novelraw Chapter 161: The Storm Appears! Nohara Hiroshi's Countermeasure! Using Black Traffic Techniques!
Chapter 161: The Storm Appears! Nohara Hiroshi's Countermeasure! Using Black Traffic Techniques!
Sunday afternoon, TV Tokyo Studio 1.
This is the recording site of the ace variety show "Stars Shining in the Starry Sky", and also the gladiator arena of fame and traffic that must be staged every week in the entire Nippon entertainment circle.
The brilliant lights are like daytime, illuminating that stage full of futuristic tech feel so that every fine hair can be seen.
Below the stage, hundreds of strictly screened professional fans, are waving their idols' support signs. On those young and frantic faces, written full of infinite longing for the upcoming carnival.
In the air backstage, however, permeated an oppression completely different from that enthusiastic atmosphere out front.
"Takeda-san, have you memorized everything?"
The general director of the program, the direct line capable general of the Tokyo Faction Yasui Takashi, is currently standing before the monitor in the director's booth. On that face always carrying a few parts of playboy-like unruliness, at this moment is shrouded in a layer of icy gloominess.
He didn't even turn his head back, merely staring deadly at the screen, at that man who was currently facing the mirror, repeatedly practicing his signature "healing smile".
Takeda Yuichi, in the industry for over twenty years, the publicly recognized "King of Controlling the Field" in the Nippon variety show circle.
On that face of his always wearing a genial smile, carried a few parts of just right humility full of professional quality. "Rest assured, Director Yasui." His voice was gentle like jade, like a piece of warm jade that has been polished thousands of times, unable to hear the slightest edge or corner: "Praising to kill, we've played this routine for almost twenty years. Guarantee to praise that kid surnamed Nohara up to heaven, making him unable to step down himself."
"Very good." Yasui Takashi nodded in satisfaction: "Remember, the heat must be grasped well. We only need to inadvertently drop a spark named 'class' onto that conceited powder keg of his. The rest, leave it to those stupid commoners, let them themselves go make this fire burn the more vigorously the better."
"Understood." Takeda Yuichi smiled taking the order.
Just at this time, the side door of the studio was slowly pushed open.
Figures full of a sense of oppression, entered in single file.
Walking at the very front, was Kurosawa Eiji.
This master who is respected as a "living legend" in the Nippon film industry, at this moment acted like a silent mountain, stopping his footsteps after entering the studio, then quietly following behind that young man.
In those sharp eyes of his that had shot countless classic shots, at this moment only left a kind of, undisguised appreciation and... trust towards that young man beside him.
And behind them, were seven men with different auras but equally full of unique charm.
They are the seven leading actors of "Seven Samurai".
And walking in the very center of this "Samurai Legion", was exactly Nohara Hiroshi.
He was still in that simple casual wear, the smile on his face gentle, as if coming to attend a pleasant weekend tea party.
"Yo, isn't this our 'Samurai Legion' here?"
Takeda Yuichi was the first to welcome them, on that face always wearing a genial smile, at this moment even more blossomed a kind of enthusiasm almost bordering on flattery: "Director Kurosawa! You being able to grace us with your presence, is the honor of our entire program ah! And Manager Nohara! Aiyaya, you are really... a hundred times younger and more handsome than on TV ah!"
This exaggerated compliment full of "variety show feel", only bought a faint nod from Kurosawa Eiji which counted as a greeting.
Famous directors have always looked down on variety shows.
Just like the division of knights in the Western Middle Ages, how could battlefield knights who fought with real swords and spears, look highly upon those jesters in the court?
Of course regarding this Takeda Yuichi also understood why.
Didn't get half a bit angry.
Still smilingly inviting them in.
"You flatter me." Nohara Hiroshi merely smiled peacefully, taking a seat calmly on those guest seats that had long been prepared for them.
Very quickly, the program recording officially started.
"Dear audience friends in front of the TV! Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to watch 'Stars Shining in the Starry Sky' exclusively sponsored by Kirin Real Estate! I am your old friend, Takeda Yuichi!"
Under the spotlight, Takeda Yuichi acted like the most brilliant conductor, using his voice full of infectious power, instantly pushing the atmosphere of the scene to a small climax.
After a brief opening remark, he then focused that gaze full of "goodwill", onto that, young man who from beginning to end merely smiled peacefully.
"Today, our program team, is extremely honored to, invite a, heavyweight guest who can be said to be of our entire Nippon television circle, no, even the entire cultural circle!"
In his voice, full of aria-like exaggeration and worship: "He, is that legendary, genius producer who used three works, to thoroughly subvert the inherent cognition of the word 'television' of all of us —— Manager Nohara Hiroshi!"
"Let's use the warmest applause to welcome him!"
Clap clap clap clap——!
Below the stage, instantly erupted a continuous thunderous applause that lasted for a long time!
Nohara Hiroshi merely smiled, towards the camera, gently waving his hand.
However, Takeda Yuichi clearly didn't plan to let him off so easily.
"Manager Nohara, not gonna lie to you, I am a loyal fan of yours ah!"
On his face, written full of fanaticism like seeing an idol: "Every single one of your works, I've watched over and over again no less than ten times! Whether it's the thrill of 'Yamishibai', the imagination of 'Tales of the Unusual', or the joy of 'Kasou Taishou', all make me, an old guy who has hung around the variety show circle for almost twenty years, feel... inferior ah!"
"I even often wonder, exactly what kind of family, what kind of education, can cultivate a true 'elite' like you, who at such a young age, has already stood at a height that all of us cannot reach?"
Hmm?!
When the word "elite" outputted, Kurosawa Eiji's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, unnoticeably.
On the faces of those seven "samurai", also subconsciously surfaced a trace of vigilance.
They knew too clearly.
What the two words "elite", exactly meant in this society that had long been tortured breathless by class rigidity.
That is a seemingly gorgeous, but actually highly toxic high hat!
Once worn, it means thoroughly cutting oneself off, from those vast "commoners", that is, the commoner class that constitutes the cornerstone of this society!
Kurosawa Eiji subconsciously gave a look to the young man beside him.
The meaning in that look was very obvious —— Careful! There's a trap!
However, Nohara Hiroshi seemingly didn't see that look of his full of warning meaning.
He merely calmly looked at that, host who was currently waiting for his answer with a face full of "sincerity", on his face blossoming again a, gentle smile full of helplessness.
"Host Takeda, you are really... flattering me too much with this."
His voice was like a clear spring, gentle without half a bit of pride and arrogant meaning, just as if a trickling brook, softly opening his mouth and saying.
"If we say, this of mine is also considered 'elite', then my father, that old farmer who is still in the Akita Prefecture countryside right now, dealing with dirt and crops every day, probably... is going to become the deepest hidden, behind-the-scenes Emperor of our Nippon country right?"
"Pfft——!"
This reply full of self-deprecating meaning, like the most precise laughable bomb, instantly detonated the entire venue!
Below the stage instantly erupted a burst of hearty laughter full of goodwill!
On Takeda Yuichi's face that always wore a genial smile, appeared a trace of imperceptible stiffness.
He didn't expect, this young man, unexpectedly would use this kind of, method approaching "exposing one's own shortcomings", to easily, defuse his first question full of traps!
"Hahaha, Manager Nohara you are really... humorous." He forced a smile to smooth things over, following which, again cast that gaze full of "calculation", towards that, movie about to be released.
"Speaking of which, Manager Nohara, I heard, this 'Seven Samurai' you cooperated with Director Kurosawa on this time, tells a story about 'samurai' saving 'farmers'. Then in your opinion, 'samurai' and 'farmers', these two entirely different classes, what is the biggest difference between them?"
"Can it be said, 'samurai', represent the 'elite' of that era, are the heroes pushing history forward. And 'farmers', are more like... a group of ordinary 'commoners' who need to be guided, to be saved?"
This question, was a hundred times more venomous than the one just now!
It is no longer simple "praising to kill", but nakedly, attempting to use "class antagonism" this, ultimate weapon sufficient to tear apart the entire society, to dig a massive deep pit for Nohara Hiroshi sufficient to make him beyond redemption!
As long as he dares to nod, even if merely revealing a tiny bit of, identification towards "elites", and contempt towards "commoners".
Then what awaits him, will certainly be the most crazy verbal castigation from the entire society's public opinion!
But if he denies.
Then it will also enter the rhythm of 'hypocrisy', ultimately still being seen in the routine of 'the hypocrisy of the elite'.
Takeda Yuichi regarding this kind of method, plays it with pure perfection!
"Host Takeda, this question is asked very well."
However, on Nohara Hiroshi's face, was still that calmness and indifference.
Following which, he slowly opened his mouth.
"In my opinion, 'samurai' and 'farmers', between them, there has never been any distinction of high or low, noble or base. They, are all nothing more than, pitiful people ruthlessly crushed over by a larger, giant wheel named 'era'."
"This story of 'Seven Samurai', what it tells, is never the opposition between 'elites' and 'commoners'. What it tells, is the end of an era."
"Samurai, that class that once represented glory and order, under the appearance of muskets, under the consolidation of centralization, they, were ruthlessly abandoned by the era."
"And farmers, that seemingly humble, yet full of primitive vitality class, they, used their cunning and resilience, survived, and became the masters of the new era."
"Therefore, you see."
The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth hooked up an arc.
"This war, has never had any true victor. What lost, is that already decaying, old era. And what won, is that upcoming, new era full of infinite possibilities."
"Every single one of us, whether the so-called 'elite', or the so-called 'commoner', are nothing more than, an insignificant wave in the tide of this era."
"What we can do, is not to complain about class rigidity, not to be jealous of others' success. But should like me, seize every opportunity to change our own destiny, given to us by this era."
"After all, I, Nohara Hiroshi, am also nothing more than, the son of a farmer from the Akita Prefecture countryside."
"It's just seizing the opportunity the era gave me."
"Only then reaching current success!"
Silence.
Death-like silence.
In the entire studio, a dropping pin could be heard.
Everyone stared blankly at that young man, on those faces, written full of unbelievable shock!
They never thought, a seemingly simple entertainment interview, unexpectedly would be, forcefully elevated by an early twenties young man, to a philosophical height sufficient to trigger deep thought in the entire society!
"..." Takeda Yuichi, this "King of Controlling the Field" who has crossed the variety show circle for almost twenty years, at this moment on that face always wearing a genial smile slightly stiffened.
He stared blankly at that young man, that gaze like looking at a monster wearing human skin!
All the traps he buried, all the poison he prepared, before this young man's god-like scale sufficient to see through everything, all appeared so, childish, laughable, and unable to withstand a single blow!
Is this really just a twenty-three year old graduate!?
"Well said!"
Right within this death-like silence full of shock and absurdity, a hearty sigh of admiration, like thunder from a clear sky, finally thoroughly tore to pieces this solidified air!
Kurosawa Eiji, this master who from beginning to end was like a silent mountain, violently slapped his thigh. On that weather-beaten old face, was written full of heartfelt appreciation and pride!
"This, is the movie I, Kurosawa Eiji, want to shoot! This, is the core, spirit, that our 'Seven Samurai', truly wants to convey to all audiences!"
This final conclusion full of "official certification" meaning, like the loudest slap, fiercely, slapped onto Takeda Yuichi's already deathly pale face!
And also thoroughly, announced the complete defeat of this "praising to kill" plan full of calculations and conspiracies!
...
When the program recording ended, that group of "Samurai Legion" who had long been thoroughly won over by Nohara Hiroshi, surrounding their "General Commander", mightily walking out of that studio full of gunpowder scent, on everyone's face, was written full of unsuppressible excitement of surviving a disaster and... lingering fear.
"Preposterous! Simply preposterous!"
Makino Shunpei playing Kikuchiyo, a young man with an explosive temper like his character, was the first who couldn't hold back, fiercely smashing the mineral water bottle in his hand onto the ground!
"That bastard surnamed Takeda! He is simply not human! Every sentence is a pit! Every word is a knife! If not for Manager your fast reaction, today we, probably would have been buried alive in there by him!"
"Exactly!" Trialed actor Miyoshi Taiji playing Kambei, also nodded with lingering fear, on that steady face written full of solemnity: "This bunch of guys from the Tokyo Faction, really is... resorting to every conceivable means ah. Even daring to take out a poison like 'class antagonism' that is sufficient to shake the foundation of the country and use it. They, really want to put us to death ah."
"Manager, what do we do next?" Everyone's gaze, focused on that, young man who from beginning to end merely smiled peacefully.
"What to do?"
Hearing this, Nohara Hiroshi chuckled lightly, in those clear eyes, flashing a spine-chilling sharpness.
"Simple."
He looked at this group of Kanto Faction elites before his eyes who had long been thoroughly won over by him, a gentle smile blossoming again on his face.
"Everyone, don't worry. They want to play, we'll play with them. The more they want to push us into the pit of 'class', the more we must hold the banner of 'era' high."
"Black traffic, is also traffic. The fiercer they cause a commotion, the more audience it will make, generate greater curiosity towards this movie of ours. When the time comes, once the movie is released, all conspiracies and tricks, will defeat themselves."
"Because, the truth, is always the best, weapon."
This declaration full of confidence and composure, like the gentlest warm current, instantly smoothed all the unease and anxiety in everyone's hearts.
"But..." Kurosawa Eiji, this master who had seen through the vicissitudes of worldly affairs, in those sharp eyes, still flashed a trace of deep worry: "The human heart, is the most unpredictable thing. What if... what if those incited masses, fundamentally are unwilling to walk into the cinema, to find the so-called 'truth'?"
"They will."
The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth, hooked up a smile of Wisdom Pearl in Hand belonging to a chess player.
"Because, we still have, a second trump card."
He looked at everyone's eyes full of confusion, slowly, spitting out that, brand new battlefield full of joy and magic.
"Let's go, everyone. Next stop, 'Hilarious Wednesday'."
...
Compared to the verbal fencing full of "high-end interview" style in 'Stars Shining in the Starry Sky', the recording site of 'Hilarious Wednesday', was more like a massive children's playground full of whimsical ideas.
The traps here, were no longer those "soft knives" full of the art of language, but various "hardcore pranks" in the physical sense full of bad taste.
When Kurosawa Eiji, this highly respected master in the Nippon film industry, was arranged by the program team, wearing a comical samurai armor, sliding down screaming from a massive slide full of bubbles...
When those seven handsome and suave "samurai", were requested to use chopsticks to pick up those loaches jumping lively on ice cubes...
When Nohara Hiroshi, was probed by that host who was also a sly old dog, using a suggestive question "Manager Nohara, I heard this movie of yours, invested almost three hundred million, then you personally, how much approximately can you get from it?"...
He merely smiled peacefully, then, pointed at Director Kurosawa beside him who was already laughing bending forward and backward with no image at all, using a tone full of Versailles-style troubles, saying unhurriedly:
"Getting a share of the money? How would I dare to think about that. Being able to serve this senior who is as old as an antique happy, so that he doesn't at every turn drag me to drink all night, I already am... thanking heaven and earth."
This complaint full of "junior towards senior", instantly triggered roars of laughter from the entire venue!
And also easily, dissolved that trap full of "stench of money" into nothingness.
This propaganda war full of joy and awkward cute contrast, finally, with a posture approaching crushing, announced the complete victory of the Kanto Faction!
...
A week later, in the air of Tokyo, it seemed invisible depth charges were dropped.
Under that seemingly calm water surface, there were already surging undercurrents, full of murderous intent everywhere.
[Nohara Hiroshi · Independent Production Department].
That office which was once full of youthful spirit and laughter, hailed as the "holy land" for young people in the entire TV Tokyo, at this moment was shrouded in suffocating oppression.
The young interns no longer chattered and discussed the latest ideas like usual, but lowered their heads, silently sorting the documents in their hands. On those young faces, was written full of confusion and... wavering.
Those experienced old employees, although still rapidly typing on the keyboard before their computers, that fanaticism and worship towards their Manager's god-like ability, had long been replaced by a more complex emotion full of doubt.
The entire department was like a precision machine with its core gear taken out. Although still operating by inertia, it had long lost that momentum sufficient to crush everything and move forward indomitably.
"Manager..."
Kitagawa Yao holding a cup of freshly ground top-tier Blue Mountain coffee, carefully walked into the Manager's office.
She looked at that young man who was still sitting peacefully behind the desk, constructing one wonderful world after another like floating clouds and flowing water on that snow-white drawing paper. In those big eyes that were always sparkling, a layer of moist mist was covered at this moment.
In her hand, still pinching a few newspapers and magazines that had long been flipped through countless times by her, the corners already slightly curled up.
On top of those, printed with the most eye-catching and most vicious fonts, were titles sufficient to make anyone with a conscience feel angry.
[Son of a Farmer, Someone Who Forgot His Roots? Genius Producer Nohara Hiroshi Tells the Truth After Drinking: Commoners, Are Nothing More Than Lambs Needing to be Guided!]——"Shukan Bunshun"
[Exclusive Scoop! "Seven Samurai" Script Content Heaven-Shaking Reversal! Nohara Hiroshi Borrows the Mouth of a Samurai, Bitterly Denouncing Farmers "Cunning, Stingy, Are Murderous Demons"!]——"FRIDAY"
[From the Pride of Akita, to the "Elite" of Tokyo, Nohara Hiroshi's Path of Depravity!]——"Asahi Geino"
Articles of reports full of malicious speculation and taking out of context, like poisoned knives, from all directions, fiercely stabbing towards that young man who not long ago was still placed on the altar by them.
"Manager, you..." In Kitagawa Yao's voice carried unsuppressible choking: "These... these are all their nonsense! It's them being jealous of you! It's them deliberately blackening you!"
She gently placed the coffee cup on the table, in those eyes always full of energy, at this moment written full of heartache and grievance towards her Manager.
"We... we all believe in you! We know, you are absolutely not the kind of person they say!"
"I know."
Nohara Hiroshi finally put down the pen in his hand.
He lifted his head, looking at this most loyal little fan of his who was already so anxious she was about to cry, the gentle smile on his face unchanging.
He didn't even go look at those newspapers that had long caused a great uproar outside, merely peacefully picking up that cup of hot coffee still emitting steaming hot air, taking a gentle sip.
"Rest assured, Kitagawa." His voice was peaceful: "This little wind and waves, still can't capsize the boat."
This calmness and indifference, this composure as if everything was in control, was like a most potent tranquilizer.
Gently smoothing all the unease in Kitagawa Yao's heart.
She looked at her Manager's calm eyes that didn't raise the slightest ripple, that heart which had already somewhat wavered, became firm again!
That's right!
This is Manager Nohara!
The god-like man who used three works to turn the entire Nippon television circle upside down!
How could a mere little bit of public opinion storm, possibly knock him down?!
However, right within her gaze full of worship, the office door was violently pushed open.
Asumi's intellectual beauty secretary, with a few parts of unprecedented solemnity on her face, walked in quickly.
"Manager Nohara." In her voice, carried a trace of unsuppressible anxiety: "Deputy Director Asumi asks you to immediately go to his office. Director Kurosawa, and... Director Yasui and Director Ito, have all arrived."
"Hmm, I got it." The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth, hooked up a smile of understanding.
He put down the coffee cup in his hand and walked over.
...
In Asumi's office, smoke wreathed, the atmosphere so oppressive it seemed water could be wrung out.
This Deputy Director who was sufficient to make any producer outside silent as a winter cicada, at this moment was like a thoroughly enraged lion, pacing back and forth before that massive mahogany desk.
That Cuban cigar in his hand, had long been pinched slightly deformed by him. On that face that was always elegant and steady, at this moment was even more gloomy as if water could drip out.
Opposite him, Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan, those two "Variety Show Gemini" of the Tokyo Faction, at this moment were like two children who had done something wrong, lowering their heads, silent as winter cicadas.
On those two faces always carrying a few parts of arrogance, at this moment was written perfectly timed bitterness full of "grievance" and "innocence".
And beside them, Kurosawa Eiji, this master respected as a "living legend" in the Nippon film industry, was like a silent volcano, sitting quietly on the sofa.
He didn't speak, but in his eyes burned a monstrous rage sufficient to burn the entire office to the ground!
When Nohara Hiroshi pushed open the door, that figure full of composure and stability appearing at the door, everyone's gaze, like iron filings attracted by a magnet, uniformly focused on his body.
"Hiroshi-kun!"
Asumi was the first to welcome him, in his eyes at this moment written full of unsuppressible anger and... heartache.
"You... you suffered grievance!"
This opening remark full of the meaning of "protecting one's calf", was heavier than any questioning full of bureaucratic flair.
"Deputy Director Asumi." Nohara Hiroshi merely smiled peacefully, taking a seat calmly on that sofa in the main seat.
This calmness and indifference, this bearing as if everything was in control, even more made the already suspended hearts of Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan, uncontrollably, sharply sink!
They looked at that young man, in that gaze also adding a few parts of worry.
Clearly they were the hunters who set the trap, but why, right now, they felt like they were two pitiful prey whose cards had long been seen through by the other party?!
"Hmph! Grievance?!"
Kurosawa Eiji finally still couldn't hold back, he fiercely smashed that copy of "Shukan Bunshun" in his hand onto the center of the conference table, that massive loud noise made the entire office tremble!
"This is called grievance?! This is clearly murder! It is naked character assassination!"
He pointed at those two variety show directors whose faces had long paled from fright, in those sharp eyes, shooting out anger sufficient to burn someone alive!
"I ask you two! Your program, exactly how was it edited?! Why did those words full of scale and wisdom that Nohara-kun said, when they reached your program, become a pile of bullshit trash full of the stench of 'elitism'?!"
"And! That lines about 'farmers'! That is the most profound and most precise interpretation of our nation's tragic destiny that I, Kurosawa Eiji, have heard in my life! But when it reached your mouths, how did it become, he Nohara Hiroshi, is 'bitterly denouncing farmers'?! Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?!"
This straightforward and fierce questioning, like two loudest slaps, fiercely slapped onto Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan's faces, burning painfully!
"Director Kurosawa! You... you misunderstood! We... we really didn't ah!"
Yasui Takashi reacted first, on his face always bearing a few parts of playboy-like unruliness, at this moment was written full of innocence: "We... all the content broadcasted by our program, has gone through strict review! Absolutely no malicious editing components at all! We... we merely factually took every word Manager Nohara said on the scene, completely intact, and broadcasted it out ah!"
"Exactly! Exactly!" Ito Choan also hurriedly nodded echoing: "As for the reports on those newspapers and magazines, that... that has even less to do with us ah! It's those audiences, it's those media, they themselves, taking out of context, maliciously interpreting! We... we are also victims ah!"
"You also know, these third-rate newspapers just like to create something out of nothing! You also know, their sales entirely rely on borderline news and fake news to survive!"
"So what does this have to do with us?"
This sophistry full of "professionalism" and "sense of innocence", can be called a textbook-level shifting of blame.
They easily pushed all the responsibility, onto those "stupid" audiences, and those "unscrupulous" media.
Molding themselves into a pair of innocent white lotuses equally hurt by public opinion.
"Bullshit!"
However, Kurosawa Eiji clearly wasn't buying their act!
He violently slapped the table, on that weather-beaten old face, written full of undisguised disdain and contempt: "The art of editing, has really been thoroughly played by you two! Audio and visual mismatch, contextual splicing, plus accompanying some subtitles and background music full of suggestive meaning... this kind of underhanded method, do you think, an old guy like me who has shot movies for a lifetime, wouldn't be able to see through it?!"
"You guys, are simply insulting the word 'director'!"
This exposing full of "professionalism", hitting the nail on the head, was like an sharpest knife, precisely, cutting open the hypocritical veil camouflaged with lies and innocence on the two!
Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan's faces instantly stiffened.
They didn't expect, this stubborn old man who seemed to only know how to shoot movies, unexpectedly... unexpectedly towards these "hidden rules" in their variety show circle, was also thoroughly clear!
"Enough!"
Right within this atmosphere of swords drawn and bows bent, Asumi's icy voice without a trace of warmth, finally slowly rang out.
He slowly extinguished the cigar in his hand, his eyes calmly watching those two clowns, whose cards had long been seen through by him.
"Yasui, Ito."
His voice, very light, very slow, like whispers between lovers, yet carrying a cruelty sufficient to make anyone feel a chill in their hearts.
"I'll give you, one last chance."
"Now, immediately, right away, scram out of this office for me."
"Then, use the method you are most skilled at, go put out this fire ignited by your own hands, for me without missing a single point."
"If you can't do it..."
He paused, the corners of his mouth carrying an icy smile.
"——Then I, Asumi, will let you know, if I want to retaliate against two Level 2 Directors, Takada also cannot protect them!"
This verdict full of the meaning of an "ultimatum", instantly pressed onto Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan's already fragile to the extreme nerves.
They knew, Asumi, truly had murderous intent.
However, right within this tense atmosphere, that young man who from beginning to end was merely peaceful, once again slowly opened his mouth.
"Deputy Director Asumi, please don't get angry first."
Nohara Hiroshi put down the teacup in his hand, under those three gazes full of astonishment and incomprehension, slowly standing up.
He walked before those two "culprits" whose faces were already ashen, a gentle smile full of helplessness blossoming again on his face.
"Director Yasui, Director Ito. This matter, the fault doesn't lie with you."
"Eh?!"
Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan violently lifted their heads, in those two pairs of eyes somewhat panicked because of Asumi's threat, written full of unbelievable absurdity!
He... he is... speaking up for us?!
"It's me."
Nohara Hiroshi's corners of his mouth hooked up a self-deprecating smile.
"It's me, who underestimated too much, the terrifying instigating nature that the two words 'class' have, in this society of ours that has long been solidified."
"So this fire, since it was ignited by my own hands."
He paused, under those three increasingly confused gazes, slowly revealing a smile:
"Then naturally it should be me, personally putting it out."
He turned around, looking at that Asumi who had long been thoroughly stunned by these shocking remarks of his, on his face blossoming again a smile of Wisdom Pearl in Hand.
"Deputy Director, please trouble you, to help me arrange it."
"Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, I want to convene a, press conference facing all mainstream media in the entire Nippon, in the largest Studio 1 in our station."
"I want to let them, personally witness."
In those clear eyes of his flashing with light: "How a brand new era, belonging only to me, Nohara Hiroshi, descends."
...
The door of Asumi's office, was once again closed.
Yasui Takashi and Ito Choan, like two dead dogs whose backbones were extracted, walked losing their souls on that corridor so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat.
In their minds, the "goodwill" reminder of that young man when he finally left, was still echoing repeatedly.
"Right, Director Yasui, Director Ito."
"Tomorrow's press conference, still asking the two of you, to be sure to grace us with your presence."
"After all the good show, has just begun."
That playful smile, that confident gaze, like two unsurmountable mountains, fiercely, pressing on their hearts, making them, breathless.
"He... what exactly does he want to do?" In Yasui Takashi's voice carried trembling.
"I don't know." Ito Choan shook his head, on his face written full of unprecedented solemnity.
"I only know..."
He paused, in those eyes hidden behind the glasses, flashed a trace of deep fear: "We this time seem to really have, provoked an absolute monster that cannot be provoked."
(End of Chapter)