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

Chapter 74: Negotiations After the End! Four People with Mutual Appreciation!

That's right, in the eyes of others, Nohara Hiroshi is exactly a strong person!

He not only used that godly skilled storyboard, to depict an unprecedented strange and wondrous world for everyone, but even used that execution ability nearing divine miracles, to forcefully drag this world from the void-like paper, alive and kicking, into reality!

And it was completed within a short few hours.

Everyone here basically just met each other.

And then, incredibly exaggeratedly, completely finished the production of one small standalone episodic drama.

Is this still not enough to prove Nohara Hiroshi is a strong person?

Of course, others indeed aren't clear about it.

But Nohara Hiroshi himself is exceptionally clear, this isn't creation, but a perfect reproduction crossing time and space.

That national-level godly masterpiece named 『Tales of the Unusual』 from his past life, having undergone the thousand hammerings and hundred refinings of countless elite producers, was already long the quintessence of quintessences.

While he, Nohara Hiroshi, what he needs to do at this moment, is exactly taking this piece of beautiful jade that had long been carved and shaped, using the even better equipment of this world, even more abundant funds, and also... a group of Kanto fierce tigers who were suppressed for far too long, thirsting to prove themselves, inlay it with the most brilliant golden trim, belonging uniquely to this era!Post-production dubbing, music directing, every single musical note, every single heartbeat drumbeat, under that memory blueprint of his which can be called absolute pitch, were precisely placed in the most appropriate positions.

This is no longer adding flowers to brocade (making something good even better).

This is using the hands of god, to inject a soul capable of shaking the era, into an artwork that was already perfect to begin with!

...

9:30 PM at night.

When the final musical note perfectly matched the imagery, when on the monitor screen, that mysterious man wearing sunglasses, at the end of the story, used a hoarse and magnetic voice to leave behind that thought-provoking line "The door to the unusual world, has already opened for you".

The entire post-production room, fell into a deathly silence.

Soon after, like a volcanic eruption, erupted a fanatical cheer capable of shaking the entire floor!

"Succeeded! We really succeeded!"

"My god... this... is this really a product we produced within one day?!"

"This is simply an artwork! No! This is a divine miracle!"

Everyone went crazy. They looked at that final completed product. That look in their eyes, was like looking up at a godly statue they just personally forged, yet emitting a sacred light they didn't dare to look directly at.

"Everyone, please quiet down."

Amidst this ocean of fanatic fervor, Nohara Hiroshi merely stood up peacefully. He clapped his hands, attracting everyone's gazes over.

"Minamura, Haseji, Kitagawa."

Nohara Hiroshi opened his mouth.

"We're here! Section Chief Nohara!"

The three who were called out, almost simultaneously bounced out from the crowd. On those three youthful faces, was written full of excitement and nervousness.

"Tomorrow morning at 8 AM, the three of you, take this master tape, and go to the Audit Department with me." Nohara Hiroshi's gaze swept across them, that gaze peaceful, carrying a color of trust as he spoke: "This is the first piece of work of our section. I hope, to have our initial founders, personally submit it upwards."

Boom!

This sentence, like a shocking thunderbolt from the highest heavens, ruthlessly struck the hearts of the three!

They originally thought, with the joining of these veteran seniors, newcomers who just entered the industry like them, would gradually be marginalized, only able to be responsible for some trivial chores like serving tea and pouring water.

But they absolutely didn't expect, at such a crucial moment deciding the life or death of the entire project, before such a merit sufficient to be recorded in the annals of history, their Section Chief, actually chose to let the three of them with the shallowest qualifications, share this paramount glory!

All the unease, all the inferiority, at this moment, was washed completely clean by a boiling hot torrent named 'trust'!

They looked at Nohara Hiroshi, their eye sockets instantly turning red.

"Hai!!"

The three of them uniformly bowed ninety degrees. Inside that voice, carried a choked sob, yet was filled with an unprecedented firmness, sufficient to entrust life and death!

Nohara Hiroshi nodded his head satisfyingly, subsequently turning around, facing all the team members who expended their heart's blood for this miracle, and deeply bowed.

"Seniors, colleagues, you've worked hard!"

"The Section Chief speaks too heavily!"

"To be able to participate in such a project, is our honor!"

Everyone present, whether it was the old veterans of the Kanto Faction, or the newly joined artists, without exception, all bowed returning the gesture.

The scene was as solemn as a grand ceremony.

"Alright, dismissed. It is off-work time now." Nohara Hiroshi straightened up, a gentle smile revealing on his face: "Everyone can come a bit later tomorrow, I won't count attendance on my side."

After all, today indeed was working overtime all day.

The crowd gradually dispersed. Every person's face carried a kind of post-excitement exhaustion, and an uplifting spirit of having created history.

Only, in the corner, Ko Kaoruhana, Fujii Itsuki, and Watanabe Ryu these three male and female leads who just completed the most important performance of their lives, yet appeared somewhat at a loss for what to do.

They looked at this group of high-spirited seniors, looked at that young director surrounded by everyone like a deity, their hearts both excited yet also somewhat bewildered.

Their performance ended.

This means, they have to return to that reality full of uncertainty and bewilderment again.

This afternoon's experiences...

To the three of them, it genuinely felt like a dream.

"Is this a dream?" Ko Kaoruhana muttered to herself.

But the Fujii Itsuki and Watanabe Ryu beside her were also extremely bewildered, scratching the backs of their heads, each of them not knowing what to say.

Because they truly felt very strange today.

It's just that kind of feeling, going to the set, and then they didn't need to do much else, just following Director Nohara Hiroshi's arrangements, and the expressions on the previously obtained storyboard manuscripts to unleash themselves to the fullest.

Many times it was passed in one take.

There was no way to not pass in one take either.

Because the expressions on the manuscripts already told them how they should reveal their emotions, told them how they should perform in the next stage, and what the subsequent emotions and looks in their eyes should be like either.

It could be said to have everything one could wish for.

This was exactly like an 'idiot-proof acting' (foolproof acting), it was the simplest and most relaxing performance since their acting careers began.

And then now it was said to be a perfect success.

And then...

There was no then.

Therefore the three people Ko Kaoruhana, Fujii Itsuki, and Watanabe Ryu, truly were bewildered and at a loss, not knowing what to do next.

However right at this moment, Nohara Hiroshi walked over.

"The three of you, you've worked hard today as well." His face still bore that gentle smile.

"No! Not hard work at all! This is our honor!" The three hurriedly bowed returning the gesture, their posture humble to the absolute extreme.

Now they also harbored extreme reverence towards Nohara Hiroshi.

"Your performances were exceptionally outstanding, exceeding my expectations." Within Nohara Hiroshi's words, carried sincere approval: "Although this episodic drama has ended, but if in subsequent project proposals, there are some suitable extra roles, I hope to still invite the three of you to guest star. Of course, although the appearance fee isn't much, but I think, at least it can resolve some immediate difficulties."

This speech was like a warm current, instantly striking the softest place in the hearts of the three.

They didn't expect, this aloof genius director, was actually still willing to expend this mental effort, for the livelihood of nobodies like them.

"Thank you! Sensei Nohara! Truly... thank you so much!"

Ko Kaoruhana could no longer resist, tears bursting past her eye sockets.

"Thank you very much!" Fujii Itsuki and Watanabe Ryu also had red eye sockets, facing Nohara Hiroshi, once again deeply bowing.

They knew this favor was given to them by Nohara Hiroshi.

Not far away, Sato Kenji, Yamamoto Takeshi, and Kurosawa Eiji who hadn't left all along, took all of this scene into their eyes.

They exchanged a glance, all seeing a smear of deep lament and admiration from the other party's eyes.

They understood far too well just how difficult life was for the artists of the Kanto Faction. Under the suppression of the Tokyo Faction, let alone leading roles, they couldn't even obtain a role with lines, living in hardship, their dignity swept to the floor.

But this move by Nohara Hiroshi, wasn't just giving them an opportunity, but more so using an approach of silently moistening things, stringing these scattered pearls one by one into a necklace.

This chest, these methods, had already far exceeded the scope of a 'genius'.

This is a natural-born leader.

Ko Kaoruhana and the other two took their leave at this time.

Nohara Hiroshi also returned.

Inside the office only the four of them remained.

"Ahem." Kurosawa Eiji cleared his throat, breaking this touching atmosphere. On his face carried a bit of smile belonging to a veteran foodie: "Since work is all completed, shouldn't an uninvited old fellow like me, also fulfill the duties of a host? Let's go, grab some late-night snacks! My treat!"

"How could we let you spend money!" Sato Kenji hurriedly waved his hands.

"Exactly, Director Kurosawa, it should be us treating you!" Yamamoto Takeshi also agreed.

Nohara Hiroshi yet smiled readily agreeing: "Sure ah, then us juniors will respectfully obey rather than politely decline."

He turned his head blinking his eyes towards Sato and Yamamoto, that meaning was self-evident —— being able to let this industry titan treat, is massively huge face, declining it would instead be unbeautiful.

The two instantly understood.

"Then... I'll drive." Nohara Hiroshi stated.

The group of people marched mightily arriving at the underground parking lot.

When that Toyota Crown Majesta that resembled a gigantic black beast under the dim lighting, emitting a steady yet domineering aura, lit up its gentle welcome lights accompanying a soft sound.

Sato Kenji and Yamamoto Takeshi's eyeballs, almost fell out of their sockets.

"This... this is... Majesta?! And it's the top-trim V8 version?!" Yamamoto Takeshi's voice was trembling.

"My god... Section Chief Nohara, you..." Sato Kenji already didn't know what to say.

Although they were also middle management of the television station, their income not low, but in this era where the bubble economy hasn't popped yet, every person bore heavy mortgages on their backs, living tightly.

This kind of luxury car casually costing millions of JPY, is a luxury item they didn't even dare to think about.

Kurosawa Eiji yet stroked his beard, roaring with laughter aloud. In that laughter, carried a kind of understanding seeing through everything:

"The two of you ah, truly making a fuss over nothing. Don't forget, this Nohara-kun of ours, his primary profession, isn't a director."

He patted that smooth-as-a-mirror car body, his tone carrying a bit of playfulness: "That book 『YuYu Hakusho』, is the true goose that lays golden eggs. I heard from my manga artist friend say, just last month's royalties alone, is enough to buy two cars like this. He ah, is truly relying on his own capabilities to eat, not relying on this little bit of fixed salary from our television station."

This spiel, once again caused the look in Sato and Yamamoto's eyes looking at Nohara Hiroshi, to undergo a heaven-and-earth-turning change.

Inside there, aside from admiration, added another layer, a reverence towards... absolute capability and wealth.

Neon people truly admire the strong.

Such a genius.

Such talent.

Also worthy of their envy.

...

Ginza, inside a private room of a top-tier Izakaya with quaint decor, only entertaining regular customers.

After a few cups of Sake went down the stomach, the atmosphere grew lively.

The center of the topic, naturally was Nohara Hiroshi.

After yet another cup of 『Juyondai』 went down his throat, Kurosawa Eiji put down his wine cup, those slightly dim yellow eyes, carrying a trace of pure curiosity and puzzlement, looking towards Nohara Hiroshi.

"Nohara-kun, this old fellow, has always had a question I can't figure out."

He asked puzzledly: "With your talent, if you focus on drawing manga, your future achievements, are absolutely limitless, even... will earn more, and be more free, than being a television producer. Why... choose to come to TV Tokyo, to wade in this muddy water?"

This question, was also the biggest doubt in Sato Kenji and Yamamoto Takeshi's hearts.

They all uniformly cast their gazes towards that young man who from beginning to end merely smiled peacefully.

Nohara Hiroshi drank the Sake in his cup in one gulp, inside those eyes flashing shockingly bright under the light, sparkled a profound yet scorching light inconsistent with his age.

"Director Kurosawa, you are right."

He slowly opened his mouth, his voice peaceful: "Drawing manga, to me, is more like a hobby, a kind of... way to converse with another me."

"But I came here, because I want to personally experience, standing atop the peak of the waves of this era, using light, shadow, and stories, to influence the thoughts of thousands upon tens of thousands of people, to forge an imagery kingdom belonging to myself... exactly what kind of a grand and magnificent life that is."

In his words, there was no mention of money, no mention of status, only a kind of pure, near-thirsting pursuit!

Nohara Hiroshi didn't conceal his yearning and thirst towards film and television literature and art whatsoever.

This isn't abrupt.

Because in Neon, within the film and television circles, whether it's television dramas, animations, or movies, their status is quite detached (superior).

Compared to other countries, and even Hua Xia of his past life, ranked first is movies, second is television dramas, third is animated series, and then it's the assorted variety shows etc.

Neon's television dramas, animations, and movies, are all detached above the rest.

Of course variety shows are still looked down upon.

But back to the main topic.

Becoming a television director, animation director, and movie director, in the eyes of Neon citizens, this is an artist possessing educational significance, an artist worthy of being esteemed and worshipped.

Therefore becoming such an artist, a cultural worker, naturally is also a commonly seen ideal.

"...This!"

However Kurosawa Eiji upon hearing this, his entire person froze.

He looked at this young man before his eyes, those eyes burning with flames, that spirit looking down upon the world disdainfully. In a trance, he seemingly saw a few decades ago, that young... himself, identically harboring a movie dream, coming to Tokyo alone from the countryside, wanting to use a camera to change the world.

Only, his dream, under the washing of years and the wearing away of reality, gradually faded.

While the dream of this young man before his eyes, was like a newly risen scorching sun, radiant in all directions, unstoppable!

Just like himself when he was young also blooming his own brilliance.

A long while, only then did Kurosawa Eiji exhale a long breath of air. On that weather-beaten face, blossomed an unprecedented, hearty smile originating from the bottom of his heart.

He raised his wine glass, facing Nohara Hiroshi, loudly laughing:

"Then those readers of yours bitterly waiting for the updates of 『YuYu Hakusho』, are probably going to be heartbroken to the extreme!"

"Hahahaha!"

Inside the private room, erupted a roar of laughter.

All barriers, all reverence, at this moment, dissolved into pure appreciation and lofty sentiments.

They knew, starting from tonight, a legend named Nohara Hiroshi, will officially pull open its curtains within this steel forest named Tokyo.

Not just that 『Yamishibai』 which already broke records on the horror animation level.

There's also what they are producing together ——

『Tales of the Unusual』!

And they, will be the most loyal witnesses, and followers, of this legend.