Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

With a clenched fist and a light cough, Yamazaki Hiroshi loudly introduced Xia Fan to everyone.

Of course, we also don’t forget to emphasize the pronunciation of “part-time job” and “freshman”.

"Hello everyone, I am Xia Fan, please give me your guidance in the future."

Xia Fan greeted everyone politely.

"So you're a freshman. No wonder you look so young. You must be here for an internship, right?"

"But, old-fashioned Yamazaki said 'part-time job'. Did he sign a contract?"

"Who knows? That's their ability."

The male and female producers in the office area whispered for a while and then returned to silence.

But the look he gave Xia Fan was filled with a bit more contempt.

Although Bethesda's music department has many entry requirements such as academic qualifications, work experience and performance, from time to time there will be "people with connections" who come to "gild their resumes", and everyone is used to it.

After all, when it comes to creating songs and albums, there is no rule that only one person can write the lyrics or compose the music…

In other words, music production, like publishing a paper, can be "mixed up with names".

Chapter 25 Cleaning

2024-07-13

"Well, Xia Jun, since you are a part-time worker, you don't have to come to get off work at a fixed time, so just sit here. After the last intern left, it's been a bit messy since no one has been sitting here for a long time. Clean it up yourself."

Hiroshi Yamazaki casually pointed to the most inconspicuous and shabby workstation in the corner of the office area.

"it is good."

Xia Fan didn't care about the office conditions at all.

He usually has to balance his studies and other work, so he has no intention of "staying in jail" in the music department. He just wants to have a position anywhere.

"Everyone, in this year's Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards, the best result of our composition team's song is only tenth place."

"If it weren't for the dark horse "Sakura" that emerged from the "Burning" subsidiary and secured the first place in advance, I'm afraid our music department wouldn't be able to hold their heads up when they go out."

"So, please learn from your mistakes and be brave enough to carefully analyze this song and the market trends reflected by it, and strive to create better works!"

Since they were already at the office area, Yamazaki Hiroshi took the opportunity to start lecturing as usual.

"Section Chief, it's easy for you to say that. How can you write a work like 'Sakura' that has a melody of a giant sword without an edge and is very ingenious?"

"Hey, thanks to 'Sakura', the song with the theme of 'Sakura' that has been at the bottom of my music library for three years finally found a party willing to pay for the license yesterday!"

"So, if I write a song with 'Sakura' as the theme recently, it should sell well? Is it too late to write it now?"

When it comes to "Sakura", which is the most discussed movie within the company these days, the producers at the workstations are talking about it.

"Don't be discouraged. The Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards is just an appetizer. Starting next month, the top artists from various companies will release singles or albums one after another. The annual highlight has just begun."

"In short, everyone needs to work harder and not let people think that our music department is only supported by those 'masters'."

Yamazaki Hiroshi clapped his hands, signaling everyone to continue with the work in their hands.

"By the way, Section Chief Yamazaki, the specific work content here is..."

After putting the backpack on the workstation, Xia Fan asked Yamazaki again.

"As for the work content, the 'fixed class' has KPI assessments and is mainly responsible for completing the music production tasks assigned by the company. Some are for internal artists to release songs, some are for music orders for film, television, games, and animation works, and some are for customized business of subordinate companies."

"You are a part-time worker, you don't have a base salary, so naturally there will be no mandatory assessment. You can join this LINE group, unspecified production tasks will be posted here, you can give it a try if you feel like it."

"Of course, if you create mature works, you can also take the initiative to submit them to the company for review. If they pass, they will be stored in the music library and will be 'shipped' when there is suitable business."

When it comes to work, although Yamazaki Hiroshi looked a little impatient, he still explained it to Xia Fan meticulously, and by the way opened LINE to add him to the work group.

"That means there is no work assigned to me right now. By the way, Section Chief Yamazaki, I would also like to ask you about the distribution channels for anime songs..."

Thinking of his own song "Red Lotus", Xia Fan continued to ask questions.

"Ahem, Mr. Xia, I've been through this before, too. I know you're in a hurry, but don't be in a hurry..."

"Every new artist is full of passion and ambition at the beginning, wanting to write songs that shock the world, become a sensation, be admired by female singers and licked by male singers, and enjoy wealth and glory, but they will soon be beaten to a pulp by the cruel reality."

"As for the song release channel, it's not too late to talk about it after you have the ability to write a work that can pass the internal review."

But Yamazaki Hiroshi just sneered, obviously not intending to talk about this topic with Xia Fan now.

"Sorry, I have an important call..."

At the same time, his cell phone rang.

"If you are really free in the afternoon, after cleaning your own workstation, you can also clean up the hygiene of the entire department, which can also be regarded as familiarizing yourself with the work environment."

After looking at the caller's name, Yamazaki's expression changed. He made a joke and left in a hurry.

"Hello, Director Haruo. It's so nice to hear your voice..."

"Have your team listened to the dozen songs I sent you last time? What do you think?"

"What? Wait, there must be some misunderstanding here. Please let me explain..."

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, you can still see him nodding and bowing in the air, talking about business matters in a flattering manner with the person on the other end of the phone at the speed of a pile driver.

……

After one hour.

"We are so sorry that we failed to satisfy you! We will hurry up and prepare, and we will definitely deliver more and better works next week..."

Hiroshi Yamazaki hung up the phone in disappointment in his office.

"Damn it, I sent dozens of songs, but he didn't even pick one. Tsuchiya Haruo is really as perverted and picky as the legend says."

"This business cannot afford to fail. We need to arrange a meeting to discuss it immediately..."

He wiped his bald forehead and found it was covered with sweat.

"Yamazaki, where are you going in such a hurry?"

As soon as Hiroshi Yamazaki walked out of the office, he ran into a middle-aged man with gray hair and a scar on his nose.

"Director of the Ministry of Communications? Why are you here in person today?"

"If it's because of Director Haruo's film music selection, I've just communicated with him and they decided to give us another week..."

Yamazaki Hiroshi's muscle memory was automatically triggered. He lowered his head and inhaled, then bent his body to 90 degrees and gave a standard "salute".

Because, the middle-aged man in front of him dressed in a yuppie style is the former top popular rock singer and current music department director, Norio Toguchi.

"Oh, just take care of that. That's not why I came here today. So, Xia Fan has already started working, right? Where are the others?"

Tongkou Norio nodded perfunctorily and looked around as if he was looking for something.

"Xia Fan? Don't worry, I have already arranged for him to start work."

"Is it arranged? Where is he? It's a good opportunity for me to go and meet him."

"You want to see him in person? Over there in the office area..."

Hearing that the Minister of Communications was going to meet him in person, Yamazaki Hiroshi became even more convinced of Xia Fan's identity as a "super-connected person" and rolled his eyes silently.

Under the curious gazes of a group of music producers, the two walked into the office area.

What awaited them was only an empty workstation in the corner.

"Where is Xia Fanren? Where did he go to fish?"

With sweat on his forehead, Hiroshi Yamazaki asked a music producer next to him.

I have seen many of these "leisurely generation" college students. As expected, if I don't keep an eye on them, I don't know where they will go to slack off.

"Ah? Didn't you assign him to clean the office area?"

"Xia Fan said that his family runs a restaurant and he often works part-time outside. He is best at cleaning..."

"After you left, he took a bunch of tools from the cleaning room and cleaned our room. Then he seemed to go outside with the tools."

The slightly plump producer took off his headphones and answered nonchalantly.

"You know what, they cleaned it really quickly and well. They even cleaned the computer, monitor, and keyboard for me."

At this point, he proudly showed off his shiny new desk and the MIDI music keys that were so clean they reflected light.

Chapter 26 Music Immortal

2024-07-13

"This kid really went to clean the place? Minister, then we..."

Only then did Yamazaki Hiroshi notice that compared to an hour ago, the walls, floors and furniture of the entire office area were spotless and sparkled in the sunlight coming through the blinds.

He turned around and found that compared to the bright office area, Tongkou Norio's face was as black as coal: "You want to go down to earth... to clean...?"

"Well, he took the initiative to ask me to live, and I just said it casually."

Yamazaki Hiroshi said without much concern.

"That's, coming down to earth."

Tongkou Norio emphasized it again.

"I know, Xia Fan, this guy has strong connections. But it is a workplace tradition for new employees to do some cleaning on their first day. It helps boost their spirits, familiarize them with the environment, and unite with their seniors..."

"asshole!"

Yamazaki Hiroshi wanted to explain, but his tie was pulled tighter by someone, cutting off the rest of his words.

"The music department's performance has been poor recently. In order to cope with the upcoming music season, I have tried my best to help you find a strong foreign aid, and you actually let him clean up?"

"That's the one who wrote the lyrics and music for 'Sakura', and he's come down to earth!"

Tongkou Norio pulled hard on Yamazaki Hiroshi's tie, and his saliva splashed onto his smooth forehead.

"W-what, Xia Fan, the author of "Sakura", came down to earth?"

"This song was actually written by a newcomer?"

"Minister, are you kidding?"

Tongkou Norio's words were like lighting a string of firecrackers in the office, and a group of producers began to talk about it.

After all, ever since "Sakura" topped the "Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards" list and restored Bethesda's precarious dignity, the music department has always regarded "Sakura" as a trend vane, repeatedly analyzing and studying it carefully.

However, he didn't expect that the creator of the song was the boy who was just helping him mop the floor and wipe the table.

"Xia Fan... is a descendant? It's not written in his resume..."

As he murmured these words, Yamazaki Hiroshi's eyes gradually changed from dull to horrified.

"What about others?"

Thinking of this, he ran to the corridor in a daze, looking for Xia Fan.

"Not in the lounge area..."

"Wait, so soon, the rest area has been cleaned as well?"

Walking along the spacious lounge, what comes into view is the mirror-like smooth floor, neatly arranged bookshelves, neatly placed musical instruments and spotless sofas.

But there was no sign of Xia Fan.

"There are obvious traces of water in the corridor from just mopping... sniff... there is also a smell of urine mixed with disinfectant from the toilet..."

"He should be cleaning all the way from here to the 'studio' area."

Yamazaki Hiroshi crouched down and led Tongkou Norio like a hound, following the traces of cleaning all the way to a studio with its door open.

"Here, found it!"

There were several cleaning tools outside the door, and it was obvious that someone was cleaning inside.

"Oh no, it seems like he entered Master Kishimoto's studio!"

"Quick, stop him no matter what, even if it means death!"

Noticing the nameplate "Yoshihiro Kishimoto" on the door, the two looked at each other and ran to the door of the studio.

"Section Chief Yamazaki? This room has been cleaned."