Chapter 20

The next day's meeting went smoothly, after all, they had cooperated well in the past, and the future prospects were promising.

The split could still be 3:7 as before, and Naoki Nagayama did not demand a higher share because of the good results from the previous collaboration.

After all, it was already a relatively high level within the industry.

However, if it was a long-term GG contract for a year, the previous one-time collaboration contract could not be used. This time, Masahiro Hoshimura and Naoki Nagayama mainly discussed the matter of joining the STARTLINGHT agency.

"Mr. Hoshimura, I still don't want to limit my personal career to an agency," Naoki Nagayama was a bit hesitant. He indeed did not want to join any particular agency, after all, once he joined, he would become an employee.

"I see, Mr. Nagayama. The conditions of our STARTLINGHT agency are quite good, and the relevant terms can be negotiated," Masahiro Hoshimura tried to salvage the situation. "Personally, I still have the authority to adjust the contract terms."

After all, it was a major contract for over a year. With a GG of 50 million, the annual turnover would be at least 600 million. Such a big deal, the agency naturally hoped to control the model under their own management.

If he joined the agency, he would be under their control, and there would be countless ways to make him obedient.

"Ah, I understand Mr. Hoshimura's sincerity, but I still insist on my own ideas. I have never really planned to develop in the entertainment industry," in business negotiations, it's always about making high demands and then settling for less.

"Kecixiu, you've already appeared on TV programs..." Masahiro Hoshimura's agency had secretly investigated Naoki Nagayama's background and knew that this young man was just negotiating terms, so he could only complain inwardly.

"Mr. Nagayama, do you have any concerns about the agency? Everything can be discussed. Besides, for large-scale business, personal income tax is also an issue. If you join the agency, these complicated matters will be handled for you."

In RB, once you have a regular job, you are tied to the company for a long time. Especially in the entertainment industry, agencies are like criminal organizations with countless unwritten rules...

"Mr. Hoshimura, I think I'll pass on joining the agency. If my family finds out I joined another agency, they might break my legs," Naoki Nagayama used the excuse of his yakuza family background again.

In fact, the Yamaguchi-gumi had indeed extended its reach into the entertainment industry. As a yakuza member, if he did not join their own agency, he might be asked to cut off his fingers.

However, for relatives of yakuza members, it really depends on the relationship.

But outsiders don't know, so he could still use this as a scare tactic.

At this moment, Masahiro Hoshimura recalled the scene where he was scared by Naoki Nagayama: "Ah, didn't Mr. Nagayama say that his family wouldn't object..."

"Ha, Mr. Hoshimura, I heard that a trend called personal studios is becoming popular abroad. You can take on various projects under your own name and handle tax issues."

Personal studios are not new. In RB, personal studios are generally found in industries like architecture and comics, but not in the entertainment industry. Even top celebrities do not establish personal studios.

Because channels for exposure, such as GGs, magazines, and TV stations, have been tightly controlled by major agencies for decades. Leaving an agency is like quitting the industry; without a major agency's backing, you won't even get minor roles, let alone business. Establishing a personal studio is a dead end.

However, Naoki Nagayama's situation was a bit special. He did not plan to develop in the entertainment industry, and this time, the other party was the one seeking him out, so he could use this to his advantage.

"Ah, so Mr. Nagayama plans to collaborate with us under the name of a personal studio?" Isn't this just a repeat of the previous collaboration, just changing from an individual to a studio?

"Ha, I think this method is most beneficial for future development!"

Beneficial for future development? That's a joke. After this GG collaboration, who would still give business to an unknown personal studio?

But Masahiro Hoshimura clearly had no choice. After all, the client had specifically requested Naoki Nagayama, and in the new GG project, Naoki Nagayama was a very important figure...

"Souda, Mr. Nagayama, I understand. Let's sign the contract under the name of a personal studio." Masahiro Hoshimura finally gave in.

"Then, what will Mr. Nagayama's personal studio be called?"

"Ah, I haven't established it yet, so I need Mr. Hoshimura's help to register a shell company~"

"Ah? You want us to help you register it???"

Is this kind of operation even possible?

...

...

A few days later, Naoki Nagayama's personal studio, HALO, signed a contract with the STARTLINGHT agency.

"HALO, a halo, come be the Master Chief, hahaha~" full of mischief.

Thus, Naoki Nagayama met the artistic producer, Shuichi Itou, who was still working as a part-time director.

Indeed, they had a deep connection!

In the discussion, Shuichi Itou explained that the entire GG series consisted of four parts, corresponding to the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, catering to different tastes.

It was already February, so the next soda flavor would be cherry blossom... not cherry but cherry blossom? Indeed, very novel~

Listening to Shuichi Itou's introduction of the GG plot:

In the cherry blossom season, two people take shelter from a light rain under the eaves of a convenience store. Cherry blossoms fall from the trees nearby, turning into cherry blossom-flavored soda from Yumizume Beverage. This pair of strangers eventually becomes a couple, with the narration: "What does cherry blossom taste like?"

Naoki Nagayama listened to his description and gradually became engrossed.

Two young strangers, taking shelter from the rain under the eaves, the cherry blossoms nearby, becoming a couple... it seemed to connect with something from the past, and memories flowed into his mind like a spring.

"さくらさくら会いたいよいやだ君に今すぐ会いたいよ"

(Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, I want to see you, I want to see you right now)

"だいじょうぶもう泣かないで私は風あなたを包(つつ)んでいるよ"

(It's okay, don't cry anymore, I am the wind, surrounding you)

"さくらさくら会いたいよいやだ君に今すぐ会いたいよ"

(Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, I want to see you, I want to see you right now)

...

A beautiful, melancholic, yet hopeful song, "さくら~あなたに出会えてよかった~" (Cherry blossoms, I'm glad I met you), began to echo in his ears, and the scenes from the MV he had seen also flooded his mind with the melody.

"Mr. Nagayama... Mr. Nagayama!" Shuichi Itou's tone was slightly annoyed, "Are you listening? Do you have any opinions?"

"Ha, I'm listening!" Naoki Nagayama snapped back to reality.

"Souka, do you have any opinions on the GG plot?" Shuichi Itou thought he was just being polite and insisted on getting some feedback.

"Ano... Mr. Itou, I do have some ideas." Just recalling a song, a vague idea formed in his mind.