I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 214 A Family Dinner! The Hotel Manager's Shock! The Triumphant Yoshiharu Koyama!
The car door opened in an elegant arc in the waiter's hand, and the cool air of Kumamoto City, mixed with the rich fragrance from the hotel's porch, rushed in.

"Wow……"

A dissonant sigh came from Mengya, the third daughter of the Xiaoshan family.

She peeked out, her eyes, which always held a hint of confusion and innocence, gazing at the brightly lit building before her.

The light from the crystal chandelier, like shattered stars, poured out from behind the towering glass curtain wall, illuminating the plaza in front of the entrance as if it were daytime, leaving everyone stunned.

"This place...this place is amazing!" Koyama Yumeya got out of the car, tilted her head back, and opened her mouth slightly, like a fledgling bird seeing the sea for the first time. "It feels...it feels just as good as the Imperial Hotel where I stayed when I went to Tokyo with my sister last time!"

"It is indeed a very impressive place." The eldest sister, Koyama Maya, who was walking behind her, adjusted her glasses, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

She has a calm and composed personality, but the scene before her was enough to stir her usually placid mind.

"Uncle, thank you for your gracious hospitality today." Fujiwara Isshin got out of Masaya's car and walked to the head of the Koyama family, Koyama Yoshiharu, bowing slightly and speaking earnestly.

His politeness and humility were like a breath of fresh air.

"Wow, this place is so luxurious!" Misae Koyama, arm in arm with her husband Hiroshi Nohara, got out of the car. Her gaze swept back and forth between the gleaming marble floor and the polite doorman, her eyes filled with novelty and excitement.

Looking at the reactions of his daughters and future sons-in-law, Yoshiharu Koyama's face, which usually appeared somewhat serious due to his work as the head of student affairs, was now filled with undisguised smugness.

His wife, Koyama Takaya, standing beside him, also smiled with pride.

"Ahem." Yoshiharu Koyama cleared his throat, put his hands behind his back, and tried to make his tone sound calm, but he couldn't hide his pride: "Isshin and Hiroshi, you two, one is the fiancé of the eldest sister Masaya, and the other is the fiancé of Misae. This is the first time you have officially accompanied us back to our hometown in Kumamoto. As your father, I have to show some sincerity."

He straightened his chest and raised his chin slightly, as if he were inspecting his army.

Just then, a hotel manager dressed in a tuxedo with a gold nameplate pinned to his chest came forward with steady yet swift steps.

His gaze swept across the crowd, and when it landed on Fujiwara Isshin's face, it suddenly lit up, and then a most professional and respectful smile appeared on his face.

"Lord Fujiwara?" The manager's voice carried a perfectly timed hint of surprise. He quickly stepped forward, stopped in front of Fujiwara Isshin, and bowed deeply. "It is an honor for our establishment to meet you here."

He clearly knew Fujiwara Isshin.

Fujiwara Isshin smiled gently and touched the other man's arm: "Manager Takahashi, hello. Today is not on official business; I'm here to have dinner with my girlfriend's family."

"Oh?" Manager Takahashi's gaze immediately turned to Koyama Yoshiharu and Koyama Takasago beside Fujiwara Isshin. His posture became even more humble, and he bowed again: "So you are Mr. Fujiwara's father-in-law and mother-in-law. My apologies! I am the manager of this store, Takahashi. Welcome to our store."

He paused, his tone filled with enthusiasm: "Of course I know Mr. Fujiwara! A talented young man working in the Ministry of Finance, the prefectural government, is the pride of Kumamoto! I never imagined you were Mr. Koyama's son-in-law. This is truly...an honor!"

Manager Takahashi straightened up and gave Mr. and Mrs. Koyama a very sincere smile: "Mr. and Mrs. Koyama, please allow us to give you a 20% discount on your bill today. In addition, I will immediately instruct the kitchen to serve you our finest horse meat sashimi and two bottles of 'Juyondai' sake as a token of our respect for Mr. Fujiwara and your family."

"Oh dear, this... I can't accept this." Yoshiharu Koyama said politely, but the smile on his face was as bright and dazzling as a chrysanthemum in autumn. He glanced at his eldest daughter and Koyama Takaya beside him, his eyes conveying the message, "See? My eldest son-in-law is so impressive."

Koyama Takaya also smiled broadly, nodded slightly, and enjoyed the glory brought by his son-in-law.

Manager Takahashi's gaze swept over everyone. When he inadvertently glanced at the tall, handsome man with thick eyebrows and a gentle smile standing next to Misae Koyama, he was stunned for a moment, as if struck by an invisible lightning bolt.

He rubbed his eyes, seemingly unable to believe it.

That face... that face looked younger and more real than it did on TV, but those signature thick eyebrows and the light stubble on his chin were definitely not wrong.

Manager Takahashi's breathing suddenly quickened, and the professional respect in his eyes was instantly replaced by a mixture of horror and fanatical worship.

He tentatively asked in an almost trembling voice, "Excuse me... are you... Mr. Hiroshi Nohara?"

Hiroshi Nohara was surprised to be recognized. He paused for a moment, then gave a friendly smile and nodded: "Ah, yes, that's me."

"My God!"

Manager Takahashi almost gasped, his face beaming with joy, his whole body trembling slightly with excitement. He stepped forward and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, this time with more reverence and force than he had ever shown to Fujiwara Isshin and Koyama Yoshiharu.

“Master Nohara! It really is you! I’m your fan! A loyal fan!” He looked up, his eyes shining with the light of seeing his idol. “You… your directorial work, ‘Yamishibai’, with its unique atmosphere of horror, is simply a masterpiece! And ‘Tales of the Unusual’, every episode is absolutely amazing! My… my whole family are loyal viewers of ‘Super Transformation’, that show practically changed the history of variety shows in Japan!”

His speech quickened, as if he wanted to pour out all his admiration at once: "And...and 'Seven Samurai'! My God, you actually managed to remake a classic by Akira Kurosawa, and you even brought out a completely new flavor in it, it's so amazing! 'Hachiko Monogatari'...I...I cried so much in the movie theater I almost got dehydrated! And 'Midnight Diner,' I watched it every day, it felt like it wasn't just a TV show, it was life!"

The long list of familiar titles left everyone present somewhat bewildered.

The expression on Yoshiji Koyama's face at this moment could no longer be described as "smug".

It was a complex expression, a mixture of shock, ecstasy, and immense satisfaction.

He looked at the hotel manager in front of him, who was practically worshipping his second son-in-law, and puffed out his chest even more.

He stepped forward, gently patted Hiroshi Nohara on the shoulder, and said to Manager Takahashi in a tone that seemed nonchalant but was actually extremely boastful: "Well, Manager Takahashi, this is my second son-in-law."

"what?!"

Manager Takahashi's jaw almost dropped to the ground.

He looked at Yoshiharu Koyama in shock, then at Hiroshi Nohara, then at Misae Koyama who was smiling silently to the side, and finally his gaze fell back on Yoshiharu Koyama and his wife.

It felt as if countless fireworks were exploding in his mind at the same time.

One of the sons-in-law is an elite from the Ministry of Finance who controls the financial lifeline of Kumamoto Prefecture.

The other son-in-law is a genius director who has swept through the Japanese television and film industries and is hailed as a master by countless people.

This seemingly ordinary person... just who is he?! How could he have two such sons-in-law?!

Manager Takahashi took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Yoshiharu Koyama again. This time, his voice trembled with almost awe: "Mr. Koyama...you...you are truly...truly amazing!"

"Oh, it's nothing, it's just that the children are successful." Yoshiharu Koyama waved his hand, his face crinkling into a wide smile.

"Everyone! Please! Please follow me!"

Manager Takahashi snapped out of his daze. He immediately straightened up, made a "please" gesture, and personally led the way. His attitude was so respectful that it was as if he were welcoming some important figure: "It is an honor that His Excellency Fujiwara and Master Nohara could grace our humble establishment with their presence at the same time! Today, please allow me, on behalf of the hotel, to offer you our most luxurious private room, 'Chrysanthemum Banquet,' free of charge!"

"Feast of the Chrysanthemum"?
Yoshiharu Koyama's heart skipped a beat. He had heard of this name before; it referred to the hotel's top-tier private room, which was not open to the public and was said to be used only when entertaining cabinet ministers or international dignitaries.

Free gift?
This compliment, this sense of face, made Yoshiharu Koyama feel light as a feather, as if he were walking on clouds.

He felt he had never been so glorious in his life.

The three sisters, Masaya, Misaya, and Yume, who were following behind, couldn't help but smile at each other as they watched their father look like he was about to take flight. Their smiles were a mix of mischief and pride.

The group walked through the magnificent lobby, and amidst the curious or envious gazes of countless diners, Manager Takahashi personally led them to the deepest part of the corridor, to a heavy wooden door carved with exquisite chrysanthemum patterns.

"Everyone, please." Manager Takahashi personally pushed open the door, and a waft of air mixed with high-end incense and fresh floral arrangements wafted out.

The luxury of the private room once again exceeded the expectations of the Koyama family. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the most dazzling night view of Kumamoto City.

The room's decor, from the calligraphy and paintings by famous artists on the walls to the antique porcelain in the corners, all exude the ultimate taste and style.

"Mr. Fujiwara, Master Nohara, and all distinguished guests, please enjoy your meal. I will immediately arrange the best dishes and drinks. If you need anything, please press the bell and I will come to serve you personally." Manager Takahashi finished arranging everything and respectfully prepared to leave.

Before leaving, his gaze unconsciously swept around the room again, finally landing on the youngest child, Koyama Yumeya.

He was filled with mixed emotions. This family was truly remarkable. The eldest and second daughters had both found such outstanding partners. He wondered which family's chosen one would be pursuing this young and lovely lady.

Seemingly noticing the manager's gaze, Koyama Yumeya, who hadn't said much until now, suddenly pouted and muttered somewhat sullenly, "Sigh, I don't have a boyfriend as good as my older sisters... I'm still a high school student, and I don't even have a boyfriend yet."

"Uh……"

Manager Takahashi's expression froze instantly, followed by a hint of embarrassment. He hadn't expected the young lady to bring this up so suddenly, and he quickly bowed, almost awkwardly leaving the room and gently closing the door behind him.

The room fell silent for a moment because of Mengya's unexpected words.

Then, with a "pfft," Misae was the first to laugh.

"Mengya, why are you telling the manager this?"

"I'm just telling the truth!" Mengya snorted, sat down on the chair covered with beautiful brocade, and swung her legs. "Seeing my eldest brother-in-law and second brother-in-law so powerful, I feel so much pressure."

"You silly child." Koyama Takaya shook his head helplessly yet affectionately.

At the head of the table, to the left of Yoshiji Koyama sat the composed and humble Isshin Fujiwara, and to the right sat the gentle and reserved Hiroshi Nohara. He looked at one, then at the other, feeling as if he had reached the pinnacle of his life at this moment.

The troubles of the head of the teaching department and the trivialities of daily life all became insignificant in the face of the immense glory brought by the two sons-in-law.

"Come, come, sit down, sit down." Yoshiji Koyama greeted them with a radiant smile. "Isshin, Hiroshi, you are the stars of the show today, don't be shy."

The dishes were served in a continuous stream, each one as exquisite as a work of art.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

“Hiroshi,” Yoshiji Koyama picked up his glass, took a sip of the top-quality “Juyondai” and felt completely refreshed. “Speaking of which, I’ve always been curious about how you manage to produce so many interesting programs at TV Tokyo. Misae told me that your industry is called… ‘entertainment industry’? It sounds really impressive.”

As soon as this question was raised, everyone's attention turned to Hiroshi Nohara.

Fujiwara Isshin looked at him with a curious smile.

Although both were sons-in-law of the Koyama family, he knew very well that the bureaucratic system he was in and the bizarre world that Hiroshi Nohara lived in were completely different dimensions.

Hiroshi Nohara put down his chopsticks, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and his gentle demeanor, which he usually exuded, seemed to have an indescribable depth when he was with his family.

"It's not that mysterious, Uncle Yoshiji." He smiled and began to tell his story.

“When we first started making ‘Yamishibai’, things didn’t go very smoothly.” His voice was calm and magnetic, as if taking everyone back to the starting point of that struggle. “It was a very new form of expression, using static pictures paired with eerie narration to tell ghost stories. The leaders of the TV station were not optimistic about it, thinking that this kind of thing was niche and could not be presented in a mainstream way. The budget they gave was pitifully small, and the broadcast time was late at night when no one was watching.”

"So how did it become popular?" Mengya asked curiously.

“Because of ‘emotions’.” Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze became distant. “My ‘superpower,’ simply put, is the ability to perceive and capture ‘emotions’ that ordinary people cannot perceive, lingering in space, objects, and even people’s hearts. Fear, sadness, joy, resentment… these emotions have power. Every story in *Yamishibai* is actually a personification of fragments of real emotions that I have captured. Viewers may not know why, but they can feel the most primal and pure fear from those simple images and sounds. So, it relied on word of mouth, fermenting little by little in the dead of night, and finally became a phenomenon.” The audience listened, mesmerized. This explanation was far more mysterious and convincing than “genius creativity.”

"What about 'Tales of the Unusual'?" Masaya couldn't help but ask.

"The 'Strange Tales' project was given to me by the TV station after seeing the success of 'Yamishibai.' This time, with a larger budget, I was able to capture a wider range of emotions." Hiroshi Nohara took a sip of tea and continued, "The absurdity of urban legends, the desires deep in people's hearts, the confusion about the future, the regret for the past... I wove these captured fragments of emotion into a series of bizarre and unexpected stories. At that time, the entire Japanese economy was at its peak, and everyone seemed happy, but beneath that happiness lay immense anxiety and emptiness. My stories struck a chord with them."

"So, 'Super Transformation' is also one?" Misae blinked. Although she was his wife, this was the first time she had heard her husband recount so systematically about many of the details.

"Well, 'Super Transformation' was an accident," Hiroshi Nohara laughed. "I was attending a celebration party when I inadvertently sensed that everyone in the banquet hall was enveloped in an emotion called 'the joy of collective creation.' That pure joy, not for fame or fortune, but for striving for a common goal and ultimately bringing a smile to people's faces, was very powerful and infectious. So I suggested to the station director that we make a program featuring ordinary people's creative ideas. As a result, it became more popular than all my previous works because it touched on the most fundamental human desire: the yearning for 'creation' and 'sharing joy.'"

Yoshiharu Koyama nodded repeatedly. He raised his glass and solemnly said to Hiroshi Nohara, "Hiroshi, I'd like to toast you. I only knew you were capable before, but today I realize that your success is not accidental. You truly see the world with your heart."

Hiroshi Nohara clinked glasses with Yoshiji and drank it all in one gulp.

“As for the three films that came after,” he put down his glass, his tone becoming calm, “that’s another matter.”

"The reason I decided to remake 'Seven Samurai' is because I went to the filming location. There, I sensed the powerful spiritual imprint of 'spirit' left by Akira Kurosawa and the actors, a spirit that belonged to an era. I'm not remaking a story; I'm paying tribute to that era."

"The Tale of Hachiko is a film I made at Shibuya Station, where I truly felt the Akita dog's unwavering 'waiting' that hadn't faded even after decades. That emotion was so pure and so powerful that I had to capture it in a film."

“And ‘Midnight Diner’…” Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze swept across the dishes on the table, finally settling on his wife Misae’s face, his eyes gentle as water, “That’s the feeling I felt from every still-warm meal during countless late nights when I was working overtime. Behind every dish is a story, a life. I’m just recording them.”

The entire private room was completely silent.

The Koyama family, including Fujiwara Isshin, were deeply moved by Hiroshi Nohara's words.

In their eyes, Hiroshi Nohara is no longer just a successful director or a talented artist.

He is like a chronicler of an era, an observer who can see into people's hearts and share emotions with all things in the world. The reason why his works can move hundreds of millions of people is not because of technique or creativity, but because what he presents is the most real and profound emotion in the world.

Looking at his second son-in-law, Yoshiharu Koyama's eyes were filled with unprecedented appreciation and respect. He suddenly realized that the vanity he had felt before because his son-in-law had brought him so much prestige was far too shallow.

Having such a son-in-law is a true source of pride that cannot be measured by money or status.

He raised his glass again, this time with utmost solemnity.

"Hiroshi, our whole family is proud of you."

"cheers!"

So everyone toasted.

Koyama Yumeya picked up the glass of champagne in front of her, its surface reflecting the Tokyo nightscape outside the window, which flowed like molten gold. She gently swirled it, looking at the silent yet charismatic man sitting in the main seat, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and... a hint of awe.

"Brother-in-law, I never dared to even think about this before."

She spoke, her voice slightly tipsy from the alcohol and filled with heartfelt emotion, breaking the brief silence in the private room.

"What?" Misae Koyama, her older sister, was carefully picking at the snail's tender flesh with a small silver fork when she heard this. She looked up, her face beaming with happiness and pride.

"I never even dared to imagine it." Koyama Yumeya downed the drink in one gulp, a beautiful blush rising on her fair cheeks. "When I first learned that Misae-nee and her husband were together, I always thought her husband was just an ordinary office worker, taking the train every day, getting headaches from his section chief's scolding, and worrying about the mortgage he couldn't pay off... Who would have thought?"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone present—her parents, her sister, and her brother-in-law Fujiwara Isshin, who remained silent with a smile—before finally settling on Nohara Hiroshi.

"Who would have thought that my brother-in-law, who only ever grinned like an idiot over beer and snacks, was actually one of Japan's top manga artists? The Yu Yu Hakusho manga volumes are selling like hotcakes, and even elementary school kids are imitating Yusuke Urameshi by shouting 'Reimaru.' Needless to say, Doraemon is another story; the bamboo copter and the Anywhere Door are now the most desired birthday gifts for kids all over Japan. And then there's Midnight Diner; all my female colleagues in the office who usually only read fashion magazines now have a copy, and they talk about the three ochazuke sisters and the red sausage that the yakuza boss likes every day."

Xiaoshan Mengya spoke in one breath, like pouring out beans, yet every word struck a chord with everyone.

“Yes, yes,” her mother, Koyama Takasae, Hiroshi’s mother-in-law, nodded in agreement, her face beaming like a blooming chrysanthemum. “Last time I went to the community center, all the old ladies surrounded me, asking me what Mr. Hiroshi was going to draw next. They said the stories in ‘Midnight Diner’ felt like they were happening around us, and that they warmed our hearts. Even we old folks love them.”

"Ahem." Their father, the usually stern former headmaster Yoshiharu Koyama, cleared his throat, raised his sake cup, and toasted Hiroshi from afar, his eyes filled with a complex yet excited expression: "Hiroshi, I misjudged you before. I always thought you were a carefree and irresponsible person, but I never expected... that you have such a vast world hidden in your heart."

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled, said nothing, and raised his glass in return.

His suit was well-tailored, no longer the cheap, crumpled suit he used to wear after being squeezed on a tram. A glimpse of his wristwatch, casually visible on his wrist, gleamed calmly under the crystal chandelier.

He hadn't changed; he was still the same man with thick eyebrows and stubble on his chin. But his aura seemed to have been recast by the steel and concrete of the bustling metropolis of Tokyo—calm, reserved, and unfathomable.

Just then, the door to the private room was silently pushed open.

The waiters, like meticulously trained mime actors, moved with light steps, presenting one exquisite dish after another in a continuous stream.

A wonderful and harmonious fragrance instantly filled the air.

On one side is the rich and mellow flavor of French cuisine, with the aroma of pan-fried foie gras blending with the unique fragrance of black truffles; on the other side is the crisp and elegant flavor of top-quality Japanese cuisine, with the crimson marbling of Wagyu beef resembling a work of art, and a thin layer of glistening fat on the freshly sliced ​​tuna belly, shimmering enticingly under the light.

"Quickly, everyone, start eating! The food's getting cold," Misae called out enthusiastically, increasingly adopting the air of a club president.

“Hiroshi-kun is really something now.” Yoshiji Koyama picked up a slice of Wagyu beef, and the melt-in-your-mouth texture made him squint his eyes in satisfaction. “My old colleagues all envy me now, saying that I’ve found two good sons-in-law.”

“Of course!” Koyama Yumeya interjected, “My brother-in-law’s talent goes far beyond just comics!”

These words seemed to open a new floodgate, and the praise and admiration from the crowd, along with the table full of delicacies, entered a new level.

Fujiwara Isshin, who had been listening silently with a smile, finally put down his knife and fork. He gently wiped his mouth with a napkin, his movements as elegant as a nobleman from a bygone era.

"Uncle Yoshiharu, Sister Yume, what you've said is just the tip of the iceberg of Mr. Nohara's talent."

His voice wasn't loud, but it had a strange penetrating power that drew everyone's attention to him.

Fujiwara Isshin, a member of the system who came from the Ministry of Finance, looked at Hiroshi with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or nostalgia).

"Manga is certainly Mr. Nohara's starting point, but what truly shocked me is what Mr. Nohara conveyed through his images." Fujiwara Isshin leaned forward slightly, looking intently at Nohara Hiroshi: "I noticed that the anime, TV dramas, variety shows, and even those three films that sparked social phenomena all contain something extremely profound... which I call 'educational significance'."

"Educational significance?" Yoshiharu Koyama was somewhat puzzled. He was an old-fashioned educator and was very sensitive to this term.

"Yes." Fujiwara Isshin nodded, his tone firm.

“Mr. Fujiwara is right!” Koyama Yumeya exclaimed excitedly, as if she had found a kindred spirit. “Take ‘Yamishibai’ and ‘Tales of the Unusual’ for example! My God, they are the pioneering works of urban ghost stories! Now, our TV station’s late-night slot is full of imitations of these two programs, but none of them can capture that kind of heart-wrenching horror and reflection on human nature!”

“And there’s that show, ‘Super Transformation’!” My mother-in-law, Koyama Takasae, said excitedly. “I love watching that the most! Before, when we neighbors met, we would just nod to each other. Now it’s different. Several families in the community have teamed up to sign up for the show. They get together to discuss and rehearse for a creative idea, and suddenly everyone is so friendly! It feels like the indifference in Japan has been melted away a little by this show, and the connection between people has been rebuilt.”

“That’s right!” Yoshiji Koyama nodded emphatically, clearly more qualified to speak on the topic. “People used to say that Japanese society had entered a ‘society of disconnection,’ with people becoming distant. But the programs you’ve made, Hiroshi, are like invisible threads that have reconnected everyone who was about to drift apart. That’s more effective than me saying ‘we must be united and friendly’ a hundred times on stage.”

Fujiwara Isshin smiled approvingly and continued to steer the conversation: "So, what about the movie?"

“Not to mention the movie!” This time it was Misae, who hadn’t said much, who spoke up. She looked at her husband’s profile, her eyes sparkling. “That movie, Seven Samurai, is not just a simple remake of Akira Kurosawa’s old film. Kanbei, Katsushiro, Kikuchiyo… what they portrayed is clearly what our era needs: a new samurai spirit, a spirit belonging to the new generation of Japanese people! Resilience, protection, and the hope that never gives up in the face of adversity! I heard that many large companies now organize new employees to watch this movie during their onboarding training!”

"And 'Hachiko: A Dog'!" Misae Koyama's eyes reddened slightly. "Brother-in-law, do you know, many of my colleagues who own dogs went home and cried their eyes out after watching the movie. This film teaches us not only about loyalty, but also about the purest mutual understanding and care between people and animals, and even between people themselves. It's so touching, really."

“Yes,” Fujiwara Isshin murmured, “a film that has redefined the weight of the word ‘loyalty’ in modern society.”

“Speaking of this,” Koyama Takaya, the prospective mother-in-law, suddenly remembered something: “Hiroshi, your drama ‘Midnight Diner’ is truly remarkable. Unlike other dramas, which are always full of fighting and killing or love triangles, your diner is just about the most ordinary food and the most ordinary people. But for some reason, every time I finish watching it, I feel particularly at peace. It’s like no matter how much I suffer outside, as long as I go back to that little diner and eat a bowl of the owner’s pork miso soup, everything will be alright. It’s a kind of… healing power.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere in the private room instantly became warm and respectful. These works are no longer simple entertainment products; like air and water, they have permeated the daily lives of countless ordinary people in this country, changing their thoughts and comforting their souls.

The one who created all of this, Hiroshi Nohara, simply ate the grilled cod sprinkled with sea salt in front of him quietly, as if everyone was discussing someone else who had nothing to do with him.

Just then, Koyama Takaya spoke up, as if he had thought of something: "Speaking of which, Hiroshi, weren't you personally received by the governor of Akita Prefecture because of 'Hachiko: A Dog'?"

This question has once again drawn everyone's attention.

"Yes, once," Hiroshi Nohara replied succinctly.

"It's more than just an audience!" Koyama Yumeya's eyes sparkled with longing. "The Akita Inu from Akita Prefecture is practically the most popular dog breed in all of Japan right now! I really want one! But you can't buy one at all!"

She complained with a bitter face, "Akita dogs are in such high demand right now that the price has increased several times over! Especially those purebred puppies certified by the Akita Inu Association, I heard that the order book is already open until next year! They're so hard to find! It's all your fault for taking such cute and human-like pictures of Hachiko, brother-in-law!"

This complaint, tinged with a hint of coquetry, drew a few soft laughs from the crowd.

Yoshiji Koyama also remembered, stroking his chin and sighing, "Yume is right. I read in the newspaper the other day that Akita Prefecture's tourism revenue this year has increased nearly tenfold compared to the same period last year. Many tourists make special trips to Akita just to see Hachiko's hometown and, incidentally, to buy a purebred Akita dog. You could say that Hiroshi, your movie has directly boosted the fame of the entire Akita Prefecture."

A single film can impact the economy of an entire county.

The weight of those words changed the atmosphere in the private room once again.

If the previous discussions were only about cultural influence, now this influence has been transformed into tangible economic benefits and regional prestige.

A bright light flashed in Fujiwara Isshin's eyes. He listened quietly, like a seasoned hunter patiently waiting for all the clues to come together.

From variety shows that alleviate social apathy to movies that reshape national spirit, and cultural IPs that promote local economies... these seemingly unrelated points are gradually strung together into a clear line in his mind.

He seemed to have thought of something, and sat up straighter, his sharp gaze fixed on Hiroshi Nohara, making the surrounding air seem to become three degrees heavier.

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly in an unprecedentedly solemn tone.

"Nohara-san, please forgive my intrusion..."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

Fujiwara Isshin's voice was low, yet each word was clear, like pebbles dropped into a deep pool.

"Since a movie can influence the governor of Akita Prefecture..."

"So, can I understand it this way..."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, but his eyes never left Hiroshi Nohara's face, as if trying to uncover the earth-shattering secrets of Tokyo's future, and even Japan's future, from beneath his calm and expressionless face.

"...Even Governor Koike, who wields immense power in Tokyo, cooperated with you...at a crucial moment in the election, didn't she?"

(End of this chapter)