Chapter 141: Pre-bubble Economy Frenzy! Hiroshi Returns To Tokyo And Starts Work!
In the early morning, as the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds, Hiroshi Nohara awoke with a refreshed mind from his tatami mat that exuded a rustic charm.
He glanced at the sleeping beauty beside him, still lost in dreams with a sweet smile on her lips, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
After the storm of last night, Hiroshi Nohara had finally managed to salvage the situation.
Although his back still ached a little.
Hiroshi Nohara tucked the blanket around Misae’s edges, then quietly put on his clothes and left the room.
He first went to the bathroom to wash up.
“Phew—”
Hiroshi Nohara rubbed his back as he opened the sliding door, looking at the meticulously arranged flowers and plants in the courtyard. The morning air carried a hint of refreshing coolness, and taking a deep breath felt like it could cleanse all the turbid air from his lungs.
This made Hiroshi Nohara even more satisfied.
And he also saw his elder brother, Hiroshi Nohara, busy in their family vegetable garden like a tireless old ox.
Even his robust figure was cast into a long, powerful shadow in the morning light.
Seeing his younger brother come out, he grinned with a simple and honest smile.
“Awake?”
“Mm.” Hiroshi Nohara nodded with a smile. He walked to his elder brother’s side, looking at the rows of thriving tomatoes adorned with glistening dewdrops. A hint of nostalgia flickered in his clear eyes.
“Brother, do you remember when we were little?” Hiroshi Nohara chuckled. “You used to carry me on your back and take me to the woods to find bird nests, and to the stream to catch fish. Every time Dad found out, you were the one who took the beating for me.”
These warm memories brought a gentle smile to Hiroshi Nohara’s dark face.
“Of course, I remember.” He scratched the back of his head, his voice filled with the natural pride of an elder brother. “I’m the elder brother, protecting my younger brother is only natural, right?”
“Yes, you’re the elder brother.”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at him, a hint of a smile flashing in his calm eyes. “So, brother, you’ll be even busier from now on.”
He paused, and under Hiroshi Nohara’s puzzled gaze, he revealed the plan he had been brewing for a long time: “Brother, the Akita dog breeding center still needs to be managed by you.”
“Before I return to Tokyo, I’ll give you a proposal. Then, you can follow the procedures within the proposal I provide.”
“There’s no need to rush. Just raise about ten thousand Akita dogs with bright fur by the new year. That should be sufficient.”
Hiroshi Nohara said, stroking his chin. “Oh, and when selecting the Akita dogs, just pick them based on the sketches I’ll provide. We’ll define what constitutes a superior Akita, a top-grade Akita, a medium-grade Akita, and an exceptional Akita.”
Hiroshi Nohara chuckled as he spoke. “In essence, we just need to make sure our Nohara Family Akita Company becomes the standard and authority for Akita dog breed classification.”
“I understand.” Although Hiroshi Nohara still didn’t fully grasp everything, seeing his younger brother Hiroshi Nohara speak so seriously, he nodded.
From beginning to end, Hiroshi Nohara had realized that as long as he followed his younger brother Hiroshi Nohara’s arrangements.
He had never been at a disadvantage!
This had cultivated Hiroshi Nohara’s unwavering trust in his younger brother, Hiroshi Nohara.
Seeing Hiroshi Nohara’s trust in him, Hiroshi Nohara smiled. He squatted down and continued chatting with his elder brother, Hiroshi Nohara, about old fun stories, and they also ate the tomatoes and cucumbers they had just picked that morning. For a while, the two brothers shared a very harmonious atmosphere.
……
The holiday time passed like a fleeting moment, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
On a Saturday afternoon, a complex atmosphere of reluctance and farewell permeated the Nohara family’s old house.
Because after this meal, Hiroshi Nohara would take Misae back to Tokyo.
The dining table was filled with a sumptuous feast of rustic dishes personally prepared by Tsuru Nohara.
The plump carp, just caught from the pond, was simmered with the most traditional soy sauce and mirin until the bones were soft and the meat tender, its aroma wafting through the air.
The salad, made with the freshest tomatoes and cucumbers from their own garden, was a vibrant mix of red and green, refreshing and appetizing.
And the pot of miso soup, simmered with large pieces of tonkotsu and daikon radish, had a milky white broth so delicious it could make you swallow your tongue.
“Come, come! Don’t just stand there! Let’s eat! Let’s eat!”
Ginnosuke Nohara, already flushed from drinking, raised his sake cup high, his face beaming with immense pride. “Today! Is a big day for our Nohara family! To celebrate that our Hiroshi has finally found such a good wife! And to bid farewell to our Hiroshi, this… relatively successful brat, returning to Tokyo! Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
For a moment, sake cups clinked and laughter echoed in the small Japanese-style room.
On Hiroshi Nohara’s dark face, a hint of bashful shyness could be seen. He would occasionally steal glances at Ikuna Sakuruda, who was eating in small bites beside him, her cheeks rosy. The tenderness in his gaze was almost overflowing.
Ikuna Sakuruda, on the other hand, was like a happy little quail, lowering her head, feeling the unreserved warmth and kindness from her future in-laws, her complexion becoming ever more rosy.
“Hiroshi, when you go back this time, you must work hard.”
After several rounds of drinks, Ginnosuke Nohara couldn’t hold back any longer. Adopting the demeanor of a father, he spoke to his son, whom he was both proud of and jealous of, in a voice filled with the wisdom of experience: “Tokyo is not like our countryside; people are complicated there. Don’t let anyone fool you! And don’t always think of doing those flashy things. Staying grounded is our Nohara family motto! Do you understand?!”
“Yes, Father.” Hiroshi Nohara replied with a smile, and then refilled his old man’s empty sake cup.
He knew his father was proud of him.
“And you too, Misae-chan.” Ginnosuke Nohara then turned his gaze to the future daughter-in-law, who was sitting obediently beside him with a charming smile. His darting little eyes twinkled with a cunning glint, like an old fox. “This boy, Hiroshi, has never been one to give me peace since he was little. From now on, in Tokyo, it will all depend on you to keep an eye on him! If he dares to play around outside, don’t be polite, just call me! I’ll break his legs!”
“Dad!” Hiroshi Nohara was at a loss for words, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face.
“Uncle, don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Hiroshi-kun.” Misae covered her mouth and giggled, her beautiful big eyes playfully giving Hiroshi Nohara a cute “you’re dead if you misbehave” grimace.
“You old lecher! What nonsense are you talking about now!”
Tsuru Nohara couldn’t help herself any longer. A look of playful scolding appeared on her face. She reached out and lightly, but firmly, pinched the soft flesh on the old man’s waist.
“Ouch!”
Ginnosuke Nohara let out an exaggerated cry of pain, his comical appearance once again drawing peals of laughter from everyone.
The sorrow of parting quietly faded amidst the laughter and merriment filled with warmth and joy.
After the meal, as the black Toyota Crown Majesta slowly drove out of the rustic dirt road, Hiroshi Nohara and Ikuna Sakuruda stood by the doorway of the courtyard, waving their hands, unwilling to leave for a long time.
Ginnosuke Nohara, however, was like a child who had not grown up, running behind the car, shouting at the top of his lungs: “Brat! Remember to visit home often! And! When you come back next time, don’t forget to bring me the latest… photo albums from Tokyo!”
“You shameless old man! Come back here!”
Tsuru Nohara’s roar, filled with helplessness and embarrassment, along with a flurry of chasing and scolding, gradually disappeared into the vast, boundless green rice fields.
Inside the car, Misae looked at the shrinking figures in the rearview mirror, her always sparkling big eyes welling up with a layer of moist mist.
“Hiroshi-kun, Uncle and Aunt… are so kind,” she murmured softly, her voice carrying a hint of longing for home that she herself hadn’t even noticed.
“Alright.” Hiroshi Nohara reached out one hand and gently clasped her soft, boneless little hand. His voice was gentle. “When we have the chance, we’ll visit your parents in Kumamoto Prefecture too, okay?”
“Mm!” Misae nodded heavily, and a happy smile bloomed on her pretty face.
She also remembered what Tsuru Nohara had said to her, holding her hand before they left, in a tone of almost entrusted seriousness.
“Misae, after the new year, we will formally visit your parents in Kumamoto. Your marriage cannot be delayed any longer.”
Thinking of this, a captivating blush uncontrollably appeared on Misae’s cheeks once more.
……
The six-hour car journey was long, but also filled with the anticipation of returning home.
As the familiar, futuristic Tokyo skyline reappeared on the horizon, Misae’s heart, which had become somewhat melancholic due to the sadness of parting, was instantly ignited by the vibrant and hopeful energy of the metropolis.
“Wow! Hiroshi-kun! Look! Look!”
Like a child entering the city for the first time, she pointed at the skyscrapers that had just sprung up outside the window, emitting a cold yet captivating glow in the afterglow of the sunset. Excitement glittered in her beautiful big eyes.
Along the roads, a group of real estate agents, dressed in sharp suits and wearing ID badges, worked like the most dedicated ants, energetically waving their promotional signs at passing vehicles.
On them, printed in the most striking fonts, were slogans that would make any ordinary salaryman gasp for air.
【 Minato Ward’s Latest Masterpiece! ‘Castle in the Sky’ Luxury Apartments! Spacious Flats, Welcoming Your Appraisal! 】
【 A Symbol of Status! A Palace of Wealth! Starting from Only 1.4 Million Yen Per Square Meter! 】
“One point four million… Yen?!”
Misae looked at the number and instinctively covered her small mouth, her beautiful big eyes filled with disbelief and shock. “My goodness! 1.4 million per square meter?! Then… then if I were to buy a 100-square-meter house, wouldn’t that be… wouldn’t that be over a hundred million?!”
She counted on her slender fingers for a long time, but was ultimately defeated by the astronomical figure.
“Tokyo… Tokyo’s new housing prices are just terrifying now, aren’t they?” she murmured, her voice filled with awe.
But then, the awe was replaced by a stronger longing characteristic of a young girl. “However… the people who live here must be very impressive, right? Being able to see the entire Tokyo landscape from such a height every day, it feels… it feels like living in the clouds.”
“Silly girl.”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at her innocent and imaginative cute demeanor, and couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.
He knew that those who seemed to live in the clouds might be standing on the edge of those towering buildings, and could be shattered by a gust of wind called “bubble” at any moment.
“Misae, remember my words.” His voice became serious again, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes, which always held a hint of a smile. “For these next two years, no matter how high Tokyo’s housing prices are speculated to be, and no matter how fantastically the agents praise the properties, we will absolutely not touch them.”
“Why?” Misae’s simple little head was once again filled with countless questions.
“No reason.” Hiroshi Nohara did not explain much. He simply gently ruffled her hair with an irrefutable tenderness. “Listen to me, and you’ll be right.”
He couldn’t tell her that within a year, that seemingly indestructible ‘Castle in the Sky’ would turn into an ‘Empty Ghost City’ with no one visiting.
He couldn’t tell her that those ‘elites’ who were desperately chasing after a house now would soon become a group of tragic ‘debtors’ burdened with tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions, in negative assets.
If things were only like that.
When the bubble economy burst and the economic crisis arrived, many elites who appeared glamorous now chose to jump to their deaths; such incidents were commonplace.
He didn’t want her to experience that pain of the era.
He just wanted her to remain carefree like this forever, to be a Mrs. Nohara whose only responsibility was to be beautiful.
“Hoo—” Hiroshi Nohara let out a deep, muffled sigh.
Outside the car window, the city’s neon lights gradually lit up, like pairs of greedy and desirous eyes, coldly watching over this glittering world on the verge of its final frenzy.
Hiroshi Nohara watched it all, and his heart, already filled with a sense of crisis, tightened like a drawn bowstring at this moment.
‘No, it’s still too slow.’
His hand, gripping the steering wheel, unconsciously tightened slightly.
‘Must… must be faster.’
‘Before the bubble completely bursts, I must accumulate enough capital to allow my family and me to safely navigate this unprecedented economic winter.’
‘And with so much fat meat available during the economic crisis, it’s better that I get a good share of it myself instead of letting it fall into others’ hands!’
……
By the time the black Toyota Crown Majesta finally pulled into the familiar area beneath the apartment building, the night had already deepened.
Hiroshi Nohara and Misae, dragging two heavy suitcases filled with local specialties and the profound love of their parents, entered the small apartment filled with their sweet memories.
The fatigue of the long journey instantly washed over them like a tide.
They were too tired to even cook. They simply found two packets of the simplest tonkotsu ramen from the refrigerator, soaked them in hot water, and, with a few pickled radishes brought from their hometown, quickly finished a simple dinner.
They were both truly exhausted.
After eating and a simple wash-up, Hiroshi Nohara didn’t even turn on the television. He simply pulled the little woman, whose eyes were already drooping shut, into the bedroom and fell asleep.
The night passed without incident, only the never-sleeping city outside silently narrated its prosperity and solitude.
And its final frenzy.
“Mmm! Comfortable!”
When Hiroshi Nohara opened his eyes again, it was already Sunday morning.
The sunlight from outside streamed through the off-white curtains, gently falling on the messy large bed, outlining the intertwined young bodies with a captivating contour filled with youthful hormones.
Hiroshi Nohara moved his somewhat numb arm and looked at the little woman who was sleeping soundly, clinging to him with her arms and legs like an octopus. A smile of helplessness and doting appeared on his handsome face.
He didn’t get up immediately, but quietly enjoyed the laziness and tranquility that belonged exclusively to a Saturday morning.
They didn’t go anywhere this weekend.
They were like two hibernating hamsters, lazily nestled in their small, yet warm and cozy apartment.
They watched boring variety shows together, cleaned the room together, and huddled on the sofa, sharing the same bucket of popcorn while watching old, outdated movies rented from the video store.
No work, no social obligations, no complicated human relationships filled with schemes.
Only the purest sweet daily life for the two of them.
It wasn’t until Monday morning, when the first faint dawn light once again pierced the clouds, that the weekend’s laziness was finally broken by the sound of an urgent telephone ring.
“Hello, it’s me, Hiroshi Nohara. Yes, I’ll be coming to work today.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice had lost all trace of holiday laziness, replaced by the decisive efficiency of a decision-maker.
“Okay, I understand. Have Director Tanaka, Director Yamamoto, and Director Hashishita come to my office for a meeting at 9:30 sharp.”
Hiroshi Nohara hung up the phone and turned to look at the woman, still sleepy-eyed, helping him tie his tie. A gentle smile returned to his face.
“I’m sorry, Misae. The holiday is over now, isn’t it?”
“Mm.” Misae nodded obediently. She stood on tiptoe and gently placed a morning kiss, full of love, on his smooth chin, saying in a sweet voice, “Have a spirited day today too!”
“Of course.” Hiroshi Nohara also pinned Misae against the wall, giving her a French kiss, then released her warm, red lips still carrying the faint scent of silk.
Considering the time, he forcefully suppressed his desire and left the apartment.
He drove towards Tokyo Television Station.
Soon, he arrived at the vast underground parking lot of Tokyo Television Station.
Sunlight filtered through the ventilation grates, casting dappled bands of light on the icy cement floor, exuding a sharp atmosphere.
As Hiroshi Nohara stepped out of the driver’s seat and casually locked the car door, the crisp “beep” sound was like a silent command.
Not far away, a few assistant directors who were gathered, smoking and complaining about the difficulty of editing footage overnight, almost instinctively extinguished their cigarette butts upon seeing that figure. They straightened up like javelins and bowed deeply in that direction.
They greeted him respectfully and loudly: “Good morning, Minister Nohara!”
“Mm.” Hiroshi Nohara merely glanced at them calmly, a perfectly gentle curve gracing his lips. He nodded slightly in return.
He did not stop.
His high-grade handmade leather shoes tapped on the polished terrazzo floor with a clear and rhythmic “tap-tap” sound, like a battle song announcing the return of a king, echoing in the empty parking lot.
Wherever he passed, whether it was a young employee taking out their briefcase from the car or a senior producer laughing loudly with colleagues, without exception, they would instantly suppress all expressions, stop all actions, and respectfully step aside, offering a standard bow to that figure.
“Good morning, Minister Nohara!”
“Minister, good morning!”
“Good morning! Minister Nohara!”
Greetings filled with awe and admiration rose one after another.
Hiroshi Nohara’s face maintained his characteristic calm composure, as if all was light clouds.
He would simply nod slightly at those who greeted him, his posture like a young monarch inspecting his territory, elegant and exuding absolute authority.
As he entered the elevator reserved for high-level personnel in the Production Bureau, the elevator attendant, who was usually haughty and only offered a perfunctory nod even to second-class directors, instantly bloomed with a sweet, almost fawning smile that was sickeningly sweet upon seeing him.
“Minister Nohara, long time no see! You look as handsome as ever today!”
“Good morning.” Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly.
The elevator doors closed silently, isolating all the external noise and admiration outside the small metal space.
The highly polished mirror on the elevator’s inner wall reflected his handsome and calm face.
In his clear eyes, there was no trace of pride or complacency from the star treatment; only a serenity as calm as the deep sea.
He knew all of this was just a facade.
In this world where ratings spoke, people never worshipped him as a person, but rather the legends he created, those that were enough to subvert the rules of the era.
And what he had to do was to continuously create new legends!
…
“Ding—”
The elevator doors opened.
The brand new nameplate, carved from top-grade zelkova wood, 【Hiroshi Nohara – Independent Production Department】, radiated a steady and restrained luster under the corridor lights.
Hiroshi Nohara walked in.
In the spacious and bright open-plan office area, people were bustling, and every seat was taken.
Young interns, like a swarm of worker ants full of curiosity, weaved between workstations, their faces beaming with the excitement and pride of being able to join this legendary “Department of Gods.”
The experienced senior employees, each with a focused expression, were either rapidly typing on their computers or intensely discussing details of a creative idea on the whiteboard.
The entire department was like a precisely wound-up machine, operating with astonishing efficiency and accuracy.
Even in the morning, they were already immersed in busy work.
“Minister, good morning!”
“Minister!”
When Hiroshi Nohara’s figure appeared at the doorway, the entire department instantly seemed to have had its pause button pressed.
Everyone subconsciously stopped their work, stood up, and bowed respectfully in his direction.
Those greetings, filled with genuine worship, merged into a torrent that could move anyone.
Hiroshi Nohara nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the youthful faces full of vigor, and a sense of satisfaction as a creator welled up within him.
This was the kingdom he had built with his own hands.
“Minister, you’re back!”
A clear, surprised voice rang out, accompanied by a waft of fragrance. Yō Kitagawa, like a happy little butterfly, flew over from her workstation.
She was holding a cup of freshly ground, steaming hot, top-grade Blue Mountain coffee. Her always energetic and pretty face was now filled with the joy of seeing her idol.
“I’ve always remembered your preference. No sugar, no milk, just this purest bitterness to ignite your god-like inspiration, right?”
She carefully placed the coffee cup in Hiroshi Nohara’s spacious and bright private office. Her always sparkling eyes, like two of the brightest stars, stared at him without blinking, full of undisguised admiration.
“You’ve worked hard, Kitagawa.” Hiroshi Nohara smiled as he took the coffee and sat down in the leather seat that symbolized his ministerial status.
He glanced at the bustling scene outside and asked with a smile, “It seems like there are quite a few new faces in the department recently.”
“Hehe, of course!”
Pride appeared on Yō Kitagawa’s face. Like a squirrel offering a treasure, she lowered her voice and reported mysteriously, “Minister, you have no idea how famous you are outside!”
“Last month, our Human Resources Department just let slip a tiny hint that our department was planning to recruit interns. And guess what happened?”
She paused and held up two slender fingers, indicating an exaggerated number:
“In less than three days! We received over two thousand resumes! And they were all from graduates of top universities like Waseda, Keio, and the University of Tokyo! Their resumes all said the same thing, specifically requesting to intern at our 【Hiroshi Nohara – Independent Production Department】!”
“They said that learning from you, a ‘genius of the era,’ is the greatest honor of their lives!”
“The greatest honor? That’s truly exaggerated.” These words made the corners of Hiroshi Nohara’s mouth curl into a helpless smile.
A tree’s shadow implies its existence. A person’s fame implies their deeds.
He also knew that he was no longer just a simple producer.
He had become a symbol, a living totem that symbolized “success” and “miracles.”
…
Nine-thirty arrived precisely.
The office door was gently knocked.
Ichiro Hashishita, Section Chief of the Animation Department; Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Section Chief of the Television Drama Department; and Kei Tanaka, Section Chief of the Variety Show Department, three figures who were currently influential powerhouses in the entire Tokyo Television Station, entered one by one like three elementary school students about to report their learning experiences to their teacher, their expressions solemn.
“Minister.” The three bowed in unison.
“Sit.”
Hiroshi Nohara gestured for them to sit, his clear eyes sweeping over the three of them, and he spoke calmly, “Please report. How have all the projects progressed during my vacation?”
“Yes!”
The first to speak was Kei Tanaka, who had long since been reborn and exuded the confidence and competence of an ace variety show producer.
He stood up and said excitedly, “Minister! The second season of 《Super Change Change Change》 just finished airing its fourth episode last Saturday! The final ratings—”
He took a deep breath and announced the number that would make the entire neon television industry tremble, in a tone of pride, almost like an aria.
“40.15%!”
“Our ratings remain stable above 40%! Moreover, according to the data center’s analysis, this number has a very high possibility of experiencing another explosive surge during the finals next month! It might even… it might even reach the ratings record of the Kohaku Uta Gassen!”
Hearing this, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Ichiro Hashishita on the side unconsciously gasped.
The Kohaku Uta Gassen ratings record?
That was… a sacred monument in neon television history, impossible to surpass!
It was a national carnival variety show!
No.
It couldn’t even be called a variety show; it should be defined as art!
Now, Kei Tanaka was saying that during the finals of the second season of 《Super Change Change Change》, it would reach the Kohaku Uta Gassen ratings record.
How could this not be astonishing?
“Very good.” Hiroshi Nohara simply nodded calmly, as if a 40% rating was just a normal number. “Director Yamamoto, what about your side?”
“Yes!”
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto also stood up, his face, always sharp like a falcon’s, now showing unconcealed admiration.
He respectfully handed over a document: “Minister, this is the latest ratings summary report for the second season of 《World of the Strange》. As of last Friday, we have aired all thirty-nine episodes. The final average ratings for the entire season have stabilized at 23.58%!”
“This achievement has surpassed the first season and once again broken the highest ratings record for the late-night slot!”
“Furthermore, according to news from the international department, the overseas broadcasting rights for this drama have been purchased by television stations in over fifteen countries and regions. The copyright fee alone sold to HBO in the United States has… exceeded the total production costs of our two seasons.”
This also surprised Kei Tanaka and Ichiro Hashishita greatly.
For a television drama, just selling the rights has already… recouped the costs?
This… this isn’t making a television drama, it’s practically printing money!
“Director Hashishita.” Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze finally fell on the man who had kept his head down the entire time, his body as taut as a drawn bowstring.
“…Yes!”
Ichiro Hashishita suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice, “Minister! The fourth season of 《An Shizhi》 also officially concluded last Sunday! The final average ratings for the entire season have settled at 14.55%!”
“This achievement has not only created a ratings legend for late-night anime, but it has also… it has also completely nailed the third season, produced by Iwata’s Classroom, which was filled with disgrace, onto the historical pillory of shame!”
As he spoke, his voice became choked with emotion, “I… I, on behalf of all my colleagues in the Animation Department, thank you! Thank you for giving us an opportunity to wash away our shame!”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at the three section chiefs, all of whom had been thoroughly convinced by him, and finally showed a satisfied smile.
It seemed that the department had indeed been running smoothly during his week-long absence.
This was good.
Now, he could continue to let his imagination run wild.
He slowly stood up, walked in front of the three of them, and patted each of them heavily on the shoulder.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice was calm. “You have done even better than I expected. However, I hope you remember that the achievements we have made so far are far from enough. Our opponents are never the mediocre people within Tokyo Television, nor are they the imbeciles in Osaka and Nagoya who only know how to imitate.”
“Our journey is the entire neon!”
This declaration, filled with kingly dominance, struck the softest part of the three section chiefs’ hearts like a scorching current!
They looked at the man before them, young yet possessing the bearing of a king who could overlook the entire era. Their hearts, long since conquered by him, ignited into a raging inferno at this moment!
“Yes!”
The three bowed in unison, their voices filled with the determination of a loyal subject willing to die for their confidant, “We will surely follow your footsteps! Minister Hiroshi Nohara!”
“Yosh! Very good! Full of spirit!”
Hiroshi Nohara nodded in satisfaction. “Alright, the report is over.” Hiroshi Nohara returned to his seat, his clear eyes sweeping over the three of them. “Tell me, have you encountered any unsolvable problems in production recently?”
Now it was time to address the minor issues.
But the three exchanged glances, and then, wry smiles appeared on their faces.
“Problems?” Kei Tanaka was the first to shake his head and said with heartfelt admiration, “Minister, to be honest, we… we don’t even dare to have our own ideas anymore.”
“Yes.” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto echoed with a wry smile. “What we have to do every day is to find every possible way to reproduce exactly what is on your manuscript in reality. We are not creating; we are just… a group of craftsmen with passable skills, replicating a perfect work of art that has already been designed.”
“That’s right!” Ichiro Hashishita nodded emphatically, his voice filled with genuine awe. “Your storyboards and scripts have already solved all the problems in advance. We… we can’t even find a single minor flaw to object to.”
This was less a report and more an affirmation after proof had been established.
They had already understood.
The gap between them and this young man before them could no longer be simply summed up by the word “talent.”
It was a dimensional gap, like that between mortals and deities.
The manuscripts provided by Hiroshi Nohara.
They were divine pronouncements!
Were there any problems?
Absolutely not!
As long as they honestly followed Minister Hiroshi Nohara’s manuscripts to produce the show, everything would go smoothly and be flawless!
‘Bang bang bang—’
And while Hiroshi Nohara was talking with the three section chiefs, a knock came from outside the door.
Followed by a sweet female voice, “Minister Nohara, Deputy Director Asumi knows you’re back and hopes you can go up to see him if you have time. He’s waiting for you in his office.”
It was Deputy Director Asumi’s aloof secretary.
Because Deputy Director Asumi cared for Hiroshi Nohara, she, his secretary, also showed him respect out of her goodwill.
This was a display of attitude.
“I understand, I’ll go see Deputy Director Asumi now.” So, amidst the envious gazes of the three section chiefs around him, Hiroshi Nohara nodded.
He did indeed need to see Deputy Director Asumi.
After all, the script for 《The Tale of Hachiko》 had already been faxed to his office in advance. If they were to actually start filming the movie, Hiroshi Nohara would need the full support of Deputy Director Asumi!
PS: Continuing to ask for votes~ I still want to earnestly request all the great supporters to help by subscribing to this book if possible. The data during the new book’s launch period is really important for later recommendations. Thank you all here! I will furiously type!
PS: Continuing to ask for votes~ I still want to sincerely ask all big shots, if you can fully subscribe, please help me by fully subscribing to this book. The data during the new book’s launch period is really important for new books, and it concerns future recommendations. I thank you here! I will go all out to code!
