Crossover: Pen name: Dazai Osamu, Omega Kasumigaoka

Mai Sakurajima naturally did not refuse.

"Okay, I'll send you the location in a bit."

After hanging up the phone, Mai Sakurajima looked at the middle-aged man across from her.

"Okay, he's agreed to meet with you."

"Thank you, Yui-san. I've already booked a place. Let's go now."

A middle-aged man led the way.

When I arrived at the company building, the company driver was already waiting there in his car.

The middle-aged man had originally intended to invite Mai Sakurajima to get in the car with him.

But at that moment, a very imposing and powerful-looking Land Rover stopped right in front of Mai Sakurajima.

The driver was the female bodyguard that Kitahara Makoto had hired for Sakurajima Mai.

I saw Mai Sakurajima and her manager get into a Land Rover.

The middle-aged man quickly got into the car and had the driver lead the way...

……

Inside a private room at a high-end restaurant.

Kitahara Makoto arrived with bodyguards and assistants.

They saw that only Sakurajima Mai, her manager, and the president of her agency were in the private room.

He then turned to Mark beside him and said, "You two go wait for me in the next room."

"Okay, boss."

Mark nodded and left with another bodyguard and assistant.

Kitahara Shin then walked toward the group of people who had already stood up.

"President Nakata, it's been a long time!"

Kitahara Masayuki, a middle-aged man, took the initiative to extend his hand.

He had met this person before.

The last time was at a dinner party organized by a high-ranking official.

He happened to run into the other person and took the initiative to tell him that Sakurajima Mai was his girlfriend, hoping that the other person would take good care of her.

At that time, he was already a nationally renowned writer and a guest of honor for countless high-ranking officials and businessmen.

His social status is far higher than that of Nakata, the president of a small talent agency.

So Nakata immediately patted his chest and declared that he would definitely not let Sakurajima Mai suffer any injustice.

Even though Kitahara Makoto's identity as the president of NicoNico was later exposed, Sakurajima Mai didn't need his protection at all.

No one in the industry dared to risk offending Kitahara Makoto in order to offend Sakurajima Mai.

However, Nakata has a very good reputation.

His talent agency also provides excellent protection for its artists.

Some dirty deals within the industry.

Nakata and his agency adhere to the principle of never asking their artists to do such things.

Of course, they won't stop artists from making deals with others if they want to.

This is the artist's personal freedom; they have no right to interfere and will not interfere. Their only responsibility is to protect the artist.

It is precisely because of his and his agency's good reputation.

That's why Mai Sakurajima chose to sign with his talent agency after her comeback.

"President Kitahara."

Nakata called out, looking somewhat restrained.

There was no way around it; Kitahara Makoto was an absolute big shot to him right now, so it would be strange if he wasn't nervous.

"Sit, sit, sit..."

Kitahara Shin asked everyone to sit down.

Mai Sakurajima sat to his left, Nakata sat opposite him, and Mai Sakurajima's manager sat to his right.

Kitahara Makoto and Nakata drank and chatted, and under the influence of alcohol, the atmosphere between them quickly became lively.

Mai Sakurajima did not participate in the conversation between the two from beginning to end. She just sat next to Kitahara Makoto, pouring him drinks and serving him food, quietly acting as an obedient wife and giving her man face in public.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

Taking advantage of the lively atmosphere at the banquet, Nakata finally revealed his purpose for the occasion.

It turns out he came for "Running Man".

The news that NicoNico Animation, in collaboration with the newly established Beidouxing Films, is preparing to produce a high-budget variety show has spread throughout the entertainment industry.

This kind of thing is quite normal; there are very few secrets in the entertainment industry.

Basically, news that a film company is about to produce a new project will quickly spread to all sorts of well-connected artists.

Therefore, after the news that "Running Man" was about to start filming spread, it immediately attracted the attention of many artists and agencies.

With its current size and reputation, NicoNico is no less than any of the five major core television networks.

This is a variety show that NicoNico Animation promotes.

I wonder how much benefit it can bring to an artist's fame and popularity.

The nine spots for the Running Man cast naturally became highly sought after by many celebrities.

So Nakata came here this time for the sake of his company's top star.

His talent agency's top star is Mai Sakurajima.

Mai Sakurajima is neither someone he needs to worry about, nor is she someone he can worry about.

Toho movies, Sony Pictures movies, TV Asahi's prime-time dramas, NHK's Taiga dramas... Mai Sakurajima has had everything that other artists dream of.

Even if you stripped him of his flesh, you still wouldn't get these things, so he didn't dare to worry about Mai Sakurajima's business.

His company's top actor is currently a 'second-tier actor,' but his fame is very close to that of a first-tier actor. He just needs a big breakout opportunity to reach the top tier.

He happens to be very optimistic about "Running Man," a variety show heavily promoted by NicoNico.

That's why I asked Mai Sakurajima to contact Makoto Kitahara for the first time, hoping to secure this opportunity for the company's top male star.

The question is whether or not to give a spot on the Running Man cast to a second-tier male celebrity.

Kitahara really didn't care.

However, for Mai Sakurajima's sake...

He felt that having Nakata owe him a favor was a good option.

However, even though he had already agreed in his heart.

But we can't agree to it so quickly.

And you also have to consider the appearance of the person Nakata recommends.

With Nakata feeling uneasy, Kitahara Shin finally spoke up and asked.

"Do you have a photo?"

"Yes, yes, but he's in the next room. Should we have him come over so President Kitahara can meet him in person?"

"That would be perfect."

When Kitahara Makoto agreed to meet him, Nakata's face lit up with joy.

Quickly have Mai Sakurajima's manager go to the next room and bring her over.

·····Requesting flowers··········

"President Kitahara."

"Sakurajima-senpai."

Soon, a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, with a handsome appearance and a sunny disposition, entered the private room and respectfully greeted Kitahara Makoto and Sakurajima Mai.

It's funny, because Mai Sakurajima debuted as a child star.

Therefore, there are many people in the entertainment industry who are much older than her.

In her presence, one should respectfully address her as "senior."

As for Kitahara Makoto, his achievements have already exceeded the limitations of age.

Let alone in their twenties or thirties, even if their hair is gray, people would still respectfully call him "Teacher Kitahara".

"Ah."

Kitahara Shin only glanced at it before looking away.

He just wanted to see if the other person's appearance was suitable.

For now, it's still acceptable.

He differs from the mainstream effeminate male beauty in the market; he looks more sunny and has some muscles, suggesting he has worked out.

This appearance perfectly matches the speed-oriented persona of the Running Man cast.

Kitahara Makoto pretended to be deep in thought for a while.

After Nakata and the young male entertainer were feeling very uneasy.

Then he slowly said, "For President Nakata's sake, let's give him a spot on the Running Man team."

"Thank you, thank you, President Kitahara."

Nakata was finally relieved and happily thanked Kitahara Makoto.

The male artist under his management also bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude to Kitahara Makoto.

Kitahara Shin waved his hand, then got up to say goodbye to Nakata, and returned to the villa in Setagaya Ward with Sakurajima Mai.

……

After news broke that Beidouxing Film and Television was about to produce its first major variety show.

0 .......

Many celebrities and agencies are pulling strings to get a spot on the Running Man cast.

Some incredibly influential entertainers even directly contacted their connections at Toei and TV Asahi.

However, apart from the president of Mai Sakurajima's agency being able to find Makoto Kitahara.

The others at most only managed to find Eiki Tazawa.

No one could find Kitahara Makoto's side at all.

Because those who can contact Kitahara Makoto are all people of the same level.

A business tycoon of this caliber would never concern himself with the affairs of an artist.

It's unlikely that someone would specifically seek out Kitahara Makoto just for the sake of an artist.

Only Nakata was lucky enough to meet Kitahara Makoto in person through Sakurajima Mai's connection and obtain a spot from him.

a few days later.

In an 'auction' organized by Beidouxing Animation.

Fuji Television won the first-run television broadcast rights for "Non Non Biyori" from other television stations for 4.3 million yen.

The production cost of "Non Non Biyori" was 1.2 million, and it has already recouped its costs through advertising revenue after it aired.

The current 4.3 million is all net profit; Kitahara Makoto and Hokutosei Animation have made a fortune.

Fuji Television, as expected of a long-established core television station, certainly lived up to its reputation by spending lavishly.

However, they didn't lose out either.

Once "Non Non Biyori" is bought, as long as the show performs well, there will be various opening, middle, and ending commercials.