Chapter 13: Audit Passed!
Yes, the evaluation given by Aiai Takeshita was this high.
It was literally the word “genius”!
She could almost foresee the sensation it would cause when this animation aired late at night.
It would become a hot topic that people talked about in schools, during breaks at work, at wine tables, and in the pantry.
Because this kind of fresh theme was truly too rare!
This was the real “proposal”! It used creativity and wisdom to achieve the miracle of doing much with little!
She had no hesitation left. She picked up the red seal engraved with “Review Passed” and stamped it heavily and without delay on the review documents for《An Shizhi》!
“Pa!”
The crisp sound echoed in the quiet office.
……
But for Kiyoto Suzuki and his group, who were walking back to the classroom at that moment, the sky above their heads was still overcast.
The lights in the corridor seemed especially stark white, dragging their shadows long and dejected, as if foretelling some bad ending.
“Section Chief…”
Ichiro Hashishita finally couldn’t hold back and broke the suffocating silence. His voice carried a trace of unwillingness and worry: “That guy Iwata… his proposal does seem… really impressive.”
He didn’t want to admit it, but the facts were right there.
That exquisitely bound proposal, those shining names, and Masao Iwata’s smug face were like a heavy stone weighing on everyone’s heart.
Kiyoto Suzuki’s steps paused. He didn’t turn around, but said in a nearly fatigued voice: “I know.”
How could he not know.
Having struggled in the fame and fortune arena of the television station for most of his life, he knew better than anyone that a gorgeous proposal and strong connections often carried more weight than a good idea itself.
Deputy Director Takada’s name was like an insurmountable high wall.
And they only had a cheap video tape and a few thin sheets of paper.
Even he himself, after seeing Masao Iwata’s setup, felt his once full confidence begin to waver and deflate uncontrollably.
Could it be… they were really going to lose?
Lose to something soulless piled up with money?
Ever since he was promoted to Tokyo Television Station from his subordinate station because the animated films he produced were very popular, he had felt trapped in a quagmire.
It wasn’t that Tokyo Television Station rejected him, though that was part of it.
The bigger reason was that Tokyo Television Station was full of talented people.
There were too many capable people.
Even that guy Masao Iwata, from what he had learned before, the animated films he produced were of quite high quality.
Though they were indeed piled up with money.
But the ratings were all very good.
What right did they have to say he lacked ability?
With connections and ability no less than his own, it already made Kiyoto Suzuki feel immensely bitter inside.
Though he really had great confidence in《An Shizhi》…
But everything came down to ratings.
“…”
Hiroshi Nohara behind him saw Kiyoto Suzuki’s back instantly hunch and just pursed his lips without saying more.
Before the results came out, any words were just empty comfort.
The group silently returned to their classroom in the corner, which had somewhat insufficient lighting.
A stifling atmosphere permeated the air.
Hoshi Minamimura and Yō Kitagawa saw them return and immediately gathered around, faces full of expectation: “Section Chief, how did it go?”
Kiyoto Suzuki opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound. He just waved his hand feebly, returned to his office, plopped down on his creaky old chair, gritted his teeth with a solemn expression.
Disappointment spread through the small office like a virus.
Everyone fell silent, with only the monotonous whir of the old air conditioner.
In this dead silence, the telephone on Kiyoto Suzuki’s desk suddenly rang shrilly.
“Ding ling ling—!”
The sound was so abrupt it startled everyone, making them all tremble.
Kiyoto Suzuki jerked his head up as if awakened. He stared at the clamoring telephone, his eyes full of hesitation and fear.
Was it from the Audit Department?
Was it to pronounce their death sentence?
The phone rang persistently, one ring after another, pounding on everyone’s heart.
“Section Chief…” Ichiro Hashishita’s voice was trembling.
Kiyoto Suzuki took a deep breath, as if resolving himself, reached out a shaking hand, and picked up the receiver.
“…Hello, this is Director Group Suzuki’s Classroom. This is Kiyoto Suzuki.” His voice was dry and hoarse.
A crisp, unfamiliar female voice came from the other end: “Hello, Section Chief Suzuki. I’m Section Chief Takeshita’s assistant from the Audit Department.”
It was here!
Everyone’s hearts leaped to their throats.
Kiyoto Suzuki’s back straightened instantly. He gripped the receiver tightly, forgetting to breathe.
“Y… yes, what can I do for you?”
The voice on the other end paused, then said in a formulaic, emotionless tone: “Regarding the proposal《An Shizhi》 submitted by your classroom, it has passed review. Section Chief Takeshita asked me to notify you that the official approval documents for the proposal will be sent to your classroom this afternoon.”
“…”
“Section Chief Suzuki? Are you listening?”
Kiyoto Suzuki froze completely. He held the receiver with eyes bulging like copper bells, mouth slightly open, unable to say a word.
Passed?
Did he hear wrong?
Or was this just a cruel joke?
“Section Chief?” Hiroshi Nohara saw his state and couldn’t help reminding him softly.
“Ah… ah! Yes! I’m listening!” Kiyoto Suzuki snapped out of it and almost shouted back: “P… passed? You mean our proposal passed?”
“Yes.” The assistant on the other end seemed surprised by the overreaction but affirmed: “The review has passed. Please prepare for subsequent production work.”
“Good! Good! Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Kiyoto Suzuki was so excited he was incoherent, bowing repeatedly to the receiver as if the other side could see.
Even after the call ended with a “beep beep” dial tone, he stayed in that pose.
The office remained silent.
Everyone stared at him in stunned disbelief.
A few seconds later, Kiyoto Suzuki slammed the receiver down on the phone!
“Pa!”
He sprang up, walked out of the office, and pumped his fist excitedly to the crowd:
“It passed—!”
Boom!
The stifling atmosphere vanished instantly.
Ichiro Hashishita, Hoshi Minamimura, Roji Hase, including Yō Kitagawa, all showed excited joy on their faces: “That’s great!” They cheered.
Passing the review meant the Production Bureau of Tokyo Television Station recognized their work.
They had been worried before.
After all, though《An Shizhi》 had a fresh theme and clever concept.
Starting production was really shoddy and poor!
To be honest, calling their work just a bunch of slides would be absolutely no problem!
And it still passed review.
It was the best affirmation of everyone’s persistence and effort over this time!
Hiroshi Nohara stood in the crowd, watching the merry scene before him. The tense corners of his mouth finally curved up in a barely noticeable arc.
In his previous life,《An Shizhi》 was produced by Tokyo Television Station itself, with style and content fitting Tokyo Television Station’s aesthetic.
Passing the review was indeed within his expectations.
However, before their joy could last long, the phone on the desk rang again inappropriately.
This time, Kiyoto Suzuki grabbed the receiver without hesitation and shouted vigorously: “Hello! This is Suzuki’s Classroom!”
“Hello, Section Chief Suzuki. This is Yamamoto from the Screening Department.”
The voice on the other end sounded quite authoritative.
