"Is Mr. Zero Hour very young?"
After shaking hands, Kawai Yoto withdrew his hand and sighed.
He could feel that the skin on Lingshi's hands was very delicate and firm, not at all like his own skin when he was older and had loose skin.
"Compared to those young people, I am no longer young."
Kurosawa Hikaru didn't want to reveal his true age, so he shook his head slightly.
After these words were spoken, Igarashi Runa, who was standing next to him, laughed secretly in her heart.
This little guy is obviously very young, but he acts like an old man.
"Your hands are well maintained."
“That’s what pianists do.”
"Mr. Lingshi, what do you think of the Kawai piano?"
After some simple pleasantries, Kawai Yoto looked at his mask, not curious about what he looked like, and just asked.
"The tone is very warm, which is very suitable for neon and also for romantic piano music like Adeline by the Water."
Faced with this question, Kurosawa Mitsuru thought about it and answered.
“Compared to a Steinway?”
Kawai Yoto's questions are a bit sharp and very targeted.
“There are some gaps in the professional field.”
Kurosawa Mitsuru was very calm and did not hide anything.
It is a recognized fact that Japan’s pianos cannot compare to those in Europe in any way. After all, Italy is the birthplace of the piano.
Europeans already loved the piano before it spread to Asia.
Steinway's performance-level piano has a very transparent tone and a more natural transition between strong and weak effects. As long as the environmental conditions and everything are well configured, it is definitely the best piano.
“Is that why you chose the Steinway over the Kawai?”
Kawai Yoto actually knew the reason behind this, so he smiled bitterly and asked.
Although the Kawai family has been immersed in piano making craftsmanship for a hundred years and has become the best piano company in Japan, they have created the Kawai brand.
But unfortunately, even if they become the number one in Japan and the best pianists in the world, they will still choose Steinway... including pianists like Lingshi.
"Mr. Kawai, you misunderstood. I didn't choose the Steinway."
Kurosawa Mitsuru heard his bitterness and helplessness and shook his head.
This sentence contains a strong sense of powerlessness and helplessness.
"You didn't choose it?"
"That Steinway piano was a gift from my sweetheart." Kurosawa Hikaru thought about it and felt that there was nothing wrong with saying this.
Although he and Ms. Ninomiya have not confirmed their relationship or become boyfriend and girlfriend so far, it is only a matter of time.
"Is Mr. Zero Time married?"
"not yet."
"So is your sweetheart here today?"
Kawai Yoto thought of the romantic piano piece he had just played, and his heart moved, and he suddenly thought of this possibility.
Pianist is completely different from entertainer and celebrity. Even if they are married or in love, it will not be controversial among people. They will only offer sincere blessings and think it is a good story.
"… "
When Kurosawa Hikaru heard this question, he fell into deep thought and looked at Igarashi Runa beside him, not knowing whether he should say it or not.
Just saying that he has a lover has already revealed some information. If he said more, people might be able to find out more.
However, Kawai Yoto thought that his action of tilting his head to look was an answer.
"So it's Miss Igarashi..."
Kawai Yoto took a look at Igarashi Runa, who was wearing glasses and a uniform, and looked mature and capable, and said secretly in his heart.
Whether in terms of appearance, ability, temperament, or even charm, Ms. Igarashi is an excellent woman.
Although he is far inferior to Mr. Lingshi in terms of ability, the love between two people is never because of equal talents, but because of the right timing for two people to meet and fall in love.
"As far as I know, Mr. Ling Shi doesn't have any musical instrument endorsements yet, right?"
Thinking of this, Kawai Yoto didn't ask any more questions. He just nodded in understanding and got straight to the point.
Just as Igarashi Runa guessed, Kawai's invitation of Zero Time as a special guest was indeed a test.
Perhaps there is a lot of controversy on the Internet about Zero Hour's level. People who really know the business think he is very strong, while some people in the industry deliberately belittle him because Cake is passive.
But if one stands on a neutral position, like Kawai Yoto, what he sees is the fame and potential shown by the pianist Reitoki, as well as his international level of performance.
As long as his performance level is genuine, coupled with his creative talent, and with some hype and publicity, he will definitely be able to become the spokesperson for Kawai pianos.
What's more, the horror of Zero Hour's level was beyond everyone's expectations.
The piece "The Bells" played at midnight on the stage just now can be said to be a stroke of genius. As for the two original piano pieces, each of them was extremely explosive in performance and has the potential to become popular all over the world.
"It's true that I don't have any endorsements yet."
It was no longer just idle chat, but serious business, and Igarashi Runa started talking.
"I wonder what conditions would be required to get Mr. Lingshi to endorse Kawai?"
Seeing her speak on her behalf, Kawai Yoto was not surprised and asked.
Normally, the negotiation for a high-priced cooperation should not be like this. It requires a lot of time and energy to pull and adjust, and it is absolutely not allowed to show the eager and enthusiastic side in this way.
But he knew very well that if he could not sign Zero Hour tonight, starting tomorrow, piano manufacturers from all over the world would come to him seeking endorsements.
Especially Steinway. You know, Master Zero Hour chose Steinway right from the start, and now there is the allusion of it being a gift from a lover, which can be said to be the best endorsement.
"Mr. Kawai, what conditions do you plan to offer to invite Zero Generation to be the spokesperson?"
Igarashi Runa is playing the game. She hopes the other party will make an offer first so that she can negotiate better.
"10 billion yen to endorse Kawai pianos for two years, this is already the highest budget."
After careful consideration, Kawai Yodo gritted his teeth and offered a sky-high price.
5 billion yen a year, 10 billion in two years, this is undoubtedly a sky-high endorsement price. He firmly believes that there will be no other piano brand in the world that will offer higher prices than theirs, not even Steinway.
He risked his life to keep the pianist Lingshi in Neon and to make Lingshi give up Steinway.
"this… "
Igarashi Runa, who originally wanted to bargain, was stunned when she saw the other party directly give the highest budget. This was not in line with the rules.
After being stunned, she came to her senses and felt unbelievable.
Tonight's performance was destined to be big news. Coupled with the endorsement worth tens of billions of dollars, the name "Zero Hour" will definitely be famous throughout the country and even overseas.
The fundamental reason why she had difficulty reacting for a while was because of the equity distribution of the firm... Even after paying taxes, as long as she could facilitate this cooperation, the money she could get would be calculated in billions.
It is no exaggeration to say that as long as she can make this cooperation happen, her gains will far exceed her total income over the years of her career.
Mr. Kawai is really a big money sponsor.
"With such a high price, what should I do?"
Although he offered a price of 10 billion, Kurosawa Hikaru was only slightly excited. When he noticed that Miss Runa was stunned, he spoke.
Hundreds of billions, this price is terrifying, but after these days' experience, his understanding of money has changed.
He became close friends with Sato Shinichi regardless of age difference.
There will be more interactions with Shifengyuan in the future.
Learn about Miss Ninomiya's family background.
The most fundamental reason is that he showed his talents and strengths, which subtly changed his mentality.
"This is the plan I drew up before, only the endorsement fee is different."
Seeing him speak, Kawai Yoto took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him.
Kurosawa Mitsuru took it in his hand and looked at it carefully.
Following this action, Igarashi Runa also reacted and leaned over to look.
It is true that the endorsement fees are sky-high, but the question is, at what cost
This 10 billion yen cooperation is not given for free, but is a cooperation.
"To sum it up briefly, there are five hard requirements."
"Kawai will fully support all expenses for 120 concerts in two years, and the venues will be all over the world."
"When Kawai opens new stores, I need to fly to the new stores around the world to promote them through promotional events and performances."
"Kawai wants to shoot new advertisements related to the endorsement. No matter how many times, I will actively cooperate."
“Actively cooperate with Kawai’s operations and promotions, including but not limited to public image, designation of performance repertoire, statements on streaming platforms, and activities to maintain visibility.”
"During the contract period, no other brands of pianos may be used, only Kawai."
Kurosawa Hikaru's voice, because of the mask, is magnetic and low, but clear and powerful.
"The endorsement fee for this collaboration has increased from 200 million to 10 billion."
Since he couldn't see his expression and his voice was so calm, Kawai Yoto couldn't guess his mood, but he added confidently.
In fact, as long as Zero Hour's performance tonight is not inferior to the video of War Tragedy, he will take a gamble.
Like Lingshi, a pianist who wears a mask but has such a strong appeal and can become an overnight internet celebrity, his unique image can be said to be one-of-a-kind so far.
If it can be utilized, it may set off a piano craze in Asia and even the world.
Nowadays, Lingshi has demonstrated his unparalleled piano skills, so he gritted his teeth and increased the endorsement fee by fifty times.
"I'm sorry, but this endorsement can't work with you."
After thinking about it, Kurosawa Mitsuru handed him the draft plan.
"Why?"
When Kawai Yoto heard this, his heart skipped a beat.
"120 concerts in two years means 60 concerts a year, an average of one concert every six days, and there are additional platform activities around the world. I don't have the time and energy to do so."
In fact, Kurosawa Hikaru doesn't care about the regulations that require him to actively cooperate with publicity, but when it comes to these performances, it does matter to him.
"This is a contract that can earn 10 billion in two years. You only need to work hard for two years to earn more money than others can earn in their entire lives. And at this price, there is no other piano company that can offer such a high price, not even Steinway."
Kawai Yoto, who was originally confident of victory, could not understand his decision at all after hearing this.
What's more, another reason why he offered such a high price was that he wanted to promote the reputation of Ling Shi, the first pianist in Neon.