Chapter 96: Variety Show Confirmation! Hiroshi Nohara’s Confidence!
“Director Sakata, if you praise Teacher Nohara like this, the kids from our Tokyo Faction will get jealous.”
Just as Deputy Director Asumi and Eiji Kurosawa were introducing Hiroshi Nohara to Director Nobuhiko Sakata, a voice laced with amusement cut in inappropriately.
It was Executive Deputy Director Toshihide Takada.
He brought over two Kanto Faction directors in their forties with commanding presences and boasted, “Director, let me introduce you too. These gentlemen are all homegrown at Tokyo Television Station, personally promoted by me—they’re the real pillars of talent!”
At this interruption, Asumi’s face stiffened, his gaze toward Toshihide Takada turning somewhat hostile.
But Toshihide Takada didn’t care about his hostility at all.
Instead, he stepped aside to let his two subordinates—second-class directors he valued highly and had deliberately chosen to bring before Director Nobuhiko Sakata—appear at the edge of the conversation circle.
He also gave a brief introduction.
The one on the left was tall, wearing a well-tailored bright blue suit, his hair slicked back smoothly, and the gleaming Rolex on his wrist shining under the lights, exuding a flamboyant, playboy-like arrogance and wildness.
He was Yasui Takashi, the chief director of Tokyo Television Station’s ace variety show《Shining Starry Sky Time》.
The one on the right was the complete opposite.
He was of medium build, dressed in a plain dark gray suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking refined and gentle, but the eyes hidden behind the lenses were hawk-like sharp, glinting with calculating coldness.
He was Ito Chōan, the chief director of the national-level comedy variety show《Laughing Wednesday》.
These two could be called the true twin stars of Tokyo Television Station’s variety sector, and they were Toshihide Takada’s proudest ace cards.
“Director Sakata, Deputy Director Asumi, Director Kurosawa.”
Yasui Takashi and Ito Chōan stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the big shots.
Their attitude was impeccable.
Nobuhiko Sakata watched this dramatic scene, a flicker of sly, old-fox-like cunning passing through his always-narrowed eyes.
He could naturally see through Toshihide Takada’s petty trick.
This was a show of force to the entire Kanto Faction.
A bid for favor!
But far from annoyed, Nobuhiko Sakata felt a bit satisfied.
He didn’t care about factional struggles; what he wanted was balance.
The fiercer these two lions fought, the steadier his position as the central lion king.
“Heh heh heh! You young juniors!”
Nobuhiko Sakata chuckled as he smoothed things over, raising his beer mug and reassuring the crowd: “It’s our Tokyo TV’s great fortune to have Nohara-kun, Kimura-kun, and Ito-kun all at once! What does this show? It shows our talent pool is Neon Number One!”
As director, he still needed to keep internal fighting within limits.
So he shifted the topic, reminding them slowly: “However, we can’t get complacent. I just got word that those guys at Osaka Television Station and Kansai Television Station have been restless lately.”
“Jealous of《World of the Strange》’s success, they’ve teamed up with the local stations in Nagoya and Fukuoka to form a so-called ‘Urban Legends’ special research group, planning to produce a similar program to compete with us! So internally, we must unite and face outward together, got it?”
“Yes!” everyone responded in unison, the tense atmosphere finally subdued temporarily by this sudden external threat.
However, Toshihide Takada clearly had no intention of letting it go.
He raised his beer mug, looking at Asumi with a half-smile, his tone like an elder who had caught the other’s weakness, full of teasing.
“Speaking of which, Mr. Asumi, I hear you’ve been secretly preparing an afternoon variety show proposal lately? Such a big deal, and you didn’t even mention it to me? My Yasui Takashi and Ito Chōan have some experience in variety shows, after all—they might offer some constructive advice for your immature little idea.”
Asumi’s hand holding the tea cup paused slightly.
He looked up, a flicker of unexpected shock and chill deep in his refined eyes.
He had only mentioned preparing《Super Change Change Change》 to the core Kanto Faction members present today—no one else.
And yet Toshihide Takada knew.
This meant there was a traitor in their Kanto Faction—a backstabber!
Several suspicious names flashed through Asumi’s mind, but his face still held that calm, warm smile.
He glanced at Eiji Kurosawa, whose expression had also subtly changed, then at Hiroshi Nohara, who remained unruffled beside him, and the anger from the betrayal inexplicably subsided.
It didn’t matter.
As long as this young man was here, what waves could a mere traitor make?
“Deputy Director Takada is joking.”
Asumi set down his tea cup, his posture composed and proper: “It’s just a half-formed little idea, still in the discussion stage. How could I trouble you, Mr. Yasui, and Mr. Ito, two great directors? However…”
He turned the conversation, kicking the ball right back: “This idea has been deeply discussed with our Nohara-kun. He gave me quite a few very constructive opinions.”
“Oh?”
At these words, Yasui Takashi and Ito Chōan behind Toshihide Takada snorted almost simultaneously.
The laughter was filled with undisguised contempt and disdain.
“Discussed with Teacher Nohara?”
Yasui Takashi swirled his red wine glass, a playful smile on his handsome, unrestrained face: “Deputy Director Asumi, I certainly acknowledge Teacher Nohara’s talent. Whether animation or television drama, he’s proven himself a well-deserved genius. After all, both are essentially storytelling with common ground.”
He paused, then sharpened his tone like a poisoned knife aimed at the silent young man.
“But variety shows… that’s a completely different world. It requires not just whimsical ideas from behind closed doors, but precise control of audience emotions and on-the-spot adaptation to live rhythms. This isn’t something you can master with just a good script.”
“Exactly.”
Ito Chōan beside him adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes glinting with icy sarcasm: “Variety shows may not match television dramas in ‘inspiring national education,’ but their purpose is ‘entertaining the nation.’ That demands experience, connections, and profound understanding of the entire comedy entertainment world. These aren’t things a young person with less than a year in the industry can easily grasp.”
He looked at Hiroshi Nohara, a malicious curve to his lips, saying in a joking tone: “Deputy Director Asumi, your new proposal couldn’t be… doing ‘Urban Legends’ too, right? Having comedians sit around telling ghost stories? Hahaha, that would be… so creative.”
The two sang in harmony, belittling Hiroshi Nohara to nothing.
The implication was clear—you, a behind-the-scenes creator, dare to meddle in our on-stage variety world?
“Kimura! Ito! How do you talk to Deputy Director Asumi!”
Toshihide Takada finally ‘timely’ spoke up, feigning sternness in a leader’s tone as he scolded his two ‘thoughtless’ subordinates: “Learn some respect! Teacher Nohara may be young, but his achievements are something we all must acknowledge!”
Even as he said this, a gleeful, schadenfreude spark flickered deep in his eyes, unsuppressable.
This was exactly how he wanted to rap Asumi’s knuckles and deflate the young man’s arrogance.
He wanted everyone to know that at Tokyo Television Station, in the variety domain, he was the one who called the shots!
However, amid this powder-keg atmosphere, Director Sakata at the head seat, who had been chuckling at it all, suddenly spoke.
His voice wasn’t loud, but like perfectly timed warm water, it instantly doused the about-to-explode barrel.
“Oh? Now you’ve really piqued my curiosity.”
Nobuhiko Sakata’s always-narrowed eyes fell on Hiroshi Nohara, then shifted to Asumi: “Mr. Asumi, since Nohara-kun is involved, this proposal must be quite interesting, right? Could you… give us a little preview, so this old guy can see something new?”
Seeing Director Sakata’s face practically begging for a step down, Asumi chuckled inwardly but showed just the right touch of reluctant bitter smile on his face.
This was outright taking sides.
“Since you’ve put it that way, Director, I’ll… show my humble skills.”
He cleared his throat and recounted Hiroshi Nohara’s game-changing variety concept,《Super Change Change Change》, in straightforward yet vivid language, concise and to the point.
Of course, he stated the concept but held back.
He wouldn’t reveal the specific details or core.
Even so, when he described “making ordinary people the stars,” “using the simplest props to unleash infinite creativity,” and “stacking bodies like human pyramids to mimic a beer mug being filled,” drawing roars of laughter.
The entire private room fell into dead silence.
The smug glee on Toshihide Takada’s sullen face froze instantly.
Yasui Takashi and Ito Chōan’s contemptuous faces were as if petrified, all expressions rigid.
They were variety directors.
So they could quickly vet in their minds what ideas would draw audience laughter.
Now, after their vetting.
They realized…
This《Super Change Change Change》 concept was indeed intriguing!
Only Nobuhiko Sakata’s always-narrowed eyes widened more and more, brighter and brighter, finally bursting with unprecedented, New-World-discovery-like blazing light!
“…Good! Good! Good!”
He slapped his thigh hard, saying “good” three times, his chubby face full of unmasked excitement and admiration: “Making ordinary people the stars! Edutainment! Nationwide creation! This… this is a genius concept! It’s not just simple variety—it’s a brand-new program form that can lead an era!”
He turned to the young man who had calmly sipped tea throughout, his gaze like appraising a history-changing national treasure.
“Nohara-kun! I approve this proposal! The station gives you the best time slot! Ample budget! Top promotional resources! I have just one demand: you must personally helm this project!”
These words landed like the loudest slap across every Tokyo Faction member’s face!
Toshihide Takada’s face shifted from black to green to white, a veritable color wheel.
Yasui Takashi and Ito Chōan were like two plucked roosters, their flushed faces burning.
They never dreamed the “amateur” they’d just mocked would produce a god-tier proposal even they pros could only admire!
“Director, you’re too kind.”
Hiroshi Nohara finally set down his tea cup, stood, and bowed standardly to Nobuhiko Sakata, his posture still neither humble nor arrogant.
“However, this junior still hopes to devote all his energy to producing《World of the Strange》 and《An Shizhi》 for now. After all, it’s a task you personally assigned—I dare not slack off.”
This was watertight, giving the director huge face while deftly pushing back the hot potato.
“Hahaha! Good! Responsible!”
Far from annoyed, Nobuhiko Sakata laughed even more heartily: “Finish those two dramas first! The variety can wait! We’ll talk when you’re free!”
He was growing fonder of Hiroshi Nohara.
So creative.
Quick-witted.
And worldly-wise.
Crucially, no matter the factions, Hiroshi Nohara was Tokyo Television Station’s employee—their own in Kanto Television Station!
A rising new star, young and bright!
Keep him in Tokyo Television Station’s pond, and sooner or later he’d stir massive waves across all fields.
Perhaps once Hiroshi Nohara rose, he’d need this young man to supply endless film and television output as his achievements to crush other leaders.
At this thought, Nobuhiko Sakata’s smile grew even wider.
And soon.
This dinner, a veritable Hongmen Banquet, ended in a magically realistic atmosphere.
Director Sakata and Deputies Asumi and Toshihide Takada left first.
The exclusive leadership area was left with just a few core director-level members.
The two once-arrogant variety directors, Yasui Takashi and Ito Chōan, now sat like defeated roosters, heads down, not daring to glance at Hiroshi Nohara.
“Young man, don’t get too greedy.”
Finally, bolstered by alcohol, Yasui Takashi squeezed out this jealous, unwilling warning in a nearly hoarse voice.
“Television dramas, animation, manga, now variety too… Careful not to bite off more than you can chew and choke yourself.” Ito Chōan snorted coldly, his sharp eyes glinting icily.
Hiroshi Nohara looked at these blustering but inwardly weak guys and showed only a breezy smile.
He neither refuted nor argued.
He merely said calmly something that would keep them tossing sleeplessly for countless nights ahead.
“Thanks for the reminder, seniors.”
“This world is vast; there are many sights I want to see.”
“Then, let’s settle it with ratings.”
Hiroshi Nohara turned and left the intrigue-filled, sordid area without looking back.
It was late, the big leaders gone.
Why stay?
Of course, he bid farewell to Eiji Kurosawa here too; toward this famous director and caring senior, his attitude was excellent.
Leaving Yasui Takashi and Ito Chōan like weathered statues, stunned in place, faces full of incredulous shock.
“Ha, that kid!”
Eiji Kurosawa watched the young man’s departing back, his usually serious face finally breaking into a genuine, hearty grin.
He walked to where Hiroshi Nohara had sat, picked up the now-cold tea, took a sip, his gaze like an old artisan beholding his proudest work.
“That kid Asumi really… struck gold this time.”
He turned to the nearby veteran Kanto Faction members, also full of emotion, and laughed loudly: “Let’s go, time to head back. Seems my lackluster script… has new inspiration.”
He recalled Hiroshi Nohara’s poise facing the entire Tokyo Faction’s provocation at dinner, countering masterfully—that youthful, fearless sharpness struck like lightning, illuminating his age-dulled heart.
He suddenly felt his “fake samurai” story could be bolder.
Perhaps the protagonist shouldn’t just be a simple impostor.
He should be one who challenged the entire samurai class in his own way, upending all old rules—a true hero of chaotic times!
“Thanks to you, Nohara-kun.”
Eiji Kurosawa silently thanked the departed young man in his heart.
He knew his creative career would usher in an unprecedented gorgeous rebirth thanks to this young man.
And that film destined to shatter all expectations would soon meet the world on New Year’s Eve.
“But really envious… of Nohara-kun’s talent…”
Thinking of that subversive twist—thinking they’d won, only for it all to be the enemy’s manipulation—Eiji Kurosawa grew ever more emotional about the ideas he’d borrowed from Hiroshi Nohara.
