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

Chapter 77: The Era of Nohara Hiroshi! The Audit Department's Certification!

Inside the Audit Department office, the atmosphere was completely different from the drawn swords and bent bows (tension) in the corridor.

This is the heart valve of TV Tokyo, the final checkpoint before all creativity and ambition can ultimately be pumped into the blood vessels of the audience or not.

Here, there are no factions, only rules.

No personal grievances.

Only the absolute rational logic for the sake of the final viewership ratings.

Takeshita Ai, this woman who worked in the Audit Department for nearly ten years, witnessing countless geniuses rise and fall, viewing herself as having a heart as still as water long ago, at this moment yet felt her own heartbeat, miss half a beat.

This book is originally published on 𝕥𝕨𝕜𝕒𝕟.𝕔𝕠𝕞 across the whole network.

She looked at those two project proposals on the table identically marked as 'S-class', yet her gaze distinguished them entirely distinctly.

One was the third season of 『Yamishibai』 submitted by Iwata Masao.

She was even too lazy to take an extra glance at that beautifully produced project proposal. She merely took out the master tape, placing it at the very bottom of the document shelf for pending reviews.In her eyes, this was merely a clumsy imitation picking up another's wisdom, an IP that had long proven its own value, kidnapped by power, reborn after changing creators.

The meaning of reviewing it, was merely going through the motions.

To see if there were any political metaphors or excessively extreme ethical issues inside that would trigger the audience's discomfort, and nothing more.

As for viewership ratings?

Heh, the myth of the original work was practically being wildly spread throughout the entire Neon film and television industry, was there still a need to care about the viewership ratings anymore?

Takeshita Ai could figure it out just by thinking with her toes, along with the release of the name "Yamishibai Season Three", then it would definitely be sought after by a massive crowd of fanatic audience members who had already watched the first and second seasons of 『Yamishibai』.

Even if they produced a pile of garbage, there would still be countless readers willing to watch it purely for the name 『Yamishibai』.

The reason lay exactly under the meticulous creation and care of its original father, Nohara Hiroshi, bringing about the resulting fame effect!

"Somewhat shameless." Takeshita Ai looked down upon this kind of behavior of lacking one's own capabilities, then going to snatch another person's merit.

But thinking about the power struggles and exchange of benefits inside.

She felt disgusted.

This was also the reason why, she was willing to remain all along in the Audit Department, this department that was near-independent, and must view films using a rational gaze.

While the other one ——

Takeshita Ai's gaze, landed on that title designed with unique artistic fonts, carrying a bit of mystery and eeriness.

——『Tales of the Unusual』.

Her fingertips gently brushed past that project proposal still carrying the fresh scent of ink, inside those eyes always hiding behind black-framed glasses appearing somewhat stern, couldn't help but surface a smear of near-maiden-like anticipation.

"Everyone come over for a bit."

Takeshita Ai cleared her throat, waving towards those few identically highly experienced veteran slick colleagues inside the office.

"There's a new film, S-class, everyone come broaden your horizons."

"Oh? S-class?"

A middle-aged man with slightly curly hair named Tanaka Ken walked over holding coffee. On his face carried a bit of indifferent laziness of having seen it all: "It's Section Chief Iwata's third season of 『Yamishibai』 right? What's there to see, nothing more than changing a few urban legends, then making the imagery a bit bloodier, the old routines."

"Exactly, with that time, might as well read two more chapters of the 『YuYu Hakusho』 manga." Another younger female colleague softly agreed, she is a loyal manga fan of Nohara Hiroshi's.

"No." Takeshita Ai shook her head. She gently pushed that project proposal of 『Tales of the Unusual』 towards the center of the table. That action, was like displaying a peerless rare treasure.

"It is Section Chief Nohara's, brand-new project."

This sentence was like a pebble tossed into a peaceful lake surface, instantly inciting a thousand waves inside the small office.

On everyone's faces, that laziness and disdain instantly dissolved without a trace, replaced by it, was a near-pilgrimage-like focus and curiosity.

"Quick! Quick, play it let's see!"

"I've long wanted to know what new tricks that genius could come up with!"

"Where's the master tape? Take it out quickly!"

Takeshita Ai looked at this group of colleagues who were instantly pumped up like getting a shot of chicken blood, the corners of her mouth hooking up a knowing arc.

She knew it would be like this.

She steadily inserted that master tape printed with the words 『The Frightening Touch』 into the projector.

The office lights dimmed. The gigantic monitor screen lit up.

Everyone held their breaths.

The imagery lit up.

No intense opening animation, no dazzling special effects.

Only an all-black background, a desk lamp emitting a soft light, a retro leather sofa, and... a man wearing a black suit, wearing sunglasses, peacefully sitting there.

"...Hiss!"

When the camera slowly pushed closer, clearly presenting the side profile of that man before everyone, inside the office instantly echoed a neat and uniform sound of gasping for breath.

"Director Kuro... Kurosawa Eiji?!" The coffee cup in Tanaka Ken's hand violently shook, a small half of the scalding hot liquid spilling out, yet he was completely oblivious.

"My god! I didn't see it wrongly right?! It's really Director Kuro... Kurosawa!" The young female colleague tightly covered her own mouth, preventing the scream from rushing out her throat.

This is no longer simple pleasant surprise! This is fright!

Letting a national treasure-level Level 1 Director, act as a linking host for an episodic drama?!

This Nohara Hiroshi, just how did he accomplish this?! Did he really go crazy, or does he genuinely possess heaven-reaching capabilities?!

Right amidst this near-solidified shock, on the screen, that mysterious man, slowly opened his mouth.

"Humans, are an inconceivable creature..."

That hoarse and steady voice, carrying a kind of vicissitude of having seen a thousand sails pass by, seemingly carrying a kind of magic, instantly dragged everyone's mind and focus, firmly into that wondrous world about to unfold.

The story, officially begins.

A bright modern metropolis, crowded subways, people in a rush.

The female lead Ko Kaoruhana makes her appearance, an ordinary, even somewhat introverted urban white-collar worker, yet possesses an unknown secret —— she is able to perceive a person's deepest thoughts through touching their items.

"Superpower?" Tanaka Ken's brows slightly raised: "This subject matter is rather fresh, has a bit of the feeling of those American comics. However, in our Neon, this kind of subject matter isn't easy to shoot, if one isn't careful it will appear very cheap."

However, before his voice fell, the plot took a sharp turn downwards.

After Ko Kaoruhana's blind date ended, she unintentionally touched a man's item in someone's car.

When her fingertips touched that icy item, a malicious intent filled with bloodlust and cruelty, like a burst dam's floodwaters, instantly crushed her rationality!

In her mind, flashed through countless images of girls being cruelty murdered!

And that man, that man who looked refined and courteous, even somewhat handsome, at this moment was standing not far away, using a gaze that made her hair stand on end, coldly looking at her.

He is that serial killer!

The subsequent plot, left all the veteran slickers of the entire Audit Department, dumbfounded watching.

The scenario they anticipated of the female lead panicking, calling the police for help, never appeared at all!

This seemingly frail female lead, after experiencing a brief period of fear, actually made a decision that exceeded everyone's expectations —— she wanted to counterattack!

She wanted to strike first and gain the upper hand before this monster harmed her!

She began stalking that man, collecting his information, even... beginning to design a plot to frame him, attempting to send him into prison, and even onto the path of death!

"This... the setting of this female lead, is also too impactful right?!" The young female colleague watched with her eyes glowing: "In past television dramas, aren't the female leads all flower vases waiting to be saved by the male lead? This... this is simply a black rose bearing thorns ah!"

"Indeed novel." Takeshita Ai also nodded her head. In those always peaceful eyes, sparkled an approving light: "Shaping females from a passive object, into an active subject, even one not hesitating to walk the boundaries of the law for the sake of self-preservation. This thematic depth, has already surpassed ninety percent of television dramas on the market."

Right at this moment, Male Lead Two appeared.

A handsome, wealthy, and also gentle and considerate perfect man.

He seemed to have also noticed the danger of Male Lead One, beginning to actively assist the female lead, making plans for her, even... personally, helping her resolve that 'murderous demon'.

When on screen, that Male Lead One who they confirmed to be the killer, ultimately walked towards a dead end, everyone inside the office subconsciously let out a breath of relief.

"It ended?"

"It finished just like this? Feels although it's quite thrilling... but seems a bit simple ah."

"Yeah, the plot feels like it lacks depth, but as a sub-prime time popcorn television drama it's also not bad."

Although everyone spoke like this, their tone also had a bit of regret.

This is Nohara Hiroshi's very first live-action program after all.

They were all quite anticipating it.

Now perhaps because the anticipation was too high, resulting in indeed leaving them wanting a bit more.

However, right when they thought the story was about to usher in a perfect happy ending of 'justice defeating evil'.

The imagery shifted.

The female lead was organizing the 'deceased' Male Lead One's belongings, and discovered a work notebook.

When her fingertips touched that notebook, she froze.

Inside there, was not the slightest malicious intent, only the persistence of a police officer towards cases, a thirst for truth, and also... a deep worry towards an innocent girl being roped into danger.

That girl, was exactly herself.

And on the final page of that notebook, written using messy handwriting, was a name that made her feel like falling into an ice cave.

——Watanabe Ryu.

That perfect Male Lead Two who helped her 'resolve' the trouble.

『Ding-dong~』

At the same time, her home's doorbell rang.

Outside the door, standing there was exactly that handsome man she viewed as her savior.

He held a bouquet of gorgeous roses in his hands, bearing the gentle smile she was most familiar with on his face.

"Kaoru, I'm here to pick you up."

But when the female lead subconsciously reached out her hand to touch Watanabe Ryu, that superpower capable of seeing through everything told her, that handsome face, was little by little distorting, ultimately, transforming into a ferocious and crazed, genuine devil's face!

He is the serial killer!

That item she previously touched on Male Lead One Fujii Itsuki, wasn't that police officer's at all, but an item dropped by this devil!

She, killed the wrong person!

She, misunderstood that police officer!

She, personally, drew a genuine, inescapable grim reaper towards herself!

"Aaah——!"

Accompanying the female lead's despairing scream that pierced the sky, the imagery, abruptly stopped.

"The End!"

The screen instantly turned black.

The entire Audit Department office, fell into a death-like, suffocating silence.

Everyone was like being afflicted by a freezing spell, staring blankly at that pitch black screen. On those faces accustomed to seeing wind and waves, at this moment only undisguised shock and terror remained.

Their hearts, were still crazily pounding because of that heaven-shattering grand twist in the final second just now, almost jumping out of their chests!

A long while, a long while.

"...Mon... Monster..."

Tanaka Ken's hoarse voice like polished by sandpaper, only then faintly sounded out within this dead silence.

He looked at the screen, that gaze, was like looking at an abyss that had just devoured all his rationality.

"This... This fucking is the true horror! This is the true urban legend!"

His words were like a lit fuse, instantly detonating the entire office!

"Too fucking awesome! This twist! Holy shit! I have fucking goosebumps all over my body!"

"Preconceived ideas, making us think Male Lead One is the killer! The female lead counter-killing in the middle, making us think it's female awakening! Finally this twist, directly overturning all the prior groundwork! This... Who wrote this script?! Simply a devil!"

"Also this camera work! Did you see it? That fast switching character facial closeups! That eerie background music! My heart attack is about to act up! This production is also too excellent right?!"

Praise surged over like a tide, thoroughly drowning this small office.

This group of veteran slickers immersed in the television industry for decades, already immune to all kinds of routines, at this moment, were thoroughly conquered by this brief twenty-minute episodic drama!

The gaze they used to look at that project proposal, was no longer scrutiny, but looking up to.

While Takeshita Ai didn't speak from beginning to end.

"Phew——" She merely laid against the back of her chair peacefully, slowly, longly, exhaling a breath of air.

Within that breath of air, seemingly carried away all her numbness and weariness of these past ten years.

Takeshita Ai looked at that patch of sky outside the window. In those eyes always peaceful like an ancient well, burned passionate flames.

She slowly stood up, walking before that project proposal, picking up that red stamp symbolizing 'Approved'.

She looked at that group of colleagues inside the office who were still immersed in the shock, unable to extricate themselves. Her voice not loud, yet clearly, transmitted into everyone's ears.

"Everyone."

"We perhaps... are currently witnessing the arrival of a brand-new era, sufficient to change the history of Neon live-action dramas."

"And this 『Tales of the Unusual』, is the... beginning of this era."

"Smack!"

The red stamp, heavily, stamped onto the cover of that project proposal.

That bright red color, like a ball of burning flame, also like a drop of fresh blood declaring the end of the old era.

Even more like a... coronation ceremony of a brand-new king about to rise.

At this time Takeshita Ai spat out a name:

"The era of Nohara Hiroshi!"