Chapter 36

Fangcun Daoyou has always been highly efficient. It didn't take long before he brought a middle-aged man with a weathered appearance to meet with Nagayama Naoki at a café.

"Naoki-kun, this is Mr. Araki Shigehiro, the person I plan to introduce to you. He has extensive experience in music, operations, and interpersonal relations, having worked as a manager for an underground band for a long time."

"Nice to meet you, I am Araki Shigehiro, please take care of me." The weathered Araki Shigehiro stood up and bowed politely, showing no disrespect due to Naoki's youth.

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

"So, Mr. Araki, are you interested in managing a nightclub? What skills do you have to manage a nightclub?" Although Fangcun Daoyou was trustworthy, Naoki still needed to assess Araki Shigehiro.

"Naoki-kun, managing a nightclub is actually a practical choice." Araki Shigehiro looked like a man with many stories to tell.

"When I was young, I wanted to play, sing, and live a life of overnight fame, so I formed a band and worked as a band manager..."

"But, perhaps I lacked the talent for music, and things never really took off."

There are countless underground bands in Tokyo, but only a few can release records, and even fewer can become famous.

"Relying on my experience and connections, I have been working in the music industry. However, now that it's time to settle down and start a family, I can't keep living off scattered performances, so I decided to change careers."

"If I were to manage a nightclub, my experience from my younger days, including my knowledge of instruments and performances, and my understanding of live houses and underground venues as a band manager, would be very useful."

Naoki roughly understood Araki Shigehiro's background and skills. He wasn't worried about daily operations, as even without experience, one could learn by working at other nightclubs.

The main concern was the ability to handle unexpected situations.

"Mr. Araki, I understand your background. Since I'm considering inviting you to manage the nightclub, I'll be direct. Can you handle unexpected situations, like yakuza causing trouble?"

"Ah, is that what Naoki is worried about?" Fangcun Daoyou was surprised.

"Hi, the yakuza can be quite a headache."

"But if we run a legitimate business and pay protection fees, the local gangs should ensure our safety."

"Daoyou-san, that's just on the surface. If you can't resolve conflicts, not only will the protection fees be an issue, but the nightclub's profits might be taken away as well." Naoki was very familiar with the yakuza's methods.

At this point, Araki Shigehiro said, "If Naoki is concerned about this, I've been in the underground music scene for nearly 10 years and have encountered many yakuza."

"I have quite a few friends!" Araki Shigehiro paused, "The local Yamaguchi-gumi officer is my wife's cousin."

Oh, indeed, he is a man full of stories.

"Since that's the case, it's convenient." Naoki smiled.

"Our DISCO will adopt the Nishi-fang model, and we need someone who looks intimidating to check tickets at the entrance, hahaha~"

Araki Shigehiro was a bit surprised: "When I was job hunting, I heard that bosses would be very cautious if they knew the applicant had a yakuza connection. Naoki-kun, you don't seem to mind at all?"

Fangcun Daoyou laughed, "What's there to worry about? Naoki's grandfather is the leader of the Shizuoka Yamaguchi-gumi!"

"Ah? Really? That's quite a coincidence!"

"Hahaha, it's all fate." Naoki didn't avoid the topic, knowing that sometimes revealing a bit of his yakuza background could be intimidating.

The three talked happily, and the decision to hire Araki Shigehiro was made.

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

Naoki understood the importance of initiative and decided to offer more to motivate Araki Shigehiro.

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

Fangcun Daoyou and Araki Shigehiro were both surprised. In the Showa era, nightclub managers and supervisors were usually paid a monthly salary.

Profit-sharing was a benefit reserved for shareholders.

"Hi! Thank you very much! I will work even harder!"

Everything went smoothly from there.

Naoki continued to discuss the future operational plans and the CityPop music direction of the nightclub with Araki Shigehiro, and finally took the two to visit the newly renovated nightclub.

Araki Shigehiro signed a contract with Naoki's personal studio and promised to find suitable staff, including DJs, dancers, waiters, and security guards.

The nightclub project was finally settled.

Naoki felt that his efforts on the nightclub project could now come to an end, with everything in place.

From now on, he could wait for the profits to roll in.

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.....

Recently, the driving school training was nearing its end, and the instructor had already notified the time for the exam. Naoki would soon have his driver's license.

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

Naoki packed the photos of Tsuruko and Kona and sent them back home, along with a few copies of the record "Sakura ~Anata ni Deaete Yorokatta~" (Cherry Blossom, I'm Glad to Meet You), which Tsuruko had specifically requested in a phone call.

Besides these, he also organized some of his own photos and set them aside.

The remaining photos were of the Nakamori sisters, and he needed to notify them to come and pick them up.

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

After a few rings, someone answered.

"Moshi moshi, this is the Nakamori household." A hoarse voice.

"Moshi moshi, this is Nagayama Naoki."

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

"Hey, is that Nakamori-san?" Naoki recognized Nakamori's voice from its hoarseness, "Are you sick?"

"Hi, actually, I'm more prone to pollen allergies in the spring, and my body is a bit weak."

Nakamori's health has never been great: "Nakamori-san, take care and get well soon~"

"Hi, thank you for your concern, arigato." Nakamori thanked him and then asked, "Naoki-san, what's the reason for your call today? Ah, are the photos ready?"

"Yes, the photos are ready. I called to ask for your address so I can send them to you."

"Send them? That's too much trouble, we'll come and pick them up. We also want to thank Naoki-san in person~" Other voices could be heard in the background.

"No problem, it's not much trouble~" Naoki continued, "Besides, Nakamori-san is still sick. Wait until you're better to go out and play. It's not too late to thank me then~"

"That's too much trouble~" She sounded a bit shy.

"Hahaha, then it's settled~"

After a few more exchanges, he finally got the address.

Naoki packed the photos and, feeling something was missing, went downstairs to buy a watermelon and attached a card saying "Wishing Nakamori-san a speedy recovery!" and packed it together.

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The next day, at the Nakamori household in Seirai Town.

Nakamori Chieko received the package, but the recipient was Nakamori: "Nakamori, you have a package!"

"Hey? Are the photos here?" A hoarse voice came from the room, and Nakamori, wrapped in a thick uniform, came out, having stayed home due to illness, with only her mother and her at home.

"It doesn't seem to be. The box is quite large and heavy," Chieko looked at Nakamori, "Are you still coughing?"

"I'm not coughing anymore, just a bit hoarse."

"Let me get you some sugar water~"

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

Chieko brought a bowl of sugar water, "Open it and see."

Nakamori used scissors to open the outer packaging, revealing a layer of foam inside: "It's a watermelon! Kaa-san, a watermelon~"

"Hey, a watermelon this season? They're quite expensive~" Chieko was also surprised, "Who sent it?"

Nakamori took out the envelope: "It's from Naoki-san! There are also photos from our cherry blossom viewing at Meguro River."

"That young man?" Looking at the card tied to the watermelon, "Wishing Nakamori a speedy recovery!"

"He's really thoughtful!"

Nakamori was very happy, looking at the green and black-striped round watermelon, tapping it to hear the resonant sound.

Remembering that she only got to eat watermelon occasionally during the hot summer, she suddenly felt hungry: "Kaa-san, the watermelon looks ripe!"

"Do you want to eat it?"

"Yes, can I?"

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

"Hi~"

Chieko cut the watermelon in half, and the remaining half would be shared by the family in the evening.

Slices of green-skinned, red-fleshed watermelon were arranged on a plate, and Nakamori, who had lost her appetite for days, suddenly felt hungry again.

"Kaa-san, have some too~" After giving a slice to Chieko, the two happily enjoyed the watermelon together.

Nakamori's face showed a satisfied smile~

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