Chapter 21: 021, Was that soda you were drinking? That was love!

What do cherry blossoms symbolize in Japan?

Love and hope.

However, due to their noble yet fleeting and transient nature, they also carry a shade of sadness.

"Shuichi-san, I think this project is far too superficial!" Naoki Nagayama stated his thoughts directly.

"Huh? Superficial? What on earth are you talking about!! Kono yarou!" Shuichi Itou was instantly provoked.

Beside them, Otomo Yoshimura hurried to soothe the tension. "Naoki-san definitely didn't mean it that way! Shuichi-san, please don't be angry, don't be angry. Naoki-san, please explain that's not what you meant!"

"That is exactly what I meant, Shuichi-san. This project is too superficial!" Naoki Nagayama knew the importance of seizing the initiative. If he could convince Shuichi Itou, he might become the leader of the project rather than just a model.

"Cherry blossoms symbolize love; even a child knows that. Aside from that, what else does your project express?"

"Huh?" Shuichi Itou blinked. "What else is there to express?"

"In other words, is there anything else in this advertisement that will make people remember it?!

There are so many advertisements on the market. There are hundreds of creative concepts using cherry blossoms to symbolize love—perfume, furniture, flowers, clothing... even cherry-blossom-colored 'love' on an elementary schooler's pencil sharpener!"

"How exactly will your 'love,' Shuichi-san, make people remember it?"

"Ah, well..." Shuichi Itou was indeed choked up by the question. He fell silent for a moment but refused to admit defeat. "Does Naoki-san have some secret trick to make 'love' memorable?"

*Ha, and just like that, the upper hand is mine.*

"Shuichi-san... do you think it is beautiful love that leaves a deep impression, or is it tragic love that stays etched in one's heart?" Naoki Nagayama guided him slowly.

Shuichi Itou was somewhat stunned. "Are you planning to take this in a tragic direction, Naoki-san? But this is a beverage advertisement..."

"So what if it's a beverage advertisement? Who says a tragic advertisement isn't an advertisement?

Love, like cherry blossoms, is inherently filled with sadness~

Do you think what the customers are drinking is just soda? What they are drinking is love!"

Shuichi Itou and Otomo Yoshimura were completely shaken by this statement. "Sugoi! Such a viewpoint! Such an angle!"

"Just hearing that sentence makes me want to taste this drink..."

"Right? I told you, it's amazing!"

Naoki Nagayama continued, "I've gained some inspiration from your description just now, Shuichi-san. If we can use a cherry-flavored drink as the 'cause' that brings two people together, and then as the 'result' that marks their parting, perhaps such a karmic connection will make the audience remember it even more."

By linking it to the profound concept of karma and fate, Shuichi Itou and Otomo Yoshimura truly began to consider the possibility of such a project.

Following the MV concept in his mind, Naoki Nagayama began planning the advertisement's plot with Shuichi Itou

He is taking shelter from the rain under a newsstand eaves; she arrives to seek shelter as well... Fate brings them together. As their eyes meet, there are shy, sweet smiles and the silent budding of love. She points to the blooming cherry blossoms outside, and he looks toward them, discovering that the drink in the vending machine is also cherry-flavored. They look at each other and smile.

On the way back, their shadows are already walking side by side, both holding cherry-flavored drinks.

The two meet and fall in love, marry, get pregnant, and give birth to a lovely daughter. Their favorite drink in life is cherry-flavored. The next scene: one night, because they have run out of the drink, she goes out to buy some and meets with a car accident...

Years later, he walks to the site of the accident holding a beautiful bouquet of cherry blossoms and her favorite cherry-flavored drink, offering them to the woman he loves...

In the final scene, he returns to the starting point of this love, looking at the cherry blossoms that are still in bloom and the familiar drink under the tree... but she has already passed away... Finally, their daughter, fresh from school, runs to her father's side and points to the cherry blossoms once again. The daughter's innocent smile gives him the strength to carry on~

The story of the advertisement finally ended. Otomo Yoshimura, who had been listening, seemed completely immersed in the tale.

Buddhism speaks of the eight sufferings of life: birth, old age, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, meeting with those one hates, not getting what one desires, and the agitation of the five aggregates.

In this single advertisement, birth, death, separation from loved ones, and unfulfilled desires were all concentrated.

Anyone who saw this advertisement would definitely not forget it easily.

"Naoki-san, this story could be made into a movie," Otomo Yoshimura remarked with emotion. "It's truly incredible!"

Shuichi Itou also praised him, "Naoki-san, you are truly amazing! If this is actually filmed, this advertisement plan might even win an award!"

Naoki Nagayama said, "We could even put the previous 'green plum' flavored soda in the vending machine during the ad~ However, one thing to note is that if we want to film the entire plot, the duration might be quite long."

"A five-minute advertisement?" Shuichi Itou didn't seem to mind. "That's fine. The main purpose of an ad is to make customers remember. Even five minutes is no problem; at most, we can just play it during the record promotion period. If the effect is good, we can use our connections at the TV station to buy two ad slots."

As expected, his connections were deep! However, Shuichi Itou had clearly gained confidence in the project.

"Speaking of playing it during the record promotion period, could we also follow the format of a music video and add a background track?" Otomo Yoshimura reminded them.

"We should consider choosing a suitable one," Shuichi Itou agreed.

Naoki Nagayama thought to himself, *Good assist.*

Then, somewhat shyly, he said, "If it's background music, there was a melody I really liked when I was planning the previous advertisement."

"Nani? Why didn't I hear about it?"

"Ah, Otomo-san, you should know that I previously composed 'Cherry Blossom,' right?" Naoki Nagayama tried to get some corroboration from Otomo Yoshimura.

"Hai, I know about that~"

However, Shuichi Itou clearly didn't know Naoki Nagayama well. "Masaka? Is it that hit song 'Cherry Blossom' by Seiko Matsuda? You actually composed that, Naoki-san?!"

"Hai, I was suddenly moved by it at the time, and the melody just seemed to appear in my head," Naoki Nagayama said, pretending to be a bit embarrassed. "Now, it seems another melody has suddenly appeared in my head..."

"Such a thing exists?" Shuichi Itou and Otomo Yoshimura were clearly skeptical, but since Naoki Nagayama had already proven his talent, they couldn't simply dismiss him. Shuichi Itou said, "In that case, let's decide after you've written the song, Naoki-san."

"Ah, well..." Naoki Nagayama was truly embarrassed this time. "Does Shuichi-san have anyone who can help with the composition? Actually, I don't know how to compose music."

He couldn't exactly go ask Suzumi Hoshino for help; it seemed the new semester had started, and her academic pressure was very heavy.

"Eh??" Shuichi Itou was somewhat speechless. *Did you really compose Seiko's 'Cherry Blossom'?!*

"Hai, that's the situation. I'll have to trouble you, Shuichi-san."

"Naoki-san, you should ask Otomo-san about this. He knows many teachers who train artists," Shuichi Itou pushed the task to Otomo Yoshimura.

"Hai, I understand. Naoki-san, just wait for my news."

"Arigato..."

(End of Chapter)