novelraw Chapter 175: The Excellency's Direct Appointment! 'Hachiko Monogatari' Is About to Start Filming!
Chapter 175: The Excellency's Direct Appointment! 'Hachiko Monogatari' Is About to Start Filming!
“That's right, this is exactly our TV Tokyo Production Bureau, youngest, and also most trusted, promising Production Department Manager, Nohara Hiroshi!”
Sakata Nobuhiko's voice, exactly like the clearest cold wind in winter days, carrying unquestionable majesty, instantly then forcefully suppressed down Sato Tokugawa's restless greed.
He even deliberately emphasized the words "promising" and "most trusted", clearly ringing the alarm bell for Sato Tokugawa —— this young man, isn't someone he can casually lay a finger on.
On that fat face of Sato Tokugawa's, stiffened for an instant, immediately, then bloomed out a trace of smile even more "enthusiastic" than just now.
Inside that smile, carrying a few parts of a merchant's craftiness, also carrying a few parts of a higher-up's hypocrisy.
“Aiyaya! Turns out it's Department Manager Nohara! Truly having heard your great name for a long time, having heard your great name for a long time ah!”
He exaggeratedly rubbed his hands, inside those small eyes narrowed into a slit, at this moment only left with perfectly appropriate flattery and praise:
“Your great name, right now but resounds through the entire Tokyo ah! Whether it's the box office myth of "Seven Samurai", or the National-level heat of "Kasou Taishou", all make this old me, feel... feel sincere admiration originating from the bottom of the heart ah!”
Saying this, he then once again extended that plump big hand wearing a massive emerald thumb ring of his, enthusiastically extending towards the direction of Nohara Hiroshi, that posture, as if wanting to carry out a handshake full of friendship with an old friend not seen for many years.
However, exactly at that moment his hand was about to touch Nohara Hiroshi, Sakata Nobuhiko's figure, yet quietly and soundlessly blocked between the two of them. His movements understated, yet also full of unquestionable strength.
Inside those profound eyes of Sakata Nobuhiko, not the slightest ripple arose, yet also carrying a kind of coldness sufficient to make anyone feel shivering.
“Chairman Sato, truly sorry.”
Sakata Nobuhiko lightly said:
“Hiroshi-kun next, still has to go visit Excellency Fujiwara, as well as Excellency the Minister. You see, this handshake... shouldn't it still be saved for next time, wait until he has free time, to solemnly carry out ne?”
Instantly drew over the astonishment of those people surrounding still observing this side.
Excellency Fujiwara! Excellency the Minister!
These two names, every single one sufficient to let them walk sideways in Tokyo's political and business two circles. And now, these two figures capable of being called "ceiling" level, actually... actually are all waiting for Nohara Hiroshi?!
On that fat face of Sato Tokugawa's, all smiles froze in an instant, the hand he extended all stiffened in mid-air.
Only then did he understand, this speech of Sakata Nobuhiko, wasn't only blocking his handshake with Nohara Hiroshi, even more nakedly, displaying towards him that lofty status of Nohara Hiroshi, that had long surpassed his imagination!
“Aiyaya! Yes yes yes! Bureau Chief Sakata said rightly! It was my thoughtlessness!”
Sato Tokugawa hurriedly withdrew his hand, on that fat face of his, anew blooming out a trace of flattering smile.
He faced Sakata Nobuhiko, as well as Nohara Hiroshi, deeply bowing, that posture, humble exactly like a junior just entering the workplace:
“Department Manager Nohara receiving such special honor at a young age, truly is... truly is promising ah! I admire! Admire!”
He paused, again casting his gaze towards Sakata Nobuhiko, inside his tone carrying a trace of perfectly appropriate respect:
“Bureau Chief Sakata, New Year just passed, our Kirin Real Estate, in the Kanto region, still has several large-scale real estate projects about to open sales. When the time comes, in the aspect of promotion, that but will have to rely on your TV Tokyo to help out a lot. Don't know... don't know if Bureau Chief Sakata has time, to sit down, let us properly have a chat?”
“Oh?”
Sakata Nobuhiko merely lightly responded a sound, inside those profound eyes of his, not the slightest ripple arose, as if those words of "cooperation" full of temptation from Sato Tokugawa, in his view, were merely some insignificant nonsense.
He merely lightly said:
“Chairman Sato, this kind of matter, our television station's Executive Deputy Director, Takada Toshihide, his towards these businesses, but has always been very familiar. If you have any matters, directly talking with him is fine.”
“Now, Hiroshi-kun, we should go. Excellency Fujiwara and Excellency the Minister, but are both waiting for us ne.”
Sakata Nobuhiko saying this, then no longer paid attention to that already stiffened face of Sato Tokugawa's, he merely gently patted Nohara Hiroshi's shoulder, and then, bringing him, stepping with composed paces, walking towards the corridor in the depths of the hall.
That calm and indifference, that not giving face, yet being more lethal than any words full of insulting nature.
Sato Tokugawa blankly stood in place, he looked at those two gradually drifting further figures of Sakata Nobuhiko and Nohara Hiroshi, on that fat face of his, all smiles had already faded away, only leaving a kind of, annoyance and... unwillingness after being thoroughly ignored.
He fiercely clenched his fists, inside those small eyes narrowed into a slit, at this moment yet flashing a kind of, gloomy coldness exactly like a venomous snake.
He didn't pay attention to those gazes full of playfulness and watching a good show one by one from those celebrities and powerful figures surrounding.
His gaze, merely stared straightly, staring fixedly at that slender and also tall and straight back figure of Nohara Hiroshi, inside that gaze, full of intense possessiveness and... undisguised, naked desire.
He was like a hungry wolf that targeted prey, that hunger and thirst, that longing, almost about to spew out from that fat body of his.
“Nohara Hiroshi...”
He muttered to himself, inside that voice, carrying a trace of hoarseness making people feel shivering and... pathological excitement:
“This kid of you, is truly... too interesting.”
Those celebrities and powerful figures surrounding, looking at that almost approaching infatuation gaze of Sato Tokugawa's, all tacitly exchanged a glance.
They knew, this old fellow Sato Tokugawa, once again targeted a "prey".
They also all knew, Sato Tokugawa towards those young and handsome men, possessed a kind of paranoia almost approaching pathological.
His "canary", Kamiki Shunsuke, is exactly the best example.
And now, he actually targeted Nohara Hiroshi.
This... this is truly, a good show to watch already.
......
When walking into the corridor, leaving that Sato Tokugawa behind, Nohara Hiroshi then let out a long breath of air.
Nohara Hiroshi also felt a weird and uncomfortable feeling.
He turned his head, looking at that face of Sakata Nobuhiko's beside him peaceful to the point of not the slightest ripple arising, his eyes full of doubt.
“Bureau Chief, that Chairman Sato, he... what is wrong with him?”
Nohara Hiroshi softly asked, inside his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible bewilderment.
Sakata Nobuhiko upon hearing this, merely lightly softly smiling shook his head:
“Hiroshi-kun, you don't need to feel strange. That fellow Sato Tokugawa, him ah, is an old lecher.”
“Old lecher?”
Nohara Hiroshi doubted.
“Yeah, an old lecher.”
Sakata Nobuhiko lightly sighed a sound, inside his tone carrying a trace of helplessness:
“He likes those young and handsome men the most. That lead actor of your "Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree", Kamiki Shunsuke, is exactly his 'canary'.”
“Kamiki Shunsuke? His canary?!”
Nohara Hiroshi's eyes instantly widened, his face written full of unbelievable shock.
Only then did he understand, why that fellow Kamiki Shunsuke, would be this domineering, this excessively arrogant.
Turns out, standing behind him, is actually this kind of "financial backer"?!
“Yeah, canary.”
Sakata Nobuhiko looking at that shocked expression of Nohara Hiroshi's, on his face surfacing a trace of faint smile, except inside that smile, yet carrying a trace of imperceptible warning:
“Hiroshi-kun, this kid of you, is too handsome. Therefore, you are also targeted by him.”
“......”
Only then did Nohara Hiroshi understand, what exactly did that almost approaching infatuation gaze of Sato Tokugawa's just now mean.
Only then did he understand, what exactly was that tough posture of Sakata Nobuhiko's just now for.
This made him feel a bit internally speechless already.
“Hiroshi-kun, you don't need to worry.”
Sakata Nobuhiko's voice once again became soft, he extended his hand, gently patting Nohara Hiroshi's shoulder, inside his tone full of care:
“Our TV Tokyo is a colossus, we are giants, as long as you guard your own standpoint, a mere Sato Tokugawa, still can't touch you.”
“Moreover...”
He paused, gaze casting towards that patch of brightly lit corridor ahead, eyes profound:
“Now you, but are the future of our TV Tokyo. All of us are counting on you, to bring even more miracles for our TV Tokyo. Therefore, we absolutely won't allow anyone, to come hurt you.”
Nohara Hiroshi upon hearing this, that originally hanging heart, finally heavily fell back into the stomach.
He looked at that peaceful face of Sakata Nobuhiko's, that protection and trust originating from a higher-up, like a warm current, instantly then flowing past that heart of his that had long been polished firm exactly like a rock by the vanity fair.
He deeply drew a breath of air, transforming all the shock and shivering in his heart, into a firm response.
Nohara Hiroshi heavily nodded his head:
“Yes! Bureau Chief, I understand!”
“Therefore, just relaxing is fine.”
Sakata Nobuhiko softly smiled, his eyes carrying mockery:
“That kind of real estate developer although has money, but in front of power, truly doesn't count as anything.”
Saying this he also inside the doubtful pupils of Nohara Hiroshi, lightly smiling saying:
“You don't know what kind of background our TV Tokyo, actually possesses!”
However exactly when Sakata Nobuhiko wanted to explain a bit with Nohara Hiroshi, an attendant wearing a high-class kimono, stepping with elegant small steps, walked over from the depths of the corridor.
He faced Sakata Nobuhiko and Nohara Hiroshi respectfully bowing, his voice gentle and warm exactly like jade:
“Bureau Chief Sakata, Department Manager Nohara, Excellency Fujiwara invites, please the two of you move steps into the private room.”
This attendant obviously recognized the two of them.
“En, understood.”
Sakata Nobuhiko nodded his head, and then bringing Nohara Hiroshi, walking towards the depths of the corridor.
When their figures, disappeared behind that heavy wooden door at the end of the corridor, inside the hall, those celebrities and powerful figures, once again descended into a patch of whispering.
“Oh my god! Excellency Fujiwara actually personally invited them?!”
“Yeah! Moreover still inside the private room! This... this is simply an unprecedented special honor ah!”
“Looks like, this young man Nohara Hiroshi, is truly going to make rapid advances in his career!”
“Bureau Chief Sakata, towards this young man, is also truly... valuing too heavily ah!”
Envy, jealousy, suspicion, praise... various complex emotions, intertwining together pervading in the hall.
They knew this banquet, the true highlight was just beginning.
Everyone is here to attend the banquet.
But the banquet is the banquet.
The true communication, is still inside those small private rooms one by one ne!
Of course, those invited into the private rooms, weren't only Nohara Hiroshi and Sakata Nobuhiko two people.
Occasionally there were also some attendants wearing high-class kimonos, shuttling in the crowd, inviting some important celebrities and powerful figures one by one, into the various private rooms in the depths of the hall.
Among this, also included Sato Tokugawa.
He looked at the direction Nohara Hiroshi and Sakata Nobuhiko disappeared into, again looking at the private room he was invited into, inside those small eyes narrowed into a slit, flashing a trace of unwillingness, yet also hiding a trace of, unspeakable excitement.
He knew, tonight's banquet, absolutely wouldn't be peaceful.
......
Nohara Hiroshi followed Sakata Nobuhiko, passing through quiet and secluded corridors one by one, ultimately, arriving in front of a heavy private room door carved from golden thread nanmu.
The attendant gently pushed open the door.
Inside the private room, the air permeated with a faint scent of sandalwood and tea aroma.
Fujiwara Hideaki, at this moment was exactly sitting properly beside the tea table, on his face bringing a trace of gentle smile.
While at the head seat, then sat a thin-figured, elderly man wearing black-framed glasses. He although was already at the age of knowing the mandate of heaven, but between the brows, yet revealed a stream of majestic without anger and composure.
Him merely quietly sitting there, then emitted a kind of powerful aura making people not dare to look directly at.
“Bureau Chief Sakata, Nohara-kun, please quickly take a seat.”
Fujiwara Hideaki extending a hand greeting towards them.
He first respectfully facing the elderly man at the head seat, softly introducing:
“Excellency, this person is exactly TV Tokyo Production Bureau's Bureau Chief Sakata Nobuhiko, as well as our protagonist today, Nohara Hiroshi-kun.”
Immediately, he again turned his head, facing Sakata Nobuhiko and Nohara Hiroshi, inside his tone full of respect introducing:
“Bureau Chief Sakata, Nohara-kun, this person is exactly our Greater Tokyo metropolitan area's, Minister in charge of promotion, and moreover also Vice-Minister of the Nippon Cabinet MEXT, even more an old-qualified Member of the House of Representatives, having proposed many reforms regarding the television station's promotion departments in the past, highly respected and virtuous.”
“Excellency the Minister of Promotion!”
Sakata Nobuhiko and Nohara Hiroshi the two people simultaneously bowed.
The Minister in charge of promotion of the Greater Tokyo metropolitan area!
A Vice-Minister of Nippon MEXT!
These two titles, every single word represented Nippon's highest power stratum, absolute control power towards the field of culture and promotion!
What's more, he is also a Member of the House of Representatives.
Every single identity of this, is sufficient to let him inside the Nippon political circles, possess a pivotal status!
“Sakata-kun, Nohara-kun, no need for excessive formalities, please quickly take a seat.”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion's voice only then slowly rang out, exactly like an ancient bell composed and also powerful.
The two people respectfully sat down.
Excellency the Minister of Promotion first looking towards Sakata Nobuhiko, on his face surfacing a trace of faint smile:
“Sakata-kun, how have you been doing recently ah? Is the work at TV Tokyo, still smooth?”
Sakata Nobuhiko hurriedly respectfully answered:
“Thanks to the good fortune of Excellency the Minister, everything is very smooth. Our TV Tokyo, under your guidance, has been continuously striving to provide the most high-quality cultural products for the citizens.”
“En, very good.”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion satisfiedly nodded his head.
Immediately, his gaze, then slowly cast towards Nohara Hiroshi.
Inside those profound eyes, flashing a trace of probing, a trace of appreciation, yet also carrying a trace of, elusive playfulness.
“Nohara-kun, you are very not bad.”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion's voice, once again rang out, every single word carrying unquestionable weight:
“Your works, I have watched all of them. Whether it's the thrill of "Yamishibai", the imagination of "Tales of the Unusual", or the hot-bloodedness of "YuYu Hakusho", all make this old man me, feel... feel sincere admiration originating from the bottom of the heart ah.”
He paused, inside his tone carrying a trace of perfectly appropriate praise:
“Especially your "Tales of the Unusual", it didn't only pioneer this brand new horror theme of 'Urban Legends', even more through those stories full of suspense and reflection, adding a layer of mysterious and also charming colors for our Greater Tokyo metropolitan area.”
“It attracted countless young people, producing intense interest towards this city of Tokyo. Even, there are quite a few outsiders, who were all precisely due to watching your "Tales of the Unusual", only then deciding to come to Tokyo to reside, to feel this city's unique charm. Nohara-kun, you using your works, made massive contributions for the promotion of our Greater Tokyo metropolitan area ah.”
Nohara Hiroshi upon hearing this, didn't expect this Excellency the Minister of Promotion, actually could be this precise, to see through the deep-layered value of "Tales of the Unusual".
He merely modestly smiled, lowering his head respectfully saying:
“Excellency the Minister overpraises. All this is what I should do.”
“No, not overpraising at all.”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion shook his head, inside those profound eyes of his, flashing a trace of appreciation:
“What you did, is far more than you imagined. Your works, aren't only entertainment, even more culture, is art, is a great power capable of influencing an era, influencing a national spirit.”
He paused, his tone also becoming solemn:
“Especially your "Kasou Taishou" and "Seven Samurai". "Kasou Taishou" makes the connection between people and people, become even tighter, it let those urbanites who were originally apathetic and alienated, retrieve the warmth of family, retrieve the human touch. It let those citizens who originally only knew to complain and accuse, learn to use humor and creativity, to face the challenges in life.”
“While "Seven Samurai"...”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion's voice carried sighing and praise:
“It isn't only a movie, even more a, great epic sufficient to deconstruct era, deconstruct class, deconstruct human nature! It lets us re-examine Bushido, rethinking the tragic destiny of our nation. It lets us know, true heroes, are never determined by status, but determined by the 'heart'!”
He looked at Nohara Hiroshi, inside those profound eyes of his, full of expectations:
“Nohara-kun, you using your works, brought a brand new trend for our Nippon, for our nation. You, exactly are our Nippon, the cultural hope of the new era!”
At this time, inside the room besides this Minister of Promotion, as well as Excellency Fujiwara, there were still several other subordinates.
At this moment upon hearing this sentence, all had their hearts shuddering.
In their hearts instantly set off monstrous huge waves!
They didn't expect, Nohara Hiroshi's works actually could obtain such a high evaluation!
And Nohara Hiroshi of course also understood the ways of the world, he isn't a true twenty-three-year-old youth, at this moment immediately standing up facing Excellency the Minister of Promotion deeply bowing, inside his voice full of sincerity and respect:
“Excellency the Minister, you overpraise. Your professionalism, your insight, all make me... all make me sincerely admire.”
“Professionalism? Insight? Hahahahaha!”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion upon hearing this, instantly then laughing out loud, that sound, exactly like the ice surface broken in winter days, full of hearty satisfaction.
He waved his hand, inside his tone carrying a trace of teasing:
“Nohara-kun, don't praise me like this. I ah, actually also came out from TV Tokyo. Speaking of which, back then I even once was a Level 2 Director of the Production Bureau ne.”
“What?!”
Nohara Hiroshi slightly stunned, he was truly surprised.
He never thought, this Excellency the Minister of Promotion controlling the cultural promotion lifeline of the Greater Tokyo region, actually... actually once was also a member of TV Tokyo?!
This is simply heaven-shattering big gossip.
“Yeah, at that time's Sakata-kun, but was still a Level 3 Director ne.”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion lightly smiling, again casting his gaze towards Sakata Nobuhiko, flashing a trace of playfulness in his eyes.
Sakata Nobuhiko upon hearing this, on his face also surfacing a trace of helpless bitter smile.
He knew this old leader, is using him to make a joke ne.
“Excellency the Minister, you just stop making jokes on me.”
Sakata Nobuhiko softly opened his mouth, inside his tone carrying properly appropriate humility:
“Back then you but were the pillar of our Production Bureau ah! A small little Level 3 Director like me, where dare to compare with you ah.”
“Hahahahaha!”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion upon hearing this, once again laughing out loud, that sound, full of bold unconstrainedness and free and easy.
He pointed at Sakata Nobuhiko, again pointing at Nohara Hiroshi, on his face surfacing a trace of crafty smile:
“Nohara-kun, don't underestimate our TV Tokyo. Our TV Tokyo, is no ordinary television station.”
He paused, inside his tone carrying a trace of mystery:
“Do you know? Right now the Governor Excellency of Tokyo Metropolis, formerly was exactly the old Station Chief of our TV Tokyo ne.”
“......”
Only then was Nohara Hiroshi even more surprised to the extreme.
The Governor Excellency of Tokyo Metropolis is exactly equivalent to a high official from his previous life.
Moreover still is a high official with the level of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen combined!
After all the entire Nippon government, Tokyo Metropolis itself then burdens four tenths of tax revenue, financial appropriations are also four tenths, adding the concept of Greater Tokyo metropolitan area, nearly five tenths to six tenths of the wealth of all Nippon are here.
What the status of this Tokyo Metropolis Governor is like, does it still need explaining?
He actually... actually formerly was the old Station Chief of TV Tokyo?!
This... this is simply, Arabian Nights tale overturning all his cognition!
“Hahahahaha!”
Sakata Nobuhiko looking at that shocked expression of Nohara Hiroshi, finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, that sound, full of pride and arrogance:
“Hiroshi-kun, now you understand right? Our TV Tokyo, is all 'Tokyo Faction'!”
Inside his tone full of expectations:
“Therefore ah, Hiroshi-kun, this kid of you, but must properly work hard ah. The future of our TV Tokyo, but all count on you ne!”
Nohara Hiroshi looking at that face of Excellency the Minister of Promotion bringing smiling intent under calmness, looking at that face of Sakata Nobuhiko full of encouragement, also tactfully lowered down his head saying:
“Hai! I will work hard!”
This even more made the crowd present all gratifiedly smile.
Nohara Hiroshi now also finally understood the true meaning of "Tokyo Faction".
That wasn't simple factional struggle.
That was a, massive and also secretive, alliance of culture and politics, infiltrating the entire Greater Tokyo metropolitan area, and even the highest power stratum of the entire Nippon!
And as for him Nohara Hiroshi now, actually was recruited into this alliance with such a high posture, such great sincerity!
This recognition, this trust, this expectation.
Made him truly feel pretty good.
And at this time Excellency the Minister of Promotion was still looking at Nohara Hiroshi, the corners of his mouth hooked up a smile full of expectations:
“Nohara-kun, you are very not bad. Your talent, your pattern, all sufficient to lead the culture of our Nippon, to walk towards a brand new era.”
He paused again asking:
“Therefore, I hope you, are able to continue working hard, continuing creation, to bring even more, even more outstanding works for our Nippon. Works capable of leading the national personality, embodying the Nippon spirit.”
The voice falling, the atmosphere inside the private room instantly became solemn.
The several subordinates present, including Fujiwara Hideaki, all cast their gazes towards Nohara Hiroshi.
They knew, this speech of Excellency the Minister, wasn't only an affirmation and expectation towards Nohara Hiroshi, even more transmitting towards him a, clear "task", coming from the highest power stratum.
Leading national personality, embodying Nippon spirit...
This but isn't something as simple as simply "filming movies", "making programs".
This is elevating personal works, to the height of "National Policy"!
Nohara Hiroshi upon hearing this the corners of his mouth slightly curled.
He knew, the opportunity he was waiting for, finally arrived.
“Excellency the Minister, you overpraise.”
Nohara Hiroshi responded:
“Regarding what you said, works leading the national personality, embodying the Nippon spirit, I... I indeed have an immature idea.”
“Oh?”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion's eyes instantly brightened, he looked at Nohara Hiroshi, on his face surfacing a trace of intense interest:
“Say it to let me hear.”
Nohara Hiroshi raised his head, gaze peacefully sweeping over every single person inside the private room, inside those clear eyes of his, not the slightest ripple arose.
He knew, this speech, will decide his status inside the Nippon cultural circles in the future, and also decide the final direction, of that grand plan, already brewing inside his heart for a long time.
He took a deep breath of air, slowly, spitting out that name.
“I intend, to film a, movie named "Hachiko Monogatari".”
“Hachiko Monogatari?”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion slightly frowned, on his face surfacing a trace of bewilderment:
“Is this... a story about a dog?”
“Yes, Excellency the Minister.”
Nohara Hiroshi nodded his head, inside those clear eyes of his, not the slightest ripple arose:
“What it tells about, is an Akita Inu named Hachiko, who after its owner passed away, still rain or shine everyday, at the station waiting for its owner to return, a touching story.”
“What it embodies, is exactly our Nippon nation, the most precious spirit —— loyalty.”
The voice falling, inside the private room instantly descended into a patch of death-like silence. Everyone blankly looked at Nohara Hiroshi, on those faces one by one brows wrinkled up.
Loyalty?
Dog?
Leading national personality?
This... this is simply, absurd!
“Nohara-kun, you... are you making a joke?”
A Section Chief responsible for the promotion department, finally couldn't help but open his mouth, inside his voice carrying a trace of unable to suppress questioning:
“You intend to use a, story about a dog, to lead the national personality of our Nippon? This... this is slightly a bit too...”
He didn't continue speaking, but inside that tone, full of undisguised questioning, towards this "off-key" idea of Nohara Hiroshi.
“Yeah, Nohara-kun.”
Another Section Chief responsible for news also followed chiming in, face written full of bewilderment:
“Our Nippon, has countless, stories about samurai, about heroes, about loyalty and righteousness. Why must you seek far-away things instead of near ones, to choose a, story about a dog ne? Moreover, combining a dog with loyalty, to lead the citizens, this... this seems somewhat inappropriate right?”
“This is simply ridiculous!”
A seemingly rather conservative Section Chief, even more couldn't help but coldly snort a sound, face carrying dissatisfaction:
“Dog, is ultimately an animal! You want the citizens to learn a dog's loyalty? This... this is simply insulting the citizens of our Nippon!”
For a time, questioning and incomprehension, surged over exactly like a tide, tightly surrounding Nohara Hiroshi.
They looked at Nohara Hiroshi, inside that gaze, full of undisguised questioning, towards this "untimely" idea.
They knew Nohara Hiroshi is very talented.
But this time, he obviously "fell into a demonic state".
Fujiwara Hideaki at this moment also had his brows tightly locked, inside those profound eyes of his, flashing a trace of imperceptible worry.
He knew, Nohara Hiroshi this time, truly offended the "reverse scales" of these old-school public servants.
Using a dog to lead the national personality?
This in their view, is simply, a great treason!
However, facing this public opinion torrent sufficient to submerge anyone, Nohara Hiroshi yet merely peacefully smiled, inside those clear eyes of his, not the slightest ripple arose.
He knew, this was exactly the "challenge" he anticipated.
He took a deep breath of air, inside his tone carrying a trace of perfectly appropriate "sophistry", yet also full of convincing logic.
“Everyone, please listen to me clearly.”
Nohara Hiroshi smilingly opened his mouth:
“I understand everyone's worries. After all, inside traditional concepts, a dog, indeed is only an animal. However, have everyone thought about it, exactly because it is a dog, its loyalty, then even more appears extremely precious, then even more appears... directly reaching people's hearts?”
He paused, gaze sweeping over every single person inside the private room, on his face surfacing a trace of playful smile:
“Our Nippon, indeed has many stories regarding human's loyalty. A samurai's loyalty, a vassal's loyalty, a wife's loyalty... these stories, we have watched too many, heard too many, even, already benumbed.”
“Because, human's loyalty, will always be mixed with too many interests, too much calculation, too much betrayal. Its purity, had long been polluted by this complex society. Therefore, when we see in movies, a samurai who betrayed for interests, or a vassal who killed his lord for power, we won't feel too much surprise, and even feel, this is very normal.”
“However, what about a dog's loyalty?”
Nohara Hiroshi's tone became impassioned, inside those clear eyes of his, flashing a kind of pure light:
“A dog's loyalty, is pure, is selfless, is holding nothing back. It won't dislike you because of your poverty, won't abandon you because of your aging, even less likely to betray you because of your death!”
“It will only, silently, at that place you once appeared at, waiting for your return. Regardless of wind or rain, regardless of cold or heat, regardless of how years flow by, it will always wait, until the end of life.”
“This kind of loyalty, is something humans are unable to reach. This kind of loyalty, is sufficient to penetrate all hypocrisy and calculation, directly reaching the softest, the most pure, the most primitive emotions inside human hearts.”
He looked at those faces one by one of the crowd already thoroughly dumbfounded by this speech of his, the corners of his mouth hooked up a confident arc.
“Therefore, everyone.”
Nohara Hiroshi's voice, once again became soft, yet also full of power:
“When we see in a movie, a dog, in order to wait for its owner, and rain or shine, at the station waiting ten years, twenty years, even until the moment its life comes to an end... us, could it be we wouldn't feel our hearts aching? Could it be we wouldn't feel shocked? Could it be we wouldn't be moved by this kind of pure loyalty?”
“Us, could it be we wouldn't consequently reflect, what exactly is our human's loyalty ne? Us, could it be we wouldn't consequently long for, possessing pure and also selfless loyalty, just like a dog?”
“This, is exactly what "Hachiko Monogatari", wants to convey, the most core spirit —— it isn't insulting humans, it is using a dog's loyalty, to awaken inside human hearts, that longing towards loyalty, that had long been forgotten, the most pure, the most primitive!”
“It isn't belittling the national personality of our Nippon, it is using a kind of most unique, and also most capable of moving people's hearts method, to redefine, that most precious thing inside our Nippon spirit —— loyalty!”
The voice falling, the private room once again descended into a patch of death-like silence.
They never thought, a seemingly absurd "story of a dog", actually could be interpreted out such profound connotation by this young man, actually could be elevated by him, to such grand philosophical height!
That seemingly "sophistry" speech of his, at this moment yet exactly like the sharpest knife, precisely dissected open all the inherent prejudice and narrow-mindedness inside their hearts, nakedly displaying a brand new, full of humanity, definition regarding "loyalty" in front of them!
Those profound eyes of Excellency the Minister of Promotion's, at this moment were peacefully gazing at Nohara Hiroshi.
He didn't speak, merely slowly picking up the teacup on the table, gently taking a sip, like a connoisseur exactly savoring an aged fine wine.
Silent for a moment.
Only then did he slowly put down the teacup, on his face surfacing a trace of sincere appreciation smile.
“Nohara-kun, you are truly very not bad, truly making me view you in a new light.”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion softly opened his mouth, inside his voice carrying praise:
“Moreover this kid of you, is truly... too good at 'sophistry' already.”
This seemingly teasing sentence, yet was undoubtedly the highest degree of recognition, towards this "off-key" idea of Nohara Hiroshi.
“Yeah, what Excellency the Minister said isn't wrong.”
Fujiwara Hideaki also at this time, smilingly nodded his head, inside those profound eyes of his, flashing a trace of understanding:
“This idea of Nohara-kun's, is indeed very unique. However, also exactly because it's unique, only then is it even more possible, in this era of information explosion right now, triggering a more extensive social resonance.”
He looked at Nohara Hiroshi, inside his tone full of expectations:
“After all, the joys and sorrows of humanity aren't interlinked, but the compassion towards animals, yet transcends national borders, transcends races.”
“Yeah...”
The other several Section Chiefs inside the private room, at this moment also one after another nodded their heads, faces written full of thoughtfully.
They looked at Nohara Hiroshi, inside that gaze, all the questioning and dissatisfaction had already faded away, only leaving a kind of stunning and appreciation.
According to Nohara Hiroshi's explanation, they discovered it's indeed this reasoning!
The purity of an animal's emotions.
Truly makes people moved!
While the loyalty between humans... they these public servants, moreover public servants in leadership positions, that is truly experiencing mixed feelings ne!
“Very good.”
Excellency the Minister of Promotion looking at Nohara Hiroshi, the smile on his face increasingly gentle:
“Nohara-kun, this idea of yours is very interesting, I look forward to your "Hachiko Monogatari", as long as you film it out, our promotion departments, will definitely bestow the greatest support.”
He paused, gaze cast towards Fujiwara Hideaki, within the tone carrying a trace of perfectly appropriate reminder:
“Fujiwara-kun, this project, let it be responsible for following up by you ba. I believe, you won't let me down.”
“Hai! Excellency the Minister, please rest assured, I will definitely go all out.”
Fujiwara Hideaki immediately bowed responding.
And then he looked at Nohara Hiroshi, the appreciation on his face increasingly intense up:
“Nohara-kun, when your "Hachiko Monogatari" is finished filming, I but definitely have to be the first to watch it, after all my expectations towards you, but are never disguised!”
“I understand, Excellency Fujiwara.”
Nohara Hiroshi nodded his head, the corners of his mouth also bringing up smiling intent.
This Hachiko Monogatari of his own... isn't this put onto the agenda already!
Moreover also endorsed by a big leader!
Can it not be filmed?
(End of Chapter)