Chapter 174: Nohara After Makeup! First Meeting With Tokugawa Sato!
In the early morning, the Tokyo air carried a clarity that had washed away all superficiality. The faint winter light filtered through the apartment window with a carefully softened glow, falling upon Hiroshi Nohara’s bedroom.
He stood before the full-length mirror, dressed in a custom-tailored suit meticulously ironed by Misae, its dark gray fabric cut impeccably, flowing smoothly, fitting him like a second skin.
The reflection showed a young yet capable man. The sharp edge in his gaze had been softened by careful grooming, lending him an air of composure.
He raised his hand and gently touched his tie, its silk smooth, a whisper from Italy’s finest.
“Hmm, I really do look handsome,” Hiroshi Nohara murmured to his reflection.
This wasn’t vanity, but rather an objective assessment of his current presence.
Hiroshi Nohara was already blessed with good looks.
He was still young.
Truly in the prime of his life!
Especially when he looked at his own calm eyes, devoid of any youthful confusion, filled instead with the depth and serenity honed by years and experience.
Combined with this attire, which felt like a battle robe, it granted him an elegant and noble armor for the upcoming social arena.
He nodded again, clearly satisfied, “I look incredibly handsome!”
“Pfft—”
A suppressed chuckle from behind broke the brief moment of self-contemplation.
Misae had awakened at some point, leaning lazily against the headboard, her mouth covered by the blanket. Her bright, sparkling eyes were filled with mischief and teasing, like two obsidian stones awakened by the morning sun.
“Hiroshi-kun, you’re talking to yourself again. Praising yourself so early in the morning, aren’t you embarrassed?” Her voice, still hoarse from sleep, was sweet and full of jest.
Hiroshi Nohara turned, looking at her charmingly sleepy face, a gentle curve naturally forming on his lips.
He walked to the bedside, leaned down, and gently kissed her smooth forehead. Feeling her familiar scent, a blend of body wash and a faint perfume, the slight tension he felt from facing the fame and fortune arena instantly melted away in this worldly warmth.
“This isn’t talking to myself; it’s appreciating beauty. Don’t you think my appearance today is breathtakingly handsome?”
He teased with a light smile, his fingertips gently caressing her rosy cheeks. The tenderness nourished their hearts like morning dew.
Misae’s face flushed instantly. She shot him a mock-glare, but the sweetness was undeniable in her sparkling eyes.
“Yes, yes, Hiroshi-kun is the most handsome! So handsome, even I am stunned!” she declared, then couldn’t help but nestle into his embrace.
“Alright, my President, let’s get going,” Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile, gently pinching her pert nose. His tone was filled with affection. “I need to leave early today to pick up an important guest.”
“Who is it?” Misae asked curiously, but in the next second, she sat up abruptly, a cunning glint in her large eyes.
“Oh! Right! Hiroshi-kun, you’re going to that New Year’s Banquet hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government today!” Her voice carried strong envy. “I overheard you mention it on the phone with Deputy Director Asumi. You said many celebrities, nobles, and high officials would be there, and it would even be on TV!”
Hiroshi Nohara’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Misae’s ears were sharper than a rabbit’s.
“Yes,” he sighed helplessly, reaching out to ruffle her hair. The affection brushed her heart like a spring breeze. “But it’s just a normal social event, nothing major.”
“What do you mean, ‘nothing major’!” Misae pouted in dissatisfaction, like an annoyed pufferfish. “It’s a banquet hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government! Everyone attending is one of the most powerful and influential people in Tokyo! Hiroshi-kun, you’re really… so amazing now!”
Excited, she leaped out of bed and twirled twice on the tatami mat, barefoot.
“I have to tell Dad, Mom, and Misae the good news! Hiroshi-kun is going to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government banquet! They’ll be overjoyed!” Misae’s face radiated pride.
“Alright, alright, my President, don’t just get excited,” Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile, pulling her into his arms to curb her impulse to rush out of the room. “This is just an invitation to a banquet, nothing to brag about. Don’t treat this news as some monumental occasion and show it off everywhere.”
“Why not?” Misae looked up, her sparkling eyes filled with confusion.
“Because…” Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze shifted to the Tokyo skyline outside the window, a hint of depth flashing in his eyes. “In such settings, the more low-key and composed you are, the more respected you’ll be. Excessive showing off only makes you seem superficial.”
Misae nodded, as if understanding, but her joy was undiminished. She simply nestled her head into his chest, like a kitten finding a safe haven.
“Then… Hiroshi-kun, I can only say your suit is absolutely stunning!” she tilted her head up, her sparkling eyes filled with unreserved admiration and praise. “Paired with your aura, you’re like… like a prince straight out of a movie!”
Hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara’s lips curved into a satisfied arc.
Misae’s praise was far more pleasant than any flattery.
“Alright, my President, we should be going,” Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile, lightly tapping her pert nose, his tone full of affection. “I’ll drop you off at your company. You can buy yourself some bento near the office.”
“Okay~” Misae immediately wriggled out of his embrace, neatly dressed herself, like a butterfly preparing for flight.
They exchanged a smile and walked out of the apartment hand in hand.
The early morning sun cast two hopeful silhouettes of their side-by-side figures on the mirror-like corridor.
The black Toyota Crown merged into Tokyo’s ceaseless traffic flow.
It soon dropped Misae off at Future Manga Company’s building, an unassuming but artistically charming independent structure.
“Hiroshi-kun, be careful on your way,” Misae unbuckled her seatbelt and gently kissed his handsome cheek. Her sparkling eyes were filled with anticipation and longing. “I’ll be waiting for you tonight!”
“Okay,” Hiroshi Nohara smiled and nodded, watching her energetic figure disappear behind the building’s glass door. He restarted the car and drove towards Tokyo Television Station.
Along the way, his mobile phone and pager rang intermittently, carrying greetings and work reports from various parties.
Hiroshi Nohara responded to each one.
By the time the black Toyota Crown finally pulled into the vast underground parking lot of Tokyo Television Station, it was nine in the morning.
Hiroshi Nohara walked with steady steps into the glass doors symbolizing the ultimate power of the neon television industry.
Along the way, every employee he encountered, from ordinary interns to powerful second-class directors, stopped without exception, bowed respectfully, and greeted him.
“Minister Nohara, good morning!”
“Minister Nohara, you look particularly spirited today!”
“Minister Nohara, that suit looks amazing on you!”
Compliments flowed like a tide, surrounding Hiroshi Nohara.
He simply smiled and nodded in response. His casual demeanor, as if everything was under control, further inspired the admiration of the young employees.
As he entered his exclusive domain on the seventeenth floor, his “independent kingdom,” the entire department buzzed with excitement.
“Minister! You’re back!”
“Good morning, Minister!”
“Minister Nohara! You look so handsome today!”
The young employees swarmed him like fans encountering an idol. Their young, vibrant faces were filled with fanatical worship for their minister’s god-like abilities.
Kei Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, and Ichiro Hashishita, his three capable generals, also stood among the crowd, their faces filled with astonishment and admiration.
“Minister! Your attire today is simply… too handsome!” Kei Tanaka was the first to exclaim, his usually stern face now showing undisguised admiration.
“Indeed! Minister! I’ve never seen you in a suit before!” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto chimed in. The sharp gaze of his eyes, usually like a hawk’s, now sparkled with a hint of astonishment. “You usually wear casual clothes, I never expected… I never expected you to look so charismatic in a suit!”
“Minister, you’ve dressed up specially today for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government banquet tonight, haven’t you?” Ichiro Hashishita also asked with a smile, pride evident on his honest face.
Hiroshi Nohara merely smiled calmly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Alright, alright, happy New Year everyone. Stop flattering me and get back to work.”
“It’s not flattery, it’s the truth! Minister! You look incredibly handsome today!”
Yō Kitagawa also approached then, her sparkling eyes filled with undisguised admiration and worship. “Look, you even styled your hair and fixed your eyebrows today, making you look exceptionally energetic and capable! You… you could practically be an idol star!”
“Yes, yes!”
At her words, the surrounding young employees immediately echoed her sentiment. Their young, vibrant faces were filled with fervent admiration for Hiroshi Nohara’s handsome appearance.
They truly saw a blend of the cool, handsome demeanor of youth and the authoritative presence of a department head.
It was an almost unreal impact!
“Minister, if you became an idol star, you’d be a hundred times more popular than that guy Shunsuke Kamiki!”
“Exactly! What can that guy Shunsuke Kamiki do besides show off?! How can he compare to our Minister, who is both talented and handsome!”
“Our Minister is the true ‘national idol’!”
Someone else even cracked a joke at this point.
However, a helpless wry smile appeared on Hiroshi Nohara’s face. “Alright, why are you bringing me and Shunsuke Kamiki into this?”
In the neon entertainment industry, idol stars were the worst kind of performers.
Catastrophically bad.
However, amidst the clamor of fanaticism and praise, Yō Kitagawa suddenly frowned. A look of undeniable seriousness flashed in her sparkling eyes.
“But…” her voice carried a well-placed seriousness, “while you are very handsome now, Minister, I feel… it’s not refined enough.”
“Huh?!”
At her words, the surrounding young employees, including Kei Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, and Ichiro Hashishita, all gasped instinctively, their faces filled with confusion.
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara’s impeccably tailored suit, his undeniably handsome face, his composed demeanor, and truly couldn’t understand what could be considered “not refined enough.”
“Kitagawa, what do you mean by that?” Kei Tanaka couldn’t help but ask, his face full of bewilderment.
Yō Kitagawa ignored them.
She walked up to Hiroshi Nohara, her sparkling eyes, like those of a professional stylist, meticulously scrutinizing him from head to toe, from his hair to his shoes, missing no detail.
“Minister, your hairstyle has been done, but it’s still a bit casual. Your eyebrows are trimmed, but the lines could be smoother. And your skin, while good, still shows some fatigue from late-night work. Most importantly…”
She paused, her tone growing more serious. “You are attending the Tokyo Metropolitan Government banquet tonight! That is no ordinary social event! Every celebrity, every noble, every high official there will scrutinize you with the most critical eye! Therefore, we must ensure you present yourself in the most perfect, most impeccable manner!”
“So…” she suddenly turned to the surrounding young employees and announced loudly, “Go! Bring the best makeup artist from our television station’s costume and makeup department! I want him to give Minister Nohara the most serious, most perfect makeup session!”
At her declaration, the surrounding young employees fell into a dead silence once more.
They stared blankly at Yō Kitagawa, their faces etched with incredulous shock.
Makeup?!
Makeup for Minister Nohara?!
This… this was truly an unprecedented undertaking!
“Kitagawa, this… this isn’t necessary, is it?” Hiroshi Nohara’s mouth twitched subtly, a helpless wry smile appearing on his face. “I’m a grown man, going to a banquet, and I need makeup? This… this is too much, isn’t it?”
“It’s not too much!” Yō Kitagawa’s tone was irrefutable. “Minister, you are representing Tokyo Television Station at the banquet! Your image is Tokyo Television Station’s image! Therefore, you must be perfect!”
She looked at Hiroshi Nohara, her sparkling eyes filled with pleading and persistence. “Minister, for the sake of Tokyo Television Station, please… please just try it!”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at Yō Kitagawa’s persistence and the expectant gazes of the surrounding employees, and finally sighed helplessly.
“Alright,” he conceded. “Then… let’s give it a try.”
“Wonderful!” Yō Kitagawa instantly beamed a brilliant smile.
There was also a hint of a smile, as if a scheme had succeeded.
She immediately rushed out of the office like a supercharged bee to fetch the makeup artist.
Less than ten minutes later, a refined and professional-looking woman in her forties, a makeup artist, entered, led by Yō Kitagawa.
She carried a large makeup case filled with various bottles, jars, brushes, and puffs – a dazzling array that was overwhelming.
“Minister Nohara, hello.” The makeup artist bowed respectfully to Hiroshi Nohara. In her professional eyes, there was a flicker of curiosity and scrutiny towards the youngest minister of Tokyo Television.
But upon seeing Hiroshi Nohara, a surprised expression also appeared in her eyes.
“Please excuse me,” Hiroshi Nohara simply nodded calmly, and then, guided by the makeup artist, sat down in the makeup chair.
The makeup artist wasted no time. She skillfully opened her makeup case, took out various tools, and then, with complete focus, began her creative work.
She first gently cleansed Hiroshi Nohara’s face with a mild facial cleanser, then used a cool toner to invigorate his skin.
Next came concealer, foundation, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, contouring, highlighting… every step was meticulous, every detail refined to perfection.
She didn’t deliberately alter Hiroshi Nohara’s features, but rather used subtle enhancements to make his naturally handsome appearance even more perfect and refined.
She even used professional hairspray and wax to restyle his hair, transforming the originally somewhat casual hairstyle into something more layered and stylish.
The entire process took nearly an hour.
When the makeup artist finally put down her brushes and patted Hiroshi Nohara’s shoulder with satisfaction, a genuine look of amazement appeared on her professional face.
“Minister Nohara, you… you are simply the most perfect canvas I have ever seen in my life!” she exclaimed excitedly. “You have natural beauty, sculpted features, and firm skin. You don’t need much modification; a little touch-up will bring out astonishing radiance!”
“Alright, Minister Nohara, you can open your eyes now.”
Hiroshi Nohara slowly opened his eyes.
When he saw his reflection in the mirror, his usually unruffled heart couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
The reflection showed a man both unfamiliar and familiar.
The face was still his own.
But his handsomeness had been amplified to the extreme, as if enchanted, becoming deeper, more refined, and utterly flawless.
His eyebrows were as sharp and smooth as if chiseled, his eyes deep and full of power, his skin fair and delicate, as if it could be squeezed for water.
Most importantly, the confidence and composure radiating from his very being were amplified by this refined exterior, becoming even more commanding and attractive.
He felt as if he had transformed into a perfect male protagonist straight out of a manga.
“Wow—!”
“My goodness! Minister! You… you’re simply… too handsome!”
“I… I can’t believe my eyes! Is… is this really our Minister?!”
“Minister Nohara! You’re a hundred times more handsome than Shunsuke Kamiki! No! A thousand times! Ten thousand times!”
“That guy Shunsuke Kamiki is an ugly freak compared to our Minister!”
“Minister! If you became an idol star, you’d captivate all the young girls in Japan!”
The surrounding young employees stood frozen, their young, vibrant faces etched with incredulous shock and fervor.
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara as if he were a deity from legend.
Especially the junior female employees, who were trembling with excitement, stars shining in their sparkling eyes.
They had never imagined their Minister could be so handsome!
It was a suffocating perfection!
“Alright, alright, everyone, quiet down,” Hiroshi Nohara’s mouth twitched subtly.
He looked at his “perfect” reflection in the mirror and listened to the exaggerated compliments, a helpless wry smile appearing on his face.
He knew he had become thoroughly “famous” today.
“Don’t mention that guy Shunsuke Kamiki,” Hiroshi Nohara shook his head helplessly, a hint of self-deprecation in his clear eyes. “I don’t want to be an idol star who relies on his looks. I prefer to conquer everyone with my work.”
At these words, the surrounding young employees burst into laughter again.
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara’s “false modesty” and his genius’s contempt for “relying on looks,” and their admiration and affection for him deepened.
“Alright, everyone,” Hiroshi Nohara stood up, glancing at his wristwatch. A confident smile bloomed on his face again. “Continue working, and don’t slack off!”
Everyone responded enthusiastically to Hiroshi Nohara.
However, everyone could tell that these visibly excited department members would have plenty of topics to discuss in the coming days!
The young, talented, and handsome Minister Hiroshi Nohara!
So handsome!
…
In the afternoon, in the Director’s Office of the Tokyo Television Production Bureau Building.
The crisp golden winter afternoon sun slanted through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a solemn glow.
Nobuhiko Sakata sat behind his rosewood desk, idly spinning an ancient seal in his hand, his gaze fixed on the Tokyo skyline shrouded in mist outside the window, his eyes as deep as an ancient well.
“Director.”
The office door was gently knocked, and the secretary’s voice came from outside the door, with a hint of just-right reverence: “Minister Nohara has arrived.”
“Mm, let him in,” Director Sakata’s voice was calm, yet it held unquestionable authority.
The door was slowly pushed open.
When Hiroshi Nohara, with his makeup done, his tall and slender figure appearing, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark gray suit, showed up at the office doorway, Sakata Nobuhiko’s eyes, which had seen the ebb and flow of worldly affairs, couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
He put down the seal in his hand and scanned Hiroshi Nohara from head to toe, from his meticulously styled hair, to his perfectly sculpted features, and then to the calm and capable demeanor emanating from beneath his suit and polished shoes.
This transformation, like a rebirth, caused ripples of complex emotion to spread through Sakata Nobuhiko’s heart.
He doubted if he was seeing correctly.
Was this still the young man who usually wore casual clothes and had a hint of childishness on his face?
This was clearly a noble young lord who had stepped out of an ancient painting, or perhaps an elite from the future!
His handsomeness, his aura, accentuated by this attire, was so dazzling, so eye-catching.
“Hiroshi-kun, you… your outfit today, it’s truly… making it hard for me to recognize you.” Sakata Nobuhiko chuckled and shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible teasing, yet filled with admiration.
“You flatter me, Director,” Hiroshi Nohara smiled.
He knew that his meticulous preparation could indeed bring a strong visual impact to these old-fashioned superiors.
“Flatter?” Sakata Nobuhiko stood up and slowly walked in front of Hiroshi Nohara. He reached out and gently patted his perfectly straight shoulder, his gaze piercing, as if to see right through him.
“No, not at all,” Sakata Nobuhiko’s lips curved into a playful arc, “I think if you, kid, were to debut as an idol star, you’d probably captivate all the young girls in Japan! That guy Shunsuke Kamiki would be like a… little duckling next to you.”
Upon hearing this, a helpless wry smile appeared on Hiroshi Nohara’s face.
Why was he being compared to Shunsuke Kamiki again?
This label of “idol star” was an invisible restraint, and a potential belittlement, for a creator like him who pursued “works.”
However, Sakata Nobuhiko’s teasing was also accompanied by the indulgence and admiration of an elder towards a junior, making it impossible for him to retort.
“Director, please stop joking with me,” Hiroshi Nohara said softly, his tone filled with helplessness, “I don’t want to be an idol star. I prefer to conquer everyone with my work.”
“Hahahaha!”
Upon hearing this, Sakata Nobuhiko finally couldn’t help but burst into laughter, his voice like ice breaking on a winter day, full of unrestrained joy.
He heavily patted Hiroshi Nohara’s shoulder, all the teasing in his eyes gone, leaving only a sincere admiration and praise from the bottom of his heart.
“Good! Well said, ‘conquer everyone with your work’!” Sakata Nobuhiko praised, “Hiroshi-kun, you kid, you really are… so ambitious!”
He restrained his smile, his gaze becoming solemn, “Let’s go, it’s about time. We should head to the banquet.”
…
Tokyo TV’s black business car drove into Ginza.
Outside the car windows, neon lights shimmered, decorating this city that never sleeps like a dream.
Hiroshi Nohara sat in the passenger seat, his gaze calmly sweeping across the dazzling urban scenery outside the window.
“Hiroshi-kun, have you been here before?” Sakata Nobuhiko’s voice came from beside him, asking casually.
“Not yet,” Hiroshi Nohara shook his head, a hint of appropriate curiosity appearing on his face.
“Then today, you’ll certainly open your eyes.” Sakata Nobuhiko chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of profound meaning, “Our destination tonight is Ginza’s most exclusive private club, ‘Kinkaku’.”
He paused, his gaze cast towards the illuminated architectural complex outside the window, his eyes deep, “This ‘Kinkaku’ is no ordinary club. It is Ginza’s property, symbolizing the Golden Pavilion, and is the most upscale social venue in the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Area. To hold a banquet here is not something just anyone can achieve.”
Sakata Nobuhiko’s lips curved into a sneer, “Speaking of which, one of Tokyo Television’s sponsors, Kirin Real Estate Group’s Chairman, that old fellow Tokugawa Sato, also imitated a similar ‘Kinkaku’ on the top floor of his headquarters. However, his ‘Kinkaku’ seems rather… small-time compared to this place.”
Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara’s lips curved into an arc.
Sakata Nobuhiko’s words were not just introducing the origin of ‘Kinkaku,’ but also subtly revealing to him some hidden information about Tokyo’s upper society.
He nodded and cast his gaze back out the window, towards the ‘Kinkaku’ that appeared even more mysterious in the night.
The car slowly drove into a hidden underground parking lot and stopped under the guidance of several security guards in black uniforms.
As Hiroshi Nohara followed Sakata Nobuhiko out of the elevator and stepped into the luxurious club hall, a rich aroma of high-quality cigars, aged whiskey, and fine perfume wafted towards him.
Underfoot was a handmade silk carpet from Turkey, said to be worth a fortune per inch, and hanging on the walls were what appeared to be casually placed, but in reality, each one was capable of causing a stir at an auction – modern master paintings.
The entire hall was bathed in soft lighting, and the air was filled with an arrogance of money and power.
Attendants in custom-made kimonos moved gracefully through the crowd, providing attentive service to the well-dressed celebrities and dignitaries.
Hiroshi Nohara calmly scanned the hall, his clear eyes showing no ripple.
He saw the businessmen in tailored suits, the elegantly jeweled noblewomen and socialites, the politicians engaged in pleasant conversation.
On their faces, they all wore appropriate smiles, and their every movement exuded the dignity and decorum of high society.
However, beneath these seemingly harmonious appearances, Hiroshi Nohara keenly detected a subtle undercurrent of the fame and fortune arena.
In everyone’s eyes, there was a hint of inquiry, a hint of scrutiny, a hint of calculation.
They were here not only for socializing, but also to consolidate their status, expand their influence, and seek new opportunities.
“Director Sakata, you’ve finally arrived!”
Just then, a man around fifty years old, wearing a gorgeous kimono, holding a glass of champagne, enthusiastically greeted them.
His face, always adorned with a gentle smile, was now filled with just-right reverence and fawning.
Following his greeting, the surrounding celebrities and dignitaries also turned their gazes towards Sakata Nobuhiko, and then, with the same reverence and enthusiasm, they gathered around.
“Director Sakata, Happy New Year!”
“Director Sakata, you look so well today!”
“Director Sakata, congratulations! The box office for Seven Samurai is truly… astounding! You’ve created another miracle for us Tokyo Television!”
Praises poured in like a tide, surrounding Sakata Nobuhiko.
Sakata Nobuhiko simply nodded with a smile, his demeanor calm and collected, as if everything was under control, making the surrounding celebrities and dignitaries admire him even more.
This is what a Director of Tokyo TV’s Production Bureau should look like!
However, when their gazes inadvertently fell upon Hiroshi Nohara standing beside Sakata Nobuhiko, the faces, previously filled with reverence and fawning, all bore an imperceptible hint of confusion and… surprise.
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara’s excessively young, yet impeccably handsome face, at his perfectly tailored suit, at the composed demeanor radiating from his very bones, and a strange light flashed in their eyes.
“Who is this young man…” an elder rich merchant couldn’t help but ask, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny, a hint of inquiry, yet also hiding an indescribable hint of gossip.
He looked at Sakata Nobuhiko, then at Hiroshi Nohara, and in his eyes, there even flashed a subtle expression of suspicion regarding Sakata Nobuhiko’s “sexual orientation.”
After all, Sakata Nobuhiko was notoriously averse to women and solely focused on work, a “stubborn old man” in Tokyo’s political and business circles.
And now, he was bringing such a young, handsome “companion” to such an event?!
This… this was simply earth-shattering gossip!
The surrounding celebrities and dignitaries exchanged knowing glances, and playful smiles appeared on their faces.
They knew that tonight’s banquet was likely to become even more “interesting” because of this young man.
Sakata Nobuhiko looked at everyone’s gossip-filled and inquiring eyes, and a helpless, wry smile appeared on his face.
He knew that these guys were all sharp as knives.
He chuckled and shook his head, then reached out and gently patted Hiroshi Nohara’s shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of just-right pride.
“Everyone, allow me to introduce,” Sakata Nobuhiko’s voice clearly reached everyone’s ears, “This is Minister Hiroshi Nohara of our Tokyo Television Production Bureau.”
“He is the chief director and screenwriter of that film, Seven Samurai, which has recently caused a huge sensation throughout Japan and achieved skyrocketing box office success.”
“At the same time, he is also the producer of national-level programs such as Super Change Change Change, World of the Strange, and An Shizhi.”
“And he is the author of phenomenal manga such as Yu Yu Hakusho, Doraemon, and Late-night Diner.”
Sakata Nobuhiko’s words, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly exploded throughout the hall!
“What?! Him?!”
“Hiroshi Nohara?! So young?!”
“My goodness! He… he’s that Hiroshi Nohara?!”
After a brief silence, a huge uproar, accompanied by countless discussions filled with shock and doubt, swept through like a tsunami!
Those celebrities and dignitaries, who seconds before were full of gossip and inquiry, now had faces etched with disbelief and astonishment!
They had never imagined that the Hiroshi Nohara, hailed as a “genius” and “miracle” on television, in newspapers, and in all media, would actually… actually be so young!
And so handsome!
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara, and in their eyes, all contempt and gossip had faded, leaving only a profound shock and… awe from the depths of their being!
They knew that this young man represented not only the future of Tokyo Television.
But also the hope for a new era of culture for all of Japan!
This young man already had the strength to be here!
He was a strong person like them!
“Minister Nohara! I’ve heard your name for a long time! A long time!”
An elder rich merchant was the first to react. He quickly walked up to Hiroshi Nohara, extended both hands, and firmly grasped Hiroshi Nohara’s hand. On his face, which was always full of authority, was now sincerity and enthusiasm, “I watched your Seven Samurai! It was filmed so well! It’s not just a movie, but a great work that can awaken our national spirit!”
“Yes! Minister Nohara! My two kids at home watch your Super Change Change Change on TV every day! They all say you’re the most amazing producer they’ve ever seen!”
“Minister Nohara! My son is a loyal fan of your Yu Yu Hakusho! He pesters me every day, asking me to ask you when the next update will be!”
Praises poured in like a tide, surrounding Hiroshi Nohara.
He simply nodded with a smile, his demeanor calm and collected, as if everything was under his control, making the surrounding celebrities and dignitaries admire him even more.
He politely returned the greetings, exchanging appropriate pleasantries with everyone who came forward to greet him.
His composure, his steadiness, made it impossible for everyone to associate him with a young man who was only twenty-three years old.
He seemed to be born for this place, born for this stage full of power and wealth.
And amidst this atmosphere filled with praise and clamor, a shocked voice, its tone carrying a hint of roughness, sounded slowly from the back of the crowd without any warning.
“Are… are you Mr. Hiroshi Nohara?!”
Hiroshi Nohara looked up at the sound.
An extremely obese and stout man, adorned with a lot of gold jewelry, was struggling to push his way through the crowd.
His plump face was etched with disbelief and astonishment, and a glint of unease flickered in his small, squinting eyes.
His voice even trembled slightly as he stared fixedly at Hiroshi Nohara, his disbelief growing: “You’re… so young!?”
“This is Mr. Tokugawa Sato, the Chairman of Kirin Real Estate Group,” Sakata Nobuhiko’s voice sounded at an appropriate moment in Hiroshi Nohara’s ear, introducing this uninvited guest.
He also cast a cold glance at Tokugawa Sato, as if sensing something, and raised his voice, “That’s right, this is the youngest, most trusted, and most promising Minister of Production Department of our Tokyo Television Production Bureau, Hiroshi Nohara!”
