novelraw Chapter 64: Nohara Hiroshi is in a Very Good Mood!
Chapter 64: Nohara Hiroshi is in a Very Good Mood!
On Monday morning, Nohara Hiroshi was in a cheerful mood.
It was as if he was a cup of freshly mixed lemonade with ice cubes, carrying a trace of just the right amount of slight coolness and crispness.
Making one feel relaxed and happy!
Nohara Hiroshi had one hand on the steering wheel, while the elbow of his other hand casually rested on the car window. Watching those skyscrapers outside the window plated with a golden edge by the morning light, his mood was exactly like the V8 engine of this car, steady and full of power.
This thing called success, is just like putting a rare BUFF on oneself in a game. Walking down the street one feels a golden glittering special effect floating above their head.
Even the air smells a few degrees sweeter than others.
Mhm... perhaps it's also because the gasoline in this era really does have quite a bit of technological nastiness added in, causing the smell to be sweet and fragrant...
But Nohara Hiroshi was indeed in a good mood.
When he steadily parked his car into that underground parking spot exclusively for the director level belonging to the TV Tokyo Production Bureau, this feeling became even more obvious.
"Director Nohara, good morning!""Section Chief Nohara, your complexion is really good today!"
"Nohara-sensei! The final episode of your 『Yamishibai Season 2』 is simply a masterpiece! My daughter now takes a detour when she sees a telescope!"
From the parking lot to the elevator, and then to the floor where the Production Bureau is located, along the way, those faces that used to be merely nodding acquaintances or even too lazy to nod, right now were like sunflowers blown by the spring breeze, blooming with enthusiastic and brimming smiling faces in unison.
Those titles, also changed from the somewhat unfamiliar 'Nohara-kun' at the very beginning, to the currently assorted 'Director', 'Section Chief', and even 'Sensei' carrying a bit of fanatical worship.
Of course, those calling him 'Sensei' are all newly joined young people who know of Nohara Hiroshi's achievements.
And also that batch of young people who have read 『YuYu Hakusho』 and are his fans.
Towards this Nohara Hiroshi also smiled modestly and amiably.
Nodding his head responding one by one.
He was very clear in his heart, these people aren't saying hello to him, they are paying respects to that viewership rating myth named '8.12%'.
In this unit that only speaks using data, he, Nohara Hiroshi, is precisely that most resplendent, unquestionable string of numbers itself.
Representing precisely the record-breaking viewership rating itself that can be called a myth!
After becoming successful...
The ones encountered are all good people.
This sentence isn't wrong at all.
'Ding.' The elevator doors opened.
He walked into that —— [Nohara Hiroshi Special Production Team] which had already hung up a brand-new doorplate.
The scene inside the office was in full swing, completely different from that quietness in the corridor still carrying a bit of sleepiness.
"Section Chief, good morning!"
Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru almost simultaneously bounced up from their seats.
On those two young faces still carried the exhaustion from a hangover, yet their eyes were shockingly bright, like two little tigers having just won a fierce battle in the jungle and currently excitedly licking their wounds.
"Section Chief Nohara! Today's breakfast is your favorite egg sandwich and iced Americano!" Kitagawa Yao, like a hardworking little bee, laid out the warm breakfast and iced coffee one by one.
Those big, glittering eyes curved into two good-looking crescents, filled with undisguised worship inside.
"Thanks for the hard work." Nohara Hiroshi smiled receiving the breakfast, sitting down behind that desk belonging to him symbolizing his new identity.
He glanced around, secretly nodding his head.
This small team, after two months of hellish tempering, had already shed its initial greenness. Everyone radiated a high-spirited and confident aura belonging to victors.
It was just that very soon he found something amiss.
"Where's Senior Hashishita?" He took a bite of the sandwich, casually asking.
By convention, as the Executive Director, Hashishita Ichiro usually arrives the earliest.
That atmosphere in full swing inside the office instantly cooled down by a few degrees.
Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru looked at each other. The former scratched his head, speaking somewhat uncertainly: "I don't know ah, today... haven't seen him yet."
"Senior Hashishita has been a bit weird lately."
Kitagawa Yao holding her own milk cup softly supplemented. On that small face always bearing a bit of vitality, right now was written full of astuteness and worry unique to women: "I've seen him answering phone calls alone at the end of the corridor several times, acting all mysterious. When asked, he just says he has family matters."
"Right, right!"
Haseji Kakeru also nodded vigorously, lowering his voice as if sharing some incredible secret: "Last Friday, I even saw that assistant from the Iwata Section, the one named Kojima, sneaking a peek at our doorway, later it seems he went to look for Senior Hashishita."
Everyone's gazes coincidentally gathered onto Nohara Hiroshi.
Inside the office, for a time only the monotonous operation sound of the coffee machine remained.
"Perhaps... he found a new section?" Minamura Hoshi guessed. This was a reasonable and fair explanation.
After all with Section Chief Suzuki's promotion, this temporarily formed team of theirs, in a certain sense, was already disbanded.
As an experienced Level 4 Director, Hashishita Ichiro being poached by other sections is completely normal.
Nohara Hiroshi didn't speak. He merely drank his coffee calmly.
After all before leaving Suzuki Kiyoto chatted a lot with him.
Including Hashishita Ichiro as well.
Moreover for a young man like him, Nohara Hiroshi, to be promoted to Level 4 Director so quickly, he would certainly attract jealousy.
It's just some matters, seeing through it is enough, no need to say it out loud.
Which section Hashishita Ichiro is willing to go to, is also his freedom.
"By the way, Section Chief Nohara."
Right at this moment, Kitagawa Yao gently placed a document just fetched from the Administration Department in front of Nohara Hiroshi.
"This is... a notice sent from above."
Within her voice carried a bit of unhideable indignation: "Saying a special meeting will be held at ten o'clock this morning regarding the subsequent copyright and adaptation right of 『Yamishibai』, asking you... as the original author, to be absolutely sure to attend."
"Ha! These guys, sure act fast!"
Minamura Hoshi slammed the table. That young face was written full of anger: "The empire we painstakingly built up, someone is already impatiently wanting to come pick the peaches?!"
"Exactly! The eating appearance is way too ugly!" Haseji Kakeru was also trembling all over with anger.
Inside the office, that joy just risen from victory was instantly replaced by an anger of being openly robbed.
"Everyone calm down."
Nohara Hiroshi's voice appeared exceptionally calm amidst this clamorous anger.
He looked at that notice, the corners of his mouth curling up into a faint arc: "When peaches are ripe, someone will always want to pick them. The problem is whether they can reach them, and whether they can afford the price."
These words of his were like a tranquilizer, instantly smoothing the restlessness in everyone's hearts.
The copyright is still in the hands of this omnipotent Section Chief of theirs.
If the Section Chief disagrees.
Then what else can be done?!
Thinking up to here, everyone revealed smiles.
'Creak——'
Just when everyone started enthusiastically discussing Nohara Hiroshi's methods and the issue of copyright, the office door was pushed open.
Hashishita Ichiro walked in.
He changed into a brand-new suit, his hair combed impeccably. His face carried a bit of just right formalized apology, but the emotion revealed in his tone was just so-so: "Sorry everyone, I'm late. An emergency happened at home."
"Senior Hashishita, how come you..." Minamura Hoshi just wanted to ask something.
But Hashishita Ichiro directly interrupted his words: "Um... I still have some private matters in the morning and need to go out for a trip. I've already reported in advance to the HR Section."
After finishing speaking, he turned around intending to leave without waiting for Nohara Hiroshi to open his mouth.
This posture, rather than asking for leave, is better described as a kind of... notification.
The atmosphere in the entire office instantly dropped to the freezing point.
Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru both looked at him in astonishment. That look in their eyes was like looking at an incomparably unfamiliar intruder.
This simply wasn't the Hashishita Ichiro in their hearts!
"Senior Hashishita."
Nohara Hiroshi's voice calmly sounded out at this moment.
Hashishita Ichiro's footsteps paused. He didn't turn his head back, merely facing away from everyone, his voice somewhat stiff: "Section Chief, is there anything else?"
"Oh, nothing." Nohara Hiroshi leaned against the back of his chair, his fingers gently tapping out a rhythmic soft sound on the table. He paused for a while before opening his mouth again speaking: "Next time remember to talk to us in advance too, otherwise, we'll worry about you."
Hashishita Ichiro was silent for a moment.
But didn't say anything.
Merely uttering an 'Mhm', then expedited his footsteps, disappearing at the doorway almost akin to fleeing in panic.
Inside the office suddenly plunged into an expanse of dead silence.
No one is a fool. They could feel the surging waves hidden beneath that seemingly calm conversation.
And also... the abnormality of this senior Hashishita Ichiro!
"Ring ring ring——"
However right when the atmosphere was extremely tense, the ringing of the landline telephone abruptly sounded at this point, breaking this suffocating silence.
"Hello, this is the Nohara Production Team." Nohara Hiroshi picked up the receiver. On that handsome face, all emotions had faded away.
Leaving only calmness.
From the other end of the phone, transmitted Deputy Director Asumi's gentle and steady voice: "Nohara-kun, the meeting notice, you received it right?"
"Received it, Deputy Director." Nohara Hiroshi's voice was calm without ripples: "Only, I'm somewhat puzzled, why is it so urgent?" He didn't conceal the fact that he had already guessed it.
"Hehe, some people, can't wait." Asumi laughed heartily.
He liked the smart Nohara Hiroshi.
But thinking about Nohara Hiroshi's importance to 『Yamishibai』, Asumi still spoke in a deep voice: "This is a challenge for you, so prior to this, I've also already greeted the Audit Department. The copyright is yours, then the price also needs to be named by you. Moreover, as a very successful planned anime, it's only right for the price of 『Yamishibai』 to be a bit higher..."
This was revealing the bottom line for the price.
"Hai." Nohara Hiroshi raised his eyebrows. Since he could name any price, then he really wouldn't hold back.
And at this time Asumi spoke again: "Furthermore, I still have an even better project, to hand over to you."
"Please speak." Nohara Hiroshi acted slightly surprised.
"Still remember what I mentioned to you last time, that S-class live-action horror project?" Within Asumi's voice carried a trace of solemnity: "The station has officially approved it. For the choice of Director, I recommended you. Over at the Board of Directors, it passed unanimously."
Hearing this, that pairs of eyes of Nohara Hiroshi which was always as calm as an ancient well, finally rippled a trace of sharp light akin to a sword unsheathed.
This matched what he guessed!
And he knew, this is Asumi's true killer move.
Using a seemingly inconsequential production right of the third season of 『Yamishibai』, to exchange for the absolute dominant right of an S-class project sufficient to determine the landscape of the next few years.
This maneuvering cannot be said to not be brilliant.
"Deputy Director, aren't you afraid, I might mess it up?" Nohara Hiroshi's tone carried a thread of banter.
"Hahaha!" On the other end of the phone, transmitted Asumi's hearty laughter: "Nohara-kun, I have never ever misjudged a person in this lifetime of mine. I believe in you, just like I believe the sun will rise as usual tomorrow."
"Then, thank you very much for your trust." The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth curled up into a confident arc.
"Mhm." Asumi noticed Nohara Hiroshi didn't get angry or infuriated, and also let out a sigh of relief in his heart. Thus he said seriously: "Nohara, after the meeting finishes, come to my office for a trip."
"Hai!" Nohara Hiroshi replied.
The two hung up the phone. Nohara Hiroshi turned his head looking out the window at that piece of sky shattered into fragments by reinforced concrete, that chess game inside his heart which had already been deduced countless times, finally, dropped its most crucial piece.
He picked up the project proposal on the desk, and on that blank cover, slowly, wrote down five words.
——『Tales of the Unusual』.
No matter how well 『Yamishibai』 performs, it is merely an anime in the midnight and late-night slots.
If one wants to produce results.
Then there must be live-action movies and TV series to speak for it.
But, towards Nohara Hiroshi who possesses memories of his past life, a horror live-action TV drama that perfectly fits the genre of 'urban legends' and also perfectly aligns with the 'modern national conditions of Neon'...
It's not that there isn't any!
Moreover there are a lot!
However, the most classic among them, is precisely this 『Tales of the Unusual』, capable of being called a national-level horror live-action TV drama in Neon!
Creating multiple number ones in Neon's viewership ratings.
And even continuously broadcast for more than thirty years.
Based on Nohara Hiroshi's memories of his past life, starting its broadcast from 1990, it was still being produced and broadcast until 2025.
Enduring without decline!
Now, arriving in the Neon of this parallel universe, Nohara Hiroshi just doesn't believe he cannot conquer this Neon possessing the same contemporaneous background and same social culture!
...
Ten o'clock exactly in the morning, TV Tokyo Production Bureau Headquarters Building, seventeenth floor, Third Meeting Room.
When Nohara Hiroshi pushed open that heavy frosted glass door, figures were already faintly visible inside.
A unique scent mixing high-class black tea fragrance and document ink smell floated in the air.
Like the prelude of a war without gunpowder smoke about to begin.
On the main seat sat the Chief of the Broadcasting Department, Yamamoto. He hung a formalized gentle smile on his face, but beneath that smile, was a bottomless calmness akin to a deep pool of cold water.
To his left and right, were respectively the Section Chief of the Production Bureau's Finance Department, the representative of the Audit Department, and the person in charge of the Copyright Procurement Section.
These people constituted the core operational center of this television station.
Every single name represented a chain of authority sufficient to determine the life and death of a work.
"Nohara-kun, please have a seat."
Seeing Nohara Hiroshi enter, Yamamoto personally stood up warmly greeting him. That posture, seemingly wasn't welcoming a Level 4 Director who had just become official, but an industry giant sitting as an equal.
"Chief Yamamoto, seniors, good morning." Nohara Hiroshi bowed slightly. His posture was humble, yet not appearing lowly.
He calmly sat down on that chair opposite Yamamoto that was already prepared for him. His gaze swept across the entire room, taking in everyone's expressions.
"Nohara-kun, inviting you over this time, is primarily to represent the station, to express the most sincere congratulations and gratitude towards you."
Yamamoto was the first to open his mouth. His voice was sonorous, full of official praises: "Your 『Yamishibai』, can be said to be the most successful dark horse of our TV Tokyo this year, no, in the last three years! The viewership rating myth of 8.12%, wasn't just a miracle for the late-night slot, but a huge impact on the entire industry! Everyone sitting here, are all your loyal audience members!"
The moment his words came out, a wave of well-intentioned echoes of agreement immediately sounded out inside the meeting room.
"Yeah, Nohara-sensei, the concept of that 『Paper』 episode is simply genius! Our Audit Department is now treating it as a model for innovative projects to research."
"The Finance Department here has also tallied it up, the input-output ratio of 『Yamishibai』 created the highest record for our station in the last ten years! Nohara-kun, you are the pride of us all!"
Praises surged forth like a tide, filling up this small meeting room warm as spring.
Nohara Hiroshi merely listened quietly, a gentle smile hanging on his face, occasionally responding to those praises with polite nods.
He was clearer than anyone in his heart, these were nothing but the exquisite yet non-filling appetizer cold dishes prior to the start of a 'Hongmen Banquet' (a feast set up as a trap for the invited).
Sure enough, after exchanging pleasantries, Yamamoto cleared his throat.
Which counted as the dagger being revealed when the map is unrolled to the end (revealing one's true intentions).
"Nohara-kun, precisely because 『Yamishibai』 achieved such a massive success, the higher-ups of the station, after careful deliberation, have decided to elevate this project brand to a strategic level height."
His voice became solemn, carrying an unquestionable official tone: "We hope, for the station to step forward, to formally buyout all subsequent copyrights of 『Yamishibai』, including anime adaptation, live-action video adaptation, as well as the development rights for merchandises. We will assemble the most top-tier team, invest the most premium resources, to forge it into a... national-level project brand genuinely capable of representing our TV Tokyo."
Here it comes.
Nohara Hiroshi lightly chuckled in his heart, yet on his face, appropriately revealed a trace of astonishment and reluctance.
His brows furrowed slightly, seemingly hearing a request that placed him in a tremendous dilemma. He remained silent for a long time before slowly opening his mouth, his voice carrying a bit of attachment towards the work unique to a creator: "Chief Yamamoto, I'm very grateful the station holds it in high regard. It's just... 『Yamishibai』 to me, is like my first child. To sell it off... I... I'm a bit reluctant."
This speech of his was said sincerely and heartfeltly, making several people sitting there subconsciously nod their heads.
There's nothing wrong with these words.
No matter who it was, they wouldn't easily sell off a hen that's laying golden eggs.
Yamamoto obviously also anticipated this reaction. The smile on his face remained unchanged, but his tone took on a bit of guidance and enticement of an experienced person:
"Nohara-kun, your feelings, we can completely understand. But, you must know, the growth of a project brand, requires an even broader platform, even more professional operations. You have a lot of talent, but your energy is limited. Rather than letting this 'child' fight alone following you single-handedly, why not hand it over to our stronger 'family' to nurture, letting it grow into a true towering tree, wouldn't this be a better future for it?"
"Moreover..."
Yamamoto paused, throwing out the killer move prepared long ago. In that voice, carried a temptation capable of making any young person drifting in Tokyo unable to resist: "Nohara-kun, you're currently still living in an apartment right? It's too far from the station. Moreover, your household registration, is still in your hometown Akita, correct?"
He looked at Nohara Hiroshi. That look in his eyes, was like a brilliant hunter, slowly tightening a trap laid out long ago.
"As long as you agree to this copyright transfer, the station will not only give you a colossal sum of money sufficient for you to buy a house belonging to yourself in Minato Ward or Setagaya. Over on our HR Department's side, we will also immediately initiate the special talent introduction procedure, resolving for you a genuine... Tokyo household registration which allows you to put down roots in this city."
The meeting room quieted down.
Everyone's gazes converged onto Nohara Hiroshi's body.
A house in Tokyo, a Tokyo household registration.
This is a dream countless out-of-town youths exhaustion their entire lives might not necessarily achieve.
And now, it was placed right before the eyes, within reach.
No one thought he had any reason to refuse.
Nohara Hiroshi fell silent.
He leaned against the back of the chair, his gaze looking out the window at that piece of reinforced concrete. On that handsome face, for the first time was revealed a struggle and hesitation belonging to young people, in a manner that was just right.
For a long time, he just then let out a long breath of air, as if making an incomparably difficult decision.
"Alright." He slowly opened his mouth, his voice carrying a bit of hoarseness after compromising: "I understand, I agree to transfer the copyright."
Yamamoto and the crowd sitting there, a smile of feeling relieved of a heavy burden instantly surfaced on their faces.
It's done.
"However, regarding the price..." Nohara Hiroshi raised his head. Within that pair of clear eyes, all hesitation had faded, leaving only a stretch of calmness: "I hope, it's ten million yen."
Ten million!
This number fell like a pebble into a calm lake, causing a small ripple to stir in the lakes of everyone's hearts sitting there.
This is indeed an astronomical price.
But towards a project brand that created a viewership rating myth and possessed boundless potential, it was instead within a... completely acceptable range.
What's more, the Executive Deputy Director had already nodded.
They didn't have anything to obstruct.
Yamamoto exchanged a glance with the Finance Section Chief. The latter nodded his head almost imperceptibly.
"No problem." Yamamoto made a final decision. On his face hung the smile of a victor once again: "We'll do as Nohara-kun said."
"Then, there's only the final matter left."
Right when everyone thought the dust had settled and prepared to stand up to shake hands in celebration, Nohara Hiroshi's voice, calmly sounded out once again.
"I only have one small, even somewhat willful request."
He looked at the crowd. That look in his eyes, was like a father about to send off his child, full of reluctance and worry: "I hope to add a special clause in the contract."
"Special clause?" Yamamoto was stunned.
"Yes."
Nohara Hiroshi nodded his head, speaking word by word: "If, I mean if, the 『Yamishibai』 subsequently produced by the station, for three consecutive weeks falls below an average viewership rating of 5%. Then, I shall have the right, using the price of one yen, to forcefully retrieve the exclusive production rights of the subsequent two seasons of 『Yamishibai』."
He paused, facing everyone's astonished gazes, adding a sentence: "Of course, the copyright still belongs to the television station. What I need is only the production rights, and only the production rights of the last two seasons."
Inside the meeting room, plunged into a dead silence once again.
This clause, sounded like, a childish, meaningless bet.
5%?
What a joke!
The average viewership rating of the second season of 『Yamishibai』 is almost exceeding 7%. Even if the third season is worse, it umpossible to drop below 5%!
Yamamoto looked at that face of Nohara Hiroshi written full of 'stubbornness' and 'naivety'. That bit of displeasure in his heart due to the other party naming an astronomical price, vanished into thin air instantly.
He even felt it was somewhat funny.
In the end he's still just a young man ah, full of talent yet ignorant of the cruelty of the commercial world.
This clause, is nothing more than the final bit of pointless struggle he's making in order to protect that pitiful creator's dignity of his.
What's the harm in satisfying him?
Could also casually, deal him a favor.
"Okay."
On Yamamoto's face, blossomed a sincere smile.
He stood up, extending his hand towards Nohara Hiroshi: "Nohara-kun, a pleasure cooperating. I represent TV Tokyo, welcome you, to formally become the most important member within our big family."
Nohara Hiroshi also stood up, grasping that hand.
"A pleasure cooperating."
On his face, similarly hung a gentle smile.
Only, beneath that smile, deep within that pair of clear eyes, was hidden a trace of a fleeting ice-cold glint akin to a chess player seeing a prey step into a trap.
What he sold off was not a child.
He merely used a project brand about to become outdated, to exchange for a house, a household registration, ten million in cash, and... a most perfect stage sufficient to make the opponent smash into pieces in the future.
And he himself, will bring along that S-class project, to carve out a new world genuinely belonging to him that is even broader.
For this game, he had long seen the ending.
"Very interesting." The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth curled up slightly.