Chapter 745

The next day was a sunny day~

As expected, the morning newspapers had reports related to "Love Journey"; even in the Showa era, the media industry was open 24 hours a day.

"A Big Reveal, the Beginning of Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori's Romance~" Naoki Nagayama read the headline in the newspaper to Akina, "Exploring celebrity romance... letting fans and the general public understand that, actually, celebrities are no different from ordinary people..."

Akina Nakamori, wearing an apron, brought out the miso soup, white rice, meatballs, grilled fish, and pickles... since they were living together, of course, they would eat the pure Japanese-style breakfast that Akina had been used to for over a decade.

Moreover, in Akina's eyes, this should also be the breakfast Naoki Nagayama was used to eating~

"Hahaha, they were never any different from ordinary people to begin with!" Akina Nakamori said with a smile, "They just know how to sing and appear on programs~"

"And they're very rich~" Naoki Nagayama added, "Otherwise, how could they go everywhere to play, and even go abroad..."

The two chatted about today's newspaper while eating breakfast.

After "Love Journey" aired, not only did Fuji TV receive countless hotline calls, but the phones at the Burning Productions agency were also blown up; various fan opinions blew in like a blizzard.

The sweet romance played on the screen this time was very different from previous romance dramas, in that the two protagonists were truly and genuinely in love!

Some people expressed their blessings for the two, saying they were very happy to see their idols find love just like ordinary people; while others angrily accused, why let Akina Nakamori appear in such a variety show, give us back our pure Akina-chan, and so on.

While flipping through the newspaper, Naoki Nagayama was suddenly somewhat surprised:

"Akina, there are different opinions here!"

"Nani?"

"It says that artists shouldn't expose their private lives to the public eye; this is irresponsible for the job of an artist! Idols themselves should show their most perfect side; idols shouldn't date!"

"???"

Not only Naoki Nagayama, but even Akina Nakamori, who was listening, found it unbelievable... what was this newspaper saying?!

Who was it that paid the most attention to the private lives of artists, if not you media people?!

If the law didn't forbid it, you would love to put the 24 hours of celebrity artists in front of the public!

"Which newspaper is this?"

"Tokyo Sports..." Naoki Nagayama was speechless; what exactly did this newspaper full of lies want to do? Grandstanding, or playing the "everyone is drunk while I am sober" act?

However, although Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori didn't care, the ripples caused by "Love Journey" in the entertainment industry after it aired were not small.

In addition to the gimmick of being the hottest screen couple of the moment, the new format of a romance variety show also aroused the interest of people in the industry; besides Fuji TV, several other TV stations had already started holding meetings with program producers early in the morning!

When Akina Nakamori arrived at the Burning Productions headquarters in her signature blue Porsche, the reporters who had been squatting outside the agency swarmed up immediately.

Two years ago, Burning Productions was still a small agency and didn't have a dedicated parking lot; Akina had to park her car in a public parking space and then walk toward the front door amidst the siege of long guns and short cannons.

"Akina-chan, is your romance with Mr. Naoki Nagayama going smoothly?"

"'Love Journey' was requested by Naoki-san to be recorded?" "Does Akina-chan have anything she wants to say to her fans?"

"When recording 'Love Journey', did the travel locations have any special meaning?"

"......."

The continuous questions and the clicking of camera shutters, plus a group of people surrounding the petite Akina, made even the bystanders feel immense pressure.

However, Akina was already used to this situation; she wore sunglasses and walked toward the front door without a word, not accepting interviews... because she knew that as soon as she opened her mouth, she might be trapped by question after question, and then she wouldn't be able to continue moving forward.

Fortunately, at this time, the people at Burning Productions also noticed the situation; Norinori Akifusa hurried over with two staff members, helped Akina separate the crowd, and walked quickly toward the lobby.

Once the glass front door blocked all these reporters outside, Akina Nakamori finally breathed a sigh of relief:

"Akifusa-san, arigato~"

"This is the manager's duty!" Norinori Akifusa replied coolly with a blank face, but he collapsed once he entered the elevator, "Akina-chan, this level of enthusiasm is no less than the official announcement before."

"It looks like the promotion for this new song will definitely go very smoothly~"

Akina Nakamori came to Burning Productions early this morning mainly to discuss the new album; the new song "Tears Are Not Decorations" was already about to undergo pre-release promotion. With her current popularity and exposure, there was no need for the agency to buy any resources from the media!

"Tanaka-san must be very happy~" Akina Nakamori thought in her little head.

Norinori Akifusa, who was beside her, interjected at this time: "Akina-chan, President Hanami ordered earlier that when Akina-chan arrives, she should go to his office first!"

"Hmm? Is there any big news?" Akina Nakamori was puzzled; without anything important, Hiroshi Hanami wouldn't be in such a hurry to find her, "It wouldn't be related to 'Love Journey', would it?"

Norinori Akifusa's mouth twitched; they had just held a communication session about the new contract a while ago, that was the big news, okay?!

"It seems to be about the new contract~"

"Ah... that matter~" Akina Nakamori finally reacted, "Hai, I'll go over right away!"

Led by Norinori Akifusa, the two arrived at the Burning Productions president's office, familiar with the path.

"Hanami-san~ Ohayo~"

Akina Nakamori greeted with a smile, offering a big smile. For this president who had supported and helped her all the way since her debut, Akina was still very respectful.

"Akina-chan, you're here~" Hiroshi Hanami also revealed a smile, "Sit down quickly~"

After all, being able to see a bright and brilliant youthful smile early in the morning was a great enjoyment for a middle-aged man like him; as for shares and such, whatever, he was just a president, and Burning Productions wasn't his!

Akina Nakamori sat obediently on the sofa:

"Hanami-san, why are you in such a hurry to find me?"

"Hmm, regarding the communication about the previous new contract, I have already reported it to Chairman Toshio Nozaki."

Hiroshi Hanami took a document from the desk and handed it to Akina,

"The other terms, including salary and profit sharing, Chairman Nozaki fully agrees with... only one point had a requirement."

He pointed to the highlighted part of the contract: "Chairman Nozaki agrees to give Akina-chan 5% of Burning Productions' shares... but this portion of shares has conditions."

"Within three years, if Akina's performance can consistently account for more than 60% of Burning Productions' total performance, this portion of shares will permanently belong to Akina; if within three years, Akina cannot meet this condition, or if Akina chooses not to renew after the contract expires, this portion of shares will be repurchased by Burning Productions..."

"Regarding this kind of incentive measure, it is very mature; whether for employees or the company, it is a very good guarantee!"

Akina Nakamori listened to Hiroshi Hanami's explanation and looked at the terms in the new contract; the knowledge she had when chatting with Naoki Nagayama about company incentive systems suddenly surfaced:

"This is... company stock options?"

"Eh?"

Hiroshi Hanami was momentarily speechless; he had never thought that Akina Nakamori would actually understand this kind of professional financial knowledge. The girl in front of him was clearly a poor student who hadn't even finished high school!

"That's not wrong either..." Hiroshi Hanami said, "I didn't expect Akina-chan to know this too!"

"Naoki-san mentioned it~"

Akina Nakamori said proudly. Before negotiating the new contract, Naoki Nagayama had carefully popularized the conditions she could propose; regarding incentive practices like company stock options, it was no longer a new thing in Europe and America.

Hiroshi Hanami nodded helplessly; as expected, it was that guy again!!

He was clearly a young man who wasn't very old, and he heard he only graduated from high school, so how could he be so proficient in company management?! This kind of thing was simply not something an ordinary worker should think about!

"Ahem, so does Akina have any opinions?" Hiroshi Hanami asked.

"Hmm... it seems I should go ask Naoki-san again..."

Akina Nakamori said with some hesitation, but she looked up at Hiroshi Hanami opposite her and smiled,

"But Hanami-san would never lie to me! I'll just listen to Hanami-san! I have no problems!"

Looking at Akina Nakamori's bright eyes, Hiroshi Hanami only felt a warmth in his heart; this was a feeling of being trusted! Being trusted like this by someone was a pressure and also a happiness!

For Japanese people who value honor, in the Edo period, such trust was already worth a samurai repaying with his life!

"Hai, then I will arrange for the staff to print out the final contract and find a time to sign it!" Hiroshi Hanami said with a solemn tone, "Akina-chan, in the next three years, I will definitely do my best to escort you!!!"

"Arigato, Hanami-san!"

Akina Nakamori also stood up and bowed seriously... who said Akina didn't understand social etiquette?!

While Akina Nakamori was discussing the signing of the new contract, Naoki Nagayama was not staying at Mount Zhishusangde; he had come to Tree Friend Capital in Ginza again.

"Genta-san... how is the current stock price of Fujitsu General?" Naoki Nagayama was pouring tea for Genta Nakai in his office.

"The stock price has its ups and downs, but it has maintained a very high upward momentum." Genta Nakai was telling Naoki Nagayama about the stock market changes in the recent period.

It had been almost half a month since Fujitsu General announced the merger. During this period, Fujitsu General's stock price had risen by nearly 5 times, which had already made some investors feel scared.

They believed this was the peak of Fujitsu General, so in the past few days, one could see institutions selling at the high point from time to time, causing a short-term drop in the stock price... however, very quickly, retail investors or institutions entered the market, pushing the stock price up again...

During this period, Fujitsu General's turnover rate was very high!

"Five times! That's indeed not small!" Naoki Nagayama laughed; if he didn't know the result, he wouldn't be able to believe that this stock could rise as high as seven times!

This kind of increase was completely a monster stock!

"It should rise to the highest by the end of the year..." Naoki Nagayama said to Genta Nakai, "Genta-san, you can let out the word during the board meeting recently that we are going to throw out the shares in our hands... if other directors are interested, they can come to negotiate..."

"Naoki-san, how much do you expect to sell?"

"No limit, you can trade all of them at most."

Naoki Nagayama said; next May would be the Plaza Accord, and at that time, he could use the change in exchange rates to make a big profit again!

Before that, it was best to get the funds back into his hands...

"By the way... Genta-san, get ready~" Naoki Nagayama said to Genta Nakai, "I am going to negotiate with Kadokawa recently; if it goes smoothly... a portion of these shares will be sold to the Kadokawa Group~"

"Kadokawa Group? Aren't they in the cultural industry..."

"Haha, why do you care? Don't you allow them to develop comprehensively?!" Naoki Nagayama laughed~

"Hai, I will be ready~"

Genta Nakai stopped asking and nodded in agreement.

In the planning office of Burning Productions, Akina Nakamori and the people from the promotion department were communicating about the promotion of the new song.

"'Night Hit' is a must; we will either open or close the show!" Yoshiaki Tanaka set the tone, "The first appearance must be done perfectly!"

"Hai~ We have already communicated with Fuji TV!" Norinori Akifusa said, "According to Akina's current popularity, there is no problem with this!"

Generally speaking, the closing act was always a great senior in the music industry, but Akina Nakamori had just appeared on "Love Journey" and was Fuji TV's big star... so there shouldn't be any problem.

"Is the stage outfit ready?"

Akina Nakamori replied directly: "Hai, it's already finished; there are three options..."

"Yoshi, then let's get ready for rehearsal..."

Yoshiaki Tanaka was very satisfied, because the stage outfits were all made by Akina herself, so there was no issue of the singer being dissatisfied and wanting changes.

Next, in addition to promoting the song on major music shows, there would also be promotion for the new song in other concerts and variety shows...

Approaching the end of the year, Akina Nakamori also had a pile of year-end programs to record; regardless of whether there was exposure, she needed to participate, because these year-end programs were important nodes in the network of relationships in the entertainment industry, which were very important for artists...

For example, that "New Year Star Hidden Skills Competition" had an unclear relationship with Yoshimoto Kogyo... it needed to be rehearsed and recorded a long time in advance...

"Akina-chan, you're going to be busy next!" Yoshiaki Tanaka said to Akina Nakamori.

Akina Nakamori replied with a smile:

"Hai, please take care of me, Tanaka-kun!"

In the evening, Yoshiaki Tanaka was receiving guidance from President Hiroshi Hanami:

"Tanaka-kun, Akina-chan's new contract has been signed; please continue to take care of her~"

"But... Akina-chan's performance accounting for more than 60% of the agency's performance within three years, isn't this condition a bit too difficult?" Yoshiaki Tanaka naturally saw the prerequisite for distributing shares to Akina Nakamori.

In a place like the entertainment industry that changed with each passing day, newcomers were popping up one after another, and female idols were in fierce competition... just like now, there were new forces like Yukiko Okada, the emerging Yasuko Sawaguchi, and so on...

Even Burning Productions had a new year's audition plan to sign several excellent idols from various auditions~

"Tanaka-kun, have confidence in Akina-chan!" Hiroshi Hanami said, "I have never seen infinite possibilities like Akina-chan's in any other idol..."

"This..."

Yoshiaki Tanaka was even a bit puzzled; did Burning Productions want to give Akina these shares, or did they not want to?

"You don't need to have any pressure; just exert your abilities to the fullest and make the promotion of Akina-chan's records the best! After all, shares are another matter; the agency making money is the most important!"

Hiroshi Hanami saw Yoshiaki Tanaka's confusion and gave him a reassurance.

"As for new idols, they naturally need to be discovered!" Hiroshi Hanami was, after all, the president of Burning Productions and was very concerned about the future of Burning Productions, "However, it will still take a lot of time for newcomers to catch up to Akina's level! They won't pose a threat to Akina in the short term~"

"Hai! I understand!"