N-M Chapter 1352, page 1361: Oh, Bai, could it be that Tree Friend is part of a cult?!
Chapter 1352, page 1361: Oh, Bai, could it be that Tree Friend is part of a cult?!
Chapter 1352, page 1361: Oh, Bai, could it be that Tree Friend is part of a cult?!
"Hua Jiang, you've grown so much again!"
Xia Hua was lifted up by a pair of large hands, spun around in mid-air, and then held in the arms of a burly man. Her little face showed a mixture of disdain and forced compliance.
"Huh? Aren't you happy to see Uncle Feng? Why aren't you smiling?"
"Hehehe"
The little guy had to force a smile and give a perfunctory reply before wanting to return to his mother's arms.
However, Nagayama Kaede also adored his daughter, and was especially fond of his niece Natsuka, who was slightly older than Sayuri. He wouldn't let the little one leave and even said to Nagayama Naoki:
"Naoki, see? I told you Hana-chan would recognize me, and you even said she might not be family?"
"."
Seeing Kaede's beaming smile and Natsuka's pleading expression in his arms, Naoki Nagayama felt helpless.
"Brother Feng is too kind. Hua Jiang will definitely remember you!"
On birthdays, cherry blossom viewing parties, and various holidays, Kaede Nagayama and Naoki Nagayama would always get together, so their families were quite familiar with each other. Even Sayuri, who couldn't speak yet, had an impression of Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori.
"Hahaha~"
Nagayama Kaede laughed heartily, holding Xiaoxia Hua tightly and refusing to let go.
"Hana-chan, how about we ride in the same car with Uncle Maple this time, and go with Lily-chan on the way?"
Faced with such an enthusiastic uncle, Xia Hua didn't know how to refuse, so she could only turn her gaze to her elderly father again.
Naoki Nagayama, as expected, politely declined:
"Brother Feng, forget it, the child safety seat is still in the car."
"Ah, that's true."
Nagayama Kaede nodded, then said to Natsuka with regret,
"How about Hua Jiang spends more time with Uncle Feng now, and then goes back to the car when it's time to drive?"
It's already the second day of the new year, and Nagayama Naoki and Nagayama Kaede are heading back to Shizuoka. At this moment, Nagayama Kaede's car has arrived at Yamazakurain and they are making final preparations for departure.
Seeing his cousin holding his daughter tightly, Naoki Nagayama didn't have a strong reason to take her back, but he was still somewhat annoyed that his daughter was being held by another doting father.
He glanced at Nagayama Kokoro, who was chatting with Akina, and at Sayuri, whom she was holding, and a flash of inspiration struck him.
"Ha, you're holding my daughter? Then I'll go hold your daughter!!"
So Naoki Nagayama walked over to the two mothers:
"Kokoro-chan, you must be tired after hugging for so long. Let me hug Yuri-chan too!"
"Okay, that works too~"
Nagayama Shinkai had no problem and handed Sayuri to Nagayama Naoki. Then he stretched with a relaxed stretch. Holding a child all day long is very tiring!
Little Sayuri, still sucking on her pacifier, didn't resist when she saw the handsome Nagayama Naoki. Instead, she looked up at him with bright, curious eyes, full of admiration.
Sure enough, even babies can distinguish between what's good and bad! They know what beauty and ugliness are.
"Haha, as expected, Lily-chan remembers me too!"
Naoki Nagayama nuzzled Sayuri's head, and the little one giggled, even happier than when she was in her mother's arms!
Akina watched from the side and sighed to Nagayama Shinkai:
"Naoki-san is indeed very popular with children. My older sister's son, Hikari, and daughter, Ai, both like him very much."
"Haha, this shows that Naoki is a kind person, something even a child can sense!"
"That's right~"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Nagayama Kaede, who was trying to win over Natsuka but hadn't found a way, looked up and saw that his daughter was actually being amused by Nagayama Naoki and laughing happily.
Looking at Xia Hua, who still seemed somewhat disgusted in her arms, and then at Yuri, who was happily cuddling in Naoki Nagayama's arms, only one thought popped into her head: "My house has been robbed!"
Anxiety immediately rose in her heart, and she carried Xiaoxiahua to Naoki Nagayama's side:
"Ah, Naoki, Hana-chan seems to want you to hug her."
"Oh?" Naoki Nagayama looked at Natsuka and saw her reach out her hand to him. "What about Yuri-chan?"
"Lily-chan is definitely someone I can hug!"
With arms thicker than his calves, Nagayama Kaede could easily hand over Xiaoxiahua with one hand and catch Xiaosaihe with the other.
Naoki Nagayama naturally cooperated, taking Natsuka with one hand and holding Sayuri with the other. Instead of going to her father, Sayuri grabbed Naoki Nagayama's collar and wouldn't let go.
And so, Naoki Nagayama ended up holding Natsuka in one arm and Sayuri in the other.
"Lily-chan is Daddy!"
Nagayama Kaede's face stiffened slightly as she gently comforted Sayuri, cradling her in her hands.
"Come quickly to Daddy's side."
However, the little guy turned his face away and didn't even look at his father. In a daze, Naoki Nagayama felt like he heard something shatter!
"Lily sauce~~~"
Brother Feng sounded like he was about to cry.
Just then, Akina and Kokoro finally stopped watching the show and rushed over, each taking one of their daughters away.
"Naoki and Kaede are all ready, let's get going!"
Akina chimed in:
"If we leave now, we can arrive in Shizuoka just in time for lunch."
"."
Naoki Nagayama and Kaede Nagayama exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement, thus dispelling the minor disturbance.
A while later, as the gates of Yamasakurain opened, two black Toyota Century cars drove together toward Shizuoka.
Even though it's already the New Year, the entertainment industry doesn't take a holiday.
The prime ministerial nomination election, the Japan Record Awards, and the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle) before the new year garnered significant attention. As the new year begins, the entertainment industry will naturally be filled with a constant stream of new and exciting news!
The hottest topics this New Year are naturally "My Neighbor Totoro," which was released just a week ago, and the newly crowned champion of the second season of "Neon Voice," Maki Ohguro!
Inside the Shuyou building, several departments were still operating. Yoshimura Daitomo, having just sobered up from a drinking session, was in his office, persevering with his employees.
"Eiichiro."
Yoshimura Otomo rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the hangover.
"Have the opening weekend box office figures for 'My Neighbor Totoro' been released yet?"
"Private Marseille, Otomo-san!"
Eiichiro Watanabe shook his head.
"Due to the Lunar New Year holiday, there has been some delay in compiling data from various cinema chains and theaters across the country. We do not yet have accurate data."
"So, roughly?"
"The opening weekend box office for 'My Neighbor Totoro' is expected to be around 4 million yuan."
4 million!
Yoshimura Daitomo was somewhat dissatisfied because Naoki Nagayama's other films generally had box office revenue approaching 10 billion yen in their opening week, and some of Naoki Nagayama's films even reached around 15 billion to 20 billion yen in their opening week.
This result might be good for other film companies, but for Shuyou, it's just so-so.
However, he didn't say much. "My Neighbor Totoro" is an animated film aimed at children, and in this era, its audience is relatively small, especially since it was released at the same time as "Love Letter."
"Forget it. Let's just advertise it as 5 million!"
Yoshimura Otomo gave the instructions.
"After the newspapers reopen on the 3rd, we'll publish this press release. Let's hope our fellow tree enthusiasts have a good start to the new year!"
"Hey, I get it!"
"Okay, go ahead. I'm going back to my hometown tomorrow too."
Yoshimura Otomo waved his hand to let Watanabe Eiichiro leave. After all, as the company's CEO, he was also an ordinary person who needed to visit relatives and friends during the New Year.
Not long after Eiichiro Watanabe left, Masami Inada knocked on the door and entered:
"Otomo-san has arrived!"
"people?"
Yoshimura Daitomo was taken aback for a moment, then realized that he had another engagement today: to meet the winner of the second season of "Neon Voice" and persuade her to sign a contract with Shuyou!
"Let her in!"
"Hi!"
Masami Inada went out and called out at the door.
"Big Black Mulberry can come in now!"
Then Yoshimura Otomo saw a girl with slightly dark skin, a very spirited and energetic air, walk in. Her eyes were full of curiosity as she looked around the office.
"She's a completely different type from Izumi Sakai!"
This was the first thought that came to Yoshimura Daitomo's mind.
When Maki Ohguro saw that there was only a middle-aged man with a receding hairline in the office, she was a little disappointed. She had thought that she would see the legendary Naoki Nagayama!
"Maki Ohguro, right?!"
Yoshimura Otomo stood up and introduced himself.
"I am Yoshimura Hirotomo, CEO of the Shuyou Group. Nice to meet you."
"I am Maki Ookuro!" The girl seemed to only then realize what was happening, and immediately bowed. "Nice to meet you, please take care of me!"
"Yes, yes, we have a long future ahead of us."
Yoshimura Otomo smiled and invited her to sit down, then sat down beside her and started chatting.
"Maki Ohguro. What a rare surname!"
"Hi, they're usually only available in Hokkaido."
"Hmm~" Yoshimura Otomo nodded, "You came to Tokyo all alone from Hokkaido, and then won the second season of 'Neon Voice'. It must have been a tough journey!"
"Where, where."
Maki Ohguro was also touched, and she thanked her repeatedly.
"Thanks to the 'Neon Voice' project by Shuyou Group, I was able to achieve my goal of debuting as a professional singer."
"Haha, Mojisang hasn't even debuted yet."
After a few pleasantries, Yoshimura Otomo got straight to the point.
"I think Yamin-kun has already introduced you to him before. If you'd like, you can join Shuyou's talent agency."
"Yes, I did say that!"
"What are your thoughts?"
Yoshimura Otomo laughed,
"I'm not bragging, but the treatment and talent of our Tree Friends are unparalleled in the entertainment industry! Others might not even be able to get in."
He learned from Masami Inada that Maki Ohguro seemed to be hesitant.
I've heard about that too.
Having participated in "Neon Voice" for so long, Maki Ohguro has inquired about it from all sides. The treatment of the Tree Friends is indeed very good. They have many popular idols, talented singers and outstanding actors under their management, so the competition is quite fierce.
Her mentor, Miyuki Nakajima, who was close to her, specifically advised that for newcomers who have no bargaining power, the best place to debut is still with Shuyu, even though there is a lot of competition!
"So, Mojisan, what are your thoughts?"
"I ask," Yoshimura Otomo inquired, then glanced at Inada Masami beside him.
"Or would you like to know more?"
"Hi"
Maki Ohguro nodded, then looked on with a mixture of anticipation and worry.
"I'd like to ask, in the previous promotional materials for 'Neon Voice,' it was mentioned that the winner would receive a song specially commissioned by Naoki Nagayama. Is that true?!"
She actually wanted to meet this legendary musician today, but unfortunately Naoki Nagayama wasn't in his office.
Upon hearing this, Yoshimura Otomo chuckled, then stood up:
"of course it's true!"
"actually"
Yoshimura Otomo took a sheet of music from a drawer in his desk and handed it to Ooku Maki.
"Naoki-san has already written the song!"
"If Mojisan chooses Tree Friend, this song will be your debut song."
"It's already finished?!"
Maki Ohguro was surprised. She took the sheet music and saw the song's title: "I Only Gaze at You".
"But I don't know Naoki-san at all! When did he create this song for me?!"
"Hahaha"
Yoshimura Otomo said with a smile.
"Naoki-san had already written this song when you first went on stage."
"First time on stage?"
"Hi!"
Yoshimura Daitomo sighed,
"From that moment on, Naoki-san knew you would become the champion!"
"!!!"
Upon hearing this, Maki Ohguro was overwhelmed with a surge of emotions—surprise, delight, and gratitude.
"Naoki-san actually has that much confidence in me?! I don't even know him!"
"Haha, the unique feature of 'Neon Voice' is that you only listen to the singing!"
Yoshimura Daitomo said,
"Naoki-san made this clear when he was planning this program."
"Maki Ohguro, your voice is unparalleled!!"
Join TreeFriends! We believe we'll provide you with the perfect stage!!!
At this moment, Maki Ohguro was somewhat bewildered, but her gaze drifted to the name of the sheet music and she stared at you. For a moment, she felt as if ever since she arrived in Tokyo, there had been a pair of eyes watching her!
After a period of contemplation, Maki Ohguro slowly nodded:
Hi, please take care of me in the future!
"Haha, from now on we're family!"
Yoshimura Otomo was overjoyed; his company would soon have another capable lieutenant! This also fulfilled Naoki-san's earlier request!
"Let's sign Mojisan along with Masami Inada!"
"We'll consider the training program, the dedicated manager, and the arrangements for the debut song after we return to work after the New Year!"
"Now, you can go back to your home in Hokkaido and share this good news with your family!"
"."
As Maki Ohguro walked out of the office, he was still holding the sheet music for "I Only Stare at You".
Masami Inada saw this and quickly reminded him:
"Moji-san, you'd better take good care of the original manuscript in your hand. This is a score written by Naoki-san himself, it has great commemorative value!"
"Eh?"
Maki Ohguro glanced at the sheet music subconsciously and chuckled slightly.
"Would someone really steal it?"
"some!"
Masami Inada nodded earnestly.
"Collecting original manuscripts of Naoki-san's works is a major wish of the employees of Shuyou! Otomo-san is a particularly serious fan!"
"If Naoki-san hadn't specifically instructed that the debut song for the newcomers must be the original manuscript, he would definitely have made a copy and kept it as a keepsake!"
"Huh?! There's such a thing?!"
"Naoki-san's original manuscripts are all works created in bursts of inspiration."
Masami Inada said with deep emotion,
"When he's composing a song, it only takes him a few minutes to write a perfect piece with lyrics and music!"
"I was fortunate enough to witness it once, and the scene was simply like an apocalypse! It was full of legend, even a bit sacred, so everyone believed that creating the original manuscript had special significance!"
"Within the Shuyu Group, Hayano Riko from the General Affairs Department was the luckiest person. At that time, Naoki-san didn't have any manuscript paper, so he borrowed her notebook and wrote two songs directly!!!"
"I've asked Otomo-san for that laptop several times, and he's offered huge red envelopes, but I still haven't succeeded!"
Maki Ohguro felt like he was hearing some urban legend!
The employees of Shuyu seem to have an unusual level of admiration for Naoki Nagayama, to the point that it's almost like a religion!
Oh dear, could Tree Friends Group be a cult?!
"However, no one will try to steal the original manuscript; that would be disrespectful!"
Masami Inada said as he walked.
"So, Mojisan, don't worry about others outbidding you for this manuscript. If you want to sell it, consider giving it to me first! I'll offer at least 500,000!"
"."
Maki Ohguro didn't know how to react for the time being, so he could only stall.
"Okay, if I were to sell, I'd consider Yamin-san first!"
"Haha, it's a deal then!"
Masami Inada himself worked very hard to get a copy of the original manuscript!
As Maki Ohguro walked out of the Tree Friends Building, she became increasingly curious about Naoki Nagayama, whom she had only heard of but never met!
(End of this chapter)