Chapter 130: Hiroshi Nohara Misses His Hometown! Planning To Visit Home After Things Settle Down!
Inside this special room, Nobuhiko Sakata and Hiroshi Nohara didn’t stay long; it was more of a courtesy meeting.
However, the conversation was very pleasant.
And when Hiroshi Nohara and Nobuhiko Sakata walked side-by-side out of the lounge, which felt like another dimension, and returned to the social vortex filled with pretense and probing.
The air in the entire banquet hall seemed to have undergone a subtle chemical reaction in an instant.
All eyes, like iron filings attracted by a magnet, focused squarely on the young man.
In their eyes, there was no longer jealousy, no longer scrutiny.
Only a sense of complexity remained.
They might not know exactly what happened in that small lounge.
But they all saw that when the young man walked out, Fujiwara-sama, a man who existed like a deity in the entire Tokyo Metropolis propaganda system, personally escorted him to the door.
On that face, always as calm as still water, there was even a smile of admiration.
This was no longer simple recognition.
This was a silent declaration from a higher dimension:
Fujiwara-sama admires this young man!
“Damn it!”
Toshihide Takada, the Executive Deputy Director of Production Bureau at Tokyo Television Station, the number two person in the Production Bureau, was holding a glass of ruby-red Bordeaux wine, chatting and laughing with several high-ranking executives from the same faction.
But when his gaze fell upon the tall and composed figure emerging from the lounge, the hand holding the wine glass trembled uncontrollably.
The ruby-red liquid swirled a dangerous arc against the glass, like his heart, already riddled with jealousy and fear, making its last, feeble struggle.
Beside him, Kei Tanaka and Ito Chōan, those two once arrogant variety show aces, stood dejectedly like two plucked roosters, not even daring to lift their heads.
They felt like foolish children.
While the other party had already created a path into the real world in a way they couldn’t understand at all.
And they had stepped into it!
“Takada-kun, so you’re here.”
Nobuhiko Sakata’s jovial voice rang out like thunder in their ears. The patriarch of the Production Bureau, beaming with pride, was leading Hiroshi Nohara towards them.
“I just spoke with Fujiwara-sama. His Excellency is very satisfied with our television station’s recent work. Especially with Nohara-kun, he praised him highly.”
He paused, and a shrewd glint, like that of an old fox, flashed in his always squinting eyes.
“His Excellency specifically instructed me that young people like Nohara-kun, who have talent, responsibility, and a strategic vision, are the treasures of our entire Neon television industry. We must give him the greatest support and the best platform, allowing him to wholeheartedly create more excellent works that can ‘connect’ with people’s hearts for our country.”
Every word of this statement was like an invisible heavy hammer, smashing hard into Toshihide Takada’s heart.
He knew that Nobuhiko Sakata was reprimanding him.
And warning him.
From today onwards, any underhanded tactics against Hiroshi Nohara would no longer be simple factional struggles.
But a blatant provocation of “official will.”
“Yes… Yes, Director, you are correct.”
Toshihide Takada squeezed these words out from between his teeth, his grim face already shrouded in a pale green complexion.
He knew he had lost.
Lost completely.
Lost to the point where there was no hope of a comeback.
But Toshihide Takada thought about how he could still make achievements in film and display his abilities within the Tokyo TV Production Bureau, and he slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking at Hiroshi Nohara before him, he finally managed a smile, showing that he could accept it and was not narrow-minded.
“Hehehe.” Nobuhiko Sakata, seeing the smile finally appear on Takada’s face, also let out an old fox’s smile.
In Sakata’s opinion, it was good for everyone to be harmonious now.
That was a very good atmosphere!
……
The social vortex filled with pretense and probing in the banquet hall finally began to subside as the clock struck midnight.
Prominent figures who normally wielded great influence in their respective fields, carrying complex emotions of satisfaction, disappointment, or calculating thoughts, quietly dispersed like the receding tide.
Hiroshi Nohara followed Nobuhiko Sakata, passing through the lingering bustle, and under the almost humble bow of the Imperial Hotel manager, they entered the black Toyota Century that had been waiting at the entrance.
The car door closed silently, instantly isolating all external glamour and noise within an absolute tranquility constructed from top-tier soundproofing materials and thick bulletproof glass.
“Seeing that you didn’t eat much in the banquet hall, would you like something to drink now to fool your stomach?”
Nobuhiko Sakata, the TV tycoon who commanded great influence outside, was now like an ordinary, kind, and approachable uncle next door.
He took a bottle of already chilled Parisian water, still emitting a faint chill, from the car’s refrigerator and poured a glass for Hiroshi Nohara.
His eyes held a gentle smile.
“Thank you, Director.” Hiroshi Nohara accepted the exquisitely crafted crystal glass, the fine water droplets condensed on its surface refracting a brilliant and hazy light under the soft interior lighting.
Nobuhiko Sakata didn’t speak; he simply held his own glass and looked out through the large car window.
The bustling Tokyo night view in the darkness.
He sighed and said, “Hiroshi-kun, do you know? Tonight, watching Asumi and Takada fight like cats and dogs in front of you, I actually felt… quite unsettled.”
Hiroshi Nohara didn’t reply; he just listened quietly.
Nobuhiko Sakata’s voice carried the desolation and helplessness of someone who had been through it all: “At the time, when I decided to acquire Kanto Television, I overruled all objections and made the decision myself. My idea was simple: strong combined with strong, resource integration, to build our Tokyo Television into a truly unshakeable media empire. But no matter how much I calculated, I missed one thing.”
He paused, and a bitter expression appeared on his usually smiling, plump face: “I missed people’s hearts.”
“The ‘Tokyo Faction’ and the ‘Kanto Faction,’ names that should have disappeared with the merger, have been like two unhealed old scars, tearing this building apart for five whole years. They fight for resources, scramble for projects, form cliques, and scheme against each other… turning a perfectly good Production Bureau into a mess. As the director, I see it, my heart aches, but I am… helpless.”
These heartfelt words stirred a subtle ripple in Hiroshi Nohara’s heart.
He knew this was not just a complaint, but a trust from a higher perspective.
“However, Hiroshi-kun.”
Nobuhiko Sakata slowly turned around, his always squinting eyes now open, and in them, a brilliance never seen before flickered: “Your appearance is like a stone cast into stagnant water, stirring everything up.”
“With your talent, you have proven to everyone that in this industry, what truly determines success is not where you come from, nor which faction you belong to, but whether you can produce works that silence everyone.”
He lowered his voice slightly, with foresight like a strategist: “More importantly… look out the window, the ‘Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area’ plan is entering its final fast lane. In less than ten years, the entire Kanto Region will become part of Tokyo. By then, the so-called ‘Tokyo Faction’ and ‘Kanto Faction’ will become ridiculous historical terms.”
“So, Hiroshi-kun.”
Nobuhiko Sakata looked at him, his gaze no longer the scrutiny of a superior towards a subordinate, but an exchange full of anticipation: “Don’t be limited by these petty immediate gains, don’t let those underhanded factional struggles tie your hands. Your vision should be focused on the entire ‘Greater Tokyo,’ on this approaching, brand-new era.”
He paused, and on his plump face, a gentle smile bloomed again, a smile carrying a promise that could reassure anyone.
“The station manager, as you know, is more of a government official, responsible for communication with the government level; he doesn’t concern himself with specific business. As for me, the director of the Production Bureau, I’m getting old and my energy is not what it used to be; often, I’m just behind, cheering everyone on. What truly determines the future direction of our Tokyo Television are you young people on the front lines.”
“Do a good job.”
Nobuhiko Sakata patted Hiroshi Nohara’s shoulder heavily, his voice filled with undeniable affirmation: “Your promotion has just begun. As long as you can continue to achieve results like today, I promise you, within five years, the position Asumi is currently in will be yours.”
Five years, Deputy Director of the Production Bureau.
This was no longer a simple promise.
This was a silent declaration, almost like an “heir apparent” designation.
……
When the black Toyota Century returned to the entrance of Tokyo Television.
When Hiroshi Nohara got out of the car under the respectful gaze of the director’s exclusive driver, and then watched them leave before getting into his own imposing Toyota Crown Majesta.
“…” Hiroshi Nohara pursed his lips.
He had even made him a promise.
Considering the nature of Japanese people, they usually don’t make promises, and when they do, they generally keep them.
Hiroshi Nohara knew that from tonight onwards, on the power chessboard of this television station, he would no longer be a mere pawn charging into battle.
He had already gained the qualification to have equal dialogue with those who played the game.
This was a qualification brought by age and strength.
“This world… is indeed becoming more and more interesting.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s lips curved slightly.
He started the car, and the V8 engine let out a low roar, like a awakened beast, carrying his already boiling ambition and his world-changing talent, he plunged headlong into the dazzling galaxy woven from countless neon lights, full of the unknown and possibilities.
His era, Hiroshi Nohara’s era, had just begun.
And the grand performance he personally directed had just played its most magnificent prelude.
And what he needed to do was to turn this warmth unique to the late night into a ratings myth that would drive the entire Neon crazy!
……
On the second Saturday of October, as the autumn breeze finally dispelled the last trace of heat lingering over Tokyo, a long-planned ratings storm called 《Super Change Change Change》 Season 2 arrived as scheduled.
Tokyo Television Station, Studio Number Three.
The air backstage seemed to have been sucked dry, solidifying into a heavy and icy amber, sealing all living beings within in endless anticipation and anxiety.
“It’s here! It’s here! It’s about to start!”
Kei Tanaka, now a transformed Variety Show Section Chief, was like a general about to charge into the final battle, staring intently at the monitor screen. His face, having shed all its previous dejection, was filled with unconcealable excitement.
On stage, two hosts, already regarded by the Neon citizens as “messengers of happiness,” were engaging in the final warm-up with their signature smiles full of warmth.
“Dear viewers! Last week, we witnessed the ‘Snow Woman Team’ from the Hokkaido Region successfully conquer all the judges with their creative ideas full of ice, snow, and fantasy, securing our Season 2’s first promotion spot!”
The female host, Erika Mori, spoke in a clear and infectious voice.
“Yeah!” The male host, Goshi-san, cooperated with a energetic victory gesture, eliciting a wave of good-natured laughter from the live audience.
“But!” Erika Mori’s tone shifted, and a cunning glint flashed in her always smiling eyes: “Does losing mean the end? On our 《Super Change Change Change》 stage, creativity never ends!”
He paused, and under countless expectant gazes, he announced word by word the new rule that would drive all of Neon crazy.
“Starting this week, we will officially open the ‘Loser’s Revival’ channel! All teams that regretfully lost in this competition zone will automatically enter our ‘Popularity Revival Pool’! Each week, based on audience phone and pager votes, we will select the team with the highest popularity! They will have the chance to re-enter this stage through a brutal revival match in the final championship selection!”
“Boom—!”
This decision, like a real atomic bomb, exploded in the minds of all viewers in front of their televisions!
Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, in the living room of the Tanaka family.
“Did you hear?! Did you hear?!” Genichi Tanaka, an old worker who had spent his entire life in a steel mill, was now as red-faced and excited as a child. He grabbed the old-fashioned black telephone on the table and roared into the receiver in a bold tone filled with a Kansai dialect: “Hello! Is this Old Wang from the labor union?! Hurry! Mobilize everyone! Vote for our Taro! Fight for the honor of Osaka!”
Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, in a brightly lit ramen shop.
“Boss! Ten more portions of char siu! I’m treating today!” A young man in a “SoftBank Hawks” baseball team uniform slammed his beer mug on the table. His face, flushed red from the steam of the ramen, showed a look of desperate determination: “Brothers! Everyone take out your mobile phones! Vote for our ‘Hakata Ramen War’ team! We can’t lose! We absolutely cannot lose to those arrogant guys from Tokyo!”
This fire of “regional confrontation,” ignited by “loser’s revival,” spread across the entire Neon Archipelago in just a few minutes with an unstoppable prairie-fire momentum!
In countless homes, countless offices, and countless still-open coffee shops and izakayas, telephones and pager alerts rang out one after another!
They argued, they shouted, like passionate fans cheering for their respective teams, their heartfelt sense of belonging and honor for their hometown burned fiercely on and off the small screen in an unprecedented manner!
And behind this national carnival, the young man at the center of the storm sat calmly in his office overlooking all of Tokyo, looking at the reports of voting data statistics, like snowflakes, being faxed from all over the country.
“Director… Isn’t this… playing a bit too big?”
Kei Tanaka stood by, looking at the reports, a hint of unease on his face.
He felt like he was witnessing the birth of a giant vortex that could stir up all of Neon.
And the man at the center of the vortex calmly sipped his tea, which had become somewhat bland from brewing.
“Big?” Hiroshi Nohara put down his teacup and chuckled, “This is just the beginning.”
When the second episode, featuring the modern urban creative 《Human-shaped Washing Machine》 from the Tokyo local representative team, clashed fiercely on stage with the 《Thousand Paper Cranes Flying》 from the Hiroshima representative team, filled with peace wishes, and the latter ultimately narrowly won with its profound intent full of humanistic care…
All of Neon boiled over!
……
The next morning, the public opinion storm swept across all of Neon with an unstoppable momentum.
Tokyo Television Station, Data Center.
“It’s here! It’s here! The final ratings are out!”
A young data analyst, looking at the red curve on the computer screen, which had broken free from all constraints and was soaring crazily at an almost vertical angle, his voice filled with incredulous trembling!
He almost crawled out of the office, delivering the report that could stop a heart to Director Sakata of the Production Bureau, who was already waiting there.
Nobuhiko Sakata took a deep breath and slowly unfolded the thin, yet seemingly heavy paper.
Then, his pupils constricted sharply!
40.3%!
This number, like a divine decree splitting heaven and earth, struck deep into his soul!
“Haha… Hahahahahaha!”
After a long time, a burst of unrestrained, almost frenzied laughter erupted without warning from the patriarch of the Production Bureau!
He laughed so hard he doubled over, tears streaming uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes. On his usually smiling, plump face, there was now only a profound pride, stemming from the marrow of his bones, that comes from witnessing a true miracle!
“National variety show… We… We really made a national variety show that will go down in history!”
He muttered, his voice filled with a dreamlike tremor.
30% was considered a national-level program.
Then what was 40%?!
A super-national level program!?
As far as Kei Tanaka remembered, apart from the “Yamato Drama” filmed every three years under the advocacy of the Neon government by the Film and Television Association, there were very few programs that exceeded 40% ratings!
And any program that reached 40% ratings was undoubtedly a groundbreaking, innovative program in history!
Of course, looking at their own 《Super Change Change Change Season 2》 now…
This variety show, which introduced the concepts of fans and fan circles.
Was indeed groundbreaking!
“Are fans and fan circles that terrifying?” Kei Tanaka, a variety show director in the rather conservative era of 1990, who didn’t even grasp the concept of traffic and couldn’t accept anti-fans, felt his heart completely conquered.
And it wasn’t just him who was conquered.
The massive shockwave caused by the terrifying 40.3% ratings quickly crossed regional boundaries and slammed hard into the faces of the competing rivals who had been watching from the sidelines.
Osaka, Kansai Television Station.
“As expected…”
Ichiro Iwaya, the Deputy Director of the Production Bureau, looking at the ratings report faxed from Tokyo, couldn’t help but let out a smile.
It was a wry smile.
He had already anticipated it.
He had already anticipated it.
He thought of many things, looking at the raging fire ignited by Hiroshi Nohara himself, named “National Carnival,” which had long ago surpassed the icy screen and, with an invincible force of a prairie fire, burned into everyone’s real lives.
Ichiro Iwaya eventually closed his eyes, the original contempt and anger, as well as the hysteria, all disappearing.
Only peace.
Only the resigned, helpless calm after accepting fate.
Then he suddenly opened his eyes.
“Immediately! Establish the ‘Nohara Analysis Group’ for me!”
Ichiro Iwaya shot up from his seat, grabbed the telephone on the desk, and roared into the receiver in a near-howling tone:
“I don’t care what method you use! Take 《 Super Change Change Change 》 and that darned ‘Urban Legends,’ and analyze them frame by frame! I want to know, that kid, how exactly did he… do it!”
Resignation was resignation.
But whether to concede defeat or not, he still had to try!
At the very least, he had to learn!
……
This wave of learning soon swept across all local television stations in Neon.
The big shots who had once been filled with contempt and disdain for Hiroshi Nohara were now like the most devout students, frantically studying every myth created by that young man.
And the film critics who had once harbored doubts about Hiroshi Nohara were now like a group of believers struck by a divine revelation, putting down the sharp and sarcastic pens they had long prepared.
Senior film critic “Spicy Tang Lion,” in his column in 《 Shukan Bunshun 》 the next day, wrote with a brushstroke almost like repentance, a new title that was enough to make the entire Neon television industry ashamed.
【The God, indeed the God of Variety Shows! 】
“…I must sincerely apologize to Teacher Hiroshi Nohara for my previous superficiality and ignorance. I once thought he was just a genius storyteller. But I was wrong, terribly wrong. He wasn’t making a program at all. He was setting the rules. A brand new entertainment rule, belonging only to him, named ‘Hiroshi Nohara’!”
“He has rewritten the entertainment attribute of variety shows! Empowered the citizens with attributes that strengthen connections, reject indifference, and reject numbness! Hiroshi Nohara is changing the era with his style! Changing Neon!”
“With the simplest, purest creativity, he has injected a highly potent heart stimulant named ‘Happiness’ into this era that has long been eroded by boredom and numbness! From tonight onwards, please allow me, as the most devout believer, to offer my highest respect to this true deity who has long stood at the peak of the era.”
“He truly changed Neon! Changed our bad habits! Changed our numbness and indifference!”
As soon as this article was published, Neon was completely in an uproar.
The title “Number One Variety Performer of the New Era” was officially crowned upon the head of the young man, who was only twenty-three years old, like a heavy crown forged from the cheers and respect of hundreds of millions of viewers.
……
And at the center of that storm, in the office of 【Hiroshi Nohara’s Independent Production Department】, the atmosphere was one of jubilant celebration.
Hiroshi Nohara calmly looked at the 40.3% ratings report, a faint, triumphant smile gracing his lips.
This war was over.
From the moment he decided to bring that era-defining proposal from the future timeline to this world, the outcome had already been decided.
“Department Head.”
Yō Kitagawa, who had long since transformed and was now the office director, habitually placed a cup of freshly ground Blue Mountain Coffee on his desk.
On her capable and pretty face, there was a hint of playful mischief: “Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka… almost all the production bureaus of the regional stations have called, specifically asking for you. They want to congratulate you and Tokyo Television for breaking new ratings records for variety shows. They’ve expressed their respect for you and Tokyo TV. They also want to invite you to their stations to give lectures and are willing to pay very generous announcement fees.”
“Tell them I’m very busy right now, and Tokyo TV isn’t letting me go.” Hiroshi Nohara didn’t even bother to lift his eyelids.
He was indeed very busy now.
《 Super Change Change Change Season 2 》 had also entered its rhythm, and he had even incorporated fan culture into it.
From anime to television sets to variety shows, everything was currently on the right track.
Including manga, which also made him feel much more relaxed thanks to Future Manga Company, giving him more rest time.
Now, he was really planning to take a vacation!
“Thinking about it, I’ve been working hard in Tokyo for half a year now. I should go back to my hometown, to Misae’s hometown, and visit together.”
Honestly, Hiroshi Nohara missed home now.
PS: Brothers, please continue to vote for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets~
