Chapter 44: Cold Water
Monday’s sunlight poured into the Tokyo Television Production Bureau Headquarters Building.
Staff members encountering each other in the corridor, when their eyes met, no longer exchanged formulaic nods of greeting, but added a bit more probing and speculation, as if a tacit secret was floating in the air—《An Shizhi》 and 《Oni-bō Samurai》’s final showdown would be revealed today.
Today was the day to tally last month’s number one.
In Suzuki’s Classroom, everyone arrived early.
“Section Chief!” Hoshi Minamimura’s voice still carried the hoarseness from his hangover, along with a kind of mental exhilaration: “Today… should be no problem, right?”
Everyone’s gazes instinctively converged on Kiyoto Suzuki.
Kiyoto Suzuki held a cup of hot tea and smiled.
That smile was from a seasoned veteran of many battles, on the eve of the decisive fight, his utmost confidence in the elite soldiers under his command.
“Don’t worry.” He took a sip of tea, his voice gentle yet firm: “Last night, a friend from the Screening Department gave me some inside info. Our steadily climbing ratings mean we don’t need to worry at all about the number one spot!”
“After all, the highest late-night slot ratings before us never exceeded 3%, but now ours are at 6.01%!”
This was Kiyoto Suzuki’s confidence.
In the past, when had there ever been a late-night slot program breaking 6%?
One had to know that the entire Neon late-night slot historical record was probably the one set by his own 《An Shizhi》!
Thinking of this, he paused, looking at the young faces full of expectation, a deeper sense of gratification and emotion flashing in his eyes.
“Moreover, I have two pieces of good news to announce.”
The office instantly fell silent.
“The first piece of good news.”
Kiyoto Suzuki’s gaze swept over everyone, slowly saying: “The station has officially approved that our 《An Shizhi》 first season, after finishing broadcast at headquarters, will be fully handed over to the subordinate Kanto Television Station for rebroadcast in their Saturday 9 PM ‘Terror Theater’ slot.”
Boom!
This news excited everyone more than any ratings number.
Kanto Television Station! Saturday 9 PM slot!
Though it was just a subordinate station, it ranked in the top ten ratings in the entire Kanto Region!
And Saturday 9 PM was the top slot second only to the Prime 8 PM Slot!
This meant that 《An Shizhi》 was no longer just a small production appreciating itself alone in a late-night corner; it would truly step onto a broader stage, seen by more people!
“This… this is Deputy Director Asumi’s intention.” Kiyoto Suzuki added, a trace of barely detectable gratitude in his voice. He knew that behind this was the former lord of Kanto Television Station, paving a new sky for them, his old subordinates from “Kanto Stage.”
“Then… then what’s the second piece of good news?” Yō Kitagawa’s eyes sparkled like two obsidian stones soaked in water.
A brighter smile appeared on Kiyoto Suzuki’s face.
“The second piece of good news is—” He deliberately drew out his voice, savoring everyone’s anxious anticipation: “The Production Bureau has officially approved the proposal for 《An Shizhi》 season two! And this time, our broadcast slot will be the 11 PM late-night slot! The station will also match us with corresponding promotional resources!”
“Oh oh oh oh oh—!”
This time, cheers erupted in the office.
From an ignored garbage time slot to the spotlight late-night slot! This was no simple upgrade; it was a leap in class!
“Wait…” Yō Kitagawa suddenly remembered something, a hint of doubt mixing into her joy: “Section Chief, the 11 PM slot… isn’t that Iwata’s Classroom’s 《Oni-bō Samurai》 right now?”
Hearing this, Kiyoto Suzuki’s lips curved into a meaningful arc.
Beside him, Ichiro Hashishita answered for him: “《Oni-bō Samurai》’s proposal was only signed for the first season, also just two weeks, and their ratings have been declining, plus the production costs are very high. The Production Bureau probably weighed it and decided to axe 《Oni-bō Samurai》.”
“Yeah, that’s how it is.” Kiyoto Suzuki chuckled lightly; he didn’t know much about it either. But he knew this was definitely due to upper-level power struggles.
But at this moment, he changed tack, looking at everyone with a serious gaze: “To fill the time slot then, our 《An Shizhi》 will switch to airing two episodes daily. That means our production pressure will double compared to now.”
However, at this moment, everyone was already dizzy with immense happiness, where would they hear anything about “pressure”?
“No problem!”
“We can do it!”
Everyone’s faces glowed with the hot-blooded fervor of devoting themselves to a great cause.
But Kiyoto Suzuki looked toward Hiroshi Nohara, his tone carrying a touch of respect: “Then, Nohara-kun, you… should have no problem, right?”
The smiles on everyone’s faces instantly froze.
Hoshi Minamimura and Roji Hase, who had just been cheering that they could do it, now awkwardly shrank their necks. After all, shouting was easy, but the true producer and creator of 《An Shizhi》 was Hiroshi Nohara.
“Yeah, no problem.” Hiroshi Nohara smiled and nodded, his face relaxed: “Everything’s fine.”
“Great Man!” Hoshi Minamimura, Roji Hase, and Yō Kitagawa immediately let out sounds of amazement.
They looked at Hiroshi Nohara with even more worship.
Even Kiyoto Suzuki and Ichiro Hashishita now looked at Hiroshi Nohara with deep emotion. Especially seeing his young appearance, their hearts couldn’t help but ripple with some jealousy.
Especially Ichiro Hashishita; a special glint of envy flickered in his eyes. Because Hiroshi Nohara was a full ten years younger than him.
Yet now so successful…
Ichiro Hashishita lowered his head, masking the envy deep in his eyes: “Maybe I can succeed someday too?” He thought of his failed bid for promotion to Third-Class Director, feeling even more annoyance in his heart.
But the conversation in the classroom continued, and the overall atmosphere was still quite good.
“Right, Section Chief!” Hoshi Minamimura seemed to remember the most crucial thing, his voice trembling with desire for the impending glory: “This afternoon… they’ll announce this month’s ‘number one,’ right? We… should be fine, right?”
“Number one”!
These two words, like a spell, instantly silenced everyone in the office.
This was not just a title, a bonus.
This was the highest affirmation of a production team’s efforts and talent over a month. It would be entered into personal records, becoming the shiniest medal in their future careers.
Hiroshi Nohara also put down his pen, lifted his head, and looked at Kiyoto Suzuki.
He didn’t care about the bonus, but he needed this resume entry.
After all, this glory was the most solid stepping stone to break free from his “intern” status!
“Yeah.”
Looking at everyone’s expectant gazes, an unprecedented confidence appeared on Kiyoto Suzuki’s face.
“Don’t worry.” He waved his hand, as if already grasping that glory: “The late-night slot ‘number one’ is rightfully ours. As for the animated film’s ‘number one’…”
He chuckled lightly, the smile carrying the unquestionable pride of a victor.
“This month, besides us, who else deserves these two words?”
Everyone immediately burst into hearty laughter.
……
However, destiny, the greatest playwright, always delivers the most unexpected twist right when you think the plot will end warmly.
At 4 PM, when Kiyoto Suzuki walked out of that meeting room deciding countless fates, the confidence and pride on his face had vanished without a trace.
In its place was a gloom crushed by absurd reality.
He returned to the classroom without a word, just slamming two freshly issued documents heavily onto the table.
Everyone crowded around.
The first document boldly stated in black bold font—”April Late-Night Slot Program ‘Number One’: 《An Shizhi》”.
“It’s number one after all!”
“Isn’t that great?!”
A brief cheer rose in the office.
But everyone’s gazes quickly fell on the second document.
That one, also in bold black font, stated—
“April 11 PM Late-Night Slot Program ‘Number One’: 《Oni-bō Samurai》”.
“April Animation Category Program ‘Number One’: 《Oni-bō Samurai》”.
