wavenovel Chapter 1245, 1254, Is rock and roll really such a rigid thing?!
Chapter 1245, 1254, Is rock and roll really such a rigid thing?!
Chapter 1245, 1254, Is rock and roll really such a rigid thing?!
Because he wanted to finish writing the novel earlier, Naoki Nagayama went straight to his study after getting up in the morning.
Akina saw this but remained silent and did not stop it. Rather, she smiled slightly and offered encouragement, even thoughtfully bringing him drinks and snacks, which made Naoki Nagayama even more worried.
"What if I don't receive a novel on my birthday?! Will I be in big trouble?!"
While eating the crispy baked cookies, Naoki Nagayama fell into deep thought.
"So why not just write another short story with positive messages? A piece of writing?"
"Love poems and haiku are both original and meaningful~"
Next, Naoki Nagayama said some things like "a small gift carries great meaning" and "a light gift carries profound sentiments," which helped him hypnotize himself, and he even felt that writing poetry was a very characteristic of a writer.
So I started racking my brains trying to think of any memorable quotes I could borrow.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Akina was happily with Natsuka, not even getting angry or stopping her daughter from putting her hand into the dog's mouth several times.
I saw it in the nonaka-maru room where they were cleaning, and asked with a smile:
"Akina-chan seems to be in a good mood today. Is something good happening?"
"Not yet, but maybe it will be available in a few days!" Akina replied somewhat strangely. "Anyway, we should maintain a sense of anticipation!"
"."
Nonaka Mari was unaware of the conversation between the young couple and did not inquire further.
"Naoki-san is home! He's not too busy with work lately~"
“Since production of ‘Departures’ is finished, the next step is the official release,” Akina said. “This part is mostly the work of the publicity department; Naoki-san just needs to cooperate, there’s nothing much he needs to worry about.”
"Besides, after being so busy for so long, it's time to take a good rest."
Upon hearing this, Nonaka Mari nodded in agreement:
"Yes, that's perfect. Akina-chan and Naoki-san can stay a little longer and take Natsuka out for a walk together."
"I can't do it!"
Akina sighed.
"I'm only free this morning. I have to go to my music teacher for training this afternoon, and then I have to record 'Night Hit' tonight."
Although I've had less work, as an artist, I still need to participate in some basic appearances. And with the opportunity to share the stage with Michael Jackson in September, it's impossible not to be nervous.
"."
Having spent quite a while at Yamazakura-in, Nonaka Mari easily forgot that Nakamori Akina was actually a very influential celebrity!
"Akina-chan really works hard; she could have just been a rich housewife."
“Although my family doesn’t need me to earn money, being a full-time housewife would limit my life to a small area.”
Akina looked at Natsuka, who could already walk quite well and was chasing after Eitaro everywhere, and sighed.
"Naoki-san told me this. He said I should set an example for Natsuka, that girls shouldn't be appendages, but should shine on their own."
"That's absolutely right."
It turns out that daughters of wealthy families are raised with this mindset from a young age: not to be treated as appendages.
As an older woman, Nonaka Mari agrees with traditional values, but she also works outside to earn money and has a deep understanding of female independence. If she earns money, she can at least be more generous when giving her daughter pocket money.
As they were talking, they saw Naoki Nagayama come down from upstairs.
"Naoki-san?" Akina asked curiously, "Is he finished writing it?"
No, no.
Naoki Nagayama shook his head.
"My thinking is a bit rigid; I need a change of scenery and to relax a bit."
"That's it~"
Akina nodded very considerately and even went to get her sunglasses, car keys, and wallet.
"Naoki-san, relax and don't come back for lunch. Have a big meal."
".Forehead"
Naoki Nagayama was a little bewildered when he was pushed out the door. He had just wanted to go for a walk!
Looking at the blazing sun outside, with the sports car keys in his hand, Naoki Nagayama felt a moment of disorientation, as if he had nowhere to go.
Going to a club? Finding people to party with? After having money and experiencing these extravagant entertainment activities, it seems that the allure has been debunked, the threshold has been raised, and now it's no longer of interest.
No wonder those self-made millionaires and second-generation rich kids who have no financial worries end up either turning to gambling, drugs, and prostitution or engaging in extreme sports and risking their lives in pursuit of thrills.
After hesitating for a long time, Naoki Nagayama chose the third path: he went to the company!
Is there another path to pursue a sense of accomplishment?
The Tree Friends Building in Ikebukuro.
"Naoki-san?" Hoshika looked at Naoki Nagayama with some surprise. "What brings you here today?"
Following past practice, shouldn't Naoki-san, having just finished filming a movie, be on vacation enjoying life at this time? And it's almost noon now.
"Oh, something came up."
Naoki Nagayama would never say that he suddenly found himself unable to stay at home anymore.
"Are Otomo-san and Shuichi-san here?"
"Otomo-san went out to discuss a collaboration." Hoshika knew her bosses' schedules very well. "Shuichi-san went to Chiba Prefecture. I think he's treating everyone."
Chiba Prefecture
Naoki Nagayama quickly recalled the newly elected Chiba Prefectural Assembly member, Yoshihiko Noda.
It looks like Osamu Itō went to maintain his political connections.
"Okay, I'll go up first."
"Naoki-san, do you need me to order takeout?" Hoshino asked instinctively. "I'm ordering food for the department right now."
Because not every employee has a girlfriend or wife to cook for them, Shuyou thoughtfully launched a work meal service, ordering lunch for employees who need it. This was rare even in Japanese companies during the bubble economy era.
As the group expanded, Naoki Nagayama even considered opening an internal cafeteria.
Looking at the sunlight outside, Naoki Nagayama decided he didn't want to go out anymore.
"Arigato."
Arriving in his luxurious office, feeling the cool breeze blowing from the air conditioner, Naoki Nagayama finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sigh, all I wanted to do was write a tragic romance novel so Akina could experience the bitterness of love. And now, before I've even done anything, I'm stuck here, unable to go home."
"Tsk tsk tsk, could there really be some unseen force preventing me from making Akina cry?!"
After indulging in some rather childish and whimsical thoughts, Naoki Nagayama opened the magazines in his office and began flipping through them casually.
Just then, there was a knock on the office door!
"Dong dong."
"Please come in."
After the door opened, a familiar figure walked in.
Inada Masamin greeted with a smile:
"Naoki-san!! Thank goodness you were here!"
"Masami-kun," Naoki Nagayama said, smiling as he looked at Masami Inada, "what brings you here to see me?"
"Actually, I was downstairs today discussing Izumi Sakai's concert, and we had some major disagreements."
Masami Inada said somewhat embarrassedly,
"I heard that Naoki-san is here today, so I wanted to ask for his opinion, since Izumi Sakai is someone Naoki-san signed with the company."
Speaking of which, Izumi Sakai has a rather special status in the music industry. She was the champion of the first season of "Neon Voice" and was personally signed into the music industry by Naoki Nagayama.
Naoki Nagayama has been quite concerned about Naoki's debut song, the resources he has invested in it, and now his first concert, which is why Masami Inada wanted to consult with Naoki Nagayama himself.
Otherwise, for ordinary entertainers, Masami Inada could make the final decision!
"Izumi Sakai's concert?"
Naoki Nagayama became interested. Since he had nothing else to do, he followed Masaharu Inada to the conference room on the second floor.
Before even entering, I could hear the sounds of arguing coming from inside.
Pushing open the door, one sees Kiyoki Nishioka and Seigo Iwai, two key members of the Tree Friends Agency's planning team, arguing loudly.
"I think rock music should be even more exaggerated!"
Shogo Iwai's face turned slightly red.
"So what if it's a leather jacket?! So what if it's a wig?! So what if it's smoky eye makeup?! This is the essence of rock and roll rebellion!"
"Izumi-chan sings rock! That's exactly the kind of stage presence she should have!"
That's absolutely true. Nowadays, almost all rock music in Japan leans towards visual kei. For both men and women, black leather jackets with studs, dark circles under the eyes, and brightly colored, flamboyant hairstyles are the way to express individuality.
Even when Akina sings rock music, she wears a tight leather jacket and metal accessories.
However, Kiyoki Nishioka, who was standing next to him, disagreed:
"But this is Izumi-chan, and her style has been comfortable and casual since her debut."
"Does wearing jeans and a shirt mean you can't sing rock? Why do you have to wear all black leather?!"
"Does going makeup-free mean you can't be unique? Do you have to have panda eyes to show your personality?!"
"Can't long, straight black hair be rebellious? Why does it have to be all sorts of colorful, messy hair?!"
"How can rock style and rebellious personality be such rigid and inflexible things?!"
"."
Upon hearing this, Naoki Nagayama instinctively wanted to laugh, but was stopped by the gazes of everyone in the conference room who were looking at him.
Kiyoki Nishioka, Seigo Iwai, and other planners from the agency, as well as Izumi Sakai who was sitting in a corner listening silently, all stood up to greet Naoki Nagayama upon his arrival.
"Naoki-san!" "Naoki-san, what are you doing here?" "Naoki-san, come and be the judge!"
No one expected that Masami Inada would invite Naoki Nagayama.
"Haha, everyone, please have a seat."
Naoki Nagayama gestured for everyone to sit down.
"Yamin-kun told me that you guys are having a heated debate about Izumi Sakai's performance style, so I've come to join the discussion."
Masami Inada quickly waved his hand; how could he dare to order Naoki Nagayama around?
"No, no, I mean, I'd like to ask Naoki-san for some guidance."
Naoki Nagayama didn't dwell on the wording and went straight to the point:
"I just overheard Kiyoki Nishioka and Shogo Iwai's discussion. It's a matter of stage style, right?"
"One wants the currently popular visual kei style, while the other wants to maintain the everyday style that Izumi Sakai used to have."
"Hi!" X2
Iwai Shogo spoke directly:
"Naoki-san, this is Izumi-chan's first concert, so it has to be memorable!"
"Offline, visual kei style is the most eye-catching!"
Kiyoki Nishioka was not to be outdone:
"But excessive packaging can distract the audience. We must always remember that Izumi Sakai moves her fans with her singing skills and songs!"
".But"
"Stop it!"
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Masami Inada quickly stopped them. He said that the problem with his subordinates being talented was that they were too individualistic. As long as they felt they were right, they would argue in front of their superiors.
Naoki Nagayama smiled and reassured the two, then looked at Izumi Sakai, who had remained silent at the corner of the table:
"What are your own thoughts, Izumi-chan?"
"Oh? Me?"
As a newcomer who has only been in the industry for six months, Izumi Sakai doesn't really have much say in this kind of meeting.
Even Akina only gradually became able to decide her own image and direction after becoming a top idol, and it wasn't until she became a shareholder that she could truly decide on the production of her next album.
The greatest power she has now gained is the ability to choose the songs she wants to sing.
"Yes, what are your own thoughts?"
Naoki Nagayama inquired,
"Do you want a visual kei rock style, or stick to your previous style?!"
Having worked as a model for a while, Izumi Sakai can pull off various clothing styles; her great figure makes her a perfect clothes hanger.
As for wearing denim shirts, that's just her style.
"I"
Izumi Sakai looked at Kiyoki Nishioka and Seigo Iwai, these two being her seniors who had meticulously planned her events since her debut.
"Ignore them, just say what you think!"
Naoki Nagayama continued,
"They all have to listen to me!"
"."
Iwai Seigo and Nishioka Kiyoki were instantly helpless. Indeed, the entire tree-loving group had to listen to Naoki Nagayama!
"Actually, in my own opinion, leather jackets and the like are not something I wouldn't mind trying."
Izumi Sakai nodded and slowly expressed her opinion.
"However, on the concert stage, I think costumes are just embellishments and should not overshadow the performance itself."
"I also hope that fans will focus on my singing ability rather than my makeup."
"That's it~"
Naoki Nagayama nodded; she was indeed much like the Izumi Sakai he remembered.
He looked at the two key members of the planning team:
"Iwai-kun and Nishioka-kun, you heard it too. Izumi-chan thinks leather jackets are worth considering, but the stage style doesn't need to be too visual kei!"
"."
Iwai Shogo and Nishioka Kiyoki exchanged a glance, with Nishioka Kiyoki looking victorious.
"But... that wouldn't feel like rock and roll."
"Hahaha!"
Naoki Nagayama laughed and asked,
"Iwai-kun, do you remember that Yutaka Ozaki concert? The one where he wore a suit and sang rock music?!"
"Can you say that's not rock and roll?!"
"."
Shogo Iwai suddenly remembered Yutaka Ozaki wearing a suit and singing rock music on stage, which made all the fans scream.
Indeed, rock music, like being cool, is all about feeling!
"Okay, I admit I lack perspective."
Naoki Nagayama didn't say much, but continued to look at Izumi Sakai:
"Izumi-chan, just do it your way, this is your concert!"
"Hi Arigato!"
Izumi Sakai was a little too surprised~
The conflict was resolved quickly, and then Naoki Nagayama inquired about the concert's setlist and fan feedback before leaving the meeting room satisfied.
Once Naoki Nagayama left, the meeting was almost over.
When her exclusive manager, Horiuchi Isao, drove Sakai Izumi to dinner, he asked her with some curiosity:
"Izumi-chan, do you really not have any personal relationship with Naoki-san?"
"Personal friendship"
Izumi Sakai shook her head. She had hardly ever met Naoki Nagayama at the bubble tea shop in private, so that one encounter shouldn't count! Besides, she should have had a deeper relationship with Tsuruko at the bubble tea shop.
"Not at all."
"That Naoki-san actually treats you differently."
When Horiuchi Yuu saw Sakai Izumi's beautiful and aloof face in the rearview mirror, along with her long, straight black hair and long legs, a thought popped into his mind.
Could it be that Naoki actually has a thing for mature women with long, straight black hair and long legs?!
Wait, something's not right.
Akina Nakamori doesn't seem to be the typical tall, mature woman.
Autumn Beans and Sacks, it seems like Akina Nakamori has great proportions and her legs look very long.
Etc., etc
Horiuchi Isao's mind was completely confused by Nagayama Naoki's peculiarities~
(End of this chapter)