Chapter 85: Warning! Don’t Trust Osaka People!
Kenji Sato became alert.
His face, always carrying a bit of refined smile, froze in an instant upon hearing those words, like the surface of a lake swept by cold wind, all ripples solidifying into a sheet of icy cold vigilance.
“Nohara-kun, have you replied to those pagers and phone calls?” Kenji Sato’s voice unconsciously lowered a few degrees.
“Not yet, there are too many. I plan to handle them slowly during my rest days these couple of days.” Hiroshi Nohara shrugged; he truly hadn’t taken it seriously.
In his view, they were nothing more than interview invitations from media or advertisers seeking cooperation.
However, Kenji Sato’s expression turned awkward.
“Don’t reply to them no matter what!”
He blurted it out almost instinctively, then realized his impropriety, cleared his throat, and spoke in a tone of earnest advice from an experienced person:
“Nohara-kun, you’re not the same as before. You’re no longer just a manga artist who only needs to think about creativity. Now, you are the hottest golden signboard of the entire Kanto Faction—no, the entire Tokyo Television Station!”
“What you hold is creativity that can turn stone into gold, capital that can shift the entire industry’s landscape! At a time like this, nine out of ten who come knocking are jackals!”
“Jackals?” Hiroshi Nohara raised an eyebrow, piqued with interest instead.
“That’s right! Jackals!”
At this moment, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto suddenly lifted his head, his face now filled with contempt and disdain.
“Let me tell you, Section Chief Nohara.” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto’s voice was hoarse, carrying the world-weariness of an experienced person: “I’ve seen too many of their tricks. Those from Kansai Television Station or Osaka Television Station love to pave the way with money, offering you an irresistible contract right away. Once you go over, they squeeze dry your creativity and kick you aside. You absolutely cannot trust Osaka people!”
“Those from Nagoya play dirty, sending pretty girls to ‘make friends’ with you, coaxing out your words. Once you spill the core creativity, they turn around, start their own project, and you have nowhere to cry!”
“And some even more despicable ones invite you out for drinks under the guise of cooperation, get you drunk, and who knows what they might steal from your bag.”
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto’s words were like a sharp knife, vivisecting the dirtiest, most shameless side of the industry, laying it bloody before everyone.
The veterans of the Kanto Faction knew this all too well.
The young people were all dumbfounded, never having expected this.
“So, Nohara-kun.” Kenji Sato’s tone became extremely serious: “From now on, if there are any contacts from unclear sources, don’t handle them yourself. You can ask me first, or ask Director Yamamoto. We’ll help you vet them. The waters in this circle are too deep; one misstep and you’ll have an accident.”
“I understand.” Hiroshi Nohara looked at the two seniors genuinely worried for him, a warm current surging in his heart.
Of course, he knew they were exaggerating a bit.
But…
In the film and television industry, where quick money is made and handsome men and beautiful women gather, it’s impossible for dark forces not to exist.
Backed by Tokyo Television Station, he perhaps hadn’t encountered much.
But once without a backer.
Then behind the scenes…
It would be a mixed bag.
In the corner, Eiji Kurosawa, who had been quietly sipping tea, took it all in.
He looked at the young man whose face remained unruffled even after hearing these sordid affairs, a flicker of knowing amusement in his eyes.
Of course he knew these tricks; he’d encountered dirtier ones in his youth.
But he didn’t speak up.
Because he could see that this young man named Hiroshi Nohara had a heart steadier than anyone imagined.
However…
“Osaka people really cannot be trusted!” Eiji Kurosawa thought of the filthy matters he encountered at Osaka Television Station before, still unable to forget!
But he also made a private decision.
He needed to call that kid Asumi later and give him a good scolding.
Such a raw gem capable of stabilizing the fortunes of the entire Kanto Faction must not be chipped or damaged due to some people’s shortsightedness and greed.
It must be heavily utilized! And even more… protected well!
…
The ratings storm stirred up by 《World of the Strange》 showed no sign of weakening after a weekend passed.
Instead, after a brief lull on Monday, it swept across the entire nation with an even more ferocious momentum on Tuesday night.
July 2, Tuesday.
At 9 PM, 《World of the Strange》 second episode 《Machio Rumors》 aired on schedule.
The next morning, when the latest ratings report flew into the offices of various departments at Tokyo Television Station like snowflakes, everyone was utterly stunned by the glaring number on it.
20.51%!
Up 0.21% from the first episode!
“Fake, right?! It rose again?!”
The head of the Advertising Department at Tokyo Television Station, a middle-aged man with a Mediterranean hairstyle, stared at the report in his hand, thrilled to the point his heart condition nearly acted up: “This… this is no longer just a dark horse; it’s practically a ratings perpetual motion machine! Quick! Contact Nohara Classroom immediately! Tell them, the ad slots for the next episode, raise the price by another 10%! No! 15%!”
At the same moment, the atmosphere in the Finance Department’s office was one of merriment.
“Hahaha! We’re rich! We’re really rich this time!”
The Finance Section Chief looked at the input-output ratio report, his usually furrowed brow from budget worries now blooming like a chrysanthemum: “Just the ad revenue from the first episode and the subsequent copyright pre-sales have already recouped the entire project’s production cost! The remaining thirty-eight episodes are all pure profit! Pure! This Hiroshi Nohara is truly amazing!”
And in Iwata’s Classroom, oppressively cold like an ice cellar.
The ratings report for 《An Shizhi》 season three episode two was slammed on Masao Iwata’s desk like a death sentence.
3.55%.
Down from 6.1% in the first episode, nearly halved.
“How… how could this be…” Masao Iwata stared blankly at the number, his usually arrogant face now ashen.
He couldn’t understand; it was the same art style, the same story mode—why wouldn’t the audience buy it?
He had no idea that what he called “the same” was so clumsy and laughable in the audience’s sharp eyes.
…
July 3, Wednesday.
《World of the Strange》 third episode 《Sugoroku Board》, ratings: 20.57%!
《An Shizhi》 season three third episode, ratings: 2.01%.
“Dropped below 3%… about to drop below 2%…”
In Production Bureau Director Nobuhiko Sakata’s office, Deputy Director Asumi looked at the report in his hand with a warm smile, his tone carrying just the right touch of regret: “Director Sakata, it seems Deputy Director Toshihide Takada is under a lot of pressure.”
Nobuhiko Sakata held his tea cup, didn’t even lift his eyelids, just faintly grunted “Mm.”
He was now too lazy to care about that doomed project.
All his attention was focused on that young man named Hiroshi Nohara.
Because even as the Production Bureau Director.
He had now received calls from production directors, deputy station managers, even station managers from other television stations.
Inquiring about consultations or exchanges.
Giving him a sense of crisis.
So thinking back to how he had listened to Toshihide Takada before and nearly buried an excellent director, he couldn’t help but inwardly fume.
…
July 4, Thursday.
《World of the Strange》 fourth episode 《Cabinet》, ratings: 20.66%!
《An Shizhi》 season three fourth episode, ratings: 1.58%.
“That old fox Takada seems to have quieted down a lot lately.”
In Deputy Director Asumi’s office, Eiji Kurosawa stroked his beard, a look of enjoying the show on his face as he said:
“I heard that yesterday at the board of directors meeting, he was named and criticized by the station manager. Said he had poor judgment in people and nearly let an incompetent subordinate affect the entire station’s reputation.”
Asumi just smiled, saying nothing.
He knew this was just the beginning.
…
July 5, Friday.
《World of the Strange》 fifth episode 《Elf in the Dark》, ratings: 21.02%!
《An Shizhi》 season three fifth episode, ratings: 1.25%.
“Broke… broke 21%?!”
“This is no longer a myth; this is… sorcery, right?!”
The entire Tokyo TV Production Bureau fell into stunned silence upon seeing this number.
They looked at the young man who still clocked in and out on time every day, mostly leisurely sitting in his office drinking coffee and reading manga, their gazes like looking at a demon from another dimension cloaked in human skin.
21% in the sub-golden slot?
Even in prime time, this level… would be enough to reign supreme!
Because they instinctively glanced at the 8 PM prime time program called 《Yesterday’s Cherry Blossom》.
A first-class director’s S-grade period romance proposal.
Ratings only 22.32%!
Just about 1% difference.
At least they had heard that the occasional laughter from that first-class director’s classroom had now stopped.
The employees left in the Production Bureau building had no smiles on their faces when going out.
All with sour faces.
After all, there was no helping it—whoever’s prime time proposal program had its ratings approached by a mere sub-golden slot proposal program would feel it.
It was simply an insult and a slap in the face!
…
July 6, Saturday.
《World of the Strange》 sixth episode 《New House》, ratings: 21.11%!
《An Shizhi》 season three sixth episode, ratings: 1.08%.
Almost no one cared about 《An Shizhi》’s fate anymore.
It was like a clumsy clown; before that radiant king, all its struggles seemed so insignificant and comically tinged.
Iwata’s Classroom had become a taboo term.
Everyone passing by that office quickened their steps instinctively, as if something ominous was sealed inside.
…
July 7, Sunday.
When the final ratings report for 《World of the Strange》 seventh episode 《Gift》 came out fresh.
21.17%!
Meanwhile, 《An Shizhi》 season three’s ratings deflated like a punctured balloon, limply dropping below the 1% lifeline.
0.8%.
This number, like the loudest slap, viciously struck the faces of everyone in the Tokyo Faction.
Thoroughly announcing the end of a farce.
…
Monday morning, with fine sunlight.
When Hiroshi Nohara drove his black Toyota Crown Majesta steadily into the television station’s underground parking lot.
He keenly sensed that today’s atmosphere was somehow different.
From the parking lot to the elevator, then to the Production Bureau floor, everyone he encountered along the way, regardless of department or faction, without exception stopped from afar and gave him a standard ninety-degree bow.
One after another calling him “Teacher Nohara.”
Their posture humble, in awe, like welcoming a king inspecting his territory.
In their eyes, no more jealousy, no more scrutiny, only pure surrender to the strong, from the heart after witnessing absolute strength overwhelming.
This was also a trait of Japanese people’s admiration of strength.
As long as you are strong.
You deserve respect!
Regardless of age!
“Good morning, Teacher Nohara.”
A third-class director from the Tokyo Faction who once had complaints about him hesitated for a moment as they passed each other, finally squeezing out this title he never imagined saying with a nearly parched voice.
“Hello.” Hiroshi Nohara just calmly smiled and nodded back, returning the courtesy.
The strong person’s courtesy.
No one had expected that in this steel forest called Tokyo Television Station, the rigid faction rules that had operated for decades would be torn open a huge gash by him in the most brutish and unreasonable way.
No one dared ignore him yet!
Hiroshi Nohara pushed open the door to his classroom; the Kanto Faction veterans in the office were already all assembled early.
They looked at the young man walking in, each face beaming with a proud sense of sharing in the glory, from the heart.
“Good morning, Section Chief!”
The uniform greeting echoed through the entire office.
Hearts surrendered!
‘Knock knock knock—’
Amid this feverish atmosphere hot enough to melt steel, the office door was gently knocked.
Deputy Director Asumi’s chief secretary, a poised beauty usually haughty, merely nodding ritually even to section chiefs, now stood personally at the doorway with a perfectly measured smile mixing awe and curiosity.
“Teacher Nohara.” Her voice was soft like April’s spring breeze: “Deputy Director Asumi requests you visit his office when you have time.”
This address, this posture, made the Kanto Faction veterans in the office swell even more with proud glory.
This secretary of Deputy Director Asumi used to be so arrogant.
When had she ever been this humble?
Now so humble to their Section Chief Nohara—didn’t that prove their Section Chief Nohara’s strength!?
“Okay, thank you for the trouble.” Hiroshi Nohara smiled and nodded; of course he understood the change.
Power is like levels in a game.
When you’re still in the newbie village, everyone looks like lofty red-name NPCs.
But once you wield a divine weapon and your level skyrockets, you’ll find those once unattainable big shots proactively sending you team invites.
He briefly instructed everyone to compile this week’s audience feedback report, then under the secretary’s nearly guiding deferential posture, unhurriedly headed to that office symbolizing the power center.
Pushing open the door, a wave of cigar smoke hit his face.
Asumi, Kenji Sato, and Tsuyoshi Yamamoto were already waiting, each face brimming with irrepressible exhilarated smiles.
“Nohara-kun! You really… I don’t even know what words to use!” Asumi stood up immediately from behind the desk symbolizing power upon seeing him, strode forward, clapped his shoulder heavily, his laughter hearty and full of genuine admiration.
“Yes, Deputy Director.” Tsuyoshi Yamamoto’s usually hawk-like sharp face now full of heartfelt conviction: “21.17% ratings… I wouldn’t dare dream something this outrageous even in my dreams!”
Then including Kenji Sato, another round of rainbow praise.
Leaving even Hiroshi Nohara amused.
He didn’t know what had gotten into them.
But looking around the room, Hiroshi Nohara puzzledly asked: “Where’s Director Kurosawa? Didn’t he come?”
“Don’t mention it.” Asumi waved from his chair with a helpless amused expression: “That old guy, after watching the finished film of the seventh episode yesterday, shut himself in his office early this morning, seeing no one. Said… your offbeat story stimulated him, inspiration flowing like a spring, so he’s in seclusion writing a brand-new script.”
“Oh? That’s great news.” Hiroshi Nohara perked up with interest.
“Great news? I think it’s a headache for us!”
Asumi rubbed his brow, tone laced with headache yet unable to hide the excitement: “He told me he wants to make an anti-cliché samurai movie. About a countryside drifter who’s not a samurai at all, who impersonates one by chance to eat, but ends up truly becoming a samurai while protecting the villagers.”
“Impersonating samurai drifter?” Hiroshi Nohara stroked his chin; this setup felt oddly familiar, and he subconsciously murmured softly: “This character… 《Seven Samurai》… Chiyo?”
His voice was very soft, almost inaudible.
But Asumi’s ears were sharp as radar; he whipped his head around, those usually deep-as-an-ancient-well eyes instantly bursting with nearly greedy fervent light!
“What?! 《Seven Samurai》?!” Asumi lunged to Hiroshi Nohara, gripping his arms tightly, eyes like Columbus discovering new lands: “You kid… you… you wouldn’t have movie concepts too, would you?!”
Kenji Sato and Tsuyoshi Yamamoto also held their breath instantly, eyes fixed on Hiroshi Nohara, expressions like awaiting a divine oracle.
“Ahem…” Seeing Asumi’s face slightly flushed with excitement, Hiroshi Nohara just gave an ambiguous smile, neither confirming nor denying.
That poise and mystery only made Asumi itch with frustration, yet helpless.
“Alright, alright! I surrender! I surrender!”
Asumi abruptly let go, raised both hands in an exaggerated surrender pose; at just forty-five, in his prime, he joked without any deputy director airs: “You monster! My heart can’t take this scare from you! Movie talk later! Let’s discuss business first!”
Moreover, Asumi now directly regarded this young man Hiroshi Nohara as a strong person on his level.
And from everyone’s mouths, learned that Hiroshi Nohara was willing to join the Kanto Faction.
Even as a leader helping the Kanto Faction crowd.
So Asumi dropped all pretenses.
Appearing utterly affable.
Of course, calling Hiroshi Nohara over now was first to build rapport, lest as Kenji Sato warned, he be poached by enemy stations.
Second, Asumi indeed had a problem.
He looked at Hiroshi Nohara, took a deep breath, tone even carrying a hint of plea: “Hiroshi-kun, that 《Super Change Change Change》 variety show proposal we discussed before… could you… draft a brief proposal plan?”
