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

Chapter 226: The Koyama and Fujiwara Families' Reflections! Mutual Satisfaction! Families Brought Together!

The wooden sliding door of Sakura no Sato opened gently. Afternoon sunlight slanted through the garden's cherry branches, turning the pale pink buds even more translucent.

With the engagement details settled, both families gathered at the restaurant entrance to say their farewells.

Fujiwara Honmaru adjusted his kimono hem, gaze resting warmly on Yoshiharu: "Koyama-san, thank you for today. The date is set for September seventh — for venue setup and guest lists, we'll keep in touch by phone."

"Not at all, Fujiwara-san — you're far too kind!" Yoshiharu waved his hands earnestly, unconsciously wiping his palms on his trousers — having shaken the county councilor's hand, he felt the need to preserve that "dignity."

"Having our Koyama family join with yours is truly our honor. If Masae ever does anything wrong going forward, please bear with her, you and Mrs. Fujiwara."

Temari was holding Masae's hand, chatting brightly: "A girl as sensible as Masae — how could she do anything wrong? Isshin told me she even helped organize his Prefectural Office publicity materials. Her handwriting — neat and clear, more meticulous than the young women at his office!"

From her cloth bag, Temari produced a small velvet box and pressed it into Masae's hands: "A hairpin I picked up in Ginza the other day. Pearl — it'll match the kimono you'll wear at the engagement beautifully."

Masae clutched the box, cheeks cherry-red: "Thank you, Fujiwara-auntie — it's too generous..."

"Don't be formal with Auntie!" Temari patted her hand, then turned to Misae with an appraising smile. "Misae's becoming quite capable too — I hear your 'Future Comic Club' has seventeen or eighteen members now? Hiroshi really has an eye for talent, finding such a remarkable partner."

Misae blushed, sidling closer to Hiroshi, linking her arm through his: "It's all thanks to Hiroshi. Without his publishing connections, our manga coloring would still be waiting in limbo."Hiroshi ruffled her hair and turned to Isshin: "Isshin-san — I'll fly back from Tokyo ahead of September seventh. If you need help with the engagement banquet, call anytime — you have my number. During the day, the pager works too."

Isshin nodded sincerely: "Thank you, Hiroshi-san. We might indeed need your help — the Prefectural Office wants to screen a Kumamon clip at the banquet, and I'd appreciate your eye on the editing."

"No trouble at all." Hiroshi agreed easily.

Musae pressed forward with her plushie, big eyes gleaming: "Fujiwara-auntie — will Kumamon come to the engagement? I want photos! And an autograph!"

Temari laughed, bending to pat her head: "Of course! Isshin will bring Kumamon — all the photos you want. But Musae has to promise Auntie she'll dress beautifully that day and be the flower girl, okay?"

"Deal!" Musae hoisted her plushie triumphantly. "I'll wear my pink dress — the one sissy bought me!"

Sunlight filtered through cherry branches, casting gentle patterns on the ground. Even the air carried warmth.

The families bid farewell. Hiroshi opened the car door for Yoshiharu and Takasae, then helped Misae into the passenger seat.

The car pulled out of Sakura no Sato's lot, gliding through Kumamoto's streets. Wooden shop signs — "Satoya," "Suzuki Records" — gleamed in the sun. Students on bicycles passed with dorayaki in their baskets.

Everything serene and beautiful.

"The Fujiwara family really KNOWS propriety."

Yoshiharu broke the silence from the back seat, voice brimming with excitement: "During the meal, Honmaru-san spoke with such clarity — befitting Kumamoto's senior councilor!"

Takasae nodded, fingers tracing the silk handkerchief Temari had given her: "And Mrs. Fujiwara is so elegant! The way she served Masae tea — her wrist at just the right angle, cup perfectly steady, not a drop spilled. Such a gentle manner of speaking."

She gazed out the window: "Knowing Masae is marrying into such a family — I'm at peace."

Misae laughed from the front: "Mom — you're wonderful yourself. When I was sick, you got up at midnight to make me ginger tea — no one more caring than you."

She added warmly: "And Masae and Isshin-san are perfect together! At dinner, he picked the bone-free fish for her, saying 'this one has fewer spines — eat more.' Such tender eyes. Masae will definitely be happy."

Her gaze drifted to Hiroshi at the wheel. Sunlight through the window lit his profile — focused, hands steady on the wheel, slowing for pedestrians with easy composure.

She smiled softly: "But I'm very happy too — Hiroshi is my pillar."

Hiroshi's lips curved. He glanced at her tenderly: "Silly. You're my fiancée — if not you, who would I care for?"

"Mm!" Misae nodded emphatically, cheeks apple-red.

Yoshiharu watched the couple, laughing until his eyes crinkled: "Truly heaven's blessing! I used to worry about both girls finding good men — Masae too gentle, afraid she'd be bullied;

Misae too carefree, afraid she'd be deceived. Now Masae has Isshin, Misae has Hiroshi — both wonderful people. Hiroshi especially — a Level 3 Director at TV Tokyo at his age, running his own production department, manga selling well, devoted to Misae. I couldn't be more satisfied!"

Then he glanced in the rearview mirror at the car behind — Masae at the wheel of the family's old Nissan, Musae in the passenger seat waving her plushie at the window.

His smile dimmed slightly: "It's just Musae..."

Takasae understood immediately, sighing gently: "She's still young — she'll be fine. Active, yes, but good-hearted. When the neighbor's child lost a toy, Musae spent an entire afternoon helping search. She'll find someone worthy too — let's not rush."

"I'm not rushing her dating — I'm worried she'll meet the wrong person."

Yoshiharu's tone turned serious: "You know how many delinquents are on the streets now — bleached-blond hair, tattooed arms, roaring motorcycles, drinking in parks at night. Last time I picked Musae up from school, I saw punks blocking girls at the gate — I grabbed Musae and left immediately. In Japan, you can marry at eighteen — Musae's sixteen, only two years away! If she falls in with those bleach-blond boys and brings one home as a son-in-law, I'll DIE of shame!"

Hiroshi couldn't help laughing — in his previous life, the internet was full of "dads' worst fear: bleach-blond boyfriends." Turns out Yoshiharu shared the exact same anxiety.

He slowed for a red light: "Don't worry, Uncle. Musae's sharp — she won't mix with that crowd. Last time I visited, I overheard her telling Misae that a classmate tried inviting her to hang out with punks, and Musae flatly refused — said 'those guys look like trouble. So rude.' She has good judgment."

"I hope so."

Yoshiharu sighed but remained resolute: "Still, I can't let my guard down. I'll visit her school weekly to check who she's spending time with. On weekends, Masae or Misae must accompany her. Home by seven PM — firm rule. She's my youngest, my most spoiled daughter. I will NOT let her get tangled up with delinquents!"

Takasae laughed: "You're such a helicopter dad. You never worried this much about Masae and Misae at her age."

"That's DIFFERENT! Musae's the baby — AND she was sickly, had pneumonia as a child! If I don't protect her, who will?"

Misae chimed in: "Dad, relax — I'll watch over Musae too. Next time she visits Tokyo, I'll take her to TV Tokyo's production department. Once she sees what real work looks like, she won't want anything to do with punks."

Hiroshi nodded: "Right — I'll take her to see how Yamishibai's animation is made. Let her chat with our manga artists. Maybe she'll develop an interest in drawing."

Yoshiharu finally relaxed, smiling: "Good, good — with all of you watching out, I feel much better."

The light turned green. The car moved forward. Conversation resumed — Takasae and Misae discussing engagement kimono choices while Yoshiharu interjected.

In Masae's car behind, a different scene unfolded.

Musae shivered suddenly, touching her nose — cold, slightly pink.

"Huh? Why's it so cold?" She frowned at the sunny window.

After thinking, she pouted: "Bet Dad's talking about me again behind my back! Last time I came home ten minutes late, he told Mom 'Musae must be hanging out with bad kids.' He's DEFINITELY badmouthing me!"

Masae laughed. She glanced at her sister with sisterly tenderness: "Don't be silly. He's not badmouthing you — he's WORRYING. When you were sick, he was up at midnight making ginger tea, sitting by your bed all night terrified you'd spike a fever again. He fusses because you're the one he loves most."

Musae leaned back, fiddling with her Kumamon's ear: "But he used to worry about you and Misae too! Now it's just ME. You have Isshin, Sissy has Hiroshi — everyone's taken care of. Only I'm alone, and Dad won't let me go to the park with friends, won't let me watch late-night TV, wouldn't even let me dye my hair light brown. He said 'girls should be modest.'"

Masae sighed gently: "Silly girl — marriage is a woman's most important decision. I'm with Isshin because he keeps me safe, gives me security. Misae is with Hiroshi because he protects her and supports her comic club. Dad didn't stop caring about us — he relaxed because we found reliable partners."

She glanced at Musae: "You're still young — no rush for a boyfriend. When you're older, you'll meet someone who'll care for you and love you. Then Dad will relax about you too."

Musae sat up, thumping her chest: "I KNOW! I'll find an AMAZING boyfriend! Better than even brother-in-law Hiroshi! Like — another TV Tokyo director, or a manga artist like sissy, who draws beautiful manga AND makes lots of money! Then I'll bring him home and show Dad — 'MY boyfriend is even better than my sisters'!' He'll stop worrying!"

Masae laughed at her sister's earnestness: "If you want an amazing boyfriend, first make YOURSELF amazing. Right now, your most important job is studying. Get into a good Tokyo high school, then a good university. Better places mean meeting better people. I studied hard to get into Kumamoto's top university, which led to teaching, which led to Isshin. Misae's love of manga led to Hiroshi and the comic club."

She stroked Musae's head: "If you don't study hard, you'll be stuck in small-town Kumamoto. How would you ever meet amazing people? So — stop thinking about boyfriends and focus on your studies, okay?"

Musae's face crumpled at the word "studying": "I KNOW... but math problems always trick me, and English vocab won't stick..."

Still, she nodded: "But I'll try! When I get into a Tokyo high school, Sissy will take me to see brother-in-law's production department!"

"Deal — IF you pass. If not, no visit."

"I'll DEFINITELY pass!" Musae straightened with fierce determination — studying was hard, but envisioning Tokyo, Misae, and Hiroshi's studio filled her with motivation.

The two cars drove through 1991 Kumamoto's cherry-blossom-lined streets. Cherry buds swayed in the breeze — mirroring this family's hopes: Masae's engagement, Misae's comic club, Musae's studies, Hiroshi's Tokyo career. Everything blooming toward a beautiful future.

...

The black sedan pulled into the Fujiwara estate. Honmaru stepped out, dark gray kimono sweeping the cobblestones. He surveyed the manicured holly hedges, the "Fujiwara Residence" plaque — and allowed himself a quiet, satisfied smile.

"The Koyama family is more proper than I expected."

He turned to watch Temari exit: "Koyama Yoshiharu especially — he knows I'm a councilor, yet there wasn't a whiff of flattery. Discussing Masae's upbringing, his reasoning was clearer than most young Prefectural clerks. Decades of teaching shows."

Temari brushed cherry petals from her sleeve: "Naturally! I had the butler investigate — the Koyama line has been civil servants for generations. Yoshiharu-san taught Japanese at a middle school. Takasae-san was a classical literature teacher at the neighboring town's school before marriage. This education-family background means impeccable manners and speech. Didn't you notice Takasae-san's remarks about The Tale of Genji? Even our Isshin couldn't keep up — THAT'S genuine scholarship."

Isshin joined them, catching his mother's words: "Mom's right. Masae told me her mother's graduating classes held the prefecture's top Japanese scores for five consecutive years. She only resigned to raise three daughters — otherwise she'd likely be a head teacher by now."

"Is that so?" Honmaru's eyebrows rose with increased respect. "Then Takasae-san is an accomplished woman indeed. Many women narrow their world to housework after marriage, but raising three such fine daughters — Masae's composure, Misae's capability, even little Musae's sharp wit — shows tremendous maternal investment."

Temari covered a laugh: "NOW you notice? I've been saying the Koyamas are a solid family — perfect match for our Isshin. We women — no matter how capable before marriage — mostly end up revolving around home after. Before I married you, I was assistant at my father's trading company, running clients in Osaka and Tokyo. People called me 'the Fujiwara family's lady CEO' — yet here I am studying recipes and tending gardens!"

"Ha! You bring THAT up?" Honmaru laughed. "I remember our first Osaka textile negotiation — the buyer tried lowering the price, and you talked him into raising it AND adding thirty percent to his order! Your father told me: 'My daughter is tougher than any son.' Right then, I knew marrying you was hitting the jackpot."

Temari blushed, lightly swatting his arm: "Ancient history! All that matters now is Isshin and Masae's wedding. Once they're engaged, I'll help plan the ceremony. Then grandchildren — and I'll happily spend my days as a grandmother."

Isshin stepped forward, tone unusually serious: "Mom — Masae and I have discussed this. I don't intend for her to quit her job after marriage. She loves teaching. Her middle school students adore her — a parent even sent a thank-you letter. I believe a woman can have a career after marriage — she doesn't have to be a housewife. As for home tasks, we can hire help. I'll cook and clean after work too — it doesn't all fall on Masae."

Silence. Wind rustled the cherry trees. Petals drifted lazily to the ground.

Honmaru frowned: "That's not right, son. A woman in the public eye isn't a good look. The Fujiwara name carries weight in Kumamoto — your wife going to school every day to deal with students... people will say we lack propriety. Besides, you're busy at the Prefectural Office. Someone needs to manage the home — with Masae handling logistics, you can focus on work."

Temari agreed: "Listen to your father. After marriage, family comes first. Look at me — I was sharp at the company, but after marrying, I raised you and your brother at home. Masae's young — she finds work fun now. Once children come, she'll realize staying home is easier than teaching. And our family doesn't need her salary — why make her work so hard?"

But Isshin shook his head, eyes firmer: "Dad, Mom — times have changed. Look at Misae — she and Hiroshi built Future Comic Club together, seventeen or eighteen manga artists employed! Hiroshi not only doesn't object — he actively helps. Masae told me her greatest dream is sharing classical literature's beauty with more students. Making her resign would make her unhappy. I'm marrying her to make her HAPPY, not to cage her. I'll hire a housekeeper, help with cooking and cleaning — Masae shouldn't bear it alone."

Honmaru studied his son, glanced at his wife.

Temari sighed softly, tugging her husband's arm: "Let it go. The children's lives are theirs to decide. Masae is sensible — working won't mean neglecting home. And Isshin has a point — many young couples both work nowadays. Let's not be stubborn."

After several seconds, Honmaru finally nodded: "Fine. You young people think differently — we old folks don't pretend to understand. As long as life goes well and Masae's willing, we won't object. But fair warning — if home falls apart, don't come complaining."

Isshin bowed deeply: "Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mom! I promise — I'll handle household matters. Masae will never suffer!"

Just then, the phone rang from inside.

Temari hurried in. Moments later, her excited voice carried: "Honmaru! Isshin! Come quick! It's Governor Muto calling!"

Both men froze — Governor Muto Masao rarely called their home outside official business. What prompted this?

Honmaru strode inside, straightening his kimono: "Why would the Governor call suddenly? Is there Prefectural urgency?"

Temari handed him the phone, smiling: "It's NOT about the office — it's about Isshin and Masae's marriage!"

Honmaru took the phone with measured composure: "Governor Muto — Fujiwara Honmaru speaking. How may I help?"

The Governor's warm voice came through: "No need for formality, Honmaru-san. My secretary tells me your Isshin is getting engaged to the Koyama girl? Wonderful news! I know Koyama Yoshiharu — a reliable old teacher. His daughter must be excellent."

"Too kind, Governor! We settled the details today — September seventh. We'd be honored if you could attend."

"September seventh? I'm free that day!"

Muto's voice carried evident pleasure: "How could I miss it? We've known each other for decades. In fact — I'd like to serve as wedding witness for Isshin and Masae. Would you be willing?"

Honmaru's eyes lit up: "WILLING? Of COURSE! Having the Governor as witness would honor both the Fujiwara AND Koyama families! Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me — we're old friends."

Muto continued warmly: "I also hear Isshin's been working with Nohara Hiroshi on Kumamon's promotional campaign? That young man's very talented — Seven Samurai was outstanding. Have Isshin learn from him — improving Kumamoto's promotion benefits my reelection too."

After exchanging pleasantries — including whether Hiroshi could film a promo for the Kumamoto Castle Cultural Festival — Honmaru hung up, beaming irrepressibly.

Temari rushed over: "What did the Governor say? Coming to the banquet?"

"Not only coming — he volunteered to be the WEDDING WITNESS!" Honmaru's voice brimmed with excitement. "Governor Muto, Kumamoto's top official! Every Prefectural official, every association president will attend. We need to tell Manager Yamada to upgrade the venue décor immediately!"

Temari clapped: "WONDERFUL! The banquet just got even grander! Tomorrow I'm going to Ginza for better wedding favors — can't have guests thinking we're stingy."

Isshin stood quietly moved: "I never expected the Governor to show such respect. Dad — your relationship with him is truly special."

Honmaru waved, allowing himself a proud note: "Twenty-some years of friendship — I introduced him to the senior councilors when he first entered the Prefectural Office. But don't get TOO excited — the Governor also said to learn from Nohara Hiroshi and execute the Kumamon campaign well, boosting his reelection chances."

His tone sharpened: "This is your opportunity, Isshin. The Governor is prioritizing Kumamoto's tourism. Execute the Kumamon promotion well — attract visitors, boost the economy — and your Prefectural career gets a massive push. I hear he wants Kumamon to improve citizen polling. Coordinate with Hiroshi-san — maybe a Kumamon series, or live events at the Cultural Festival. Make this bear even bigger."

Isshin straightened and bowed: "Yes sir! I'll call Hiroshi-san tomorrow to develop a promotional plan worthy of the Governor's expectations!"

Honmaru nodded approvingly, clapping his shoulder: "THAT'S my son! Remember — opportunities like this are rare. Excel at work, maintain the Koyama relationship. Masae is a good girl — never let her down."

"I won't let anyone down — not Masae, not you and Mom!"

Temari smiled: "Enough work talk. Dinner's ready — your favorite unagi rice, your father's sake, wagashi and matcha. Let's eat first, then discuss banquet details properly — guest list, venue style. We'll make this engagement banquet SPECTACULAR."

The family of three dined amid warm lamplight and laughter, a family portrait on the wall showing a young uniformed Isshin beaming between his parents.

Cherry trees glowed in moonlight. Blossoms scented the breeze. Everything peaceful, beautiful.

Isshin followed his parents, heart full of gratitude. His parents could be stubborn, but everything came from love.

With their blessing, the Governor's support, and career opportunities opening — life felt almost dreamlike.

He resolved silently: work harder, make his parents proud, care for Masae — make her the happiest woman in the world.

The promotional plan with Hiroshi would move forward immediately. He would not disappoint anyone's trust.