Chapter 10: 010, The First House of a Lifetime, Bought in the Showa Era

Auditioning for commercials is different from movies or television; it doesn't require much in the way of acting.

Otomu Yoshimura drove Naoki Nagayama directly to a studio. Inside, a group of people were shooting for a gravure magazine, and several young girls were posing provocatively. Yoshimura walked straight up and asked, "Excuse me, is Producer Ido in?"

One of the stagehands replied, "Oh, Otomu-kun, you're here. Producer Ido is in his office."

"Arigato. I've brought a new commercial model and would like him to take a look. Is he available now?"

"Sure, let me go ask Ido-san." The stagehand briskly headed toward the back, and before long, he called Yoshimura over.

Naoki Nagayama stayed in the studio, watching the gravure shoot with great interest. He had only ever seen this in magazines before; he hadn't expected to see it in person.

A short while later, the stagehand returned to invite Nagayama to the back. The door to the back office was slightly ajar, and he could hear a voice saying, "Otomu-san, this is the fifth one already. If this one isn't suitable either, the client is going to get angry~" "Shuichi-san, I am absolutely confident this time. I believe the client will be satisfied with this model!"

Naoki Nagayama called out, "Excuse me," and pushed the door open. A middle-aged man with long hair and a mustache, looking quite artistic, was complaining to Yoshimura.

Seeing that he had arrived, Yoshimura introduced him: "Naoki-kun, this is the commercial producer, Shuichi Ido, who also works as a director."

"Hai, nice to meet you. I am Naoki Nagayama. Please take care of me~" He bowed honestly. *Huh? I didn't bow at all when I met Yoshimura, did I?*

Shuichi Ido’s eyes lit up when he saw the fresh and handsome Naoki Nagayama. This temperament, so different from the typical Showa style, was like a clear spring born amidst a rocky beach.

However, being experienced in the photography industry, he replied in a lukewarm tone: "Hai, Nagayama-kun, nice to meet you~"

He then went straight to the point. "I heard from Otomu-san that you have never shot a commercial before?"

"Hai, this is my first time."

"Then how can you guarantee that you'll shoot an excellent soda commercial?"

*How can I guarantee it? Is the responsibility on me now?* Naoki Nagayama sensed the producer shifting the goalposts; he was a veteran of the workplace, alright.

"As a newcomer, I can only guarantee that I will do my best to shoot the commercial, while relying on the rich experience of Ido-kun and the staff."

A bit of verbal tai chi, and both sides knew the other was no amateur.

"Nagayama-kun's image is a perfect fit for the needs of this commercial. I implore you, Shuichi-san, to give him a chance. He won't let you down." With his year-end bonus on the line, Yoshimura pushed hard.

"Alright, since Otomu-san says so, let's start shooting the sample reel tomorrow. Do you have any scheduling conflicts, Nagayama-kun?"

"No problem, I'm available anytime."

"Good. Please bring 200% of your effort then. If I'm not satisfied, I won't be sending it to the client for review!"

"Hai!"

It was clear from the conversation that Ido actually approved of Nagayama's image; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to the shoot so readily. But having been a producer for so long, he knew that controlling a set required keeping the staff in check and establishing authority.

Back in the car, Yoshimura let out a sigh of relief. Having been in this business for so long, he knew the influence a producer had on a project. The previous few models had actually been rejected by Ido.

"Naoki-san, let's head to the agency next to discuss the contract."

"Hai." Naoki Nagayama thought to himself, *Finally, the most critical moment.* But since the initial screening had passed, as long as nothing major happened, the advantage in the upcoming negotiations would be on his side.

The details of the discussion were quite dull—nothing more than a process of give-and-take. But with the advantage on Nagayama's side, it was just a matter of earning a lot or earning even more.

In the end, it was settled that Nagayama would participate in the commercial shoot as an individual third party. He wouldn't need to do any work other than the filming, and the split with the agency was 3:7—which could be considered very high; usually, that was the ratio for celebrities.

The total budget for the commercial project was around 20 million yen, and in the end, his cut would be about 6 million yen. A week's work for a year's salary for an average worker~

The following period was very busy for Naoki Nagayama. Without modern sets or computer technology, most commercials in the Showa era relied on location shooting.

The content of the commercial was actually very simple: the protagonist plants a green plum tree, and after it grows and bears fruit, he picks one, only for it to turn into a soda in his hand.

But it was December, and the green plum season had long passed.

As expected, the agency had some pull; they found green plum plantations in different locations and even found experimental varieties in a botanical research greenhouse that were currently bearing fruit.

However, it meant running around everywhere to film.

Fortunately, all the filming tasks were completed within half a month. Now, it was just a matter of editing and waiting for the client's review.

During this time, Nagayama also took the time to handle the real estate transaction. Because he paid in full, the property deed would be ready within two weeks.

The first house Naoki Nagayama had ever bought in his life was in the Showa era.

The weather was getting colder!

Festive decorations began to appear on the streets, and people started talking about the New Year holidays.

In a little over a week, Showa 55 would come to an end.

Yesterday, Keiko Fujita had delivered the deed for the new house, and Nagayama planned to clean it up over the next two days and move in.

"Makino-san, here is this month's rent." During lunch, Naoki Nagayama handed an envelope to Mrs. Makino. "The property deed has come through, so I probably won't be renting here anymore."

"Ara, so soon?"

He had told Mrs. Makino about buying a house before. She sighed a little, but she was mostly happy for him.

"Nagayama-san, you really are amazing~ Settling down at such a young age!"

"You're too kind. Thank you for taking care of me for so long, Mrs. Makino! Thank you for your hard work!"

"Not at all, not at all."

Genta Nakai, who was nearby, heard this. "Nani? Nani? You've already got it in your hands? Is the house pretty? Can I go visit?"

"Of course, I was just about to invite you. Let's go play the 'cleaning game' this afternoon~ Hahaha." After spending time together, the two had become good friends.

"Kuso~ who wants to play a cleaning game with you~" Nakai complained. "You winner-at-life who bought a house at such a young age, *kora yarou*."

"Who told you to spend all your money on girls in Roppongi~" Nagayama retorted. "Be careful, or I'll tell Suzumi-chan on you, you terrible playboy!"

"No way, don't talk nonsense, I'll sue you for slander." While denying it three times, he muttered under his breath, "I haven't been there since I started seeing Suzumi-san." In early December, Genta Nakai and Suzumi Hoshino had finally made their relationship official.

"Then you could buy a house too. You just need to save up the key money!" Nagayama said, puzzled.

"Why would I buy? Renting is fine. My job isn't settled yet, and I need money for daily expenses~"

Young people in every country were indeed the same—all about enjoying the moment. No one wanted to buy a house before prices rose, until they became so expensive that they were forced to give up on the idea.

In the end, under Nagayama's "pressure," Nakai agreed to help clean that afternoon and bring Suzumi Hoshino along.