I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 207: A Sensation! The Sensation of "Midnight Diner"!

Meanwhile, at another izakaya in Shinjuku, film critics' late-night drinking party began again.

"cheers!"

The chilled beer mugs collided heavily in mid-air.

"Let me tell you, I've already made up my mind!" Ono downed the golden liquid in his glass in one gulp, wiped the foam from the corner of his mouth, and his young face was now filled with an undeniable determination: "Tomorrow, I will return the 'advertising fee' that Tokyo TV gave me to them in full!"

"What?! Go back?!" Mikami was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. He looked at Ono with surprise in his eyes.

“That’s right! Go back!” Ono nodded heavily, a raging fire burning in his bright eyes: “Although I, Ono, am not a big shot, I know what true ‘art’ is, what true ‘healing’ is! I absolutely will not allow my pen to sing praises to those garbage piled up with capital!”

"Well said!" Suzuki slammed his hand on the table, his usually refined face now filled with righteous indignation. "Ono is right! We writers should have our own bottom line! What kind of garbage was that 'South Island Afeng and His Beloved Dog'?! It's an insult to the intelligence of all of us viewers! Tomorrow, I'm returning the money! I'm also going to write a 10,000-word scathing critique of that drama from beginning to end, leaving it utterly humiliated!"

"That's right! Count me in!"

"I'll retreat too!"

"It's time to let those capitalists who only know how to throw money around know that we writers are not to be trifled with!"

The izakaya was instantly filled with all sorts of passionate discussions.

Everyone was infected by Ono's passion, and their eyes shone with an indomitable fighting spirit.

However, in this atmosphere filled with idealism, Kimura, who had been silent all along, suddenly chuckled softly.

“You lads…” He slowly finished the last sip of beer in his glass, a kind of worldly wisdom gleaming in his cloudy eyes: “You’re still too young.”

He paused, then placed the empty wine glass heavily on the table.

"No need to refund the money."

"There's no need to write a proclamation."

"It's a fact that Shunsuke Kamiki's TV series is destined to be no match for Hiroshi Nohara's 'Midnight Diner'."

"So we don't need to continue offending Tokyo TV. What's wrong with praising them a few times? We're not praising the plot of the drama, but the visuals, the characters, and the faces of the idols that the audience likes."

"After all, we all need to eat and support our families, and even if we wanted to write chapters that were detrimental to the Tokyo TV drama, the newspaper wouldn't agree."

"Why not try a different strategy using some underhanded tactics? After all, those idol celebrities are really good-looking, aren't they?"

Kimura finished speaking with a smile.

Then everyone raised their eyebrows, their eyes flickered, and finally they raised their glasses, laughing loudly as they toasted.

……

The next day, when Tokyo, this never-sleeping behemoth, opened its sleepy eyes again in the dim morning light, the melancholy and idealistic struggles of the late-night drinking party, like bubbles after the tide receded, were ruthlessly shattered on the beach by a new wave that was noisier and more realistic.

Newspapers, their ink still fresh, flew into every corner of the city like snowflakes.

The most prominent and expensive pages in newsstands and convenience stores are occupied by carefully groomed handsome faces.

The entertainment front page of Weekly Star Tide used an almost fanatical fan tone, with the headline in striking pink artistic font:

A visual feast, a victory for good looks! The premiere of Shunsuke Kamiki's "South Island Afu and His Beloved Dog" has sparked another wave of admiration for his sculpted profile!

Last night, the heartwarming and healing drama "Nan Dao A Feng and His Beloved Dog", produced by Tokyo TV and supported by Kirin Group Talent Agency, officially unveiled its mystery.

Popular idol Shunsuke Kamiki, with his impeccable "national treasure" level good looks, has once again proven to the world what true "visual justice" is.

In the drama, he plays A Feng, a young man chasing his dreams. Whether he is running on the beach in a simple white shirt or busy in the kitchen in an elegant chef's uniform, every shot of him is like a meticulously calculated fashion blockbuster.

Renowned fashion critic Yukiko Yamamoto praised him, saying, "Kamiki-kun's face is a perfect work of art in itself. He doesn't need many words; just a glance, a profile, is enough to convey all the stories. His dedication in losing ten pounds for a role shows us an idol actor's ultimate pursuit of art."

……

The magazine "Urban Style" focused on the costumes, makeup, and props in the drama, its words filled with praise for the power of capital:

From Givenchy to Armani, *South Island Wind* defines a new generation of urban aesthetics, with Shunsuke Kamiki leading the trend!

"Rather than calling 'South Island Afeng and His Beloved Dog' a TV series, it's more like a flowing, luxurious fashion show."

The costumes worn by the lead actor, Shunsuke Kamiki, and a host of supporting idols were almost entirely sponsored by top international brands. Their sophistication is enough to make any TV series that uses fashion as its selling point pale in comparison.

Veteran stylist Junben also commented: "The styling in this drama will undoubtedly become a trendsetter for this fall and winter. It successfully blends the natural charm of the southern islands with the modern minimalism of Tokyo. Every outfit worn by Shunsuke Kamiki in the drama is a textbook example of a boyfriend's perfect look."

……

Even some seemingly objective general newspapers use carefully crafted, flattering language in their entertainment sections.

"...The production quality of this drama is excellent, the visuals are beautiful, and the soundtrack is moving. In particular, the heartwarming interaction between Shunsuke Kamiki and the Akita dog, which transcends species, injects a warm current into this somewhat cold city. We have reason to believe that this drama will become the most anticipated family-friendly work this summer."

The text is full of praise for the visuals, the actors' appearances, and the costumes, but it tacitly avoids discussing the core issues such as the logic of the plot, the character development, and the depth of the acting.

This media extravaganza, built with money, appears so lively and so impeccable.

However, when these carefully crafted words settle into the true pulse of the city, the chemical reaction they trigger seems so pale and powerless.

At 7:30 a.m., the Yamanote Line was packed like sardines in a can.

"Sasaki, did you watch it last night? That new drama on Tokyo TV, the one starring Shunsuke Kamiki." A bespectacled, seemingly refined young employee asked his drowsy colleague beside him while struggling to grip the overhead handrail.

"I saw it, of course I saw it." The man called Sasaki yawned, his face, slightly haggard from lack of sleep, filled with despair: "My wife is a die-hard fan of Kamiki Shunsuke, and she dragged me to watch it with her last night. To be honest, if it weren't for the sake of family harmony, I probably would have fallen asleep halfway through."

"Haha, is it really that bad?"

"It's not that it's ugly, it's just... fake." Sasaki curled his lip, his voice full of disdain: "The plot is as clichéd as a Korean drama from twenty years ago, a country boy comes to Tokyo to pursue his dreams, then suffers all kinds of scorn, and finally gets healed by a stray dog. Tell me, what era are we living in, still making this kind of thing?"

"What about Shunsuke Kamiki? I heard he lost ten pounds specifically for this role, and the newspapers are praising him to the skies."

"Lose ten pounds? I think he put on ten pounds of foundation!" Sato sneered. "From head to toe, his hairstyle was perfect, each piece of clothing was more expensive than the last, and the expression on his face was like he was wearing a mask. Besides being handsome, I couldn't see anything else. I even think that Akita Inu's acting was more nuanced than his."

"Pfft—if your wife heard you say that, you'd probably have to fend for yourself for dinner tonight."

"What's there to be afraid of!" Sasaki waved his hand dismissively. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and his usually tired eyes lit up instantly. "But speaking of which, Tanaka, have you seen it? That 'Midnight Diner' on TV Tokyo! I secretly changed the channel after my wife fell asleep, and... and once I started watching, I couldn't stop!"

"Oh? It's adapted from that comic? How was it? Was it good?"

"It's more than just good-looking! It's practically... addictive!" Sato exclaimed excitedly in a low voice, his heartfelt praise a stark contrast to his earlier dejected expression. "Let me tell you, that show is like going to a roadside stall for a drink after get off work. There's no grand philosophy involved, but it's just... comfortable and soothing! Watching that scarred boss cook the simplest home-style dishes for those equally exhausted office workers, I... I, a grown man, almost cried."

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

“It’s not an exaggeration at all!” Sato nodded heavily, looking out the window at the rapidly receding city street scene, his eyes filled with longing: “After watching it last night, I had only one thought—I really fucking want to go to that shop and have a drink.”

……

It was noon in the cafeteria of a private university.

"Misaki! Misaki! Come and try this I made! The same thick omelet as in 'Midnight Diner'!" A girl dressed in a Lolita-style dress proudly pushed her slightly burnt and crookedly shaped thick omelet from her plate in front of her best friend, who was also dressed like a doll.

"Wow! Really?! Where did you learn that?" The girl called Misaki's eyes lit up instantly.

"Where else can I learn from? Of course, from the TV series I watched last night and the comics I read before!" The girl puffed out her chest confidently, her pride as if she were the highly skilled "boss" herself: "Let me tell you, after watching the first episode last night, I immediately rushed into the kitchen and used up all the eggs in my mom's fridge! Although I failed several times, in the end, I finally managed to make something that looked decent!"

"Amazing! Amazing!" Misaki exclaimed sincerely. She carefully picked up a small piece and put it in her mouth. The complex taste, full of "caramelized aroma" and "eggy smell," made her cute little face scrunch up instantly.

"How is it? How is it? Isn't it just like on TV, full of 'healing' vibes?" the girl asked expectantly.

"Hmm...hmm! It's full of...full of the taste of 'depressing'." Misaki swallowed the omelet with difficulty, and then revealed a smile that was uglier than crying.

"Hahahahahaha!"

Upon hearing this, several classmates who were also discussing "Midnight Diner" couldn't help but let out good-natured laughter.

"But speaking of which," a boy wearing a baseball cap joined in, looking at the two girls with curiosity in his eyes, "didn't you two watch 'South Island A-Feng and His Beloved Dog' on Tokyo TV last night? I heard that Kamiki Shunsuke is so handsome in it! A lot of girls in our class are going crazy for him!"

"Shunsuke Kamiki?" Upon hearing this, the two girls exchanged a glance, and then simultaneously revealed an expression full of disdain.

"He is handsome, but... he's a bit greasy." Misaki curled her lips, her voice carrying a hint of the most direct disdain of a young person: "Besides, don't you think that when he acts, he always has a 'look how handsome I am' expression? It makes me... I'm almost cringing."

“That’s right! That’s right!” another girl chimed in, “I still prefer the taciturn, scarred, yet incredibly gentle owner of the Midnight Diner! That’s a real man! That mature charm, full of stories, is simply… a deadly poison!”

"Yes! Yes! I dreamt about him last night! I dreamt that he made me a bowl of steaming hot cat food!"

Wow! You're so lucky!

……

This spontaneous, vibrant discussion, like a silent spring rain, gently permeated every corner of the city.

And those authoritative media outlets that truly guide public opinion finally abandoned all restraint and calculation in the face of this overwhelming public sentiment, and voiced their most authentic opinions.

The Asahi Shimbun's social observation section, departing from its usual serious tone, published an article titled "A Bowl of Tea-Soaked Rice Comforts the Loneliness of a City" in an almost prose-like style.

"...Last night, when the opening theme of 'Midnight Diner' played, we may not have realized that a brand new 'urban allegory' was quietly being born. It has no grand narrative, no intense conflict; it simply focuses the lens on the most ordinary souls who, even in the dead of night, cannot find sleep. It tells us that no matter if you are a yakuza boss or a down-on-your-luck singer, no matter if you face a crossroads in life or an emotional dead end, there is always a light shining for you. There is always a bowl of rice waiting for you to come home. This seemingly simple comfort is so precious, and so...luxurious, in this increasingly atomized modern society. Hiroshi Nohara, this young 'cultural monster,' once again used his eyes, which seem to see through people's hearts, to accurately diagnose the pulse of our era. What he prescribed was the gentlest, and most effective...remedy."

Even the Japanese business newspaper, Neon Business News, which usually focuses solely on the economy and industry, unusually devoted a large section of its cultural industry observation column to reporting on this TV series.

From the "Akita Inu Economy" to the "Midnight Diner Effect": How is Hiroshi Nohara Reshaping the Cultural Industry Landscape with "Emotional Consumption"?

"...If the success of *Hachiko Monogatari* was Hiroshi Nohara's modern packaging and remarketing of the traditional emotions of 'loyalty' and 'protection,' then the popularity of *Midnight Diner* is his more precise commercial monetization of the more universal and intimate modern urban emotions of 'loneliness' and 'healing.' He didn't just create a TV series; he created an infinitely expandable 'IP ecosystem' brimming with commercial potential. From the TV series' ratings to the manga's sales, from the downloads of the opening theme song to the 'pilgrimage' crowds to physical stores...every link forms a perfect commercial loop. He proved to us that the most brilliant business is not selling goods, but...selling emotions. And he is undoubtedly the master of this era who best understands how to sell emotions."

This overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt praise stands in stark and ironic contrast to the lavish, money-laden press releases of the previous day.

Everyone knew that the battle had already been decided on the very first day. Hiroshi Nohara, this young "cultural monster," didn't even need to personally intervene; he had already used his unparalleled talent to utterly crush his seemingly formidable newcomer into dust!

……

TV Tokyo, Production Department.

In the huge office area of ​​Nohara Independent Production Department, which seemed to have been injected with some kind of stimulant, the air was as thick as solidified honey, and every particle suspended in the dust seemed to carry a heavy expectation and anxiety.

The clock hands are steadily moving towards the crucial point of 9:50 PM.

It was a line, an invisible line that could divide heaven and hell, glory and silence.

"I was wondering... why haven't we heard anything yet?"

Takeshi Yamamoto, the head of the drama production department who is now second only to Hiroshi Nohara in the independent production department, looked like a student waiting for the results of the college entrance examination for the first time. His face, which always carried a bit of arrogance, was full of unease.

He would pick up the phone on the table from time to time, then put it down again, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the dial, making a soft "tap-tap" sound, like the beat of a heartbeat.

"Yeah...this is way too slow!"

Sitting opposite him, Kenji Sato was so nervous that his palms were sweating profusely.

His eyes, which were always filled with weariness, were now fixed on the huge television on the wall, as if he wanted to use his mental power to glare the number that would determine their fate out of the screen.

"Can't you two learn from the minister and calm down a bit?"

Kitagawa Yao walked over with two cups of hot tea. She gently placed the cups in front of the two of them. Her pretty face, which was always full of vitality, now carried a touch of the composure of someone who had been through it all.

Although her hands, trembling slightly with excitement, had already betrayed the same tension deep within her heart.

"Calm down? How can I stay calm!" Yamamoto Takeshi rolled his eyes at her, pointing to the young man who had been sitting quietly on the central sofa the whole time, even having the leisure to flip through a comic book. His voice was filled with sincere admiration and... a hint of jealousy: "Look at the captain! Does he look like someone about to go to war? I feel like he's more relaxed than us who are waiting to see the results."

“Exactly! Exactly!” Kenji Sato echoed, looking at Hiroshi Nohara with the eyes of someone looking at a real monster: “I even suspect that if tomorrow’s newspaper says that the minister is actually an alien, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.”

"Hahahahahaha!"

A burst of unspoken laughter erupted in the office!
However, in this tense and expectant atmosphere, the heavy glass door of the office was suddenly pushed open with a "bang"!
"Here it comes! Here it comes! The ratings are out!"

A young employee in charge of data statistics was standing panting at the door, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement and elation.

He waved a document in his hand, still warm from being ejected from the fax machine.

"Wow--"

Almost at the same time, everyone in the office suddenly stood up from their seats!
Those young and energetic faces were all filled with the same expectation!

"Quick! Tell me! How much?!" Yamamoto Takeshi was the first to rush forward, his voice hoarse with excitement.

The young employee took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the elation in his heart, and then, in an almost reverent tone, slowly uttered that number that was enough to drive anyone crazy.

"Midnight Diner premiere ratings—"

He paused, as if making the grandest preparations for the miracle that was about to happen.

"18.9%!"

"boom--!"

This number was like a perfectly timed nuclear bomb, instantly exploding throughout the entire office!
"what?!"

"18.9%?! You...you didn't read that wrong, did you?!"

"My God! This...how is this possible?! This is the second prime time slot at 9 PM!"

"I...I'm not dreaming, am I?!"

After a brief silence, the office erupted into a huge uproar and revelry!
Everyone was so excited they were incoherent. They cheered, jumped for joy, and hugged each other. Their ecstasy was so great it almost lifted the ceiling off the entire office!
"18.9%! 18.9%!" Yamamoto Takeshi excitedly paced around his office twice before rushing to Nohara Hiroshi. His usually arrogant face was now filled with barely suppressed elation: "Minister! You...you've created another miracle! A miracle that will shake the entire Japanese television industry!"

"Yes, Minister!" Kenji Sato's usually tired face was flushed, and his voice trembled slightly. "Normally, for the 9 PM primetime slot, a 10% viewership rating is considered quite good! But we... we actually reached 18.9%! Almost... almost broke 20%! This... this is practically the level of the 8 PM primetime slot!"

"What do you mean by 'prime time slot level'?" Kitagawa Yao puffed out her chest confidently, her pride making her stand out. "Let me tell you! This time, we didn't just break the prime time slot record! We broke the prime time slot record in one fell swoop!"

"Huh?!" Everyone was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

"Look!" Kitagawa Yao said, picking up the report and pointing to one column, a bright smile spreading across her face: "Tonight at 8 pm, during prime time, they were airing a period drama about a powerful family feud, directed by Ishihara Masayoshi from Production Section 2, called 'The First Retainer Under the Lord'! And what happened? Their ratings were a mere 17.3%! We... we completely crushed them!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

Another earth-shattering burst of laughter erupted in the office!
"I knew it! I knew it!" Yamamoto Takeshi slapped his thigh, his voice filled with triumphant satisfaction: "That Ishihara Masayoshi, just because he's a second-level director, he always acts like he's above everyone else in the production department! This time, he's finally shown him what real strength is!"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Kenji Sato chimed in, his usually weary face now beaming with schadenfreude. "I heard his drama had a production budget more than double ours! And what happened? Our department head still utterly crushed him!"

"So, when it comes to making TV dramas, it's not about money, it's about talent!"

"That's right! Our minister is the epitome of talent!"

"Alright, everyone, stop saying that." Hiroshi Nohara finally looked up from his manga. He looked at his subordinates, who were even more excited than he was, and gave them a helpless yet warm smile. "Director Ishihara is also a very excellent senior. We just... just had a slight advantage in terms of subject matter."

He stood up, straightened his simple white T-shirt, and his composure and confidence made him stand out.

"I'm going to Deputy Director Ming Rihai's office. You can continue celebrating."

At this point, you should definitely report to your supervisor.

……

Asuka's office was filled with smoke and the aroma of tea.

When Hiroshi Nohara pushed open the door, he saw not only Asumi and Toshihide Takada, but also a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties, slightly overweight, and with an air of arrogance between his brows.

That face looked somewhat familiar.

"Oh my! Hiroshi-kun! You've finally arrived!" Asumi was the first to spot him. He jumped up from the sofa, his face, which always radiated a cheerful smile, now filled with barely suppressed excitement.

He rushed over to Hiroshi Nohara in a few strides, patted him hard on the shoulder, and then pointed to the man next to him who had also stood up and was wearing a complicated, bitter smile, and introduced him with a smile.

"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is director Masayoshi Ishihara, and also the director of tonight's film, 'The First Retainer Under the Lord'."

"So it's Director Ishihara." Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara smiled knowingly and extended his hand with perfect humility and composure: "Hello, I've heard so much about you."

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it." Masayoshi Ishihara reached out and tightly grasped Hiroshi Nohara's hand. The bitter smile that came from the bottom of his heart and the expression on his face formed a strange contrast.

"Minister Nohara, please don't joke about me, your defeated opponent." He shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness, a touch of self-mockery, and also a deep-seated admiration: "To be honest, before today, although I knew you were amazing, knew you were a monster, I still felt a little unconvinced. I thought, surely I, a second-level director who has been making TV dramas for twenty years, couldn't possibly lose to a young man like you who is only twenty-three years old?"

He paused, then let out a long breath, a breath that seemed to carry away all his pride and resentment.

“But after watching your ‘Midnight Diner’ today, I… I’m truly impressed.” He looked at Hiroshi Nohara, his eyes filled with indescribable complex emotions: “That skill of finding true flavor in the mundane, that precise grasp of the most subtle aspects of human nature, is truly… truly something that this old guy can only dream of. I’m completely convinced.”

"Director Ishihara, you flatter me." Hiroshi Nohara just smiled calmly: "I also watched a bit of your film 'The First Retainer Under the Lord.' The production is excellent, and the actors' performances are very powerful. It is an outstanding work."

Anyone can engage in mutual flattery in business.

"Alright, Minister Nohara, stop flattering me." Masayoshi Ishihara waved his hand with a wry smile. He released his grip and bowed solemnly to Hiroshi Nohara: "I came here today to see for myself what that legendary 'monster' who can turn decay into magic really looks like. Now, I have seen it. And I... am willing to accept defeat."

After saying that, he said no more, bowed again to Asumi and Takada Toshihide, and then turned and left with a slightly lonely but elegant gait.

Looking at his slightly desolate figure, Asumi and Takada Toshihide exchanged a glance, both seeing the same wry smile in each other's eyes.

"This guy, he's someone who can take a loss." Asumi shook his head with a smile, walked to Hiroshi Nohara's side, his eyes filled with pride: "But speaking of which, Hiroshi-kun, this time, you really... gave us another huge surprise! An 18.9% viewership rating! When I got the call just now, I thought the data department people were drunk and gave us the wrong number!"

"Yes, Hiroshi-kun," Takada Toshihide exclaimed sincerely, "This achievement is truly terrifying. I even feel that it's more than just a number; it's a signal, a signal that declares that TV Tokyo will completely dominate the entire Kanto region's drama market!"

"Perhaps it could go even higher." Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled and replied casually.

"What?! It can go even higher?!" Asumi and Takada Toshihide's eyes widened instantly.

"Hmm." Hiroshi Nohara nodded, gazing out the window at the night view, adorned with neon lights like a galaxy. A profound wisdom, as if he had seen through the world, flickered in his clear eyes. "Today is Friday, after all. Many people may still have social engagements or be on their way home. But tomorrow, Saturday night, I believe even more people will be willing to sit in front of the TV and watch our 'Midnight Diner,' a show that can heal the soul."

"Great! Then we'll wait and see your good news!" Asumi's voice was full of confidence.

However, amidst this atmosphere of anticipation and fervor, Hiroshi Nohara suddenly changed the subject.

"By the way, Deputy Director Asumi, Managing Director Takada." He looked at the two of them, a hint of seriousness flashing in his usually calm eyes: "Have the premiere ratings for that Tokyo TV program, 'South Island Afu and His Beloved Dog,' come out yet?"

The moment he finished speaking, the relaxed atmosphere in the office froze.

The smiles on Asumi and Takada Toshihide's faces gradually faded, replaced by a deeper solemnity.

“It’s out.” Takada Toshihide nodded, picked up another document from the table, and handed it to Nohara Hiroshi. His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible apprehension: “10.7 percent.”

"Ten point seven percent?" Hiroshi Nohara looked at the number and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Yes.” Asuka sighed, his usually cheerful face now filled with helplessness. “Although it can’t compare to your ‘Midnight Diner,’ for a newly established TV station and a brand new drama, this is quite an achievement. Most importantly, I heard that the show has received very good reviews from young female viewers. They all say that Shunsuke Kamiki is incredibly handsome in it.”

"It seems this battle will be more difficult than we imagined." A serious expression appeared on Takada Toshihide's face.

They knew this wasn't just a competition for ratings, but also... a struggle between factions.

And they have only just fired the first shot.

……

(End of this chapter)