Chapter 198: 《late-night Diner》 Starts Production! Taking You To See The Real Late-night Diner!
The news, like a bird with wings, spread at nearly the speed of light from the director’s office on the top floor to every corner of the Production Bureau.
“Did you hear? Did you hear? Minister Nohara is starting a new program!”
“What?! Another new program?!《The Tale of Hachiko》 was just released not long ago, right? Is his energy made of iron?”
“Who knows! Anyway, Director Sakata has personally approved it! They say this time it’s to directly confront that newly emerged ‘Tokyo City Television’!”
“Directly confront? Hahahaha! This is gonna be good! I wanna see which blind guy dares to challenge our Minister Nohara!”
In the staff cafeteria during lunch break, the originally somewhat dull atmosphere was now completely ignited by this sudden bombshell news.
Everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks, gathering in twos and threes, lowering their voices but unable to hide their excitement, discussing this “big event” that was enough to shake the entire Tokyo television industry.
“Hey hey hey, did you hear? The one Minister Nohara is going to shoot this time seems to be a television drama adapted from his own manga! A heartwarming theme!” A young screenwriter who looked like he had just joined not long ago, still with a bit of youthful greenness on his face, was speaking mysteriously to several colleagues at the table.
“Manga adaptation?” A female planner wearing black-rimmed glasses, looking gentle and refined, had her eyes light up instantly upon hearing this: “Could it be… could it be that legendary《Late-night Diner》?!”
“Exactly! It’s《Late-night Diner》!” The young screenwriter slapped his thigh hard, his excitement overflowing: “I’m a die-hard fan of that manga! Let me tell you, that manga is simply divine! It doesn’t have all that fighting and killing, nor all that romance; it just uses the most ordinary home-cooked dishes and the most mundane stories to instantly heal all your unhappiness!”
“Yeah! Yeah!” The female planner chimed in, her big sparkling eyes now shining with a light called “resonance”: “Whenever I work overtime until late at night, exhausted both mentally and physically, I flip open《Late-night Diner》 for a few pages. Watching that boss with a knife scar on his face, yet incredibly gentle, making heartwarming and stomach-warming dishes for those equally lonely urbanites, I feel all my fatigue being healed.”
“Exactly! That warmth, that healing, it’s simply… the ‘soul chicken soup’ for urbanites!” Another male director in his thirties, looking somewhat weathered, couldn’t help but sigh: “I even think that manga isn’t just a manga; it’s more like a way of life, a philosophy! It teaches us that no matter how tough life gets, there’s always a bit of warmth waiting for us in the dead of night.”
“So, I dare say, if Minister Nohara can really adapt this manga into a television drama, it will absolutely explode across the entire neon lights again!” The young screenwriter waved his fist excitedly, his fanaticism almost bursting out of him.
However, amid this atmosphere filled with anticipation and fanaticism, a slightly hoarse yet rational voice was like throwing a handful of ice cubes into boiling oil, instantly cooling everyone’s enthusiasm by several degrees.
“Everyone, aren’t you… too optimistic?”
The speaker was a veteran producer in his fifties with graying hair, highly respected in the Production Bureau.
He held his tea cup, gently blowing on the steam, his turbid eyes flickering with a calm that had seen through the ways of the world.
“Adapting a manga into a live-action television drama is no easy task.” He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but like the sharpest knife, precisely cutting to the core of the issue: “Manga is two-dimensional, full of imagination. Live-action television drama is three-dimensional, realistic. There’s a natural chasm between these two art forms.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, the authority of a senior making the entire cafeteria seem quieter: “Over these years, how many hit mangas have been adapted into live-action television dramas? The result? Nine out of ten flop! Why? Because they don’t adapt well!”
“Wrong casting, original fans don’t buy it! Poor plot changes, casual viewers aren’t interested! The end result is pleasing neither side, losing the wife and the soldiers!”
The veteran producer’s words, like the iciest reality, pulled everyone back from their beautiful fantasies to harsh reality.
“Yeah… Senior is right.” The fanaticism faded from the young screenwriter’s face, replaced by deep worry: “I remember last year, a very popular young girl manga was adapted into a live-action television drama, and… it got torn apart by original fans! They all said that male lead was nothing like their ‘prince’!”
“And that hot-blooded fighting manga!” The female planner chimed in, her usually gentle face now full of helplessness: “After adapting to live-action television drama, those originally cool fight scenes all turned into cheap special effects! Simply… unbearable to watch!”
“So that’s why I said you’re too optimistic.” The veteran producer sighed deeply, his voice carrying a hint of frustration like hating iron for not becoming steel: “The reason《Late-night Diner》 succeeded is because of its unique, worldly life-filled atmosphere, and that boss with a knife scar on his face yet incredibly gentle, encountering all sorts of people and events. These two core elements, if not handled well, the whole drama is ruined!”
“But… but Minister Nohara’s《An Shizhi》 wasn’t also adapted from a manga? That animated film was a huge success!” A young intern couldn’t help but quietly retort.
“That’s different!” The veteran producer glared at him impatiently: “That’s manga to animated film! Consistent art style, overlapping audience, high success rate! But manga to live-action television drama is a whole different story! The difficulty is worlds apart!”
For a moment, the cafeteria was filled with various voices of worry and unease.
Everyone was left feeling uneasy by the veteran producer’s words.
They knew the veteran producer was right.
Adapting manga to live-action television drama was indeed a minefield full of thorns and traps.
However, amid this atmosphere of worry and unease, a crisp voice full of confidence shone like a brilliant ray of sunlight piercing through heavy clouds.
“I believe in Minister Nohara!”
The speaker was a female employee in her twenties with a high ponytail, looking youthful and vibrant.
Her sparkling big eyes now shone with unquestionable trust.
“Have you all forgotten who Minister Nohara is?” She straightened her back, her youthful energy revitalizing the entire cafeteria: “He’s Hiroshi Nohara, the one who turned a sword-fighting film no one cared about into the epic masterpiece《Seven Samurai》!”
“He’s Hiroshi Nohara, the one who turned a simple urban legend into the phenomenal work《World of the Strange》!”
“He’s Hiroshi Nohara, the one who turned an ordinary loyal dog story into the tear-jerking masterpiece《The Tale of Hachiko》!”
“So, I believe in him!” The female employee’s voice grew firmer, her heartfelt trust infecting everyone present: “I believe he can find the perfect actor for the ‘boss’! I believe he can shoot a《Late-night Diner》 that truly captures the manga’s essence! I believe he can create another miracle for our Tokyo Television Station!”
Her words rang out clearly, every character filled with power.
The cafeteria instantly fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared at her blankly, their faces filled with shock, emotion, and a thoroughly ignited… hope!
“Yeah… she’s right!”
“How can we doubt Minister Nohara?”
“He’s the ‘god’ of our Tokyo Television Station!”
“Exactly! I believe in him! He will definitely create another miracle!”
After a brief silence, the cafeteria erupted in thunderous agreement!
Everyone was infected by the female employee’s passion, their eyes reigniting with unyielding fighting spirit.
They knew the female employee was right.
In front of this “cultural monster” Hiroshi Nohara, any difficulty, any challenge, would be utterly vulnerable!
And these discussions naturally reached Yō Kitagawa’s ears word for word.
She carried her tray quickly back to Hiroshi Nohara’s office, her usually vibrant pretty face now showing a bit of the hesitant worry unique to a little girl.
“Minister…” She gently placed the tray on the tea table, her sparkling big eyes scanning Hiroshi Nohara’s expression like the most precise radar.
“What’s wrong, Kitagawa-chan?” Hiroshi Nohara put down his documents, looking at Yō Kitagawa’s cute expression, feeling amused: “With that look on your face, is there another ‘big event’ you need to report to me?”
“Oh, Minister, don’t tease me.” Yō Kitagawa’s cheeks flushed slightly unnoticed, she stuck out her tongue and recounted word for word the worries she heard in the cafeteria to Hiroshi Nohara.
“…So, Minister, everyone is very worried that this live-action adaptation might… suffer from not adapting well?” After speaking, she immediately lowered her head, looking just like a schoolgirl who made a mistake.
Hiroshi Nohara smiled knowingly after listening.
He knew everyone’s worries weren’t baseless.
In his previous life, countless manga-to-live-action dramas had indeed failed spectacularly, becoming industry jokes.
But《Late-night Diner》 was an exception.
Its live-action version was even more touching and healing than the manga.
“Alright, Kitagawa, don’t worry.” He said with a smile, his tone full of confidence: “I know everyone’s concerns. But I have confidence to solve this problem.”
He paused, a faint arc at the corner of his mouth, his composure and confidence making him shine: “Now, go notify Section Chief Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Director Kenji Sato to come to my office at 2 p.m. I have something to discuss with them.”
“Section Chief Tsuyoshi Yamamoto?” Yō Kitagawa nodded; that was simple, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto was now in the Nohara Independent Production Department, section chief of the Drama Production Section.
But soon, she caught another key point in his words.
“Wait… Director Kenji Sato?” Yō Kitagawa suddenly looked up, her sparkling big eyes full of confusion: “Minister, I remember Director Kenji Sato isn’t from our department. He participated in the filming of the first season of《World of the Strange》 before, but later returned to his original Production Section Three, right?”
“I know.” Hiroshi Nohara nodded, looking at Yō Kitagawa’s puzzled face, smiling as he explained: “I saw his resume before. Though he’s just a third-class director, he has unique insights in character portrayal and emotional grasp. Among the third-class directors in the Production Bureau, he’s somewhat well-known. What he lacks is just a platform to fully showcase himself.”
He paused, gazing out at the vast Tokyo Bay, his eyes deep and full of confidence: “And now, the opportunity has come. For《Late-night Diner》, the most important thing is character portrayal and emotional resonance. It doesn’t need flashy special effects or complex plots; it needs a director who can make those ordinary stories deeply moving. And Kenji Sato is the perfect choice.”
Yō Kitagawa stared blankly at Hiroshi Nohara, her smart mind momentarily unable to process.
She vaguely felt that her overly young minister not only had talent, but also vision and scope.
He always spotted buried gold and gave them the shiniest stage.
“I… I understand, Minister!” She nodded vigorously, her sparkling big eyes now filled with heartfelt worship: “I’ll go notify him right now!”
……
At 2 p.m., Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato entered Hiroshi Nohara’s office one after the other.
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto still had that slightly arrogant look, but beneath it hid a trace of barely noticeable awe.
Kenji Sato, following behind, seemed uneasy, his eyes full of anxiety and… a hint of expectation.
After all, when he had worked with Hiroshi Nohara before, he was just a liaison officer helping out, and secretly connected to Managing Director Takada; even now, his distant uncle Tokugawa Sato was inviting him to jump to Tokyo City Television.
That was because Kenji Sato couldn’t bear to leave Tokyo Television Station’s establishment, and he knew that uncle had some issues.
The two families didn’t get along well.
Even his father, an ordinary man, had been servile and mocked in front of that distant uncle.
So he truly felt little emotion toward this distantly related uncle.
But because of this connection, Kenji Sato was anxious now.
Of course, plus the fact that he had previously helped pass messages to Managing Director Takada. Though the messages weren’t that important and didn’t leak much of Hiroshi Nohara’s info, there was still some dirt.
So his mood was so complex.
“Minister, you called for us.” The two stood before Hiroshi Nohara, bowing respectfully in greeting.
“Mm, sit.” Hiroshi Nohara smiled and gestured, personally pouring tea for them, his approachability easing Kenji Sato’s tense heart a bit.
“I’m sure you’ve heard.” Hiroshi Nohara got straight to the point: “I plan to adapt my manga《Late-night Diner》 into a live-action television drama.”
“Yes, we’ve heard.” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto nodded, glancing at his restless old friend, clearly guessing something, his tone carrying a sigh: “The entire Production Bureau is discussing it now.”
“Minister, you… you really plan to have me in charge of filming this drama?” Kenji Sato finally mustered courage, lifting his head, his usually fatigued eyes now shining with near-mad light.
“Yes.” Hiroshi Nohara nodded, looking at Kenji Sato with appreciation: “I plan to transfer you to my Independent Production Department, temporarily under Tsuyoshi Yamamoto’s Drama Production Section. After filming, if the response is good, I’ll establish a Drama Production Section Two just for you as section chief, dedicated to《Late-night Diner》 sequels.”
“What?!”
Kenji Sato’s body trembled, his fatigued eyes widening in disbelief!
Section chief of Drama Production Section Two?!
And specifically in charge of filming the《Late-night Diner》 proposal?!
This… for him, who always needed a standalone proposal as achievement to promote to second-class director, was like reaching the heavens in one step!
He stared blankly at Hiroshi Nohara, mind blank.
He never imagined that he, a third-class director stuck in Production Section Three for over a decade with no hope, would get such a huge opportunity!
“Sato! What are you spacing out for!” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto slapped his old friend’s shoulder, his voice full of genuine joy and… a hint of envy: “Hurry and thank the Minister! This is your chance to turn things around!”
“Mi… Minister!” Kenji Sato snapped out of his shock, jumping up from his seat, bowing deeply, deeply to Hiroshi Nohara.
That bowed posture carried his endless gratitude to Hiroshi Nohara and… surrender.
“Thank you for the opportunity, Minister! I… Kenji Sato will give it my all and not let you down!”
His voice choked, his sincere emotion moving everyone present.
Hiroshi Nohara just smiled, reaching out to gently help him up.
“Alright, Director Sato, no need to be so formal.” He smiled, his warmth and strength calming Kenji Sato’s excited heart.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato’s shocked and expectant faces, a confident arc at his mouth: “Of course, I don’t just want you to film; I’ve already prepared everything for you.”
As he spoke, Hiroshi Nohara took out two more items from his desk drawer.
One was the bound《Late-night Diner》 manga volume.
The other was a thick stack of manuscript paper filled with storyboard drafts.
“This is the manga; take it back and study it carefully. And this…” He gently pushed the stack of storyboard drafts toward them: “This is what I drew this morning in my spare time, the storyboard draft for the first three episodes of《Late-night Diner》.”
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato’s breathing seemed to stop.
They stared at the thick stack of manuscript paper on the desk; those seemingly casual sketches, in their professional eyes, were like magic books full of infinite power, every line and angle brimming with suffocating artistry.
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto reached out first, his usually powerful hand now trembling slightly.
He carefully picked up the storyboard drafts like holding a priceless treasure.
“Minister, this…” His voice was hoarse, the bone-deep shock making even this seasoned third-class director lose composure: “You’ve thought through the storyboards, lighting, music… everything?! And this is just a proposal!”
“Not just thought through.” Hiroshi Nohara just smiled calmly, sipping his tea, his composure and confidence enveloping the office in an invisible force: “I’ve already filmed the entire drama in my mind, completely.”
He paused, pointing to a frame in the storyboard: “Look here.” The frame showed a man with his back to the camera, silently eating a bowl of ochazuke.
“This shot, I want a fixed long take. Dim lighting to highlight the loneliness of the night. But a warm yellow overhead light on the man’s head. This light illuminates the food, and also… lights up his heart.”
“And here.” He pointed to another frame, showing the boss’s face with a knife scar yet incredibly gentle.
“The boss’s expression shouldn’t be exaggerated. He’s mostly silent, a listener. His gentleness should come through his eyes, through the subtle actions when he hands over the food. He’s an observer, a healer, a… ferryman in the night.”
“As for the actor…” A mysterious arc formed at Hiroshi Nohara’s mouth: “The boss role is crucial. I have a preliminary candidate in mind. Someone who looks somewhat fierce on the outside, even with a bit of yakuza vibe, but gentle inside, with eyes full of stories.”
“Someone with yakuza vibe?” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato exchanged glances, several fitting names instantly coming to mind.
But before they could speak, Hiroshi Nohara continued, guiding their thoughts to a deeper level.
“I’ve also thought of the plot for the first few episodes.” He spoke softly, calmly and firmly: “Episode one, ‘Red Sausage and Tamagoyaki’. About a yakuza elder brother whose favorite food is red sausage that kids like. This contrast is the core charm of our drama.”
“Episode two, ‘Cat Food’. About a frustrated female singer at a low point in life who rediscovers her initial dream through a simple bowl of cat food.”
“Episode three, ‘Ochazuke’. About three older single women in the night, eating ochazuke while complaining about their failed relationships. They say ‘all men are pigs’ on their lips, but deep down crave pure love.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice was soft, yet like precise notes perfectly striking Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato’s heartstrings.
They listened blankly, their faces frozen in expressions of total conquest and fanaticism!
They could already see, in the near future, a television drama called《Late-night Diner》 sweeping the entire neon lights with unstoppable momentum!
It would heal countless lonely souls, warm countless icy hearts.
And they would personally participate and witness this miracle’s birth!
“Mi… Minister…”
Kenji Sato’s voice choked, his heartfelt excitement making this usually taciturn man unable to hold back.
He recalled filming《World of the Strange》, how Hiroshi Nohara had arranged everything in detail.
That strategic composure, that insight into hearts, made even this “old-timer” of over a decade in the Production Bureau feel deep powerlessness and terror.
He even thought of yesterday, when his distantly related uncle, Kirin Group Chairman Tokugawa Sato, had someone relay a message offering him a high salary as deputy minister of production at Tokyo City Television.
At that time, he had wavered a bit.
But now, looking at this overly young yet unfathomable man, his wavering heart became utterly firm.
Screw Tokyo City Television!
Screw deputy minister of production!
I’m sticking with Minister Nohara for life!
Following him, forget deputy minister; even… conquering the world isn’t impossible!
“Minister!” Kenji Sato jumped up, his fatigued eyes now blazing: “Rest assured! I, Kenji Sato, will give everything for you, for our Independent Production Department, to shoot a《Late-night Diner》 with all my effort!”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at his uncontrollably excited state, showing a helpless yet warm smile.
“Alright, Director Sato, sit down.” He smiled: “Let’s discuss the details.”
That warmth and power gradually calmed Kenji Sato’s excited heart.
……
This discussion went straight until evening.
The sky outside was dyed brilliant orange-red by the sunset, plating the entire office in warm glow.
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato remained immersed in massive shock and excitement, unable to extricate themselves.
“Alright, that’s it for today.” Hiroshi Nohara stood, stretching, his composure and confidence making him shine.
Looking at their lingering expressions, he showed a mysterious smile.
“You two, don’t leave yet.” He smiled: “Skip dinner and wait here. Also, call over the core members of your trusted filming team.”
“Eh?” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato were slightly stunned.
“Minister, what for calling them now?” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto asked puzzled: “And… no dinner?”
“Yeah, Minister.” Kenji Sato chimed in, rubbing his protesting stomach, face full of confusion: “We’re… starving.”
“Don’t worry, won’t let you starve.” Hiroshi Nohara just smiled, his clear eyes deep with worldly insight: “I’ll take you to a great place for real ‘Late-night Diner’.”
Though puzzled, out of absolute trust in Hiroshi Nohara, they nodded and picked up the phone.
The filming team was ready-made; one call, and the usual lighting technicians, cinematographers, sound technicians complained “overtime again” but upon hearing it was Hiroshi Nohara’s new proposal, rushed from every corner of Tokyo City toward Tokyo Television Station.
Then they were assigned tasks, meticulously dividing who was assistant director, who was line producer, who was in charge of what, arranged in exhaustive detail.
But these team members were all quite surprised.
Especially in front of Hiroshi Nohara, these Tokyo Television Station staff brought 200% energy.
After all, everyone knew Hiroshi Nohara was about to shoot a new proposal program.
And everyone knew any program Hiroshi Nohara shot was a classic!
No doubt!
Because it was the absolute trust from those mythic ratings!
Once the filming team was arranged.
The sky outside shifted from brilliant orange-red to deep navy blue.
When the clock pointed to 9:30, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato’s stomachs were growling, front stuck to back.
It was very late now.
The filming team had left.
But Hiroshi Nohara still wouldn’t let them go, making them wait, leaving them confused and puzzled.
“Mi… Minister…” Kenji Sato sat weakly on the desk, his fatigued face now full of despair: “I… I’m dying… I see my late grandmother waving at me…”
“Yeah, Minister.” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto chimed in, his arrogant face now helpless: “If you don’t take us to eat soon, we’ll make the social news tomorrow. Headline: ‘Shocker! Two veteran directors of Tokyo Television Station starved to death in office!’.”
Hiroshi Nohara, seeing their “dying” joking state, finally burst out laughing.
“Alright, alright, stop acting.” He laughed, his ease and joy infecting everyone: “Let’s go eat.”
“Yay—!”
The two instantly revived, springing up like on stimulants: “Food at last!?”
“Follow me.” Hiroshi Nohara drove his low-key yet steady Toyota Crown, carrying them into Tokyo’s brilliant starry river of countless lights.
The car passed bustling streets, finally stopping slowly at a Shinjuku District intersection.
“Shi… Shinjuku District?”
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato looked at the neon-drenched, indulgent world outside, subtle aversion on their faces.
“Um… Minister…” Kenji Sato swallowed, voice slightly tense: “We… we rarely come to places like this. I… I don’t like bars and nightclubs; too noisy.”
“Yeah, Minister.” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto chimed in, his arrogant face uncomfortable: “At my age, I’m past going to nightclubs. If you want to drink, any izakaya for sake and yakitori, or even ramen, is fine.”
Both were straightforward, somewhat traditional middle-aged men.
They instinctively felt repelled by Shinjuku District’s hormone and desire-filled vibe for young people.
Hiroshi Nohara chuckled at their cute fidgety state.
“Relax, not a bar or nightclub.” He smiled, his clear eyes deep: “I’m taking you to a place to truly understand《Late-night Diner》.”
He started the car, skillfully driving into an even noisier, more “colorful” area.
This was Kabukicho in Shinjuku District.
Neon lights’ most famous red-light district.
Streets lined with bars, nightclubs, custom shops, and ambiguous “guide offices”.
Scantily clad, flashy women and men with exaggerated hair and leering eyes were everywhere.
They beckoned passersby with seductive words.
The raw desire-filled noise made Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato blush.
Though worldly adult men, facing such “blunt” scenes, they instinctively looked away from the heart-racing sights.
“Cough… Minister…” Kenji Sato’s cheeks were red as iron, unsure where to look.
Yet Hiroshi Nohara calmly parked in a quieter corner.
“Get out.” He said softly, calmly and firmly.
Ignoring the seductive gazes from the streets, he led them straight into a deep alley incongruous with the main street’s noise.
“Minister, where are we going?” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto couldn’t help asking, heart pounding.
“Remember.” Hiroshi Nohara’s voice clear in the quiet alley: “The more prosperous and desire-filled a place, the purer its need for gourmet.”
He paused, gaze sweeping them, eyes shining with philosopher’s wisdom: “Because when bodies are filled with desire, souls become utterly empty. Only the purest… flavor of food can fill that void.”
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato listened blankly, their worldly hearts cleansed by unprecedented “enlightenment”.
At that moment, Hiroshi Nohara stopped.
He pointed to the alley’s depths, the only place with dim yellow light, saying softly yet firmly.
“Here.”
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato instinctively looked up.
At the alley’s end stood an unassuming small restaurant without even a proper sign, quietly in the night.
Dim yellow light seeped from the wooden sliding door, dyeing the faded blue curtain at the entrance with warmth.
That look, that atmosphere, that feeling…
Exactly like… exactly like in Hiroshi Nohara’s manga!
They exchanged glances, seeing the same shock, ecstasy, and… disbelief!
“La… Late-night Diner?” They murmured in unison.
PS: Brothers, if possible, hope for full subscription; supporting family is tough. Thanks everyone!
