Tokyo bubble life

When the weather is nice and he is not in a hurry, Nagayama Naoki likes to drive his sports car, and sometimes it doesn’t matter if he takes a detour.

When the warm summer wind blows on his cheeks, when the lazy citypop surrounds his ears, and when the picture of the azure sea and green mountains is in front of his eyes, Naoki Nagayama really hopes that Akina can enjoy it together.

It's a pity that today's Mingcai is not suitable for long-term car rides~

"After the baby is born, leave her at home and take Akina out to play!"

By the time we made a big circle and arrived at the Tree Friends Building, it was already close to noon.

He came to the company today because Editor Morikawa of Shogakukan had called to remind him about the comic adaptation, just to discuss the future adaptation of "Slam Dunk" and to send over a few songs.

In Itou Shuichi's office, Yoshimura Otomo also came to discuss it.

""I Want to Say I Love You Loudly" is a song that has already been given to Kudo Shizuka~"

Yoshimura Otomo flipped through several music scores and was very surprised.

"Then this "My Friend" "Until the End of the World" "Only Staring at You" "Capture the Shining Moment"."

He looked up at Nagayama Naoki, full of disbelief:

"Naoki-san, did you write a series of theme songs based on "Slam Dunk"?!"

This is incredible. How can there be five theme songs written before the animation adaptation is completed? ! Even for Naoki Nagayama, this feels too exaggerated!

Naoki Nagayama originally wanted to admit it, but when he saw Otomo Yoshimura and Shuichi Itou looking at monsters in their eyes, he tactfully modified it:

"Actually, it's just a few songs I wrote before, but based on the passion, friendship and other factors of "Slam Dunk", I put them together when I saw the right ones."

"So that's it~"

The faces of Yoshimura Otomo and Itou Shuichi became slightly normal.

Whether you believe it or not, I believe it anyway!

Yoshimura Otomo keenly discovered a blind spot: "So, Naoki-san still has a lot of songs here?"

"."

Nagayama Naoki ignored this guy who had been coveting his little music library, but continued:

"After "Slam Dunk" is adapted into an animation, I think these songs can be used. But before that, we still need to find suitable singers for these songs."

"Can't you Ozaki Yutaka? Shizuka-chan?" Yoshimura Otomo said immediately, "We also have many idol artists under our banner."

This guy always wants to digest all the good things internally

"The styles of these songs are all different, and the interpretations are also very different. The requirements for singers are very high." Nagayama Naoki explained a little, "For example, this song "Only Staring at You" requires high-pitched singing. Explosive, this song "Until the End of the World" needs the tone of a decadent uncle, but it should be refreshing."

"In short, I think our singers may not be of this level."

Almost all of the female artists under Shuyou are female idols. They are cute and very popular, but when it comes to singing skills, they really have no advantages.

As for the male singers, Yutaka Ozaki and Kazumasa Oda are considered capable, but one is a prince of love songs, and the other has a boyish voice, and singing these songs is a bit awkward.

"Then who should I ask to sing?"

Itou Shuichi looked at these songs and felt a little worried about happiness. Not long after the manga was launched, the theme song of the animation came out. This is simply forcing the adaptation work!

Yoshimura Otomo and Itou Shuichi chatted for a few words, both feeling helpless.

Naoki Nagayama actually remembered the original singers of these songs. If Noboru Uesugi and Moki Daikoku were mentioned, they should still be in junior high school now? The only one who is a little older is Sakai Izumi. His name should be Kamai Sachiko now. He seems to be 19 years old and hasn’t debuted yet?

But if I tell them now to find a girl named Kamai Sachiko and ask her to sing, will Otomo-san and Shuichi-san think that I am just talking casually or that I am possessed by a monster?

Seeing that the two people's discussion was fruitless and they started to list the famous singers in the entertainment industry, Naoki Nagayama shook his head and interjected:

"Looking for existing singers to sing, there is nothing new."

"What do you think of Naoki-san?"

"I'm thinking that the anime adaptation will probably have to wait until the end of the year. Since Tree Friends are going to make a name for themselves in the animation industry, it's better to start building momentum starting with the theme song!"

"."

Come on, Naoki Nagayama’s wonderful little idea is out again!

Itou Shuichi and Yoshimura Otomo have gone from being amazed at the ideas that Nagayama Naoki pops up from time to time. They are even able to expand according to his ideas.

"Naoki-san, you mean to make the selection of singers for these songs a big deal and attract attention?"

"Audition of singers?" "Singing competition?" "A talent show?"

Nouns came out one by one from the two people's mouths. After being together in the entertainment industry for so long, these routines came naturally.

"Almost."

Naoki Nagayama actually just said it casually,

"Toho has the Toho Cinderella Contest, and Toei also has the Karaoke Queen Selection. I think Tree Friends can do one too~"

"Don't tree friends have tree girls?" Yoshimura Otomo said with a smile, "Did Naoki-san forget it?"

"Eh?"

"Naoki-san's movie casting meeting has been called the tree girl casting meeting!"

Itou Shuichi also interjected,

"Now everyone is thinking about when Naoki Nagayama will choose a movie heroine again!"

In Nagayama Naoki's love movies, "That Summer, the Sea of ​​Tranquility", "Love Letter", "April Story", etc., the heroines in every one of them are amateur actors, and almost every newcomer can win the Newcomer Award that year. It can almost be regarded as one of the best tickets to enter the entertainment industry.

"Hahaha, but this time I'm choosing a singer," Naoki Nagayama said, "It has nothing to do with the movie, so it's best not to get mixed up."

"Then what name should I use?" Fangcun Otomo asked.

"How about using the name 'Neon Sound'? Create a singing show called 'Neon Sound'?" Naoki Nagayama suddenly thought of the future "The Voice of America" ​​and "The Voice of China" .

"Does it actually represent the entire neon scene?"

Yoshimura Otomo's interest suddenly increased. At his age, he likes grand narratives the most.

"Is the process still the same as an audition?" Itou Shuichi asked, "If it's an audition, there are already a lot of auditions to select idols like "Idol, Birth", or singing competitions."

In this era, various idol auditions are emerging one after another, and even idols are everywhere. There are actually many singing contests, and even the Asian Singer Contest has been held. Itou Shuichi has doubts about the popularity of this kind of audition.

Nagayama Naoki looked at Yoshimura Otomo, who also had some agreement, and asked:

"Are you tired of so many drafts? Are there any vulgar, sensational, shady, unfair selections, etc.?!"

"That's true."

Almost all drafts have this problem. When they are not yet famous, the participants are ordinary civilian players, so many hidden gems are selected and win huge fame and benefits.

But as the reputation gradually grows, all kinds of monsters and monsters will insert their own offspring and arrange them in advance, hoping to seize such benefits. This leads to a decline in the quality of the draft.

Then, in order to maintain the topic and popularity, various extreme hot spots will be used, such as venomous judges, weird contestants, etc. to increase the topicality, forming a vicious cycle.

"This time our 'Neon Sound' can use a blind audition method. Participants go directly to the stage to sing. The judges sit on rotating chairs and only listen to the sound. Only when they think the sound is good can they turn around and the contestants pass" Naoki Nagayama Said, "This simple selection criterion does not depend on appearance, appearance, experience or other conditions."

"The mentor chooses a famous singer. If multiple mentors select a contestant, the initiative lies with the contestant to form several teams and compete against each other."

In fact, Naoki Nagayama provided the mentorship system to Fuji TV during "Dusk Meow", but they just copied it and added a little novelty to "Dusk Meow", and then it stopped working at all.

Speaking of which, this form of talent show was briefly glimpsed in the TV series "Boys Over Flowers".

But this time, the "Neon Sound" can be said to be more distinctive and outstanding.

"The most important thing is to explain it during the promotion." Naoki Nagayama said, "The winner selected this time can directly get a contract with Shuyou and the opportunity to sing these theme songs."

Having said a lot, Naoki Nagayama actually wanted to use this method to promote the animated adaptation of "Slam Dunk" and select a suitable singer.

Yoshimura Otomo nodded repeatedly after hearing this. Not to mention anything else, simply signing a tree friend contract, coupled with Nagayama Naoki's songs, can attract many people to participate. Moreover, blind listening, mentor's swivel chair, and team PK all sound very interesting. .

Even though Neon has so many drafts, the "neon sound" Naoki Nagayama said is also very distinctive.

"Naoki-san, that sounds interesting~"

Fangcun Dayou nodded with satisfaction,

"As expected, Naoki-san is also very talented in variety shows."

Yi Tangxiu smiled and said:

"Of course, haven't you seen that "Music Station" is already the leading music program of Chaoyang TV Station?"

"Hahaha, that's true~" Yoshimura Otomo agreed with a smile, "So which TV station will you cooperate with for "The Sound of Neon" this time?"

TBS has "The Best Ten", Fuji TV has "Night Hit", and Chaoyang TV has Naoki Nagayama's "Music Station". These three major TV stations have representative programs, and there are still two TV stations left. Isn't it lonely?

"Otomo-san, Shuichi-san." Naoki Nagayama smiled, "Have we not collaborated on a program with NTV (Japan Television) yet?"

"Ah, indeed not."

Yoshimura Otomo nodded. Even TV Tokyo had collaborated on a late-night TV series, but NTV seemed to have forgotten.

"Then let's contact NTV first this time. If they don't have any intention to cooperate, we can discuss it with other TV stations." Nagayama Naoki shook his head, "For Neon's five major TV stations, tree friends should also be affected equally!"

"."

Itou Shuichi and Yoshimura Otomo looked at each other, always feeling that something was strange.

But today’s meeting with Naoki-san did not disappoint. Not only did I get several songs, but I also got an idea for a show.

"Naoki-san, when does "Neon Sound" start?"

"Summer, during the summer vacation~" Naoki Nagayama said casually, "It just so happens that young people are free and have time to watch TV."

Summer vacation is in mid-to-late July. Now it’s mid-June, and there’s still about a month left.

Yoshimura Otomo doesn't feel rushed either. This is not a large-scale event like the Tokyo International Film Festival. It's just a variety show. With Shuyou's current efficiency, it can definitely be completed in a month.

"Naoki-san, do you want to take the lead in this show?"

"Why don't I put my name on it?" Nagayama Naoki shook his head. He was still thinking about accompanying Akina at home. "I will supervise the initial plan and recording. The specific implementation should be done by others."

"Okay~"

After having dinner together at noon, Naoki Nagayama started to rush back. If he couldn't see her for a long time, Akina would be restless.

She was very young to begin with, and she didn’t even understand how to raise herself. She was actually going to give birth to a baby. Akina actually needed a sense of security when she was in her third trimester~

The remote-controlled iron door opened, and Nagayama Naoki saw a foreigner with gray hair standing at the door of the building, but his whole body was meticulously groomed:

"Naoki-san, Welcome back home"

"Alfred" Nagayama Naoki parked the car at the door and got out, handing him the key, "Sorry~"

"This is what I should do~"

Alfred is Naoki Nagayama's newly hired butler and a relative of a senior employee of the company.

He is of mixed race. His Japanese name is Fukuchi Yusuke. He used to work as a butler for the British in the port area, but the original owner went back to London when he got older. He didn't want to go abroad even when he got older. He was more suitable in all aspects.

Well, the above are all add-ons. In fact, after Naoki Nagayama heard that his English name was Alfred, he almost decided. Who hasn’t fantasized about having Batman’s butler~

After walking into the entrance hall, Akina was reading comics on the sofa when she saw Naoki Nagayama smiling:

"Naoki-san, you're back~"

"Hmm~" Nagayama Naoki walked up to Akina and kissed her soft cheek, "Have you had lunch?"

"Hey~ It's hot outside, isn't it?" Akina pointed to the refrigerator, "Mrs. Nonaka also made red bean soup. It's in the refrigerator, Naoki-san. Do you want to drink it?"

"Let's talk about it later"

Nagayama Naoki sat on the sofa, feeling the soft cushions and stretching comfortably.

"Has Naoki-san already sent the songs?"

"Yes, it's all for Otomo-san~" Nagayama Naoki nodded, "Otomo-san is very happy~"

“After all, it’s Naoki-san’s song.”

Akina has naturally seen those songs, and almost all of them are excellent. Even she wanted to sing the song "My Friend", but unfortunately her body didn't allow it.

"Which singer will I give it to?"

"It hasn't been decided yet. It will be selected through the draft."

Seeing Akina's interest, Naoki Nagayama told Akina about the variety show "The Sound of Neon".

"It's a blind audition based only on your voice." Akina sighed after hearing this, "It doesn't matter whether she looks cute or not."

But in terms of voice quality, Akina is one of the top neon performers. However, when she first debuted, her appearance was criticized by judges and teachers in the entertainment industry.

He also said that they are not as cute as Yu Hayami and others, so they can only rely on singing and the like.

Looking back now, I still feel a little sad~

For teenage girls, being told in front of others that they are not as cute as other people is a big deal.

But no one thought that Akina would become a great beauty from the age of sixteen to twenty when a girl changed her age.

"What is Akina reading?" Nagayama Naoki was a little surprised to see Akina holding "Weekly Shōnen Sunday" in her hand.

"Of course it's "Slam Dunk"~"

Akina came back to her senses and said while holding up the comic magazine.

"Aren't you not interested in sports?"

"Of course you have to read about Naoki-san's comics~"

"oh?"

Nagayama Naoki was still about to ask, but he saw Akina coming over with ill intentions:

"The character prototype of Naoki-san's "Slam Dunk" was drawn by you. Who is the prototype of Haruko Akagi? Can you tell me?!"

".No one. Just referenced women's basketball players."

This was not the first time Akina asked, and Nagayama Naoki could only respond perfunctorily.

"It must not be me anyway, right?!"

Even if she loses weight successfully, Akina still knows that she doesn’t have long athletic legs like Haruko Akagi.

"."

If this problem continues, it will cause family disputes!

Naoki Nagayama decisively chose to change the topic:

"Ah, I feel a little thirsty. Akina just said that the red bean soup is in the refrigerator, right? I'll go and taste it."

"whispering sound"