wavenovel Chapters 1269 and 1278: It's only when you're drunk that you can speak your mind!
Chapters 1269 and 1278: It's only when you're drunk that you can speak your mind!
Chapters 1269 and 1278: It's only when you're drunk that you can speak your mind!
In a top-floor office of the Tree Friends Building, a guy was idly flipping through the newspapers that had just arrived that morning.
Just then, there was a knock on the office door:
"Naoki-san?"
Shuichi Itō walked in, somewhat puzzled by Naoki Nagayama's listless appearance.
Why do you look so listless?
"Shuichi-san, don't you know there's a condition called post-holiday syndrome?"
Naoki Nagayama sighed.
"It's that feeling of not having the energy to go back to work after a holiday~"
"I've been back for a few days now, and I'm still suffering from post-holiday syndrome!"
Itō Shuichi chuckled and walked to his desk, looking at the newspaper in Nagayama Naoki's hand. It was this morning's Asahi Shimbun!
"Besides, no one is forcing you to come to the company. You can rest at home."
That's true. Currently, the Tree Friends don't have any major projects, and their work is proceeding in an orderly manner. The most important project is the Tokyo International Film Festival in October, but it's only in the early preparation stage right now.
"When I'm at home, I always feel a sense of longing."
Naoki Nagayama continued flipping through the Asahi Shimbun. Actually, after he secretly leaked the information, he always hoped that the bribery case would be directly reported in the news. Although he knew that reporters needed time to investigate and write their articles, he was like a child who had lit a firecracker and always wanted to hear the sound of it exploding.
Shuichi Itō, standing to the side, didn't catch the hidden meaning in the words and shook his head:
"I think you're just bored!"
"In that case, why don't we review the membership application together?"
"Forehead"
Upon hearing this, Naoki Nagayama immediately wanted to refuse. He was a little bored, but he had no intention of doing hard labor.
"Let's go~"
Shuichi Itō had no intention of letting Naoki Nagayama off the hook.
"There were a lot of applications, but it was also quite interesting. I saw quite a few people from the entertainment industry!"
Upon arriving at the Film Association headquarters on the fourth floor, Naoki Nagayama discovered that the staff had almost doubled, now numbering nearly ten employees.
"The association headquarters has expanded quite a bit!"
"Yes, besides the workload of the review process, there are a lot more things to do, such as administration, finance, and publicity."
Shuichi Itō pulled Naoki Nagayama by the arm and led him to the desk.
"In short, as the association's affairs increase, the size of its headquarters also has to be increased."
There were already quite a few membership application forms piled up on my desk. The application forms were like resumes from a job placement agency, with photos and work experience attached.
"The association is currently in its early stages and is expanding rapidly, so the membership standards are a bit lower."
Itō Shuichi gave some to Nagayama Naoki, and then said,
"So for now, as long as you participate in film and television projects and can afford the membership fees, we will approve you. Naoki-san just needs to check if the information is complete and if the reason for joining the association is legitimate, and we'll remove those who just write something for fun."
"Later on, we might need standards based on one or two years of experience in the field."
"I see."
Naoki Nagayama sat to the side, casually looking at the membership application forms. In fact, people who enjoy themselves can be found everywhere, especially in this era when entertainment options are not very diverse.
Soon, he saw an applicant whose reason for applying was, "I want to be in the same organization as my idol so I feel closer to him." This bizarre mentality is, arguably, not uncommon.
"Japanese people are still too repressed; their mental health issues are quite serious."
"?" Shuichi Itō, who had already started working, looked up and asked, "Naoki-san, what did you say?"
"Ah, nothing."
Naoki Nagayama gave a casual reply, then picked up an application form.
"Shuichi-san, how come you even have people from Kyoto?"
"Application form for the Kyoto area!"
Shuichi Itō took it, looked at it briefly, and then put it into another box next to it.
"Let's leave it for now. Although we're currently the Tokyo Film Industry Association, who knows, it might become the film association for all of Japan in the future! Then we'll have branches in cities like Kyoto."
"Haha, Shuichi-san, you've already thought that way?! You really do have ambitions to dominate the Japanese film industry!"
Naoki Nagayama's laughter drew the attention of the film association staff, while Shuichi Itō, feeling somewhat embarrassed, slapped his forehead.
"Naoki-san, I was just saying."
Having a goal is always a good thing.
Seeing his friend's expression, Naoki Nagayama stopped joking and returned to reviewing the application forms.
As he looked through the applications, he suddenly noticed that many of the applicants were former actors from the entertainment industry. Some had already retired, some were supporting actors, and there were even foreign faces.
And this suddenly sparked a thought in Naoki Nagayama's heart.
Jurassic Park is a science fiction film, and its future goal is to penetrate the European and American markets. Wouldn't it be much easier to use foreign actors?
Using foreign actors to cater to the international market is a perfectly normal business choice. Even Hollywood, in order to appeal to the Asian market, will increase the proportion of Asian actors in its films.
Of course, the amount of screen time is uncertain.
In Japan today, the acceptance of foreigners as film protagonists is actually quite high. After all, the military bases in Okinawa are still there, and Japan has a high level of acceptance of Western culture.
"Shuichi-san," Naoki Nagayama put down the application form, "what do you think about casting a foreign actor in my new movie?"
"Huh?" Itoh Shuichi was taken aback. "Foreign actors? Like the ones from Hong Kong before?"
"The actors weren't from Europe or America; the white actors in 'Jurassic Park' were preparing to go abroad in the future."
Upon hearing this hypothesis, Shuichi Itō pondered it carefully for a moment:
"It seems like a good idea! People in Europe and America are definitely more accepting of white faces!"
"Yes! I think so too!" Naoki Nagayama nodded. "Does Shuichi-san know any foreign actors who are good at acting?"
"I don't recognize this one."
"Then I'll try contacting people I know in the entertainment industry, or agencies that have connections with foreign actors."
Naoki Nagayama placed the application form on the table, then got up and headed towards the top floor.
"No, let's ask Otomo-san first. See if he has any connections."
Seeing Naoki Nagayama leave in such a hurry, Shuichi Itō shook his head and continued working.
"As expected, Naoki gets really anxious when it comes to anything related to making movies."
A few seconds later.
"Wait a minute! That's not right!"
Naoki Nagayama, that guy, just ran away because he didn't want to continue reviewing membership applications!!
Ryuta Fukui of the Asahi Shimbun slowly parked his car near the Ricurt Information Building in Kawasaki City.
After getting off the bus, I shielded my eyes with my hand and looked at the construction site not far away. The building, which was more than 20 stories high, had already been topped out, and the exterior walls and windows had been installed. From the outside, it looked almost like a complete skyscraper.
However, the barriers have not yet been removed, and workers can be vaguely seen walking through the gate, presumably carrying out interior renovations.
"We should be able to move in around the end of the year."
After muttering something to himself, Fukui Ryuta laughed.
"However, if it gets reported, it will be very difficult to move in this year!"
As a seasoned investigative journalist, Fukui Ryuta has a wide network of contacts. He has already found out who the main person in charge of this construction project is, who some of the employees in the engineering department are, and has already arranged to meet someone by phone today.
At a Japanese restaurant in Kawasaki, Fukui Ryuta met the person he had arranged to meet.
"Is that Haruto Kosaka?"
Ryuta Fukui stood up to greet him.
"I'm the person who invited you here today. I'm Ryuta Fukui from the Asahi Shimbun. Nice to meet you!"
"Hi, I'm Haruko Kosaka."
Haruto Kosaka looked at Ryuta Fukui with some surprise, and was slightly nervous.
"Fukui-san, you said on the phone earlier that you wanted to talk to me about the project?"
"Haha, that's right. We at Asahi Shimbun are doing a series of reports on real estate. Recruit is one of the big players in the real estate industry, and this Kawasaki Information Building is Recruit's second headquarters, so we'd like to know some details about its construction."
"But if this requires information, the Asahi Shimbun can contact the publicity department!"
Haruto Kosaka is, after all, quite alert.
"The company will definitely agree to a major media outlet like the Asahi Shimbun!"
"Ha~" Fukui Ryuta shook his head, "What's the point of reporting those uniformly worded press releases? Wouldn't that be like us advertising for Recruit?"
"I'm talking to you because I want to know some things that are not widely known!"
"I cannot agree to that."
After all, it was his own company, and for Japanese people with lifetime employment contracts, the company was truly like a big family. Kosaka Haruto stood up and left.
"Kosaka-kun, there's no need for you to leave like this."
Fukui Ryuta quickly tried to persuade him to stay.
"I heard your son seems to be sick?"
Haruka Kosaka's pupils contracted sharply: "How...how did you know?!"
"Haha, of course I have my own sources of information."
Do you think investigative journalists work for free? You think you can get something for nothing without any preparation?
In capitalist societies, the prevalence of freedom of the press, the exposure of the truth through news, and the use of public opinion to supervise the government and society have endowed journalists with a special status that transcends society.
The journalists who truly succeed all have extensive connections, abundant resources, and significant influence; otherwise, how could they obtain so much inside information?
"Kosaka-kun, I know some people at a general hospital in Tokyo who can help arrange consultations with specialists in Japan or even doctors from abroad."
Fukui Ryuta looked at Kosaka Haruto, now completely confident of victory.
"Of course. In return, Kosaka-kun needs to tell me a few things."
"."
Upon hearing this, Kosaka Haruto's mind was in turmoil. As a young architect, his life was relatively comfortable, and he could barely afford his son's medical expenses.
However, building connections takes time. He knew a few people at the hospital, but none of them were able to arrange expert consultations directly.
Of course, Recruit's president, Hiromasa Ebi, certainly has such connections, but why would he use them on an ordinary employee?!
Finally, he looked at Fukui Ryuta with a complicated expression:
"If I tell you, can you guarantee you'll cure my son?"
“Of course not, I’m not a doctor.” Fukui Ryuta shook his head. “But I can promise to do my best to find the best doctor.”
How did the reporter get inside information?
Sometimes it's others who leak the information; that's the simplest way.
Most of the time, by inviting some ordinary people to dinner and drinks and offering a few compliments, you can usually get some unexpected information. Everyone has a desire to share, especially ordinary people, who rely on sharing secrets to gain attention that they would not normally receive.
Many people don't pay attention to ordinary people, but sometimes ordinary people have the most up-to-date information.
The security guard at the entrance of the residential compound probably knows how many mistresses live there.
There are also some truly important situations that require buying with money, exchanging resources, or exchanging favors. Even prime ministers and politicians accept bribes, which shows that this is the inherent weakness of human nature.
The favors you gain at the hospital aren't something you can just accumulate overnight; they're the favors you build up from helping others in the past.
If this revelation hadn't been genuinely valuable and required in-depth investigation, Fukui Ryuta wouldn't have used it on others.
"."
Kosaka Haruto reluctantly sat down again and gulped down his drink.
"Speak, what do you want to know?"
"Haha, don't rush." Fukui Ryuta wasn't in a hurry at all. Instead, he told the restaurant to start serving the food. "Let's eat and chat."
Only after alcohol has taken effect can one truly speak their mind.
After a few drinks, and with Fukui Ryuta's deliberate flattery, Kosaka Haruto almost regarded Fukui Ryuta as a close friend!
"Fukui-san, you understand me."
I joined the design department right after graduation. Those senior colleagues always exploited me, making me wait on everyone's hands, serving me tea and water, and scolding me without exception.
"Just when my career was finally starting to take off, and I got married and had a child, my child was diagnosed with heart disease."
"I'm so tired. I'm suffering so much. So many times I've thought about ending it all."
"But I can't let go of Yukio. He was so young. How could he leave this world so soon?"
"."
Most middle-aged men bear immense pressure, especially in the oppressive society of Japan. Furthermore, under the influence of a culture of shame, men have very few close friends.
As a veteran journalist who has witnessed the full spectrum of human nature, Fukui Ryuta easily gains recognition.
"Hi, I know, I know."
Fukui Ryuta patted Kosaka Haruto's shoulder with a helpless expression, seeing that he was about to cry, and realized that he might have used a little too much force just now.
"Even under these circumstances, you did not delay the construction of the Recruit Intelligence Building. You have done an excellent job!"
"of course!"
Hearing the praise, Haruto Kosaka became proud again.
"I'm practically living on the construction site every day just so we can finish the project as soon as possible and get the project bonus."
"The interior decoration is already underway. We can move in by the end of the year."
"I heard," Fukui Ryuta began, trying to get information out of him, "that the Recruit Intelligence Building wasn't supposed to be built at first? They couldn't even get the land approved. How did it end up being approved in the end?"
"Hahaha, that's easy! Let me tell you, our company's boss and the head of the Planning Adjustment Bureau, Hideki Komatsu, are like brothers!"
"Once you've given the gift, it'll naturally be approved!"
"Oh? Is it that simple? What kind of gift is so amazing?"
"You can make a fortune by reselling the company's shares before it goes public and then after the IPO!"
"Isn't this a backroom deal?"
"There was no economic exchange; it was just a favor."
"."
Hearing the news so easily, Fukui Ryuta regretted his earlier offer to help find a doctor, but since he had made the promise, he had no intention of breaking it.
However, this favor deserves a greater return!
It's important to understand that, unless there is concrete evidence, even the Financial Services Authority cannot prosecute such insider deals unless the parties admit to them.
Even if it's just a news report, Fukui Ryuta needs to investigate not only with the director of the Planning Coordination Bureau, but also with Rikuroto to obtain more evidence.
"Kosaka-kun must have made this kind of deal more than once, right?"
“Probably.”
"Could you please help me find out what other transactions were involved? If you could get a ledger or something, that would be even better!"
Upon hearing this, Kosaka Haruto jolted awake, regaining some of his senses.
"Fukui-san, this has gone beyond leaking information! This is practically corporate espionage! What if I'm discovered?"
"That depends on just how important Yukio-kun is to Kosaka-kun!"
Fukui Ryuta was somewhat assertive at this moment.
"Kosaka-kun, I will definitely not reveal the informant's identity when I report the information, as long as it is accurate!"
"I...I'll think about it."
(End of this chapter)