who was pulling down the sun visor and adjusting his collar in the mirror:

"Naoki-san, is it wrinkled?! Is it okay?!"

"Hai hai hai, very handsome!" Naoki Nagayama didn't know how many times he had brushed him off.

It wasn't until they arrived in front of a low-key detached villa that Otomo Yoshimura stopped.

"Moshi moshi, we are Otomo Yoshimura and Naoki Nagayama from Tree Friend. We have an appointment..." Otomo Yoshimura said to the intercom at the gate.

"Hai, please come in!"

A voice came from the intercom, and then the gate opened, allowing Naoki Nagayama to drive into the parking garage.

After getting out of the car and looking at the large yard and luxurious villa inside, he clicked his tongue. Who said singers don't make money...

"Welcome..." After the villa door opened, Hibari Misora, dressed in a kimono, was waiting in the entryway, and a servant or nanny was diligently holding slippers.

"Sorry to intrude~"

Otomo Yoshimura tried hard to look calm and handed over the gift, while Naoki Nagayama naturally cooperated and gave up the lead position... satisfy his good friend's wish, anyway.

"Not at all, it's my honor that Department Head Yoshimura and President Nagayama from Tree Friend have come..."

Hibari Misora said polite words and led the two into the Japanese-style room. After both sides were seated, Hibari Misora looked at Naoki Nagayama and sighed:

"President Nagayama, I've heard of you for a long time... Ah, you don't mind if I call you Naoki-san, right?"

"Misora-san is too polite~" Naoki Nagayama felt that the aunt in front of him seemed very kind.

"Haha, Naoki-san is indeed very handsome~" Hibari Misora laughed. "The recent news is everywhere, even someone like me who doesn't pay much attention to current events has seen it~"

"Hehehe~ just a momentary impulse~"

"Then can Naoki-san really create songs all at once?" Hibari Misora was very curious. She had specifically asked about all kinds of news about Naoki Nagayama yesterday.

"Hai, if inspiration is surging, then it's very fast." Naoki Nagayama directly admitted this point.

"That's really enviable..."

Otomo Yoshimura watched Hibari Misora and Naoki Nagayama start chatting about music, and they were having a great time. For the first time, he regretted not spending too much effort on the music business. So he could only try his best to keep his face calm and drink hot tea cup by cup...

"Where do young people like Naoki-san usually go for entertainment?" Hibari Misora was chatting happily, feeling that she really should chat more with young, fresh meat, and she would feel much younger.

"Recently, a nightclub called KTV has opened in Tokyo. I wonder if Misora-san has heard of it." Naoki Nagayama said.

"Oh? What kind of nightclub is it?"

"It's a nightclub where you can sing in a private room, watching the screen and subtitles while singing along with the music..." Naoki Nagayama explained. "At the same time, you can chat and play games with friends, etc..."

"Oh? Is that so?" Hibari Misora became interested and remembered that she seemed to have heard colleagues mention it when she was working. "Is there Enka?"

"Of course there is. Any song registered with the Copyright Association is there." Naoki Nagayama said. "Speaking of which, the two newly opened ones have a deep connection with me."

"Does Naoki-san have a stake in it?" Hibari Misora asked with a smile. "No wonder you recommend it so much."

"Haha, it's my cousin's business..." Naoki Nagayama paused and lowered his voice. "My cousin, Kaede Nagayama, is the grandson of Hayato Nagayama, the leader of the Shizuoka Yamaguchi-gumi..."

So that's how it was. Hibari Misora nodded. This meant that the KTV business was related to the Yamaguchi-gumi. She was very happy with Naoki Nagayama's honesty. After all, she had learned from the news she had inquired about before that Naoki Nagayama had a Yakuza background.

"That really is... a deep connection..."

Hibari Misora looked at Naoki Nagayama with even more closeness. Her two younger brothers were both mid-level members of the Yamaguchi-gumi, and Hibari Misora's own relationship with the Yamaguchi-gumi went without saying. Now, looking at Naoki Nagayama was like looking at a junior in her own family.

After pointing out this relationship, Naoki Nagayama felt that they had chatted for a long time today, and it was time to talk about business.

"Misora-san, actually, this time I came... I have a gift I want to give to Misora-san..." Naoki Nagayama signaled to Otomo Yoshimura, who had been silent on the side.

Otomo Yoshimura also woke up from a dream and hurriedly took out a music score from his briefcase and handed it to Naoki Nagayama.

"This is a song I created by accident before. I think if Misora-san sings it, it would be perfect..."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Hibari Misora took the song casually. Although she was very happy when chatting, when it came to her singing career, she didn't think that the young Naoki Nagayama would have any research on Enka.

"'Kawa no Nagare no You ni'..."

Looking at the song title, it felt very much like Enka. Hibari Misora continued to read... and then, her expression became more and more serious.

By the second time, she even hummed along according to the music score...

By the third time, she didn't care about the two guests opposite her and sang along, keeping the beat...

As a singer who had been singing for decades, she immediately discovered the huge potential of this song, "Kawa no Nagare no You ni". This was a famous song that could be passed down in music history and sung continuously!

Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura were sitting opposite the tea table, listening to Hibari Misora go from unfamiliar to gradually familiar... Even if it was a cappella, Hibari Misora, as a top singer, sang the sincere emotions of this song.

After singing it several times, Hibari Misora finally came back to her senses~

"Such a song..." Hibari Misora's tone revealed emotion. "I should have met it when I was dying..."

"Miss Hibari Misora, what nonsense are you talking about!" Before Naoki Nagayama could speak, Otomo Yoshimura immediately said indignantly. This middle-aged man's face was flushed red. "Miss Hibari Misora will definitely live a long life!"

Hibari Misora was stunned, as if she had only just realized the existence of Otomo Yoshimura, who had been silent all along:

"Haha, thank you Yoshimura-san for your kind words!"

After taking a few deep breaths and calming her surging emotions, she looked at Naoki Nagayama:

"Naoki-san, you said before that this is a gift for me?"

"Yes, Misora-san... Counting your life, it is simply the history of Japanese music..." Naoki Nagayama said. "It's simply integrating life into the era..."

"So if Misora-san sings this song, I think it couldn't be more appropriate."

Hibari Misora pressed her hand on the music score on the table. As a big shot in the entertainment industry who had experienced decades of wind and rain, she wouldn't easily accept other people's kindness.

Because any gift given by others must have a price marked behind it!

But...

Naoki Nagayama's gift was just too fragrant!!!

With Hibari Misora's vision, this song would definitely be able to take her singing career to the next level! The kind that would go down in history...

Her palm exerted a slight force. Hibari Misora, who had always had a decisive personality, actually hesitated... and Naoki Nagayama waited silently for the other party's choice.

After a long time, Hibari Misora let out a breath:

"Naoki-san... I performed yesterday, and my mental energy was consumed too much. My emotions are a bit unsettled today..."

"Hai, it's our fault for intruding..." Naoki Nagayama immediately understood the meaning, pulled Otomo Yoshimura, and expressed his farewell. "Please take good care of your health, Misora-san..."

"Sumimasen, Naoki-san, please be sure to come to my residence in Tokyo as a guest next time. I will definitely entertain you well!"

"Hai..."

After Naoki Nagayama drove out of the villa, Otomo Yoshimura asked:

"Naoki-san, are we just leaving like this?"

Naoki Nagayama smiled: "What's wrong?"

"But... the collaboration..."

"Didn't I say... that song is a gift... besides, hasn't Misora-san already accepted it?"

"Eh?"

After the guests left, Hibari Misora returned to the Japanese-style room and sat down, looking at the music score on the low table, and picked it up gently... She still couldn't bring herself to send it back.

After thinking for a long time, she dialed the phone. On the other side was the private phone of Masahiro Ikegami, the person in charge of the Kobe Geino Agency:

"Moshi moshi, this is Masahiro Ikegami..."

"Ikegami-san, it's me..."

"Ah, Hibari-ane-san..." Masahiro Ikegami was a bit surprised. "Why did you suddenly call me?"

"Ikegami-san... recently... are there any movements in the group related to the Shizuoka leader Hayato Nagayama and a nightclub called KTV?"

From Naoki Nagayama's previous remarks, Hibari Misora quickly extracted the keywords...

"Ah, this... I do know..." As soon as Masahiro Ikegami heard it, he nodded immediately. "Wasn't it when the fourth-generation cup ceremony was held at the Taoka house... it was right at that time..."

The Kobe Geino Agency's office was in a small house next to the Taoka residence. Masahiro Ikegami naturally heard a lot of news. He told the story of how Hayato Nagayama was asked by some direct-line leaders to open up the KTV operating rights during the meeting.

And on the receiver side, Hibari Misora's brows furrowed slightly... ===== CHAPTER 640 =====