Chapter 7: 007, When Will We Meet Again?

"Oh my~ Naoki-kun, do you know Akina-san?" Seeing this scene, Nakai Genta couldn't help but ask.

With "Chubby Akina" included, all five pairs of eyes at the table turned toward Naoki Nagayama. He felt a sudden surge of pressure, his mind racing like lightning.

"Hai, it is a bit of a surprise. I just watched NTV's *STAR! Birth* a while ago, and I remember one of the contestants was also named Akina Nakamori~" Although he hadn't actually watched it, that didn't stop Naoki Nagayama from directly applying Chubby Akina's debut history. "May I ask if it's the same person?"

The lighting in the dance hall was a bit dim, but a look of surprise mixed with shyness was clearly visible on her round cheeks. "Hai, I did participate, but unfortunately, I was eliminated."

"Is that so? That's a pity. Your performance of Seiko-san's *Barefoot Season* was very well done," Naoki Nagayama echoed, offering a few words of comfort.

"Really? Naoki-san thinks it was good? That’s wonderful." She suddenly looked very excited and happy.

Does this young girl not understand social nuances or the art of workplace flattery?

At this moment, Hoshino Suzumi teased, "Omoshiroi~ Naoki-san actually met his idol at a nightclub~ Hahaha."

Nakai Genta joined the conversation, "The meeting of a fan and an idol, what a wonderful coincidence! That calls for a drink~"

He was truly a social butterfly; with just a few words, he heated up the atmosphere. The two men began chatting happily with the older sisters, Akie Nakamori and Akiko, clinking glasses, while Naoki Nagayama, Akina Nakamori, and Akiho were left to drink juice on the side.

"Are, Naoki-san doesn't drink?" Chubby Akina seemed very interested in this "fan" of hers.

"I'm only 18 this year, so I can't drink yet~" Naoki Nagayama was actually a bit annoyed. His predecessor had drunk who knows how many times, yet now he couldn't drink at all.

"ε=(ο｀*))) Sigh~ Is Naoki-san really that young?" Akiho Nakamori couldn't help but chime in. "Even though you weren't afraid of that group of Yakuza at all~"

Does one's age get judged by how cowardly they are?

Speaking of which, were the two sisters, Akie and Akiko, adults? Could they drink? Looking at the two sisters who were dressed relatively maturely... better not say anything.

"Actually, those guys weren't Yakuza," Naoki Nagayama directly changed the subject. He then started chatting with the two girls using the characteristics of Yakuza he remembered. Relying on his knowledge from over thirty years in the future, he bluffed the two girls until they were wide-eyed, eventually attracting the attention of the others who were drinking as well.

Everyone had a great time drinking. During the night, they even hit the dance floor. Chubby Akina volunteered to teach Naoki Nagayama how to dance. As they moved in unison to the music, he couldn't help but feel like he was doing square dancing.

However, after one dance, Naoki Nagayama was sweating again. His body was truly too weak; even Chubby Akina only had a slightly flushed face.

Time always seems fleeting when you're having fun.

Although the dance hall stayed open until dawn, the Nakamori family couldn't stay long. The moment for farewells had arrived.

"Sumimasen, although we had a great time, we must go back." The eldest sister, Akie Nakamori, had a flushed face but remained sober. In contrast, Akiko-san was already nearly drunk.

"Ah~ although I'm reluctant, minors really shouldn't stay out too late~ So, I guess it's goodbye," Nakai Genta didn't try to persuade them to stay; he had experienced many such one-meal friendships.

Hoshino Suzumi also looked at them, "Four Miss Nakamoris, let's meet again if fate allows~"

"Hai, thank you for your hospitality today." X4

Before leaving, little Akina specifically said goodbye to Naoki Nagayama: "Naoki-san, see you next time. You have to practice your dancing well~"

Naoki Nagayama also responded with a smile: "Hai hai, I will definitely follow Teacher Akina's instructions~ Teacher Akina must also keep working hard and strive for your debut~"

"Hahaha, I'll take your word for it, Naoki-san. Bye-bye~"

Friendships formed by chance are both happy and fleeting.

The next meeting is an unknown, and even more of a surprise.

Something to look forward to.

Days passed one by one,

And the weather grew colder by the day.

That romantic encounter was already half a month ago in the blink of an eye.

Mrs. Makino was still busy at the apartment every day, worrying about everything.

Nakai Genta was also constantly interviewing at new companies, though the nights of wild partying seemed to have decreased significantly. It seemed that the act of playing the hero to save the beauty last time had moved Hoshino Suzumi, and their relationship was shifting from good friends toward something more.

As for Naoki Nagayama, he started working out. After getting some money, he had Mrs. Makino handle all three of his daily meals. In his spare time, he had to nurse his frail body back to health and, incidentally, consider how to continue getting rich quickly.

After paying rent and other expenses, Naoki Nagayama's total assets were still 10.02 million yen. Where to put this money was something he had been worrying about for the past few days.

Although Tokyo housing prices in 1980 were starting to rise, they hadn't skyrocketed yet. The same went for the stock market; it wasn't expected to truly enter the bubble era until 1985. Before then, he needed to accumulate as much initial capital as possible to take advantage of the era's dividends five years later.

With over 10 million yen, he could buy a decent condo in Koto Ward, but it would take more than 10 years to bring the maximum return.

For these ten years, was he supposed to just keep working odd jobs?

Dame! Working odd jobs is absolutely dame!

Sell more songs? But most of the music in his head that fit the current era was either Seiko Matsuda or "Chubby Akina." He had already harvested one crop, and the other leek hadn't grown up yet.

Wait, that's not right~ The song he sold to Seiko Matsuda was guaranteed to be a hit. If it didn't release during the New Year, it would definitely top the Oricon charts in February. Wouldn't the royalties start pouring in after February?

In other words, in three months, he wouldn't be short on money anymore~

So, he should take this time to buy a house!

In 1980, Tokyo housing prices were about 1 million yen per tsubo. Of course, prices varied by location, and there was no upper limit for luxury homes.

Naoki Nagayama's current assets were enough to buy a residence of about 10 tsubo in full. Want to take out a loan for something bigger and better? With Naoki Nagayama's current status as an unemployed drifter, he naturally couldn't borrow much.

However, once that song became a hit, he could use the copyright royalties as collateral, which would give him much more room to maneuver. By then, the snowball would start rolling...

To buy a house, he naturally had to go through a real estate agency. Naoki Nagayama went directly to the agency he used when he first rented his place. Although this company wasn't large, it catered to people moving to Tokyo and had branches in every ward. In the original owner's memory, their service was quite good.

As soon as he walked in, he met a familiar face—a young receptionist named Keiko Fujita. She was the one who helped him find the Makino residence at the beginning of the year.

"Good morning, Fujita-san!" Naoki Nagayama greeted her directly. Keiko Fujita looked at him with a hint of uncertainty: "Sumimasen, are you Nagayama-kun?"

"Hai, that's right, Fujita-san. It's me, Naoki Nagayama. Haha, did you not recognize me because I changed my hairstyle?"

"Ara, Nagayama-kun has changed so much! I completely didn't recognize you!" Keiko Fujita also laughed. "If Nagayama-kun walked down the street now, people would believe you if you said you were a star~"

"Hahaha, Fujita-san is too good with words... you're making me shy~"

Looking at Naoki Nagayama's handsome and cheerful image, Keiko Fujita's face turned a little red. She hurriedly invited him to sit in the reception room and went to prepare tea.

A moment later, Keiko Fujita brought in a cup of oolong tea and began to ask about Naoki Nagayama's purpose.

Hmm~~~ She even took the opportunity to spray some perfume and touch up her makeup!

"It's like this, Fujita-san. I've earned a bit of money recently and want to move to a new residence, so I've come to ask for your help again."

"Is that so? That's amazing, Nagayama-kun. You got a raise so quickly~" Keiko Fujita was a bit surprised. "So, where would you like to rent this time? And what size are you looking for?"

"No, Fujita-san, I want to purchase a residence, not continue renting," Naoki Nagayama reminded her.

Keiko Fujita was shocked: "Nani? Purchase property? It's been less than a year... Nagayama-kun, you're that successful?"

Afterward, they communicated the budget and basic requirements for the house, such as wanting no tenants, being able to complete the transaction quickly, and not being limited to Nakano Ward. Keiko Fujita said she might need two days to contact the headquarters to list suitable properties.

She would contact Naoki Nagayama when it was time to go view the properties together.

As she saw him out, the look in Keiko Fujita's eyes was almost sparkling with little stars.

(End of chapter)