I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 198, "Midnight Diner," is now in production! I'll take you to see the real Midnight Diner!

The news, like a bird with wings, flew at almost the speed of light from the director's office on the top floor to every corner of the production bureau.

"Have you heard? Have you heard? Nohara-bu is starting a new show!"

"What?! Another new show?! 'Hachiko Monogatari' has only been out for a short time, right? Is his energy made of iron?"

"Who knows! Anyway, Director Sakata has personally made the decision! It's said that this is to directly confront that newly emerged 'Tokyo City Television'!"

"A direct confrontation? Hahahaha! This is going to be interesting! I want to see which blind fool dares to challenge our Minister Nohara!"

The previously subdued atmosphere in the staff canteen during lunch break was completely ignited by this sudden bombshell news.

Everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks, gathered in twos and threes, lowered their voices but couldn't hide their excitement, and discussed this "big event" that was enough to shake the entire Tokyo television industry.

"Hey, have you guys heard? It seems that Director Nohara is going to be filming a TV series adapted from his own manga! It's a heartwarming story!" A young screenwriter who looked like he had just joined the company and still had a bit of greenness on his face was speaking mysteriously to his colleagues at the table.

"A manga adaptation?" Upon hearing this, a female planner wearing black-rimmed glasses, who looked quite refined, instantly brightened up: "Could it be...could it be the legendary 'Midnight Diner'?!"

"That's right! It's 'Midnight Diner'!" The young screenwriter slapped his thigh, his excitement overflowing. "I'm a die-hard fan of that manga! Let me tell you, that manga is simply amazing! It doesn't have any fighting or romance. It just uses the most ordinary home-cooked dishes and the most mundane stories to instantly heal all your unhappiness!"

“Yes! Yes!” the female planner echoed, her bright eyes sparkling with a kind of “resonance”: “Whenever I work overtime until late at night and am exhausted, I will open ‘Midnight Diner’ and read a few pages. Watching the owner with a scar on his face, yet so gentle, making heartwarming and stomach-warming dishes for those equally lonely city dwellers, I feel that all my fatigue has been healed.”

“That’s right! That warmth, that healing, it’s simply… the ‘chicken soup for the soul’ for urbanites!” Another male director, who looked to be in his thirties and appeared somewhat weathered, couldn’t help but exclaim, “I even feel that the comic is more than just a comic; it’s a way of life, a philosophy! It teaches us that no matter how difficult life is, there is always a warmth waiting for us in the dead of night.”

"So I dare say, if Nohara-sama really manages to adapt this manga into a TV series, it will absolutely set the entire Japanese world on fire again!" The young screenwriter excitedly waved his fist, his fervor almost bursting forth from his body.

However, amidst this atmosphere filled with anticipation and fervor, a slightly hoarse yet rational voice, like a handful of ice cubes thrown into a boiling oil pan, instantly cooled everyone's enthusiasm.

"Everyone, aren't you... being too optimistic?"

The one who spoke was a veteran producer who looked to be in his fifties, with gray hair, and was highly respected in the production department.

He held his teacup, gently blowing on the steam, and a calm, world-weary look shone in his cloudy eyes.

"Adapting a comic into a live-action TV series is no easy task." He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but like the sharpest knife, precisely dissecting the core of the problem: "Comics are two-dimensional and full of imagination. Live-action TV series, on the other hand, are three-dimensional and realistic. There is a natural gap between these two art forms."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. The authority of a senior figure seemed to quiet the entire cafeteria: "Over the years, how many wildly popular comics have been adapted into live-action TV series? And what's the result? Nine out of ten are flops! Why? Because they're not adapted to the local culture!"

"If the actors are not chosen well, the fans of the original work will not accept it! If the plot is not adapted well, the casual viewers will not be interested! In the end, you will please neither side and lose everything!"

The veteran producer's words, like the coldest reality, pulled everyone back from that beautiful fantasy to the cruel reality.

"Yes... what you said is right." The fervor on the young screenwriter's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep worry: "I remember last year, there was a very popular shoujo manga that was adapted into a live-action TV series, and the result... the result was that it was slammed by the original fans! They all said that the male lead was not the 'prince' in their hearts at all!"

"And that action-packed fighting manga!" the female planner chimed in, her usually gentle face now etched with helplessness. "After being adapted into a live-action TV series, all those originally cool fight scenes turned into cheap special effects! It was simply... unbearable to watch!"

"That's why I said you guys are too optimistic." The veteran producer sighed, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation: "The reason the manga 'Midnight Diner' was so successful is because of its unique, down-to-earth atmosphere, and the diverse people and events encountered by the incredibly kind but scarred owner. If these two core elements aren't handled well, the whole show will be ruined!"

"But...but isn't Nohara's 'Yamishibai' also adapted from a manga? That anime was a huge success!" A young intern couldn't help but whisper in protest.

"That's different!" The veteran producer rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. "That's a comic book adapted into an animated series! The art style is consistent, the target audience overlaps, so the probability of success is naturally high! But adapting a comic book into a live-action TV series is a completely different matter! The difficulty is worlds apart!"

For a time, the cafeteria was filled with various voices of worry and unease.

Everyone felt uncertain after hearing what the veteran producer said.

They knew the old producer was right.

Adapting a comic into a live-action TV series is indeed a minefield full of thorns and traps.

However, amidst this atmosphere filled with worry and unease, a clear and confident voice shone like a ray of sunshine in a gloomy sky.

"I believe in Minister Nohara!"

The one who spoke was a female employee who looked to be in her early twenties, with a high ponytail, and appeared youthful and beautiful.

Her bright, sparkling eyes shone with an unquestionable trust.

"Have you all forgotten who Captain Nohara is?" She straightened her back, and her youthful vigor seemed to breathe new life into the entire cafeteria: "He's Hiroshi Nohara, the one who was able to turn a sword-fighting film that everyone else looked down on into an epic masterpiece like 'Seven Samurai'!"

"He's Hiroshi Nohara, the one who turned a simple urban legend into a phenomenal work like 'Tales of the Unusual'!"

"He's Hiroshi Nohara, the one who could turn an ordinary story about a loyal dog into a tearjerker masterpiece like 'Hachiko Monogatari'!"

“So, I believe in him!” The female employee’s voice became even more resolute, and her heartfelt trust touched everyone present: “I believe he can find the most suitable actor to play the ‘boss’! I believe he can create a ‘Midnight Diner’ that best captures the essence of the manga! I believe he can create another miracle for our TV Tokyo!”

Her words were resounding and powerful, each syllable brimming with strength.

The cafeteria fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared at her in disbelief, their faces filled with shock, emotion, and a fervent hope that had been ignited within them!
"Yes...she's right!"

"How can we doubt Minister Nohara?"

"He's practically a god to us at TV Tokyo!"

"That's right! I believe in him! He will definitely create another miracle!"

After a brief silence, the cafeteria erupted in a deafening chorus of agreement!
Everyone was inspired by the female employee's passion, and their eyes once again shone with an indomitable fighting spirit.

They knew the female employee was right.

In the face of Hiroshi Nohara, this "cultural monster," any difficulty or challenge will become utterly insignificant!
These discussions, naturally, reached Kitagawa Yao's ears without missing a single word.

Carrying her tray, she hurried back to Hiroshi Nohara's office. Her usually vibrant face now held a hint of worry, a worry that was hard to express, typical of a young girl.

“Minister…” She gently placed the plate on the coffee table, her bright, sparkling eyes, like the most sophisticated radar, carefully scanning Hiroshi Nohara’s expression.

"What's wrong, Kitagawa-chan?" Hiroshi Nohara put down the documents in his hand. He looked at Kitagawa Yao's adorable appearance and couldn't help but chuckle. "Judging from your expression, is there some 'big event' you want to report to me again?"

"Oh dear, Minister, please don't joke with me." Kitagawa Yao's cheeks flushed slightly, and she stuck out her tongue, recounting to Nohara Hiroshi all the concerns she had overheard in the cafeteria.

"...So, Minister, everyone is worried that this live-action adaptation might...may not be well-received." After she finished speaking, she immediately lowered her head, looking just like a primary school student who had made a mistake.

After listening, Hiroshi Nohara gave a knowing smile.

He knew that everyone's concerns were not unfounded.

In my past life, countless comic book adaptations into live-action dramas failed miserably and became a laughing stock in the industry.

However, Midnight Diner is an exception.

Its live-action version is even more touching and healing than the comic book version.

“Alright, Kitagawa, don’t worry.” He said with a smile, his tone full of confidence: “I know everyone’s concerns. However, I am confident that I can solve this problem.”

He paused, a faint smile curving his lips, his composure and confidence making him stand out. "Now, go and inform Section Chief Takeshi Yamamoto and Director Kenji Sato to come to my office at 2 PM. I have something to discuss with them."

"Section Chief Yamamoto Takeshi?" Kitagawa Yao nodded upon hearing this. It was quite simple; Yamamoto Takeshi was currently in the Nohara Independent Production Department, serving as the section chief of the drama production section.

But soon, she caught another key point in the words.

“Wait a minute… Director Kenji Sato?” Kitagawa Yao suddenly looked up, her bright eyes filled with confusion. “Manager, I remember, Director Kenji Sato, he’s not in our department. Although he participated in the filming of the first season of ‘Tales of the Unusual,’ didn’t he later return to his original department, Production Section 3?”

“I know.” Hiroshi Nohara nodded, looking at Yao Kitagawa’s confused face, and explained with a smile, “I’ve seen his resume before. Although he’s only a third-tier director, he has his own unique insights into character development and emotional expression. He’s quite well-known among the third-tier directors in the production bureau. What he lacks is just a platform where he can fully express himself.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the vast Tokyo Bay outside the window, his eyes deep and confident: "And now, this opportunity has arrived. The most important aspect of 'Midnight Diner' is character development and emotional resonance. It doesn't need flashy special effects or complex plots; what it needs is a director who can make ordinary stories resonate deeply with people. And Kenji Sato is the most suitable candidate."

Kitagawa Yao stared blankly at Nohara Hiroshi, her usually sharp mind momentarily unable to process what was happening.

She only vaguely sensed that her excessively young minister was not only talented, but also insightful and had a broad perspective.

He always manages to discover hidden gems and give them the most dazzling stage.

"I...I understand, Minister!" She nodded emphatically, her bright eyes now filled with nothing but heartfelt admiration: "I'll go and inform him right away!"

……

At 2 p.m., Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato entered Hiroshi Nohara's office one after the other.

Yamamoto Takeshi still had that slightly arrogant demeanor, but beneath that arrogance lay a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of awe.

Following behind him, Kenji Sato appeared somewhat uneasy, his eyes filled with trepidation and... a hint of anticipation.

After all, when he worked with Hiroshi Nohara before, he was only there as a liaison. Moreover, he had connections with Managing Director Takada behind the scenes. Even now, his uncle, Tokugawa Sato, is still inviting him to switch jobs at Tokyo TV.

In other words, Kenji Sato is reluctant to give up his position at TV Tokyo, and he also knows that his uncle seems to have some issues.

The two families did not get along well.

Even his own father, an ordinary man, had been mocked and humiliated in front of his distant uncle.

Therefore, he really had very little affection for this distant uncle with whom he had always had a rather distant relationship.

But it is precisely because of this that Kenji Sato is now feeling uneasy.

Of course, we also have to add the fact that I helped Managing Director Takashi deliver messages before. Although the messages weren't particularly important, and I didn't lose much of Hiroshi Nohara's information, there was still some unsavory aspect to it.

That's why his feelings were so complicated.

"Minister, you wanted to see us?" The two men approached Hiroshi Nohara and bowed respectfully in greeting.

"Yes, please sit down." Hiroshi Nohara smiled and gestured. He personally poured tea for the two of them. His approachable manner eased Kenji Sato's tense heart a little.

"I'm sure you've heard about it," Hiroshi Nohara said, getting straight to the point: "I plan to adapt my manga 'Midnight Diner' into a live-action TV drama."

"Hey, I've already heard about it." Yamamoto Takeshi nodded, glancing at his restless old friend beside him. He had obviously guessed what was going on, and said with a hint of emotion, "The entire production department is discussing this right now."

"Minister, are you... are you really going to let me take charge of the filming of this drama?" Kenji Sato finally mustered up his courage. He raised his head, and his eyes, which were always full of fatigue, were now shining with an almost crazy light.

“Yes.” Hiroshi Nohara nodded, looking at Kenji Sato with admiration in his eyes: “I plan to transfer you to my independent production department, temporarily under Takeshi Yamamoto’s drama production class. Once this drama is finished filming, if the response is good, I will set up a separate drama production class 2, with you as the head, specifically responsible for the subsequent filming of ‘Midnight Diner’.”

"what?!"

Kenji Sato's body trembled violently, his eyes, which were always full of fatigue, widened instantly, and his face was filled with disbelief and horror!
The head of the second drama section?!
And he also has to be specifically in charge of filming the "Midnight Diner" project?

This... for him, who always needed a standalone project as a performance indicator to be promoted to a second-level director, is simply like a meteoric rise!

He stared blankly at Hiroshi Nohara, his mind completely blank.

He never imagined that he, a third-rate director who had been working in the production department for over a decade with no end in sight, would actually... actually receive such a tremendous opportunity!
"Sato! What are you standing there for!" Yamamoto Takeshi slapped his old friend on the shoulder, his voice filled with heartfelt joy and... a hint of envy: "Hurry up and thank the captain! This is your best chance to turn your life around!"

"Minister...Minister!" Kenji Sato finally snapped out of his shock. He jumped up from his seat and bowed deeply, deeply to Hiroshi Nohara.

That bent back carried his endless gratitude and... submission to Hiroshi Nohara.

"Thank you for your guidance, Minister! I... I, Kenji Sato, will do my utmost and will never let you down!"

His voice, tinged with emotion, moved everyone present with its sincerity.

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled, reached out, and gently helped him up.

"Alright, Director Sato, no need to be so polite." He said with a smile, and that warmth and strength gradually calmed Sato Kenji's excited heart.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the shocked and expectant faces of Yamamoto Takeshi and Sato Kenji, a confident smile curving his lips: "Of course, I don't just want you to film; I've already prepared everything for you."

As Hiroshi Nohara spoke, he took out two other items from his desk drawer.

One of them is a bound volume of the "Midnight Diner" manga.

The other book was a thick stack of manuscript paper filled with storyboard drafts.

“This is the manga; you can take it back and study it carefully. And this…” He gently pushed the stack of storyboards in front of the two of them: “These are the storyboards for the first three episodes of ‘Midnight Diner,’ which I drew this morning when I had some free time.” At that moment, Yamamoto Takeshi and Sato Kenji’s breaths seemed to stop.

They stared blankly at the thick stack of manuscript papers on the table. Those seemingly random sketches, in the eyes of these professionals, were like magic books containing infinite magic power. Every line, every angle, was full of breathtaking artistry.

Yamamoto Takeshi was the first to extend his hand, a hand that was always full of strength, but now it was trembling slightly.

He carefully picked up the stack of storyboards, as if holding a priceless treasure.

“Minister, you…” His voice was slightly hoarse, and the shock that came from the depths of his being made even this seasoned third-tier director lose his composure: “You’ve thought of everything—storyboards, lighting, music…?! And this is just a proposal!”

“It’s not just something I’ve thought about.” Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and his composure and confidence seemed to envelop the entire office in an invisible force: “I have already filmed this drama completely in my mind.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two of them: "Look here." He pointed to a panel on the storyboard, in which a man, with his back to the camera, was silently eating a bowl of rice soaked in tea.

"I want to shoot this scene with a fixed long take. The lighting should be dark to emphasize the loneliness of the night. But, above the man's head, there should be a warm yellow top light. This light is both the light that illuminates the food and... the light that illuminates his heart."

"And here." He pointed to another screen, which showed the boss's face, scarred yet incredibly gentle.

"The boss's expression shouldn't be too exaggerated. Most of the time, he's silent, a listener. His gentleness should be shown through his eyes and the subtle gestures when he hands over the food. He's an observer, a healer, a... ferryman in the dead of night."

"As for the actor..." Hiroshi Nohara's lips curled into a mysterious smile: "The role of the boss is crucial. I already have a preliminary choice in mind. Someone who looks somewhat fierce, even with a bit of a yakuza vibe, but is incredibly gentle inside, with eyes full of stories...

"Someone with a gangster vibe?" Yamamoto Takeshi and Sato Kenji exchanged a glance, and several names that fit the criteria instantly flashed through their minds.

However, before they could speak, Hiroshi Nohara spoke again, leading their thoughts to another, more profound level.

"As for the plot of the first few episodes, I've already thought it through." He spoke softly, his tone calm yet firm: "The first episode will be called 'Red Sausage and Egg Omelet.' It's about a mob boss whose favorite food is red sausage, which is something only children like. This contrast is the core charm of our show."

"Episode 2, 'Cat Meal.' It tells the story of a frustrated female singer who, at the lowest point in her life, rediscovers her original dream through a simple bowl of cat food."

"Episode 3, 'Ochazuke'. It tells the story of three single women in their late twenties who eat ochazuke late at night while complaining about their failed relationships. Although they say that 'men are all big pigs,' deep down they still yearn for a pure love."

Hiroshi Nohara's voice wasn't loud, but it was like the most precise musical note, perfectly striking the heartstrings of Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato.

They listened in stunned silence, all the expressions on their faces freezing in an instant, leaving only a kind of fanatical fervor of complete conquest!

They seemed to have already foreseen that in the near future, a TV series called "Midnight Diner" would sweep across Japan with an unparalleled momentum!

It will heal countless lonely souls and warm countless cold hearts.

And they will personally participate in and witness the birth of this miracle!

"Minister... Minister..."

Kenji Sato's voice was choked with emotion, and the genuine excitement he felt made even this usually taciturn man somewhat unable to contain himself.

He recalled that when filming "Tales of the Unusual," Hiroshi Nohara had done the same thing, meticulously arranging everything perfectly.

That composed and strategic mind, that insightful wisdom about people's hearts, made even a seasoned veteran like him, who had been working in the production department for over a decade, feel a deep sense of powerlessness and terror.

He even recalled that just yesterday, his distant uncle, Sato Tokugawa, the chairman of the Kirin Group, had asked someone to pass on a message to him, saying that Tokyo TV was offering him a high-paying job as the deputy head of the production department.

At that time, he had a moment of doubt.

But now, looking at the man before him, who was too young yet unfathomable, his wavering heart became incredibly resolute at this moment.

Screw Tokyo TV!

Screw the deputy head of the production department!

I'm sticking with Chief Satonohara for the rest of my life!

With him, not only could you become the vice president of the production department, but even... even conquering the world wouldn't be impossible!

"Minister!" Kenji Sato suddenly stood up from his seat, his usually weary eyes now blazing with a fierce fire: "Please rest assured! I, Kenji Sato, I... I will do my utmost to create a 'Midnight Diner' for you and for our independent production department, giving it my all!"

Looking at his overly excited expression, Hiroshi Nohara gave him a helpless yet warm smile.

"Alright, Director Sato, sit down." He said with a smile, "Let's talk about the details."

That warmth and strength gradually calmed Kenji Sato's excited heart.

……

This lecture went on until evening.

The sky outside the window was dyed a brilliant orange-red by the setting sun, bathing the entire office in a warm glow.

Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato were still immersed in the immense shock and excitement, unable to extricate themselves for a long time.

"Alright, that's enough for today." Hiroshi Nohara stood up, stretched, and his composure and confidence made him stand out.

He looked at the two of them, who seemed to want more, and gave them a mysterious smile.

"You two, don't rush off," he said with a smile. "Don't have dinner either, just wait for me here. And while you're at it, call over the core members of your trusted filming team."

"Huh?" Yamamoto Takeshi and Sato Kenji were both slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

"Minister, why did you call them here now?" Yamamoto Takeshi asked, puzzled. "And... you won't even let us have dinner?"

“Yes, Minister.” Kenji Sato chimed in, rubbing his rumbling stomach with a bewildered expression. “We…we’re all starving.”

"Don't worry, you won't starve." Hiroshi Nohara just smiled, his clear eyes sparkling with a profound understanding of the world: "I'll take you to a good place, to have a meal, a real 'Midnight Diner'."

Although the two were filled with confusion, they nodded and picked up the phone because of their absolute trust in Hiroshi Nohara.

The filming team was readily available. With just one phone call, the lighting technicians, photographers, and sound engineers who were used to working with them would rush from all corners of Tokyo toward TV Tokyo, even though they complained about having to work overtime again.

Then the two assigned tasks to each other, meticulously dividing up responsibilities such as who would be the assistant director, who would be the executive director, who would be in charge of what tasks, and so on. They arranged everything in great detail.

However, the team members were all quite surprised.

Especially in front of Hiroshi Nohara, these employees of TV Tokyo gave it their all.

After all, everyone knows that Hiroshi Nohara is about to film a new project program.

Moreover, as everyone knows, any program produced by Hiroshi Nohara is an absolute classic!
No doubt about it!
Because these are all shows with phenomenal ratings, which has earned them absolute trust!
So the filming team was all arranged.

The sky outside the window gradually changed from a vibrant orange-red to a deep inky blue.

As the clock slowly struck 9:30, Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato's stomachs were growling loudly, and they were practically starving.

It's very late now.

The filming crew has all left.

However, Hiroshi Nohara did not let them go, and made them continue to wait there, which puzzled and confused the two of them.

"Minister...Minister..." Kenji Sato sat weakly on the table, his face, always filled with exhaustion, now etched with despair: "I...I'm going to die...I feel like I see my deceased grandmother, beckoning to me..."

“Yes, Minister.” Yamamoto Takeshi echoed, his usually arrogant face now filled with helplessness: “If you don’t take us out to eat soon, I’m afraid we’ll be on the news tomorrow. The headline will be— ‘Shocking! Two senior directors of TV Tokyo starved to death in their office!’”

Seeing the two of them looking so "on the verge of death" while joking around, Hiroshi Nohara finally couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

"Alright, alright, stop acting." He said with a smile, his ease and joy infectious to everyone present: "Let's go, I'll take you to eat."

"oh--!"

The two instantly perked up, as if they'd been injected with adrenaline, and jumped up from their seats: "Finally, we can eat something!?"

"Come with me." Hiroshi Nohara drove his understated yet composed Toyota Crown, carrying the two of them, slowly into Tokyo, a dazzling galaxy of lights.

The car drove through several bustling streets and finally came to a slow stop at an intersection in Shinjuku.

"New...Shinjuku area?"

As Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato looked out the window at the dazzling, decadent world, a subtle hint of resistance appeared on their faces.

“Um… Minister…” Kenji Sato swallowed, his voice tinged with barely perceptible nervousness: “We… we rarely come to places like this. I… I don’t really like bars and nightclubs, they’re too noisy.”

“Yes, Minister.” Yamamoto Takeshi echoed, his usually arrogant face now filled with discomfort: “At my age, I’m past the age of going to nightclubs. If you want to drink, we can just find an izakaya, have some sake, some yakitori, or even ramen, wouldn’t that be nice?”

Both of them are middle-aged men with simple, even somewhat traditional, personalities.

They instinctively felt a sense of rejection towards Shinjuku, a place brimming with youthful hormones and desires.

Hiroshi Nohara couldn't help but chuckle as he looked at the two of them, who were so adorably restless.

"Don't worry, it's not a bar or a nightclub," he said with a smile, his clear eyes sparkling with a profound understanding of the world. "I'm taking you to a place where you can truly understand 'Midnight Diner'."

He started the car and skillfully drove it into an area that was noisier and more "colorful".

This is Kabukicho in Shinjuku Ward.

The most famous red-light district in Japan.

The streets are lined with bars, nightclubs, brothels, and various "information centers" filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.

Women dressed provocatively and flamboyantly, as well as men with exaggerated hairstyles and frivolous eyes, can be seen everywhere on the street.

They used all sorts of enticing words to entice passersby.

The clamor, filled with primal desires, made both Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato blush.

Although they were all worldly-wise adult men, they couldn't help but instinctively turn their heads away from such a "blatant" scene, trying their best not to look at those images that were enough to make their hearts race.

"Cough cough... Minister..." Kenji Sato's cheeks were as red as a branding iron, and he felt like he didn't know where to look.

However, Hiroshi Nohara simply parked the car calmly in a relatively secluded corner.

"Get out of the car," he said softly, his tone calm yet firm.

He ignored the alluring gazes from those on either side of the street and led the two directly into a secluded alleyway, completely out of place with the hustle and bustle of the main street.

"Minister, where are we going?" Yamamoto Takeshi couldn't help but ask, feeling as if his heart was about to jump out of his throat.

“Remember this,” Hiroshi Nohara’s voice was particularly clear in the quiet alley: “The more prosperous and full of desires a place is, the purer its demand for food will be.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, a philosopher's wisdom gleaming in his clear eyes: "Because when people's bodies are filled with desires, their souls become incredibly empty. And what can fill this emptiness is only... the purest taste of food."

Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato listened in a daze, feeling their hearts, long filled with worldly concerns, being completely cleansed at this moment by an unprecedented emotion called "enlightenment."

Just then, Hiroshi Nohara stopped in his tracks.

He pointed to the only place with a dim yellow light shining deep in the alley, and said softly, yet with unwavering determination.

"arrive."

Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato instinctively looked up.

At the end of the alley, a small, unremarkable restaurant, without even a proper sign, stood quietly in the night.

The dim light shone through the wooden sliding door, casting a warm glow on the faded blue curtain at the entrance.

That appearance, that atmosphere, that feeling...

It's exactly like... exactly like the manga drawn by Hiroshi Nohara!
The two looked at each other and saw the same shock, the same ecstasy, and the same... disbelief in each other's eyes!
"Midnight Diner?" they murmured in unison.

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(End of this chapter)