Chapter 26

Chapter 26: 026, I’m Never Acting in This Kind of Drama Again!

“Scandal? Between Kanako-san and me?”

On Monday afternoon during filming, Higuchi Kanako and her assistant Koyanagi Marin informed Nagayama Naoki about it.

“Yes. The agency’s public relations department has already been notified. The article will probably come out this Friday,” Koyanagi Marin said.

“I never expected that just going out once would get us photographed. Paparazzi really are impressive,” Nagayama Naoki said. He hadn’t noticed being photographed at all.

“So, what does the agency plan to do?”

“They don’t intend to stop it. Small scandals like this are actually beneficial for Kanako-san’s career. However, Naoki-san might be affected a little. Since you’ve already appeared on television, you’re considered part of the entertainment industry now, so your face won’t be censored in the photos.”

“I see… so I’m an entertainer now too.”

Japan strictly protects the privacy of ordinary citizens. If magazines expose a non-public figure’s face without permission, they may have to pay heavy compensation.

“Sorry for causing you trouble,” Higuchi Kanako said apologetically.

“It’s fine. I was already prepared for something like this when I started filming commercials,” Nagayama Naoki replied, waving it off.

After hearing about it, Ito Shuichi said, “Actually, this isn’t bad. If we move quickly, the commercial can be finished this week. The scandal can serve as perfect pre-promotion.”

“Right. Shuichi-san, let’s hurry and shoot. We might as well ride this wave of free publicity.”

The mood on set relaxed, and filming resumed with the second act: daily romance scenes followed by marriage and family life.

This time they filmed outdoors. Taking advantage of the good weather, Yoshimura Daitomo arranged a quiet street and an empty house. Nagayama Naoki and Higuchi Kanako filmed playful dating scenes, warm married life moments, and ordinary happiness witnessed by cherry-blossom flavored soda. The sequence wrapped smoothly.

The third act took place at night — the heroine’s accident.

The evening began with peaceful domestic life. Because they ran out of drinks, the heroine went out to buy more, but suffered a tragic car accident. The male lead held her body in grief.

“Naoki-san, your expression needs to look more lost and helpless.”

“Naoki-san, mix confusion into the sadness.”

“Naoki-san, the grief should also contain a hint of anger.”

Nagayama Naoki swore he would never act in this kind of drama again.

Ito Shuichi’s perfectionism fully revealed itself in this scene. They filmed more than thirty takes. Lying on the ground, Higuchi Kanako nearly fell asleep.

“Naoki-san, the earlier scenes matched your age perfectly — romance and happiness. But portraying deep grief and regret requires polishing take by take,” Ito Shuichi said confidently. “You’re already doing well. I was prepared for over fifty NG takes.”

“Fifty takes? Please spare me,” Nagayama Naoki broke into a cold sweat.

“Next is the male lead’s solitary life and some additional memory scenes for the heroine.”

“Naoki-san, starting today don’t shave or get a haircut. Try sleeping very little for a few days. By Wednesday you need to look exhausted.”

“Yes.”

“As for the heroine, we’ll shoot her scenes the day after tomorrow. Morning indoor filming, afternoon scenes for Naoki-san, and the final shot back in the studio at night.”

Higuchi Kanako nodded. “Understood.”

“Also, we need to work hard on the background song.”

Regarding that, Nagayama Naoki said, “Yes. Daitomo-san has already contacted a suitable singer.”

“Oh? You’ve found one already? Who is it?” Ito Shuichi asked.

“Kashiwabara Yoshie. She debuted last year. Her voice has sweetness with a slightly magnetic sadness. It fits perfectly.”

“Kashiwabara Yoshie? Sorry, I haven’t heard of her.”

“She’s still a newcomer,” Yoshimura Daitomo added. “Recording starts tomorrow.”

“Huh? When did you get here, Daitomo-san?”

“When you were tormenting Naoki-san. I came to pick him up.”

Yoshimura Daitomo was practically becoming Nagayama Naoki’s personal manager.

They returned home at 2 a.m. The next morning Yoshimura Daitomo knocked early to take him to the recording studio.

“How do you keep such good energy, Daitomo-san?” Nagayama Naoki asked, severely sleep-deprived.

“Nothing special. I didn’t sleep yesterday. I went to Roppongi and played until morning, went home, showered, then came to pick you up.”

“You don’t need sleep?”

“After dropping you off, I’ll go home and catch up on sleep. I won’t pick you up tonight.”

“Thanks for your hard work, Daitomo-san.”

The studio was in Bunkyo Ward, not far away. When Naoki arrived, a manager and Kashiwabara Yoshie were already waiting.

“Sorry for being late. I’m Yoshimura Daitomo, who contacted you earlier. This is Nagayama Naoki, the songwriter and producer of this track,” Daitomo introduced, immediately establishing Naoki’s authority.

When the composer and producer are the same person, they hold absolute control over production.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Nagayama Naoki.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kashiwabara Yoshie. Please take care of me.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Nagashima Daitomo, Yoshie’s manager.”

Kashiwabara Yoshie had debuted only recently. She was seventeen, had released just one record, and was still very inexperienced.

“Kashiwabara-san, no need to be nervous. You’ve already read the lyrics and listened to the demo, right?”

“Yes. I’ve practiced singing it privately.”

“Then there shouldn’t be a problem. It’s a love song. Just sing it sweetly.”

“But I heard it should carry some sadness?” Yoshie asked hesitantly, looking at the unkempt producer with heavy dark circles under his eyes, instinctively intimidated.

Nagayama Naoki explained directly, “You don’t need to force sadness. The lyrics and your natural tone already contain a slight melancholy. No need to exaggerate it.”

“Yes, I’ll try.”

Kashiwabara Yoshie entered the recording booth.

Naoki signaled the staff to start the instrumental track. The accompaniment had already been recorded by a band and separated into individual tracks.

Then came the iconic line:

“sakura sakura aitai yo iya da kimi ni ima sugu aitai yo”

After the first take, Nagayama Naoki noticed Yoshie was imitating the male demo voice and deliberately adding sadness.

The first take failed.

“Yoshie-san, you’re too influenced by the demo. Sing it in your own style.”

“Yes.”

“This time you lowered your voice again. Sadness doesn’t need to be forced. One more time.”

“Yes.”

“Why did it get even softer this time?”

“Sorry…”

Naoki’s tone had become almost identical to Ito Shuichi’s the day before.

Inside the booth, the inexperienced Kashiwabara Yoshie looked close to tears.

“She’s too nervous. Do I really look that scary?” Naoki wondered, then asked her manager Nagashima Daitomo, “Does Yoshie-san have any way to relax normally?”

“She relaxes by reading or singing. But that probably won’t work here.”

“Why?”

“Because Nagayama-kun looks too serious.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you notice? Since arriving at the studio, your expression has been so stern it looks like you’re about to kill someone. Your eyebrows haven’t relaxed once,” Nagashima Daitomo said.

I just didn’t sleep enough. My face is simply numb.