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

Chapter 81: Viewership Ratings Break 10% in Five Minutes! The Despairing Iwata Section!

Kumamoto Prefecture, Koyama family.

July 1st, 8:55 PM.

On the low table in the living room, the sukiyaki iron pot was bubbling and emitting hot steam. That sweet aroma mixing soy sauce, mirin, and beef fat, like the gentlest tentacles, enveloped the entire room within a warm and happy atmosphere.

This should have been a perfect family dinner.

If the face of Koyama Yoshiharu, the head of the family, didn't wear that gloomy expression seemingly like the whole world owed him two bottles of top-tier sake.

"Bang!"

He heavily slammed the Juyondai sake cup in his hand onto the table. That crisp sound startled the rolling fatty beef slices in the pot into trembling a bit.

"What's wrong? Darling."

The mother Koyama Takasae was currently using long chopsticks to pick up the well-cooked shiitake mushrooms and tofu for their daughters. She glanced at her husband's face heavily clouded with gloom, her tone carrying a bit of helpless amusement: "Pulling a long face since just now, who provoked our family's Head Teacher into being unhappy again?"

"Hmph!"Koyama Yoshiharu snorted a breath of anger mixed with the smell of alcohol from his nose. He picked up his sake cup, pouring that expensive sake down his throat like boiled water, his voice full of suppressed disappointment and resentment: "Who else could it be? Isn't it just those few unloyal old buddies of mine!"

"Originally we agreed today, to go to 'Torikizoku' together, my treat! Booking the whole place! While drinking a bit of alcohol, while watching Hiroshi's program premiere, letting them broaden their horizons as well, seeing exactly how promising my Koyama Yoshiharu's son-in-law is!"

Even while speaking he excitedly slapped his thigh. On that consistently stern face surfaced a kind of pride belonging to the originator of Versailles literature.

But then he made an angry expression once again: "And the result? Every single one of them, right when it's about time, all said they had things going on at home! This one said his wife's stomach hurts, that one said his son needs cram school, and one even more outrageous, saying his family's Akita Inu is about to give birth! Excuses! All of them are excuses!"

Listening to her father's indignant accusations, the eldest sister Masae who was quietly eating konjac noodles to the side, finally couldn't help but burst out laughing with a pfft sound.

She hastily used her hand to cover her mouth, but those gentle eyes, had already curled into two pretty crescent moons long ago.

"Dad."

She put down her chopsticks, on that consistently demure face, carrying a bit of unable to hold back mischievousness: "Last month, weren't you publicizing outside every day saying that Nohara Hiroshi's 『Tales of the Unusual』 was about to broadcast on July 1st?"

"Yeah! So what?" Koyama Yoshiharu puff up his chest self-righteously: "My son-in-law's program, as the father-in-law, helping out to promote it a bit, is perfectly justified!"

"Then did you also attach a sentence 'This was filmed by my family's unaccomplished son-in-law, Nohara Hiroshi, it's nothing much but please look after him' after every single piece of news?" Koyama Masae smilingly asked again.

"...There was such a thing." Koyama Yoshiharu's voice subconsciously lowered eight octaves, his gaze also beginning to drift somewhat.

"Then previously, did you also specifically show others the photos of that Toyota Crown Hiroshi-kun drove and the photos of him treating you to a banquet, even saying things like 'Sigh, young people just like continuously spending money recklessly, such a good car, and doesn't know to maintain it, truly makes this elder worry to death'?"

"I... I was mere..." Koyama Yoshiharu's old face, began to flush red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Hahahahaha!"

Before he could even think of words to defend himself, the youngest sister Misae was already laughing bending forwards and backwards, nearly spraying out the pan-fried tofu in her mouth.

"Dad! You're truly too funny!"

She clapped the table while laughing, inside those completely black big eyes was full of the light of taking pleasure in the misfortune of others: "How is this you promoting ah, this is clearly you showing off! Uncle Yamamoto and the others definitely couldn't stand you showing off anymore, only then not daring to attend your Hongmen Banquet (treacherous banquet)!"

"Nonsense!"

Koyama Yoshiharu having his thoughts mercilessly punctured by his daughters, that old face instantly flushed into a pig liver color. He pointed at the television, forcefully changing the subject: "Shut up! The program is about to begin! All of you quietly watch!"

Right as his voice fell, on the television screen, that eerie and ethereal opening song, arrived exactly as scheduled.

The moment Kurosawa Eiji's face full of the sediment feeling of the years appeared on the screen, inside the Koyama family's living room, instantly echoed a neat and uniform sound of gasping in surprise.

"Hm!? Isn't this Director Kurosawa Eiji?!"

Koyama Yoshiharu was the first to sit up straight from the tatami in shock: "When I was young, I liked watching the 『The Samurai』 he filmed the most! This kid Hiroshi, actually managed to invite him?!"

"So handsome ah..." Misae meanwhile cupped her face with both hands, inside those big eyes already starting to bubble pink bubbles: "This kind of mysterious and steady older man, is simply my ideal type! Aiya, actually brother-in-law Nohara Hiroshi is also good, both rich and handsome~"

Koyama Yoshiharu glanced at her and didn't say anything.

Watching TV is important.

Amidst the shocked or lovestruck discussion sounds of the family, the story, officially pulled open its curtains.

When that female lead Ko Kaoruhana who possessed a peculiar superpower, capable of perceiving human hearts through touching items made her appearance, everyone was attracted by this novel setting.

"Wow, this ability is so formidable! Doesn't that mean no secrets can be hidden from her?"

"This actress, looks so pretty ah, and her acting is also very good. Look at that terrified look in her eyes, too real!"

The plot took a sharp turn downwards. When the female lead confirmed that seemingly refined man was the serial killer, and decided to strike first to gain the upper hand, the entire Koyama family all sweated a handful for her.

"Masae, quickly look, this female lead is so brave ah!" Koyama Takasae nervously grabbed her eldest daughter's hand.

"Yeah Mom, but... doing this, isn't it a bit too risky?" Masae's face was also written full of worry.

Only Koyama Yoshiharu, using his sharpness unique to a Head Teacher, wrinkled his brows: "Something isn't right, this story, definitely isn't this simple. That man doesn't look like a bad guy."

However, when that handsome and wealthy Male Lead Two appeared, and helped the female lead successfully resolve that serial killer, everyone subconsciously let out a breath of relief.

"Great! The bad guy was finally eliminated!" Misae happily clapped her hands.

But right at this moment, on the screen, the plot ushered in that heaven-shattering massive twist sufficient to overturn everything.

When the female lead touched that work notebook belonging to Male Lead One the police officer, when she realized she killed the wrong person, when outside the door rang that doorbell belonging to the true devil, when that gentle face ultimately transformed into a ferocious ghost face...

"Ahhh——!"

Accompanying the female lead's despairing scream that pierced the sky, the entire Koyama family living room, fell into a death-like silence.

Koyama Takasae and Masae, subconsciously hugged each other, their faces pale.

Misae even more so used both hands to cover her own eyes, yet couldn't help but peek through the gaps of her fingers, that small face written full of terror and thrill.

Only Koyama Yoshiharu, sat blankly there, the wine cup in his hand tilting at an unknown time, the clear liquor spilling all over the table, yet he remained completely oblivious.

A long while, he slowly, and longly exhaled a breath of air. Within that breath of air, carried a shudder of having been thoroughly shocked.

"This story..." He muttered to himself: "This Hiroshi... the things he films, is already no longer a simple television drama. This is... this is dissecting human nature ah!"

...

At the same time, this storm of shock swept up by 『Tales of the Unusual』, was currently using an unrivaled posture, sweeping across the entire night of Neon.

Inside the Midnight Diner, the boss Mizukami Sho and several regular customers, blankly stared at that small television screen, the beer cups in their hands solidifying in mid-air. The icy cold beverage sliding down the cup wall, dripping onto the bar counter, yet no one minded.

"... That man, is a good guy police officer?"

"... That handsome guy, is actually the killer?"

"... A lie right? This ending is also too... My heavens! This is simply too beyond expectations!"

The taxi operation center, dozens of drivers having just finished their shifts and returned, surrounded the television inside the break room. The air permeated with a smell mixing tobacco and sweat, yet was enveloped by an even more intense chill.

"Holy shit! I don't dare casually let pretty girls ride my car anymore in the future, who knows what they are thinking inside their hearts!"

"You idiot ah! The ones who should be scared are us! What if we pick up a perverted handsome guy like Male Lead Two?!"

Inside the hospital's duty room, a young doctor having just finished a surgery, exhausted to the extreme, originally just wanted to watch some television to relax a bit. As a result now, he felt his own heartbeat, was even quicker than just earlier on the operating table.

Inside a university dorm, several boys with excess energy, after experiencing a brief dead silence, instantly erupted into intense discussions.

"Holy shit! This twist! Awesome! My fucking pants are wet from being scared!"

"This is what a true horror film is! Those guys who only know how to use fake blood and ghost faces to scare people, compared to this, is simply children playing house!"

"I've decided! Starting from today, Nohara Hiroshi is my god! Whoever fucking says bad things about him I'll fight them!"

This storm, ultimately converged into an unstoppable torrent of data, surging towards TV Tokyo's data monitoring center.

While on the other end of that storm.

Ginza, inside the private room of a certain brightly lit high-end Izakaya, the atmosphere was suppressed like an ice cellar.

Iwata Masao fixedly gripped the sake cup in his hands, on that face consistently carrying a bit of arrogance, at this moment only a patch of iron-blue color remained.

Beside him, Hashishita Ichiro's complexion was even more pale as paper. Inside those eyes covered in bloodshot veins, was full of unbelievable shock and terror.

The entire production team of 『Yamishibai』 season three, were like being struck by a freezing spell, each of them lowering their heads, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Just half an hour ago, they were still talking eloquently here, high-spirited.

While they drank expensive sake, while using the most stinging language, mocking that "young man not knowing the vastness of heaven and earth" and that "crudely manufactured work destined to fail".

They had even already planned, after 10:30 PM, when 『Yamishibai』 season three broadcasts, how to hold a grand celebratory banquet, to celebrate their victory, and the opponent's miserable defeat.

Right in this setting!

But now, they yet felt like a group of clowns completely stripped of their clothing in public, their faces burning in pain.

On the main seat, TV Tokyo Production Bureau's Executive Deputy Director, Takada Toshihide, on that face consistently carrying a bit of gloominess, at this moment was even more gloomy as if it could drip water.

He slowly put down his chopsticks, not looking at anyone, merely landing his gaze, onto that television identically playing 『Tales of the Unusual』.

His voice wasn't loud, yet like an icy knife, accurately, piercing into the heart of every single person present.

"Iwata-kun."

"Uh... Hai! Deputy Director!" Iwata Masao's body violently trembled, hastily putting down his wine cup, respectfully replying.

"This is the... crudely manufactured live-action project rushed out by that Nohara Hiroshi you reported to me previously right?"

Takada Toshihide's tone was very peaceful, incapable of discerning joy or anger.

But exactly this peacefulness, made Iwata Masao feel a terror originating from the marrow of his bones even more.

Because he understands this direct superior of his too well.

For Takada Toshihide to be able to climb step by step to the position of Executive Deputy Director in deeply factionalized TV Tokyo, absolutely didn't rely merely on political maneuvers and taking sides.

His professional capability, his sharp sense of smell towards the market wind direction, his appreciation level towards the quality of an artwork, within the entire Production Bureau, are all top-tier existences.

With a single glance, he could perceive exactly how excellent this artwork 『Tales of the Unusual』 was, how... terrifying it was.

That novel superpower setting, that camera language comparable to movie level, that rhythm control perfectly fusing suspense and horror, especially that heaven-shattering massive twist at the end sufficient to be recorded in history...

How the hell is this some crudely manufactured rushed artwork?!

This is clearly a peerless masterpiece that has undergone thousands of temperings, every single detail sparkling with the light of genius...

"I..." Inside Iwata Masao's throat seemed to be stuffed with a wad of cotton. He opened his mouth, yet couldn't speak a single word. On his forehead, was already covered in fine cold sweat long ago.

What could he say?

Say he misjudged?

Say he was deceived by that young man?

No, that would only make him appear even more stupid and incompetent!

Looking at Iwata Masao's distressed appearance, the look of disappointment in Takada Toshihide's eyes grew even thicker.

He no longer paid attention to this incompetent subordinate, but turned his gaze, towards that Hashishita Ichiro who kept his head lowered from beginning to end, his body trembling like a sieve.

"Hashishita-kun." His voice remained peaceful.

"Hai!" Hashishita Ichiro almost bounced up from his seat.

"I heard, you used to be Nohara-kun's executive director, participating in the entire production process of the first two seasons of 『Yamishibai』."

Takada Toshihide's knuckles, gently tapped on the tabletop, emitting a rhythmic light sound. That sound, like the footsteps of the grim reaper, step by step, stepped on Hashishita Ichiro's heart.

"Then, can you tell me, this 『Yamishibai』 season three of yours, compared to this new work of Nohara-kun's, the odds of winning... are how much?"

"I... We..." Hashishita Ichiro's lips trembled. He wanted to say "we definitely can win", wanted to say "our style is more orthodox", wanted to say "we have the word-of-mouth blessing from the first two seasons".

But, when inside his mind, echoed the despairing scream from just now, recalled that eerie face, recalled that terror of being overturned by the twist.

All the words defending himself, appeared so pale and powerless.

His inner heart wavered...

Even feeling that they will lose!

Takada Toshihide practically didn't even need Hashishita Ichiro to open his mouth. Seeing the dismal appearance of this guy right now, he understood everything in his heart.

Slowly closing his eyes.

The spicy taste of the sake inside his mouth was still present.

Yet he felt as if his mouth had absolutely no taste at all. Even towards the various French delicacies displayed on the table before him, he completely lost his appetite.

『Swish——』

Right at this moment, the door of the private room was pushed open. A person looking like an assistant quickly walked in, bearing a suppressed emotion on his face, quickly arriving beside Takada Toshihide's ear whispering a few words.

Takada Toshihide's pupils, violently shrank.

"A preliminary statistical report just transmitted over from the data center side."

"『Tales of the Unusual』, five minutes into broadcasting, the instant viewership rating, broke through... 10%."

"According to past viewership rating estimates, this program perhaps might reach... 18%!"

The assistant spoke with a miniscule voice.

But all the people here, exactly because no one dared to speak, resulting in a silent environment, thereby heard it clearly.

Furthermore Takada Toshihide also didn't want to hide it.

"Estimated viewership rating... 18%?"

Takada Toshihide slowly raised his head. On that gloomy face, all emotions had already receded, only a bottomless peacefulness resembling an icy deep pool remaining.

He is very clear.

The viewership rating of the sub-prime time slot, normally is just around 10%.

Now five minutes into broadcasting the viewership rating already broke 10%, estimating that after the entire program finishes broadcasting the viewership rating can reach 18%.

This is already record-breaking level!

Even making it so there are no superfluous thoughts remaining in his mind anymore.

Takada Toshihide looked at this group of subordinates inside the private room who had long lost all fighting spirit, slowly leaning his body back, unable to resist exhaling a long breath of stuffy air, speaking indifferently:

"Forget it, let's continue waiting. See how our 『Yamishibai Season Three』 will do. Moreover, I hope you guys don't let me... be too disappointed ah."

While hearing this, Iwata Masao and Hashishita Ichiro, as well as the other section members, were all terrified resembling quails.

Not even daring to answer.

Silent as a winter cicada!