Chapter 175: Minister Your Excellency’s Personal Selection! 《the Tale Of Hachiko》 Is About To Start Filming!
“That’s right, this is the youngest, most trusted, and most promising Head of Production Department in our Tokyo Television Production Bureau, Hiroshi Nohara!”
Sakata Nobuhiko’s voice, like the crispest winter wind, carried an undeniable authority that instantly suppressed Satō Tokugawa’s burgeoning greed.
He even deliberately emphasized the words “most promising” and “most trusted,” clearly sounding a warning to Satō Tokugawa – this young man was not someone he could casually interfere with.
Satō Tokugawa’s fleshy face froze for a moment, then immediately bloomed into a smile that was even more “enthusiastic” than before.
That smile held a hint of a merchant’s cunning, and a touch of a superior’s hypocrisy.
“Oh my, oh my! It’s Minister Nohara! I’ve heard so much about you, so much!” He exaggeratedly rubbed his hands together, his eyes, narrowed to slits, now held only appropriate flattery and admiration: “Your name is resounding throughout Tokyo right now! Whether it’s the box office phenomenon of 《 Seven Samurai 》 or the national popularity of 《 Super Change Change Change 》, it makes this old man feel… feel genuinely impressed!”
As he spoke, he extended his plump hand, adorned with a large jade signet ring, enthusiastically towards Hiroshi Nohara, his posture as if he were to shake hands with an old friend he hadn’t seen in years, filled with camaraderie.
However, just as his hand was about to touch Hiroshi Nohara, Sakata Nobuhiko’s figure silently moved to stand between the two.
His movement was casual, yet it carried an undeniable force.
Sakata Nobuhiko’s deep eyes showed no ripple of emotion, yet they held an icy coldness that could send a chill down anyone’s spine.
“Chairman Satō, my apologies,” Sakata Nobuhiko said calmly. “Hiroshi-kun is scheduled to visit Fujiwara-sama and Minister-sama next. Wouldn’t it be better to save the handshake for another time when he’s available and we can do it properly?”
This immediately drew gasps of surprise from the people around them who were observing the situation.
Fujiwara-sama! Minister-sama!
Each of these names was enough to make them powerful figures in Tokyo’s political and business circles. And now, these two “top-tier” figures were actually… actually waiting for Hiroshi Nohara?!
All the smiles on Satō Tokugawa’s fleshy face froze in an instant, and his outstretched hand became rigid in mid-air.
It was then that he realized Sakata Nobuhiko’s words were not just to prevent him from shaking Hiroshi Nohara’s hand, but a naked display of Hiroshi Nohara’s elevated status, which had long surpassed his imagination!
“Oh my, oh my! Yes, yes, yes! Director Sakata is right! I was inconsiderate!” Satō Tokugawa quickly withdrew his hand, and a fawning smile reappeared on his fleshy face.
He bowed deeply to both Sakata Nobuhiko and Hiroshi Nohara, his posture as humble as a junior entering the workforce: “Minister Nohara, at such a young age, to receive such honors… truly, truly promising! I am impressed! Impressed!”
He paused, then turned his gaze back to Sakata Nobuhiko, his tone carrying a perfectly calibrated respect: “Director Sakata, now that the new year has begun, Kirin Real Estate has several large real estate projects opening in the Kanto Region. We’ll be relying on Tokyo Television for promotion. I wonder… I wonder if Director Sakata has time to sit down and have a good chat?”
“Oh?” Sakata Nobuhiko merely responded with a low hum, his deep eyes showing no ripple of emotion, as if Satō Tokugawa’s tempting offer of “cooperation” was mere insignificant chatter to him.
He said calmly, “Chairman Satō, for matters like this, our Television Station’s Executive Deputy Director, Takada Toshihide, is always very familiar with such business. If you have anything, you can discuss it directly with him.”
“Now, Hiroshi-kun, we must be going. Fujiwara-sama and Minister-sama are waiting for us.”
Sakata Nobuhiko spoke, then paid no further attention to Satō Tokugawa’s now rigid face. He simply patted Hiroshi Nohara’s shoulder, and then, with a composed stride, led him towards the corridor deep within the hall.
That nonchalance, that lack of courtesy, was more devastating than any insulting words.
Satō Tokugawa stood frozen in place, watching the receding figures of Sakata Nobuhiko and Hiroshi Nohara. The smiles had vanished from his fleshy face, leaving only the anger and… unwillingness of being utterly ignored.
He clenched his fists tightly, and in his narrowed eyes, a cold glint, like that of a viper, flickered.
He paid no attention to the curious and amused glances from the surrounding celebrities and dignitaries.
His gaze was fixed solely on Hiroshi Nohara’s tall and straight back, his eyes filled with intense possessiveness and… unadorned, naked desire.
He was like a hungry wolf spotting its prey, his thirst and craving almost bursting from his plump body.
“Hiroshi Nohara…” he murmured to himself, his voice carrying a chilling hoarseness and a… morbid excitement: “You, boy, are really… too interesting.”
The surrounding celebrities and dignitaries exchanged knowing glances as they watched Satō Tokugawa’s almost obsessive gaze.
They knew that old Satō Tokugawa had set his sights on another “prey.”
They also knew that Satō Tokugawa had a near-morbid obsession with young and handsome men.
His “canary,” Kamiki Shunsuke, was the prime example.
And now, he had set his sights on Hiroshi Nohara.
This… this was really going to be interesting.
…
As they walked into the corridor, leaving Satō Tokugawa behind, Hiroshi Nohara let out a long sigh of relief.
Hiroshi Nohara also felt a strange and uncomfortable sensation.
He turned his head and looked at Sakata Nobuhiko’s face beside him, which was as calm as ever, his eyes filled with confusion.
“Director, what… what’s wrong with Chairman Satō?” Hiroshi Nohara asked softly, a hint of imperceptible confusion in his voice.
Hearing this, Sakata Nobuhiko simply smiled and shook his head. “Hiroshi-kun, you don’t need to be surprised. That guy, Satō Tokugawa, he’s an old pervert.”
“Old pervert?” Hiroshi Nohara asked, confused.
“Yes, an old pervert,” Sakata Nobuhiko sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in his tone. “He likes young and handsome men the most. Your lead actor in 《 Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree 》, Kamiki Shunsuke, is his ‘canary’.”
“Kamiki Shunsuke? His canary?!” Hiroshi Nohara’s eyes widened instantly, his face a mask of disbelief and shock.
It was then that he understood why Kamiki Shunsuke acted so arrogantly and imperiously.
So, behind him stood such a “sugar daddy”?!
“Yes, a canary,” Sakata Nobuhiko said, seeing Hiroshi Nohara’s shocked expression, a faint smile appearing on his face, though it held a subtle warning. “Hiroshi-kun, you are too handsome. Therefore, you have also caught his eye.”
“…” Hiroshi Nohara finally understood what Satō Tokugawa’s almost obsessive gaze had meant.
He finally understood why Sakata Nobuhiko had taken such a strong stance.
This made him feel a bit speechless internally.
“Hiroshi-kun, don’t worry,” Sakata Nobuhiko’s voice softened again. He reached out and gently patted Hiroshi Nohara’s shoulder, his tone full of care. “Our Tokyo Television is a giant, we are titans. As long as you hold your ground, a mere Satō Tokugawa cannot touch you.”
“And…” he paused, his gaze drifting towards the brightly lit corridor ahead, his eyes deep. “You are the future of our Tokyo Television. We are all counting on you to bring more miracles to our Tokyo Television. Therefore, we will never allow anyone to harm you.”
Hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara’s already heavy heart finally settled back into place.
He looked at Sakata Nobuhiko’s calm face. That protection and trust from a superior flowed like a warm current through his heart, which had long been hardened by the arena of fame and fortune.
He took a deep breath, transforming all the shock and unease in his heart into a firm response.
Hiroshi Nohara nodded heavily. “Yes! Director, I understand!”
“So, just relax,” Sakata Nobuhiko chuckled, a hint of mockery in his eyes. “Real estate developers like him may have money, but in the face of power, they are really nothing.”
As he spoke, he smiled lightly at Hiroshi Nohara’s confused gaze and said, “You don’t know what kind of background our Tokyo Television has!”
However, just as Sakata Nobuhiko was about to explain to Hiroshi Nohara, an attendant dressed in an elegant kimono walked over with graceful steps from the depths of the corridor.
He bowed respectfully to Sakata Nobuhiko and Hiroshi Nohara, his voice as smooth as jade: “Director Sakata, Minister Nohara, Fujiwara-sama requests your presence. Please proceed to the private room.”
The attendant clearly recognized the two men.
“Yes, understood,” Sakata Nobuhiko nodded, then led Hiroshi Nohara towards the depths of the corridor.
As their figures disappeared behind the heavy wooden door at the end of the corridor, the celebrities and dignitaries in the hall once again fell into hushed whispers.
“Good heavens! Fujiwara-sama is personally inviting them?!”
“Yes! And in a private room! This… this is truly unprecedented honor!”
“It seems that young Hiroshi Nohara is truly going to soar!”
“Director Sakata really values this young man… so much!”
Envy, jealousy, suspicion, admiration… various complex emotions intertwined and permeated the hall.
They knew that the real highlight of the banquet was just beginning.
Everyone was there to attend the banquet.
But a banquet is a banquet.
The real exchanges were happening in those small private rooms!
Of course, it wasn’t just Hiroshi Nohara and Sakata Nobuhiko who were invited into the private rooms.
Occasionally, attendants in elegant kimonos would weave through the crowd, escorting important celebrities and dignitaries into the various private rooms deep within the hall.
This included Satō Tokugawa.
He looked in the direction Hiroshi Nohara and Sakata Nobuhiko had disappeared, then looked at the private room he was being led into. A flicker of unwillingness flashed in his narrow eyes, yet it was hidden with an inexplicable excitement.
He knew that tonight’s banquet would not be peaceful.
…
Hiroshi Nohara followed Sakata Nobuhiko through quiet corridors, finally arriving at a heavy private room door carved from Golden Silk Nanmu Wood.
The attendant gently pushed the door open.
Inside the private room, the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and tea aroma.
Fujiwara Hideaki was seated by the tea table, a gentle smile on his face.
And seated at the head of the table was a slender old man wearing black-rimmed glasses. Although he was at an age where he understood fate, his brows exuded an unpretentious authority and composure.
He sat there quietly, exuding a powerful aura that dared not be looked at directly.
“Director Sakata, Hiroshi-kun, please, have a seat,” Fujiwara Hideaki beckoned them.
He first respectfully introduced the elder at the head of the table in a soft voice: “Your Excellency, this is Director Sakata Nobuhiko of the Tokyo Television Production Bureau, and the protagonist of our event today, Hiroshi Nohara-kun.”
Then, he turned to Sakata Nobuhiko and Hiroshi Nohara and introduced them with reverence in his tone: “Director Sakata, Hiroshi-kun, this is the Minister in charge of Promotion for the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, as well as the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and a veteran Member of Parliament who has proposed many reforms for the television promotion department. He is highly respected.”
“Minister of Publicity Your Excellency!”
Both Sakata Nobuhiko and Hiroshi Nohara bowed simultaneously.
The Minister in charge of Promotion for the Tokyo Metropolitan Area!
A Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology!
Each of these titles represented absolute control over culture and promotion by the highest echelons of power in Japan!
Moreover, he was a Member of Parliament.
Each of these identities was enough to give him a significant position in Japanese politics!
“Sakata-kun, Hiroshi-kun, there’s no need for such ceremony, please sit down,” the Minister of Publicity’s voice finally sounded, as steady and powerful as an ancient bell.
The two respectfully sat down.
The Minister of Publicity first looked at Sakata Nobuhiko, a faint smile appearing on his face: “Sakata-kun, how have you been lately? Is your work at Tokyo Television going smoothly?”
Sakata Nobuhiko quickly replied respectfully: “Thanks to Your Excellency, everything is going smoothly. Under your guidance, our Tokyo Television has been striving to provide the nation with the highest quality cultural products.”
“Mm, very good,” the Minister of Publicity nodded with satisfaction.
Then, his gaze slowly turned towards Hiroshi Nohara.
In his deep eyes, a flicker of inquiry, a hint of admiration, and a trace of unfathomable playfulness.
“Nohara-kun, you are very good,” the Minister of Publicity’s voice sounded again, each word carrying undeniable weight. “I have seen all your works. Whether it’s the horror of 《 An Shizhi 》, the creativity of 《 World of the Strange 》, or the passion of 《 Yu Yu Hakusho 》, they all make this old man feel… feel genuinely impressed.”
He paused, his tone carrying a well-placed compliment. “Especially your 《 World of the Strange 》. It not only pioneered the ‘Urban Legends’ genre, a completely new horror theme, but also, through its suspenseful and thought-provoking stories, added a mysterious and charming hue to our Tokyo Metropolitan Area.”
“It has attracted countless young people, sparking their deep interest in the city of Tokyo. In fact, many outsiders decided to come and live in Tokyo, to experience the unique charm of this city, after watching your 《 World of the Strange 》. Nohara-kun, you have made a great contribution to the promotion of our Tokyo Metropolitan Area through your works.”
Hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara was surprised that the Minister of Publicity could so accurately perceive the deeper value of 《 World of the Strange 》.
He simply smiled modestly and bowed respectfully, “Your Excellency is too kind. This is what I should do.”
“No, not at all,” the Minister of Publicity shook his head, admiration flashing in his deep eyes. “You have done far more than you realize. Your works are not just entertainment; they are culture, they are art, they are a great power that can influence an era and the spirit of a nation.”
He paused, his tone becoming solemn:
“Especially your 《 Super Change Change Change 》 and 《 Seven Samurai 》. 《 Super Change Change Change 》 has made the connections between people stronger. It has helped urban dwellers, who were once indifferent and alienated, rediscover the warmth of family and human connection. It has taught people who only knew how to complain and criticize to face life’s challenges with humor and creativity.”
“And 《 Seven Samurai 》…”
The Minister of Publicity’s voice carried a tone of feeling and admiration: “It is not just a movie, but a great epic that can deconstruct an era, deconstruct class, and deconstruct humanity! It allows us to re-examine Bushido and reconsider the tragic fate of our nation. It shows us that true heroes are never determined by status, but by ‘heart’!”
He looked at Hiroshi Nohara, his deep eyes filled with expectation:
“Nohara-kun, with your works, you have brought a new wave to Japan, to our nation. You are the cultural hope of Japan’s new era!”
At this point, besides the Minister of Publicity and Fujiwara-sama, there were other subordinates in the room.
Upon hearing this statement, they all felt a jolt.
Their hearts were instantly stirred by immense waves of emotion!
They had not expected Hiroshi Nohara’s works to receive such high praise!
And Hiroshi Nohara, being socially adept, and not truly a twenty-three-year-old youth, immediately stood up and bowed deeply to the Minister of Publicity, his voice filled with sincerity and respect: “Your Excellency, you are too kind. Your expertise, your insight, they make me… they make me genuinely admire you.”
“Expertise? Insight? Hahahaha!” Upon hearing this, the Minister of Publicity burst into laughter, his voice like ice breaking in winter, filled with unrestrained joy.
He waved his hand, a hint of teasing in his tone: “Nohara-kun, don’t praise me like that. I, actually, also came from Tokyo Television. Speaking of which, I was once a Second-Class Director in the Production Bureau.”
“What?!”
Hiroshi Nohara was slightly taken aback, genuinely surprised.
He had never imagined that the Minister of Publicity, who controlled the lifeline of cultural promotion in the Greater Tokyo Area, had… had once been a member of Tokyo Television!
This was simply astonishing gossip.
“Yes, back then, Director Sakata was still a Third-Class Director,” the Minister of Publicity said with a light chuckle, turning his gaze back to Sakata Nobuhiko, a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
Hearing this, Sakata Nobuhiko’s face also showed a helpless wry smile.
He knew that his old superior was teasing him.
“Minister Your Excellency, please don’t joke with me,” Sakata Nobuhiko said softly, his tone carrying appropriate humility. “You were the pillar of our Production Bureau back then! How could I, a mere Third-Class Director, dare to compare myself to you.”
“Hahahaha!”
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Publicity laughed heartily again, his voice filled with boldness and carefree spirit.
He pointed at Sakata Nobuhiko, then at Hiroshi Nohara, a cunning smile appearing on his face: “Nohara-kun, don’t underestimate our Tokyo Television. Our Tokyo Television is no ordinary television station.”
He paused, a hint of mystery in his tone: “Did you know? The current Governor of Tokyo Metropolis was once our Tokyo Television’s old station manager.”
“…” Hiroshi Nohara was even more astonished at this point.
The Governor of Tokyo Metropolis was equivalent to a high-ranking official in his previous life.
And a high-ranking official comparable to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen combined!
After all, the Tokyo Metropolis itself bore forty percent of Japan’s tax revenue, and forty percent of its financial allocation. Combined with the concept of the Greater Tokyo Area, nearly fifty to sixty percent of Japan’s wealth was concentrated here.
Did the status of the Governor of Tokyo Metropolis need further explanation?
He had… he had once been the old station manager of Tokyo Television?!
This… this was simply a fantastical tale that overturned all his perceptions!
“Hahahaha!” Sakata Nobuhiko, seeing Hiroshi Nohara’s shocked expression, finally couldn’t help but burst into laughter, his voice filled with pride and self-satisfaction: “Hiroshi-kun, do you understand now? Our Tokyo Television, we are all part of the ‘Tokyo Faction’!”
His tone was filled with expectation: “So, Hiroshi-kun, you, boy, must work hard. The future of our Tokyo Television depends on you!”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at the Minister of Publicity’s calm, smiling face, and at Sakata Nobuhiko’s encouraging expression, and knowingly lowered his head, saying, “Yes! I will work hard!”
This made everyone present smile with relief.
Hiroshi Nohara now finally understood the true meaning of the “Tokyo Faction.”
It was not a simple factional struggle.
It was a vast and hidden alliance of culture and politics that permeated the entire Greater Tokyo Area, and even the highest echelons of power in Japan!
And he, Hiroshi Nohara, was now being recruited into this alliance with such high regard and sincerity!
This recognition, this trust, this expectation.
It truly made him feel good.
At this moment, the Minister of Publicity Your Excellency was still looking at Hiroshi Nohara, a smile full of expectation on his lips: “Nohara-kun, you are very good. Your talent and your scope are enough to lead our Neon culture into a brand new era.”
He paused and asked again: “So, I hope you can continue to work hard, continue to create, and bring more and better works to our Neon. Works that can guide the national character and embody the Neon Spirit.”
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere in the private room instantly became solemn.
The subordinates present, including Hideaki Fujiwara, all cast their gazes towards Hiroshi Nohara.
They knew that the Department Head’s words were not only an affirmation and expectation of Hiroshi Nohara, but also a clear “mission” conveyed to him from the highest power echelon.
To guide the national character and embody the Neon Spirit…
This was no simple matter of “filmmaking” or “making programs.”
This was about elevating individual works to the level of “national policy”!
Hiroshi Nohara’s lips curved slightly at the sound of his voice.
He knew that the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
“Minister Your Excellency, you praise me too highly,” Hiroshi Nohara replied. “Regarding the works you mentioned that can guide the national character and embody the Neon Spirit, I… I do have an immature idea.”
“Oh?” The Minister of Publicity Your Excellency’s eyes lit up instantly. He looked at Hiroshi Nohara, a strong interest appearing on his face: “Tell me about it.”
Hiroshi Nohara raised his head and his gaze calmly swept over everyone in the private room. Not the slightest ripple appeared in his clear eyes.
He knew that these words would determine his future status in the Neon cultural circle, and also determine the final direction of the grand plan that had been brewing in his heart for a long time.
He took a deep breath and slowly uttered that name.
“I plan to film a movie called 《The Tale of Hachiko》.”
“The Tale of Hachiko?” The Minister of Publicity Your Excellency frowned slightly, a look of confusion appearing on his face: “This is… a story about a dog?”
“Yes, Minister Your Excellency,” Hiroshi Nohara nodded. Not the slightest ripple appeared in his clear eyes. “It tells the moving story of an Akita Dog named Hachiko, who, after his owner’s death, still waited at the station every day, rain or shine, for his owner to return.”
“What it embodies is precisely the most precious spirit of our Neon people – loyalty.”
As the words fell, the private room instantly fell into a deathly silence. Everyone stared blankly at Hiroshi Nohara, their brows furrowed.
Loyalty?
A dog?
Guiding the national character?
This… this is simply absurd!
“Nohara-kun, are you… are you joking?” A section chief in charge of the publicity department finally couldn’t help but speak, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed doubt. “You plan to use a story about a dog to guide our Neon’s national character? This… this is a bit too…”
He didn’t finish, but his tone was filled with unconcealed doubt about Hiroshi Nohara’s “unreliable” idea.
“Yes, Nohara-kun,” another section chief in charge of news echoed, his face filled with confusion. “Our Neon has countless stories about samurai, about heroes, about loyalty and righteousness. Why would you choose a story about a dog when you could have gone for something closer? Moreover, combining dogs with loyalty to guide the people… this seems a bit inappropriate, doesn’t it?”
“This is simply ridiculous!” A section chief who appeared quite conservative couldn’t help but snort coldly, his face filled with dissatisfaction. “Dogs are, after all, beasts! You want the people to learn the loyalty of dogs? This… this is an insult to the people of our Neon!”
For a moment, doubts and confusion surged like a tide, surrounding Hiroshi Nohara.
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara, their eyes filled with unconcealed questioning of this “inopportune” idea.
They knew Hiroshi Nohara was very talented.
But this time, he had clearly gone “berserk.”
Hideaki Fujiwara’s brows were also tightly furrowed at this moment, a barely perceptible worry flashing in his deep eyes.
He knew that Hiroshi Nohara had truly touched the “inverse scale” of these old civil servants this time.
Using dogs to guide the national character?
In their eyes, this was simply a grave offense!
However, facing this overwhelming flood of public opinion that could drown anyone, Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly, and not the slightest ripple appeared in his clear eyes.
He knew that this was precisely the “challenge” he had anticipated.
He took a deep breath, his tone carrying a perfectly judged “quibble,” yet also filled with convincing logic.
“Everyone, please listen to me,” Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile. “I understand everyone’s concerns. After all, in traditional views, dogs are indeed just beasts. But have you ever thought that precisely because it is a dog, its loyalty becomes even more precious, and even more… directly touches the heart?”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the private room, a playful smile appearing on his face:
“Our Neon indeed has many stories about human loyalty. The loyalty of samurai, the loyalty of vassals, the loyalty of wives… We have seen and heard too many of these stories, and we have even become numb to them long ago.”
“Because human loyalty is always mixed with too much profit, too much scheming, too much betrayal. Its purity has long been polluted by this complex society. Therefore, when we see a samurai betraying for profit, or a vassal killing his master for power in a movie, we don’t feel much surprise, and might even think it’s normal.”
“But what about the loyalty of a dog?”
Hiroshi Nohara’s tone became impassioned, and a pure light flickered in his clear eyes. “A dog’s loyalty is pure, selfless, and without reservation. It will not scorn you because of your poverty, it will not abandon you because of your old age, and it will not betray you because of your death!”
“It will only silently wait for your return in the place where you once appeared. No matter the wind and rain, no matter the cold and heat, no matter how the years pass, it will always wait until the end of its life.”
“This kind of loyalty is unattainable for humans. This kind of loyalty is enough to penetrate all hypocrisy and scheming, and directly reach the softest, purest, and most primitive emotions in the human heart.”
He looked at the stunned faces of everyone, who had been completely dumbfounded by his words, and a confident curve appeared at the corners of his mouth.
“So, everyone.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice softened again, yet it was filled with power. “When we see a dog in a movie, waiting at the station for ten, twenty years, or even until the end of its life, regardless of wind and rain… won’t we feel heartache? Won’t we feel shocked? Won’t we be moved by this pure loyalty?”
“Won’t we reflect on what our human loyalty truly is? Won’t we yearn to possess loyalty as pure and selfless as a dog’s?”
“This is the core spirit that 《The Tale of Hachiko》 aims to convey – it is not insulting humanity, but is using the loyalty of dogs to awaken the purest, most primitive, and long-forgotten desire for loyalty in the human heart!”
“It is not belittling the national character of our Neon, but is redefining the most precious aspect of our Neon spirit – loyalty – in the most unique and heartwarming way!”
As the words fell, the private room once again fell into a deathly silence.
They had never imagined that such a profound meaning could be interpreted from a seemingly absurd “dog story” by this young man, and that it could be elevated to such a grand philosophical height!
His seemingly “quibbling” remarks, at this moment, were like the sharpest knives, precisely dissecting all their inherent prejudices and narrow-mindedness, and presenting them with a brand new, humanistic definition of “loyalty”!
The Minister of Publicity Your Excellency’s deep eyes were calmly fixed on Hiroshi Nohara.
He did not speak, but slowly picked up his tea cup from the table, took a sip, like a connoisseur savoring aged wine.
After a moment of silence.
Then he slowly put down the tea cup, a smile of genuine admiration appearing on his face.
“Nohara-kun, you are truly good, you have really made me see you in a new light,” the Minister of Publicity Your Excellency said softly, his voice filled with praise. “And you, my boy, are really… quite skilled at ‘quibbling’.”
This seemingly teasing remark was undoubtedly the highest form of recognition for Hiroshi Nohara’s “unreliable” idea.
“Yes, Minister Your Excellency is right,” Hideaki Fujiwara also nodded with a smile at this moment, a hint of understanding flashing in his deep eyes. “Nohara-kun’s idea is indeed unique. But precisely because it is unique, it is more likely to resonate with a wider social audience in this era of information explosion.”
He looked at Hiroshi Nohara, his tone filled with expectation. “After all, human joys and sorrows are not the same, but compassion for animals crosses national and racial boundaries.”
“Yes…”
The other section chiefs in the private room also nodded at this moment, their faces filled with thoughtful contemplation.
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara, and all the doubt and dissatisfaction in their eyes had faded, leaving only astonishment and admiration.
According to Hiroshi Nohara’s explanation, they found that it indeed made sense!
The purity of animal emotions.
It was truly moving!
As for loyalty between humans… as civil servants, and leaders at that, they had experienced a mixed bag of emotions!
“Very good,” the Minister of Publicity Your Excellency said, looking at Hiroshi Nohara, his smile growing even gentler. “Nohara-kun, your idea is very interesting. I look forward to your 《The Tale of Hachiko》. As long as you film it, our publicity department will certainly give you our full support.”
He paused, his gaze turning to Hideaki Fujiwara, his tone carrying a well-judged reminder. “Fujiwara-kun, you will be responsible for following up on this project. I believe you will not disappoint me.”
“Yes! Minister Your Excellency, please rest assured, I will do my best,” Hideaki Fujiwara immediately bowed and responded.
Then he looked at Hiroshi Nohara, his admiration deepening. “Nohara-kun, after your 《The Tale of Hachiko》 is filmed, I must be the first to see it, as I have never concealed my expectations for you!”
“I understand, Fujiwara-sama,” Hiroshi Nohara nodded, a smile also appearing on his lips.
His own The Tale of Hachiko… wasn’t this being put on the agenda!
And with the endorsement of a high-ranking leader!
Could he not film it?
