Chapter 36

Chapter 36: 036, Everything Settled, Just Waiting to Calmly Collect the Profits

Daitomo Yoshimura’s efficiency was always extremely high. Within just a few days, he brought a weathered-looking man in his thirties to meet Naoki Nagayama at a café.

“Naoki-kun, this is Mr. Shigetomo Araki. He’s someone I intend to introduce to you.

He used to manage a live underground band for a long time and has extensive experience in music, operations, and dealing with people.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Shigetomo Araki. Please treat me kindly.” The weathered Araki stood up and bowed politely, showing no sign of underestimating Naoki simply because of his youth.

“Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Naoki Nagayama.” Bowing had already become habitual for him.

“So, Araki-kun, do you want to run a nightclub? And what abilities do you have for it?” Even though he trusted Yoshimura, Naoki still needed to assess Araki carefully.

“Naoki-kun, running a nightclub is actually a practical choice,” Araki began—clearly a man with a story.

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

But maybe I didn’t have musical talent. There was never any real progress.”

Tokyo had countless underground bands, but only a handful ever got record deals, and even fewer became truly successful.

“I’ve relied on my experience and connections from back then to stay in the music industry.

But now I’ve reached the stage where I need to settle down and build a stable life, so I’ve been thinking about changing careers.”

“As for my ability to run a nightclub—I have plenty of experience from my youth as a frequent clubgoer. I also understand instruments and performances, and during my time as a band manager I learned how live houses and underground venues operate.”

Naoki Nagayama roughly understood Araki’s background and abilities. He wasn’t too worried about daily operations—even without experience, one could learn by observing other clubs.

He also wasn’t under much financial pressure.

But since he was opening this disco, he wanted it to be well run.

The most important factor was the ability to handle unexpected situations.

“Araki-kun, I understand your situation. Since I’m considering hiring you to run the nightclub, I’ll be direct—can you handle emergencies? For example, if the yakuza come to cause trouble?”

“Ah, so that’s what Naoki-kun is concerned about?” Yoshimura asked in surprise.

“Yes. The yakuza are quite troublesome.”

“But if it’s a legitimate business, paying protection money should ensure local gangs guarantee safety,” Yoshimura said.

“Daitomo-san, that’s only the surface,” Naoki replied. “If you can’t handle conflicts, then not only will protection money increase, but they might even take a cut of the profits.”

Naoki clearly understood how yakuza groups operated.

At that moment, Araki spoke up.

“If that’s your concern, I’ve been in the underground music scene for nearly ten years. I’ve encountered plenty of yakuza.”

“I also know quite a few of them.”

He paused.

“The local Yamaguchi-gumi executive is my wife’s cousin.”

“Ohhh—so you really are a man full of stories.”

“In that case, this makes things easier,” Naoki smiled.

“Our DISCO will follow Western-style concepts. We’ll need someone who looks intimidating at the entrance to check tickets—hahaha.”

Araki looked slightly confused.

“When I was job hunting before, I heard that having a yakuza relative would make employers very cautious. Naoki-kun doesn’t seem to care at all?”

Yoshimura laughed at that moment.

“What’s there to worry about? Naoki-kun’s grandfather is the boss of the Shizuoka Yamaguchi-gumi.”

“Eh? That’s quite a coincidence!”

“Haha, just fate,” Naoki said without denying it. Sometimes a bit of yakuza association could be useful for intimidation.

The three of them got along well, and Araki’s hiring was decided.

“Araki-san, unlike other nightclub owners, I don’t like managing day-to-day operations, so I don’t prefer traditional employment structures.”

To motivate Araki, Naoki added more incentive.

“Our relationship is more like partners. There’s no fixed salary—you’ll receive 10% of net profits instead.”

Both Yoshimura and Araki were shocked. In the Showa era, nightclub managers were almost always salaried employees.

Profit sharing was usually reserved for investors.

“Understood! Thank you very much! I will do my utmost!”

Everything proceeded smoothly after that.

Naoki discussed future operations and the disco’s concept—centered on City Pop music direction. They also visited the completed venue together.

Araki later signed a contract with Naoki’s personal office and promised to recruit staff, including DJs, dancers, servers, security guards, and more.

The disco was finally settled.

Naoki felt that his involvement in this project could end here.

Everything was now in place.

He could simply wait calmly to collect the profits.

Recently, his driving school training was nearing completion. The instructor had already notified him of his test date—he would soon obtain his driver’s license.

At the same time, the photos from the Meguro River cherry blossom viewing had been developed.

Naoki Nagayama packaged and mailed photos of his sister and Kana-chan back to his hometown, along with several copies of “Sakura Anata ni Deaete Yokatta,” which they had requested.

He also sorted out some of his own photos and set them aside.

The remaining ones belonged to the Nakamori sisters, and he needed to notify them to come pick them up.

He picked up his notebook and dialed the previously saved number.

After a few rings, someone answered.

“Moshi moshi, this is the Nakamori residence.”

A hoarse voice.

“Moshi moshi, this is Naoki Nagayama.”

“Oh, Naoki-san! Long time no see.”

“Eh? That voice… is that Nakamori-san?” Naoki recognized it. “Did you catch a cold?”

“It’s actually hay fever in spring. My body is a bit weak.”

Nakamori Akina had been frail since childhood.

“Please take care of yourself and recover soon.”

“Thank you very much.”

“So, what’s the reason for your call today? Ah—are the photos ready?”

“Yes. The photos are developed. I wanted to ask for your address so I can mail them.”

“Mail them? That’s too much trouble. We should come pick them up instead—we’d also like to thank you in person.”

After some back-and-forth, the address was obtained.

Naoki packed the photos.

Just before sealing the package, he felt something was missing.

He went downstairs and bought a watermelon, attaching a note:

“Wishing Nakamori-san a speedy recovery!”

The next day, in the Nakamori household in the small town of Seirai.

Akina’s mother, Chieko Nakamori, received a package addressed to Akina.

“Akina, a package for you!”

“Eh? Are the photos here?” A hoarse voice came from the room. Akina stepped out wearing warm clothes; she had been absent from school due to illness.

“It’s not photos. The box is big and heavy,” her mother said. “Are you still coughing?”

“I’m not coughing anymore, just a dry throat.”

“I’ll make some sugar water.”

“Thank you.”

Akina looked at the package curiously.

After opening it, she found layers of foam.

“It’s a watermelon! Mom, it’s a watermelon!”

“At this time of year? That must be expensive. Who sent it?”

Akina had already found the envelope.

“It’s Naoki-san! There are also photos from the cherry blossom viewing.”

“That young man?”

Seeing the note on the watermelon, Chieko smiled.

“Such a thoughtful person.”

Akina looked very happy too, tapping the watermelon lightly.

She hadn’t had one except in summer, and suddenly felt hungry.

“Mom, it looks really ripe!”

“You want some?”

“Can I?”

“Since it’s a gift for you, of course you can eat it. But not too much—you’re still recovering.”

“Okay.”

Half was sliced, the rest saved for later.

Bright red watermelon slices were placed on a tray.

Akina’s appetite, which had been gone for days, returned instantly.

“Mom, you should eat too.”

She handed a slice to her mother.

The two of them happily ate together.

A satisfied smile appeared on Akina’s face.