I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 199 The Real Midnight Diner! Hiroshi Nohara's Scheme! Live-Action Drama Filming Begins!
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.

Hiroshi Nohara didn't answer, but just smiled and opened the creaking wooden sliding door first.

"jingle--"

A crisp wind chime rang out, accompanied by a warm aroma of soy sauce, miso, and a faint smell of cooking oil, instantly enveloping the three of them.

The store is not very spacious, with only an L-shaped bar surrounding the open kitchen, which can seat about ten people.

At this moment, the shop was empty except for a middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue kimono and a white apron, who was meticulously wiping the bar counter with his back to them.

Hearing the sound of the wind chimes, the man slowly turned around.

"Welcome." His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a calmness born of experience.

However, when his gaze fell on Hiroshi Nohara, a smile, as warm as the winter sun, slowly bloomed on his usually somewhat stern face.

"Welcome back, Hiroshi-kun."

"boom--!"

This simple greeting was like a nuclear bomb exploding in the minds of Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato!
Their bodies trembled violently, their eyes widened instantly, and their faces were filled with incredulous horror!

know?!
The boss actually knows Hiroshi Nohara?!
They stared blankly at the small tavern before them, the familiar wooden bar, the simple menu on the wall, the sake bottles in the corner... everything was exactly like the scene depicted in the manga!
The two looked at each other again, and both saw the almost overflowing astonishment in each other's eyes.

This... this really is "Midnight Diner"?!

"I'm back, Mr. Mizukami." Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly, as naturally as if he were returning to his own home.

He skillfully took off his coat, hung it on the coat rack by the wall, and then sat down at the bar with two completely petrified "wooden men".

"The usual." Hiroshi Nohara's voice was relaxed. "One craft beer each. And I'll have a small sausage cut into the shape of an octopus, a thick omelet, a salt-fried saury, and a bowl of white rice."

"it is good."

The owner, Mizukami Sho, smiled and nodded. He took out three bottles of cold craft beer from the freezer under the bar, opened them with a "pop" of a bottle opener, and then skillfully filled the glasses of the three people.

The foam is delicate, the liquid is golden, and it exudes an enticing malt aroma.

After doing all this, he turned his gentle yet somewhat inquisitive gaze to the two men who had been "out of commission" since they entered the room.

"What would you two like to eat?" Mizukami Sho's voice remained calm: "Although there are only a few items on the menu, you can order anything I know how to make."

Upon hearing this, Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato were jolted awake, only then snapping back to their senses.

They looked at the boss in front of them. A scar on his face, extending from his left eyebrow to his cheek, was particularly striking in the dim light. Far from making him look fierce, it added a unique charm to him, full of stories.

Isn't that the boss from that comic book?!

Right now, both Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato were somewhat out of their minds.

"Um... um..." The two stammered for a long time, their minds still blank, not knowing what to order.

"If you don't want to work too hard," Mizukami Sho saw their predicament and gave them an understanding smile, "I have a special pork miso soup every day. It's sweet and delicious and goes very well with rice."

"Ah! This is it! This is it!" The two's eyes lit up. Wasn't this the most common set meal in the manga "Midnight Diner"?
"Sorry for your trouble!"

The two nodded repeatedly as if they had grasped at a straw, their helpless appearance a stark contrast to their usual commanding demeanor in the production department.

"OK, just a second."

Mizukami Sho smiled and nodded again, then turned and walked into the small kitchen, which was filled with the warmth of everyday life.

With a "sizzle," the fire was lit, and the sounds of pots and pans clattering together, along with the sizzling of ingredients being added to the pan, intertwined to create a symphony that is most beautiful in the dead of night.

Only then did Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato finally let out a long sigh of relief.

They picked up their beer glasses and took a big gulp. The icy liquid slid down their throats, calming their hearts, which had been somewhat numb from countless shocks.

"Minister...Minister..." Yamamoto Takeshi's voice trembled slightly, as he looked at Nohara Hiroshi with the gaze of someone looking at an omnipotent god: "So...so the best-selling heartwarming food manga in the manga world right now, 'Midnight Diner,' was actually...actually based on this place?!"

“Yes.” Hiroshi Nohara just smiled calmly. He picked up his glass, took a small sip, and his composure and confidence made him stand out. “I discovered this restaurant by chance. After coming here a few times, I found that the owner’s cooking skills are really good, and the atmosphere here has also given me some inspiration.”

"Some inspiration?" Upon hearing this, Kenji Sato couldn't help but chuckle wryly. He shook his head, his tone filled with genuine admiration: "Minister, this isn't just 'some' inspiration! You've practically... you've packed the whole world into this little shop!"

Just then, a corner of the dark blue curtain in the kitchen was gently lifted.

Mizukami Sho's scarred face peeked out from behind, a shy yet sincere smile on his lips.

“Hiroshi-kun is so talented.” He said with a smile, his voice carrying a hint of admiration for the young man: “To be honest, I also found his comics incredible. I have never served or encountered any of the customers or the bizarre stories in his comics. Yet he has managed to perfectly integrate them into my little shop and my dishes. As the owner, I find it very enjoyable.”

"oh--!"

Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato's eyes widened again!

They looked at Shui Shangxiang's face peeking out from behind the curtain, his gentle eyes, his shy smile, and the scar that seemed to tell a story...

This...this is exactly like the protagonist in the comic, the "Boss"!
"It's so similar!" Yamamoto Takeshi couldn't help but exclaim, "Captain! Your... the protagonist in your manga, could it be...?"

"Indeed, I referenced the owner of the floating restaurant," Hiroshi Nohara admitted with a smile.

"Oh dear, Hiroshi-kun is teasing me again." Mizukami Sho scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, a rare blush appearing on his usually stern face. "Actually, many readers who have read the manga have come here specifically to see me. They all say that I look a lot like the owner of the manga. And many people say that my place is like a real-life version of 'Midnight Diner'."

"Then you're famous now, boss?" Yamamoto Takeshi asked curiously.

In his view, this was a fantastic opportunity! With fame came customers, and with customers came money!
However, Mizukami Sho simply smiled and shook his head, his eyes filled with a detached indifference to worldly affairs.

"I'm just a cook, I just want to quietly make things that my guests like to eat." He spoke softly, his tone calm but firm: "I don't crave fame or anything like that. I still prefer this simple life."

This indifference to fame and fortune earned the sincere admiration of both Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato.

They looked at each other and saw the same sentiment in each other's eyes.

This boat owner, in both appearance and personality, is practically... identical to the protagonist in the comic!
“Yes, that’s just the kind of personality Mr. Minakami has.” Hiroshi Nohara echoed, looking at Sho Minakami with admiration in his eyes: “I’ve invited Mr. Minakami many times before, hoping he could play the lead role in the live-action version of ‘Midnight Diner.’ But he declined each time.”

He paused, a mysterious smile curving his lips, and a profound understanding of the world shone in his clear eyes.

"However, this time, Mr. Boss, you must help me."

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Mizukami Sho was slightly taken aback. He looked at Nohara Hiroshi, his gentle eyes filled with confusion: "Hiroshi-kun, what's wrong?"

Hiroshi Nohara put down his wine glass, and a perfectly measured seriousness appeared on his usually calm face.

“It’s like this, Mr. Mizukami.” He spoke softly, his tone calm yet full of strength: “My manga, ‘Midnight Diner,’ is about to be adapted into a live-action TV series. Therefore, I would like to once again formally invite you to play the male lead in this series.”

“Hiroshi-kun, I…” Mizukami Sho was about to politely decline when his detached and indifferent demeanor made him instinctively want to escape the hustle and bustle under the spotlight.

However, Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled, raised his hand, and gently interrupted him.

“Boss of the water park, please don’t be so quick to refuse.” He said with a smile, his clear eyes gleaming with an undeniable confidence: “I know you don’t like being in the public eye. But I heard that your daughter is starting junior high school this year, right?”

Upon hearing this, Mizukami Sho's expression changed. His usually gentle eyes widened instantly, and a strange look appeared on his face.

He stared blankly at Hiroshi Nohara, his mind completely blank, after all, he had never mentioned his daughter to anyone!

How...how did he know?!

“You…you…” Mizukami Sho stammered.

“Don’t be nervous, I mean no harm,” Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile. His warmth and strength gradually calmed Sho Mizukami’s excited heart. “I just think that with your daughter’s excellence, she should go to a better school and receive a better education.”

He paused, then slowly threw out the "bait" that no father could refuse.

"How about this, Mr. Mizukami? If you agree to star in this drama, I'll immediately arrange for your daughter to transfer to one of the top three private girls' junior high schools in Tokyo. All tuition and fees will be covered by TV Tokyo. What do you think?"

Shui Shangxiang stood there blankly, his heart, which had long been worn smooth by countless trials and tribulations, suddenly surged with tremendous waves.

The top three private girls' junior high schools in Tokyo!

That was a place he, an ordinary person who ran a small restaurant, would never have dared to dream of!
He knew that as long as his daughter could get into such a school, her future would be bright.

He clenched his teeth, and at that moment, his indifferent composure clashed fiercely with his deep, ocean-like paternal love.

Finally, he let out a long, long breath, a breath that carried a hint of helplessness, a hint of compromise, and also a longing and expectation for his daughter's future.

He looked at Hiroshi Nohara, a complex, bitter smile appearing on his usually somewhat cold face: "Hiroshi-kun, you...you really...have found my weakness."

Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara broke into a bright smile.

He knew he had succeeded.

He turned his head and looked at the two men who were already dumbfounded by this "divine operation," a smug smile curving his lips.

"Alright, Section Chief Yamamoto, Director Sato." He spoke softly, his tone calm yet full of power: "Now, the lead actors have appeared. The remaining supporting roles are up to you two."

Upon hearing this, Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato suddenly came to their senses.

Looking at the man before them, whose appearance and temperament perfectly matched the protagonist of the manga, their hearts, which had long been numb from countless shocks, were once again ignited by an unprecedented emotion called "fanatical"!
"Understood! Minister!" the two replied in unison, their voices filled with fighting spirit and passion.

They knew that under the leadership of Hiroshi Nohara, this "cultural monster," what they were about to create was not just a TV series, but a legend that could heal an entire era!
Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly.

He was extremely satisfied.

It's not just that he's similar to the boss in the comics.

This boss named Mizukami Sho bears a striking resemblance to the man from my previous life who portrayed the role of "boss" so convincingly, Kobayashi Kaoru, in both appearance and temperament!

It's almost as if it was created specifically for the live-action drama "Midnight Diner"!
"Alright, now that things are settled, let's eat first." Hiroshi Nohara smiled and patted the two men on the shoulder, his ease making it seem as if the "negotiation" that had just concerned the future of a family was merely a minor incident while ordering food.

"Hey!" Yamamoto Takeshi and Sato Kenji suddenly realized what was happening, and the hunger that had been building up inside them erupted like a volcano.

"Goo-"

The two looked at each other and saw the same embarrassment in each other's eyes. Then, without prior arrangement, they both let out a simple, honest laugh.

Shoya Mizukami smiled and shook his head. He turned around and went back to the kitchen, quickly bringing out the dishes that had already been prepared.

First, here are the dishes that Hiroshi Nohara ordered.

A plate of small red sausages, pan-fried until crispy on the outside but still tender and juicy on the inside, is carefully cut into cute octopus shapes, making it incredibly tempting just to look at.

Next up was a thick yet fluffy tamagoyaki, with layers of golden egg skin, exuding a rich egg aroma and the sweetness of broth.

There was also a pan-fried saury with salt. The skin was grilled until crispy, and with a gentle touch of chopsticks, the snow-white and delicate fish meat underneath was revealed, and the aroma of oil instantly filled the air.

Finally, there were two steaming bowls of pork miso soup. The broth was rich and flavorful, filled with slices of pork, daikon radish, carrot, and konjac noodles, and topped with bright green scallions.

"This is extra tempura I made today, as a gift for Hiroshi-kun's friends." Mizukami Sho brought out a large plate of golden and crispy tempura, which included fried shrimp, fried eggplant, fried pumpkin, and fried green peppers, each coated with a thin batter, looking incredibly tempting.

"Well--!"

Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato's eyes lit up instantly. Looking at the table full of dishes that exuded the warmth and comfort of home cooking, their hunger reached its peak at that moment.

"Then we won't be polite!"

The two shouted in unison, then picked up their chopsticks and began to devour the food like a whirlwind.

"Mmm! Delicious!" Yamamoto Takeshi picked up a thick omelet, took a bite, and the soft texture and sweet taste made him squint his eyes in happiness: "This omelet is absolutely amazing! It's better than any high-end restaurant I've ever eaten at!"

“Yes! Yes!” Kenji Sato echoed, burying his head in his bowl of pork miso soup. The rich broth and abundant ingredients made him feel every pore on his body relax. “This soup… this soup tastes just like home! It’s so comforting!”

"Boss, with your skills, it's a waste that you're not running a fancy restaurant!" Yamamoto Takeshi exclaimed sincerely.

Upon hearing this, a shy smile reappeared on Mizukami Sho's face. He scratched his head, and that embarrassment, along with the story-filled scar on his face, created a peculiar and incredibly endearing contrast.

"Oh, not at all, I only know how to cook simple home-style dishes," he said with a smile. His humility left both Yamamoto Takeshi and Sato Kenji somewhat stunned.

picture!so similar!
Isn't this just like the "boss" in the comics, who always quietly prepares heartwarming meals for his guests but never boasts about his achievements?!
The two looked at each other again, and both saw that fervent passion that came from the very marrow of their bones in each other's eyes!
They knew that the show was a success!
Just then, the shop door was opened again.

"jingle--"

The wind chimes rang, and several customers who looked like they had just finished get off work and still had a bit of fatigue on their faces walked in one after another.

"Good evening, boss."

"Good evening, I'd like a beer and a potato salad."

"Boss, do you still have tamagoyaki? I'd like one."

"I'd like a cat meal, with extra bonito flakes."

The guests settled into their seats at the bar with practiced ease, ordering their favorite dishes with an air of familiarity that made the place feel like their second home. They paid little attention to Hiroshi Nohara and his two companions sitting in the corner, engrossed in their conversation.

"Hey, have you heard? It seems like the 'Midnight Diner' manga is really going to be made into a live-action TV series!" A man in a suit, who looked like an office worker, said in a low voice, sounding mysterious.

"Really?!" A stylish young woman next to him exclaimed, her eyes lighting up instantly. "I'm a die-hard fan of that manga! Let me tell you, that manga is practically my 'spiritual food'! Whenever I get yelled at by my boss or harassed by clients, just looking at that manga makes me feel full of energy again!"

“Yes! Yes!” Another bespectacled man who looked a bit dull chimed in, “That comic isn’t just about food, it’s about life! Every story is so ordinary, yet so real and so touching! I even think that the author must be a gentle person who has experienced a lot.”

Hearing these heartfelt praises, Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato, sitting not far away, both wore proud smiles of pride.

They stood tall, their pride as producers making them feel as if they had become part of this legend.

“But then again,” a worried look appeared on the fashionable girl’s face, “adapting a comic into a live-action drama is very risky! My biggest concern is the actors! Especially the producer, he’s the soul of the whole comic! If the wrong actors are chosen, the whole show will be ruined!”

"Yeah! Yeah!" the bespectacled man chimed in. "The boss's role seems simple, but it's actually the hardest to play! He can't be too handsome, nor too ugly. He needs to have a unique aura that's both aloof and gentle, mysterious and approachable! Where...where can you find an actor like that?"

"Don't worry," the man in the suit said with a smile. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and exuded confidence as if he were the producer of the show: "The producer of this show is none other than Hiroshi Nohara! He's that 'cultural monster' who can turn the rotten into the magical! I believe he can definitely find the most suitable actor to play the boss!"

“That’s right! I believe in Minister Nohara!” the fashionable girl exclaimed excitedly, her bright eyes sparkling with fervent light. “He’s the pride of Japan! Every drama he directs is amazing!”

Just then, Mizukami Sho came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of pork miso soup.

He gently placed the soup in front of the man in the suit, a warm smile on his face.

He didn't speak, but instead winked almost imperceptibly in Hiroshi Nohara's direction.

His eyes were full of good-natured teasing.

Seeing this, Hiroshi Nohara shook his head, both amused and exasperated.

He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of tempura, and put it in his mouth. The crispy texture and delicious taste gave him a sense of satisfaction.

"Hey! Turn on the TV! Turn on the TV!"

Just then, the bespectacled man suddenly pointed to the small television in the corner and excitedly shouted, "Yamishibai Season 6! Premiering today! It's starting! It's starting!"

"Oh my god! Really?! I've been waiting for so long!"

"Great! This is the perfect show to watch while eating!"

"Boss! Could you please turn the volume up a bit?"

The store was instantly filled with excited voices.

All eyes turned to the small television set.

On the television, the familiar, eerie opening animation had already begun playing.

The old man with the yellow mask and riding a bicycle, who runs a kamishibai (paper house), reappeared in the scene.

"This anime is absolutely amazing!" the man in the suit exclaimed while eating potato salad. "Each episode is only a few minutes long, but it scared me half to death! What on earth is going on in that Nohara Hiroshi's head?!"

"Yeah! Yeah!" the fashionable girl chimed in. Although she was scared, she couldn't help but peek at the TV through her fingers. "I heard this cartoon is really popular online right now! A lot of young people say it's the scariest and most addictive cartoon they've ever seen!"

"It's more than just anime!" The bespectacled man pushed up his glasses, and his usually dull eyes now shone with a light of "admiration": "You guys don't know, that Hiroshi Nohara, he's practically a genius! Anime, TV dramas, variety shows, movies, manga... he can do everything! And he does each one so well! I even think he's the one who can truly represent our Japanese culture, go global, and conquer the world!"

Hearing these heartfelt, even somewhat fervent, praises, Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato exchanged another glance.

They looked at the young man who was quietly eating rice with his head down. Their hearts, which had long been numb from countless shocks, were now filled with a deep-seated awe.

They knew that they were following not just a producer, but a god who was about to usher in a new era!

"Alright, even gods need to eat." Hiroshi Nohara's calm voice rang out, instantly pulling the two back to reality from their almost religiously fanatical worship.

He picked up his chopsticks and pointed to the steaming dishes on the table, his matter-of-fact manner making it seem as if the "god" who had just been strategizing and winning battles was merely a figment of their imagination.

"Eat quickly, we need to go back to sleep afterward. We have a ton of work to do tomorrow. We can't let those guys at Tokyo TV think we're all 'gods' at work, can we?"

"puff--"

Yamamoto Takeshi almost spat out the beer he had just drunk. He looked at Nohara Hiroshi's serious face, then at Sato Kenji next to him, who was also trying to suppress his laughter and whose face was flushed. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

"Yes! Yes! The minister is right!" Yamamoto Takeshi laughed as he picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a large piece of golden, crispy fried shrimp tempura, and took a big bite. "We can't lose because of our stamina! We need to eat more so we have the strength to fight them!"

"That's right! Cheers!" Sato Kenji also shook off his previous restraint. He picked up his glass, clinked it heavily with Yamamoto Takeshi's, and then drank the golden liquid in his glass in one gulp. His boldness seemed to be swallowing all his previous apprehension and unease with this sip of wine.

"Mmm! Awesome!" He put down his wine glass, let out a long sigh of relief, and then picked up his chopsticks to join the "sweep" of the food.

"This little red sausage! Minister, how did you come up with the idea of ​​cutting it into the shape of an octopus? It's just... the taste of childhood!"

"And this thick omelet! The sweetness is just right! It's as soft as a cloud! Boss, do you have some secret recipe for this?"

"This pork broth soup is absolutely amazing! The ingredients are so generous! Pork, radish, konjac... I feel like I could drink three big bowls of it!"

As they ate, the two praised the food endlessly. Their heartfelt satisfaction and happiness filled the small late-night diner with an atmosphere of "joy."

Meanwhile, the other customers in the shop were intently watching the sixth season of "Yamishibai" on TV, occasionally letting out suppressed gasps and gasps of surprise.

"Oh my god! This story is terrifying!" The fashionable young girl was now tightly gripping the arm of the man in the suit beside her, her meticulously made-up face filled with fear: "That woman... that woman didn't have a shadow!"

"Shh...don't talk!" The man in the suit said this, but his eyes, fixed on the TV, betrayed his own inner tension: "The crucial moment is coming! That old man from the kamishibai theater is definitely going to tell another chilling ending!"

"I...I can't look anymore!" The girl buried her head in the man's arms, her voice trembling with tears.

However, at that moment, the television screen changed, and the familiar, eerie ending theme song began to play.

"...Is it over?" The girl cautiously raised her head, her bright eyes filled with the relief of surviving a disaster.

"It's over." The man in the suit let out a long sigh of relief; he felt his back was soaked with cold sweat.

"Ugh... Honestly, I get scared half to death every time, but I still can't help but want to watch it again next time." The girl pouted and complained, but her voice was full of sweetness: "It's all that Hiroshi Nohara's fault! He's a devil!"

Hearing these comments filled with "love and hate," Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly, finished the last bite of rice in his bowl, and then put down his chopsticks.

“Let’s go.” He stood up and said to Takeshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato.

"Huh? They're leaving already?" The two of them were still a little reluctant to part.

"We've finished talking and eating. Are you going to stay here and wait to be surrounded by fans?" Hiroshi Nohara joked as he took out a few Fukuzawa Yukichi bills from his wallet and handed them to Sho Mizukami.

Mizukami Sho smiled and shook his head, pushing the money back: "Hiroshi-kun, you've done me a huge favor today. This meal is on me."

“One thing at a time.” Hiroshi Nohara insisted on stuffing the money into his apron pocket: “If you really want to thank me, just reserve the position of my daughter’s future ‘godfather’ for me.”

"Hahahaha! You rascal!" Upon hearing this, Mizukami Sho couldn't help but burst out laughing. He looked at Nohara Hiroshi with eyes full of an elder's appreciation and doting affection for a junior.

Hiroshi Nohara didn't say anything more. He simply turned around and, before leaving, gave Sho Mizukami a meaningful look.

"Boss of the water park, don't forget our agreement," he said with a smile, his voice carrying an undeniable certainty.

The smile on Mizukami Sho's face also turned solemn. He nodded heavily, his eyes equally firm.

"Yes, Hiroshi-kun, I will not forget."

However, just as Hiroshi Nohara turned to leave with his two satisfied "good-for-nothings," a voice full of uncertainty suddenly rang out from behind him.

"Um...please...please wait a moment!"

The one who spoke was the man in the suit who had just been discussing "Yamishibai" with the fashionable girl.

He stood there dumbfounded, his eyes wide open, filled with utter disbelief and horror!

His finger trembled slightly as he pointed at Hiroshi Nohara's back, and his voice became somewhat stuttering with excitement.

"You...you wouldn't be..."

Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara paused slightly, slowly turned around, and a perfectly measured hint of helplessness appeared on his usually calm face.

"Ah, I've been spotted," he said softly, as if he hadn't been recognized by fans, but had simply stepped on his neighbor's cat's tail by accident.

"boom--!"

This casual admission, in the small, late-night diner, was like a bomb going off!
"Nani?!"

"What?! He...he's Hiroshi Nohara?!"

"My God! It really is Captain Nohara! Alive! He's alive!"

Wow! He's even more handsome in person than on TV!

After a brief moment of deathly silence, a deafening scream erupted from inside the store!
The fashionable girl was the first to jump up from her seat. She covered her mouth, and her bright, sparkling eyes instantly filled with tears of excitement!

Immediately afterwards, the taciturn bespectacled man and several other customers in the store also stood up abruptly, as if they were robots that had been turned on, and rushed to surround Nohara Hiroshi!
"Minister Nohara! Is it really you?!"

"Minister! I...I'm a huge fan of yours! I love your 'Tales of the Unusual' so much! Every episode is mind-blowing!"

"Minister! Could...could you sign my shirt? I'd like to get your autograph!"

"Minister! May I shake your hand? I... I've been dreaming of shaking your hand!"

In an instant, the small late-night diner was completely transformed into a large-scale fan meet-and-greet.

Everyone was so excited they were incoherent. They looked at Hiroshi Nohara with eyes full of fervent worship and admiration.

Yamamoto Takeshi and Sato Kenji were both stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Instinctively, they flanked Hiroshi Nohara, standing on either side, looking just like two loyal bodyguards.

"Wait! Wait!" Just then, the quickest-reacting man in the suit suddenly pointed at the small shop, his shrewd eyes gleaming with sudden realization: "This shop... the decor of this shop... and the owner... isn't this... isn't this just like the manga 'Midnight Diner'?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Shui Shangxiang, who was standing helplessly at the kitchen door.

"Really! They're exactly the same!"

"My God! Even the scar on the boss's face is the same!"

"Could it be...could it be that the live-action version is really going to air?! And the boss is actually played by the real boss?!"

Everyone's face was filled with uncontrollable elation and anticipation.

They knew that today, they had not only bumped into their idols, but also... witnessed the beginning of a legend!
Looking at this group of "ordinary people" in front of him, their cheeks flushed with excitement and their eyes sparkling with starlight, Hiroshi Nohara's usually calm heart couldn't help but feel a warm ripple.

He smiled, raised his hand, and gently pressed it down.

That composure and confidence seemed to instantly quiet the noisy space.

"Everyone, everyone, calm down." His voice wasn't loud, but it was like the gentlest spring breeze, instantly calming everyone's restless hearts: "I'm just an ordinary office worker today. I was hungry, so I came to have a meal. Please don't get so agitated."

His nonchalant demeanor contrasted strangely with the frenzied atmosphere around him, creating an amusing effect.

"But...but Minister!" The fashionable girl mustered her courage, looking at Hiroshi Nohara, her bright eyes filled with unspoken expectation: "Then...the real-life version..."

Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara gave a mysterious smile.

He extended his index finger and gently placed it on his lips, making a "shh" gesture.

"Some things need to be kept secret." He lowered his voice, a cunning glint in his clear eyes.

He paused, then deliberately moved closer to the crowd, and spoke slowly yet with perfect clarity in a tone only they could hear, filled with solemnity:
"I absolutely will not tell you that the live-action version is about to start filming next month, and that the boss is actually the owner of the water park himself—this is a closely guarded secret! And please, don't tell anyone!"

"puff--"

After a brief silence, the store erupted in a deafening burst of laughter!
"Hahahahahaha!"

"Minister, you're so funny!"

"We absolutely will not tell anyone! Absolutely not!"

"Don't worry, Minister! We're very tight-lipped!"

Everyone was thoroughly amused by Hiroshi Nohara's witty remark, which seemed to imply something was amiss.

That heartfelt joy filled this small late-night diner with an atmosphere of "happiness."

They knew that Hiroshi Nohara, the man hailed as a "cultural monster," was not only talented but also charming and warm-hearted.

Meanwhile, Mizukami Sho stood behind with his hands on his hips, watching everyone's fervent admiration for Hiroshi Nohara, a hint of reminiscence and nostalgia on his face.

He was just as popular when he was young!

PS: Keep asking for votes~
　I highly recommend my friend's new book with over 10,000 subscribers! It's amazing!

(End of this chapter)