Chapter 96: You're over forty, yet you're still spouting nonsense about dreams—don't you feel ashamed?

"Otomo-san, are you still at the Starlight Agency?"

"Well, I left a while ago."

"Eh? You just walked away from a company you'd worked at for over twenty years?"

"Ha, the world changes, who can say for sure? After working for a photo magazine for so many years, I wanted to try a different lifestyle." Yoshimura Otomo took a sip of his drink. "Hasn't Haruki-san started making movies, too?"

"Hahaha, that's true. Doing one thing for too long gets tiresome; you always have to look for something fresh."

The pleasantries between old friends ended there.

Kadokawa Haruki had started making movies about five years ago, and Kadokawa Pictures already had famous films under its belt, such as *The Inugami Family*, *Proof of the Man*, *Proof of the Wild*, and *G. I. Samurai*.

However, compared to old-school production companies like Toho and Toei, Kadokawa was still an "upstart" in the film circle, lacking the heritage and truly groundbreaking works.

"Otomo-san, it's surprising that you suddenly shot a movie."

"Hai, I really didn't expect it either. It was originally just a short film made as a joke, but it ended up being edited into a feature film like this."

"I haven't heard of the directors, Shuichi Ito and Naoki Nagayama. Are they newcomers?"

"You could say that. Shuichi-san was originally an advertising director, and Naoki-san is an actor. Later, a few of us formed a small team called Tree Friend Films."

As Yoshimura Otomo spoke of them, the smile on his face never faded. "Haruki-san, have you heard of *Tales of the Unusual*?"

"Eh? That seems to be a late-night program? I've heard the twists are quite interesting." Kadokawa Haruki seemed to have heard people mention it, but as a flamboyant company president, he usually had many activities late at night and generally didn't watch late-night shows.

He had many things to worry about in his daily life; he might have only known the name of the show when subordinates reported on television station trends.

This meeting to discuss distribution for the new film only required a department head to show up.

It was only when the subordinate film production team mentioned Yoshimura Otomo's name during their report that Kadokawa Haruki's interest was piqued.

"Haha, that's something our Tree Friend Films created~"

"Oh? You already have a well-known program on television? That's incredible~"

Kadokawa Haruki and Yoshimura Otomo clinked glasses again. "When I heard Otomo-san's name, I couldn't quite believe it. Now I know that Otomo-san has already made a name for himself in the entertainment industry~"

This statement was clearly an exaggeration, but it was just praise for an old friend.

"Haruki-san, you flatter me. We are just a small team that was recently established. Compared to a big company like Kadokawa, we are like heaven and earth."

"Don't say that. Isn't Kadokawa Pictures talking about cooperation with your Tree Friend Films right now~" Kadokawa Haruki had watched the preview tape. He didn't have much to say about the quality of *Paranormal Activity*—it was just average—but this format was truly unique.

Having already planned to enter the film industry and even directing films himself, he was well-versed in the latest film trends from various countries. This kind of found-footage horror film was groundbreaking and would surely shine brightly in the future.

If he could get the film into his own pocket, he would have a signature work in the horror genre.

"Otomo-san, I won't beat around the bush with you. We at Kadokawa Pictures want to break into the film and television circle, and we hope to bring a groundbreaking film like *Paranormal Activity* under our wing."

Yoshimura Otomo also became serious. "Haruki-san, we also hope to be under the wings of a big company, but I wonder what the conditions for Kadokawa Pictures are?"

"It's simple: Tree Friend Films can be merged into Kadokawa Pictures, and the film will carry the Kadokawa logo. Of course, the director and the rest of the staff will remain the same. Kadokawa Pictures will be responsible for the full-line promotion and distribution of *Paranormal Activity*, with a 20/80 box office split."

Kadokawa Haruki said it very lightly, but his words were firm.

After hearing this, Yoshimura Otomo drank a glass of wine in silence.

In fact, these conditions weren't too harsh. Many start-up companies were acquired by big companies in this way, and a 20/80 split wasn't unacceptable, after all, the film basically cost nothing to make.

But...

"Sumimasen, Haruki-san, we probably cannot agree to the merger conditions."

"Eh? Otomo-san, don't you need to discuss this with the others? A split like this is a significant profit."

"Haruki-san, it's not that we are dissatisfied with the split, but we cannot agree to the merger itself." Yoshimura Otomo continued, "I believe the others feel the same way."

"As far as I know, Tree Friend Films is just a shell company, right?" Kadokawa Haruki was a bit puzzled. Weren't companies like this something you could build hundreds of without any effort?

"Hai, it's just a shell company with only three people." Yoshimura Otomo admitted. "But this company is the dream of us few! It's a company that carries the ambition of Shuichi-san becoming a great director, Naoki-san becoming a great tycoon, and me becoming a great president!"

"We were forced to sell it once when we were managing the Wild Cat Girl Group, and later we sold it semi-voluntarily when we were producing *Tales of the Unusual*."

"Once or twice is understandable, but if it happens a third time, wouldn't the so-called dream become a joke?"

Kadokawa Haruki hadn't expected this. Could a middle-aged man who had been fighting in society for so many years still have such naive thoughts?

But after hearing him say that, why was he suddenly a bit moved?

"Otomo-san, you're over forty, yet you're still spouting nonsense about ideals—don't you feel ashamed?"

"...... Urusai! Kono yaro!" Then he muttered something about "What's the difference between a person without dreams and a salted fish?" and "Men are children until they die," which made Kadokawa Haruki laugh.

"Hahaha, hearing Otomo-san say that, I feel a long-lost sense of emotion."

Kadokawa Haruki was also a man with dreams; otherwise, he wouldn't have left his successful publishing business to venture into the film circle.

"How about this, Otomo-san: no merger, how about Kadokawa Pictures takes a stake?"

Kadokawa Haruki was a man who did things according to his own whims, and Kadokawa Shoten had the capital to let him do as he pleased.

"A 30/70 split. There are three of you in total. If Kadokawa takes a stake, we need at least 25% equity! Haha, consider it me investing in your dreams~"

"Is that so~"

Yoshimura Otomo began to think seriously this time.

If Kadokawa took a stake, whether it was the connections behind it or the capital,

it would be a huge temptation for a start-up company.

Even if they held 25% of the shares, they would still have 75% on their side, still retaining controlling interest.

"Haruki-san, regarding this point, I might need to discuss it with the others. I can't give you an answer for now."

Since he had already said that, it was basically a done deal.

"Hahaha, you really should think about it carefully. You have to be cautious about dreams, Otomo-san~"

"Kuso, you're not going to let this joke go, are you!"

Kadokawa Haruki and Yoshimura Otomo put work aside and continued to drink. ===== CHAPTER 97 =====

Haruki Kadokawa and Otomo Yoshimura then set aside their work and continued drinking.