Chapter 96

"Mr. Ohmoto, are you still at the STARLIGHT agency?"

"Well, I left a while ago."

"Really? You left the company where you worked for over 20 years?"

"Ha, life is unpredictable. After working in photo magazines for so long, I wanted to try a different lifestyle." Ohmoto took a sip of his drink. "Mr. Kasuga, haven't you started making movies too?"

"Ha ha ha, that's true. Doing the same thing for too long can get boring; you always need to find something fresh."

The old friends' casual chat ended there.

Kasuga Shunshu had been making movies for about five years, and under the KADOKAWA Pictures label, there were already famous films like "The Inugami Clan," "Human Proof," "Wild Proof," and "Sengoku Self-Defense Force."

However, compared to other established production companies like Toho and Toei, KADOKAWA was still considered a "nouveau riche" in the film industry, lacking depth and truly groundbreaking works.

"Mr. Ohmoto, it's quite a surprise that you suddenly made a movie."

"Indeed, I didn't expect it either. It was originally a short film for fun, but it turned out to be a full-length movie."

"Directors Ido Shuichi and Nagayama Naoki, I haven't heard of them. Are they new directors?"

"Sort of. Shuichi was a GG director, and Naoki was an actor. Later, we formed a small team called Juyu Pictures."

When Ohmoto mentioned the team, his smile never faded. "Mr. Kasuga, have you heard of 'World's Most Mysterious Stories'?"

"Ah, isn't that a late-night show? I heard it has quite an interesting twist." Kasuga Shunshu had heard of it, but as a busy CEO, he usually had many activities at night and rarely watched late-night shows.

He might have heard about it from a subordinate's report on TV trends.

This meeting to discuss the distribution of a new movie was originally supposed to be handled by a department head.

It was only when the film production team mentioned Ohmoto's name that Kasuga Shunshu became interested.

"Ha ha, that's our Juyu Pictures' creation~"

"Really? You already have a famous show on TV? That's impressive~"

Kasuga Shunshu and Ohmoto clinked glasses again. "When I heard Mr. Ohmoto's name, I was a bit surprised. Now I realize that Mr. Ohmoto has already made a name for himself in the entertainment industry~"

This was clearly an exaggeration, but it was a compliment to an old friend.

"Mr. Kasuga, you're too kind. We're just a small team that just started. Compared to a big company like KADOKAWA, we're like the sky and the earth."

"Don't say that. Now, KADOKAWA Pictures is discussing a collaboration with your Juyu Pictures~" Kasuga Shunshu had seen the preview and didn't overpraise the quality of "Paranormal Activity," but he acknowledged its unique style.

He had always planned to enter the film industry and even direct movies himself, so he was familiar with the latest trends in international cinema. This pseudo-documentary horror film was groundbreaking and would surely shine in the future.

If he could acquire the film, it would be a significant asset in the horror genre.

"Mr. Ohmoto, I'll be straightforward. KADOKAWA Pictures wants to enter the film industry, and a groundbreaking movie like 'Paranormal Activity' is something we want to acquire."

Ohmoto became serious: "Mr. Kasuga, we also hope to be under the wing of a big company, but we need to know the terms of KADOKAWA Pictures."

"Simple. Juyu Pictures can merge with KADOKAWA Pictures, and the film will carry the KADOKAWA label. The directors and other staff will remain the same, and KADOKAWA Pictures will handle the full promotion and distribution of 'Paranormal Activity.' The box office revenue will be split 80-20."

Kasuga Shunshu spoke casually, but his words were firm.

After hearing this, Ohmoto silently drank a glass of wine.

In fact, the terms were not too harsh. Many startups were acquired by larger companies under similar conditions, and an 80-20 split was not unacceptable, especially since the film had zero production costs.

But...

"Sorry, Mr. Kasuga, we can't agree to the merger."

"Huh? Mr. Ohmoto, don't you want to discuss it with others? This split would bring significant revenue."

"Mr. Kasuga, it's not about the split, but we can't agree to the merger." Ohmoto continued, "I believe the others feel the same way."

"As far as I know, Juyu Pictures is just a shell company, right?" Kasuga Shunshu was puzzled. Such companies could be easily created by the hundreds.

"Ha, it's just a small team of three people." Ohmoto admitted, "But this company is our dream! It's a company that carries Shuichi's dream of becoming a great director, Naoki's dream of becoming a wealthy man, and my dream of becoming a CEO!"

"Previously, when we managed the Wildcat Girls, we were forced to sell it once. Later, when we produced 'World's Most Mysterious Stories,' we sold it again, partly out of necessity."

"Once or twice is understandable, but a third time would turn our dreams into a joke."

Kasuga Shunshu hadn't expected this. After so many years in business, could a middle-aged man still have such naive dreams?

But hearing this, he suddenly felt a bit moved.

"Mr. Ohmoto, you're in your forties. Don't you feel ashamed talking about dreams all the time?"

"Shut up! What's the difference between a man without dreams and a dead fish?" He mumbled something about "a man is a child until he dies," making Kasuga Shunshu laugh.

"Ha ha ha, hearing Mr. Ohmoto talk like this, I feel a bit nostalgic."

Kasuga Shunshu was also a man with dreams; otherwise, he wouldn't have left a successful publishing business to enter the film industry.

"How about this, Mr. Ohmoto. No merger, but KADOKAWA Pictures can invest in your company?"

Kasuga Shunshu was a spontaneous person, and KADOKAWA Publishing had the capital to support his whims.

"The split would be 70-30. You have three people, and if KADOKAWA invests, we would need at least 25% equity."

"Ha ha, I'll invest in your dreams too~"

"Is that so~"

This time, Ohmoto seriously considered it.

KADOKAWA's investment, both in terms of connections and capital, was a huge temptation for a startup.

Even if they held 25% of the shares, we would still have 75%, maintaining control.

"Mr. Kasuga, I need to discuss this with the others. I can't give you an answer right now."

Since he said that, it was almost a done deal.

"Ha ha ha, you need to think carefully. Dreams are important, Mr. Ohmoto~"

"Shut up, you're not letting that go, are you!"

Kasuga Shunshu and Ohmoto put aside their work and continued drinking.

......

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