Chapter 24: 024, How About We Try Going on a Date?

Kanako Higuchi's question made all three of them laugh; she really was a bit like him.

As a partner of the agency, Otomo Yoshimura explained the creative concept of the advertisement to her in detail.

"Sugoi! You actually composed a song for such a love story?" Kanako Higuchi was astonished; she had never seen such a novel form of advertising before.

"Hai, here is the demo tape. It was composed and sung by Naoki-san~" Otomo Yoshimura inserted the tape into the recorder and pressed play.

After hearing the male version of "Sakura ~Anata ni Deaete Yokatta~" (Cherry Blossoms ~I'm Glad I Met You~), Kanako Higuchi was instantly captivated. "It really is beautiful, yet so sorrowful~"

Looking at Naoki Nagayama's young and handsome face, she added, "Naoki-kun, you're amazing!"

*Is 'amazing' the only compliment Japanese people have?*

"Thank you for the compliment~"

After understanding the background, Shuichi Idou went over the script again with the two leads. Naoki Nagayama listened intently; he only knew the general outline of the story and was seeing the specific script for the first time.

"We'll go over the specifics during filming," the director said, concluding his instructions. The two leads were then taken away to get their makeup done.

Having gone a month without a haircut, Naoki Nagayama's hair was just starting to grow long; a slight trim made it look perfect, and a clean-cut outfit suited him well.

The female lead, however, needed a hairstyle change, transitioning from a bob to a shoulder-length style typical of a sophisticated urban woman, paired with professional attire that conveyed a sense of competence.

The first scene was set in the rain during cherry blossom season. The two characters take shelter under the same eaves, their eyes meeting as feelings begin to bloom.

The filming location was in a studio, where a backdrop of a street, a rolling shutter, and eaves had been constructed. Surprisingly, they had been dismantled from an actual street and reassembled, looking incredibly realistic. There was even a functional vending machine filled with the new cherry blossom-flavored drinks, and they had specially purchased branches of early-blooming cherry blossoms to ensure they were in full bloom.

Naoki Nagayama already had experience filming commercials, and Kanako Higuchi was a professional actress, so the shoot should have been easy. However, the "eye contact and budding romance" part proved difficult.

Shuichi Idou had prepared himself mentally, but he still found himself shouting "Baka... baka!" on set.

After multiple consecutive NGs (No Goods), they were forced to face each other closely and say "I love you" to one another.

Even though they both knew it was strictly for work, they were both such handsome and beautiful people that after saying it several times, their faces began to flush.

Taking advantage of this state, they finally captured all the footage required for the first scene.

"Naoki-san, Kanako-san, the first scene is finally finished." Although it was over, Shuichi Idou remained dissatisfied. "But your chemistry is just too poor. The next scene is the 'honeymoon phase,' so we need to find a way."

"Shimatta!" x2

Shuichi Idou thought for a long time before a spark of inspiration hit him. "How about you two become a couple?"

"Ha?!" x4

Otomo Yoshimura and Kanako Higuchi's efficient assistant, Marin Koyanagi, cried out in shock simultaneously.

"Ah, I don't mean becoming a real couple. I mean, try going on dates!"

"Ha?" x4

Shuichi Idou finally organized his thoughts. "Try to understand each other, get more familiar, and build better chemistry."

"Let's call it a day. The weather isn't great anyway. Once it clears up in a couple of days, we can film the outdoor scenes."

With that, Shuichi Idou turned and left, leaving the four of them staring at each other in the studio.

"Um, I have some things to attend to, so I can't see Naoki-san off today. Please excuse me." The old fox Otomo Yoshimura made his escape quickly.

Of the three remaining, the efficient assistant Marin Koyanagi continued to eye Naoki Nagayama as if he were a thief.

Forcing himself to speak, Naoki Nagayama said, "Well, if it's for work, there's no helping it. Kanako-san, are you free tomorrow? It's the weekend, so why don't we go hang out in Takadanobaba~?"

Naturally, he couldn't suggest going to a nightclub in Roppongi.

Coincidentally, the disco near there was already opening for business, and the architect Takashi Honma had also asked him to visit the site.

Kanako Higuchi lowered her head and said softly, "Okay, Naoki-kun. See you tomorrow then."

After exchanging phone numbers, Kanako Higuchi left with her assistant.

Naoki Nagayama went to see Teacher Sachiko. He had already taken three lessons with Sachiko Tokunaga; he could almost transcribe music using numbered notation and was currently learning the staff notation.

Sachiko had already started asking him to choose an instrument. A musician should at least know one instrument, after all.

Should he learn the piano, electronic keyboard, guitar, or saxophone? Or perhaps the shakuhachi to elevate his artistic temperament?

On the taxi ride back, assistant Marin Koyanagi was chatting with Kanako Higuchi about Naoki Nagayama.

"Kanako-chan, do you think this Naoki-kun is conspiring with Idou-kun to play tricks on you?" Dating rumors were not a good thing for Kanako Higuchi, who was just entering her rising period.

"I don't think so. Naoki-san seemed quite surprised too." Naoki Nagayama gave off a very good impression. "He was very honest during the performance; he doesn't look like the playboy type~"

"It's those guys who look honest who are the best at deceiving people. You have to stay vigilant, Kanako-chan. Don't let yourself be easily fooled." Marin Koyanagi was close in age to Kanako, and the two were on very good terms.

"How could I~" However, thinking of Naoki Nagayama's handsome face, Kanako's small face turned red despite her protests.

"Ah! Kanako-chan, your face is red!"

"It is not~"

The next morning, Naoki Nagayama took the subway to Takadanobaba Station.

After waiting a short while, Kanako Higuchi arrived; this time, she wasn't accompanied by her assistant.

Shoulder-length hair, high-waisted trousers, a white shirt, and a gray jacket—a bright red plaid scarf shimmered under the early spring sunlight. She looked like a true urban lady from the 80s.

She clearly took the meeting seriously and had dressed up well.

In comparison, Naoki Nagayama wore a simple shirt, jacket, and sneakers—minimalist and youthful.

"Kanako-san, over here!" Naoki Nagayama waved, and then he joined her.

"Naoki-san, good morning~" The smile on her face didn't look like her professional "work" smile.

"Hai, hai, good morning. I'm sorry for dragging you out on a rare weekend~"

"Haha, it's fine, it's fine. I didn't have anything else to do anyway."

"Have you been to this area before, Kanako-san?"

"Once or twice, but I attend a women's art university, so I don't usually come around here."

"ε=(ο｀*))) Sigh, so Kanako-san is actually a university student?"

The two continued to chat as they walked, browsing the street-side shops. Before long, both of them were carrying various items.

Naoki Nagayama was once again eating a portion of takoyaki; it seemed like a mandatory stop every time he went out.

The student street on the weekend was filled with idle young people, playing and laughing in small groups. Naoki Nagayama and Kanako Higuchi blended into this youthful crowd without looking out of place at all.

Chatting and laughing together, they actually looked like a real couple on a date.

(End of Chapter)