I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 200: Tokyo TV's Reaction! Hiroshi Nohara's Arrangement! Mizukami Sho Falls into the Trap!
Unlike the warm, hazy atmosphere under the dim lights in the alleys of Shinjuku, the private club at the top of the Kirin Group headquarters building is like a cold palace suspended in the Tokyo night sky.

The enormous floor-to-ceiling windows sliced ​​the dazzling galaxy outside, composed of countless lights, into a series of silent and cold abstract paintings, reflected on the mirror-like obsidian floor, and also on the young and handsome faces inside the club, slightly flushed by alcohol and desire.

In the air, the crisp, fruity aroma of fine champagne mingled with various expensive perfumes, creating a luxurious and extravagant scent unique to high society.

Sato Tokugawa, the chairman of the Kirin Group, whose body was as large as a small mountain, was currently enjoying himself in a huge Italian leather sofa, with a look of satisfaction on his fat face after a hearty meal.

Surrounding him was a group of young men and women who revered him as the absolute center of attention, like stars surrounding the moon.

Without exception, they are all under Kirin Entertainment Agency and are currently the most popular idol stars in the Japanese entertainment industry.

Shunsuke Kamiki, the undisputed center of this group of idols, was kneeling elegantly beside Tokugawa Sato, carefully pouring him a glass of top-quality single malt whisky from Islay, Scotland.

On his handsome face, which was hailed as a "national treasure," hung a perfectly placed, humble yet affectionate smile.

"President Sato," his voice, smooth and magnetic like the finest silk, "was made possible by your strategic planning at the Tokyo Drama Awards, which allowed me to receive a Best Actor nomination. I am deeply grateful..."

"Alright, alright, stop with the nonsense." Sato Tokugawa waved his hand impatiently. He picked up his glass and downed the expensive whiskey in one gulp, as if drinking water. Only then did he turn his small, slit-like eyes, narrowed by his obesity, toward Kamiki Shunsuke.

"It's just a nomination, what's there to be happy about?" He hiccuped, his tone filled with an undeniable domineering air: "Let me tell you, this year's Best Actor is definitely yours, no one can take it away from you."

However, beneath this domineering promise, a subtle sense of unease crept into his heart.

Just then, a female secretary dressed in a business suit, looking shrewd and capable, walked in quickly with elegant steps.

She first bowed deeply to Sato Tokugawa, and then respectfully handed him a newly printed document.

"President, this is the latest news that just came from TV Tokyo."

Sato Tokugawa lazily took the document and glanced at it casually.

However, when his gaze fell upon those striking characters, his small, usually somewhat cloudy eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp, piercing light, like those of a hawk.

“Midnight Diner…a live-action TV series adapted from a manga?” he murmured to himself, a hint of seriousness in his voice.

The luxurious and extravagant atmosphere inside the clubhouse seemed to be instantly frozen by an invisible force.

All eyes instinctively turned to Sato Tokugawa, and a look of confusion appeared on each of his young and handsome faces.

"President, what's wrong?" Kamiki Shunsuke spoke first, his usually affectionate eyes now filled with concern for his lord: "Is...is something wrong?"

Sato Tokugawa did not answer. He simply tossed the document onto the coffee table. That casual gesture, however, was like dropping a bomb that could detonate the entire room.

Kamiki Shunsuke quickly picked up the document, his peach blossom eyes scanning the contents rapidly.

When he saw the keywords "Hiroshi Nohara", "heartwarming and healing", and "manga adaptation", his already handsome face instantly darkened.

"TV Tokyo... is going to make a heartwarming and healing drama?" A young male celebrity, also a popular idol, leaned over beside him. Looking at the contents of the document, a deep worry appeared on his usually sunny face: "And, it's being directed by Hiroshi Nohara himself? President, won't this... won't this affect our upcoming drama, 'South Island Afu and His Beloved Dog'?"

His words were immediately met with a chorus of agreement.

“Yes, President!” Even a female idol known for her pure and innocent image frowned at this moment, her pitiful appearance enough to move any man: “Our drama focuses on ‘warmth’ and ‘healing’, and now TV Tokyo is doing the same thing, isn’t that just… isn’t that just blatantly trying to compete with us?”

"Besides, that Hiroshi Nohara is currently the hottest producer in all of Japan! His film 'Hachiko Monogatari' is almost breaking 4 billion yen at the box office! If he also makes a heartwarming and healing drama, then... then our advantage will be completely gone, right?" Another male idol who takes the tough guy route couldn't hide his anxiety at this moment.

"Most importantly, I've heard that Hiroshi Nohara is particularly good at stirring up the audience's emotions! Every movie he makes makes people cry! Our movie, 'South Island A-Feng and His Beloved Dog,' is also very touching, but... but if we're going to compare with him in terms of tear-jerking, I... I always feel a little unsure!" A rising female idol, whose voice was tinged with barely perceptible timidity.

The club was filled with voices of worry and unease.

These idols, who usually shine brightly under the spotlight and are adored by countless fans, now seemed to have become ordinary people, their faces filled with fear and apprehension towards the man named "Hiroshi Nohara".

However, amidst this atmosphere of worry and unease, the three middle-aged men, who had been silent all along, suddenly exchanged glances and then simultaneously let out a disdainful chuckle.

These three were three senior second-level directors whom Sato Tokugawa had specially poached from major television stations across the country with high salaries.

They will be the absolute core of Tokyo City Television's future production capabilities, in order to compete with TV Tokyo.

"Everyone, aren't you... overestimating Nohara Hiroshi?"

The one who spoke was a director named Tanaka. He was slightly overweight and always had a friendly smile on his face, but his small eyes gleamed with a shrewdness that was completely inconsistent with his appearance.

"Adapting a comic into a live-action TV series is no easy task." He picked up his glass, took a small sip, and the confidence of a professional seemed to quiet the entire club. "Do you think comics and live-action TV series are the same thing? Let me tell you, they are completely different!"

“Director Tanaka is right!” Another director named Suzuki chimed in. He was thin, wore glasses, and looked refined, but his tone was unusually sharp: “The charm of manga lies in its ‘blank space.’ The author uses simple lines to outline a world, and what the characters in that world look like, what their tone of voice is like, what their surroundings smell like… all of this is left to the reader to create, to ‘fill in the blanks’ in their own mind! Every reader has their own ‘Midnight Diner’ in their heart!”

“But what about live-action dramas?” He pushed up his glasses, a worldly wisdom gleaming in his usually calm eyes: “Live-action dramas are ‘filling in the blanks’! They bring everything to life! The boss has to be this actor, his voice has to be this tone, that bowl of cat food has to taste this! They will replace the unique, imaginative world in the reader’s heart in an unquestionable, domineering way! Do you think those fans of the original work will buy it? They will only feel that their ‘sacred place’ has been defiled! Betrayed!”

"Director Suzuki's analogy is absolutely brilliant!" The last director, Watanabe, couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration. Tall and handsome, he had the air of a great warrior from ancient times: "It's like your dream lover, whom you've secretly admired for years, suddenly appears before you in a way you can't accept at all. That sense of disillusionment, that feeling of anger, is enough to instantly destroy all your previous affection!"

"Furthermore, don't forget, the reason the manga 'Midnight Diner' was so successful is because of its unique, down-to-earth atmosphere, and the mysterious owner." He paused, a disdainful smile playing on his lips. "That kind of atmosphere is very difficult to create through film. And the owner is even more difficult! Who do you cast? A handsome guy? Fans of the original work will say you've ruined the owner's mystery! An ugly guy? Casual viewers will find it disgusting! It's a paradoxical dilemma!"

"That's why I said you're all worrying too much," Director Tanaka concluded with a laugh. "That Hiroshi Nohara, he might be a genius at making sword-fighting films. He might be a master at making tearjerkers. But in the realm of live-action manga adaptations, he's nothing but a complete novice! This time, he's chosen the wrong track! He's doomed to fail!"

The three directors' professional analysis was like a timely shot in the arm, instantly calming the restless hearts of all the idol stars present.

"So this is ah!"

"After hearing what the three directors said, I feel more confident!"

"Yeah! We were almost scared off by the name of Hiroshi Nohara!"

"That's right! No matter how talented he is, he can't be a genius in every field!"

The worry and unease in the clubhouse were instantly replaced by a feeling of genuine relief and... schadenfreude.

Everyone looked at the three directors, who were speaking eloquently and confidently, their eyes filled with admiration and trust.

However, in this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, a slightly hoarse yet oppressive voice suddenly arose, like a biting cold wind blowing in the warm spring.

“You all underestimate him.” It was Sato Tokugawa who spoke.

He had put down his wine glass without anyone noticing. All the drunkenness and satisfaction had faded from his fat face, leaving only a chilling solemnity.

His small eyes were fixed intently on the document on the coffee table, as if he were looking at a mortal enemy who could bankrupt him.

"You think this is just a simple TV drama?" He sneered, his voice filled with seriousness. "You're wrong! This is not an artistic creation at all! This is... this is a naked... political attack launched by TV Tokyo against us, against the newly established Tokyo City Television!"

Every word he spoke struck the hearts of everyone present like a heavy hammer.

Inside the club, an eerie silence instantly descended.

Everyone stared blankly at Sato Tokugawa. All the ease and joy had faded from their faces, leaving only a perfect balance of "fear" and "cooperation".

"The president is right!" Kamiki Shunsuke was the first to react, his handsome face now filled with righteous indignation: "TV Tokyo, they are really going too far! Our Tokyo TV station has only just been established, and they can't wait to suppress us! It's simply... they don't take us seriously at all!"

“Yes, President!” The three directors echoed, exchanging glances and seeing the same unspoken understanding in each other’s eyes.

"However, President, you don't need to worry too much," Director Tanaka said with a smile, his confidence returning to his face. "Although TV Tokyo is powerful, we are not to be underestimated! Behind us stands the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Government! And you, along with several others, control the real estate conglomerate that governs the economic lifeline of Tokyo! In terms of financial resources, we are in no way inferior to them!"

“That’s right!” Director Suzuki echoed, a glint of ambition flashing in his usually calm eyes: “With enough funding, I’m confident I can create a work that’s even warmer, more healing, and more touching than Hiroshi Nohara’s ‘Midnight Diner’!”

"President, please have faith in us!" Director Watanabe said solemnly, his usually refined face now filled with unwavering confidence: "With the three of us joining forces, plus idol stars like Kamiki-kun who have huge popularity! We're going to win this battle!"

Sato Tokugawa listened to their grand pronouncements, but the seriousness on his face did not fade.

He let out a long breath, a breath that carried a hint of helplessness, a hint of frustration, and also a hint of deep apprehension towards the young man named Hiroshi Nohara.

"I hope so," he murmured to himself, then picked up his glass and downed the amber liquid in one gulp.

The spicy liquor slid down his throat, calming his agitated heart somewhat.

He cast his gaze upon everyone present, his small eyes filled with an unquestionable command.

"Do you have confidence in the drama 'South Island Ah Feng and His Beloved Dog'?"

"Have!"

The three directors responded in unison, their voices filled with fighting spirit and passion.

"We will definitely do our best!"

Kamiki Shunsuke echoed, his handsome face now filled with undeniable confidence: "Please believe me, President! My acting skills are enough to make all the young girls in Japan fall for me! They will cry, they will laugh, and they will give all their passion and...tears for Afu and his beloved dog!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

Inside the club, another burst of unspoken laughter erupted!
Everyone knows that Shunsuke Kamiki was right.

In this appearance-obsessed era, good looks are everything!

Looking at their confident expressions, Sato Tokugawa's serious expression finally eased a bit.

He nodded, and the domineering air of a superior returned to his face.

“Very good.” He spoke in a deep voice, his tone calm yet full of power: “You must remember, this filming is not just an ordinary TV series. It is more about the re-election campaign of Mr. Tanaka Mikami, the mayor of Tokyo!”

"Therefore, you must all be on your toes! Success is the only option; failure is not an option! We must use this drama to achieve a resounding victory! Let everyone see the strength of Tokyo TV! Let those guys at Tokyo TV know who the true king of this greater Tokyo metropolitan area is!"

"Hi!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices filled with fighting spirit and passion.

However, amidst this atmosphere of excitement and fervor, the usually composed director Watanabe suddenly spoke up, asking a question that drew the attention of everyone present.

"President, I heard that the newly established Tokyo TV station has reserved a position for you as the deputy director of the production department? I wonder, who do you plan to give this position to?"

The moment he finished speaking, the excited atmosphere in the club instantly froze.

At that moment, both Director Tanaka and Director Suzuki seemed to freeze in their breath.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing in each other's eyes an barely suppressed longing and... a hint of hostility.

They knew that this position was more than just a job title.

It also represents the future power of Tokyo TV!
Sato Tokugawa looked at their expectant faces and gave them a meaningful smile.

However, deep in his heart, the frustration that had just been suppressed surged back like a tidal wave.

He thought of that young man who both impressed and angered him, his distant nephew, Kenji Sato, who shared the same blood but was completely out of place with him.

If that kid could take that position, with his abilities and my control, the entire production department of Tokyo TV would fall into Sato Tokugawa's hands!
At that time, whether it's advertising their own real estate projects or campaigning for Mayor Tanaka's election, it will become a piece of cake!
But... that kid actually... actually rejected him!
He actually gave up such a tremendous opportunity in order to stay at TV Tokyo and follow that country bumpkin named Hiroshi Nohara!
This "betrayal" ignited a raging fire of anger in Sato Tokugawa's heart.

However, he did not show his anger on his face.

He merely glanced at the three directors, who sat upright with expectant expressions on their faces, and a playful smile curved his lips.

"This position isn't urgent," he said softly, his tone calm yet full of strength. "It all comes down to who performs the best this time."

"boom--!"

This sentence was like the most precise stimulant, instantly igniting the flame of "ambition" in the hearts of the three directors!

"President! Please rest assured!" Director Tanaka was the first to speak up. His face, which always wore a warm smile, was now filled with undeniable confidence: "This time, for 'South Island A-Feng and His Beloved Dog,' I will definitely give it my all! I guarantee it will be the most heartwarming, most healing, and most successful drama of the year!"

"President! I personally penned the script for this drama, polishing it for three whole months!" Director Suzuki chimed in, a glint of fervor flashing in his usually calm eyes. "We referenced Hiroshi Nohara's 'Hachiko Monogatari,' perfectly weaving the core elements of 'loyalty' and 'protection' into our story! We'll not only ride the wave of 'Hachiko Monogatari,' but we'll also surpass it with our own story!"

"And, President!" Director Watanabe said excitedly, his usually refined face now filled with confidence: "We also have idol stars like Kamiki-kun, who have incredibly high looks! Their faces are the biggest guarantee for the ratings of this drama! I believe that as long as they are there, this drama will absolutely not fail!"

As Sato Tokugawa listened to their pledges of loyalty, the annoyance on his face was finally replaced by a heartfelt satisfaction. He knew that these three men would fight tooth and nail for that deputy director position.

All he needs to do is sit back and reap the benefits.

“Very good.” He nodded, and the domineering air of a superior returned to his face: “I’ll be waiting to hear your good news.”

The clubhouse was once again filled with a joyous atmosphere.

Everyone knows that a new war is about to begin.

A “war” about money, power, and… glory!
And they will personally participate in and witness the final outcome of this "war"!

……

The following morning, as the first rays of dawn pierced the thin layer of mist over Tokyo, like the sharpest blade, they awakened this sleeping behemoth.

A war without gunfire has quietly begun in the newsstands and convenience stores scattered throughout the city.

The freshly printed newspapers, still smelling of ink, were placed on the shelves one by one, and their front pages were almost invariably occupied by the same name and the same project.

The Tokyo Daily's culture section featured a headline that read almost like a battle report, striking and brimming with tension: "[Midnight Diner to be Adapted into Live-Action! Hiroshi Nohara Unleashes Another Surprising Move, TV Tokyo Draws Its Sword, Targeting Its New Rival!]"

"As TV Tokyo, in partnership with Kirin Entertainment, announced the launch of the heartwarming and healing drama project 'Nanto Afu and His Beloved Dog,' aiming to grab a share of the drama market, TV Tokyo's 'cultural monster,' Hiroshi Nohara, swiftly responded late last night. His manga 'Midnight Diner,' highly acclaimed among urban white-collar workers, will officially launch a live-action drama adaptation plan. Industry analysts point out that this move is undoubtedly a precise and forceful 'baptism of fire' by TV Tokyo against emerging challengers. Nohara's strategic intention in playing his most 'healing' trump card at this time is self-evident. A ratings war revolving around 'heartwarming' and 'healing' themes has begun. However, live-action manga adaptations are notoriously difficult to adapt, and whether Nohara can continue his undefeated streak remains to be seen."

Compared to the Tokyo Daily's straightforward commercial perspective, the Yomiuri Shimbun's editorial is more in-depth and filled with professional caution: [From Yamishiba to Midnight Diner: Hiroshi Nohara's gamble on the "dimensional wall"—is it the confidence of a genius or the arrogance of a novice?]

"It must be clearly stated that adapting *Midnight Diner* into a live-action series and the hugely successful *Yamishibai* anime adaptation from last year are two completely different concepts. The success of *Yamishibai* lies in its skillful preservation of the original 'paper theater' feel of the manga; it's more like a 'moving comic,' a dubbing and translation of the original manga manuscript, rather than a true 'adaptation.' Furthermore, since the original manga wasn't released beforehand and didn't have a pre-existing readership, the barrier to entry for viewers was extremely low. *Midnight Diner*, however, is entirely different. It boasts millions of loyal readers, each with their own personal image filled with imagination and emotion." A projection of "Midnight Diner." A live-action adaptation means filling in and defining this imagined space with a specific actor and a fixed setting. For fans of the original work, this is tantamount to a "judgment of faith." What angle should the scar on the owner's face be? How should the bonito flakes on the cat food float? These details, if handled improperly, will trigger a deluge of criticism. Hiroshi Nohara has undoubtedly chosen the most difficult and dangerous path this time. Is this due to the absolute confidence of a genius, or the arrogance of an invincible figure facing a new field? The market will provide the final answer.

The cultural commentary section of the Asahi Shimbun takes a broader perspective, exploring the underlying socio-cultural phenomena: [“Healing” Consumption: As “Midnight Diner” moves from print to television, can it still capture the loneliness of urban dwellers?]

"The essence of *Midnight Diner* is not selling food, but rather a remedy for 'loneliness.' It provides a virtual 'spiritual sanctuary' for modern people who are exhausted from their busy lives in the concrete jungle. This success is rooted in the unique privacy and imaginative space inherent in the medium of comics. However, when this private experience is transformed into a mainstream television drama, will its core be altered? The inherent nature of television requires it to reach a wider audience and to have more explicit dramatic conflict. Will this dilute the unique charm of the original work, which finds true meaning in the mundane? We have reason to remain cautiously optimistic, after all, the helmsman is Hiroshi Nohara. But we also have reason to worry: when 'healing' becomes a commodity that can be mass-produced and consumed, how much of its original purity and sincerity will remain?"

The most professional film review magazine, *Eiga Junpo*, directly pointed the finger at the most crucial and fatal problem in the adaptation: "Who can become the 'boss'? The Achilles' heel of the live-action adaptation of *Midnight Diner*."

"Casting will be crucial to the success of the live-action adaptation of 'Midnight Diner,' especially the pivotal character of the 'owner.' He must be a complex contradiction: a scar on his face representing his past, yet his eyes hold a gentle wisdom that sees through the world; he is taciturn, yet can precisely soothe hearts with a dish or a single sentence. He is a symbol, an emblem, a 'ferryman' embodying the fantasies of all urban dwellers. Such an actor is extremely rare in the entire Japanese entertainment industry. Casting a well-known actor might create a conflict between their established image and the role; can a newcomer carry the entire show's atmosphere? Hiroshi Nohara has demonstrated a unique eye for casting in his past works, but this time, he faces the most severe test of his career. This is not just about choosing an actor, but about finding a realistic projection of the dreams of countless readers. This may be Hiroshi Nohara's biggest gamble to date."

For a time, the entire Japanese media was caught in a complex mix of anticipation, caution, doubt, and debate because of the live-action adaptation of "Midnight Diner."

However, when these words, filled with technical jargon and rational analysis, settle into the capillaries of the city, the chemical reactions they trigger are quite different.

In the early morning, on the crowded Yamanote Line, the carriages swayed slightly with the rhythm of the rails, like a huge cradle filled with weariness and dreams.

"Xiaoya! Xiaoya! Look at this morning's newspaper!" A young woman in a business suit, who looked like she had just started working, excitedly shook the arm of her colleague beside her. Her eyes, which looked a little tired from lack of sleep, were now sparkling with excitement.

"What's wrong, Meixue? Why are you so excited so early in the morning?" The girl called Xiaoya yawned and looked up from her phone screen, which was displaying the idol drama she had stayed up all night watching.

"Midnight Diner! It's Midnight Diner! Nohara-sama is going to make his manga into a live-action TV series!" Miyuki pressed the newspaper in her hand almost against her companion's face.

"What?!" Xiaoya's sleepiness vanished instantly. She snatched the newspaper, her bright eyes lighting up the moment she saw that familiar name: "Really?! Wow—! That's great! I've been dreaming of seeing a moving 'boss'!"

"Right! Right!" Miyuki nodded excitedly. "Let me tell you, I worked overtime until 11 p.m. last night, and I was starving on my way home. I was thinking how great it would be if there really was a 'Midnight Diner'! And then I saw this news today! It's like my wish came true!"

"You...you think who will play the boss?" A girlish longing appeared on Xiaoya's face: "I think that guy...that actor who acts in Taiga dramas, Hiroshi Kawakami, would be perfect! He's tall and has a great look!"

"Hiroshi Kawakami? No way, he's too handsome. He'd be too eye-catching as the boss." Miyuki immediately retorted, "I think that guy who acts in gangster movies, Kazunori Endo, is pretty good! His fierce expression and the scar on the boss's face are a perfect match! But he's so gentle when he smiles!"

"Oh well, it doesn't matter who's in it! As long as it's directed by Captain Nohara, it's guaranteed to be good!"

"That's right! That's right! I can't wait! I really want to see it! I really want to see it!"

The two girls' chattering voices, like two happy larks, added a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise dull commute.

Meanwhile, on the lawn of another university campus during lunch break, several boys sat together, eating bento boxes bought from a convenience store while discussing something with equal enthusiasm.

"Hey, have you guys seen it? They're making a live-action version of 'Midnight Diner'!" a boy wearing a baseball cap said while picking at his fried noodles.

"Of course I've seen it! I've been a die-hard fan since the first volume!" A bespectacled boy next to him pushed up his glasses, his usually calm eyes now sparkling with excitement: "I'm just curious, what would all those dishes in the manga look like in real life? That thick omelet, that cat rice, and those three sisters with ochazuke... Oh my god, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!"

“I’m more concerned about who will play the supporting roles.” Another boy, who looked somewhat artistic, said thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand. “Especially the gangster boss Ah Long and the stripper Marilyn. If these two roles aren’t chosen well, the whole feel of the show will be completely changed.”

"What's there to be afraid of! The director is Hiroshi Nohara!" The boy in the baseball cap waved his hand dismissively. "He can bring those seven distinct samurai in 'Seven Samurai' to life, so why would he be afraid of handling a few minor characters? Just relax and wait to see this masterpiece!"

"That's true! Hahaha! I'm already looking forward to it! I hope it gets done quickly!"

In the world of young people, there are not so many worries about the "dimensional barrier" or so many calculations about "business games".

They only knew that their favorite works were about to appear before them in a completely new and more vibrant way.

This pure expectation is itself a force powerful enough to shake the world.

……

This power naturally transcended geographical barriers and reached every corner of the Japanese archipelago.

Sapporo TV Station, Hokkaido.

The atmosphere in President Taro Yamashita's office was far less relaxed than that of the young people in Tokyo.

An emergency teleconference covering all local television stations in Japan is underway.

"Everyone, I'm sure you all saw the news this morning." Taro Yamashita's voice, transmitted through the speakerphone, echoed in the ears of every attendee. Beneath his rugged northern accent, however, lay a subtle hint of seriousness: "Hiroshi Nohara of TV Tokyo is going to adapt his manga 'Midnight Diner' into a live-action drama. What are your thoughts on this?"

"Opinion? Hahahaha! What opinion could I possibly have? I'm practically bursting out laughing!" On the other end of the phone came Kenichi Sato, president of Kinki Television, his laughter filled with schadenfreude: "That Hiroshi Nohara, he's still too young! He thinks he's some kind of omnipotent god just because he's made a few successful works? Adapting manga into live-action dramas—that's a minefield even Hollywood directors can't handle! And he dared to touch it? He's practically courting death!"

“Sato-kun, you can’t say that.” Watanabe Osamu, president of Chubu Television, spoke with his usual caution: “Nohara Hiroshi is no ordinary person. Didn’t he succeed in every single one of his previous ‘adventures’?”

“That’s different!” Kenichi Sato immediately retorted, “Before is before! This time is this time! I bet here and now that his ‘Midnight Diner’ will absolutely flop! And it will flop terribly! Then let’s see how he continues his ‘undefeated myth’!”

“I do think there’s some truth to what Sato-kun said.” Koji Tanaka, president of the Kyushu local television station, spoke slowly, his voice carrying a gentle tone typical of the South, but the content was unusually sharp: “However, what I’m more concerned about is TV Tokyo’s motivation for launching this drama at this time.”

"Motive?" Everyone was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

"That's right, the motive." Koji Tanaka's voice became serious. "Don't forget, just a few days ago, the newly established Tokyo TV announced a collaboration with the Kirin Group to produce a similarly heartwarming and healing drama called 'South Island Afu and His Beloved Dog.' Now, Tokyo TV immediately comes up with 'Midnight Diner' to compete with it. Do you think this is a coincidence?"

"This...this is no coincidence! This is blatant suppression!" Ichiro Suzuki, president of Tohoku Television, slammed his fist on the table, his voice filled with righteous indignation: "Tokyo Television can't stand to see others do well! Tokyo City Television has only just been established, and they can't wait to strangle this newcomer! It's simply...utterly domineering!"

"Yes! Yes!" Matsumoto, the president of the Shikoku branch, chimed in, "They're clearly trying to monopolize the entire Kanto region's television drama market!"

The conference call was instantly filled with various condemnations and criticisms of TV Tokyo.

These local TV station bosses, who usually act independently and even compete with each other, showed unprecedented unity when facing TV Tokyo, their common "enemy."

"Everyone, everyone, please calm down."

Just then, Taro Yamashita, the president of Hokkaido Television who had been silent all along, spoke up again.

His voice, like the cold wind of the North, instantly cooled down the heated atmosphere in the conference room.

“We’ve been experiencing TV Tokyo’s arrogance for a while now.” He spoke slowly, his composure as a veteran causing everyone to fall silent. “Since last year, which of us hasn’t been utterly defeated by that Hiroshi Nohara and his monsters? What’s the point of complaining now?”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the vast snowfield outside the window, a hunter's decisiveness gleaming in his cloudy eyes.

"I think this might be an opportunity for us."

"An opportunity?" Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned once again.

“That’s right, an opportunity.” Taro Yamashita’s lips curled into a meaningful smile. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Now, isn’t Tokyo TV, this emerging force with its own powerful background and financial strength, exactly the kind of entity we can win over?”

He paused, his tone becoming even more meaningful: "We can contact them and engage in in-depth cooperation. We can provide them with our local TV station's broadcast channels, and we can provide them with our local production resources. We can even form an alliance with them at this year's Tokyo Drama Awards!"

"We want to let TV Tokyo, and that arrogant Hiroshi Nohara, know that he will be facing not just a Tokyo city television station, but... our entire alliance of local television media in Japan!"

"We will end his fearsome, undefeated myth with a complete and utter defeat!"

Taro Yamashita's words were resounding and powerful; every word struck the heart of everyone present like the most precise war drum.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.

Immediately afterwards, a deafening chorus of agreement erupted!

"Good! Yamashita-kun is right!"

"That's right! We local TV stations should unite!"

"It's time to teach those guys at TV Tokyo a lesson!"

"Ending Hiroshi Nohara's undefeated myth! I love this idea! Hahahaha!"

A massive storm is quietly gathering over the Japanese archipelago, targeting Hiroshi Nohara and TV Tokyo.

At the eye of the storm, the young man named Hiroshi Nohara was simply sitting calmly in that small shop filled with the warmth of everyday life, quietly eating a bowl of the most ordinary ochazuke (rice with tea).

It's 6:40 PM now, not yet the late-night diner's opening time, so there aren't many people in the restaurant.

However, Mizukami Sho still personally cooked this bowl of ochazuke (rice with tea).

Watching Hiroshi Nohara eat, he brought over a plate of octopus sausage with cabbage from the kitchen next door and placed it in front of Hiroshi Nohara. He bowed deeply in gratitude and said, "Thank you, Mr. Hiroshi Nohara! Thank you for your help, which allowed my daughter to get into such a good school! Thank you so much!"

Earlier today, someone contacted Mizukami Sho, asking him to bring his daughter to school for registration.

Shui Shangxiang was initially quite apprehensive.

However, after taking his daughter there, he completed all the enrollment procedures in less than two hours, successfully making his daughter a student at this excellent middle school.

This unexpected surprise still feels like a dream to him now!

Because Mizukami Sho knew very well that although his daughter was an excellent student, they didn't have a house in the school district, no gifts to impress the school, and he didn't have much money.

I want my daughter to attend this school.

For my past self...

That's just wishful thinking!

Now, however, it was resolved with just a single sentence from Hiroshi Nohara, a young man who was only twenty-four years old.

This already made Mizukami Sho incredibly grateful.

"No need to thank me, Mr. Mizukami Sho." Hiroshi Nohara looked up at Mizukami Sho, who was almost identical to Kaoru Kobayashi from his previous life, and smiled. "Just remember to report to my film crew tomorrow."

"Hi! Minister!" Mizukami Shoya smiled and bowed again at a ninety-degree angle. Although his feelings were complicated, he was also eager to try.

After all, he had actually ventured into the film and television industry when he was younger.

Just failed.

Now that he hasn't acted in nearly twenty years, thinking about the passion he had when he was young and the dreams he never realized, he becomes even more excited.

After all, in Japan these days, who doesn't know the name Hiroshi Nohara? It's synonymous with high viewership ratings and box office success!

He's like a god!
P.S.: I was out today and something came up, I just finished typing...

(End of this chapter)