Chapter 4: 004: With so many songs in my head, any one of them would be a massive hit

Once a man has determined his goal, he acts very quickly.

After buying two records, Naoki Nagayama immediately headed back, trying his best to recall the songs he had seen or heard in his past life.

Perhaps it was due to the transmigration, but some memories in his brain seemed to be hidden in his subconscious, much like the phenomenon of déjà vu—they only surfaced when he encountered a familiar situation.

Upon hearing "Aoi Sangoshou" (Blue Coral Reef) at the record store, all the knowledge regarding Seiko Matsuda came flooding back, though most of it was related to the "Showa Goddess" aesthetics he had seen on Bilibili.

Here, Naoki Nagayama sincerely thanked the content creators who, while making biographical videos, never forgot to use Seiko Matsuda’s most famous hits and other Showa-era songs as background music.

However, it seemed he had watched even more videos of Akina Nakamori.

The ultimate idol in Tsui Hark’s heart, the dream lover of Leslie Cheung.

And that saying about her and Shizuka Kudo—one who stunned the era, and one who gentled the years.

It had been hyped to the heavens by marketing accounts, until Naoki Nagayama personally went to critique it and ended up falling headfirst into the rabbit hole—it was truly "Zhen Xiang" (a delicious irony).

He had impressions of her hit songs as well; if he could sell Akina Nakamori’s songs to her after she debuted, he could probably make a fortune.

Thinking of this, Naoki Nagayama suddenly remembered that Momoe Yamaguchi had just retired, so it would be about two years before "Fatty Akina" debuted. She was likely going through her first two failed auditions right now; at only 15, she was just an ordinary middle school girl with a bit of baby fat, completely unrecognizable as the future Showa beauty.

"Forget it, I’ll sell Seiko Matsuda’s songs first. These next two years are going to be her world."

He took out his keys and returned to his small room.

He had been in a rush on the way back, and in the sweltering heat, he had worked up a sweat, forcing him to take a second shower in one day.

I’ll say it again: a young body is truly great. After sitting down for just a moment, he had already regained his energy.

While listening to the newly purchased records, he began to recall Seiko Matsuda’s hit songs. Currently, "Kaze wa Aki-iro" (The Wind is Autumn-Colored) had already been released.

Then, the next one should be that sweet song, "Cherry Blossom."

He would check if it had been written yet; if not, he would decide to sell this one!

The melody of this song was very familiar. The Japanese he couldn't understand before was now perfectly clear to the current Naoki Nagayama. With both the lyrics and the melody in his head, he just needed to record it! (It seemed simple enough.)

However, things were not that simple.

Naoki Nagayama didn't know how to compose music!

In his previous life, he was a science and engineering student; in this life, he was a high school student from the countryside. Although he could sing based on the melody, he had never learned how to write musical notation.

"I’ve already written the lyrics," Naoki Nagayama said, looking at the handwriting on the white paper, unable to help but complain to himself.

"The great enterprise of selling songs has stalled in an unexpected place."

Feeling a bit frustrated, Nagayama-san could only stare blankly while listening to the record.

Listen?

A flash of inspiration struck Naoki Nagayama.

The melody of the song was already familiar! The lyrics were ready! And he could sing it!

In that case, couldn't he just find someone who knew how to compose music to transcribe the score?

Where could he find such a person?

There certainly wasn't anyone in Naoki Nagayama’s current social circle.

The image of Yota Nakai suddenly appeared in his mind. This high-achieving student from Hitotsubashi University frequented entertainment venues all day and knew all sorts of people; he should be able to find someone who knew how to compose.

As for not being close with him?

They were neighbors who had already eaten together several times. Having spent seven or eight years in the workplace in his previous life, he could at least manage to ask with a thick skin.

"So, you’re saying that after experiencing a brush with death, you’ve completely abandoned Momoe Yamaguchi-san and thrown yourself into the arms of Seiko Matsuda?"

Yota Nakai seemed a bit bewildered.

"Hai, after hearing Seiko-san’s sweet voice, I was completely captivated!"

Naoki Nagayama looked earnest.

"And then, after listening to her songs, a melody appeared in your head, and you want to give this song to Seiko-san as a gift?"

Yota Nakai’s expression looked a bit pained.

"Hai, this melody was once meant for Momoe-san, but after hearing 'Aoi Sangoshou' today, the lyrics surfaced in my mind, and I realized this song was truly better suited for Seiko-san."

Naoki Nagayama added a backstory to the song.

"And finally, because you don't know how to compose, you want to ask if I know anyone who does, so they can help transcribe the melody?"

Yota Nakai confirmed once more.

"Hai, I am very sorry, but among the people I know, only Nakai-san has the charisma to be acquainted with such talented composers."

Naoki Nagayama showered him with praise.

A few minutes earlier, Naoki Nagayama had knocked on the door of Yota Nakai, who was watching TV, and informed him of his request.

It had earned him Yota Nakai’s suspicion and questioning; for a moment, he had thought Naoki Nagayama had developed mental health issues.

"Even if you praise me like that, finding someone to transcribe a song isn't that easy. First of all, your song has to be complete."

Yota Nakai still didn't believe Naoki Nagayama’s story, thinking he would just brush it off.

Naoki Nagayama understood the concern in his words.

"Nakai-san, you can listen to an a cappella version of the song first. The lyrics are already written."

"Hontou ni? Please, let me hear it."

So, Naoki Nagayama hummed the melody in his head, then, keeping the beat, sang "Cherry Blossom" a cappella.

It lacked the sweet, lingering quality of a female voice, but the light, upbeat rhythm and the exquisite lyrics were already evident.

"I never expected such a sentimental heart to be hidden behind Nagayama-san’s stoic face!" After hearing the song, Yota Nakai seemed to feel Naoki Nagayama’s inner self.

The lyrics—"I, who have just awakened from a dream," "The flower of love held in my arms," "You will accept it, won't you"—perfectly matched the happy state of mind of Naoki Nagayama, who had returned to his obsession with Seiko Matsuda after his brush with death.

"That really is a great song!" Yota Nakai became somewhat excited. "If Seiko-san sings it, it will definitely be very popular!"

At this moment, Naoki Nagayama thought silently to himself: "Any song I pull out of my head will be very popular."

"This is something history has already proven!"