novelraw Chapter 76: Another Confrontation in Front of the Audit Department!
Chapter 76: Another Confrontation in Front of the Audit Department!
Friday, 8 AM in the morning.
TV Tokyo Production Bureau Headquarters Building, Audit Department.
In the corridor, the floor was so bright it could reflect people. The central air conditioning's cold air and the printer ink interweaved with each other, bringing a special kind of seriousness.
Nohara Hiroshi walked at the very front. Today he wore a well-tailored dark gray casual suit, without a tie, the collar buttons casually unbuttoned for two. On that handsome face hung a calm and indifferent smile, his entire person exuding a leisurely and unhurried ease like taking a stroll in the courtyard.
Behind him, Minamura Hoshi, Haseji Kakeru, and Kitagawa Yao, the three of them were like knights about to head to a holy war, each of them holding their heads high and puffing out their chests, their faces entirely written full of solemnity and excitement.
Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru, one on the left and one on the right, like the two most loyal guards, carefully holding a master tape meticulously wrapped in a shockproof cardboard box.
While Kitagawa Yao tightly hugged a folder. Inside that, was everything their Section Chief's heart's blood condensed into, also carrying the hopes of their entire team —— the 『Tales of the Unusual』 project proposal.
"Miss Takeshita, good morning."
Nohara Hiroshi walked to the reception desk of the Audit Department, facing that female staff member wearing black-framed glasses, looking somewhat stern, but always capable and neat in handling matters, revealing an appropriately gentle smile.
"It's Section Chief Nohara ah, good morning." Takeshita Ai pushed her glasses. On that face always lacking expression, upon seeing Nohara Hiroshi, still imperceptibly softened a few degrees.After all, this young man before her eyes, is currently a legendary figure known to everyone within the entire Production Bureau.
Also a young man she watched grow up step by step back then.
"This is the master tape and project proposal of our Section's new project. May I trouble you to help submit it." Nohara Hiroshi turned his body slightly sideways, signaling the three people behind him to present the items.
"Hai!"
Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru almost simultaneously stepped forward, gently laying the box in their hands onto the reception desk. That action, was as solemn as presenting a secret edict concerning the fate of the nation.
Takeshita Ai nodded her head, just preparing to register it following procedures, yet the corner of her eye glimpsed from the other end of the corridor, a few figures walking over unhurriedly towards this side as well.
Her gaze became filled with disgust.
Because the person leading the group, was exactly the Tokyo Faction capable follower currently in the limelight within the Production Bureau, Iwata Masao.
Nohara Hiroshi also noticed it. He turned his head, the smile on the corners of his mouth remaining unchanged, only inside those clear eyes, flashed a trace of understanding.
This truly is, enemies bound to meet on a narrow road.
Iwata Masao evidently also saw them. Not only did he not avoid them, but he accelerated his footsteps, a flaunting smile uniquely belonging to victors hanging on his face, walking straight over.
Behind him, followed that assistant named Kojima, and... with a complexion gloomy like the sky right before a heavy rain storm, Hashishita Ichiro.
"Yo, isn't this Section Chief Nohara? Truly a coincidence ah."
Iwata Masao's voice was loud and resonant, full of hypocritical enthusiasm. He walked before the reception desk, heavily slamming the identically beautifully packaged master tape and project proposal in his own hands onto the tabletop with a 'smack' sound. That sound, wasn't loud, yet full of the implication of a demonstration of power.
"The sample episode for the third season of our 『Yamishibai』 is also completed, so we also came to ask Miss Takeshita to help review it."
Once these words came out, behind him Hashishita Ichiro's complexion, instantly became uglier by a few degrees, subconsciously wanting to shrink backward.
However, Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru standing behind Nohara Hiroshi, yet couldn't even be bothered to give him an extra glance.
All expressions on those two youthful faces, the moment they saw Hashishita Ichiro, instantly congealed into an icy indifference.
And the anger beneath the indifference.
They even extremely tacitly, simultaneously turned their heads, looking towards the window on the other side of the corridor. That posture, as if this man before their eyes they once viewed as a senior, was merely an invisible and odorless clump of air, essentially unworthy of them casting even a single second of attention.
This kind of ignoring, possesses more lethal power than any vicious curse.
Hashishita Ichiro's body violently stiffened. That face that was gloomy to begin with, instantly flushed into a pig liver color. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling his own dignity being laid on the ground, repeatedly trampled on by these former juniors, using the most contemptuous method.
Iwata Masao took all of this completely into his eyes, the corners of his mouth hooking up a playful arc.
What he wanted was exactly this effect.
He wanted to let Hashishita Ichiro thoroughly see clearly his situation of being isolated by the Kanto Faction, thereby becoming dead set on acting as the most loyal dog in his, Iwata Masao's, hands.
"Ayayaya, worldly affairs truly are unpredictable ah."
Iwata Masao deliberately let out a long sigh. He patted Hashishita Ichiro's shoulder. That posture, was like comforting a meritorious subordinate who suffered a grievance, yet his gaze looked straight at Nohara Hiroshi. Within that gaze, was full of a looking down from above sighing.
"Thinking back initially, standing here, was still Section Chief Suzuki. Now, he has already been promoted to Level 2 Director, going to the Kanto local station to produce new animated series, starting the second spring of his career. As for me, I had the honor of taking over the gold-plated sign of 『Yamishibai』. Speaking of which, I truly must thank you Section Chief Nohara ah, laying down such a good foundation for us. Now, I will also use this artwork, to prove my own success."
These words were spoken strangely.
Every single word was like a poison-dipped needle, accurately piercing towards the pain points of all Kanto Faction people present.
"You——!"
Minamura Hoshi and Haseji Kakeru instantly exploded. On those two youthful faces was written full of anger, almost simultaneously turning around, about to step forward to argue.
However, Nohara Hiroshi yet merely gently raised his hand, steadily pressing down that anger of theirs that was about to erupt.
He looked at Iwata Masao, still bearing that unmoved and unperturbed smile on his face, as if that little unpresentable trick of the other party's, in his eyes, was merely a comical performance of a clown.
"Section Chief Iwata's words are too heavy." His voice was peaceful, incapable of discerning joy or anger: "The success of an artwork, is the result of the hard work of the entire team. Since now it is taken over by you and... Senior Hashishita, naturally I hope, that you guys can produce the third season of 『Yamishibai』 well."
"I also hope that when producing 『Yamishibai』 previously, the technologies and concepts within, and the innovative ideals contained, can truly be learned."
He paused, his gaze finally landing on Hashishita Ichiro who kept his head lowered from beginning to end, not daring to meet his eyes. That gaze, was peaceful like a bottomless deep lake.
"Otherwise, all that heart's blood I spent previously, would truly be... wasted in vain."
This spiel was spoken calmly and indifferently, yet like an invisible slap, ruthlessly slapped Hashishita Ichiro's face.
Behind those seemingly encouraging words, lay hidden, the most naked contempt of an original creator towards a clumsy imitator.
——You are merely an inheritor, while I, am the creator. My heart's blood, you, don't ruin it.
"I——!"
Hashishita Ichiro violently raised his head. Those bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at Nohara Hiroshi. That humiliation and anger suppressed for a long time, at this moment, like a burst dam's floodwaters, boisterously erupted!
"Nohara Hiroshi! Don't you be too proud!" His voice became sharp and ear-piercing due to agitation, like a scratched piece of glass: "The production of 『Yamishibai』, I also participated in! From proposal to storyboards, which one didn't I provide suggestions to you on?! I am also a meritorious official! On what basis does all the merit belong to you alone?! On what basis does everyone only see you?!"
He panted heavily, that flushed red face appearing somewhat distorted due to the violent fluctuation of emotions.
"Now, I will exactly use this third season of 『Yamishibai』, to prove myself! Prove that I, Hashishita Ichiro, even without you, can equally succeed!"
This hysterical declaration, caused the entire corridor to fall into a dead silence.
Iwata Masao watched this scene with great interest, a smile of watching a good show revealing on his face.
While Nohara Hiroshi, hadn't even had the time to open his mouth, the trio behind him, were already thoroughly unable to endure any longer.
"Hah! I didn't mishear right?"
Minamura Hoshi was the first to sneer out loud. He looked at Hashishita Ichiro, that look, was like looking at a shameless thief: "Providing suggestions? Senior Hashishita, your so-called suggestions, was it following behind the Section Chief's butt every day, asking him 'Is this storyboard drawn better like this', 'Is that color too dark'? And then waiting until the Section Chief decided on everything, you then took a notebook, pretentiously writing it down; is this your merit?"
"Exactly!"
Haseji Kakeru also stepped forward. On that face always carrying a bit of shyness, at this moment was also written full of disdain: "The two of us me and Minamura, just helping the Section Chief organize materials, drawing some auxiliary background lines, the workload is far, far more than someone like you a so-called 'Executive Director'! You still have the nerve to say you're a meritorious official? Your spiel here, is simply boasting and showing off yourself! Even I feel embarrassed for you!"
Even the always quiet Kitagawa Yao, at this moment also couldn't resist clenching her small fists tightly. Inside those always sparkling big eyes, was full of disappointment and anger: "Senior Hashishita, originally we all respected you very much. But you... you truly disappointed us too much!"
This triple combo attack, like three loudest slaps, ruthlessly slapped Hashishita Ichiro's face, thoroughly tearing that pitiful bit of his self-esteem into pieces!
Those proud and heroic words of self-defense of his, before these three young people who knew the inside story the best, appeared so pale and powerless.
So laughable.
"I... I..." Hashishita Ichiro's face instantly went from red to white, then from white to green.
He opened his mouth, yet couldn't refute a single word. That look in his eyes, like a wild dog skinned publicly, only endless venomous resentment and madness remained.
"Good! Good! You all side with him!"
Under anger resulting from shame, he thoroughly lost his rationality, venting all his resentment, onto that young man who from beginning to end merely peacefully watched him.
"Nohara Hiroshi! Don't you think you've won! That whatever 『Tales of the Unusual』 of yours, I heard it, finished filming within one day! Even invited an outdated old director to guest star! This kind of rough and slipshod manufactured garbage, even if it's submitted for review so what? Destined to fail! Absolutely will fail!"
He roared nearing the point of cursing. That voice, inside the quiet corridor, appeared exceptionally ear-piercing.
However, right at the climax of his roaring, a gaze so icy it felt like it could freeze the air, yet like an unsheathed sharp sword, ruthlessly stabbed into his pupils.
The smile on Nohara Hiroshi's face, at an unknown time had already vanished without a trace.
Replaced by it, was a kind of chilling cold and indifference like an eternal glacier.
He slowly turned around, those eyes always carrying a bit of a gentle smile, at this moment yet like two bottomless cold pools, peaceful, yet containing a terrifying power sufficient to devour everything.
He didn't speak, just quietly, staring fixedly like that, looking at Hashishita Ichiro.
That gaze, lacked anger, lacked disdain, only a pure, absolute disregard resembling a deity looking down upon ants.
That was a warning.
A silent warning, yet possessing far more deterrence than any words.
"..."
Those even more vicious curses of Hashishita Ichiro's that were about to blurt out, like an invisible hand, rigidly choked his throat, unable to emit a single syllable.
His body uncontrollably began to slightly tremble.
Under the gaze of that icy look, he felt as if he was standing buck naked in the cold winds of Siberia. That chill rushing straight from the soles of his feet to the top of his skull, instantly made that head of his burned dizzy by anger, become incomparably clear-headed.
He was scared.
Because intrinsically he felt extremely guilty.
Therefore he shut his mouth.
The entire corridor once again fell into a deathly silence.
Nohara Hiroshi withdrew his gaze, on that handsome face, restoring anew to that calm and indifferent appearance.
He faced Takeshita Ai who was already flabbergasted by this turn of events, once again revealing a gentle smile, nodding and saying:
"Miss Takeshita, I'll trouble you."
Finishing speaking, he then led his three subordinates, turning around and leaving without looking back.
That silhouette, upright and tall, unhurried, like a monarch having finished inspecting his own territory, not taking away a single cloud.
Not until those few figures thoroughly disappeared at the end of the corridor, did Hashishita Ichiro seemingly exhaust himself, his legs turning to jelly, nearly collapsing onto the floor.
He supported the wall, heavily panting for breath. On his forehead, was already covered in fine cold sweat.
"Section Chief... Iwata..." He spoke with a hoarse voice, looking towards Iwata Masao beside him. In that gaze, carried a trace of terror of surviving a disaster.
Iwata Masao didn't speak.
On his face, that smile of watching a good show had long completely vanished, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness and curiosity.
He also felt it.
Right in that instant just now, exploding out from that young man's body, that terrifying aura sufficient to make anyone's heart palpitate.
That absolutely wasn't something a twenty-three-year-old young man, should possess.
Just as if it was...
Absolute confidence and absolute foundation!
This Nohara Hiroshi... exactly what kind of background does he have?
Inside Iwata Masao's mind, for the first time towards this opponent he viewed as a 'reckless youth', he produced a trace of genuine, heartfelt dread.
However, he very quickly suppressed this emotion down.
He patted Hashishita Ichiro's shoulder that was still slightly trembling, his voice deep, yet carrying an un questionable command.
"What are you afraid of?"
"No matter how formidable he is, he is also just one person. This time, we must definitely win!"
Hashishita Ichiro looked at that face of Iwata Masao's written full of ambition, and once again recalled that icy gaze from just now, he gritted his teeth, heavily nodding his head.
He knew, he already had no path of retreat left.
He could only walk on this single-plank bridge of betrayal, one path, into the dark.
PS: A bit paralyzed by exhaustion, nine chapters, written up to here, going to sleep first. Will work hard typing words tomorrow. Everyone please give some monthly tickets and recommendation tickets~