novelslam Chapter 1419-1428, Akina, are you asking me to be a kept man?!
Chapter 1419-1428, Akina, are you asking me to be a kept man?!
Chapter 1419-1428, Akina, are you asking me to be a kept man?!
In the living room of Yama-oka-in, little Natsuka, who was drinking from a baby bottle, followed Matsuo Muneo and the others with great curiosity, watching them fiddle with equipment such as cameras and lighting boards.
Today's filming is of Naoki Nagayama and his wife, so we chose their home as the location.
This wasn't Matsuo Muneo's first time visiting Yamasakurain, but he'd either been there at banquets or accompanied by senior colleagues; this was the first time he'd led a group there.
When choosing a camera position, Matsuo Muneo was very careful, his eyes always on the little guy next to him. Did he know that this was Nagayama Naoki and Akina's daughter, the apple of Naoki's eye?
Let alone getting hurt, even if he accidentally cries from fright, he's worried he'll be taken to Tokyo Bay!
"Miss, please move aside."
Matsuo Muneo set up the long-arm microphone next to the sofa and said to Natsuka,
"This is a bit unstable, don't touch it!"
Xia Hua was still very well-behaved. With her big, bright eyes wide open and her hands still holding the almost empty milk bottle, she nodded and was about to turn away.
Seeing the little guy holding the bottle and looking a bit unsteady, Matsuo Muneo's heart jumped!
Fortunately, Nonaka Mari, who had been watching from the side, quickly came over, picked up Natsuka, and took the opportunity to put away and wash the baby bottle.
As for the little one's parents, Naoki Nagayama and Akina?
The two of them are at the dressing table in the bedroom on the second floor!
"What about Naoki-san?!"
Akina anxiously applied foundation to her face.
"I haven't worn makeup in a long time, I'm so rusty! And my face is so chubby, I haven't even groomed my eyebrows or eyelashes."
At this point, Akina was experiencing anxiety about her appearance.
"Let me take a look~"
Naoki Nagayama walked over, stood behind his wife, and looked in the mirror.
Due to her pregnancy, Akina's baby fat, which she had lost weight from, returned. Her skin was definitely fair and rosy, better than before, but her once delicate jawline became rounder, and her entire face shape became rounder.
"It's okay, she's round and cute. Actually, you can just go without makeup. It's perfectly normal to go without makeup during pregnancy!"
"."
Akina rolled her eyes in the mirror, then continued to feel anxious.
"How can I possibly appear on camera looking like this?!"
"The screen will get even wider, and it'll look even worse!!"
Seeing his wife becoming increasingly agitated, Naoki Nagayama quickly tried to comfort her:
"Don't worry! Your husband is a director, he'll handle it!"
"We only shoot from the side, at a 45-degree angle, shooting from above makes the face look slimmer!!"
"I'll fix it for you in post-production too!"
Although it's currently edited using film, Naoki Nagayama's company already has computer special effects, so it's just a matter of opening her mouth to slightly modify Akina's face shape!
"."
Hearing Naoki Nagayama say that, Akina felt a little relieved, but then another thought immediately surfaced in her mind:
"Naoki-san, you think I've gained weight too! Don't you?!"
"Forehead"
Oh dear, I've run into this trolley problem again!
Faced with a life-threatening situation, Naoki Nagayama could only choose to escape:
"Um, Akina, you go ahead with your makeup. I'll go check on the set preparations downstairs!"
Without waiting for Akina's response, Naoki Nagayama ran off, leaving Akina rolling her eyes before continuing to fiddle with herself in front of the mirror.
Downstairs in the living room, cameras and other equipment were already set up, but Matsuo Muneo was somewhat flustered.
Because the young lady of the Yongshan family was holding his trouser leg with one hand and the light fixture stand with the other, as if she wanted to shake it. If he wanted to stop her from holding on, her little mouth would immediately pout, and she would look like she was about to cry!
Matsuo Muneo was caught in a dilemma: whether to stop it or not. He was so anxious he didn't know what to do!
And seeing Matsuo Muneo's increasingly anxious expression, she giggled.
At such a young age, he already has the air of a little devil~
"Hana-chan! What are you doing?!"
Naoki Nagayama came down and, seeing this, immediately picked up the little guy, which relieved Muneo Matsuo.
Matsuo Muneo sighed inwardly, "I'm saved!"
"Naoki-san, we're adjusting the lighting to focus the light on the sofa area. The young lady seems quite curious about the lighting."
"Oh, I see. You must have worked hard."
"Stick."
The little guy couldn't explain it, but his hand still stubbornly reached towards the reflector.
"This is a reflector!"
Naoki Nagayama lifted it up a little higher so that Natsuka could touch the reflector. He knew that the child was just curious and would lose interest once her curiosity was satisfied.
"Board."
After Xia Hua touched the light panel, she took her hand back with satisfaction, and then twisted her body to reach towards the other equipment.
Naoki Nagayama had to hold the little one while handling all the filming equipment, including the camera and microphone.
At this moment, Akina finally came downstairs, her makeup done.
"Naoki-san, your makeup is done!"
What is "no-makeup makeup"? It's carefully applying a layer of makeup to a bare face to make it look like you're not wearing any makeup at all!
To Naoki Nagayama, this was nothing more than self-deception and a pointless exercise.
"Akina is ready!"
Naoki Nagayama glanced at Akina, then spoke to Muneo Matsuo.
"Matsuo-kun, let's get ready to start filming!"
"It's best to finish filming in the morning."
"Hi!"
Matsuo Muneo nodded, then instructed the remaining two assistants to begin preparations.
Naoki Nagayama handed Natsuka to Mari Nonaka, having just touched the appliances, and asked her to take the little one to another bathroom to wash her hands. Then, he picked up the script and started working with Akina.
"Do we really have to do this?!"
On camera, Akina Nakamori frowned and asked with great concern,
"You're going to mortgage all the houses?!"
"Ok!"
Naoki Nagayama nodded silently.
"Akina, this might be the biggest opportunity we'll ever have in our lives!"
"After successfully manipulating the market, we will become one of the very elite at the top of the Japanese pyramid!"
"But."
Akina touched her stomach.
"I just want my child to be born safely."
"."
Naoki Nagayama's expression was calm as he reached out and stroked his wife's belly, seemingly sensing the little life inside.
"Yes, I will give my child a better future! Believe me, Akina!"
"."
Akina paused for a few seconds, then looked up and smiled.
"Yes, I believe in Naoki-san!"
"Besides, it doesn't matter if I lose my house, I can just go back to work!"
"I'll grow straight mulberry trees then!"
"."
Naoki Nagayama was stunned. This wasn't an act; he was genuinely stunned during filming!
That line wasn't in the script!
After a few breaths, Naoki Nagayama shouted:
"Crack!"
Then he looked at Akina, his face showing helplessness:
"Akina, this wasn't in the script! Are you trying to make me a kept man?!"
"Hehe~~" Akina seemed quite happy. "If Naoki-san loses all his wealth, then I can go to work to support him, okay?"
Sure enough, my wife is quite good at joking!
Not only Naoki Nagayama, but also Muneo Matsuo and others filming nearby, struggled to suppress their laughter upon hearing this reason.
"Haha, this part is fictional anyway, isn't that great!"
Akina laughed and said that her husband was just as relaxed when he was a director, and he could change the script as he pleased without any problems.
In fact, during Black Monday's trading, Akina didn't feel any pressure at all. Naoki Nagayama didn't use any fixed assets or anything; it was purely his funds in the stock market.
To be honest, even if his short selling failed, at worst he would be forced to liquidate his positions and lose all his money in the stock market. However, Naoki Nagayama still owns the Shuyu Group, which includes numerous film, song, and novel revenues, making him one of the wealthiest people in Japan.
The way it's written in the script now is just to exaggerate the plot.
"."
Naoki Nagayama looked at the screen on the director's monitor and nodded.
"It seems like this kind of acting is indeed very reasonable."
"And it can also add a sense of lightness to a rather depressing movie."
Naoki Nagayama decided to retain Akina's impromptu performance and even enhance it.
"Akina, let's do it again. I'll add the 'gold digger' part from earlier!"
"."
The rest of the day was spent filming at the Yamazakura-in Temple. In addition to the couple's conversations, many scenes of Naoki Nagayama pondering and analyzing at home were also filmed.
Even Eitarou and Nyantaro made an appearance!
The automotive industry in Japan is in turmoil.
Since Toyota surpassed GM and Ford to become the world's number one automaker, the entire automotive industry has been filled with a sense of euphoria.
Our Japanese car manufacturers are number one in the world! Our Japanese cars are awesome! We're the best!
That's roughly the feeling, especially with Toyota and other Japanese automakers all eager to make their mark in the global automotive market.
At that very moment, a piece of news suddenly circulated in the automotive industry.
"Nani?"
As Eiji Toyoda, chairman of the new Toyota Motor Corporation, listened to his subordinate Kyohei Hagiwara's report, a strange expression appeared on his face.
"General Motors wants to make a movie for publicity?"
"What kind of idea is this? It's so far-fetched!"
It's important to understand that the mainstream competitive strategies for car sales are still advertising, discounts, and enhanced after-sales service. Making movies can be considered a form of advertising and marketing, albeit with some difficulty.
However, most of them are still in the form of sponsorship, just like advertising.
"But according to inside sources, it seems they're planning to send a racing movie specifically to show General Motors defeating Toyota in the film."
"What?!!"
Eiji Toyoda stared wide-eyed.
"This is false advertising!!! Isn't GM afraid we'll sue them?!"
"This is a movie plot. Just adding 'this story is purely fictional' makes it very convenient."
For a movie, you can create a fictional world car race as the backdrop, or even not, you can simply show GM overtaking Toyota in the racing plot of the movie, and the publicity effect will be achieved!
Even if the Ministry of Justice were to file a lawsuit, the lengthy process and the ultimate effectiveness are debatable.
"How can it be repaired?"
Eiji Toyoda slammed his hand on the table.
"The guys at GM actually thought of doing this?!"
"I heard it was a young man who proposed the plan!"
"Young people really have no sportsmanship!!"
"."
After criticizing the enemy's cunning, Eiji Toyoda continued by asking:
"So, has their movie already started preparations?"
"Hey, I heard they've already been in contact with some big-name directors who are available."
The subordinate said,
"Toho and Toei both have them. Oh, right, they seem to be quite interested in a rising director named Takeshi Kitano."
"Takeshi Kitano?!"
"That's the director who bought two cars, one for himself and one for someone else to drive, and he watches movies with them!"
A funny story about Takeshi Kitano: It is said that after making money from movies, he bought a luxury car and drove it himself, but he felt it was boring and couldn't see his own car. So he bought another one and let someone else drive it while he drove around watching.
Such anecdotes are widely circulated in the entertainment industry and have even become legendary stories passed down by word of mouth.
"Ah, that's him!"
Eiji Toyoda also remembered that since it was an interesting anecdote related to cars, someone had told him about it at the gathering.
"Takeshi Kitano, did he agree?!"
"As long as the money is right, the director will definitely agree to this!"
After listening to his subordinates' complaints, Eiji Toyoda thought it over carefully and then decided that his Toyota cars absolutely could not lose to General Motors!
"They have plenty of money, but does Toyota really lack funds?!"
"Let's make a movie too! And compete with them!!"
"Hagiwara, you should also get the publicity department to come up with a plan to find a racing movie that's even more famous than Takeshi Kitano!"
Eiji Toyoda waved his hand.
"Let's make Toyota beat GM in the movie, let's make Toyota beat all other car brands!!"
"Ha, you want to play unfair competition? Then we'll just take down all the other car brands as well!"
"."
Hagiwara Kyohei paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Hey, I'll go talk to the publicity department right away!"
"By the way, does Eiji-san have a director in mind?!"
Eiji Toyoda pondered for a moment:
"Oh right, wasn't that the most famous director this year, Naoki Nagayama? How's he doing?!"
"Forehead"
Hagiwara Kyohei hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up.
He figured it wouldn't work.
"Why? He won both the Palme d'Or and an Oscar! There aren't many Japanese directors who are better than him, are there?!"
It's not a matter of fame or ability.
Hagiwara Kyohei explained,
"It's because director Naoki Nagayama never accepts sponsorships or uses advertising for his films."
"?! Then just give us more money, right?!"
As a tycoon in the automotive industry, Eiji Toyoda actually looked down on the entertainment industry, subconsciously applying the same methods he used with other advertisers.
"Let him make a movie for us, this is a rare opportunity!"
"Forehead"
Hagiwara Kyohei was a little embarrassed.
"Eiji-san, have you forgotten that Naoki Nagayama is a big shot in the investment world and he's not short of money!"
In terms of total corporate assets, Toyota naturally far surpasses Shuyou, after all, it's an automotive industry.
However, if a large portion of Toyota's assets consists of automobiles, car dealerships, and real estate—which are liquid assets—then it doesn't actually have as much as Shuyou Capital. After all, Shuyou Capital is in finance, and it's all about money!
"Forehead"
Eiji Toyota was slightly embarrassed; he had forgotten that Naoki Nagayama was more than just a director.
"Fine, let's find someone else then!"
"It seems like director Kinji Fukasaku is quite good too."
"Hi, I'll contact them."
As the leading Japanese automaker, Toyota's actions were quickly leaked to those with ulterior motives.
The news that top automakers like Toyota and GM are making racing movies quickly spread throughout the entertainment and automotive industries.
Other car companies have also jumped in, either by advertising or by sponsoring other companies. In short, they can't afford to fall behind in this field!
Suddenly, movies about cars became a buzzword.
Surprisingly, film production companies such as Toho, Toei, Shochiku, and even Kadokawa have all received the news to varying degrees, and some well-known directors under their wing have been contacted by car companies to inquire about their availability.
However, Tree Friends Pictures, which now occupies the top of the film industry, seems to have been forgotten by everyone.
Yoshimura Otomo scratched the few remaining hairs on his head in his office:
"Why hasn't anyone contacted us?!"
I was captivated by the US blitzkrieg. Wow, in just one hour and 22 minutes, they took the enemy general's head—no, I mean, captured the enemy's leader—as easily as taking candy from a baby. The US truly is still the world's number one superpower!
(End of this chapter)