wavenovel Chapters 1420 and 1429: If no one's coming to me, then I'll make the best one!
Chapters 1420 and 1429: If no one's coming to me, then I'll make the best one!
Chapters 1420 and 1429: They're not coming to me. Then I'll make the best one!
Standing there, stunned, holding his wine glass, Naoki Nagayama was extremely surprised as he listened to Yoshimura Otomo's story!
If Naoki Nagayama hadn't confirmed that Yamazaki-in hadn't been robbed, he would have thought someone had stolen his script from his house, or perhaps someone could read minds or something.
So he had just started preparing to make a "Fast & Furious" movie when news of a racing movie being made circulated in the automotive and film industries!
"So, it started with GM, then Toyota followed, and then Ford, Nissan, Honda, and other automakers all joined in?!"
Naoki Nagayama put down his sake glass and pressed Yoshimura Otomo for answers.
"Every major automaker is preparing to produce a racing-related movie?!"
"Yes!"
Yoshimura Otomo downed his cocktail in one gulp, his tone tinged with surprise.
"It's just like those major battles between the Warring States period. So exciting!"
"."
Naoki Nagayama was speechless. Was this a Showa-era version of the 100-car battle?!
"How did they suddenly decide to make a racing movie?!"
"Because Toyota surpassed GM and became number one in the world!"
Yoshimura Otomo said with a sense of shared indignation,
"With neon cars being so popular, Ryoumi naturally didn't want that, so she came up with another way: to beat Toyota in a movie and promote her own cars at the same time!"
As he spoke, Yoshimura Daitomo picked up another cocktail and drank it with great relish.
"But it's no use, Japan has already surpassed the US in every aspect!"
"."
Seeing his friend so happy, Naoki Nagayama sighed inwardly.
Japan is currently experiencing its biggest bubble. The booming economy, soaring housing prices, and cultural triumphs have inflated the national self-confidence of the Japanese people, to the point that they no longer even respect their American father!
The idea that selling land in Tokyo could buy the entire United States is becoming increasingly common.
Unfortunately, Naoki Nagayama knew that in another year, Japan would feel the iron fist of the Japanese!
The lost thirty years will eventually make Japan realize that your father is still your father.
"Ahem. Mr. Otomo, let's not go off-topic. Let's continue talking about racing movies."
Not wanting to listen to his old friend's boasting any longer, Naoki Nagayama changed the subject.
How exactly are they planning to film this?
"It's said that a director was specially invited to film it, and it seems that GM approached Takeshi Kitano!"
"???"
Naoki Nagayama was somewhat surprised to hear this familiar name.
"Takeshi Kitano?"
"Hi, Takeshi Kitano transitioned from a stand-up comedy performer to a director and has made several good films. For example, 'Violent Cop' was very unique and did very well at the box office."
To be honest, Naoki Nagayama felt a little guilty towards Takeshi Kitano because he directly filmed Kitano's later films, "A Scene at the Sea" and "Kikujiro's Summer," before Kitano could.
However, it was also because Naoki Nagayama gave him a role in "Kikujiro's Summer" earlier than expected that he was able to resolve his inner conflicts and gain enough fame to switch careers to become a director, which led to the earlier release of "Violent Man".
Takeshi Kitano is now a highly promising new director.
"That's it, that's it"
Naoki Nagayama nodded.
Are there any other directors?
"I heard Toyota has hired director Kinji Fukasaku."
"Oh, it's him!"
Another familiar director
Then Yoshimura Otomo mentioned other directors that other car companies had contacted, such as Shinoda Masahiro, and even Komori Masataka and Itō Shuichi. However, what Nagayama Naoki found very strange at the end:
"Otomo-san, why doesn't anyone come and talk to me?!"
"what?"
Yoshimura Daitomo looked at Nagayama Naoki in surprise.
"what happened?"
Naoki Nagayama gestured to himself.
"I am Naoki Nagayama, a Palme d'Or winner, an Oscar winner, and a top director whose every film is a box office hit. Don't these car companies want to hire me?!"
"Forehead"
Yoshimura Daitomo's eyes darted away, avoiding Nagayama Naoki's gaze.
"Isn't this Naoki-san's own fault?!"
"Ok?"
"Naoki-san's films never accept sponsorships or advertisements!"
Yoshimura Daitomo explained,
"When Masataka Komori and Kyoru Kijima were making movies, they would accept some investment and advertising sponsorships. But Naoki-san's movies were all funded by Kijima Yuu alone, and he never accepted advertising!"
Because Naoki Nagayama believes his films are all classics and guaranteed to be huge hits, he doesn't want to share profits with others. Therefore, he has always fully funded all his films, without even commercials.
"Huh? Is that so?!"
Naoki Nagayama paused for a moment, then stubbornly replied,
"Then they can definitely hire me to make movies. After all, I'm so famous, I'm sure I can make high-quality films."
"They're probably worried they can't afford to invite Naoki-san."
After all, besides being a director, Naoki Nagayama is also the chairman of Shuyou Capital, with a net worth comparable to that of a zaibatsu (financial conglomerate).
Therefore, in other people's eyes, Naoki Nagayama makes movies purely out of his own interest, and he would never make them for money!
"."
After hearing Yoshimura Otomo's explanation, Naoki Nagayama finally shut his mouth. It was all his fault!
Meanwhile, Yoshimura Otomo was still talking nonstop:
"It's estimated that Toho, Toei, and Shochiku will all be preparing racing movies this time. Even other emerging film companies are involved. The entertainment industry hasn't been this lively in a long time!"
"Compared to next year, there will be a huge wave of racing movies being released!"
"."
Hearing this, Naoki Nagayama felt helpless, even a sense of the capriciousness of fate. He was just about to film "Fast & Furious," and now the 100-car race was about to begin?!
Increasingly angry, Naoki Nagayama downed a glass of wine in one gulp:
"With such a lively event, how could we, the tree enthusiasts, be left out? Let's make a racing-related movie too!"
"Ah? This"
Yoshimura Hirotomo's eyes widened.
"They're competing commercially. What's the point of us making a movie to go head-to-head with them?!"
"We're doing this to prove a point!"
Naoki Nagayama said,
"Heh, if no one's going to ask me, then I'll just make my best film!"
"Otomo-san, spread the word that I, Naoki Nagayama, am also going to race!"
Naoki Nagayama made up his mind.
"And also, my movie is sponsored by the most luxurious cars!!"
Anyone who dares not to sponsor will be eating the exhaust fumes of other luxury cars in the movie!
"Forehead"
Yoshimura Otomo felt that Nagayama Naoki was being a bit willful.
However, the feeling of one person challenging everyone else is exhilarating!
"Okay! I'll spread the word right away!"
Fuji TV is playing the theme song from "Full House" again.
The release of the song "Destiny" instantly reignited the audience's goodwill towards "Full House," and the ratings of the drama rose as the plot entered a conflict phase.
Since its last broadcast, "Full House" has steadily maintained a viewership rating of 30%. It's expected that after tonight's episode, its popularity will rival that of "Long Vacation."
Meanwhile, Kijima Kyō, who had spent almost a week on Jurassic Island, was leading the crew back to Tokyo.
"A week has passed in the blink of an eye!"
After finishing filming, Yukiko Okada and Masaharu Fukuyama looked at the island with a sense of reluctance.
During these few days, they stayed in luxury resort hotels and enjoyed the unique Jurassic theme park, just like they were on a real vacation.
Sunshine, beaches, waves, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, fireworks and light shows—all of these things give the feeling that the relationship between the two has shifted from being just partners to something more realistic.
You can't blame Yukiko Okada for this. It was her first time transitioning to a new role, and she was playing a couple with a handsome man every day, including intimate scenes like kissing. Naturally, she couldn't help but immerse herself in the character.
As for Masaharu Fukuyama, he's not very old to begin with, and it's understandable that he'd be attracted to beautiful young women every day.
Kijima Gen saw some signs of trouble, but as the director, he didn't stop it.
After all, if the male and female leads act realistically, it will benefit the drama itself. However, it's time for the two of them to separate for a while and calm down in the real world!
"Ahem. Yukiko-chan, Fukuyama-kun."
Kijima said this to the two men on the ferry.
"The footage for the next episode has already been filmed, and I will go back to the company to edit it."
"During this period."
Kijima looked at the two of them.
"You can take two days off and go home to visit your families. Fukuyama-kun, you're from Nagasaki, right? Yukiko-chan is from Aichi Prefecture?"
"Hi" X2
"Yes, everyone's tired after filming for so many days, so let's get some rest!"
At this point, Kijima added, rather suggestively:
"After all, the life depicted in TV dramas is different from real life. Ultimately, we all have to live in reality!"
"."
The two young men were somewhat puzzled, but they nodded nonetheless.
After the ferry arrived at the shore, the two sides parted ways. Kijima took the materials and flew back to Tokyo, while the equipment was taken back to the company by others.
However, as he was leaving, Kijima glanced at Fukuyama Masaharu and Okada Yukiko, who were still chatting, and shook his head.
"Forget it, they're filming a romance drama right now, so it's normal for them to have some rumors going on. Maybe it'll even increase their popularity!"
"The two of them will naturally separate when the TV series ends!"
The romance between a popular young actor and an idol is bound to cause a sensation, and their respective agencies and agents will form layers of defense against it.
However, this scene naturally reminded Kijima of his boss.
"Were Naoki-san and Akina-san like this back then?!"
"If it really works out, I hope they both have a good outcome!"
"."
Naoki Nagayama returned to Yamazakura-in and watched TV with Akina.
Akina is now a loyal viewer of "Full House," and in her words:
"It's so exciting to see my juniors at the agency falling in love in a TV drama!"
"The next time she comes to visit, just say that to her."
Naoki Nagayama glanced at Natsuka, who was squirming on the sofa, and couldn't resist picking her up, straightening her up, and then holding her in his arms.
"Hana-chan, do you remember that older sister who came to our house before?"
"?elder sister?"
"It's the one who's very pretty and sweet-looking."
Seeing the bewildered look on Xia Hua's face, Naoki Nagayama knew he had asked a silly question. The little one didn't understand such sophisticated adjectives as delicate and sweet.
However, just then, Fuji TV's prime time slot arrived, and the opening sequence of "Full House" appeared.
Upon hearing the tune of "Sha La La," the little one immediately became excited and started swaying his head to the melody.
Naoki Nagayama then pointed to Yukiko Okada on the screen and said:
"This is the older sister, does Hua Jiang remember her?"
This time, Hua Jiang nodded:
"Remember!"
"How about inviting her over to our house next time?"
"it is good!"
The little one was so happy listening to the song!
The plot picks up where the previous episode left off. After Masaharu Fukuyama publicly confessed his feelings to Yukiko Okada at a social dinner, the two made a contract marriage agreement.
Then, naturally, they would hold a press conference to officially announce their engagement, meet each other's parents, and then get married.
"Hahaha~"
Akina burst out laughing after seeing the official announcement.
"These two engaged people have absolutely no chemistry!"
Then she turned to look at Naoki Nagayama:
"Naoki-san, it seems like we've never held a press conference like this before!"
"I still remember the headline of the report, 'Naoki Nagayama & Akina Nakamori announced their marriage!'"
"Akina, if that's not enough, should we get another one now?!"
"Hold a press conference to announce that you're having a baby?!"
"Naoki-san has completely lost his romantic side!"
Akina rolled her eyes at these words and gave Naoki Nagayama's thigh a hard pinch.
"."
Naoki Nagayama, grinning, was speechless. What did a yacht confession in the Tokyo sky mean? What did a fireworks display on the beach mean? What did a sapphire ring on his hand mean?
What's even more infuriating is that when Xia Hua saw this, she actually imitated her mother and started twisting her legs on her own father's lap!
Those tiny hands can actually hurt quite a bit when they grab someone!
"Flower jam!!"
Naoki Nagayama grabbed the little guy's hand and gave him a serious warning.
"If you grab me again, I'll fight back! I'll spank you!"
"do not want!"
The little guy immediately shook his head. Luckily, he hadn't gone easy on the kid during the punishment, otherwise, there's nothing you can do to persuade a kid these days!
The TV drama "Full House" is still airing, but Akina always compares her experiences with Naoki Nagayama to what's on TV.
When Yukiko Okada and Masaharu Fukuyama went home together, Akina thought of her first trip to Shizuoka; when Yukiko Okada met her grandmother, she thought of her first time meeting her grandfather.
"Naoki-san's home is still quite harmonious; there aren't many strange situations."
"Isn't it strange that he has a yakuza background?!"
Naoki Nagayama was surprised.
"The Yamaguchi-gumi... they're feared by everyone!"
Akina covered her mouth and laughed:
"Haha, I didn't feel anything. My grandfather was still very kind."
"Sigh, Akina is still too well protected."
"tsk"
When the wedding ceremony started playing on TV, Akina seemed a little disappointed.
"Yukiko-chan and Masaharu Fukuyama are both top celebrities, so why is their wedding so shabby, like the wedding of Momoe-san and Seiko-san? It was supposed to be a wedding of the century!"
In her eyes, an idol's wedding ceremony should be like that of Momoe Yamaguchi and Seiko Matsuda, broadcast live on all TV stations, with the entire entertainment industry coming to offer their blessings—a grand and spectacular event!
It has to be said that the threshold for weddings in the Japanese entertainment industry has been raised far too high by these two top idols!
"After all, the plot involves a rather urgent situation!"
Naoki Nagayama said,
"Besides Akina, think about it. Apart from Momoe Yamaguchi and Seiko Matsuda, what other celebrity weddings are this grand!"
His wedding to Akina Nakamori, while lavish, wasn't actually a grand affair; there wasn't even a single media outlet present, making it more of a solemn and private affair.
At that time, the two of them really just wanted to share this sweet moment with their family and friends.
"Hmm."
Akina nodded.
"makes sense."
In fact, it's quite simple for popular celebrities to have a grand wedding: get more sponsors and invite more media for exposure and influence, and many people will give them face and attend.
On the contrary, it's a bit difficult to keep a low profile.
Unless the wedding is held abroad, the media reporters are not so easy to deal with. The paparazzi in the entertainment industry are no joke. Even Nagayama Naoki and Akina's wedding was secretly photographed!
Akina watched the wedding scene from "Full House" on TV, seeing the many reporters and celebrities, and recognizing familiar faces. Akina asked in surprise:
"Naoki-san, why are all the celebrities featured here real-life celebrities?!"
Naoki Nagayama explained with a smile:
"Haha, they're all guest appearances! Many of the artists are from the same company, and Ken-On also found a few."
Akina sighed:
"It's hard to tell the difference between reality and TV dramas anymore~"
"As long as the audience is happy, that's all that matters~"
"."
(End of this chapter)