Chapter 152: Yoshiharu Oyama Feels Flattered By The Compliments
Inside Studio Number Three, that brief disturbance caused by the top idol quickly subsided.
Under Kei Tanaka’s decisive command, all the staff returned to their respective posts in an orderly manner, like precision instruments that had been rewound.
Lighting, sound system, camera… everything rapidly returned to normal operation with an efficiency that inspired amazement.
It was as if that earlier farce filled with tension was merely an innocuous interlude in a stage play.
Meanwhile, the young person who had personally quelled it all had already casually crossed through that area filled with noise and busyness, as if nothing had happened, and slowly walked into the front-row audience seats that were specially separated for the best view.
There sat his warmest attachment in this icy cold city.
“Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! You’re here!”
Before he could get close, a lively and youthful figure darted toward him like a little sunbird that had spotted a sunflower, carrying a burst of fragrant wind, and bounced up joyfully.
Mogae Oyama’s big, sparkling eyes stared at him unblinkingly, her pretty face full of fanatic worship.
“Brother-in-law! You were so incredibly handsome just now! Super cool! Utterly domineering!”
Like a little squirrel presenting a treasure, she gestured animatedly with her hands, her voice crisp and pleasing, full of the exaggerated sincerity unique to a young girl: “That so-called big star was like a student being scolded by the dean of students in front of you! Look at his face at the end—it turned pale! So satisfying! I’ve decided, from today on, you’re my one and only idol!”
This straightforward praise full of fangirl vibes brought an involuntary helpless smile to Hiroshi Nohara’s face.
The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly.
Which man wouldn’t like being worshipped in such a pure and fervent way by a youthful and beautiful young girl?
Hmm, too bad she’s the sister-in-law. Just like it’s a pity Bilibili isn’t another letter site… （ Shoutout to the pinned comment, it really is a pity ）
“Hiroshi-kun.”
A voice so gentle it could squeeze out water rang out.
Hiroshi Nohara then saw Misae Nohara’s pretty face, full of pride and affection.
She didn’t make a fuss like her sister; she just stood there quietly, her big watery eyes like two lakes brimming with starlight, gently enveloping him completely.
She reached out her soft, boneless little hand and naturally straightened his already impeccable collar; the warmth from her fingertips, unintentional as it was, carried more weight than a thousand words.
That look seemed to say—My man is just that awesome!
“Cough! Cough cough cough!”
Amid this atmosphere filled with warmth and sweetness, an ill-timed heavy cough laced with warning shattered the tranquility.
Yoshiharu Oyama, the representative of Kumamoto Prefecture’s education world and leader of the “friends and family support group,” was now wearing a stern face.
His sharp gaze, characteristic of a dean of students, pierced like two drawn daggers toward his own presumptuous little daughter, who was still clinging to his prospective son-in-law’s arm.
“Mogae Oyama!”
His voice suppressed a trembling fury: “What kind of behavior is that?! No manners! Let go right now! Your brother-in-law is an elder! Learn some respect! Got it?!”
“Oh dear, father of the child, what are you getting mad about now?” Nearby, the mother Takao Oyama finally couldn’t stand it anymore. She sighed helplessly, reached out, and gave her silly little daughter’s arm a not-too-light pinch, her face full of reproach: “Mogae, listen to your father. Don’t keep clinging to your brother-in-law. He’s just finished handling work and is tired.”
“Oh…”
Mogae Oyama pouted her cherry-like little mouth aggrievedly. Though unwilling, she obediently let go and retreated to the side like a defeated little kitten, head drooping.
However, a burst of hearty, rustic enthusiasm suddenly erupted from behind them without warning!
“Oh! This must be… Minister Nohara?!”
A burly middle-aged man wearing a red happi coat printed with “Kumamoto Must Win,” looking like the support group leader, came surging over with a face full of surprise, leading a huge “red ocean” behind him!
“Minister Nohara! Hello hello! I’m the chairman of the Aso City Agricultural Cooperative in Kumamoto Prefecture. My name is Kenta Yamada! I… I’m your loyal fan!”
Chairman Yamada’s sun-darkened face was now filled with the excitement and fanaticism of meeting an idol.
His fan-like big hands gripped the still-stunned Hiroshi Nohara’s hand tightly, shaking it up and down.
“Your 《Super Change Change Change》—everyone in Kumamoto Prefecture, from old ladies to little kids, loves it! So… so fun! Especially that regional showdown! It was sheer genius! Our Kumamoto Prefecture is counting on you to make it to the finals this time!”
This sudden enthusiasm left Hiroshi Nohara somewhat at a loss for words, amused.
But before he could exchange pleasantries, the “dean of students” who had just been sternly scolding his own daughter nearby had already subconsciously straightened up like a peacock fanning its tail.
“Cough! Chairman Yamada, although our Hiroshi Nohara is the person in charge of this program, he’s still a department head at Tokyo Television Station. Don’t say things carelessly!”
Yoshiharu Oyama walked forward with hands behind his back, unhurriedly, his face bearing the practiced dignity and pride of a public servant.
He pointed at the young person who looked helpless and said in a tone that seemed casual but was actually full of bragging, drawling:
“We must be fair, got it? Even if he’s my second daughter’s boyfriend, we can’t bend the rules!”
“Eh?!”
“What?!”
“Teacher Oyama! You… you mean… this legendary Minister Nohara is… your… prospective son-in-law?!”
These words landed like a real bombshell, exploding throughout the Kumamoto Prefecture support group!
Everyone looked at Yoshiharu Oyama like he was a monster, then at Misae Oyama who was already blushing furiously and wishing she could burrow into the ground; their faces showed unmasked, bottomless shock and… envy!
“Oh my! Teacher Oyama, you’re too much! Keeping such an amazing son-in-law a secret from us!”
“Exactly! This is the pride of our entire Kumamoto Prefecture!”
“No wonder Miss Misae is so beautiful—she’s… she’s Minister Nohara’s girlfriend! A perfect match! Made in heaven!”
In an instant, all sorts of praise and flattery rained down on Yoshiharu Oyama like it was free!
His usually stern face was now completely filled with an irrepressible, sly old fox grin.
He even waved his hand pretentiously, saying in a tone full of Versailles-style distress: “Ah, young people have their own ideas. We elders can’t control everything. As long as they’re happy, that’s what matters.”
His smug, opportunistic look made Misae Oyama’s cheeks flush so red they seemed about to bleed.
Only Hiroshi Nohara, facing his prospective father-in-law who was utterly lost in the joy of being flattered, still smiled and responded one by one.
“Uncle and Aunt, you’re too kind.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but like a clear spring, it instantly calmed all the commotion on site: “Today, I’m just an ordinary audience member. I don’t have a say—it’s up to the judges and everyone’s popularity votes. But today’s stars are the contestants representing Kumamoto Prefecture. Let’s cheer them on together.”
These words perfectly positioned himself while subtly redirecting everyone’s attention back to the competition itself.
That composure, that maturity and steadiness far beyond his years, made all the Kumamoto folks present secretly admire him in their hearts.
“As expected of Minister Nohara!”
“Yeah! So poised at such a young age! He’ll definitely be a great man in the future!”
“Teacher Oyama, you really… struck gold!”
Chairman Yamada slapped his thigh hard, his dark face full of heartfelt admiration and emotion: “Minister Nohara, to be honest, we all saw it backstage! When you… reprimanded that big star, your momentum was… even more imposing than our Kumamoto Prefecture governor!”
This remark drew good-natured laughter from all around.
Yoshiharu Oyama listened to the sincere praise ringing in his ears and watched the young person who remained calm and composed amid the crowd; at that moment, a father’s heart swelled with pride.
His daughter had truly found a great man worthy of her pride—and the pride of the entire Oyama family—for life!
