"I'm in Tokyo, and this is some kind of movie star comeback system?!"

Nissan Marketing Office

On Takuya Nagai's desk are two photos: one is a still from the movie "Dangerous Detective" starring Yu Sakamoto, and the other is a photo of Noriyuki Higashiyama, a popular male idol.

Sitting opposite him was a middle-aged man, the director of this shoot—Shinichi Nakagawa.

"Let's add another audition, let Sakamoto Yu and Higashiyama-san try it out together, and you can see how it goes."

Nagai lowered his stance, patiently and took the opportunity to pass on Sakamoto Yu's information.

However, Nakagawa was not buying it; he crossed his arms, clearly refusing to budge.

"I can't do it." Nakagawa shook his head. "Higashiyama Noriyuki is my chosen candidate. That was agreed upon from the beginning."

Seeing his unyielding attitude, a hint of impatience flashed across Nagai's face. He lowered his head slightly to hide it and continued to patiently persuade him:

"The Z31 is not about the cleanliness of an idol."

It was that kind of—dangerous feeling; Higashiyama-san's face was too gentle.

Nakagawa raised his hand to interrupt Nagai, saying directly, "There is no conflict."

I can capture the sense of danger in a gentle person; isn't that a good contrast?

"If you find something that naturally looks like it, anyone could take a picture."

Nagai took a deep breath, rubbed his throbbing temples, and his voice carried a hint of barely perceptible fatigue:

"Nakagawa-san, you're taking advantage of the department head's favoritism and the lenient budget, but I'm different. If the budget goes over again, I won't be able to explain it to the finance department!"

These words hit the nail on the head. Nakagawa's lips twitched, but he remained defiant: "Casting is within my authority, and it has nothing to do with the budget."

"It's okay?" Nagai laughed, his laughter full of sarcasm. "Don't you know how much higher Higashiyama Noriyuki's price is compared to Sakamoto Yu's, backed by Johnny's?"

If you insist on filming on location, which of the equipment and venues won't cost a fortune?

If we keep dragging this out, you're going to make me take the blame for the overspending?

He leaned forward slightly, softening his tone, as if making a final concession:

"Just one glance at Sakamoto Yu, just one glance, is that alright? His temperament is a good match, he's a hot topic, and it'll save us a lot of money. It's good for both of us."

With the remaining budget, you can also rent locations and film on location...."

Despite Nagai's repeated requests, Nakagawa remained unyielding. He even lowered his head to look at his toes and stopped talking.

Nagai took a deep breath, gradually becoming annoyed. "I don't want to argue with you."

Upon hearing this, Nakagawa raised his head, his expression turning serious: "I don't want to argue with you either, but let me make this clear, I will not change the candidate."

"I only want Higashiyama Noriyuki. Don't talk to me about fame. My entire script was designed for him. Without him..."

Nakagawa's strong stance completely broke Nagai's last bit of patience.

His face instantly darkened, and he lightly tapped the table with his knuckles.

"Do you think that because the department head is backing you up, you can completely disregard me, the brand manager?"

Nakagawa froze, staring at Nagai in astonishment, never expecting him to say such a thing.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Nagai jumped up from his chair, placed his hands on the desk, and leaned slightly forward.

"You're determined to make a comeback, aren't you? I'm telling you plainly now—no way!"

Nakagawa was stunned by his sudden assertiveness and only reacted after a moment of hesitation, then he also stood up abruptly.

"Why not? The department head has already instructed me that casting is my director's prerogative!"

Nagai snorted coldly, grabbed Higashiyama Noriyuki's photo, and pointed at the portrait on it.

"You want him to drive the Z31? What are you expecting the audience to think? How are they supposed to relate to it?"

He looks like a high school kid who sneaks into his dad's car to show off, lacking any tough-guy vibe. How can this live up to the Z31's image?

"Our audience is not those little girls, not those female fans who shout the names of their idols."

"They are urban elites, a group of men who pursue speed and yearn for the passion of sports cars."

Nagai slammed the photo onto the table with a "thud".

"Tell me, after this episode airs, who do you want to show it to?"

Nakagawa's lips moved, his throat bobbed, and a heart full of rebuttals was stuck in his chest, but he was choked speechless by Nagai's words, and his face turned red.

Seeing him like this, Nagai's anger flared even more. His voice suddenly rose, carrying a resolute determination:

"You want to make a comeback, is that it? I'll say it again—absolutely not!"

"You don't want to arrange auditions? Fine, then there's no need for auditions. Sakamoto Yu will be cast directly; it's my decision!"

If you're not satisfied, go ahead and complain to the department head and have him remove me from office.

Before he removed me, this endorsement belonged to Sakamoto Yu.

He closed the documents on the table with a "snap".

"that's all."

Nakagawa also stood up abruptly, his face ashen, a surge of anger welling up inside him, his tone full of defiance and confrontation:

"Fine, you decide the casting, but I'm making this clear: I'm not responsible for the quality of the final product if I don't choose the actors."

.......

Watanabe Office.

"Okay, I understand, thank you."

Watanabe held the microphone and whispered his thanks, his tone gentle and polite.

Sakamoto Yu sat across from the desk, waiting patiently.

His gaze fell on Watanabe, carefully observing her expression. Watanabe's brows relaxed, so it didn't seem like bad news.

As soon as Watanabe put down the microphone, he was met with Sakamoto Yu's inquisitive gaze.

"Is it a Nissan endorsement?" Sakamoto Yu asked first, his tone somewhat tentative.

Watanabe nodded. "Nissan informed us that you don't need to attend an audition; you can just be confirmed and join the filming crew directly."

Sakamoto Yu was stunned. "They've already decided on me? They've even waived the audition?"

Watanabe shook his head, indicating that he was just as confused.

Just as Sakamoto was about to ask further questions, Watanabe raised his hand to signal him to be quiet.

She picked up the phone again, skillfully pressed the number, and made a call.

"Uncle? It's me, Mayumi." Watanabe's tone instantly became intimate and familiar.

Sakamoto Yu wisely shut his mouth and immediately fell silent.

After talking for ten minutes, Watanabe hung up the phone.

Sakamoto Yu then gave him an inquiring look.

Watanabe carefully selected his words and began to speak slowly:

"We originally had a preferred director for this GG project, Noriyuki Higashiyama from Johnny's, but the brand rejected him outright, and you were chosen instead."

"I heard that the Nissan brand manager and the director of the filming had a rather strained relationship."

Upon hearing this, Sakamoto Yu frowned sharply, his mind racing. He immediately grasped the key point and quickly pressed for an answer:

"What about the director? Did he also withdraw from filming?"

Watanabe could easily see through his thoughts and immediately shook his head: "He didn't quit; he's still in charge of this filming."

Sakamoto Yu twitched the corners of his mouth, his tone tinged with a helpless self-deprecation: "So, I've already offended someone before even starting filming?"

Watanabe looked at him calmly and said seriously, "That's right, you should prepare yourself mentally."

Sakamoto Yu nodded slightly, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. Things had come to this point, and he could only face it with resignation.

Watanabe didn't offer any further words of comfort; she needed to follow up on the endorsement contract right now.

She trusted Sakamoto Yu; he could handle this little situation on his own.

She picked up her bag and stood up. As she walked to the door, she turned back and reminded him, "I'll message you after the contract is finalized. Don't wander off. Wait for my notification."

Sakamoto Yu looked up and replied, "Mm."

He watched her open the door and leave, the door closing gently, before turning his gaze away, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table.