I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 131: The Big Shopping Spree Before Going Home! Misae the Money-Grubber is Here!
He's really planning to take a break now.

A black Toyota Crown Majesta silently weaves through the evening rush hour traffic in Tokyo, like an elegant yet powerful black panther.

Soothing jazz music flowed from the car's premium sound system, shutting out all the noise and restlessness of the outside world.

Hiroshi Nohara rested one hand on the steering wheel, his gaze calmly fixed on the dazzling galaxy ahead, formed by countless red taillights.

Despite the traffic jam, Hiroshi Nohara remained calm and undisturbed by the beautiful music playing.

On the contrary, he remained completely calm.

The car turned onto a relatively quiet street and came to a steady stop in front of a small office building that already had a brand-new signboard for "Future Comics Club" hanging on it.

"Beep--"

He pressed the horn twice lightly.

Soon, the sleek glass door of the office building was pushed open, and a beautiful figure, like a fairy carrying countless starlight, ran out lightly.

It's Misae Koyama.

"You're here."

She opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat with practiced ease. Her clear, melodious voice was like a mint candy thrown into a clear spring, instantly dispelling the last trace of weariness in Hiroshi Nohara's heart.

Moreover, Misae couldn't help but smile sweetly as she looked at Hiroshi Nohara driving with one hand: "Your one-handed driving posture is so cool!"

"Hmm." Hiroshi Nohara smiled and started the car, skillfully merging into traffic as he casually asked, "How was it? Did our beautiful company president miss me while I was away?"

"No way!" Misae pouted, but her big, obsidian-like eyes were already full of laughter. "I've been so busy today! I was working with Shueisha on the cover design for the Doraemon manga volumes, and I also interviewed three new manga assistants. I didn't even have time to drink water, let alone think about you, such a busy person."

Even so, her soft, boneless little hand had already become restless, wrapping around his large hand that was resting on the gear shift, their fingers intertwined.

Hiroshi Nohara chuckled softly, then turned and enveloped her small hand in his own palm. The warm and powerful touch instantly filled Misae's heart.

"Speaking of which," Hiroshi Nohara said, gazing at the gradually brightening lights of homes ahead, his voice filled with tenderness and longing, "Misa, this weekend, shall we... go back to our hometown?"

"Huh?!" Misae was stunned, then a bright smile of surprise bloomed on her delicate face: "Going back to our hometown? Going back to Akita? Great! I... I've never been to your house before!"

Her voice was filled with excitement for the unknown journey, and a little nervousness.

But soon, as if she had remembered something, worry flashed in her beautiful eyes: "But... this weekend is only two days long. Just taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Akita will take up most of the day. Isn't the time... too rushed?"

“Who said we’re only staying for two days?” Hiroshi Nohara’s smile widened upon hearing this.

He turned his head, looked at the petite woman beside him who was still fretting about time, and said slowly in a tone that exuded an air of domineering CEO authority, leaving no room for argument:
"I am Hiroshi Nohara, the head of the [Hiroshi Nohara Independent Production Department]. I am now formally informing my girlfriend, Misae Koyama, that starting tomorrow, we will be conducting a week-long in-depth research and investigation on 'Japanese rural life and modern agricultural development.' This is official business."

"what……"

Meiya was completely stunned.

She stared blankly at the man beside her, who was talking nonsense with a straight face. After a three-second pause, her simple little brain finally came to its senses.

"Oh my god! You...you bastard!"

She playfully punched his arm, both embarrassed and annoyed, but the force was so light it sounded like a coquettish complaint: "How could you do this! You actually... you actually abused your power! You're using your position for personal gain!"

"So what?" Hiroshi Nohara raised an eyebrow with an air of self-righteousness, his posture arrogant and self-righteous: "I am the rule."

This declaration, brimming with domineering power, struck Misae's most tender spot like a scalding electric current.

Looking at his handsome profile, which seemed to say "I'm willing," all her shyness and anger faded away in his large, watery eyes, leaving only a profound sense of happiness—completely conquered by his absolute pampering and domineering nature.

She buried her face in his arms, her voice barely audible, yet sickeningly sweet: "Mmm... I'll do whatever you say."

The car didn't return to the apartment; instead, it drove directly towards Ginza.

"Where are we going?"

"Of course, I'm going to prepare the equipment needed for 'official business'." Hiroshi Nohara's tone remained serious: "It's your first time visiting my hometown, I can't let you, the future Mrs. Nohara, go empty-handed, can I?"

.........

Ginza, Mitsukoshi Department Store.

Familiar scene, familiar luxury brand logo, and familiar astronomical price tags that would deter any working-class person.

But this time, Misae's feelings were completely different from when she came with her family last time.

At that time, she was more overwhelmed by the immense wealth, filled with a vain happiness.

Now, as she walks arm in arm with that man in this glamorous world built of money and taste, her heart is filled only with a sense of peace and security, a feeling of solid tranquility.

"This trench coat is nice; it really suits Mom's style."

“My brother has a good physique, so this suit will definitely fit him well. He probably wouldn’t even wear the one we bought last time, so we bought two more this time so he can alternate between them.”

“As for Dad… this will do, a Burberry casual jacket. With his personality, he would feel uncomfortable wearing a formal suit.”

Hiroshi Nohara is like a top-notch fashion stylist, expertly selecting suitable "outfits" for his family.

His composure and familiarity made it seem as if he wasn't shopping in a luxury store, but rather in his own walk-in closet, selecting everyday clothes for his family.

Misae, on the other hand, acted as his most considerate assistant, noting down his measurements while offering a variety of practical and relatable suggestions from her unique female perspective.

"Auntie, I think this dark purple cashmere sweater is also very nice; it makes your skin look fair."

"For the older brother, a pair of indestructible work boots would be a good match for his burly physique."

"Uncle... Uncle, I think it would be better to buy more pretty and fashionable clothes. I know you like to show off~"

This unexpectedly endearing statement caused the sales assistant, who was diligently serving her, to cover her mouth and let out a good-natured chuckle.

Soon, bags and packages of their spoils filled the sofa in the store.

Just when Misae thought the shopping trip was about to end, Hiroshi Nohara pulled her into a brightly lit, glittering jewelry store on the first floor of the mall.

"Hiroshi-kun, are we... are we still going to buy more?" Misae tugged at his sleeve with a hint of heartache, her little face radiating thrift and thriftiness: "Clothes are just a token of our affection. Jewelry... isn't that too expensive? Uncle and Auntie will definitely say we're wasting money."

Both the Koyama family and the Nohara family are, in reality, ordinary families.

Gold and jewelry...

It’s really too precious.

“They are them, and we are us.” Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled.

He walked straight to the gold jewelry counter, and in front of the beautiful saleswoman who was already speechless with astonishment at his attire and the "bag carriers" following behind him, he spoke in an unquestionable tone:

"Bring out all the latest and heaviest gold necklaces, bracelets, and rings you have here. My wife wants to choose them herself."

Madam...

"Oh dear." This greeting was like the sweetest honey, instantly melting Misae's heart.

Her already rosy cheeks instantly turned as red as a ripe apple, and her girlish heart pounded wildly, almost leaping out of her throat.

For Misae, the next half hour felt like a bizarre and fantastical dream.

She watched as Hiroshi Nohara strolled leisurely past the rows of gleaming gold counters, like a king inspecting his treasury.

"This is nice. The design is simple and elegant, and it suits Mom's style very well."

He chose a finely crafted, substantial pure gold necklace and a pair of matching dragon and phoenix bracelets for his mother, Nohara Tsuru.

"This... is a gift for my future sister-in-law."

He also chose a delicate yet equally valuable platinum choker for the "Miss Yucai" whom he had never met.

Finally, his gaze fell on Misae, his eyes so tender they seemed to melt your heart.

"The rest, you can choose whatever you like."

"Huh?!" Misae was stunned.

"Pick whatever you like." Hiroshi Nohara's tone was full of unquestionable doting: "Today, I'll dress you up as the most dazzling little golden pig in the world."

.........

When that black Toyota Crown Majesta hit the road again, the atmosphere inside the car was completely filled with a sense of happiness that reeked of money.

Misae looked like a little hamster who had just taken over the entire vault, clutching several heavy red velvet boxes with the logo printed on them. Her beautiful big eyes were already curved into two sweet crescent moons with happiness, and she kept making silly "hehehe" laughs full of greed.

She put the heavy gold necklace on her fair and beautiful neck and looked at herself from the left and right in the rearview mirror.

A moment later, she slipped the gold ring studded with small diamonds onto her ring finger, held it out of the car window, and admired its dazzling and captivating light under the streetlights.

His adorable, money-obsessed expression made Hiroshi Nohara, who was driving the car beside him, smile even more gently.

He suddenly realized that all his desperate efforts to make money, to scheme, and to outwit those old foxes were perhaps for the sake of seeing her at this moment, enveloped in the purest and most genuine happiness, a happiness that was both money and love.

"Do you like it?" he asked softly.

"Mmm-hmm-hmm!" Misae nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, her big eyes, which had long since turned into squinting symbols, sparkling with undisguised fervor: "I love it so much! Hiroshi-kun, I've discovered that I... I seem to have a natural affinity for these shiny things!"

This unexpectedly endearing declaration of materialism caused Hiroshi Nohara to burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! You little money-grubber!"

He smiled and reached out his right hand to affectionately ruffle her hair.

However, when his gaze fell upon her red lips, which appeared even more alluring with excitement, and her eyes, glistening with pure joy, the string of reason in his heart snapped uncontrollably.

He suddenly turned the steering wheel!

The black behemoth let out a deep roar, like a tiger that had caught the scent of its prey, and instantly veered off the main road, silently turning into a secluded, rarely visited riverside path.

"Hey!! Hiroshi! What... what are you doing?! Why did you suddenly come to such a remote place... You're so mean!"

Misae was startled by the sudden turn of events. She instinctively gripped the safety handrail beside her, and her usually greedy face, which seemed to have sensed something, was instantly flushed with a shy blush. "What?"

Hiroshi Nohara stopped the car and turned off the engine.

The whole world fell silent instantly, with only the river tirelessly lapping against the cold bank in the evening breeze, and the clearly audible, increasingly rapid heartbeats of the two people.

He turned around and saw his own clear, aggressive reflection in those eyes filled with panic and shyness.

A domineering, dangerous smile curved the corners of his mouth.

"Of course, we'll take a small... return on investment."

As he spoke, he unbuckled his seatbelt and, like a predator locking onto its prey, lunged forward, pulling the already infatuated woman into his arms.

"Ah...this is...this is outside..."

Misae's shy protest was quickly drowned out by a passionate, possessive kiss that was like a storm.

.........

The night was as dark as ink, but the ever-burning neon lights of Tokyo, the city that never sleeps, painted it with a deep purple hue.

It's already late at night.

The black Toyota Crown silently slid into its designated parking space below the apartment building. The V8 engine let out a satisfied, deep groan the moment it shut off, like a beast that had just finished a meal and was finally returning to its lair.

Hiroshi Nohara leaned back in the driver's seat, lit a Seven Star cigarette, and took a deep, satisfying drag.

The pungent smoke swirled in his still-recovering lungs, and when he exhaled it, it carried away the last trace of battlefield excitement, leaving only a languid weariness befitting a victor.

He turned his head and looked at the small figures in the back row.

Misae, like a kitten who had exhausted all her energy, curled up on the large, soft leather seat, covered with his suit jacket that still retained the warmth of his body, and was fast asleep.

That pretty face, which always carried a touch of naivety, still had a faint, captivating blush. Her long eyelashes cast a small, peaceful shadow in the dim light.

Hiroshi Nohara's lips unconsciously curved upwards into a doting smile.

He stretched out a big yawn, and even the suit tailored by the top tailor seemed unable to restrain his relaxed muscles.

However, when he tried to straighten his back, a sudden tingling and numb sensation, like an electric current, instantly spread throughout his limbs from the two core muscle groups in his waist.

"hiss--"

He subconsciously gasped, a helpless expression of frustration and amusement appearing on his face.

He reached out and lightly pounded the sore spot twice, muttering to himself in a voice only he could hear.

"The fields are good, but the oxen are almost worked to death."

Although his words were self-deprecating, they also transformed the fatigue he felt from the intense battle into a ripple of accomplishment.

After all, it was from a little after eight o'clock to a little after eleven o'clock.

It took a full four hours!
Hiroshi Nohara smugly pushed open the car door, went around to the back seat, and gently opened the car door.

"Misae, wake up, we're home." His voice was as gentle as the spring breeze in April.

"Mmm..." Misae let out a soft, almost inaudible nasal sound in her sleep. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, like a kitten whose sweet dreams had been disturbed, her big, watery eyes filled with a hazy mist: "Are we...home yet?"

"Yes, we're home." Hiroshi Nohara smiled and lifted her out of the car. "Let's go home and sleep."

.........

early morning.

The apartment was brightly lit.

Misae was no longer dazed in the car. She was like a busy little bee, bustling around in the small kitchen.

Soon, a cup of warm milk, exuding a rich milky aroma, was placed in front of Hiroshi Nohara, who was sitting on the sofa enjoying a moment of peace.

"Here, this is for you." She placed the cup in his hand, her rosy cheeks showing a mix of virtuousness and mischievousness, like a spoiled young wife: "Drink it quickly, it's for you... to help you recover."

"To nourish the body?" Hiroshi Nohara raised an eyebrow, looking at the girl in front of him who was smiling like a sly fox. A dangerous glint flashed in her clear eyes. "It seems you're not entirely satisfied with my performance last night."

"Hey! You...you're being indecent again!" Misae's face flushed red instantly. She tried to snatch the cup back, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore." Hiroshi Nohara smiled and gently kissed her smooth forehead, bringing the topic back on track: "Let's get ready to leave tomorrow morning."

"Huh?!" Misae was stunned. "So rushed?"

But soon, as if she had remembered something, worry flashed in her beautiful eyes: "But... is it too late to buy a Shinkansen ticket now or tomorrow?"

"Who said we were going to take the Shinkansen?" Hiroshi Nohara's smile widened upon hearing this.

He turned his head, looked at the little woman beside him who was still worried about the time, and said slowly, "Let's drive back."

"Driving?!" Misae gasped, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief. "That...that's so far! I heard it takes at least five or six hours to drive from Tokyo to Akita! That's...that's so tiring!"

"Hard work?" Hiroshi Nohara raised an eyebrow with an air of self-righteousness, his posture arrogant and self-righteous: "Misa, what do you think I spent so much money to buy that car for?"

"For...for convenience?" Misae asked, puzzled.

“No.” Hiroshi Nohara shook his head, his clear eyes gleaming with a pure, ostentatious light that belonged only to men: “It’s for returning home in glory.”

"Just imagine, when I drive that Toyota Crown Majesta, the only one of its kind you can find in the entire countryside of Daqu City, with you, my fiancée who's prettier than any celebrity, on that little street in my hometown, what a cool scene that would be!"

Hiroshi Nohara finds the thought of it exciting.

Who hasn't dreamed of returning home in glory, or rather, showing off?

He could almost see the faces of those gossipy neighbor ladies, their faces twisted with jealousy; he could see the shocked and fawning eyes of those distant relatives who had once looked down on the Nohara family.

Yes, these are indeed quite rare.

But we can't just not let people think about it, can we?
"Hmm... whatever you say." Misae would never deny any of Hiroshi Nohara's suggestions, she just buried her face in his arms.

So the next day, Saturday morning.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds, the black behemoth that had slept in the underground garage all night let out a deep roar, carrying Hiroshi Nohara and Misae, and rushed into the road leading to their hometown, woven from countless highways.

Thanks to the impressive infrastructure of Japan in this era, the five-hour drive was not as boring as I had imagined.

The smooth highway, the beautiful scenery along the way, and the top-notch sound system in the car that rivals a concert hall made this journey home feel more like a romantic road movie.

.........

Meanwhile, in the remote Akita Prefecture, in Omagari City.

In that old Nohara family house, which bears the marks of time, the morning hours seem to be lengthened by the lazy chirping of cicadas, creating a sense of tranquility and peace.

"well……!!!"

Nohara Ginnosuke, the patriarch of the Nohara family, was now sprawled on the tatami mat like a lump of mud with its bones removed, letting out a long sigh filled with the emptiness typical of a middle-aged man.

He looked into the kitchen, where his wife was wearing an apron, humming a tuneless little tune, and busy preparing breakfast for the family. A look of happiness shone in her small eyes, which always sparkled with a mischievous light.

"Ah He," he called out weakly.

"What? Want to drink again?" Nohara Tsuru's voice, tinged with helplessness yet full of gentleness, came from the kitchen.

"No."

Nohara Ginnosuke rolled over and buried his face in the tatami mat, which smelled of sunshine and grass. His voice was muffled as he said, "I just feel... a little empty inside. I have a feeling... a feeling that something amazing is going to happen today."

"You're such a drama queen." Nohara Tsuru came out carrying a plate of freshly sliced ​​chilled cherry tomatoes.

These were picked from my own vegetable garden.

The bright red cherry tomatoes, still glistening with morning dew, looked incredibly tempting.

She placed the plate on the low table and sat down next to her husband. A motherly tenderness appeared on her face, which always wore a gentle smile: "I think you're just bored. By the way, it's Saturday today. Saji said he's going to pick up Ikuna to have dinner together. In the afternoon, we can also watch Hiroshi's... what's-his-name, 'Super Transformation' together."

She paused, her eyes, though etched with fine lines by time, still clear and bright, brimming with affection for her future daughter-in-law: "I heard from Sakae that Ikuna also really enjoys watching this show. During the auditions last time, she even secretly went to cheer for our Akita team."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Nohara Ginnosuke instantly perked up. He abruptly sat up from the tatami mat, all the emptiness on his old face vanishing, replaced by a childlike excitement: "That's wonderful! It'll be perfect for letting Ikuna see just how talented and artistically gifted the men of the Nohara family are!"

As he spoke, his thick eyebrows twitched up and down uncontrollably a few times.

However, seeing Nohara Tsuru's stern face, he stopped what he was doing.

After all, Ah He's fists are not to be trifled with.

"Speaking of which, Ah He."

His voice suddenly lowered, filled with a mysterious air of roguishness: "I think Shoji and Yuka are pretty much done getting along. How about... we find some time to go to Yuka's house and talk to her parents about... marriage?"

These words completely stunned Nohara Tsuru.

Looking at his old man, who usually did nothing but drink and look at beautiful women and never did anything serious, a look of undisguised surprise appeared in his eyes.

"You...you old lecher...you actually...you can actually be this serious?" Nohara Tsuru exclaimed in surprise.

"That's unreasonable!"

Nohara Ginnosuke's face flushed red, like a child whose secret had been exposed. He quickly adopted the airs of the head of the household and retorted, "I... I call it a cheerful personality! It's full of zest for life! What do you know?!"

"You, you." Nohara Tsuru couldn't help but let out a gentle, clear laugh, her bluster and trembling.

She knew that although her old man had been unreliable all his life, he loved his two grown sons more than anyone else.

P.S.: Still asking for more recommendation votes~ The next phase is the daily routine~ I'll be writing more daily updates~ If you're skipping around, please help by subscribing to the whole thing, as the data is crucial for the new book's future recommendation slots. Thank you all so much~ I'm so grateful~
(End of this chapter)