Chapter 171: Naughty Misae! Hiroshi Nohara’s Back Pain Begs For Mercy!
The footsteps of time always move the fastest when one is most comfortable.
That seemingly long fifteen-day New Year holiday, much like the brief sunny days in Akita Prefecture during winter, quietly slipped by amidst the warm laughter and chatter of the family and the simple greetings of the neighbors.
As Hiroshi Nohara once again started the black Toyota Crown and drove away from the countryside shrouded in morning mist, the figures of his parents and elder brother waving goodbye outside the car window gradually turned into three blurry black dots in the rearview mirror.
The sadness of parting spread like a cup of lukewarm sake, rippling outwards in faint waves within his heart.
The journey of over five hours concluded.
Hiroshi Nohara watched the familiar steel forest reappear in his sight, and the sense of prosperity belonging to an international metropolis, like a heart stimulant, instantly re-energized his slightly sluggish heart.
The battle was about to begin again.
Hiroshi Nohara stepped on the accelerator and quickly returned home.
The apartment door was gently turned open with a key, and a familiar warmth, mixed with the scent of faint perfume and sunlight, rushed to greet him.
The living room was bright and clean, the floor was wiped to a shine, the throw pillows on the sofa were neatly arranged, and even a bouquet of budding lilies was placed on the tea table.
Everything was in perfect order, full of the atmosphere of life.
Hiroshi Nohara’s lips unconsciously curved into a gentle arc.
He knew that his “President,” had already returned to this small kingdom belonging to them before him.
“I’m home.”
His voice was not loud, but like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, it instantly stirred ripples within the inner room.
“Pata pata—”
A series of hurried and joyful footsteps approached from a distance, followed by a delicate figure, like a swallow returning to its nest, bringing a gust of fragrant wind, lunging into his arms.
“Hiroshi-kun! You’re finally back!”
Misae tilted her rosy face, her small head nuzzling affectionately against his solid chest. Her bright, shining eyes were filled with the joy and longing of a long-awaited reunion, like two polished obsidian stones.
Hiroshi Nohara chuckled and wrapped his arms around the soft and fragrant woman in his embrace, holding her tightly as if to meld her into his very bones.
He lowered his head and gently kissed her smooth forehead, feeling the familiar, sun-like warmth emanating from her, and all his fatigue vanished at that moment.
“Yes, I’m back.”
The two of them stood embracing quietly, savoring this moment of warmth and tranquility.
Then, Hiroshi Nohara’s smile gradually turned wicked.
Outside the window, the hustle and bustle of Tokyo seemed to be isolated in another world.
After a long while, Hiroshi Nohara released Misae, sat on the tatami, and lit a cigarette. He then pinched Misae’s perky little nose, a playful smile flashing in his eyes: “My President, you were quick. I just drove back, and you’ve already tidied up the whole house?”
“Of course!” Misae proudly lifted her chin, her delicate demeanor like a kitten seeking praise.
She held up two fair fingers, making a gesture in the air, her tone filled with inherent pride: “I flew back! From Kumamoto to Tokyo, whoosh, and I was here! Much faster than your slow old car!”
As she spoke, Misae seemed to recall something and looked at Hiroshi Nohara with a special smile: “Of course, you’re fast too!”
“Oh? Are you now?” Hiroshi Nohara’s mouth twitched, then curved into a meaningful arc. His gaze was like a leopard eyeing its prey, full of aggression.
He suddenly reached out and grabbed the still smug little woman, and amidst a flurry of shy exclamations, he grinned menacingly again: “President Misae, it’s been a long time. You seem to have become… a bit too bold!”
“Ah! You… you’re bullying me again!” Misae’s cheeks flushed crimson, like a ripe apple.
However, a layer of moist mist had already appeared in her bright, shining eyes, like a pool of spring water, rippling outwards in circles.
One hour later.
On the tatami in the bedroom, the lingering warmth of a passionate encounter remained.
Misae, like a boneless cat, curled up lazily in Hiroshi Nohara’s arms, her rosy, delicate face filled with satisfied contentment.
A mischievous smile flickered in her watery eyes.
“Hiroshi-kun…” Her voice was a little hoarse, but her tone was as soft as mochi about to melt: “I feel… we still need to discuss whether your driving is fast or not.”
“…”
Hiroshi Nohara’s body trembled almost imperceptibly.
He coughed as if admitting defeat: “You know, Misae, I’ve been driving for almost six hours… it’s natural to feel tired right now… and I should rest properly…”
Misae immediately showed a devilish smile, but just as she was about to say something, her phone rang.
‘Ring ring—! Ring ring—!’
A series of urgent and harsh phone rings, unseasonably, shattered the amorous tranquility.
Hiroshi Nohara’s brows instantly relaxed.
He glanced at the vibrating mobile phone on the bedside table, a flicker of relief in his eyes.
“Who is it? Calling so late?” Misae pouted in dissatisfaction, her voice full of the playful annoyance of having her good time interrupted.
Hiroshi Nohara sighed with feigned helplessness. He reached out and gently stroked her fluffy little head, soothing her: “Alright, don’t be angry. It’s probably about work.”
As he spoke, he picked up the phone and glanced at the caller ID—【 Masato Tadokoro 】.
An editor from Shueisha.
Hiroshi Nohara’s good impression of Editor Tadokoro grew immensely!
He answered the phone, his voice devoid of all amorousness, replaced by the calm and steady tone of a producer.
“Hello, Mr. Tadokoro, Happy New Year.”
“Ah! Teacher Nohara! Happy New Year! Happy New Year!” From the other end of the line came Masato Tadokoro’s enthusiastic and respectful voice, mixed with the lively hubbub of the editorial department in the background: “I’m so sorry to bother you so late! It’s just… it’s just that there’s something urgent I wanted to report to you.”
“Please, go ahead,” Hiroshi Nohara was very patient with him.
“It’s like this, Teacher Nohara.”
Masato Tadokoro’s voice carried a hint of difficulty: “As you know, the New Year holiday has just ended, and the readers’ enthusiasm is unprecedentedly high! Whether it’s 《Yu Yu Hakusho》, 《Doraemon》, or that work full of healing power, 《Late-night Diner》, they are all currently Shueisha’s hottest ace works!”
“But there’s a problem.”
His voice was full of helplessness: “The draft manuscripts for these three works are now… now running low! Especially for 《Yu Yu Hakusho》, readers are calling every day asking for updates, our editorial department’s phones are about to explode! So… so I wanted to ask you, Teacher Nohara, if you think… if you could… draw some more draft manuscripts?”
“Oh, right!” He seemed to remember something and quickly added: “There’s also good news! After unanimous discussion by our editorial department, we’ve decided to officially release 《Doraemon》 as a collected volume! And, if 《Late-night Diner》 can maintain its current quality in the future, we also plan to include it in the collected volume release plan!”
“Oh?” Hiroshi Nohara raised an eyebrow.
This was undoubtedly great news.
You see, in Japan, whether a manga can be released as a collected volume is one of the most important criteria for measuring its commercial value and market potential.
Once a collected volume is released, it means that the work will no longer be a simple magazine serialization but will become a true “timeless classic” that can be collected and reread by countless readers.
“Of course, that’s wonderful, Mr. Tadokoro,” Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile in his voice: “Within this week, I will send the latest manuscripts for 《Yu Yu Hakusho》, 《Doraemon》, and 《Late-night Diner》 to your editorial department.”
Hiroshi Nohara stroked his chin as he spoke: “If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to give you… five chapters for each.”
“…”
On the other end of the phone, there was a deathly silence.
All that could be heard was Masato Tadokoro’s labored breathing due to extreme shock.
“Te… Teacher Nohara… Wh-what did you just say?!” After a long pause, Masato Tadokoro’s voice finally returned, laced with an uncontrollable tremor and… horror!
He even suspected that he was hallucinating due to too much overtime lately.
“I said, five chapters per series.” Hiroshi Nohara’s voice was still as calm and collected as ever, as if what he had just said wasn’t a terrifying workload that would exhaust any full-time manga artist on the spot, but as simple as deciding what to eat tonight.
“A total of fifteen chapters for the three series, I’ll give them to you within a week. Then, I’ll take some time at the end of the month to draw more, enough for you to serialize for over a month.”
Boom—!
This number, like the most precise nuclear bomb, instantly exploded in Masato Tadokoro’s mind!
He stood there dumbfounded, all expression frozen on his face, which was already etched with fatigue!
Fifteen chapters?!
Within a week?!
This… this is no longer simply describable as “genius”!
This is clearly… a true miracle!
He knew too well!
He knew too well that in Japan, for a top full-time manga artist to produce seven or eight chapters of serialization in a month was already considered “working like a model”!
And Hiroshi Nohara, this “part-time” manga artist who was simultaneously a producer, director, and screenwriter, could actually draw fifteen chapters in a week?!
And judging by his nonchalant tone, it seemed… as if he still had energy to spare?!
This… this is simply… a monster!
“G-good! Good!” After a long while, Masato Tadokoro finally snapped out of his immense shock. He was so excited he was speechless. As a manga editor, he certainly wouldn’t complain about his manga artist producing extra chapters.
“Teacher Nohara! You… you can rest assured! Shueisha will use the best resources to promote your works! We guarantee that every one of your works will become the best-selling one!”
“Yes, then I’ll trouble you,” Hiroshi Nohara merely nodded calmly, exchanged a few pleasantries, and hung up the phone.
He put down his phone and turned around, only to see Misae’s bright, shining eyes gazing at him intently, full of curiosity.
“Hiroshi-kun, was that about work?” Like a curious kitten, she nudged her fluffy little head closer.
“Mm,” Hiroshi Nohara nodded. He reached out and pulled the soft, fragrant woman back into his arms, a gentle smile blooming on his face again.
“My President,” his voice carried a hint of teasing, “the New Year holiday is over. Your Future Manga Company should officially open for business.”
“Really?!” Misae’s eyes lit up instantly!
She suddenly sat up from his embrace, her rosy, delicate face filled with irrepressible excitement and anticipation: “Then… what do I need to do?”
“It’s very simple,” Hiroshi Nohara’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Next, I will draw all these fifteen chapters. And your task is to lead your employees in the final coloring and refinement of these manuscripts.”
As he spoke, he stood up from the tatami, stretched, his posture like a lion about to enter a hunt, elegant and full of absolute power.
“Alright, my President,” he turned around and looked at the little woman, whose fighting spirit had already been ignited by his words, and a confident smile reappeared on his face.
“Are you ready to welcome a creative storm that belongs only to us?”
“Mm!” Misae nodded heavily, her bright, shining eyes burning with a wildfire of passion!
Misae then pouted and asked: “What about the matter of driving fast…”
“Cough!” Hiroshi Nohara said sternly, “Serious matters come first!”
“Oh…” Misae pouted regretfully.
Thus, the woman who had been as lazy as a cat on the tatami moments ago, now acted like a highly efficient commander, quickly getting dressed and starting to send pager messages to her employees, arranging tomorrow’s tasks in advance.
Meanwhile, Hiroshi Nohara had already sat down at the large drawing desk specially prepared for him.
Without any hesitation, he picked up his brush and, on the pristine white drawing paper, fluidly constructed one marvelous miniature universe after another.
After making her phone calls, Misae sat quietly beside him, her bright, shining eyes watching Hiroshi Nohara create with curiosity and admiration.
Hiroshi Nohara’s hands moved so fast they were almost a blur!
The ordinary brush, as if imbued with life in his fingertips, danced and flew across the white drawing paper, sketching lines that were both precise and powerful!
The character outlines, the scene construction, the panel transitions… everything was executed in one smooth flow under his god-like brush, without any pauses or corrections!
It was as if he wasn’t creating, but merely replicating the scenes that had already been rehearsed countless times in his mind, in the most perfect way possible!
One hour…
Two hours…
Three hours…
As the light outside gradually dimmed and was replaced by the dark night, Hiroshi Nohara finally put down his brush.
Before him, a mountain had already piled up, constructed from fifteen chapters and nearly three hundred pages of perfect manuscript drawings!
“Hoo—”
He let out a long breath, a breath filled with the fatigue of battle, yet also with an ineffable sense of satisfaction.
He turned his head and looked at the little woman, who was completely stunned by his “miraculous” feat, and a gentle smile bloomed on his face again.
“Alright, my President,” his voice was a little hoarse, yet filled with doting affection, “the remaining organizational work is up to you. I’m really going to sleep now.”
As he spoke, he got up and walked towards the bed.
And then drifted off into a deep sleep.
He was truly exhausted.
“So amazing!” Misae picked up the manuscripts, staring blankly at the exquisite lines, at the complete stories, then looked at the god-like man who had already fallen into a deep sleep on the bed. Her heart, completely conquered by him, was filled with nothing but shock and a bone-deep pride.
This was her man!
She tiptoed to the bedside, looking at his face, which remained impeccably handsome even in his sleep, a cunning, fox-like brilliant smile curving her lips.
She gently lifted a corner of the quilt and, like a kitten that had stolen some fish, quietly slipped in.
Then, she rested her small head happily against his broad and firm chest.
Listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and feeling the reassuring warmth emanating from him, Misae also slowly closed her eyes.
They fell asleep together.
“Good night!” Misae murmured softly, “Have sweet dreams~”
Outside the window, the curtain of the dark night enveloped the world, casting a veil of peace and tranquility over this small apartment filled with love and miracles.
…
The first rays of morning sunlight, like a shy young girl, quietly parted the thin morning mist hanging over Tokyo, gently casting golden rays into the apartment bedroom.
The light danced on Hiroshi Nohara’s handsome face, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The familiar white ceiling met his gaze, and the air was filled with the unique, warm scent of Misae, a mixture of faint perfume and sunlight.
Beside him, the soft and fragrant little woman was sleeping soundly in his arms, a satisfied smile on her lips.
Hiroshi Nohara experienced a moment of disorientation.
He subconsciously thought he was still in the bedroom of his parents’ home in Akita Prefecture, and in the next second he would hear his mother calling him downstairs for breakfast.
It wasn’t until he saw the familiar city skyline constructed from countless steel and cement structures outside the window that his slightly sluggish heart was truly awakened by this prosperous horizon.
Back in Tokyo.
Hiroshi Nohara’s lips unconsciously curved into a gentle arc.
He lowered his head and gently kissed the fair skin of her forehead, feeling the reassuring warmth emanating from her, and all his fatigue and sense of alienation vanished at that moment.
He carefully withdrew his arm from beneath Misae’s neck, then quietly lifted the quilt, preparing to get up.
“Mmm…”
The warmth in his arms suddenly disappeared, and Misae let out a dissatisfied hum, like a kitten whose beloved toy had been snatched away. She instinctively reached out, grasping vaguely in the air, mumbling something incoherently.
“Alright, my President, it’s time to get up.” Hiroshi Nohara chuckled lightly. He reached out and gently pinched her rosy, delicate face, his tone full of doting affection: “If you don’t get up soon, you’ll be late for work.”
“Mmm… Nooo…” Misae twisted her body in dissatisfaction, burying her small head deeper into the soft pillow: “Just a little longer… just a little…”
Seeing her adorable reluctance to get out of bed, Hiroshi Nohara’s heart warmed, and his protective instincts and sense of conquest as a man were instantly ignited.
He decided to wake this “sleeping beauty” with a hearty breakfast.
He lifted the quilt, stood up cleanly, stretched, and prepared to showcase his skills in the kitchen.
However, just as he straightened his back, a sudden ache, like an electric current, shot up from his waist and instantly spread through his entire body!
“Hiss—!”
Hiroshi Nohara’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
He subconsciously raised a hand to support his aching lower back, a look of embarrassment appearing on his face.
“Pfft—!”
A suppressed chuckle immediately came from behind him.
Hiroshi Nohara spun around abruptly and saw Misae, who had apparently woken up, lying on her side on the tatami mat, covering her mouth with the blanket. Her bright, shining eyes were like two sweet crescent moons, filled with playful amusement.
“Hiroshi-kun…” Her voice was hoarse from just waking up, yet it was also filled with barely concealed teasing. “Are… are you… hurting your back?”
“…”
Hiroshi Nohara pursed his lips, unable to speak.
“Cough!” He feigned composure and coughed, forcing himself to explain, “W-what are you talking about! I… I’m just a little tired from driving for almost six hours yesterday! It has nothing to do with anything else!”
“Yes, yes! Nothing else! Nothing else!” Misae giggled, curling up into a ball like a happy little shrimp. “I know! I know Hiroshi-kun, you’re the best driver! Fast and steady! It just… it just strains your back a bit!”
Faced with such teasing full of “suggestive words,” Hiroshi Nohara opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out.
Finally, he could only say helplessly, “I’m going to the restroom to wash up,” and quickly slipped away.
If he didn’t slip away, was he supposed to scold Misae?
Don’t be silly…
“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore!”
Misae finally stopped laughing and sat up briskly from the tatami mat. Her flushed, pretty face was filled with contented satisfaction.
She looked at Hiroshi Nohara’s “flustered” retreating back, her bright eyes sparkling with a mischievous smile, like that of a little demon.
“Hiroshi-kun, you go wash up first,” her voice had returned to the gentle and considerate tone of a wife. “I’ll make breakfast. You just sit obediently at the dining table and wait to eat.”
Hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara’s already anxious heart finally settled back into his chest with a thud.
He knew he had, for today at least, narrowly escaped.
…
The morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, illuminating the entire room brightly.
Misae, like a diligent little bee, moved methodically within the small space.
She skillfully retrieved two bottles of fresh milk, still dewy from the morning, from the milk box by the door, and then took out pre-frozen rice and vegetables from the freezer.
The microwave hummed, and soon, the bowl of crystal-clear rice began to emit a tempting aroma.
Butter melted in the frying pan with a sizzling sound, and the vibrant green vegetables stir-fried in the pan intertwined with the golden eggs, creating an appetizing picture.
In another pot, the miso soup bubbled, its rich soybean fragrance instantly filling the entire kitchen.
Finally, she pan-fried a few cute small sausages, cut into octopus shapes, until they were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The savory aroma of the meat was like a precise hook, instantly stimulating Hiroshi Nohara’s already famished taste buds.
In less than ten minutes, a rich and warm Japanese-style home-cooked breakfast was neatly arranged on the dining table.
Looking at the warm, everyday scene before him, Hiroshi Nohara felt immense gratification.
He picked up his chopsticks, took a perfectly fried small sausage, and put it in his mouth. The crispy exterior and tender interior, along with the just-right saltiness, exploded in his mouth!
“Delicious!” he exclaimed sincerely, his clear eyes full of admiration and satisfaction for his lover’s culinary skills.
Upon hearing this, Misae’s face, always full of energy and playful charm, instantly bloomed into a smile brighter than the sun.
“Of course!” she said proudly, raising her eyebrows. “The food I, Misae, make is the best in all of Japan!”
“That’s right!” Hiroshi Nohara nodded in agreement.
“But speaking of which, Hiroshi-kun,” Misae took a sip of the warm miso soup, her bright eyes once again twinkling with mischievous amusement. “Is your back… really okay?”
“Cough!” Hiroshi Nohara’s cheeks flushed almost imperceptibly again.
He forced himself to explain, “I already told you, it’s from driving too long! You… you shouldn’t overthink it!”
“Really?” A cunning curve formed on Misae’s lips, her gaze like a little fox who had stolen some fish. “Then… would you like me to give it a good… massage tonight?”
“…”
Hiroshi Nohara felt his heart, which had just settled down, stir up again at Misae’s “suggestive” words.
He opened his mouth, wanting to refuse but unwilling to. Wanting to agree but too embarrassed.
In the end, he could only silently lower his head and quickly eat his rice. “Let’s eat first, Misae.”
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Misae finally revealed a satisfied, triumphant smile.
She realized that since she started spending time with Mage.
She had become bad too!
…
As the black Toyota Crown merged back into Tokyo’s ceaseless traffic, the first workday sunlight of the new year had already thoroughly awakened the steel forest.
Hiroshi Nohara dropped Misae off at the Future Manga Company building, a seemingly ordinary yet artistically imbued independent building.
“Alright, my president,” Hiroshi Nohara stopped the car and turned to look at the woman who was already ready. A gentle smile reappeared on his face. “I’ll take you this far.”
“Mhm!” Misae nodded, unbuckled her seatbelt, and lightly kissed his handsome face. Her bright eyes were filled with anticipation and longing for the new day’s work. “Hiroshi-kun, you too, be careful on your way.”
However, just as she was about to get out of the car, Hiroshi Nohara suddenly grabbed her hand.
“Wait a moment.”
He pointed to the large file bags filled with manuscripts in the back seat, a smile of entitled expectation on his face. “My president, you wouldn’t expect me, a ‘back-aching’ driver, to watch you carry all this heavy stuff by yourself, would you?”
“Oh my! Don’t talk nonsense like that outside…” Misae’s cheeks instantly turned bright red.
She playfully shot him a glance, her eyes filled with unyielding tenderness and indulgence. “I know! I know, you’re the most pampered! Hurry! Get out! I’ll help you carry it!”
They exchanged a smile and then walked, one after the other, into the building full of dreams and hope.
The office of Future Manga Company, though not large, was decorated warmly and creatively.
The walls were plastered with posters of Yu Yu Hakusho, Doraemon, and Late-night Diner, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of coffee and ink.
Four or five young people, who appeared to be quite young, sat at their respective drawing desks, working diligently.
Seeing Hiroshi Nohara and Misae enter, they immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, President! Greetings, Mr. Nohara!”
Their voices were filled with genuine awe and admiration for their “bosses.”
Misae was the president, and her salary was not low.
As for Hiroshi Nohara, it was even more so.
Famous manga artist, director, producer – these young people greatly admired him.
“Mm, happy new year, everyone.” Hiroshi Nohara simply nodded calmly, gently placing the manuscripts in his hand on the large conference table.
He looked at the young people, a gentle smile returning to his face, and said after a moment’s thought, “Alright everyone, this is your workload for the coming week. I’ve marked the key points for coloring next to each page. I hope you will approach each manuscript with the most professional and serious attitude.”
“If there are no issues after inspection within a week, I will give you all a big ‘opening’ red envelope! A red envelope no less than one month’s salary!”
Nothing was more exciting than a red envelope equivalent to one month’s salary.
The young people immediately showed joy.
“Yes! We understand!”
The four or five of them bowed in unison, their voices firm.
“Yosh! Very good! Very spirited!” Hiroshi Nohara nodded with satisfaction, gave Misae a few more instructions, and then turned to head to his own job.
…
Tokyo Television Station, Production Bureau Building.
Hiroshi Nohara strode with steady steps into the glass doors that symbolized the highest authority in the neon television industry.
Along the way, every employee he encountered, from ordinary interns to powerful second-class directors, stopped without exception to bow respectfully to him.
“Minister Nohara, happy new year!”
Their voices were filled with heartfelt admiration.
“Mm.”
Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled and nodded in response, his calm demeanor and air of being in control inspiring admiration in the young employees.
As he entered his own private kingdom on the seventeenth floor, the entire department was already completely engulfed in an atmosphere of excitement and fanaticism.
“Minister! You’re back!”
“Minister, happy new year!”
“Minister Nohara! You truly are… our god!”
The young employees, like fans seeing their idol, immediately surrounded him. Their youthful, energetic faces were filled with fervent adoration for their minister’s god-like abilities.
“Alright, alright, happy new year, everyone.” Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly, looking at the “believers” who had been completely captivated by him. A hint of a helpless smile flickered in his clear eyes. “What are you all discussing? Why so happy?”
“Minister! Don’t you know yet?!” The first clever-looking young man couldn’t contain himself and excitedly waved a newspaper in his hand, his voice filled with pride. “Seven Samurai! Seven Samurai’s box office! It has… it has already surpassed the 3 billion yen mark!”
“What?!” Even Kei Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, and Ichiro Hashishita, who had already anticipated their minister’s capabilities, couldn’t help but show undisguised shock on their usually steady faces upon hearing this figure!
3 billion yen?!
How long has it only been?!
“That’s right! It’s 3 billion!” Another girl added excitedly, her bright eyes glistening with tears. “When I went home for the New Year, my whole family went to see Seven Samurai! My dad, my grandfather, they all said it was the best samurai film they had ever seen! They said you… you are the genius who truly understands Japan, who truly understands us ordinary people!”
“Yes! Yes!”
In an instant, praises poured in like a tidal wave!
Everyone spared no expense, offering the most flowery language to the man who, in their eyes, had created a miracle.
“Let me tell you!” The first clever young man waved his fist more proudly, his voice filled with infinite longing for the future. “At this rate! The final box office for Seven Samurai will definitely break the 5 billion yen mark! It might even… it might even become a domestic film with a box office exceeding 6 billion!”
“That’s right! Absolutely!”
“Long live Minister Nohara!”
The entire department was completely immersed in a carnival of victory and joy.
Hiroshi Nohara looked at the young people before him and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
He knew that the game he had set in motion had truly come alive.
“Alright, alright, quiet down.” He raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
He looked at their expectant faces, a confident curve at the corners of his mouth.
“If, I say if,” his voice was calm, yet full of allure. “If the final box office for Seven Samurai truly surpasses 5 billion yen. Then, I will treat all the employees in our department to the best Wagyu beef and the finest sake in Ginza! How about that?”
“Ooh—!”
This promise exploded through the entire department like thunder!
Everyone cheered earth-shatteringly!
They looked at the young man, their eyes filled with infinite longing for the future, and with absolute trust in Hiroshi Nohara’s god-like abilities!
They knew this man never spoke empty words.
They also knew that this celebration banquet was just around the corner!
“Then… can I also get a free meal?”
Amidst the joyous revelry and clamor, a voice filled with scholarly refinement and teasing, unheard of, slowly echoed from the office doorway.
Everyone turned their heads at the sound and saw Asumi, the Deputy Director whose mere presence could make any producer tremble outside, leaning against the doorframe. His always refined and steady face was etched with a helpless expression somewhere between a laugh and a cry.
“Deputy Director Asumi!”
“Greetings, Deputy Director!”
Everyone respectfully greeted him.
Hiroshi Nohara also smiled and stepped forward. “Deputy Director Asumi, why have you come?”
“If I didn’t come, I’m afraid the roof of my office would be blown off by you all.” Asumi shot him a playful glance, his eyes filled with unreserved admiration.
He handed a document to Hiroshi Nohara.
“Take a look for yourself,” his voice carried a hint of shock. “You young man, you’ve created another miracle that will drive everyone crazy.”
Hiroshi Nohara took the document. It was the latest box office statistics for Seven Samurai.
On it, in the most prominent and glaring red font, was an astronomical figure that would make any film industry professional gasp.
Since its release on Christmas Eve, in just twenty-two days, the cumulative box office for Seven Samurai has already…
—reached 3.98 billion yen!
Just one step away from the 4 billion yen mark!
And at the bottom of the report, there was another line, a final box office projection made by Tokyo Television’s top market analyst—
“…Based on the current box office trend and word-of-mouth momentum, Seven Samurai has a very high probability of breaking the 5 billion yen mark. It may even aim for 7 billion yen, becoming the undisputed box office champion of the year!”
PS: Still asking for votes~ Keep the votes coming~
