Chapter 10

GG's auditions are different from those for movies and TV dramas; they don't require much acting.

Fangcun Daoyou drove directly with Nagayama Naoki to a certain studio, where a group of people were shooting a photo magazine. A few young girls posed provocatively, and Fangcun Daoyou went up to ask, "Hello, is Mr. Ido the producer here?"

One of the crew members replied, "Daoyou-kun, you're here. Mr. Ido is in the office."

"Thank you. I've brought a new GG model and would like him to take a look. Is it okay now?"

"Sure, I'll check with Mr. Ido." The crew member briskly walked to the backstage and soon called Fangcun Daoyou over.

Nagayama Naoki stayed in the studio, watching the photo shoot with great interest. He had only seen them in magazines before, but now he could see the real thing.

After a while, the crew member called Nagayama Naoki to the backstage. The small door to the office was slightly ajar, and a voice could be heard saying, "Daoyou-san, this is already the fifth one. If it's not suitable, the client will be upset~" "Shuichi-san, this time I'm absolutely confident. I believe this model will satisfy the client!"

Nagayama Naoki called out, "Excuse me," and then pushed the door open. A man with long hair and a small beard, looking very artistic, was complaining to Fangcun Daoyou.

Seeing the person arrive, Fangcun Daoyou introduced, "Naoki-kun, this is GG producer Ido Shuichi, who also works as a director."

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Nagayama Naoki. Please take care of me~" He bowed politely. Hmm? He didn't bow at all when he met Fangcun Daoyou?

Ido Shuichi was also impressed by the clean and handsome Nagayama Naoki. This unique Showa-era charm was like a clear spring emerging from a rocky beach.

However, with his extensive experience in the photography industry, he responded indifferently, "Hi, Nagayama-kun, nice to meet you~"

Then he got straight to the point, "I heard from Daoyou-san that you've never shot a GG before?"

"Yes, this is my first time."

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

How can I guarantee? The responsibility is on me now? Nagayama Naoki sensed the producer's attempt to shift the burden. Indeed, he was a seasoned professional.

"As a newcomer, I can only promise to do my best. I'll also rely on Ido-kun and the team's rich experience."

This probing move revealed the depth of both sides.

"Nagayama-kun's image is very suitable for this GG. Please give him a chance, Shuichi-san. You won't be disappointed." It was related to the year-end bonus, so Fangcun Daoyou pushed hard.

"Alright, since Daoyou-san says so, let's start shooting sample photos tomorrow. Is there any problem with your schedule, Nagayama-kun?"

"No problem, anytime."

"Good, please put in 200% effort. I won't submit it to the client if I'm not satisfied!"

"Understood!"

From the conversation, it was clear that Ido Shuichi approved of Nagayama Naoki's image; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed so readily. However, as a producer, he knew he needed to establish authority by controlling the staff.

...

Back in the car, Fangcun Daoyou let out a sigh of relief. Having been in the industry for so long, he knew the power of the producer in a project. The previous models had been rejected by Ido Shuichi.

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

"Understood." Nagayama Naoki thought, finally, the most critical moment had arrived. With the initial approval, unless something major happened, the negotiation advantage was on his side.

The details of the discussion were rather dull, a process of give and take. However, with the advantage on Nagayama Naoki's side, it was just a matter of earning more or earning even more.

In the end, Nagayama Naoki participated in the GG shooting as a third-party individual. Apart from the shooting, he didn't need to participate in any other work. The split with the agency was 3:7, which was very high, similar to what celebrities usually get.

The total cost of this GG project was around 20 million yen, and he would earn about 6 million yen, making in a week what a worker would earn in a year.

...

In the following period, Nagayama Naoki was very busy. Without modern sets and computer technology, most of the GGs in the Showa era had to be shot on location.

The content of the GG was quite simple: the protagonist plants a plum tree, and after it grows and bears fruit, he picks a plum, which then turns into soda in his hand.

But it was December... the plum season was long over.

Sure enough, the agency had some capabilities. They found plum planting bases in different locations and even experimental varieties in greenhouses at a plant research institute...

However, shooting required traveling to various places.

Fortunately, all the shooting tasks were completed within half a month, and they were just waiting for the editing and client review.

During this time, Nagayama Naoki also took the opportunity to handle the real estate transaction. Since it was a full payment, the property certificate was issued within two weeks.

Nagayama Naoki's first house purchase was in the Showa era.

...

The weather was getting colder!

The streets began to be decorated with festive decorations, and people started talking about their New Year's holidays.

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

Yesterday, Fujita Keiko delivered the property certificate for the new house, and Nagayama Naoki planned to clean it up and move in over the next few days.

"Mr. Makino, here is this month's rent." During lunch, Nagayama Naoki handed an envelope to Mrs. Makino, "The property certificate has been issued, and I might not continue renting here."

"Oh, so soon?"

He had mentioned buying a house to Mrs. Makino before, and she was a bit wistful but more happy for Nagayama Naoki.

"Naoki-san is really impressive~ settling down at such a young age!"

"You flatter me. Thank you for taking care of me for so long, Mrs. Makino! I appreciate it!"

"Not at all..."

Nakai Eita, who was nearby, heard this, "What, what? You already got it? Is the house nice? Can I come over?"

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

"Who wants to play a cleaning game with you~" Nakai Eita teased, "You, a young man who buys a house, are a life winner, but a naked duck."

"Who asked you to spend all your money on girls in Roppongi~" Nagayama Naoki retorted, "Be careful, I might tell Sazuki-chan, you naughty playboy!"

"That's not true, don't say that, I'll sue you for defamation..." While denying it, he muttered softly, "I haven't been there since I met Sazuki-san..."

In early December, Nakai Eita and Hoshino Sazuki finally got together.

"Why don't you buy a house too? You could save up the gift money!"

"Why should I? Renting is fine. I haven't decided on a job yet, and I need money for daily expenses~"

Young people in different countries are indeed the same, enjoying life before the housing prices rise. No one thinks about buying a house until it becomes unaffordable, and then they are forced to give up.

In the end, under Nagayama Naoki's "pressure," Nakai Eita agreed to help clean up in the afternoon, bringing Hoshino Sazuki along...