novelraw Chapter 171: Misae Who Learned to be Bad! Nohara Hiroshi with an Aching Waist Declares Begging for Mercy!
Chapter 171: Misae Who Learned to be Bad! Nohara Hiroshi with an Aching Waist Declares Begging for Mercy!
[Writing up to here I hope readers will remember our domain name Taiwan Novel Net super considerate, twkan.com super convenient]
The footsteps of time, always walk the fastest at the most satisfying times.
That seemingly long fifteen days of New Year holiday, like a brief sunny day in Akita Prefecture's winter, quietly slipped by amidst the warm laughter and play of the family and the simple greetings among fellow villagers.
When Nohara Hiroshi once again started that black Toyota Crown, driving away from that countryside shrouded by morning mist, outside the car window, the figures of his parents and elder brother waving goodbye, gradually turned into three blurry black dots in the rearview mirror.
The melancholy of parting, like a cup of lukewarm sake, rippled out faint circles in the heart.
The over five hours long drive ended.
Nohara Hiroshi looked at that familiar steel forest barging into his field of vision again, that sense of prosperity belonging to an international metropolis, was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly reactivating that somewhat lazy heart of his.
The battle is about to start again.
Nohara Hiroshi stepped on the gas pedal, quickly returning home.
The apartment door was gently twisted open by the key, a familiar warmth mixed with faint perfume and sunlight scent rushed at his face. The living room was bright and clean, the floor wiped to the point of reflecting people, the throw pillows on the sofa neatly stacked, on the coffee table even placed a bouquet of lilies waiting to bloom.
Everything was in perfect order, full of the breath of life.
The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth unconsciously hooked up a gentle arc.
He knew, that "Madame President" of his, had already returned a step ahead of him, back to this small kingdom belonging to them.
"I'm back."
His voice wasn't loud, but like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up layers of ripples in the inner room.
"Patter patter——"
A burst of hurried and joyful footsteps approached from afar, immediately following, a petite and pretty figure, like a returning swallow, bringing a gust of fragrant wind, vehemently threw herself into his embrace.
"Hiroshi-kun! You've finally come back!"
Misae lifted that flushed little face, her small head intimately rubbing against his solid chest, in those bright big eyes, filled with the joy and longing of reunion after a long separation, like two cleanly wiped obsidian stones.
Nohara Hiroshi lightly chuckled, reaching out his arms, tightly encircling this warm fragrance and soft jade little woman in his embrace, as if wanting to knead her into his blood and bones.
He lowered his head, lightly kissing her smooth forehead, feeling that familiar, warm breath like a small sun on her body, all the exhaustion in his heart vanished into thin air at this moment.
"Yeah, I'm back."
The two just quietly hugged each other like this, enjoying this moment of warmth and tranquility.
And then as Nohara Hiroshi's smile gradually turned evil.
Outside the window, the hubbub of Tokyo seemed to be isolated in another world.
For a long time, Nohara Hiroshi finally let go of Misae, sitting on the tatami and lit a cigarette, while at it he pinched Misae's perky little nose, a playful smile flashing in his eyes: "My Madame President, moving quite fast ah. I just arrived from driving, and you've already tidied up the house?"
"But of course!" Misae smugly raised her chin, that petite and pretty appearance, like a kitten claiming credit.
She stretched out two fair fingers, gesturing in the air, tone full of taking it for granted pride: "I came back by taking an airplane! From Kumamoto to Tokyo, whoosh—— arrived in a flash! Compared to this slow old jalopy of yours, much faster!"
Speaking Misae also seemingly thought of something, looking at Nohara Hiroshi revealing a special smile: "Of course, you are also very fast!"
"Oh? Is that so?" The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth stiffened, and then hooked up a meaningful arc, that gaze, like a cheetah locking onto prey, full of aggressiveness.
He suddenly reached out his hand, forcefully pressing down on that little woman still being immensely proud of herself, amidst a burst of coy exclamation, he once again revealed a sinister smile: "President Misae, haven't seen you for a long time, you seem to have become... somewhat presumptuous oh!"
"Aiya! You... you are bullying me again!" Misae's cheeks, with a "swish" flushed completely red, like a fully ripe apple.
Those bright big eyes of hers, yet had already been shrouded by a layer of moist mist, like a pool of spring water, rippling out circles.
One hour later.
On the tatami of the bedroom, still lingered the residual warmth of a hearty session.
Misae like a kitten whose bones were removed, lazily curled up in Nohara Hiroshi's embrace, on that flushed pretty face, written full of satisfying satiation.
In those watery big eyes of hers, flashed a mischievous smile.
"Hiroshi-kun..." Her voice carried a trace of hoarseness, tone yet soft like a piece of rice cake about to melt: "I feel... the matter of whether you drive fast or not, still needs to be further explored."
"..."
Nohara Hiroshi's body imperceptibly trembled for a moment.
At this time he coughed somewhat like admitting defeat: "You know Misae, I drove for almost six hours... feeling tired at this time is as it should be... and should properly rest up..."
Instantly Misae revealed a little demon-like smile, only just as she was about to say something, the mobile phone ringtone rang.
"Ring ring ring——! Ring ring ring——!"
A burst of hurried and ear-piercing mobile phone ringtone, untimely, pierced through this tranquility full of ambiguity.
Nohara Hiroshi's brows, instantly relaxed completely.
He glanced at that continuously vibrating mobile phone on the bedside table, adding a bit of rejoicing in his eyes.
"Who is it? Calling so late?" Misae unhappily pouted, in that voice, full of the coquetry of having an intimate moment disturbed.
Nohara Hiroshi feigned helplessness sighing, he reached out his hand, gently rubbing that furry little head, pacifying: "Alright, don't be angry. Probably work matters."
He said, picking up the phone, glancing at the caller ID —— [Tadokoro Masato].
The editor of Shueisha.
Nohara Hiroshi's favorable impression towards Editor Tadokoro doubled!
He answered the phone, in his voice, all the romance and charm had long faded, leaving only that calmness and steadiness belonging to a producer.
"Hello, Mr. Tadokoro, Happy New Year."
"Aiya! Sensei Nohara! Happy New Year! Happy New Year ah!" On the other end of the phone, transmitted Tadokoro Masato's voice full of enthusiasm and respect, in the background, mixed with bursts of energetic, noise belonging to the editorial department: "Pardon the intrusion, truly sorry! Mainly... mainly there is an urgent matter, wanting to report to you."
"Please speak." Nohara Hiroshi was very patient with him.
"It's like this, Sensei Nohara."
Tadokoro Masato's voice, carried a trace of being put in a difficult position: "You also know, the New Year holiday just ended, the enthusiasm of the readers, is simply unprecedentedly high! Whether it is 'YuYu Hakusho', or 'Doraemon', or that 'Midnight Diner' full of healing power, are all currently our Shueisha's, hottest ace works!"
"But the problem also came."
His voice was full of helplessness: "The stored manuscripts of these three works, now... now are all in emergency shortage! Especially 'YuYu Hakusho', readers calling every day to urge for updates, the phones in our editorial department, are almost blown up! So... so I want to ask you, Sensei Nohara, see if... can you... draw some more stored manuscripts?"
"Oh, right!" He seemingly suddenly thought of something, hurriedly supplementing: "There is still good news! After the unanimous discussion of our editorial department, we decided, to also officially launch tankobon volumes for 'Doraemon'! Moreover, if the subsequent quality of 'Midnight Diner', can consistently maintain its current standard, we also plan, to include it together into the tankobon publishing plan!"
"Oh?" Nohara Hiroshi raised his eyebrows.
This is undoubtedly a massive piece of good news.
One must know, in Nippon, whether a manga can launch a tankobon volume, is the most important standard measuring its commercial value and market potential.
Once launching a tankobon, means this work, will no longer be simple magazine serialization, but will become, a true "timeless classic" that can be collected by countless readers, and repeatedly savored.
"Of course, this is truly wonderful, Mr. Tadokoro." Nohara Hiroshi's voice carried a smile: "Within this week, I will deliver the latest manuscripts of 'YuYu Hakusho', 'Doraemon', and 'Midnight Diner', to your editorial department."
Nohara Hiroshi speaking also stroked his chin: "If there are no accidents, should be able to give you... five chapters for each."
"..."
The other end of the phone, instantly fell into a dead-like silence.
Leaving only Tadokoro Masato's somewhat heavy breathing due to extreme shock.
"No... Sensei Nohara... you... what did you say just now?!" A long time later, Tadokoro Masato's voice sounded again, in that voice, carrying a trace of unsuppressible trembling and... horror!
He even suspected, if he himself due to too much overtime recently, had auditory hallucinations.
"I said, five chapters each." Nohara Hiroshi's voice, was still that peaceful, that unhurried, as if what he just said, wasn't a terrifying workload sufficient to make any full-time manga artist die of exhaustion on the spot, but merely, as simple as what to eat tonight.
"Three works adding up, total of fifteen chapters, given to you within one week. And then at the end of the month I'll squeeze out time to draw more, enough for you guys to serialize for over a month."
Boom——!
This number, like the most precise nuclear bomb, instantly explosively detonated in Tadokoro Masato's mind!
He blankly stood at his original spot, on that face already written full of exhaustion, all expressions solidified in an instant!
Fifteen chapters?!
Within a week?!
This... this can no longer be described by simple "genius"!
This is clearly... true, miracle!
He was too clear!
He was too clear in Nippon, a top-tier full-time manga artist, rushing out seven or eight chapters of serialized manuscripts in a month, is already considered a "model worker"!
And Nohara Hiroshi, this "part-time" manga artist who held multiple jobs at the same time, being a producer, director, and screenwriter, actually... actually can within a week, draw out fifteen chapters of manuscripts?!
And listening to his calm and indifferent tone, as if... as if still having energy to spare?!
This... this is simply... a monster!
"Okay... okay! Okay!" A long time later, Tadokoro Masato finally snapped out from that massive shock, he was excited to the point of being incoherent, as a manga editor, he of course wouldn't mind the manga artists under him explosively updating.
"Sensei Nohara! You... rest assured! Our Shueisha, will definitely use the best resources, to promote your works! We guarantee, making every one of your works, the best-selling model!"
"En, then sorry to trouble you." Nohara Hiroshi merely peacefully nodded, chatted a few more sentences, and then hung up the phone.
He put down his mobile phone, turned his head, and then saw Misae's bright big eyes, blinking without blinking, looking at him full of curiosity.
"Hiroshi-kun, is it work matters?" She was like a curious kitten, that furry little head, leaned over again.
"En." Nohara Hiroshi nodded, he reached out his hand, once again hugging that warm fragrance and soft jade little woman into his embrace, on his face once again blossoming a gentle smile.
"My Madame President," In his voice, carried a trace of teasing, "The New Year holiday is over. Your Future Comic Club, should also officially open for business."
"Really?!" Misae's eyes instantly lit up!
She violently sat up from his embrace, on that flushed pretty face, written full of unsuppressible excitement and anticipation: "Then... then what do I need to do ah?"
"Very simple." The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth, hooked up a "wisdom pearl in hand" smile, "Next up, I will draw out all these fifteen chapters of manuscripts. And your task, is to lead your employees, to carry out the final coloring and perfection on these manuscripts."
He speaking, stood up from the tatami, stretching out his body, that posture, like a male lion about to enter hunting state, elegant, yet full of absolute sense of power.
"Alright, my Madame President." He turned around, looking at that little woman who had long been completely ignited fighting spirit by these words of his, once again blossoming a confident smile on his face.
"Ready, to welcome a, creative storm belonging only to us?"
"En!" Misae heavily nodded, in those bright big eyes, burned a blazing fire sufficient to start a prairie fire!
But Misae also pouted her pink lips and asked: "Then the matter of driving fast or not..."
"Cough!" Nohara Hiroshi said with a serious face: "Serious matters are more important!"
"Oh..." Misae pouted feeling extremely regretful.
Therefore, this Future Comic Club president who was just lazily acting like a cat on the tatami, at this moment was like the most efficient commander, quickly putting on clothes, starting to send pager text messages to her employees one by one, arranging tomorrow's tasks in advance.
While Nohara Hiroshi had already sat in front of that massive drawing desk specially prepared for him long ago.
He didn't have the slightest hesitation, picking up the drawing pen, on that snow-white drawing paper, like floating clouds and flowing water, constructing one wonderful miniature universe after another.
After Misae finished making phone calls, she quietly sat on the side, those bright big eyes, curiously and admiringly watching Nohara Hiroshi creating.
Nohara Hiroshi's hand was fast to the point of almost leaving only an afterimage!
That ordinary drawing pen, at his fingertips seemed to be bestowed with life, on that snow-white drawing paper, leaping, flying, outlining one precise and powerful line after another!
The outlining of characters, the construction of scenes, the switching of storyboards... everything, under his miraculous pen, completed in one breath, floating clouds and flowing water, having no pauses whatsoever, having no modifications whatsoever!
As if, he wasn't creating, but merely, reproducing those frames that had long been practiced thousands of times in his mind, in a most perfect manner!
One hour...
Two hours...
Three hours...
When the light outside the window gradually dimmed, gradually replaced by the dark night, Nohara Hiroshi, finally put down the pen in his hand.
In front of him, had already piled up a hill, constructed by fifteen chapters, nearly three hundred pages of perfect drawing manuscripts!
"Phew——"
He breathed out a long breath, in that breath, carrying a trace of post-battle exhaustion, yet full of indescribable satisfaction.
He turned his head, looking at that little woman who had long been completely stunned by this "miracle"-like operation of his, on his face once again blossoming a gentle smile.
"Alright, my Madame President." His voice, carried a trace of hoarseness, yet full of doting: "The remaining organizing work, is left to you, I truly must go to sleep."
He speaking stood up, walking towards that bed.
And then groggily fell asleep.
He was truly very tired.
"So awesome!" Misae picking up those manuscripts, blankly looking at the exquisite lines on them, looking at the complete stories on them, and then looked at that god-like man who had already fallen deeply asleep on the bed, that heart of hers that had long been completely conquered by him, at this moment other than shock, left only a pride originating from the bone marrow.
This is her man!
She tiptoed to the bedside, looking at that face of his that was still impeccably handsome in his sleep, the corners of her mouth hooking up a sly, brilliant smile like a little fox.
She gently lifted a corner of the blanket, like a kitten that sneaked a bite of fish, silently getting in.
And then, happily resting that small head, on that broad and solid chest of his.
Listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling that reassuring warm breath on his body, Misae also slowly closed her eyes.
Falling asleep together.
"Goodnight!" Misae gently murmured: "Have a good dream oh~"
Outside the window, the curtain of the night shrouded the world, spilling a patch of peace and tranquility, onto this small apartment full of love and miracles.
...
The first ray of sunlight in the morning, like a shy girl, quietly parting that thin layer of morning mist above Tokyo, gently spilling the golden light into the bedroom of the apartment.
The light leaped on Nohara Hiroshi's handsome face, long eyelashes slightly trembling, he slowly opened his eyes.
Reflecting in his field of vision, was the familiar white ceiling, the air permeated with that unique warm fragrance on Misae's body, mixed with faint perfume and sunlight scent.
Beside him, that warm fragrance and soft jade little woman, was curled up in the crook of his arm sleeping sweetly, a satisfying smile still hanging on the corner of her mouth.
Nohara Hiroshi had a momentary trance.
He subconsciously thought he was still in that bedroom full of rustic flavor at his hometown in Akita Prefecture, and the next second would hear his mother downstairs calling him to get up and eat breakfast.
Until he saw that familiar urban skyline outside the window, constructed by countless reinforced concrete, that somewhat lazy heart, was thoroughly awakened by this prosperous skyline.
Back in Tokyo.
The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth unconsciously hooked up a gentle arc.
He lowered his head, lightly kissing that small head's fair forehead, feeling that reassuring warm breath on her body, all the exhaustion and alienation in his heart, vanished into thin air at this moment.
He carefully, pulled his arm out from under Misae's neck, and then lightly and precisely lifted the blanket preparing to get up.
"En..."
The warmth in her embrace suddenly disappearing, Misae unhappily lightly snorted, like a kitten whose beloved toy was snatched away, subconsciously reaching out her hand, randomly grabbing twice in the air, her mouth vaguely mumbling something.
"Alright, my Madame President, time to get up." Nohara Hiroshi lightly chuckled, he reached out his hand, gently pinching that flushed pretty face, tone full of doting: "If you don't get up, going to work will be late."
"Wu... don't want to..." Misae unhappily twisted her body, burying that small head, deeper into the soft pillow: "Sleep a bit more... just a bit more..."
Looking at her cute appearance of lingering in bed, Nohara Hiroshi's heart warmed, that desire to protect and sense of conquest belonging to a man, instantly was completely ignited.
He decided, to use a sumptuous breakfast, to awaken this "Sleeping Beauty" who was still in her sleep.
He lifted the blanket, neatly standing up, stretching out his body, preparing to go display his skills in the kitchen.
However, right at the moment he straightened his waist, a sudden soreness, like an electric current violently darted up from his waist, instantly transmitting through his limbs and bones!
"Hiss——!"
Nohara Hiroshi's body, imperceptibly stiffened for a moment.
He subconsciously raised his hand, supporting his faintly aching old waist, on his face at this moment yet surfaced an embarrassed expression.
"Pffttt——!"
From behind instantly came a suppressible light chuckle.
Nohara Hiroshi violently turned his head, and then saw Misae unknowingly when had already woken up, was lying on her side on the tatami using the blanket to cover her mouth, those bright big eyes like two sweet crescent moons, filled with mischievous smiles inside.
"Hiroshi-kun..." Her voice, carrying a trace of hoarseness having just woken up, yet full of undisguise-able teasing: "You... are you... waist aching ah?"
"..."
Nohara Hiroshi pursed his lips somewhat unable to speak.
"Cough!" He feigning calmness coughed, forcing himself to explain: "What... what nonsense are you saying! I... I am... this is yesterday driving for almost six hours, a bit tired that's all! Having no relationship... with other things!"
"Yes yes yes! Transmitting having no relationship! Having no relationship!" Misae laughed so hard she rocked back and forth, her whole person curled up into a ball, like a happy little shrimp: "I know! I know Hiroshi-kun you are the most awesome at driving! Fast and steady! Just... just a bit taxing on the waist that's all!"
This teasing full of "tiger and wolf words", Nohara Hiroshi opened his mouth, wanting to refute, yet couldn't speak a single word.
Ultimately, he could only helplessly say a sentence: "I'm going to the washroom to freshen up." And then hurriedly slipped away.
If he didn't slip away, was he supposed to teach Misae a lesson?
Stop joking...
"Alright alright, won't tease you anymore!"
Misae finally stopped laughing, she neatly sat up from the tatami, on that flushed pretty face written full of satisfying satiation.
She looked at Nohara Hiroshi's "battered" back figure, in those bright big eyes of hers, flashing a kind of, brilliant smile like a little demon.
"Hiroshi-kun, you go freshen up first." Her voice, once again recovered that tenderness and considerateness belonging to a wife: "I'll make breakfast, you just obediently sit by the dining table, and wait to eat that's all."
Nohara Hiroshi upon hearing this, that heart that was already hanging, finally heavily dropped back into his stomach.
He knew, today he finally escaped a disaster.
...
The morning sunlight, through the kitchen window, illuminated the entire room transparently and brightly.
Misae like a hardworking little bee, methodically busying herself in that not large space.
She skillfully from the milk box at the door, took out two bottles of fresh milk still bearing morning dew, and from the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, took out the already prepared frozen rice and vegetables.
The microwave "hummed", very quickly, that bowl of crystal clear rice then emitted an alluring aroma.
Butter melted in the frying pan, making "sizzle" sounds, bright green vegetables stir-fried in the pan, intertwining with golden eggs into an alluring picture scroll.
In the soup pot on the other side, miso soup also bubbled emitting hot steam, that rich bean aroma, instantly permeated the entire kitchen.
Finally, she also pan-fried a few cute mini sausages cut into octopus shapes in the frying pan until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, that burnt aroma belonging to meat, was even more like the most precise hook, instantly hooking up Nohara Hiroshi's taste buds that were already extremely hungry.
In less than ten minutes, a sumptuous and warm breakfast, full of Japanese family flavor, was neatly placed on the dining table.
Nohara Hiroshi looked at this warm scene full of vitality of life in front of him, his heart instantly felt extremely gratified.
He picked up the chopsticks, picking up a perfectly pan-fried mini sausage, sending it into his mouth, that crispy on the outside and tender on the inside texture, and that just right salty aroma, instantly explosively detonated in his entire oral cavity!
"Delicious!" He sincerely praised from the bottom of his heart, in those clear eyes, full of appreciation and satisfaction towards his lover's exquisite culinary skills.
Misae upon hearing this, on that face always full of vitality and endearing silliness, instantly blossomed a, smile even more brilliant than the sun.
"But of course!" She smugly raised her eyebrows: "The food cooked by me Misae, is the most delicious in all of Nippon!"
"It is exactly so!" Nohara Hiroshi cooperatively nodded.
"But speaking of which, Hiroshi-kun." Misae drank a mouthful of warm miso soup, in those bright big eyes, once again flashing an impish smile: "That waist of yours... is it really okay?"
"Cough!" Nohara Hiroshi's cheeks, imperceptibly flushed completely red again.
He forced himself to explain: "Already said, it's driving for too long! You... don't let your imagination run wild!"
"Oh?" The corners of Misae's mouth, hooked up a sly arc, that gaze, like a little fox that sneaked a bite of fish: "Then... do you want me tonight, to help you... properly, rub it a bit ah?"
"..."
Nohara Hiroshi felt that heart of his that had just calmed down, at this moment, was again ruthlessly teased by Misae's words full of "suggestive" meaning.
He opened his mouth, wanting to refuse, yet was reluctant. Wanting to agree, yet couldn't put aside his pride.
Ultimately, he could only silently lower his head, quickly shoveling the rice in his bowl: "Better eat first, Misae."
Looking at his embarrassed appearance, Misae finally satisfyingly revealed a brilliant smile of her prank succeeding.
She discovered during this period of time being together with Musae.
She herself had learned to be bad too!
...
When that black Toyota Crown, once again merged into Tokyo's never-ending traffic stream, the first ray of working day sunlight of the New Year, had already completely awakened this steel forest.
Nohara Hiroshi dropped Misae off downstairs of Future Comic Club, that independent small building looking inconspicuous, yet full of artistic atmosphere.
"Alright, my Madame President." Nohara Hiroshi stopped the car, he turned his head, looking at that little woman already ready to go, on his face once again blossoming a gentle smile: "I'll just drop you off up to here."
"En!" Misae nodded, she undid the seatbelt, lightly kissing that handsome cheek, in those bright big eyes, full of anticipation and longing towards the new day's work: "Hiroshi-kun, you too, be careful on the road."
However, right when she prepared to get out of the car, Nohara Hiroshi yet suddenly pulled her hand.
"Wait a minute."
He pointed at those few massive document bags stuffed full of drawing manuscripts in the back seat, an expression of taking it for granted smiling surfacing on his face: "My Madame President, could it be you want, to let me this 'aching waist' driver, watch helplessly, as you alone move such heavy things up ah?"
"Aiya! Don't spout nonsense like this outside..." Misae's cheeks, with a "swish" flushed completely red.
She reproachfully rolled her eyes at him, in that gaze, yet full of un-melt-able tenderness and doting: "Got it! Got it! You are the best at acting affectionately! Quickly! Get out! I'll help you together!"
The two smiled at each other, and then one after the other, walked into that small building full of dreams and hopes.
The office of Future Comic Club, although not large, was arranged warmly and full of creativity.
The walls were plastered with exquisite posters of 'YuYu Hakusho', 'Doraemon', and 'Midnight Diner', the air permeated with faint coffee aroma and ink and paper scent.
Four or five young people looking not old in age, were sitting in front of their respective drawing desks, methodically busying themselves.
When they saw Nohara Hiroshi and Misae walking in, they immediately stood up, respectfully bowing deeply.
"Hello President! Hello Mr. Nohara!"
In that voice, full of heartfelt reverence and worship towards these two "bosses".
Misae is the president, the salary given to them is not low.
Not to mention Nohara Hiroshi.
Famous manga artist, director, producer, these young people all very much worship him.
"En, Happy New Year everyone." Nohara Hiroshi merely peacefully nodded, he gently placed the drawing manuscripts in his hands, onto that massive conference table.
He looked at those young people, on his face once again blossoming a mild smile, thinking and saying: "Alright everyone, these are your workload for the upcoming week. The key points for coloring, I have already annotated on the side of every page, I hope you guys can use the most professional and most serious attitude, to treat every single drawing manuscript."
"If there are no problems checking it within a week, I will additionally give you guys a big commencement red envelope! A big red envelope not lower than one month's salary!"
There is nothing more inspiring than a big red envelope of one month's salary.
These young people instantly revealed expressions of joy.
"Hai! We understand!"
The four or five people bowed in unison, that voice was extremely resolute.
"Yoshi! Very good! Very energetic!" Nohara Hiroshi satisfyingly nodded, instructed Misae a few more sentences again, and then turned to go to work.
...
TV Tokyo, Headquarters Production Bureau Building.
Nohara Hiroshi taking steady steps, walked into that glass door symbolizing the highest authority of the Nippon television circle.
Along the way, all employees who encountered him, whether ordinary interns, or Level 2 directors holding real power, all without exception, stopped their footsteps, respectfully bowing and greeting towards him.
"Department Manager Nohara, Happy New Year!"
In that voice, full of heartfelt worship.
"En."
Nohara Hiroshi merely smilingly nodded responding, that calmness and indifference, that demeanor of as if having everything in his grasp, made those young employees, look with longing and fascination even more.
When he walked into that independent kingdom located on the seventeenth floor belonging solely to him, the entire department, had already been completely submerged by an atmosphere full of excitement and fanaticism.
"Department Manager! You are back!"
"Department Manager! Happy New Year!"
"Department Manager Nohara! You are truly... our God ah!"
The young employees were like a group of fans seeing an idol, instantly surrounding him tightly, on those young and energetic faces, written full of fanatical worship towards their own department manager's god-like ability.
"Alright alright, Happy New Year everyone." Nohara Hiroshi merely peacefully smiled, he looked at this group of "believers" in front of him who had already been completely won over by him, in those clear eyes, flashing a trace of helpless smile: "What are you guys discussing here? So happy?"
"Department Manager! Do you not know yet?!" A seemingly quite clever young man, was the first unable to hold back, excitedly waving the newspaper in his hand, in that voice, full of the pride of sharing the glory: "'Seven Samurai'! The box office of 'Seven Samurai'! Has already... has already broken through the three billion yen mark!"
"What?!" Even Tanaka Kei, Yamamoto Takeshi and Hashishita Ichiro who had already had somewhat anticipations towards their own department manager's ability, upon hearing this number, on those three steady faces, also subconsciously surfaced a, un-disguised shock!
Three billion yen?!
This is only... only how much time has passed ah?!
"That's right! Exactly three billion!" Another girl also excitedly supplemented, in those bright big eyes of hers, flashing with tears: "When... when I returned home for the New Year, our whole family, all went to watch 'Seven Samurai'! My dad, my grandpa, they all said, this is the best-looking samurai film, they have watched in this life! They say, you... you are the genius, who truly understood our Nippon, understood us ordinary people!"
"Yeah! Yeah!"
For a time, praises surged over like a tide!
Everyone un-stingily, dedicated all the most gorgeous rhetoric, to that man who in their eyes created a miracle.
"I'm telling you guys!" The clever young man from the very beginning, was even more smugly waving his fist, in that voice, full of infinite longing towards the future: "Following this momentum! The final box office of our 'Seven Samurai', can absolutely break through the fifty billion yen mark! Even... even possibly, become a domestic movie with a box office breaking six billion!"
"That's right! Absolutely can!"
"Long live Department Manager Nohara!"
The entire department completely plunged into an ocean of revelry full of victory and joy.
Nohara Hiroshi looking at this group of young people in front of him, also revealed a satisfying smile on his face.
He knew, this game of chess he laid out, had completely come alive.
"Alright alright, all quiet." He raised his hand gesturing everyone to be quiet.
He looked at everyone's faces full of anticipation, the corners of his mouth hooking up a confident arc.
"If, I say if." His voice, was flat, yet full of temptation: "The final box office of 'Seven Samurai', can truly break through fifty billion yen. Then at that time, I will treat the employees of our entire department, to go to Ginza, eat the best wagyu, drink the best sake! How about it?"
"Oh——!"
This promise, instantly exploded loudly in the entire department!
Everyone let out earth-shaking cheers!
They looked at that young man, in that gaze, full of infinite longing for the future, and also full of absolute trust towards Nohara Hiroshi's god-like ability!
They knew this man never spoke empty words.
They also knew, this celebration grand banquet, was already close at hand!
"Then I... can I also freeload a big meal?"
Right in this hubbub full of revelry and joy, a voice full of scholarly refinement and teasing, yet without warning slowly sounded from the doorway of the office.
Everyone hearing the sound turned their heads, and then saw Asumi, this deputy bureau chief sufficient to make any producer outside silent as a winter cicada, at this moment was leaning against the door frame, on that face always scholarly and steady, written full of dumbfounded helplessness.
"Deputy Bureau Chief Asumi!"
"Hello Deputy Bureau Chief!"
Everyone successively respectfully greeted.
Nohara Hiroshi also smilingly went up to welcome him: "Deputy Bureau Chief Asumi, why are you here?"
"If I don't come, I'm afraid the roof of this office of mine, will be flipped over by you guys." Asumi rolled his eyes at him crossly, yet that gaze was full of un-melt-able appreciation.
He handed a document in his hand, to in front of Nohara Hiroshi.
"Look at it yourself." His voice carried a trace of shock: "You brat, again created a, miracle sufficient to make everyone go crazy for it."
Nohara Hiroshi received the document, that was a, latest box office statistical table regarding 'Seven Samurai'.
On it, imprinted with the most eye-catching and most dazzling red font, a astronomical figure sufficient to make any film practitioner suffocate on the spot.
From premiering on Christmas Eve until now, in a short twenty-two days' time, the cumulative box office of 'Seven Samurai', had already...
——Had already reached, three billion nine hundred and eighty million yen!
Only one step away from the four billion yen mark!
And at the bottom of the report, there is also a line, the final box office estimate made by TV Tokyo's top market analyst——
"...According to the current box office trend, and word-of-mouth fermentation situation, the final box office of 'Seven Samurai', will have a phenomenally high probability, to break through the fifty billion yen mark. Even hopeful to impact seven billion yen, becoming the well-deserved, total box office champion of this year!"
PS: Continuing to beg for votes~ don't stop voting~
(End of Chapter)