novelraw Chapter 191: The Influence of Akita Inu! Everyone Wants to Acquire a Silly and Cute Akita Inu!
Chapter 191: The Influence of Akita Inu! Everyone Wants to Acquire a Silly and Cute Akita Inu!
In the suburbs of Tokyo City, inside a heavily guarded private club, the air permeated with the mellow aroma mixing high-class cigars and aged whiskey, like the smell of power itself, formless but yet omnipresent.
This is Koike Ryuichi's "war room".
Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, is a meticulously pruned Japanese-style courtyard, quiet and elegant.
But inside the window, the atmosphere is yet completely different.
Koike Ryuichi sat properly at the head seat, in front of him spread open a massive Tokyo Metropolis map, on top of it marked with different colored marker pens, the power distribution and public opinion trends of various electoral districts.
His several core campaign backbones, as well as Promotion Department Minister Hattori Tadashi, at this moment all sat properly, expressions solemn, as if about to rush into a war without gunsmoke.
And Sakata Nobuhiko, as the actual helmsman of TV Tokyo, as well as Koike Ryuichi's most trusted "media mouthpiece", at this moment was also impressively present in the ranks.
He sat at the lower seat to Koike Ryuichi, on that face always refined and composed, at this moment also brought a few parts of solemnity.
What they were currently discussing, is exactly the grand plan for reelection campaign concerning Koike Ryuichi's political future, and even the future direction of the entire Tokyo Metropolis.
“...According to the latest polls, our support rate in Minato Ward and Chiyoda Ward, slightly declined. Although the margin isn't massive, it must arouse vigilance.” A campaign consultant wearing gold-rimmed glasses, appearing astute and capable, was exactly pointing at the two core regions on the map, tone heavily analyzing.
“It's those real estate developers playing tricks behind the back.”
Another elderly campaign manager, coldly snorted a sound, on that face always stern, written full of disdain:
“They are dissatisfied with our regulation towards the real estate market, starting to spread rumors behind the back, attempting to shake our foundation.”
Koike Ryuichi merely quietly listened, slender fingers gently tapping on the map, inside those profound eyes of his, not the slightest ripple arose.
Right at this moment, a burst of abrupt mobile phone ringtone, broke that solemn silence inside the meeting room.
Everyone's gaze, uniformly cast towards Sakata Nobuhiko.
Look carrying dissatisfaction.
On Sakata Nobuhiko's face instantly surfaced a trace of apology.
He glanced at the name flashing on the mobile phone screen —— [Takada Toshihide], his brows imperceptibly slightly twitched.
He knew, if not tens of thousands of urgencies, Takada Toshihide absolutely wouldn't at this time, disturb such an important meeting.
“Extremely sorry, Excellency Governor, everyone.”
Sakata Nobuhiko hurriedly stood up, facing the crowd slightly bowing, inside the tone carrying apology:
“It's the phone call from the Production Bureau side, perhaps there's some emergency situation. I'll go out to pick it up a bit.”
“En.”
Koike Ryuichi merely smilingly nodded his head, gesturing for him to do as he pleases.
Sakata Nobuhiko fast-walked out of the meeting room, arriving at a secluded corridor, only then pressing down the answer key.
“Hello, Takada-kun, it's me.”
His voice suppressed very low.
On the other end of the phone, immediately transmitted over that slightly excited, yet forcefully suppressed voice of Takada Toshihide:
“Bureau Chief! It's me, Takada! The first day box office of "Hachiko Monogatari"... came out!”
Sakata Nobuhiko's heart fiercely jumped, he subconsciously tightly gripped the mobile phone, that composure of a higher-up, at this moment also appeared slight wavering.
“How much?”
He deeply voiced out asking.
On the other end of the phone, Takada Toshihide took a deep breath of air, and then slowly spoke out that number sufficient to make anyone turn crazy for it.
“Bureau Chief... first day box office... 2.1 billion yen!”
“...”
Sakata Nobuhiko's body, fiercely trembled.
He blankly stood in place, those astute eyes instantly widened, face written full of unbelievable shock!
He even doubted, if he was having auditory hallucinations because of too much stress recently.
2.1 billion yen?!
First day box office?!
This... how is this possible?!
He operated in the industry for decades of years, never seen a Nippon native movie, able to on the first day of premiere, acquire such a terrifying box office achievement!
This is simply... a miracle!
“You... are you sure?! Takada-kun!”
Sakata Nobuhiko's voice carried unable to suppress trembling, he subconsciously pursued asking:
“You didn't see wrongly?! Truly is 2.1 billion yen?!”
“Hai! Bureau Chief! Absolutely true!”
On the other end of the phone, Takada Toshihide's voice also became impassioned, that shock originating from the heart, making him no longer able to maintain calmness:
“I personally confirmed three times! It is exactly 2.1 billion yen! Not a cent more, not a cent less!”
Sakata Nobuhiko fiercely drew a breath of air, forcefully suppressing down the wild joy in his heart.
That weather-beaten heart of his, at this moment yet like being thrown into a depth charge, setting off monstrous huge waves.
“Then... then following this momentum...”
Sakata Nobuhiko's voice once again trembled, he didn't even dare to imagine that final number,
“Final box office, wouldn't it... wouldn't it be able to reach ten billion yen?!”
“Hai! Bureau Chief! What you said is correct!”
Takada Toshihide's voice firm:
“According to the initial estimation of our distribution department, if word-of-mouth can continuously ferment, the final box office, is absolutely hopeful to assault the grand hurdle of ten billion yen! Even, having the possibility to surpass ten billion yen, creating an, unprecedented historical record!”
Sakata Nobuhiko's face instantly flushed completely red, that wild joy, almost about to spew out from inside his body.
He fiercely clenched his fists, that excitement originating from the bottom of his heart, making this weather-beaten politician of his, also somewhat unable to control himself.
“Good! Good! Good!”
Sakata Nobuhiko consecutively said three "good" words, inside that sound, full of difficult to suppress excitement.
Nohara Hiroshi once again created a miracle!
A miracle sufficient to change the entire Nippon movie history!
He took a deep breath of air, forcefully suppressing down the excitement in his heart, his tone also becoming solemn:
“Takada-kun, you listen clearly. This period of time, must definitely stare tightly for me! Whether it's the movie's promotion, or the guidance of public opinion, cannot have the slightest slackness! Absolutely cannot let any negative news, affect the movie's box office!”
He paused, inside his tone carrying an unquestionable order:
“Also, let Asumi-kun also put in more effort! This period of time, the two of them, will solely be responsible for the promotion work of "Hachiko Monogatari"! Must ensure, absolutely foolproof!”
“Hai! Bureau Chief! Please rest assured!”
Takada Toshihide heavily responded, tone firm:
“I will definitely go all out, absolutely won't disappoint your expectations!”
Sakata Nobuhiko anew exhorted a few sentences, only then hanging up the phone.
He stood in the corridor, letting out a long breath of air, inside that breath, carrying sighing, satisfaction, as well as infinite longing towards the future.
He tidied up his grooming a bit, on his face anew surfacing that composure and calm of a higher-up, and then, stepping with firm paces, anew walking back into the meeting room.
That moment he pushed open the door, all the gazes in the meeting room, once again uniformly cast towards him.
Promotion Department Minister Hattori Tadashi looking at that face of Sakata Nobuhiko flushed completely red, yet forcefully suppressing excitement, on his face revealed an understanding smile.
“Sakata-kun, looking at your expression, seems like there's some heaven-shattering good news ah?”
Hattori Tadashi lightly smiling opened his mouth, inside his tone carrying a trace of perfectly appropriate teasing.
Everyone's gazes, were all full of curiosity and probing.
Koike Ryuichi also seemingly thought of something, inside those profound eyes of his, flashed a trace of sharp light.
“Sakata-kun.”
Koike Ryuichi's voice wasn't peaceful and powerful:
“Is it the first day box office of "Hachiko Monogatari", came out?”
Sakata Nobuhiko upon hearing this, that forcefully suppressed excitement on his face, could no longer be concealed.
He fiercely nodded his head, inside those astute eyes, flashing radiance exactly as dazzling as stars.
“Hai! Excellency Governor!”
Sakata Nobuhiko's voice, carrying a trace of trembling, that was the embodiment of being excited to the extreme:
“First day box office of "Hachiko Monogatari" —— 2.1 billion yen!”
Boom ——!
This number exactly like a nuclear bomb, instantly resoundingly blasted inside the meeting room!
“What?!”
“2.1 billion yen?! First day box office?!”
“Oh my god! This... this is simply a miracle ah!”
“Sakata-kun! You... you aren't joking right?!”
Everyone was all excited to the point of being incoherent, they scrambled to stand up, faces written full of unbelievable shock!
“2.1 billion yen... this... what concept is this?!”
A minister in charge of economy, voice carrying a trace of trembling, those always calm eyes of his, at this moment also full of shock:
“This... this is simply the box office achievement of Hollywood top-tier blockbusters ah! Our Nippon native movie, actually can also reach this kind of height?!”
“Yeah! It's simply inconceivable!”
That astute and capable campaign consultant, at this moment also excited to the point of flushing red in the face, he even couldn't help but wave his fists, tone full of difficult to suppress excitement:
“Following this momentum, the final box office, wouldn't it truly be able to break ten billion yen?! Ten billion yen ah! This... this is but an achievement never had before, in the movie history of our Nippon ah!”
“Break ten billion? I see even more than that!”
That elderly campaign manager, at this moment also excited to the point of being incoherent, on that face of his always stern, at this moment also covered in tear streaks:
“I even feel, this movie, it doesn't only can break ten billion yen! It even, possesses the possibility to surpass those Hollywood blockbusters, becoming this year's, and even the next few years', the total box office champion of our Nippon movie market!”
“That's right! Definitely can!”
A young secretary, at this moment also excited to the point of flushing red in the face, he even couldn't help but wave his fists, tone full of difficult to suppress excitement:
“I heard, this Golden Week, the US side also premiered a blockbuster, called some "Super Defense Robot"! Heard it invested hundreds of millions of US dollars, special effects made extremely brilliantly! However, I believe, our "Hachiko Monogatari", definitely can suppress it down!”
“Suppress down? Up to merely suppressing down!”
Another secretary also followed chiming in, on that young face of his, at this moment written full of proudness of sharing the glory:
“I even feel, our "Hachiko Monogatari", it doesn't only can suppress "Super Defense Robot"! It even, can break American movies' cultural hegemony in our Nippon movie market! It will become our Nippon culture, walking towards the world, conquering the world's... first gunshot!”
“Yeah! Our Nippon, finally can also film movies, capable of surpassing the Americans!”
“Nohara Hiroshi, he is simply the pride of our Nippon!”
“He is the person truly able to represent our Nippon culture, walk towards the world, conquer the US!”
For a time, inside the meeting room was full of various intense discussion sounds.
Everyone was all shocked by these tongue-clicking numbers, eyes full of expectations and fanaticism.
That excitement originating from the heart, that sense of pride towards nationality, towards the nation, making them these weather-beaten politicians, also somewhat unable to control themselves.
After all Nippon people, truly desire to surpass the US too much!
However, exactly within this atmosphere full of fanaticism and impassionedness, Koike Ryuichi yet suddenly lightly coughed a sound.
Although that sound wasn't loud, yet exactly like the morning bell and evening drum, instantly suppressing down the clamor inside the meeting room.
Everyone's gazes, uniformly cast towards Koike Ryuichi.
That astute and capable secretary beside him, immediately implicitly understood.
He fiercely stood up, on that young face, at this moment written full of sternness and solemnity.
“Everyone! Please pay attention to your words!”
The secretary's voice carried majesty, instantly thoroughly cooling down that fanatic atmosphere inside the meeting room:
“The US is our allied nation! The relationship between us and the US, is a mutually complementary relationship! What we should do, is mutually learning, mutually progressing, not mutually attacking, mutually slandering!”
His speech, powerful and resounding, every single word, all full of power.
Inside the meeting room, instantly descended into a patch of death-like silence.
Everyone blankly stood in place, all the fanaticism on their faces had already faded away, only leaving a patch of perfectly appropriate "trepidation" and "cooperation".
“Hai! We understand!”
“Yeah, we misspoke just now!”
“The US is our allied nation, we should respect them!”
The crowd one after another nodded their heads, inside that sound full of respect and obedience.
However, inside the depths of their eyes, yet flashed a trace of imperceptible mockery and sneer.
They mutually exchanged a glance, all seeing the identical "unspoken understanding" from each other's eyes.
They knew, this speech of the secretary, is merely official jargon, is spoken for those "invisible" ears to hear.
They also knew, in this kind of occasion, discussing opposing the US, is absolutely not allowed.
This is the deepest "hidden rule" of the Nippon political arena.
However, in the depths of their hearts, their disgust and hostility towards the US, yet never changed.
They desire to surpass the US, desire to cast off the control of the US, desire to let Nippon, become a truly meaningful, independent and autonomous nation.
And Nohara Hiroshi, as well as his "Hachiko Monogatari", then let them see this kind of possibility.
They saw, Nippon culture, is currently using an unprecedented posture, rising, taking off.
They saw Nippon's future, full of infinite hope.
Koike Ryuichi observing the crowd's appearance of "unspoken understanding", that sternness and solemnity on his face, also gradually replaced by a kind of delight originating from the heart.
His slender fingers, once again gently rubbed the beard under the jaw, inside those profound eyes, flashing a trace of proudness.
Able to defeat the US, he is equally happy.
Merely his current identity is too sensitive, if being known, then will definitely be ordered to bow apologizing or even resign.
The US won't let politicians with anti-US sentiments occupy high positions in Nippon.
This is extremely clear matters.
But right now, Koike Ryuichi is truly very happy, therefore he slowly raised the wine cup in his hand, that sound, like an ancient bell composed and powerful.
“Everyone, let us raise our cups together!”
Koike Ryuichi smilingly saying:
“For the cultural rise of our Nippon, for the future of our Nippon, also for our TV Tokyo, as well as the massive success achieved by... Nohara Hiroshi-kun... cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Everyone all uniformly responded in chorus, inside that sound, full of fighting spirit and passion.
......
“Saying truly, Excellency Governor.”
That astute and capable campaign consultant, at this moment that calmness belonging to professional managers on his face had long vanished into thin air.
He held the wine cup, eyes flashing a kind of nearly fanatic radiance:
“I even feel, our previous campaign strategy, is somewhat too conservative! We should immediately adjust direction, taking 'loyalty' and 'family affection' as the core concept of our this time's campaign! This is simply... tailored-made for your image!”
The voice of his words just fell, immediately drawing over a patch of chiming in sounds.
“Yamamoto-kun said nothing wrong!”
Another young backbone responsible for public opinion analysis, excited to the point of cheeks flushing red:
“I just now already let subordinates go gather preliminary feedback from citizens across various districts! Right now the discussion regarding "Hachiko Monogatari", is simply overwhelming! Everyone is discussing Hachiko's loyalty, discussing Professor Ueno's kindness! Even, there are already people spontaneously organizing, going to offer flowers in front of the Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station!”
He paused, tone becoming even more impassioned:
“Most importantly, when everyone discusses these, they will all subconsciously mention you, Excellency Governor! They all say, you adopted Hachitsutsu, you are also an individual having love, having sense of responsibility! They all say, you are just like Professor Ueno in the movie, warm and also reliable!”
“Yeah! Excellency Governor!”
A female campaign member looking in her forties, appearing composed and prudent also couldn't help but open her mouth:
“I also just now received phone calls from a few female friends, they previously didn't have half a bit of interest towards politics! But after they finished watching the movie, they were all excited to the point of crying for half a day on the phone! They also said, this election of theirs, they definitely have to vote for you! Because, they feel, a person able to be moved by a dog's loyalty, a person willing to adopt stray dogs, is definitely a trustworthy good leader!”
“I even feel, we should immediately contact a few pet shops, releasing 'Hachiko same-style' Akita Inus!”
A consultant responsible for commercial cooperation, at this moment also excited to the point of being incoherent, inside those astute eyes of his, flashing brilliance unique to merchants:
“When the time comes, we will further cooperate with pet shops, organizing an 'adoption replaces buying' public welfare activity! Like this, your image of being close to the citizens, your sense of social responsibility, will all obtain massive elevation!”
“This idea is good!”
“That's right! We even can borrow this wave of heat, to push forward the animal protection act of Tokyo Metropolis! This but is solid political achievement ah!”
“Yeah! When the time comes, we further cooperate with TV Tokyo, doing a documentary about caring for stray animals! That effect, is simply unimaginable!”
For a time, inside the meeting room was full of various intense discussion sounds.
These political elites normally calm and rational, planning strategies, at this moment all as if being ignited by "Hachiko Monogatari", inside their minds, burst out countless campaign plans full of creativity and passion.
Koike Ryuichi quietly listened to their discussion, that smile full of profound meaning on his face, also increasingly intense up, ultimately smilingly nodding his head saying:
“En, then it's like this, you draft out a plan.”
Binding his own political image and Hachiko Monogatari together, Koike Ryuichi now discovered, was truly doing the right thing!
......
At the same time, in Nishi-Omagari Village, Omagari City, Akita Prefecture far away from the clamor of Tokyo.
The curtain of night had long descended, sparse stars dotted on the ink-blue velvet, enveloping this tranquil countryside within a patch of peacefulness.
Inside the Nohara family's old residence, brightly lit, warm orange halos transmitting out from the windows, dispelling the slight chill inside the courtyard.
Inside the house, a "war" belonging to Nohara Ginnosuke, was precisely proceeding like raging fire.
“Cannot! Absolutely cannot!”
Nohara Tsuru put hands on hips, willow brows standing upside down, on that properly maintained face written full of unquestionable firm resolve.
她 glared at the bald old man exactly hugging the wine bottle in front of her, full of hooligan appearance, voice clear and also powerful:
“You just now already drank three cups! Moreover you yourself also said, that's the last cup! A real man must keep his words!”
“Aiyaya! Tsuru-chan! Don't be so stingy!”
Nohara Ginnosuke, this "old urchin" of the Nohara family, at this moment exactly like a child failing to ask for candy, pouting his mouth, shaking the wine bottle in his hand, inside those eyes always full of vitality, at this moment written full of grievance and longing.
In his hands, is exactly that bottle of top-tier sake not cheap in value —— Juyondai.
The crystal-clear liquor fluid gently shaking inside the bottle, emitting the rich fragrance of rice, just by smelling it, is sufficient to make people drool with desire.
“This is but our family's Hiroshi, specially bringing back for me from Tokyo! It's showing filial piety to me this father!”
Nohara Ginnosuke righteously and self-confidently yelled, voice resounding almost to the point of flipping the roof:
“What's wrong with me drinking one more cup? I drink my own son's wine, it's perfectly justified! You this mother, but cannot deprive my right to enjoy the happiness of family!”
This crooked theory and heresy of his, speaking it was self-righteous, as if he himself is the party holding the reason.
Nohara Tsuru was angered by him to the point of not knowing whether to laugh or cry, she reached out her finger, testily poking his forehead:
“You still have the nerve to speak! Hiroshi buying such good wine for you, is letting you savor it, not letting you treat it as water to drink! You look at you, merely a few days' effort, a bottle of wine is almost about to be bottomed out by your drinking! If Hiroshi knew about this, still think I this mother, didn't discipline you well this old drunkard ne!”
“Where am I an old drunkard?!”
Nohara Ginnosuke unyieldingly stiffened his neck, that appearance, exactly like a defeated rooster:
“I am... this is savoring life! Savoring my son's filial piety towards me! You don't understand!”
“I'm too lazy to speak with you!”
Nohara Tsuru rolled her eyes at him, inside that gaze, yet unable to hide a trace of doting smiling intent.
She looked at that hooligan appearance of the husband, in her heart angry yet also funny. Ultimately, still helplessly sighed a sound, snatching over the wine bottle from his hand.
“Just a small cup! Truly is the last cup!”
She simultaneously saying this, simultaneously picking up an exquisite sake cup, carefully pouring a cup for him.
That clear liquor fluid, glistening with crystal-clear radiance under the light, exactly like the most superior fine jade liquid.
“Hehehe! Tsuru-chan you are the best!”
Nohara Ginnosuke's face instantly bloomed like a flower happily, he like holding a rare treasure, carefully receiving the wine cup, inside those thieving eyes, flashing proud light.
He brought the wine cup near the tip of his nose, deeply taking a breath of that rich wine fragrance, surfacing an intoxicated expression on his face.
“En ——! Delicious! Truly delicious ah!”
He smacked his lips, taking a small sip, that satisfaction, as if possessing the whole world.
Nohara Tsuru looking at that appearance of him forgetting himself in pride, couldn't help but shake her head, face yet brimming with a happy smile.
She knew, this old man, although merciless in words, but inside his heart, yet deeply loves this family more than anyone, deeply loves the two sons of theirs.
“Alright, wine also drank, time to speak proper matters.”
Nohara Tsuru sat down beside the husband, tone also becoming earnest and well-meaning:
“I just heard Semashi say, Hiroshi called him again. Said for us this period of time, to properly do preparations for selling Akita Inus. You this father, also have to go keep an eye on things at the base, don't let those young people, mess up the matters.”
“Hai hai hai, understood, understood.”
Nohara Ginnosuke uncaringly waved his hand, he at this moment was precisely immersed amidst the delicious taste of Juyondai, where could he still listen to other words.
He curled his lips, inside his tone carrying a trace of disdain:
“Semashi now is but a big President! Managing over eighty people under him! Just that Akita Inu breeding base alone, has over thirty people! Still need me this old man to go keep an eye? If they even can't handle this bit of small matter well, then might as well close down early!”
He paused, muttering another sentence in a low voice:
“Besides, isn't it just selling a few Akita Inus, what is there to be surprised about. Our Akita Prefecture, everywhere is full of Akita Inus, still can sell out what kind of tricks?”
Nohara Tsuru upon hearing this, let out a long sigh.
She knew, this husband of her own, although a good hand in the aspect of farming, but regarding business acumen, yet is completely ignorant.
“What do you know!”
Nohara Tsuru testily rolled her eyes at him, inside the tone carrying a trace of helplessness of expecting better:
“This but isn't simply selling dogs! This is our family's Hiroshi, laying down a grand layout!”
She paused, tone becoming solemn, inside those always gentle eyes also flashing radiance:
“Hiroshi said, what we sell now, isn't the Akita Inu itself, but... is the 'bloodline' and 'grading' qualification of Akita Inus in the future!”
“Bloodline? Grading?”
Nohara Ginnosuke upon hearing this, surfaced a blank expression on his face, he scratched that already somewhat sparse head, eyes full of bewilderment.
“Yeah, bloodline and grading.”
Nohara Tsuru nodded her head, although she also didn't quite understand these tricks in business, but Hiroshi on the phone, already explained it extremely clearly to her.
“Hiroshi said, as long as we master the power to evaluate bloodline, classify grading for Akita Inus, then, the future entire Nippon's Akita Inu market, is exactly our Nohara family having the final say! We say which dog's bloodline is pure, it then is worth a thousand pieces of gold! We say which dog is a mongrel, it then is worthless!”
“When the time comes, what we sell, then won't solely be dogs, but a standard, an authority, a kind of... formless power capable of controlling the entire market!”
Nohara Tsuru saying this, on her face surfaced a trace of proud smile.
She felt sincere pride, for herself able to have such a son possessing such profound layout.
However, Nohara Ginnosuke after finishing listening to this speech, yet merely blankly stood in place, looking at the wife, again looking at the wine cup in his hand, feeling that brain of his own seemingly long paralyzed by alcohol, thoroughly crashed.
“You... these things you said... I... how come I don't understand a single word ah?”
Nohara Ginnosuke felt himself as if listening to heavenly books.
Exactly at this time, the door of the inner room was pushed open.
Nohara Semashi, this eldest son of the Nohara family, at this moment was exactly smilingly walking in honestly and sincerely.
On that dark-skinned face of his, bringing a few parts of rusticity and sincerity.
“Dad, Mom, what are you chatting about ne?”
He smilingly asked.
“We are chatting about that 'grand plan' of your younger brother ne.”
Nohara Tsuru smilingly saying, she glanced at the husband still in "dazed" state beside her, inside the tone carrying a trace of helplessness:
“Your dad he ah, couldn't understand.”
“Hehe, Mom, just don't make things difficult for Dad.”
Nohara Semashi honestly and sincerely smiling, he scratched his head, on his face surfacing a trace of bashful smile:
“Speaking truthfully, those things Hiroshi said, I... I also couldn't quite understand.”
He paused, tone yet becoming exceptionally firm:
“However, I understand one point. That is, as long as it's arranged by Hiroshi, we following to do, definitely won't be wrong!”
“En! Exactly! Semashi said rightly!”
Nohara Ginnosuke upon hearing this, fiercely slapped his thigh, as if finding a bosom friend, inside those thieving eyes of his, once again flashing proud light:
“Our family's Hiroshi, that is a genius! What he said, definitely are all correct! We only need to listen to him, can absolutely make a big fortune!”
Nohara Tsuru looking at these two right in front, men full of blind trust towards Hiroshi, on her face revealed a helpless yet happy smile.
She knew, this family, although simple, yet full of the most sincere family affection and trust.
“Alright, alright, know you both believe Hiroshi.”
Nohara Tsuru lightly sighed a sound, she glanced at Nohara Ginnosuke, inside the tone carrying a trace of reminder:
“However, you this father-in-law, also have to pay attention to your image a bit. Good thing Miss Ikuna didn't come today, otherwise seeing this somewhat drunk appearance of yours, still think our Nohara family, doesn't have rules ne.”
“Aiyaya! You this old wife, is exactly long-winded!”
Nohara Ginnosuke impatiently waved his hand, he curled his lips, inside the tone carrying a trace of disdain:
“Wait until a period of time passes, I will buy a piece of land for Semashi, letting him and Ikuna, build a detached house themselves, moving out to live! When the time comes, us two old fellows, exactly live our own good days! Whoever don't care about whoever!”
He saying this even blinked his eyes towards Nohara Tsuru.
That old improper appearance, making Nohara Tsuru's cheeks, "swish" blushing completely red.
“You... what nonsense are you spouting ne!”
Nohara Tsuru bashfully and angrily glared at him, inside that sound, carrying a trace of imperceptible coquettishness:
“Semashi is still here ne! You... you truly disrespect your age!”
Nohara Semashi stood at the side, looking at parents' this set of "flirting", on his face revealed a helpless bitter smile.
He knew, this dad of his own, is exactly this personality.
He hurriedly from the briefcase in his embrace, taking out a thick stack of newspapers, attempting to change the topic.
“Dad, Mom, you quickly look!”
Nohara Semashi honestly and sincerely smiling, handing the newspapers in his hands to the front of parents, inside the tone full of pride:
“These are all the newspapers I bought back from the city today! On top of it, are all reports regarding Hiroshi, regarding that "Hachiko Monogatari" of his!”
“Oh?!”
Nohara Ginnosuke's eyes instantly brightened up, he snatched over the newspapers at once, inside those thieving eyes, flashing excited light.
He looked at the newspaper, those eye-catching titles one by one, those handsome photos of Nohara Hiroshi one by one, as well as those texts full of praise and exclamation, the pride on his face, could no longer be concealed.
“Hahahahaha! I said so right! Our family's Hiroshi, is exactly a genius!”
Nohara Ginnosuke laughed out loudly, that sound, wishing it could transmit through the entire village:
“You look! You look! Written on this, are all praising our family's Hiroshi! What 'cultural monster', what 'Nippon's pride', what 'conquer the world'! Hahahahaha! I Nohara Ginnosuke's son, is exactly awesome!”
He simultaneously saying, simultaneously carefully folding up the newspapers, putting them inside his own embrace, that appearance, exactly like a squirrel hoarding a full granary of grains.
“Hehehe, this is great, tomorrow going to the village entrance, I have something to show off again!”
He thievingly smiled, that pride, simply about to spew out from inside his body.
Nohara Tsuru looking at that appearance of the husband forgetting himself in pride, on her face revealed a helpless yet happy smile.
She knew, this old man, is going to the village to "abuse power" again.
However, exactly at this time, a burst of abrupt mobile phone ringtone, yet broke that warm yet also lively atmosphere inside the room.
Nohara Semashi took out his mobile phone, glancing at the caller ID, on that honest and sincere face, instantly surfacing a trace of surprise.
“It's the Mayor of Omagari City, Mr. Ito Kenji.”
He softly said, inside the tone carrying a trace of imperceptible nervousness.
The voice falling, the room originally still full of family warmth and the fun of old married couple bickering, the air seemingly instantly emptied out, descending into a kind of peculiar silence.
That old face of Nohara Ginnosuke flushed red due to pride and alcohol, instantly recovered to normal color, he even subconsciously straightened his waist, those thieving eyes always rolling around, at this moment also restrained all the impropriety, becoming stern up.
He glanced at the mobile phone in his son's hand, that gaze, like looking at a hot potato that might explode at any time.
Nohara Tsuru's reaction was even faster, she didn't have the slightest hesitation, directly reached out her hand, on the soft flesh at the waist of that old man still spacing out, gave a pinch neither light nor heavy.
“Hiss ——”
Nohara Ginnosuke sucked in a breath of cold air, all the alcohol went poof into thin air in this instant. He fiercely closed his mouth, that expression, exactly like a naughty student getting caught red-handed by the teacher for losing focus in class.
Nohara Tsuru only then satisfiedly withdrew her hand, she faced the eldest son Nohara Semashi, casting an encouraging yet also carrying a few parts of urging gaze, gesturing for him to quickly pick up the phone.
The female master of the Nohara family, in crucial moments, is always that composed and reliable.
Nohara Semashi took a deep breath of air, suppressing down all the shock and nervousness in his heart. He knew, this phone call, wasn't only the Mayor's greeting towards him, even more an invisible "test" towards him, towards the entire Nohara Agricultural Corporation.
He pressed the answer key, on that honest and sincere face, at this moment surfacing a trace of perfectly appropriate respect and composure.
“Moshi moshi (Hello), Mayor Ito, good evening, this is Nohara Semashi.”
His voice composed and powerful, not having the slightest fluster, that calm, unexpectedly truly had a trace of the flavor of a mature President.
“Aiyaya! Semashi-kun! Good evening, good evening ah!”
On the other end of the phone, immediately transmitted over that voice of Ito Kenji full of enthusiasm and closeness, as if it wasn't the Mayor calling a merchant of subordinate region, but a cordial elder greeting a junior:
“Disturbing you this late, truly embarrassed ah!”
“Mayor Excellency you are too courteous.”
Nohara Semashi's tone respectful:
“You have any instructions, feel free to order.”
“Instructions unable to be spoken of, instructions unable to be spoken of ah!”
Ito Kenji on the other end of the phone laughed out loudly, inside that sound, carrying a trace of smoothness and bitterness unique to politicians:
“Semashi-kun ah, me calling you this time, actually is... is having a bit of private matters, wanting to ask you to help a bit ah.”
“Help?”
Nohara Semashi upon hearing this, his heart slightly moved. He knew, the main topic arrived.
“Yeah, help.”
Ito Kenji let out a long sigh, inside that sound, full of helplessness and headache:
“Semashi-kun ah, that "Hachiko Monogatari" of your younger brother Hiroshi, currently is truly... too popular! Popular to a messy point!”
He paused, tone becoming even more bitter up:
“Those old friends of mine in Tokyo, one by one all like going crazy, calling me everyday! They all say, Akita Inus are too cute, too loyal! They all want to raise one! Even insisting on me this Mayor of Omagari City, getting them a few Akita Inus with purest bloodline, best appearance!”
“You say, me this serving as Mayor, how can I be able to decline ne? But in these hands of mine, where are there any Akita Inus ah! I can't just go to the streets casually grabbing a few right? Therefore ah, Semashi-kun, I then exactly thickened my face, making this phone call to you. You see see, can you... help me with this favor ah?”
This speech of Ito Kenji, speaking it is sincere and heartfelt, watertight.
He cleverly packaged his own "selfish motives" into a "helpless" "debt of gratitude", not only preserving his own face, but also transferring the pressure, quietly to the body of Nohara Semashi.
Nohara Semashi quietly listened, on that honest and sincere face, not the slightest ripple arose.
However, inside his mind, instantly surfaced that speech younger brother Nohara Hiroshi spoke to him on the phone ——
“Big brother, our Akita Inus, must walk the high-end route. Ordinary people want to buy, can, but must be limited edition, must create an atmosphere of scarcity. However, towards those prominent big figures, for example Mayors, for example Agricultural Cooperative Chairmans, we don't only need to sell, we even need to proactively gift! This gifting, isn't dog, is favor, is connection, is the foundation for... our Nohara Agricultural Corporation to establish footings in Omagari City, in Akita Prefecture, and even the entire Nippon in the future!”
Thinking up to here, inside Nohara Semashi's heart, instantly then had a decision.
He knew, this wasn't only a "help", even more an opportunity.
An, excellent opportunity to heavily bind the Nohara Agricultural Corporation, together with the highest authority of Omagari City!
“Mayor Excellency, you are joking.”
Nohara Semashi's voice, once again rang out, that composure and confidence, making Ito Kenji on the other end of the phone, also feel a trace of imperceptible surprise:
“How is this a help, this is clearly seeing the importance towards our Nohara Agricultural Corporation!”
He paused, tone becoming even more sincere:
“Mayor Excellency, please rest assured. In my hands, additionally happen to still have a batch of extremely excellent appearance, pure bloodline Akita Inus. How about this, I will set aside twenty heads for you, no, twenty-five heads! How do you see it? These twenty-five heads of Akita Inus, exactly treat it as me Nohara Semashi, representing our Nohara Agricultural Corporation, gifting to you as New Year present!”
“What?! Gift... gift to me?!”
Ito Kenji's voice, instantly raised acting an octave, inside the tone full of unbelievable wild joy!
He originally thought, Nohara Semashi at most exactly agrees to sell him a few, even might have possibility, to borrow this opportunity, talking condition with him, asking for some policy support or whatnot.
But he never imagined, Nohara Semashi actually... actually this "understanding the proper ways"!
Not only agreeing to twenty-five heads in one breath, moreover, is still giving for free!
This... this is simply, pie dropping from the sky!
Need to know, those friends of his in Tokyo, regarding status and rank, but are way higher than himself.
Able to be said as friends.
Are all him continuously boasting himself.
Now able to obtain twenty-five heads of Akita Inus with most superior bloodline, then towards his political career, is also a massive help!
“Yes, Mayor Excellency.”
Nohara Semashi's voice, still was that peaceful, that composed, as if what he gifted out just now, wasn't "scarce resources" worth over twenty million yen, but merely was a few worthless Chinese cabbages:
“You are the Mayor of our Omagari City, normally for the development of our Omagari City, busy with ten thousands of affairs everyday, exhausting both mind and strength. We conducting enterprises, able to share worries for you, is our honor.”
“Aiyaya! Semashi-kun! You... you are truly... too courteous already!”
Ito Kenji excitedly smiled, he even couldn't help but stand up from the seat, on that face always hanging an official smile, at this moment written full of sincere gratitude,
“Semashi-kun! You this time, is truly... helping me a heaven-shattering big favor ah! This favor, I Ito Kenji, remembered it!”
(End of Chapter)