Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 785



Only Noblemtl

Episode 785

While Himura was waiting for Seongpil outside the office, an unexpected guest arrived.

He was the head of the business strategy office.

“I’m sorry, Director Sudo. My office is occupied right now.”

“Who kicked out Director Himura and is using his office? Is the president here?”

“Seiko is here.”

“ah.”

The two entered a nearby empty room. They had kicked out the other director from his office.

Himura asked as soon as the blinds were closed.

“I wish I had contacted you.”

“I wanted to tell you in person.”

Sudo took the document out of his bosom and handed it to Himura. Himura read it carefully, and soon his expression turned to shock.

“What is this… … Are you serious… … ?”

“At the meeting, Chief Misato said that she had always wondered how far she could go if she concentrated all of Webex’s public relations capabilities.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Himura got angry.

“For something like this to be possible, more than half of the musicians who were supposed to make a comeback next quarter would have to postpone their comebacks! How is that possible… … !”

Himura saw something. It was Sudo, staring at him without any change in expression.

Himura asked with a somewhat skeptical tone.

“Was this kind of promotional plan approved by the board of directors?”

“Because it’s none other than Chief Misato. She even said she’d stake her life on it.”

“this…….”

Himura looked at the documents again.

“That’s ridiculous… … .”

The plan is explained as follows:

The plan is to paint the entire major Japanese cities with Tomoe. It is to carry out a level of promotional activity that is unprecedented in the history of Webex.

“It’s nonsense in every way. The most nonsensical thing is that Tomoe has not even finished her debut activities for a month. She can release a mini-album in a month and a half? Is that physically possible?”

It’s not that musicians don’t want to make money so they release albums in long intervals.

It takes a long time to make an album by pouring your heart and soul into it.

Art is not like simple labor in that the results are honestly produced even if time is invested.

After a constant battle with quality, a work of art that satisfies the artist is born.

This applies whether you’re a cheap pop artist or a prestigious institutional artist.

Sudo made a gesture to calm down.

“Even if you ask me about the feasibility, it’s hard for me to answer. Chief Nagare (Misato’s last name) said it’s possible, so it must be possible. Also, since this plan has been approved, it has to be possible.”

“… … That wasn’t a song written by Tomoe.”

You must have received the song from another composer. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to release another mini-album just two months after releasing your own album…

“I’m going to throw away my purity of writing all the songs myself to do this… … .”

“Newasa was just a distraction. This was the real deal.”

“Is Misato crazy? Something like this… … If she fails, she’ll lose her position as executive officer, and she’ll lose her position as headquarters director… … .”

“… … Don’t you know?”

“what?”

“Isn’t that a threat?”

“To me?”

“No, to everyone.”

I will definitely make it a success.

I will make this ridiculous thing a success.

So don’t oppose me from now on.

“The confrontation with Director Himura is an example. The young master holds him back, pushes him through an unreasonable schedule, puts his career on the line, and yet succeeds. That’s what he’s trying to show. From now on, no one will be able to open their mouths to say anything.”

“… … .”

The two words “defeat” appeared in Himura’s mind. The scale of his thoughts was different.

‘While I was just spinning the media around for the Girls’ League, was Misato preparing a new album?’

The massive promotion that comes with the release of a new album. Naturally, the media will react greatly as well.

The Girls’ League had also been making the media rounds for their comeback in Japan, but now the excitement was slowly cooling down.

But Tomoe will make a comeback like a comet around the time when the Girls’ League’s comeback is almost forgotten.

At the end of the confrontation between Misato and Himura, it means that she shines more intensely than anyone else.

“What should I do?”

Himura looked at Sudo with desperate eyes.

“If you brought this to me, is there an answer?”

Sudo exhaled a long breath through his nose.

“Well, let’s say it’s impossible in terms of feasibility assessment. It’s excessive.”

“… … .”

Himura understood what Sudo meant at once. His help ended with passing on this information.

The meaning of the sigh he let out was also clear.

‘You’re disappointed in me.’

Sudo, the head of the business strategy office, is trying to walk a tightrope by choosing between Misato and Himura.

It was Himura who helped bring this plan. However, the response was far below Sudo’s expectations.

‘Think, think.’

What will the Girls’ League have when Tomoe makes a comeback?

There is a final chapter to the ‘Girls’ League X Bugbug Invasion!’: a joint stage at the Tokyo Fashion Collection.

‘If the viewer ratings stay the same as they are now, it will become a hot topic. But, it won’t be good if it’s just so-so.’

Unless some bug bug shows a possessed growth narrative that makes all of Japan cry, there is a limit to what you can gain from the program.

‘The popularity gained through the Girls’ League X Bugbug Invasion is offset by Tomoe going to New Asa. On top of that, Tomoe gets an album and a large-scale promotion. If we get to that point… … .’

The Girls’ League has no more defeats.

“If you have nothing more to say, I will take my leave now.”

Sudo bowed politely and left the room.

Himura racked his brain for a while, but no solution came to fruition.

You can’t just shower Girls’ League with promotions without any reason. Unless Girls’ League releases another album, that wouldn’t make sense, right?

“……Shit.”

Himura left the room and went back to the idol management office 2. At that moment, he saw Seiko coming out of the office alone.

“Ah, Seiko… … .”

Seiko’s condition seemed very serious. She was walking along, laughing like she had lost her mind.

“Three, Seiko… …?”

“Ah, Himura!”

Himura got goosebumps because Seiko called him with a tone full of affection.

“Hello, hello! Yes, it’s Seiko!”

“What, what is it? What… … .”

Himura coughed, noticing that his subordinates in the office were staring at him.

“What’s going on?”

Did Seongpil accept my confession?

This crazy… … I can see how hard that human’s life is.

“No, no, work is hard.”

“Are you going?”

“Yeah. We have to go quickly.”

“I apologize for inviting you today due to personal reasons.”

“That’s right. I was trying to sleep early because I have to film for New Asa tomorrow.”

“yes?”

The episode featuring Seiko is supposed to be a few weeks away. Are you already filming?

“Yeah. There’s that, the song raffle.”

“……ah.”

The broadcasting station must have been interested in Tomoe and Seiko’s joint appearance. They probably wanted to make sure that Seiko wouldn’t get away with it.

The idea is to write a contract in advance and then start filming.

“Hehehe, what should I wear? It’s been a while since I’ve been on air, so I’m excited. Oh, and do you want to come cheer on Himura tomorrow?”

“They’re just raffling off songs, so what’s the point of cheering… .”

Himura’s eyes flashed.

‘Ah, this is it, yes, yes, it works. It works!’

I saw it, the thread of the gap!

* * *

Newasa photo studio.

Before Tomoe went up on stage, Misato personally tied her sneaker laces.

Tomoe stubbornly refused, but Misato was adamant. As the head of the headquarters, she knelt down and began tying her shoelaces.

“Tomoe.”

“Yes, Chief… … .”

“There’s an experiment. Do songs that get on the charts really get there because they’re good?”

Researchers played 50 sound tracks to the subjects. The most frequently played sound track was ranked higher. That’s how the 50th place was ranked.

Here the researchers move on to their second experiment.

The rankings from 1st to 50th were reversed and reported to other experimenters.

Here’s the problem.

The song that ranked 50th in the first experiment rose to number 1 on the charts in the second experiment, and the experiment began.

So in the second experiment, what position did the fake number 1 song, which was actually number 50, end up in?

“So… … you mean that the fact that you were ranked 50th in the first experiment means that people heard the least about it?”

“Yeah. Probably because it’s the worst song.”

“Then… wouldn’t it have fallen to 50th place?”

“The answer is 30th place.”

A song that was ranked 50th in pure evaluation has been disguised as 30th.

“People listen to the song that’s at number one first. They assume it’s going to be good.”

The difference between the first and second experiments is promotion.

“Promotion can save even the most beggarly song. That’s what we do.”

“Are you saving that damn song?”

“No, it’s to keep good songs from getting buried. If I may ask again, what would be the rank of a song that was originally number 1 but started at number 50 on the charts? The answer is number 23.”

“Oh, but it still got good reviews.”

“People know how to recognize good music. So our job is… … .”

Finding the song that is destined to be #1. And getting that song to #1, not #23.

“But how do you know which song will be number one? What are the criteria for a good song? What are the criteria for distinguishing between songs that should be promoted and songs that should not be?”

“Hmm, something like an algorithm… … Ah!”

Tomoe smiled playfully.

“The answer is, ‘I don’t know,’ right?”

“Right, I don’t know.”

Misato smiled and tied her shoelaces tightly. She straightened her hunched legs and hugged Tomoe tightly.

“Our agency says we look for good musicians and songs, but in reality, we don’t know what will be successful. We just think we know. So, our job is closer to subjective belief than objective search. Tomoe.”

“yes.”

“I believe in you. You will be number one. I will never let you stop at number 23.”

Tomoe also hugged Misato.

“I will definitely win.”

“… … .”

“Ahh! You’re not answering because of Seiko-senpai!”

Misato released her embrace and pushed her towards the stage.

“Good job.”

“tooth…….”

Tomoe walked out onto the stage, grumbling softly.

‘I can’t help it.’

Seiko is like a child to Misato. When the two of them appear together, it won’t be easy to single out someone and root for them.

‘That will be the end too.’

He becomes the king of the system.

Stand at the top of this industry.

What this means is that Seiko will also win.

‘Senior Seiko is just a stepping stone.’

Tomoe’s real goal is the Girls’ League.

A perfect work of art created by the system itself.

Winning that would be Tomoe’s ultimate self-proving achievement as an artist.

Tomoe stood at the end of the stage.

Above her is a large electronic scoreboard. Inside, a flashy slot machine screen begins to spin.

It starts going fast and then slowly slows down.

The song titles are starting to catch your eye little by little.

Eventually the slot stopped.

A song that will give you victory.

“ah…….”

Tomoe smiled broadly.

“It’s X… … .”

[X JAPAN – ENDLESS RAIN]

X Japan – Endless Rain.

It’s a song Tomoe has sung thousands of times.

* * *

Seiko, who came out of the stage, felt like she had entered a desert. The air was dry and hot, and her throat felt like it was drying up in an instant.

The spotlight is hotter than the midsummer sun.

Cold sweat breaks out all over my body.

I took each step forward in that state.

‘are you okay.’

I remember three years ago.

I remember standing confidently on the stage of Newasa.

And then came the bitter defeat. With that defeat, Seiko lost both the will and meaning of life.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

A wave of painful emotions came over me.

and.

‘are you okay.’

She kept moving forward.

‘I can’t just be suffering forever.’

They say that running away is also a form of courage. But that kind of thing will never heal a wound.

‘I am Kafu Seiko.’

Queen of song.

He is a peerless singer who captivates everyone with his songs.

‘It’s just about standing on one stage… … .’

What’s the big deal?

Seiko finished her last step. Again, the sound of her high heels resonated clearly, and the hot air surrounding her was blown away.

Seiko opened her eyes.

The slots inside the scoreboard started spinning. When I saw that, my mind became surprisingly calm.

‘This is my stage, my battlefield.’

What’s going on inside me is the title of the song.

As long as the name of the difficulty unfolding before her eyes is a song, there is nothing to fear.

Because singing is what she does best in the world.

‘I am the best singer of the Heisei era.’

No matter what song comes up, I’ll sing it perfectly.

No, beyond singing perfectly, he will captivate everyone who hears his songs.

He who has ears will hear and understand.

I am the greatest singer who marked the end of the Heisei era, Seiko Funabiki.

[Girls League – Apple Crush]

“……ah?”

* * *

The production team of ‘New Asa’ must have been laughing from ear to ear.

Tomoe, who is receiving full support from Webex, and Seiko Kafu are also appearing.

The entire production team has to bow towards Webex every morning.

There, Himura added spices.

‘Please manipulate the song. You did it before too.’

During the showdown between the Girls’ League and Seiko, the randomly selected song felt very unnatural.

Seiko’s debut song was ‘Roppongi’s Avanture’.

The Girl’s League was ‘The King’ by Darkest, the most successful K-pop idol in Japan.

There is no way this isn’t manipulation.

‘If you specify the Seiko song as you want, I will give you a gift.’

The broadcasting station accepted Himura’s gift.

So right now.

“Himura?”

After the song selection was over, Himura was waiting for Seiko, who entered the backstage listlessly.

“What the… … .”

“I told you to come cheer me on.”

“… … .”

Seiko stepped back, wrapping her arm around his shoulder.

“You have feelings for me, don’t you? Yeah, I knew it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be hovering around me like that… … .”

“That’s a brave statement. You asked me to come and then you said something like that… … .”

Himura coughed and asked in a subtle tone.

“Need help? Apple Crush of the Girls’ League. You know what I mean, right?”

Seiko lowered her head sullenly.

“It’s not just… … a song that you can’t just sing well. As a vocalist, if you just ‘sing’ it, it’s inevitable that you’ll be compared to the original.”

Apple Crush is a song that can only be completed by combining dance performance and vocal performance.

If you take the dance out of it, it’s just a half-assed performance.

If you want to decorate the Apple Crush stage without dancing, you need a stage element that compensates for the dancing.

“Okay, so that means you need help. I’ll help you.”

“Himura, you? When did you become a stage director? Okay, I’ll ask Misato to find a good director… … .”

“Will that do? It’s not a song that can be handled with just directing and arrangement. It’s called Girls’ League’s Apple Crush.”

The Girls’ League’s biggest hit in Japan. Its total sales in Japan recently surpassed 1 million copies.

Seiko, who had been answering quietly, frowned.

“Then what do you want me to do? Himura, are you feeling irritated today?”

“I’ll help you.”

“How can you do that?”

“Girls League.”

“huh?”

“I’ll call the Girls’ League. As your trainer.”

Himura’s plan.

‘The Girls’ League is being put into New Asa.’

Like Seiko.

“It’s a chance to learn from the original singer. And most importantly, I’ll be able to receive direction from the general director of the Girls’ League.”

“Girls’ League General Director… … ?”

“Director Park. The person in charge of everything in the Girls’ League. Everything from the songs to the costumes, the stage, and the direction. In other words, Seiko, you will perform a stage that is perfectly reinterpreted according to the original author’s intentions.”

Show the world your own ‘Apple Crush’.

“You will become the best idol of the Reiwa era, following the best singer of the Heisei era. Become an idol, Seiko.”