Chapter 917

The autumn air is crisp, and the sunlight is just right~

Days like this are most suitable for holding large events, sports meets, or film festivals!

Beside Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, outside the NHK Hall, several thousand people had gathered. Both sides of the red carpet road were packed with people, all of whom had come to watch the Tokyo International Film Festival.

If it weren't for the iron railings and the security personnel maintaining order, perhaps even the red carpet would have been crowded.

Cheers, music, salute fire, commentary, pushing, scolding, and sounds from who knows where... the noisy sounds permeated the entire venue, and it was even as bustling as a large market~

"Hurry up! Chunshui-chan!"

Relying on her slender figure, Hezi squeezed forward in the crowd, turning her head from time to time to pull her best friend, Junshui Ishii.

"If we don't hurry, we'll miss Brando!"

"Hezi-chan, don't we have tickets for inside the venue? Why do we have to come to the red carpet side..." Junshui Ishii complained in a low voice after finally squeezing to Hezi's side, "And these are tickets for front-row seats given by Naoki-niichan..."

"There's still distance inside the hall; how can it be as close as the red carpet!"

Hezi always had her reasons. Relying on the squeezing techniques she had practiced on the peak-hour subway, she protected herself while quickly shifting to the side of the iron railing, and incidentally pulled Junshui Ishii over as well.

The people who had originally been squeezed away couldn't say much when they saw two young and beautiful girls... They grumbled a few words and squeezed to the side... Anyway, right now, it was either you squeeze me or I squeeze you...

"He shouldn't have arrived yet, right!" Hezi wiped the fine beads of sweat on her forehead with her sleeve and then looked out at the red carpet, "Marlon Brando!"

The red carpet road was still relatively empty, with more media reporters waiting in the wings on the side. They needed to interview the stars walking the red carpet to facilitate promotion... These people carried media passes and were official personnel of the Tokyo Film Festival.

"It's still early; the opening ceremony has just begun. Who knows when he'll arrive!"

Junshui Ishii complained, holding a compact Sony camera in her hand. This was high-end gear... Hezi had specifically borrowed it from Naoki Nagayama, and handing it to Junshui Ishii was because she wanted to take a photo of herself with her idol...

"It doesn't matter, looking at other stars is also quite nice!" Hezi didn't mind, "When Chunshui-chan sees your idol, I'll help you take a photo too!"

"Hai~"

The two were whispering almost ear-to-ear because the noise nearby was indeed a bit loud, and the clamor made it impossible to hear clearly.

Just at this moment, the crowd in front suddenly became boisterous because a Toyota Century had stopped at the entrance, and then two eye-catching figures stepped out from the back seat...

Naoki Nagayama, in a well-fitting black suit with a bowtie and hair gelled back, looked like a handsome young heartthrob, and the one who had been holding his arm since getting out of the car was, naturally, Akina Nakamori!

Wearing a pure white spaghetti-strap evening gown, Akina had her hair in a mature, elegant updo. The makeup on her face was not heavy or flashy, but rather light, which made her look even more dignified...

The pearl earrings on her ears complemented her snow-white skin, and combined with the white gown on her slim figure and high heels, she looked as noble and elegant as a white pearl~

One was a top-tier idol, the other was a famous director and writer, and he was also the initiator of the Tokyo International Film Festival... The appearance of these two on the red carpet naturally attracted the attention of the reporters and fans at the scene, like a bomb exploding in water, and the surging noise spread rapidly from the entrance to the end of the red carpet~

As the two walked along, the sound of shutters clicking, the white light of flashes, the cheers of the crowd, and the enthusiastic calls of fans... seemed to follow them the whole way~

"Naoki-san, look here!" "Akina-chan, smile!" "Come this way..." "Come over a bit more~" "......"

"Hezi, it's Naoki-niichan!" Junshui Ishii shook Hezi's arm excitedly in the crowd, shouting excitedly, "He came with Akina-chan! So handsome! So beautiful! Ah!!!"

"Hai hai hai~ I know it's Niichan!" Hezi looked helplessly at her best friend acting crazy, while still putting on a brave front, "It's not like we haven't seen him before! Chunshui-chan, calm down!"

"Ah~~~ Naoki-niichan is so handsome! Akina-chan's gown is also so good-looking! The pearl earrings are also so good-looking!"

Junshui Ishii had excellent eyesight and saw the figures of the two walking over from afar, so she hurriedly handed the camera to Hezi,

"They're coming over! Quick, Hezi, help me take a photo later!"

"......." Hezi felt even more helpless~

When Naoki Nagayama and the Akina Nakamori he was holding walked nearby, Junshui Ishii hurriedly waved her arms:

"Naoki-san! Akina-chan! Here, here!!! Look here quickly!"

Naoki Nagayama had been walking slowly to let the media on both sides of the red carpet take photos... At this moment, he naturally saw Junshui Ishii waving and his own sister standing there foolishly holding a camera, so he took two steps and walked over to their side...

Akina Nakamori smiled and waved at the two, while Naoki Nagayama beside her asked,

"Why are you two here?" "Don't you have tickets for inside?"

"Hezi wants to take a photo with Brando!" Hezi didn't answer out of embarrassment, while Junshui Ishii smiled and said, "I want to take a photo with Naoki-san and Akina-chan!!! Is that okay?!"

Naoki Nagayama looked at his sister holding the camera, shrugged his shoulders, and looked at Akina~

And Akina Nakamori naturally nodded happily:

"Of course!"

Saying this, the two bent down slightly and stood with Junshui Ishii across the iron railing, letting Hezi help take the photo... After this was done, Akina walked to the other side and held Hezi's arm, pulling Naoki Nagayama to the other side to let Junshui help take a photo...

This made the other fans next to the two girls extremely envious, and they also shouted loudly, wanting to take photos with Akina Nakamori and Naoki Nagayama...

However, to them, the two could only express their apologies, then smiled and waved as they headed toward the inside of the venue... There were still media interviews waiting there!

After walking to the interview area, a reporter's microphone was thrust over:

"Naoki-san, please wait a moment!"

"Hai?"

"May I ask, you and Ms. Akina Nakamori are likely the first batch of guests to arrive today. Why are you so early?!"

"Because..." Naoki Nagayama said helplessly, "I am the organizer... I have to receive the people attending later!"

"......"

It was actually the most legitimate reason... Instantly, the reporter felt that the question was a waste!

He hurriedly changed direction and asked Akina Nakamori: "Akina-chan, Akina-chan... today's look is so beautiful!!!"

"Arigato~" Akina pursed her lips and smiled with dignity to express her gratitude.

"May I ask if this look was specifically created for the Tokyo International Film Festival?! It's also the first time I've seen a white spaghetti-strap gown!"

"Hai, it is indeed the first time it has appeared..." Akina Nakamori nodded, "Because it's the first time attending this kind of international film festival, I wanted to be as formal and steady as possible..."

"You look like a white pearl!"

"Arigato~"

"......"

The two walked the red carpet, which was less than a hundred meters long, for nearly ten minutes... It wasn't until the next wave of star guests arrived that Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori entered the NHK Hall and went into the main venue.

"Akina, you go to your seat first... I have to help receive guests..."

Naoki Nagayama saw Shuichi Yin Tang and Otomo Yoshimura, and Haruki Kadokawa was also at the entrance... Although the opening ceremony had a professional etiquette company and ushers to help guide people, as the organizers, Shuyou and Kadokawa still had to show an attitude!

"Hai, Naoki-san, go ahead and get busy~"

Akina Nakamori didn't say much and went straight to her seat... After all, this wasn't a private social occasion, and she wasn't part of the organizing team. Even as his fiancée, she was just one of the guests for now.

Watching Akina head toward the front-row seats, Naoki Nagayama then strode toward Shuichi Yin Tang and the others, and together they began to welcome the various guests...

As time passed, more and more guests began to arrive, and upon seeing the few people here, they would all come over to say hello.

"Yuko-san, you've arrived!"

Seeing that it was Yuko Tanaka, Naoki Nagayama immediately welcomed her.

"Naoki-san's event, how could I not come!" Yuko Tanaka was also in an evening gown; she had come with Ken Takakura, and the two had co-starred in "Yasha."

At this time, Ken Takakura had finished greeting Haruki Kadokawa...

"Mr. Ken Takakura, welcome~" Naoki Nagayama shook hands with Ken Takakura to greet him, "Please take care of me~"

"Not at all!" Ken Takakura laughed, "In the future, please take care of me, Naoki-san~"

After sending off this group, the next one was an acquaintance, Mieko Harada...

"Mieko-san, long time no see~"

Mieko Harada had a cheerful smile on her face: "Naoki-san doesn't give me a chance to collaborate, so of course it's been a long time since we've seen each other~"

"Haha, there will be many opportunities for collaboration in the future..."

"......"

"Matsuzaka-san... welcome to the film festival~" The beautiful mature woman in front of him was Keiko Matsuzaka... they had only met a few times~

"Naoki-san, you are indeed full of spirit, very handsome!"

"Not at all~"

"......"

Just like this, one guest after another who came to the film festival exchanged pleasantries with the few of them before walking into the venue... Even for foreign star guests, Naoki Nagayama could say a few words, as he was now a high-end talent who could speak four languages!

Just when Naoki Nagayama was getting a bit overwhelmed, a voice suddenly sounded beside him.

"Naoki-san!"

Naoki Nagayama saw an acquaintance, Kanako Higuchi, still wearing her black veil style... There was a hint of resentment in her eyes, full of the charm of a Japanese beauty~

"Kanako-san~ Long time no see... Welcome to attend the Tokyo International Film Festival..."

"Naoki-san has truly organized such a huge event!"

Kanako Higuchi had been filming recently, and it had been a long time since she had seen Naoki Nagayama. Seeing the massive scale of the Tokyo International Film Festival, she found it almost unbelievable.

"Haha, this is all thanks to everyone in the entertainment industry showing their support!" Naoki Nagayama exchanged a few polite words and then sent Kanako Higuchi into the entrance.

When he returned to his original position, the other few people were looking at him with strange expressions...

"Tsk tsk tsk, Naoki-san... you are indeed very popular with girls~"

"? Ha?" Naoki Nagayama was puzzled, "I'm just welcoming guests like you all!"

"Hehe~" Haruki Kadokawa laughed, "Naoki-san, haven't you noticed? Every female star or female artist definitely greets you first!"

Shuichi Yin Tang added: "And the time spent chatting with Naoki-san is much longer than with the rest of us!"

Otomo Yoshimura delivered the final blow, "In the end, it's always Naoki-san who sends them in..."

"....."

Naoki Nagayama was unable to refute for a moment...

Just at this moment, huge cheers erupted at the entrance again, and the few of them looked out in unison:

"Looks like it's some big star!" "Who could it be?" "Sayuri Yoshinaga?" "I don't think so... so many girls cheering..." "Some male idol?" "......"

Just as the few were guessing, they saw a figure in a white suit slowly walk to the entrance hall of NHK, and even turn around to wave at the fans outside...

"So it's Jackie Chan!" Haruki Kadokawa exclaimed, "That's no wonder!"

The other two also nodded one after another... In this era, Jackie Chan's fame in Japan was extraordinary! Even local stars might not be able to compare~

Naoki Nagayama naturally knew Jackie Chan; one could say he was very familiar with him... It was just that Jackie Chan had no connection with him now, and this was their first meeting!

"Welcome, Jackie!" Haruki Kadokawa clearly knew Jackie Chan and, knowing he didn't speak Japanese, stepped forward to greet him directly in English.

"Thank you!" Jackie Chan gave Haruki Kadokawa a hug very enthusiastically.

Knowing that Jackie Chan didn't know the others, Haruki Kadokawa helped introduce them:

"These few are the organizers of the Tokyo International Film Festival. This is Department Head Otomo Yoshimura..." "This is Director Shuichi Yin Tang..." "This is Director Naoki Nagayama..."

Jackie Chan in this era was already a bona fide international superstar, with connections in various countries, and due to his personality, he loved making friends with people...

Although he couldn't remember their Japanese names, Jackie Chan still had a smile on his face and greeted the few people in Japanese:

"Nice to meet you, please take care of me..."

"This gentleman, please take care of me..."

When it came to Naoki Nagayama, Jackie Chan shook Naoki Nagayama's hand and greeted him in broken Japanese, but Naoki Nagayama laughed and spoke directly in Chinese:

"Just call me Naoki Nagayama... Big Brother Jackie, did you come alone this time? Why didn't you bring an interpreter?"

"The interpreter couldn't walk the red carpet, they came from the side..."

Jackie Chan answered subconsciously, then looked at Naoki Nagayama with a face full of surprise; he had just subconsciously thought he was talking to a Chinese person.

"You... can speak Mandarin?"

"Hmm, I can speak a little Cantonese too..." Naoki Nagayama laughed, "But I'm not very fluent..."

"Are you an overseas Chinese?"

Jackie Chan couldn't believe it because Naoki Nagayama's Mandarin was simply like that of a native Chinese person, no different from those he met in the country, without a single Japanese accent!

"Haha, no..." Naoki Nagayama laughed, "Maybe I was Chinese in my past life~"

"...... Your Mandarin is too authentic......" Jackie Chan became even more enthusiastic. After coming to Japan, due to the language barrier, he mostly spoke with his entourage and hadn't chatted with locals, "Let's have a good chat later!"

"Haha, Big Brother Jackie, shall we go out for a meal together after the film festival ends?" Naoki Nagayama said.

"Sure!! But let's skip the Japanese food; it's been Japanese food these past few days..."

"I know an authentic Sichuan hot pot place!"

"That's great~"

"......"

Just like that, while chatting, they sent Jackie Chan into the inside of the venue...

The other three people watched Naoki Nagayama and Jackie Chan communicating familiarly in Mandarin, and all of them opened their eyes wide...

Haruki Kadokawa nudged Otomo Yoshimura with his elbow:

"Your Naoki, how come his Chinese is so good?"

"..... Naoki-san...." Otomo Yoshimura knew Naoki Nagayama could speak Chinese, but he didn't expect it to be so proficient, but he couldn't show weakness at this time, "He's a genius! What's the big deal about speaking Chinese... He even speaks German! Oh, and was it Italian or Spanish..."

"...... Japanese, English, Chinese, German, Italian....."

Haruki Kadokawa clicked his tongue; five languages...

"With these conditions... it's a pity not to be an interpreter!!"

"......."