Chapter 36: 036, Everything is Settled, Now Just Waiting to Peacefully Divide the Money

Dayu Obu of Fangcun had always been highly efficient. Within a few days, he had recruited a weathered man in his thirties and arranged a meeting with Naoki Nagayama at a cafe.

"Naoki-kun, this is Mr. Shigeyoshi Araki, the candidate I intended to introduce. He worked as a manager for underground bands for a long time and has extensive experience in music, operations, and interpersonal relations."

"Nice to meet you, I am Shigeyoshi Araki. I look forward to working with you." The weathered Araki stood up and bowed politely, showing no signs of looking down on Naoki Nagayama despite the latter's youth.

"Hi, nice to meet you, I am Naoki Nagayama." Bowing had already become a habit for him.

"So, Araki-kun, do you want to manage a nightclub? What capabilities do you have to run one?" Although Dayu Obu was trustworthy, Naoki Nagayama still felt the need to scrutinize Araki Shigeyoshi.

"Nagayama-kun, managing a nightclub is actually a practical choice." Araki Shigeyoshi looked like the kind of person who had lived through many stories.

"When I was younger, I wanted to play, to sing, and to live the life of an overnight sensation. I formed a band and served as a manager. But perhaps I lacked the talent for making music; things never really took off."

There were thousands upon thousands of underground bands in Tokyo, but only a few could release records, and even fewer could make a name for themselves.

"Relying on my experience and the connections I made, I've been drifting through the music industry. But now, I've reached the stage where I need to settle down and build a career. I can't keep living off sporadic performances, so I decided to change professions."

"If you're asking what capabilities I have to run a nightclub, I have extensive experience frequenting them since my youth, and I have a certain understanding of instruments and performance. Additionally, during my time as a band manager, I became very familiar with the operations of live houses and underground venues."

Naoki Nagayama gained a general understanding of Araki Shigeyoshi's background and abilities. In truth, he wasn't worried about daily operations; even if Araki had zero experience, he could learn by observing other clubs.

Naoki Nagayama didn't feel much pressure regarding making money either, but since he had opened this disco, he wanted to run it well. The most important thing was the ability to handle emergencies.

"Araki-kun, I understand your general situation. Since I am intending to invite you to manage the club, I'll be direct: do you have a way to handle unexpected situations? For example, accidents like Yakuza causing trouble?"

"Ah, is that what Naoki Nagayama is worried about?" Dayu Obu was surprised.

"Yes, after all, the Yakuza can be quite a headache."

"But if the shop is opened legitimately and protection money is paid, the local gangs should guarantee safety."

"Obu-san, that's only on the surface. If you don't have the ability to settle conflicts, forget the protection money—the profits of the disco might even be siphoned off," Naoki Nagayama said, well aware of how Yakuza syndicates operated.

Araki Shigeyoshi spoke up at that moment: "If Nagayama-kun is worried about that, I have spent nearly ten years in the underground music scene and have encountered quite a few Yakuza."

"And I've made quite a few friends!" Araki paused. "A local Yamaguchi-gumi official is my wife's cousin."

*Whoa... as expected, a man full of stories.*

"In that case, it makes things easier," Naoki Nagayama smiled. "Our DISCO needs to learn the Western model. We need someone who looks intimidating at the door to check tickets, hahahaha~"

Araki Shigeyoshi found it a bit strange. "When I was looking for jobs before, I heard that if your brother-in-law was in the Yamaguchi-gumi, bosses would be very cautious. Does Nagayama-kun really not care at all?"

Dayu Obu laughed at this: "What is there to worry about? Naoki-san's grandfather is the boss of the Shizuoka Yamaguchi-gumi!"

"Arere? There's actually such a thing? What a coincidence!"

"Hahaha, a twist of fate." Naoki Nagayama did not dodge the subject. Sometimes, revealing a bit of Yamaguchi-gumi background was quite effective for intimidation.

The three of them had a pleasant conversation, and the hiring of Araki Shigeyoshi was finalized.

"Araki-san, unlike other nightclub owners, I don't particularly enjoy managing daily affairs, so I don't like traditional employment relationships."

Naoki Nagayama knew the importance of subjective initiative. To stimulate Araki Shigeyoshi's passion, he decided to add an extra incentive.

"Our cooperation is more of a PARTNER relationship," Naoki Nagayama added. "You won't have a monthly salary, but you can take a 10% share of the net profit."

Both Dayu Obu and Araki Shigeyoshi were stunned. In the Showa era, when hiring club owners or managers, they were almost always on a monthly salary. A profit share was a benefit reserved for shareholders.

"Yes! Thank you very much! I will certainly work even harder!"

Everything proceeded smoothly from there.

Naoki Nagayama continued to discuss future operational plans with Araki Shigeyoshi, as well as the future characteristics of the disco and the musical direction of City Pop. Finally, he took the two of them to tour the renovated disco.

Araki Shigeyoshi eventually signed a contract with Naoki Nagayama's personal studio and promised to find suitable staff, including DJs, dancers, servers, bodyguards, and so on.

The disco matter was finally settled!

Naoki Nagayama felt that his mental investment in the disco project could end here. With everything settled, he could just sit back and wait for his share of the money.

Recently, his driving school training was nearing its end. The instructor had already notified him of the exam time, and Naoki Nagayama would soon obtain his driver's license.

Additionally, the photos from the cherry blossom viewing at Meguro River had been developed.

Naoki Nagayama packed up the photos of Tsuruko and Ko-chan to send back to their hometown. He also included a few copies of the record *Sakura ~Anata ni Deaete Yokatta~* (Cherry Blossoms ~I'm Glad I Met You~), which Tsuruko had specifically requested over the phone.

Besides those, he also organized some of his own photos and set them aside. The remaining ones were of the four Nakomori sisters, and he would have to notify them to come and collect them.

Taking out his notebook, Naoki Nagayama dialed the number he had previously saved.

After a few rings, someone picked up.

"Moshi moshi, this is the Nakomori residence," a raspy voice said.

"Moshi moshi, this is Naoki Nagayama."

"Ah, Naoki-san! Long time no see~"

"Eh, that voice... is it Akina-san?" Naoki Nagayama identified Akina from the raspy tone. "Do you have a cold?"

"Yes, actually, it's easier to have pollen allergies in the spring, so my body is a bit weak."

Akina Nakomori's health seemed to have been poor since she was a child. "Akina-san, you need to make sure to rest. Get well soon~"

"Yes, thank you for your concern. Arigato." Akina thanked him first, then asked, "Naoki-san, is there something you called about today? Ah, are the photos developed?"

"Yes, the photos are ready. Regarding you, Akina-san, and the other sisters, I called to ask for your address so I can mail them to you."

"Mail them? That's too much trouble, we should come and pick them up. We wanted to thank Naoki-san in person~" The sound of other people talking could be heard in the background.

"It's no trouble at all~" Naoki Nagayama continued, "Besides, Akina-san is sick. Let's wait until you've recovered to go out and play. It won't be too late to thank me then~"

"Then how could we possibly~" She sounded a bit shy.

"Hahaha, then it's a deal~"

After a bit more back-and-forth, he finally got the address.

Naoki Nagayama packed the photos. Just as he was about to seal them, he felt something was missing. After thinking for a moment, he went downstairs to buy a watermelon, attached a card saying "Wishing Akina-san a speedy recovery!", and packed it all together.

One day later, at the Nakomori residence in Seirai Town.

Chieko Nakomori received the package, but the recipient was Akina: "Akina, a package for you!"

"Eh? Are the photos here?" A raspy voice came from the room. Akina Nakomori walked out wrapped in thick clothing. Because she was sick, she hadn't gone to school, so only her mother and she were home.

"It doesn't seem so. The box is very large and heavy," Chieko said, looking at the emerging Akina. "Are you still coughing?"

"I've stopped coughing, my throat is just a bit dry."

"Then I'll go get a bowl of sweet soup~"

"Arigato~" Akina looked curiously at the package on the living room table. "Is it for me? What is it?"

Chieko brought over a bowl of sweet soup. "You'll know once you open it."

Akina used scissors to cut open the outer packaging, revealing another layer of foam: "It's a watermelon! Ka-san, it's a watermelon~"

"Eh, a watermelon this season? They're very expensive~" Chieko was also surprised. "Who sent it?"

Akina had already pulled out the envelope next to it. "It's Naoki-san! There are photos here too, from when we went to see the cherry blossoms at Meguro River."

"That young man?" Looking at the card tied to the watermelon that said "Wishing Akina a speedy recovery!", "He's quite a thoughtful person!"

Akina Nakomori was also very happy. Looking at the round, green-skinned, black-striped watermelon, she tapped it, producing a dull thud.

Remembering that she only occasionally ate them in the height of summer, she suddenly felt a craving: "Ka-san, the watermelon looks perfectly ripe!"

"Does Akina want to eat it?"

"I do. Can I?"

"Since it's a gift for Akina, of course you can~ But don't eat too much, you haven't fully recovered yet~"

"Yes~"

Chieko cut the watermelon in half; as for the other half, the whole family could eat it in the evening.

Slices of green skin and red flesh were laid out on a tray, and Akina's appetite, which had been gone for days, suddenly returned.

"Ka-san, you eat some too~" After giving a slice to Chieko, the two of them enjoyed it happily~

A satisfied smile appeared on the little chubby face~

(End of Chapter)