novelraw Chapter 44: Cold Water
Chapter 44: Cold Water
Monday's sunlight spilled into the TV Tokyo Production Bureau Headquarters Building.
When staff encountered each other in the corridors, their eye contact was no longer formulaic nods of greeting, but added a few traces of inquiry and speculation. It was as if a tacit secret floated in the air—the final showdown between 'Yamishibai' and 'Onibo Samurai' would be revealed today.
Today was the day to tally last month's Ichiban.
In the Suzuki Section, everyone arrived very early.
"Section Chief!" Minamura Hoshi's voice still visibly carried post-hangover hoarseness, and a mental excitement: "Today... there shouldn't be any problem, right?"
Everyone's gazes subconsciously focused on Suzuki Kiyoto.
Holding a cup of hot tea, Suzuki Kiyoto smiled.
That smile was the most certain confidence of a battle-tested veteran general in his elite troops on the eve of the decisive battle.
"Rest assured." He took a sip of tea, his voice gentle yet powerful: "Last night, a friend from the Broadcasting Department leaked some news to me. Our steadily climbing viewership ratings simply don't need to worry about the Ichiban matter!"
"After all, the viewership ratings for the early morning slot before us peaked at no more than 3%, and now our viewership rating is 6.01%!"This was Suzuki Kiyoto's confidence.
In the past, when had a program in the early morning slot ever broken 6%?
One must know, the entire neon's late-night slot historical record was probably constituted by this 'Yamishibai' of theirs!
Thinking of this, he paused. Looking at those young faces written full of anticipation, a deeper trace of gratification and emotion flashed in his eyes.
"Furthermore, I have two pieces of good news to announce."
The office instantly quieted down.
"The first piece of good news."
Suzuki Kiyoto's gaze swept across the crowd, speaking slowly: "The station has formally approved that our 'Yamishibai' first season, after finishing its broadcast at headquarters, will be transferred completely to the affiliated Kanto TV, to be rebroadcast in their Saturday 9 PM 'Horror Theater' slot."
Boom!
This news made everyone feel more excited than any viewership rating numbers.
Kanto TV! Saturday 9 PM slot!
Although that was merely an affiliated station, it was an entity whose viewership ratings ranked in the top ten of the entire Kanto region!
And Saturday 9 PM was a top-tier slot second only to the golden 8 PM slot!
This meant 'Yamishibai' was no longer that small production that could only self-appreciate in the late-night corner; it would truly step onto a broader stage and be seen by more people!
"This... this is Deputy Bureau Chief Asumi's intention." Suzuki Kiyoto added a sentence, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible gratitude. He knew behind this, it was that former feudal lord of Kanto TV propping up a new sky for them, his former subordinates originating from 'Kanto Station'.
"Then... then what about the second piece of good news?" Kitagawa Yao's eyes sparkled bright, like two obsidian stones soaked in water.
On Suzuki Kiyoto's face appeared an even more brilliant smile.
"The second piece of good news is—" He purposely dragged out his voice, enjoying the crowd's anxious anticipation: "The Production Bureau has formally approved the project proposal for 'Yamishibai's' second season! Moreover, this time, our broadcast slot will be the 11 PM late-night slot! The station will also match us with corresponding promotional resources!"
"Ohhhhhh—!"
This time, cheers erupted in the office.
From garbage time that no one cared about, to the highly anticipated late-night slot! This was no longer a simple upgrade; this was a hierarchical leap!
"Wait..." Kitagawa Yao suddenly remembered something. Into that joy mixed a trace of doubt: "Section Chief, the 11 PM slot... isn't Iwata Section's 'Onibo Samurai' broadcasting right now?"
Hearing this, the corners of Suzuki Kiyoto's mouth curved into a profound arc.
And on the side, Hashishita Ichiro answered for him: "The project for 'Onibo Samurai' was only signed for the first season, similarly only having a two-week period. Furthermore, their viewership rating has been in a constant state of decline, and the production cost is still very high. It's estimated that after the Production Bureau weighed the options, they will axe 'Onibo Samurai'."
"Mm, that's right." Suzuki Kiyoto chuckled lightly. He also didn't know much about this, but knew this was certainly caused by the higher-ups battling.
But at this time, he changed the subject, looking at the crowd, his eyes becoming serious: "When the time comes, in order to fill the runtime, our 'Yamishibai' will be changed to broadcasting two episodes every day. That is to say, our production pressure will be double what it is now."
However, the crowd at this moment had long since been overwhelmed by the massive sense of happiness, how could they still listen to anything about "pressure".
"No problem!"
"We can do it!"
On everyone's faces overflowed a radiant light of throwing themselves into a grand cause, their blood boiling.
Only Suzuki Kiyoto looked towards Nohara Hiroshi, his tone carrying a bit of respect: "Then, Nohara-kun, you... should have no problem, right?"
The smiles on the crowd's faces instantly froze.
Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru who were just cheering that they could do it a moment ago, both shrunk their necks awkwardly at this time. After all, shouting was easy, but the true producer, the true creator of this 'Yamishibai' was Nohara Hiroshi.
"Mm, no problem." Nohara Hiroshi nodded smilingly, his face carrying a relaxed expression: "Everything is no problem."
"Daijoubu!" Instantly Minamura Hoshi, Haseji Kakeru, and Kitagawa Yao all let out gasps of amazement.
Looking at Nohara Hiroshi with even more adoration.
Even Suzuki Kiyoto and Hashishita Ichiro looked at Nohara Hiroshi with extreme emotion at this time. Especially looking at his youthful appearance, they couldn't help but feel fluctuations of jealousy in their hearts.
Especially Hashishita Ichiro, his eyes flickered a few times with a special jealousy. Because Nohara Hiroshi was ten years younger than him.
Yet so successful now...
Hashishita Ichiro lowered his head slightly, concealing the jealousy deep in his eyes: "Perhaps, I can also succeed in the future, right?" He thought of his own failure attempting to promote to Level 3 Director, increasingly feeling some annoyance in his heart.
However, the conversation in the section continued; the overall atmosphere was still quite good.
"Right, Section Chief!" Minamura Hoshi seemed to remember the most crucial matter. His voice carried a trace of trembling, which was the desire for the approaching glory: "This afternoon... they're going to announce this month's 'Ichiban', right? We... should have no problem, right?"
"Ichiban"!
These two words, like a magic spell, instantly quieted everyone in the office down.
This wasn't merely a title, a sum of bonus money.
This was the highest affirmation of a production team's all-out effort and talent over the course of a month. It would be recorded in personal files, becoming the most shining medal in their future careers.
Nohara Hiroshi also stopped the pen in his hand, looking up towards Suzuki Kiyoto.
He didn't care about the bonus, but he needed this resume.
After all, this glory belonged to the most solid stepping stone that could allow him to break free from this "intern" identity!
"Mm."
Looking at the crowd's expectant gazes, on Suzuki Kiyoto's face appeared unprecedented confidence.
"Rest assured." He waved a hand, as if having already grasped that glory in his hands: "The early morning slot's 'Ichiban', we fully deserve it. As for the animation category 'Ichiban'..."
He chuckled lightly. In that smile carried a pride belonging to the victor leaving no room for interference.
"This month, besides us, who else, is worthy of these two words?"
Instantly, everyone burst into hearty laughter.
...
However, destiny, this most masterful playwright, always relentlessly presents the most unexpected twist precisely when you think the plot is about to end warmly.
At 4 PM, when Suzuki Kiyoto walked out of that meeting room that determined the destinies of countless people, the confidence and pride on his face had already vanished without a trace.
Replaced by it, was a gloom after being crushed by absurd reality.
He returned to the section, didn't speak, merely slamming the two newly issued documents heavily onto the desk.
The crowd gathered around.
On the first document, written in bold black font was — "April Early Morning Slot Program 'Ichiban': 'Yamishibai'".
"It really is Ichiban!"
"Isn't this very good?!"
A brief cheer rang out in the office.
But everyone's gazes quickly fell on the second document.
On it, similarly written in bold black font was —
"April Late-Night 11 PM Slot Program 'Ichiban': 'Onibo Samurai'".
"April Animation Category Program 'Ichiban': 'Onibo Samurai'".