Chapter 757

Major events are generally held when the weather is good. Although the FNS Music Festival is indoors, today's weather is still pleasant and sunny, with a crisp autumn feeling.

The event is from the afternoon to the evening, so in the morning, Naoki Nagayama and Akina still went to do their own things separately.

Naoki Nagayama drove to the Dream Factory in Ota Ward. "Crows Zero 2" had already wrapped filming, but "Ringu 2" was already in production~

"The popularity here seems to have dropped a lot~"

At the factory entrance, Naoki Nagayama said to Kijima Xu beside him. Of the snack stalls originally at the factory entrance, only a few remained.

"Because there were so many actors for 'Crows Zero 2'..... there are far fewer for the current movie."

"Ringu 2" itself only has that many characters, so naturally, there won't be many people consuming there.

"When several movies and TV dramas are produced here together in the future, the popularity will naturally rise again~" Naoki Nagayama smiled, looking at this film and television base that was gradually taking shape with great confidence.

Once the sets are more complete, maybe he can even open it up to other small film companies or independent directors~

Naoki Nagayama knew the plot of the original "Ringu 2: The Spiral," which linked Sadako's appearance to the smallpox virus and such, and then put on a scientific veneer, wanting to create some kind of biochemical ascension-like direction......

But this sequel was considered by the audience to be a purely idiotic work, its reputation collapsed, and it almost completely ruined the big IP that was Ringu!

So Naoki Nagayama naturally chose "Ringu: Sadako's Curse," this later work!

Arriving at the set serving as the hospital, this would continue the plot of the first Ringu. After Ryuji Takayama and Reiko Asakawa find Sadako's corpse, the police bring Sadako's cousin, Takashi Yamamura from Izu Oshima, to identify the body!

The police inform Takashi Yamamura that, according to the forensic examination, these remains had only died about a year or two ago......

In the morgue, Sadako Yamamura's corpse was covered with a white sheet. Takashi Yamamura had originally told the police that he only remembered what Sadako looked like as a child, and that there was no need to lift the sheet.

Suddenly, Takashi Yamamura saw black hair spreading out from under the sheet covering the corpse. From beneath the skeleton, thick, long black hair slowly extended, like continuously spreading vines, almost reaching the floor, and it was still growing!

This scene almost caused Takashi Yamamura's heart to stop, but in the blink of an eye, it disappeared again...... A hallucination?

"Anyway, cremate it immediately. The ceremony doesn't matter!" Takashi Yamamura just wanted to resolve this matter as soon as possible.

However, the police insisted on finding out the specific information about the corpse.....

Naoki Nagayama watched the performances of the veteran actors and sighed with emotion. As expected, these scenes of sudden shock really test the skills of veteran actors!

"Naoki-san?" Shuichi Ido looked at Naoki Nagayama. "How is this opening?"

"Morgue, corpse, supernatural..... a little scary, but not that scary..... very attractive~"

Naoki Nagayama said. In this movie, there aren't many classic jump-scares, but under the thrilling atmosphere, everything will be very scary to watch!

And the more scared you are, the more you want to keep watching.....

"The hospital scenes, and the forensic office, need to use clay to reconstruct Sadako's appearance based on the skeleton....."

Shuichi Ido said this, directing all the personnel to relocate..... In fact, the office was just in the room next door~

The main indoor sets for the whole movie were the hospital, the news editorial office, and Sadako Yamamura's old house....... These scenes were all concentrated in the Dream Factory, making the crew's filming very smooth.

"When does Yuko-san's part start?" Naoki Nagayama asked.

"Probably the day after tomorrow....." Shuichi Ido said. "That's when we'll film her scenes with Yoichi!"

"Yoichi....."

"Yeah, Yoichi-kun, still played by Naohito Fujiki. His gloomy feeling is very suitable for horror movies...." Shuichi Ido said.

"......."

Sigh, he was originally filming a comedy, now he's filming a horror movie....... won't he break character~

But these aren't things Naoki Nagayama needs to consider. This time he's just the screenwriter; it mainly depends on Shuichi-san.

In the Dream Factory in Ota Ward, Naoki Nagayama inspected it for a while, then took Kijima Xu and headed toward the studio together.

"Kijima-kun, the set construction is already finished, there's nothing for you to do over there anymore." Naoki Nagayama said to Kijima Xu beside him. "Next, you need to put your focus on your own project~"

"Hai!" Kijima Xu replied with some excitement. "Naoki-san, for the production of 'Love Generation,' I've already drawn almost all the storyboards!"

"...... All of them?" Naoki Nagayama asked, not believing it.

"Hai, the main plot and the general scenes!" Kijima Xu said. "I even have backups for the filming locations!"

"This....."

Naoki Nagayama felt that his little brother still had potential in other areas, like drawing manga or something...... Should he pull him into the animation project next year?

"But in terms of actors...... since it's an urban youth romance drama." Kijima Xu said. "For the female lead, I think Momoko Kikuchi is very suitable, but for the male lead, it's best to use a handsome young actor....."

"......" Naoki Nagayama was about to nod, but saw Kijima Xu's gaze. "Why are you looking at me?!"

"Hehehe.... Naoki-san, would you like to....."

"No!!"

Naoki Nagayama flatly refused. Since he didn't want to develop a career as an actor, he should do less of this stuff—falling in love with beautiful actresses in TV dramas!

He is also a hot-blooded young man; being in close contact with beautiful girls all day, what if something happens.....

"Don't even think about it!" Naoki Nagayama reinforced his tone and said again. "Is there really no other suitable male artist in the entertainment industry?"

"If we're talking about the most famous ones, only those popular idols from Johnny's are a bit suitable, like Masahiko Kondo, Toshihiko Tahara...."

Speaking of this, Kijima Xu paused. All the old employees of Tree Friend know that Naoki-san seems to really dislike Masahiko Kondo......

He heard Shuichi-san mention in conversation that it seemed like shortly after Masahiko Kondo debuted, he snatched an advertisement from Naoki-san, and then had a conflict with Naoki Nagayama.....

So now, all of Tree Friend's movie, TV, and even variety projects, like the very popular music show "Music Station," do not allow Masahiko Kondo to participate.

This led to Toshihiko Tahara, who originally had similar fame to him, surpassing him, and the remaining juniors, Shonentai, are starting to catch up to Masahiko Kondo's fame~

The thought flashed by, and Kijima Xu continued: "Perhaps we can also look for someone from Shonentai......"

But Naoki Nagayama felt that these people were fine for playing a pretty boy, but they were still a bit lacking for playing a mature and charming urban wanderer.....

"How about Hideki Saijo?" Naoki Nagayama suddenly asked.

"Hmm? Hideki Saijo?" Kijima Xu was surprised. "As for him...... Saijo-san seems to be transitioning recently....."

"Ha, transitioning or whatever, isn't it just that he has no choice when facing the rising juniors~" Naoki Nagayama laughed. "You can try contacting him. Tree Friend's projects are a rare good opportunity in the industry now...."

"Hai! I understand!"

Kijima Xu also agreed. Come to think of it, Hideki Saijo was his idol when he was in school!

Chatting about "Love Generation" while driving, they soon arrived at Tree Friend's studio~

"Naoki-san?"

The receptionist, Kahana Hoshi, was very surprised. It was almost noon, and Naoki Nagayama actually came at this time.

"Hana-chan~" Naoki Nagayama nodded. "Is Otomo-san here?"

"Hai, he is!"

"Hmm....."

Naoki Nagayama walked inside with Kijima Xu, leaving the receptionist, Yukika Suzuki, feeling a bit strange:

"Hana-chan, did Naoki-san just bring a stranger inside?"

"A stranger?" Kahana Hoshi then carefully recalled. "Ah, that's Kijima Xu-san...... I didn't notice just now."

"Kijima Xu?"

"Hmm..... he is....." Kahana Hoshi suddenly got stuck here. "Eh? What does Kijima-san do again?"

"......"

Naoki Nagayama was about to reach the office. Looking back, Kijima Xu was wearing a jacket, covering his gold Rolex tightly.......

"Kijima-kun, you go and prepare for the meeting with Hideki Saijo first. I'll have Otomo-san help contact him later~" Naoki Nagayama said, then instructed, "When you meet, roll up your sleeves, otherwise Hideki Saijo might not remember you....."

"......" Kijima Xu was silent for a moment. "Hai, I understand!"

"Otomo-san! Help me get a spot for the FNS Music Festival!"

Seeing Tomo Yoshimura in the office, Naoki Nagayama's first words were a straightforward request.

"?"

Tomo Yoshimura looked at Naoki Nagayama in front of him, question marks rising over his head.

"Naoki-san, what are you trying to do again......"

"Just purely to watch the fun!" Naoki Nagayama sat down with a smile. "I'm not going to do anything bad...."

"Oh?"

Tomo Yoshimura lowered his head and continued to look at the materials in his hand.

"I remember...... the FNS Music Festival is this afternoon, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, the preliminaries!"

"Then why are you only saying it now?" Tomo Yoshimura rolled his eyes helplessly. "Everyone else's seats are already arranged....."

"This.... I just thought of it now~" Naoki Nagayama continued to smile apologetically. "Otomo-san is so capable, you'll definitely have a way!"

"......."

Come to think of it, this really isn't a big deal, but Tomo Yoshimura was still a bit curious.

"Naoki-san usually doesn't like to participate in these activities....... This time you want to go..... Oh, so it's because Akina Nakamori-san is also participating!"

With age comes wisdom; he immediately thought of the reason.

"Haha, yeah..... I only found out last night." Naoki Nagayama didn't mean to hide it. "And the Kohaku Uta Gassen this year, I also want to go and watch it on-site~"

Others go to participate in these activities either for exposure or for socializing, while his own president goes just to watch his girlfriend's performance...... He really is rich and willful!

But thinking of the agreement signed yesterday, he earned 30 billion just like that, and there's another half a year before he has to sell...... He really does have the conditions to be willful!

Tomo Yoshimura sighed:

"...... Alright~ I'll make a few calls....."

"Hai, arigatou!"

Having solved this problem, Naoki Nagayama also set his mind at ease and chatted with Tomo Yoshimura about other daily matters.

Seeing that it was almost lunchtime, the two went to have a simple lunch together again.....

In the afternoon, Naoki Nagayama drove his Toyota Century to the Akane Hall in Tokyo.

In the huge venue, the staff were still doing the final pre-recording adjustments. The colorful and gorgeous stage had already warmed up in advance, waiting to perform together with the contestants.

"Naoki-san?" Just as Naoki Nagayama was peeking, a call came from the side.

"Hmm?"

Naoki Nagayama turned his head. It was actually Chikako Aoyama in casual clothes, and then there was Junko Ito......

Ah, right, the two of them are the most outstanding female idols under Tree Friend; naturally, they have the opportunity to participate in the FNS Music Festival.

"Chikako-chan, and Junko-chan, you're here!" Naoki Nagayama greeted them.

"Is Naoki-san here to watch us compete?" Chikako Aoyama asked very happily.

"Uh......"

Everyone who works at Tree Friend knows that Naoki Nagayama's attention to the idols under him is very low. Except for when they debut and the end-of-month reports, he basically doesn't pay much attention to the development of idol artists, let alone cheering them on on-site.

However, being looked at so expectantly by Chikako Aoyama, Naoki Nagayama felt a little ashamed in his heart...... As the boss of a talent agency, his concern for the artists under him is really too little!

Junko Ito had experienced the long tempering of the entertainment industry and had long since become a seasoned veteran. Seeing Naoki Nagayama's slightly awkward gaze, she knew he wasn't here for them, so she grabbed Chikako Aoyama's arm and said with a smile:

"Haha, Chikako-chan, Naoki-san must have received an invitation to come over~"

"I see~" Chikako Aoyama was a little disappointed to know he wasn't here specifically to cheer them on, but still asked, "Is Naoki-san a presenter?"

"Of course not, I'm just here to observe~"

Naoki Nagayama changed the subject.

"Neither of you has changed into your performance outfits?"

"The official start is in the evening. We have to go through it one last time now, so we're dressed very simply...." Junko Ito explained.

"I see...." Naoki Nagayama nodded and could only say to them, "Ganbatte! You will definitely win the grand prize this time!"

"Haha, I'll take Naoki-san's good words~"

In the process of walking and chatting, led by Chikako Aoyama and Junko Ito, Naoki Nagayama arrived at the rest area for the participating artists.

Naoki Nagayama saw more and more familiar faces: Seiko Matsuda, Naoko Ken, Toshihiko Tahara, Mari Yoshimura, etc. He greeted those he knew and exchanged a few pleasantries, and nodded to those he recognized...... Naoki Nagayama blended into this big pool like a drop of water.

"The FNS Music Festival is worthy of being one of the three major year-end programs!" Naoki Nagayama sighed. "Almost all the popular idols have come~"

"Yeah..... there are a lot of acquaintances~" Junko Ito said, then pulled Chikako Aoyama toward their public lounge. "Naoki-san, we have to go prepare, so we won't accompany you anymore~"

"Ah, okay~"

Naoki Nagayama didn't mind and walked toward the lounge inside.

"Junko-chan, you just threw Naoki-san aside like that!" After entering the public lounge, Chikako Aoyama pulled Junko Ito and asked.

"Chikako-chan... don't pin your hopes on Naoki-san~" Junko Ito tapped Chikako Aoyama's forehead like a big sister. "It's obvious Naoki-san is here to visit Akina Nakamori~"

"....... Eh?"

Chikako Aoyama, who had always harbored fantasies about Naoki Nagayama, felt a bit bitter in her mouth. Her own artist doesn't come to see her, but goes to see another idol...... Sure enough, the grass is always greener on the other side......

Junko Ito leaned over and added another sentence:

"I heard that Naoki-san and Akina Nakamori are already living together!"

"!!!"

Chikako Aoyama looked at Junko Ito in astonishment.

"Hontou?!"

"Yeah, heard it from Otomo-san~"

There are no secrets in the entertainment industry, not to mention that more than one person knows that Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori are living together, but Chikako Aoyama was even more heartbroken...... The hope had diminished by another fraction~

Now, she can only hope that they don't get along while living together, break up before marriage, or have problems after marriage....... Only then would she, Chikako Aoyama, have a chance to move up!

Counting it up, there are still three chances!

On the other side, Naoki Nagayama slowly found Akina Nakamori's lounge. Based on her current status, even at the FNS Music Festival, she had her own separate lounge.

There was no manager guarding the door this time; the lounge door just had "Akina Nakamori-sama's Dressing Room" written on a whiteboard.

Naoki Nagayama knocked on the door and heard a sweet voice:

"Please come in~"

Pushing open the door, it was a small Japanese-style room, divided into two parts: one was a vanity, and the other side was a rest area with a sofa and TV, and there was even a washbasin.....

"Naoki-san!"

Akina Nakamori, who hadn't finished her makeup, was bare-faced and tying her hair with a towel. After seeing Naoki Nagayama enter, she was surprised first, and then a smile appeared on her face.

"Why did Naoki-san come over so early?"

"Because I wanted to see Akina earlier~" Naoki Nagayama answered with a smile, then looked at this lounge with great curiosity. "Are the lounges now this luxurious?"

"Ah..... this lounge....." Akina Nakamori said. "It was hard to coordinate to get one~"

A star's lounge depends on their status on one hand, and on the other hand, whether the agency will fight for it with all its might...... Akina, who signed a new contract, is currently a shareholder with shares held by Burning Productions, so naturally, her treatment is different from before.

Naoki Nagayama sat aside and watched Akina apply makeup:

"Did you start applying makeup so early?"

"Because it's a new makeup look...... it takes a long time to adjust...."

But generally, girls take half an hour to an hour to apply makeup when going out. As a public figure, the makeup time naturally has to be refined to perfection......

"Naoki-san can rest on the sofa~"

Akina Nakamori said, then began to brush her face with a small brush. Nothing had changed on her fair cheeks.....

But Naoki Nagayama didn't go over, but instead started chatting:

"Purple lipstick....."

"Matches today's performance outfit..... golden~"

On the clothes rack next to her was a golden puffy dress. The songs selected this time were still "Jikkai" and "Kita Wing"..... so she was still using the previous performance outfit.

"Doesn't Akina have a dedicated makeup artist?"

"For things like makeup, it's better to do it yourself~" Akina Nakamori said confidently.

Japanese girls start applying makeup after middle school...... Even if Akina doesn't apply much makeup, after being an idol for several years, she is also very proficient in this way!

In the slow chat, Naoki Nagayama watched Akina's face slowly change from a clean, white, bare face to a gorgeous, heavy makeup look. Her bright eyes and pupils were sparkling, especially the purple lipstick, which shimmered with iridescent light under the lights, like an unreal fantasy~

This is the idol artist who stands on the stage!

"Akina, come, let Uncle kiss you!"

"Naoki-san! This is the lounge......" Akina Nakamori said coyly. "You can't do that!"

"Just a simple kiss~"

"Dame!"