novelraw Chapter 46: Conspiracy
Chapter 46: Conspiracy
Inside the Iwata Section, the atmosphere was completely different from the outside discussions.
That office desk overturned by Iwata Masao himself had already been righted by the diligent assistant and wiped clean. The mess on the floor had also been cleared away, as if that violent rage had never occurred.
Iwata Masao changed into a brand new suit, his hair combed meticulously. On his face hung once again that familiar smile carrying a bit of arrogance and insufferable haughtiness.
He held a glass of champagne, high-spiritedly accepting the "congratulations" from his subordinates.
"Section Chief! I knew it! Ichiban is absolutely ours!" That confidant named Yasuto, his ugly face at this moment was more fawning than ever: "What 'Yamishibai', just a clown jumping on a beam that stepped in dog shit! In front of your true monumental masterpiece, its true colors were ultimately revealed after all!"
"Exactly! Rules are rules! Average viewership rating is the kingly way! This proves our 'Onibo Samurai', straight from the beginning, won the audiences' affection, is a true capability faction!"
"Section Chief is wise! Deputy Bureau Chief Takada is wise!"
Various sounds of flattery were endless, refilling this office to be full of jovial air.
Iwata Masao cozily swirled the golden liquid in his glass, enjoying this victory. He seemed to have reverted back to that Section Chief Iwata who devised strategies within a command tent and was omnipotent.
Even though this was a victory exchanged using power and shamelessness.He also endured hardship gladly.
However, behind those flattering smiling faces, hid several pairs of eyes carrying guilty consciences that couldn't be concealed.
They knew better than anyone what the price for this "victory" was.
Just yesterday, the Finance Department had formally issued a notice. The subsequent production budget for 'Onibo Samurai' was... cut.
This meant their so-called "monumental masterpiece" would not have a second season.
It was like a peerlessly dazzling night-blooming cereus catalysed by money. After blooming briefly and completing its mission as a tool for political struggle, it was unmercifully discarded like a worn shoe.
They won the face, but lost the lining, lost the future.
Iwata Masao naturally also knew this point, but at this moment, he could only use alcohol and flattery to paralyze that heart of his that had long been gnawed full of holes by fear and humiliation.
...
The night grew late. Iwata Masao finished a celebratory banquet, carrying a stench of alcohol, yet didn't go straight home. He detoured to the most high-end jewelry store in Ginza, and using that "Ichiban" bonus that just arrived in his hands, bought a diamond necklace of considerable value.
Then, like a prisoner about to step onto the guillotine, holding the final sliver of luck, he drove to Takada Toshihide's luxury mansion located in Minato Ward.
Opening the door was Deputy Bureau Chief Takada's wife, Bikiko. She was also Iwata Masao's older female cousin.
A woman nearing forty, yet well-maintained, her charms still present.
She wore a silk home outfit, her body emitting a scent mixing expensive perfume and indolence.
"Oh my, it's Masao ah, come in quickly." Seeing Iwata Masao, a passionate smile immediately bloomed on Bikiko's face: "Your brother-in-law is in a pretty bad mood today. You came right on time, hurry and help me advise him."
As she spoke, she let Iwata into the living room.
"Older Cousin, just a small token, not enough to show my respect." Iwata Masao hastily handed over that exquisite jewelry box, his posture as humble as a poor relative visiting a noble person.
Of course, the reality was pretty much the same.
"Oh my, you child, just come if you're coming, why bring a gift." Bikiko was polite with her words, but the movements of her hands were unambiguous in the slightest.
She skillfully opened the box. When seeing that diamond necklace flashing dazzlingly under the light, within those eyes always carrying a bit of shrewdness and calculation, an unconcealed surprise and greed instantly erupted.
"Wow... so pretty! Masao, your taste is truly getting better and better! This necklace is simply a perfect match for that Dior evening gown I just bought last week!"
She wore the necklace onto her still-fair neck, running to the mirror to look left and right, overwhelmed with joy, completely forgetting her husband's "pretty bad" mood.
Right at this moment, the study door opened.
Takada Toshihide walked out wearing a dark bathrobe.
There was no expression on his face, merely casting an indifferent glance at his wife fiddling in front of the mirror and that blinding diamond necklace, indifferently opening his mouth: "Bikiko, you go back to your room first, I have words to say with Masao."
"Hai~" Bikiko contentedly shot a seductive glance at her husband and younger cousin, then went upstairs twisting her waist, fully satisfied.
In the living room, only the two men remained.
Takada Toshihide walked to the wine cabinet, poured himself a glass of whiskey, yet didn't pour one for Iwata Masao. Holding the wine glass, he sat down on the sofa, remaining silent for a long while before speaking slowly.
"You are... getting better and better at conducting yourself as a person."
In his voice, one couldn't hear if it was praise or depreciation.
"Hai!" Iwata Masao's heart instantly leaped to his throat, hastily bowing ninety degrees, saying: "It is all because you teach me properly, Cousin-in-Law."
"Hmph!" Takada Toshihide snorted lightly, taking a sip of wine. That amber liquid seemed to have alleviated his emotions somewhat.
"Sit." He pointed at the sofa opposite.
Only then did Iwata Masao dare to meticulously sit down. He only sat on half the sofa, his back perfectly straight.
"Did you watch 'Yamishibai' these past few days?" Takada Toshihide suddenly asked a completely unrelated question.
Iwata Masao was stunned, hastily replying: "Watch... watched."
"How does it feel?"
"Production... rough, but... but the creativity, is indeed... has some decent points." Iwata Masao painstakingly squeezed out this true statement against his will from between his teeth.
"More than just having some decent points."
The corners of Takada Toshihide's mouth curved into an icy arc: "I heard, right now that bunch of self-important guys in the bureau hold private section seminars, and what they discuss is entirely that so-called 'urban legends'. Even a few Level 1 Directors are full of praise for that kind of 'psychological terror' play style. They say this seems to be a new direction for the development of the horror genre."
His words were like poison-tempered daggers, viciously stabbing into Iwata Masao's heart, turning his originally colorless face even paler.
This evaluation was indeed not low.
A Level 1 Director of TV Tokyo, that was a pillar-level director of the station. To actually say 'Yamishibai' was the new direction for the development of the horror genre.
Once this spread into society.
It could practically cause a storm!
The flames of jealousy burned madly in his chest, almost incinerating his entire person into ashes.
He clenched his fists tightly, his nails sinking deeply into his palms.
"Deputy Bureau Chief, then... then Suzuki and the rest..."
"They won't be jumping around for more than a few days." A trace of ferocity flashed in Takada Toshihide's eyes. He also knew what Iwata Masao wanted to say, so he took a sip of wine, gritting his teeth: "I've already thought it through. Wait for this gust of wind to pass, then find an excuse to pack him up, together with his section, and throw them to Hokkaido! That guy Asumi, without this most capable dog, let me see how he still fights with me!"
He paused. Those bottomless eyes locked firmly onto Iwata Masao, his tone solemn:
"However, before they get lost, you still have one thing to do."
"Please give your orders!"
"That Suzuki Section, although they are all a bunch of trash, but inside, there seems to be one or two who are promising materials."
Takada Toshihide's knuckles tapped lightly against the glass wall of the cup: "Especially that young man named Nohara Hiroshi. I checked. Not only is he the original creator for 'Yamishibai', he is also the hottest newcomer on 'Shonen Jump' right now. Such a talent, letting him follow that old stubborn Suzuki together to Hokkaido to feed bears is too much of a pity."
He looked at Iwata Masao. That gaze was like a brilliant hunter teaching his hound how to capture the most cunning prey.
"You go, make contact with them. Tell them, Suzuki's ending is already destined. Smart people should know how to choose an unsinkable ship. Especially that Nohara Hiroshi, if he can be used by me..."
The corners of Takada Toshihide's mouth curved into a profound smile.
"Then we not only pulled out one of Asumi's chess pieces, we can also conveniently turn this chess piece into the sharpest knife in our hands."
"Hai!" Iwata Masao swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Although his heart was still very unconvinced, burning with jealousy, at this time he still bent his waist again, bowing deeply: "I will go do it!"