My Name is Hiroshi Nohara, Star of Neon Film and Television!

Chapter 110: Ready! "Kasou Taishou" enters countdown!

TV Tokyo, Production Bureau Headquarters Building. That Executive Deputy Director's office located at the top of the pyramid of power, at this moment, was as suffocatingly quiet as the eye before a storm gathers.

Takada Toshihide, out of habit, stood with his back to the door in front of that huge floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cup of premium Blue Mountain coffee that had long gone cold.

The air in the office seemed to have solidified, heavy enough to crush bones.

Iwata Masao was like a soulless stone statue, humbly bending his waist, sitting on the low stool beside the sofa. That face which was once full of arrogance now only had numbness and emptiness left after being completely crushed by reality.

He didn't dare to look up, or even breathe, terrified that the slightest sound would draw the thunderous wrath of that silent volcano.

Even if he hadn't made a mistake now, it was the same.

"Creak—"

The heavy mahogany door was silently pushed open. Two entirely different figures, like two unsheathed sharp blades, one after another, pierced through this dead silence and appeared at the doorway.

Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan came in.

"Deputy Bureau Chief Takada." The two respectfully bowed to that mountain-like figure seen from behind."En." Takada Toshihide didn't turn around, just letting out a nasal sound as a response, then asked in a voice so plain it bordered on cold: "Iwata, how are things handled?"

Iwata Masao's body trembled violently. He hurriedly raised his head, his voice hoarse but filled with the urgency of someone seeking credit: "Yes! Deputy Bureau Chief! It's all handled! I used all my connections, from 'Tokyo Sports' to 'Nikkan Gendai', all the entertainment sections of the mainstream media have been taken care of! Even a few major local newspapers in Osaka and Nagoya, I've contacted them!"

From his briefcase, he tremblingly pulled out a few newspaper drafts and offered them with both hands. That posture was like a hound eager to present prey to its master.

"These are their front-page previews for tomorrow. I've already drafted the headlines—[From 'Urban Legends' to 'National Variety'! Can the Cross-border Myth of Genius Nohara Hiroshi Continue Its Glory?!]"

"Very good." Takada Toshihide finally turned around slowly. He took those drafts and just casually glanced at them, a trace of what could be considered a satisfied smile finally appearing on that gloomy face.

He cast his gaze towards the two silent variety show aces and asked: "You two went to the set to see, how did it feel?"

"Just like that." Yasui Takashi shrugged his shoulders. That posture was like a cat toying with a mouse, full of undisguised contempt: "Deputy Bureau Chief, forgive me for speaking bluntly, that... simply doesn't count as a variety show recording."

"Oh?" Takada Toshihide was curious.

"What I saw was not impromptu collisions, not random gags, let alone the kind of 'live feeling' full of uncertainty that belongs to variety shows."

Yasui Takashi shook the glittering gold Rolex on his wrist, a mocking arc hooking the corner of his mouth: "What I saw was a group of actors, following an incredibly detailed script, acting like marionettes in front of the camera, accurately completing every single movement and every single expression."

"Exactly." Next to him, a cold mockery sparkled in Ito Choan's eyes. His evaluation was even more concise and biting: "What he is filming isn't a variety show. He's using the method of filming movies to film a... kindergarten-level playing house game full of childish fantasies!"

"Playing house game? Such a low evaluation?" The smile on Takada Toshihide's mouth curved up even more.

He trusted the professionalism of these two.

"He doesn't understand what the soul of a variety show is at all! The soul of a variety show is 'people'! It's the irreplaceable chemical reaction generated in that instant between stars and the audience! Yet he's trying to use a script to strangle this soul! This is simply... putting the cart before the horse, foolish beyond belief!"

Ito Choan's words were absolutely confident;

they also stated an iron rule of the variety show field that they firmly believed in.

"Very good." The smile on Takada Toshihide's face grew thicker.

Looking at Iwata Masao, the expression on his face immediately turned cold: "Iwata, did you hear that?"

"Yes! Deputy Bureau Chief!" Iwata Masao replied immediately.

"Add these 'professional reviews' from the two of them in for me as well. Find a few writers with sharp pens, set the tone a bit higher, just say... 'The arrogance of a genius', 'The paranoia of a layman', 'Using the logic of a movie to challenge the iron rules of variety is destined to be a gorgeous suicide'."

"I want everyone to know that the young man exalted to the altar... he simply doesn't know how to film variety shows!"

Takada Toshihide spoke with even more sophistication.

"Yes!"

Iwata Masao nodded heavily. In those hollow eyes, a faint, venomous, and excited light reminiscent of ghost fire re-ignited: "Deputy Bureau Chief, rest assured! Previously, I collected the pager numbers of quite a few presidents and chief editors at various newspapers! I guarantee that in the shortest amount of time, this torrent of public opinion will be pushed to its climax!"

"Don't worry about the funding."

Takada Toshihide waved his hand, that posture like an emperor controlling everything: "What I want is not a simple victory. What I want is a public execution, one that is enough to press the entire Kanto Faction's face to the ground and repeatedly rub it in!"

...

Early the next morning, as the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds, a long-premeditated storm of public opinion swept across all of Neon in an unrivaled posture.

Crowds bustled in front of major newsstands.

The entertainment sections of all mainstream newspapers, using the most eye-catching headlines and the most sensational strokes, pushed that young man named Nohara Hiroshi, along with his mysterious variety show "Kasou Taishou"—which hadn't even aired yet but had already whetted everyone's appetite—onto an incredibly radiant altar built from countless praises and expectations.

The "Asahi Shimbun": [From late-night to prime time, from TV dramas to variety shows! Can Nohara Hiroshi's "Midas Touch" turn stone into gold again?!]

The "Yomiuri Shimbun": ["Nohara Hiroshi's Variety Show 'Kasou Taishou'!" — Can Nohara Hiroshi's variety revolution subvert an era?!]

However, amidst this frenzied near-apotheosis, there were also mixed in a few "professional" voices that seemed objective but were actually full of suggestive undertones.

"Shukan Bunshun", famous for its sharp tongue, once again invited that veteran film critic "Spicy Kara-Jishi" to publish an in-depth review article titled [The Genius's Achilles Heel: When Movie Logic Encounters the Iron Wall of Variety].

"...We have never denied Nohara Hiroshi's astonishing talent in 'storytelling'. But we must soberly realize that variety is never an art of 'storytelling'. It is an art of 'controlling the venue'."

"According to a veteran TV Tokyo internal variety show director who wishes to remain anonymous, Nohara Hiroshi's current 'Kasou Taishou' has completely abandoned the traditional production model of variety shows, and instead adopted a nearly paranoid 'cinematic' filming approach. Every segment, every punchline, is pre-written to death in the script. This is undoubtedly the greatest strangling of a variety show's 'live feeling' and 'impromptu charm'."

"We are very worried that this genius, who is used to controlling everything from behind the scenes, when he tries to use that cold cinematic logic of his to challenge the fiery and passionate iron wall of variety, will ultimately expose his fatal Achilles' Heel..."

Praise, and "kill with praise" (overhyping to cause a downfall).

Expectations, and badmouthing.

Under the deliberate guidance of people with ulterior motives, two entirely different voices quickly fermented into a massive nationwide discussion.

For a time, the name Nohara Hiroshi, and his yet-to-be-unveiled "Kasou Taishou", became the hottest and most controversial topic this August.

...

And in those distant places like Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka...

Those local tycoons who had just formed the "Anti-Nohara Hiroshi Alliance", upon seeing these overwhelming reports, grinned from ear to ear.

"Hahahaha! I told you so! That brat from Tokyo, he's basically a complete layman!"

Kansai TV, Production Bureau Deputy Chief Waya Ichiro slammed the newspaper in his hand heavily onto the table. On that livid face, a schadenfreude-filled elation was written: "Treating a variety show like a movie? Only he could come up with that! This is simply seeking his own death!"

"Isn't that the truth."

Nagoya's Chukyo TV Production Manager Yamada Ken also let out a scoff full of schadenfreude over the phone: "That old fox Takada Toshihide played this 'kill with praise' move really beautifully. Now, all of Neon is waiting to see that brat make a fool of himself. Wait until that kindergarten-level playing house game of his airs, the viewership ratings will drop dead. When the time comes, let's see how he can still be arrogant!"

He hung up the phone and enthusiastically called others, explaining the situation.

"That's right! This is simply a god-given opportunity! TV Tokyo is fighting internally among themselves! Truly too interesting!"

Fukuoka Kyushu Broadcasting's Tanaka Shigeru's voice was filled with unsuppressable excitement: "The more arrogant and conceited he is, the more he wastes his talent, the more time he gives us to breathe and catch up! Everyone, our 'Urban Legends' projects must also speed up! By next month, when that brat's myth shatters, it will be the best time for us to attack together and carve up the market void he leaves behind!"

Conspiracies intertwined through the airwaves.

They seemed to have already seen that young man, who was hoisted into the clouds, crash down with a resounding boom under the heavy pressure of reality, smashing into a wretched state of pulverized bones.

They had even started celebrating early for that impending victory belonging to them.

...

In the Midnight Diner, those few nightclub bouncers who were cheering for the king's return of "Yamishibai" before, were currently frowning at the variety show preview playing on the TV.

"What's he doing? Why did Teacher Nohara run off to make variety shows?" The buff guy with the buzz cut was full of confusion: "He's clearly a genius at filming urban legends. Going to make those giggling comedy programs, isn't that a waste of talent?"

"You can say that again." The scar-faced man chugged some beer and smacked his lips, "And, that rebooted 'Yamishibai: True Third Season' of his—although it looks a hundred times better than what that useless Iwata filmed, but... it always feels not as stunning as the first and second seasons. A bit... trying too hard."

These words voiced the heartfelt thoughts of countless old fans of "Yamishibai".

Like the most fastidious gourmets, beneath that familiar taste, they could discern the minuscule compromise made to cater to the market.

In the boys' dormitory of the University of Tokyo, the debate was even more intense.

"This is a betrayal! It's a betrayal of the 'Urban Legend' brand!" Suzuki Takuya excitedly waved the newspaper in his hand: "Teacher Nohara is blinded by his victories! He thinks he's omnipotent, but forgot where his foundation lies! Variety shows? What kind of thing is that? That's garbage for mindless mediocres to watch!"

"Exactly! How could Teacher Nohara go film variety shows! Urban legend type programs are clearly so good to watch!" Several other college students also nodded in succession, their faces bearing indignation.

This torrent comprised of disappointment and worry even spread to the interior of Nohara Hiroshi's core team.

Backstage at Studio 3, Ko Kaoruhana and Fujii Itsuki, who had just finished a rehearsal, were sitting in a corner with exhausted faces.

On their faces, there wasn't the slightest excitement of being about to step onto a brand new stage. Instead, a thick, inseparable gloom shrouded them.

"Fujii-kun... our performance just now, was it really... funny?" Ko Kaoruhana's voice carried a trace of doubt that even she herself hadn't realized.

She recalled just now on the stage, she and a few partners wearing comical tight bodysuits, using their bodies to mimic a working typewriter scene. That heartfelt sense of shame still made her cheeks burn up until now.

"I don't know." Fujii Itsuki smiled bitterly and shook his head. He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. The swirling smoke couldn't disperse the confusion at the bottom of his eyes either: "We are just acting according to Teacher Nohara's script. But... these completely pre-designed punchlines, will the audience really buy them? I always feel, this... this is too deliberate."

They were actors, not comedians (geinin).

They could precisely replicate every movement and expression in the script, but they couldn't foresee, when these dismantled, fragmented 'parts' were finally pieced together, exactly what kind of bizarre creation would be presented.

They were afraid that their group of highly anticipated 'Kanto Faction actors' would eventually become the final straw that crushed this genius.

After all, they had failed for too long.

They finally longed for a formidable general who led them to fight an invincible turnaround battle.

Now, they actually threw themselves into another battlefield.

An unfamiliar battlefield.

As for what the outcome would be, none of them knew.

Their hearts were heavily burdened with worry.

However, amidst this clamor and questioning that swept the entire Neon nation, that young man at the center of the storm seemed to be in a different dimension of space and time, turning a deaf ear to everything outside.

Nohara Hiroshi was drawing his "YuYu Hakusho" manuscript. After all, he was still a manga artist and needed to submit his work.

Moreover, when Nohara Hiroshi drew manga, it was as if he had also entered a state of calmness.

There was nothing to worry about.

What Nohara Hiroshi possessed was the foundation of countless film and television works from Neon of his past life—as his foundation, as his confidence, as his trump card.

As long as he wanted to, he could instantly seamlessly transplant all those countless film and television works from his past life into this Neon at any time.

Therefore, he didn't need to worry.

The ones who should be worrying are the others!

PS: Continue to beg for tickets~