I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 224: Night at the Koyama Family House! The Sukiyaki Engagement Ceremony is Scheduled! A Bright Future!
TV Tokyo, Headquarters Production Bureau.

The lingering aroma of morning coffee still filled the corridor. The door to Toshihide Takada's office was ajar, and several figures could be vaguely seen moving through the frosted glass.

When the door was gently pushed open, the first thing you heard was classical music. The soft violin notes, mixed with the faint scent of tobacco, filled the room with a dark brown carpet.

Takada Toshihide sat behind his large desk, an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his gaze fixed on a report on the corner of the desk.

Deputy Director Ming Rihai sat on the sofa opposite him, his beige suit jacket draped over his arm, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the rim of his coffee cup.

Keiko Matsumoto and Eiji Kurosawa leaned against a low cabinet by the window. Matsumoto held a beautifully bound script in her hands, while Kurosawa crossed his arms and looked out the window—where they could see a corner of Tokyo Bay, where the morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, like a thin veil covering the distant ships.

"Director Sakata just called and said that the ratings for 'Super Transformation' rose by 1.2 points last week." Takada Toshihide spoke first, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible ease. He pushed the report in front of Asumi: "But he's more concerned about what Nohara is up to in Kumamoto and wants us to keep a close eye on it."

Asuka picked up the report, her eyes quickly scanning the numbers, a slight smile playing on her lips: "I had my secretary record a news segment from Kumamoto Prefecture TV yesterday. That little bear called Kumamon is really interesting. It's much more vivid than the cartoon characters our station has promoted before."

"Oh?" Keiko Matsumoto put down the script, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes. "I didn't pay much attention to it, but I heard the young people in the production department mention it briefly, saying it was something like a 'little bear that can wrestle'."

Eiji Kurosawa finally looked away, his face expressionless, but his tone carried a hint of approval: "I've seen the sample footage. There are no fancy special effects, and it doesn't preach any grand principles. It just shows him helping an old lady pick up oranges and haggling with a vendor. It's more down-to-earth than those pretentious comedies these days."

Upon hearing this, Takada Toshihide suddenly smiled, got up, and walked to the television set in the corner.

It was a brand new Sony color TV, with a screen a size larger than that of ordinary household TVs. He bent down, pressed the power button, and turned the tuning knob. The static on the screen gradually faded, and the logo of Kumamoto Prefecture TV Station slowly became clear.

“Perfect timing, the county TV station will be rebroadcasting the morning clips at this time.” He sat back down at his desk and pointed to the screen: “You guys should take a look and see what tricks Nohara has come up with.”

Everyone's eyes turned to the television at the same time.

First, there was a short news segment from the county radio station reporting on the bumper harvest of tangerines in Kumamoto. As soon as the screen switched to the commercial break, upbeat background music started playing.

On the screen, a round, black bear shook its head, its two striking red cheeks like ripe cherries. It was wearing a faded striped apron and standing in front of a taiyaki stand, clutching a crumpled 100-yen coin in its paw.

"Boss, how about 80 yen for a taiyaki?" The voiceover is a deliberately lowered cartoon voice, with a hint of coquetry.

The old man selling taiyaki deliberately frowned: "It won't work, little bear. The red bean paste is all sourced directly from farms in the south, and the cost is almost out of control."

The little bear immediately drooped its ears, pointed its paws at its empty belly, and let out two pitiful "woof woof" sounds.

The surrounding customers all laughed, and the old man couldn't help but laugh too. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, I'll give you eighty yen. Don't try to bargain like that next time."

The little bear jumped up happily, took the taiyaki, and was about to leave when it tripped over its own paw and the taiyaki fell to the ground with a "thud".

It paused for two seconds, then squatted down and carefully picked it up, blowing off the dust. Just as it was about to put it in its mouth, the old man handed it a new one: "This one is for you, that one is dirty."

The little bear on the screen immediately looked delighted, gave an awkward bow, and waddled away carrying the taiyaki.

At the end of the short film, a line of small text pops up in the corner of the screen: "Kumamon, the adorable messenger from Kumamoto."

The office was silent for a few seconds before Matsumoto Keiko spoke first. She put down her script, her eyes filled with obvious amusement: "This little bear really brought out the 'clumsy' charm. Having filmed so many romance dramas over the years, I know better than anyone how important 'realism' is—it can stumble and fall, it can feel wronged, unlike those perfect cartoon characters, which makes it feel more relatable."

Asumi put down her coffee cup and nodded in agreement: "Keiko-san is right. Nohara is best at capturing this kind of 'down-to-earth' feeling. Look at 'Midnight Diner,' isn't it also about touching people with bowls of ramen and little stories? Kumamon is essentially no different from the diners in Midnight Diner. They are both telling stories about the ordinary lives of ordinary people, just in a cartoon form."

Eiji Kurosawa leaned against the low cabinet, tapping the surface lightly with his fingers. His tone was softer than before: "I think this little bear has more 'soul' than many protagonists in today's samurai films. It doesn't put on airs. If it wants taiyaki, it haggles over the price. If it drops something, it picks it up. Even if it feels wronged, it doesn't throw a tantrum. This straightforward nature is a bit like the old samurai of the past."

Takada Toshihide paused, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Kurosawa-san hit the nail on the head. Nohara's greatest strength is his ability to simplify complex things. In 'Seven Samurai,' he hid class conflict in the relationship between samurai and farmers; now with Kumamon, he hides Kumamoto's local customs and culture in these small moments. The audience finds it funny, and as they laugh, they remember Kumamoto—that's much more effective than a dry, hard tourism promotional video."

Keiko Matsumoto flipped through the script in her hand and suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, I was talking to the young people in the production department yesterday, and they said that Nohara specifically told the actors not to deliberately 'act cute,' but to imagine themselves as a little bear that has just learned to walk, and that it's okay to be silly. Look at the way it fell just now. If it were another production team, they might have reshot it because they felt it wasn't perfect enough, but Nohara just put that scene in, and it became a highlight."

"That's where his intelligence lies."

Asumi picked up the conversation, her tone tinged with a touch of melancholy: "Our station previously promoted a cartoon character called 'Tokyo Elf,' spending a lot of money on 3D modeling and changing its clothes more than a dozen times, but the audience couldn't remember it at all. Why? Because it was too perfect, as perfect as a doll without emotions. Nohara's Kumamon is different; it has flaws and makes mistakes, which makes it more memorable."

Eiji Kurosawa suddenly stood up straight, his gaze fixed on the screen—

At that moment, the county TV station was rebroadcasting another short video. The little bear was helping the fruit farmer pick oranges. Its paws lost their grip, and the oranges rolled all over the ground. It hurriedly chased after them, but ended up bumping its head into the fruit basket, scattering oranges all over the basket.

The surrounding fruit farmers all laughed, but it wasn't annoyed. Instead, it scratched its head and continued picking oranges.

"Look at its resilience."

Eiji Kurosawa's voice held a hint of admiration: "He doesn't complain when he falls, he doesn't get discouraged when he bumps into things, he just stubbornly persists. This kind of spirit is more touching than those motivational films that just shout slogans. If I were a few years younger, I might have wanted to collaborate with Nohara to make a samurai movie about Kumamon—for example, it would protect the orange grove in the village and outwit the fox that steals the oranges. That would definitely be interesting."

This made Keiko Matsumoto laugh: "Kurosawa-san certainly has a good idea. But seriously, if I put Kumamon into my romance drama, it might be a pleasant surprise. For example, it could be the 'love wingman' for the male and female leads, handing them a taiyaki as a reconciliation gift when they're having a fight. Just thinking about it makes me excited."

Asumi picked up her coffee and took a sip, a thoughtful look in her eyes: "I think we could put it into a segment of 'Tales of the Unusual'. For example, 'The Talking Kumamon,' which can understand people's thoughts, help office workers relieve stress, and help the elderly alleviate loneliness. It fits the style of 'Tales of the Unusual' and can further promote the image of Kumamon."

As Takada Toshihide listened to their discussion, he tapped his fingers lightly on the table and suddenly spoke up: "Have you ever thought about bringing the copyright of Kumamon to our station?"

These words brought the discussion in the office to an instant.

Keiko Matsumoto put down the script, a hint of surprise in her eyes: "Copyright? Nohara is willing to let go?"

“When I spoke to him on the phone yesterday, he mentioned it briefly.” Takada Toshihide leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming serious: “The Kumamoto Prefectural Government only obtained the local usage rights; the image copyright and revenue outside of Kumamoto Prefecture are all in Nohara’s hands. He said that if our station is interested, we can cooperate.”

Eiji Kurosawa frowned, his tone tinged with uncertainty: "That kid Nohara, he won't hand over the copyright so easily, will he? Kumamon has just become popular, it has great potential."

"He's not handing it over, he's cooperating."

Takada Toshihide explained, “Nohara understands things better than we do. He knows that relying solely on the Kumamoto Prefectural Government won’t get him into the national market; while our station has the channels and resources to bring Kumamon to a wider audience. It’s a win-win situation—our station can boost ratings and generate merchandise through Kumamon, and he can expand his influence through our station while also promoting Kumamoto.”

Asumi immediately understood what Takada Toshihide meant, and a hint of agreement flashed in her eyes: "That's right. We can set up a special project team to be responsible for promoting Kumamon in Tokyo and the surrounding areas. For example, we can add a 'Kumamon Imitation Contest' to 'Super Transformation,' allowing the audience to imitate its actions; we can make a special episode in 'Tales of the Unusual'; and we can also make some merchandise, such as dolls, keychains, and T-shirts, and sell them in the TV station's souvenir shop."

Keiko Matsumoto nodded in agreement: "I could also spearhead a special program about Kumamon, inviting celebrities to interact with it, such as making taiyaki together or going to an amusement park together. Celebrities have a large fan base, which can encourage more young people to pay attention to Kumamon."

Although Eiji Kurosawa didn't say much, he added, "If you're making a short film about samurai, I can help with the guidance. For example, I could have Kumamon wear a samurai outfit and learn some basic sword techniques. It would be fun, promote samurai culture, and combine with my old profession."

Takada Toshihide watched the group's enthusiastic discussion and a rare smile appeared on his lips.

Once the group reaches a consensus, the project is halfway to success.

As for Hiroshi Nohara, given his personality, he would definitely agree to cooperate once he saw a concrete plan.

"Then it's settled."

Takada Toshihide stood up and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray: "Asukai-san, you'll be in charge of leading the project proposal. Include everything we just discussed, emphasizing a 'win-win' situation—it should reflect both the station's revenue and what it will bring to Kumamoto and Nohara. Matsumoto-san, you'll be responsible for contacting talent agencies to see which artists are willing to participate in the special program, prioritizing those with national popularity and positive images. Kurosawa-san, you'll focus on guiding the samurai-themed short film. It doesn't need to be too complicated; the key is to highlight Kumamon's cuteness."

All three nodded and got up to leave.

As they reached the door, Asumi suddenly turned back and asked, "Managing Director Takada, when will Nohara contact us? I'd like to discuss the details of the plan with him as soon as possible."

Takada Toshihide thought for a moment and said, "I called him yesterday. He's still in Kumamoto, probably busy filming a new short film, and of course, discussing the wedding. Let's not delay his progress. I'll go see him in person and have a good talk when he gets back."

"Okay, I understand." Asuka replied and turned to leave.

Keiko Matsumoto and Eiji Kurosawa also left, and the office returned to silence.

After sitting back down at his desk, Takada Toshihide turned his gaze back to the television—the screen was replaying a short film about Kumamon, in which the little bear was awkwardly offering a large orange to the audience, his rosy cheeks looking especially adorable in the sunlight.

He suddenly remembered something Nohara Hiroshi said on the phone yesterday: "Publicity is not about making people remember an image, but about making people remember the warmth of a place."

He didn't quite understand at the time, but now, looking at the little bear on the screen, he suddenly gets it.

What makes Kumamoto Bear so popular isn't its appearance, but the Kumamoto spirit behind it—the kindness of the old man selling taiyaki, the smiles of the fruit farmers, and the warmth hidden in the everyday life.

What they want to do is bring this warmth from Kumamoto to Tokyo, and to all of Japan.

Takada Toshihide picked up the phone on the table and dialed his secretary's extension: "Compile all the project data that Hiroshi Nohara has done before. I need to take a look at it this afternoon. Also, arrange for President Yoshihiro Shimazu's campaign team to study Kumamon as well."

After hanging up the phone, he looked at the television again.

The little bear on the screen is waving at the camera, as if it's greeting him.

A look of anticipation gradually spread across Toshihide Takada's lips. He knew that this chubby little bear was about to stir up a new storm in Tokyo.

He and TV Tokyo will also use this storm to usher in a new era.

Regarding the collaboration between Information Cocoon and Kumamon.

perhaps.

There's definitely more to it than meets the eye!
……

Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto City.

The fluorescent lights in the second-floor studio emitted a soft hum. A wisp of pale blue tobacco burned to its end between Hiroshi's fingers; he flicked the ash away, and his pencil paused on the drawing paper.

The sketch of Doraemon in his samurai outfit had just been outlined, and before the shadows could be added to his round belly, Misae's light footsteps came from downstairs, followed by a hurried knock on the door.

"Hiroshi-kun! Come down here quickly! We have guests!" Misae's voice was full of laughter, and you could hear the joy even through the door: "It's Isshin-san and Masae-nee! They came especially for us!"

"Okay, here it comes." Hiroshi put down his pencil, his fingertips lightly brushing across the drawing paper, gathering the scattered eraser shavings together.

He got up, walked to the window, and glanced down at the courtyard.

Fujiwara Isshin, dressed in a navy blue suit with a neatly tied tie, was carrying an exquisite paulownia wood gift box as he followed Masaya toward the entrance.

Today, Masaya wore a light pink dress, her hair was neatly combed, and the tips of her ears were faintly red. She couldn't help but steal glances at Fujiwara Isshin next to her every few steps, and she looked much more reserved than usual.

"Okay, I'll be right down," Hiroshi replied, casually putting the storyboard on the table into a folder.

Just as I stepped out of the art studio, I bumped into Mengya, who was running upstairs carrying a doll. The little girl's Kumamon doll still had a few cotton threads stuck to it, and the blush on her cheeks was crooked, but it gave off an adorable and innocent charm.

"Brother-in-law! Come with me quickly!" Mengya grabbed Guangzhi's hand with more force than usual: "Yixin-san brought a lot of delicious food! There's your favorite yokan, and my favorite strawberry daifuku!"

Hiroshi was pulled down the stairs by her. At the corner of the stairs, he could smell the aroma of tea wafting from the living room, mixed with the sweet scent of pastries, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

As soon as I reached the living room door, I saw Yoshiharu Koyama sitting in the main seat, holding a teacup in his hand, talking to Isshin Fujiwara, with a rare gentle smile on his face.

Koyama Takaya stood to the side, holding a freshly baked dorayaki in his hand, and stuffed it into Fujiwara Isshin's hand, muttering, "It's fresh out of the oven, eat it while it's hot."

Masaya sat on a low stool next to Fujiwara Isshin, twisting her skirt with her fingers. When she heard her father mention her name, the tips of her ears turned even redder.

"Hiroshi is here."

Yoshiharu Koyama was the first to see him, and waved with a smile: "Sit down quickly. I was just talking to Isshin-san about Kumamon. He also said that the prefectural government is planning to give you a 'Special Contribution Award for Kumamon Promotion'."

Fujiwara Isshin quickly stood up, bowed slightly, and said in a respectful yet friendly tone, "Nohara-san, it's been a long time. I'd like to have a good chat with you and your aunt and uncle today about the Kumamon merchandise supervision issue that I mentioned to you before."

As he spoke, he handed over the paulownia wood gift box in his hand: "This contains homemade yokan (sweet bean jelly) and pickled vegetables. My mother insisted that I bring it for you to try."

Hiroshi took the gift box, his fingertips touching the warm wood grain.

He sat down on the cushion next to him, his gaze sweeping across the living room—two copper sukiyaki pots sat on the low table, the broth still simmering. Next to them were neatly arranged slices of beef, pink with even layers of fat, along with brightly washed chrysanthemum greens, enoki mushrooms, and tofu, piled on a white porcelain plate, looking incredibly appetizing. “Ichishin-san, you’re too kind.”

Guangzhi put the gift box aside, picked up his teacup and took a sip: "I have some ideas about the regulatory company you mentioned before. Since your aunt and uncle are here today, let's discuss it together."

As soon as he finished speaking, Koyama Takaya chimed in with a smile, "Yes, yes, Isshin-san, you don't know, Hiroshi is always so thorough in his work. Before, when he helped Misae set up the manga club, he arranged everything clearly, from finding a venue to recruiting staff. Now the manga club is doing very well, and many publishing houses are actively coming to us to commission manuscripts."

Misae sat next to Hiroshi, her cheeks flushing slightly as she heard her mother praising her, but she couldn't help but add, "Isshin-san, Hiroshi also designed the Kumamon manga character for us. Now everyone in the manga club is drawing 'Kumamon's Daily Life.' Once it's finished, we plan to talk to Shueisha about publishing it!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Fujiwara Isshin's eyes, and his gaze toward Hiroshi was filled with admiration: "Nohara-san is truly amazing. When I was talking to Minister Yamada at the prefectural government office before, he said that you are a 'genius who can turn ideas into reality,' and now it seems that he was absolutely right."

He paused, then changed the subject, his tone becoming serious, "Actually, besides talking to you about the regulatory company, there's something important I want to tell you, Uncle and Aunt."

The atmosphere in the living room instantly quieted down. Koyama Yoshiji put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Fujiwara Isshin with a hint of scrutiny, but he didn't say anything.

Koyama Takaya also stopped what she was doing, looked at him with expectation in her eyes.

Masaya lowered her head even further, and the force with which she twisted her skirt increased.

This is something they clearly already knew.

Fujiwara Isshin took a deep breath, stood up again, and bowed deeply to Koyama Yoshiharu and Koyama Takaya, speaking sincerely: "Uncle, Aunt, I'm here today on behalf of the Fujiwara family to discuss my marriage with Masaya. I know my current position isn't high enough, and my income isn't as good as Nohara-san's, but I assure you that I will take good care of Masaya and never let her suffer any hardship."

As he spoke, he took out a small velvet box from the inside pocket of his suit, opened it—inside was a silver ring engraved with tiny cherry blossom patterns, not flashy, but exquisite.

“This was passed down to me by my mother. She said it was a token of love that my father gave to her. I want to give it to Masaya and hope that you two will approve of it,” Fujiwara Isshin said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Maya abruptly raised her head, tears welling in her eyes, but she managed to hold them back. She looked at Fujiwara Isshin, then at her parents, her lips moved, but no words came out.

Because this is something only parents can decide.

Yoshiharu Koyama stared at Isshin Fujiwara for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder: "Isshin, your aunt and I have long seen your feelings for Masaya. You're a steady and sincere person, we trust you." He turned to Koyama Takasaya: "You agree, don't you, old woman?"

Koyama Takaya's eyes were already red, and she nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, Isshin-san is a good girl. It's her good fortune that Masaya can marry you."

She walked over, took Masaya's hand, took the ring out of the box, and gently put it on Masaya's ring finger: "From now on, you're an adult. You have to live a good life with Isshin-san, okay?"

Maya nodded vigorously, tears finally streaming down her face, but she still smiled and said, "Yes! Thank you, Mom and Dad! Thank you, Isshin-kun!"

Mengya sat to the side, hugging a Kumamon plushie, looking at the scene before her, and suddenly tilted her head and asked, "So, are we getting engaged tomorrow? I heard from my teacher at school that before the engagement, both sets of parents have to have a meal together and discuss the betrothal gifts and dowry. That's a necessary etiquette before the engagement, right?"

These words made Zhenya's face turn bright red instantly. She gently patted Mengya's head and scolded, "What do you know, you're just a child!" But she couldn't help but nod, "Indeed... According to custom, the parents of both sides will meet tomorrow at noon to discuss the specifics of the engagement."

Fujiwara Isshin quickly looked at Hiroshi and Misae, his tone sincere: "Nohara-san, Misae-san, I hope you can come to our meeting tomorrow at noon. Masae told me that, especially Nohara Hiroshi, you are like her own younger brother, and she will feel more at ease with you two around."

Seeing Masaya's expectant gaze, Hiroshi smiled and nodded, "Of course I'll go. I happen to be free tomorrow, Misaya, are things alright on your end?"

Misae immediately nodded: "No problem! I can go with Masae-neechan."

Seeing the family enjoying themselves so much, Yoshiharu Koyama was in a particularly good mood. He stood up, walked to the low table, picked up the alcohol stove, and lit it: "Alright, alright, stop talking and hurry up and start cooking the sukiyaki. The beef is getting cold. Hiroshi, you and Isshin-san should have some sake. Let's have a good chat today."

Koyama Takaya quickly agreed, pouring the beef slices into the pot. The broth instantly boiled, and the aroma of meat mixed with the sweet fragrance of the sauce filled the air.

She then added chrysanthemum greens, enoki mushrooms, and tofu to the pot one by one, saying, "Ichishin-san, eat more beef. This is snowflake beef that I specially bought from the market yesterday. It tastes especially good. Hiroshi, don't be shy, take as much as you like."

Fujiwara Isshin picked up his glass, clinked it with Hiroshi's, and said sincerely, "Nohara-san, thank you so much for today. Regarding the Kumamon merchandise supervision company I mentioned to you before, I actually have an idea. I'd like your uncle and aunt to be in charge. Your uncle used to be the head of the middle school's academic affairs department, and he's meticulous in his work, so he's perfect for overseeing quality control; your aunt is good at interpersonal relationships, so managing the sales channels will definitely be no problem. Besides, this is your copyright, so as long as you agree, I'll communicate with the prefectural government to ensure that the company's operation will run smoothly."

Hiroshi picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth. The meat was tender and the sauce was just right.

He looked at Fujiwara Isshin, a knowing smile in his eyes—

In fact, he had guessed what the other party was thinking the moment Fujiwara Isshin mentioned the regulatory company.

Yoshiji Koyama has been idle at home since retiring, and he always feels that he is useless. If he could be put in charge of supervision, he could make use of his strengths and have something to do.

Koyama Takaya enjoys interacting with people, and managing sales channels suits her perfectly.

“That’s a great idea.” Guangzhi put down his chopsticks, his tone serious. “Your aunt and uncle are very experienced, so I’m very confident letting them handle it. There are no issues with the copyright; I’ll have the lawyer prepare the authorization documents as soon as possible. As for the county government, I’ll leave it to you to take care of things.”

Upon hearing this, Yoshiji Koyama's eyes flashed with surprise: "Hiroshi, are you serious? I... I can really take charge of the supervision?"

Hiroshi smiled and nodded: "Of course. Uncle, you've been the head of the teaching department for so many years, you must be very strict about quality control. I trust you with the Kumamon merchandise. Besides, this is also a contribution to the development of Kumamoto. Didn't you always say you wanted to do something for Kumamoto? This is a good opportunity."

Koyama Takaya was also very happy. She put a piece of tofu on Fujiwara Isshin's plate and said with a smile, "Isshin-san, thank you so much. From now on, my husband and I will work hard and not let you and Hiroshi down."

Fujiwara Isshin quickly waved his hand: "Auntie, you're too kind. This is what I should do. I'm happy to contribute to Kumamoto and make Uncle and Auntie happy."

Holding her Kumamon plush toy, Mengya looked at the ingredients bubbling in the pot and suddenly said, "Then can I help out at the company in the future? I can help check if the blush on the plush toys is sewn crooked, and I can also help sell merchandise. My classmates at school all say they want to buy Kumamon plush toys!"

Misae smiled and ruffled her hair: "Of course! Once the company is established, you can be our 'little quality inspector,' specializing in checking the quality of the dolls, okay?"

Mengya nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling: "Okay! I will definitely do my best and not let everyone down!"

The atmosphere in the living room grew increasingly lively, with the steam from the sukiyaki casting a warm glow on everyone's faces.

Yoshiharu Koyama chatted with Isshin Fujiwara about the education situation in Kumamoto, occasionally mentioning details of the supervision of Kumamon merchandise; Takasae Koyama talked with Misae and Yume about what to wear to their meeting the next day, as well as the engagement party process.

Hiroshi sat to the side, occasionally adding a few words, his gaze sweeping over his family, his heart filled with peace.

Fujiwara Isshin took a sip of sake, looked at Hiroshi, and said with a hint of admiration, "Nohara-san, when we filmed the Kumamon short film together before, I thought you were amazing. Now, seeing that you not only promote Kumamon so well, but also consider the needs of those around you so thoroughly, I really admire you. If there's anything I can help you with in the future, please don't hesitate to ask, and I will do my best."

Hiroshi smiled and waved his hand: "No need to be so polite. We're all doing this for the good of Kumamoto and the good of the people around us. Helping each other is only right. Besides, Kumamon's success today is inseparable from your and Minister Yamada's support, as well as the efforts of everyone in the prefectural government."

He paused, looked at the beef in the pot, and added, "By the way, regarding the follow-up promotion of Kumamon, I plan to shoot a series of short films called 'Kumamon's Four Seasons.' In spring, it will go to the foot of Mount Aso to see cherry blossoms; in summer, it will help fruit farmers pick oranges; in autumn, it will learn to make persimmon cakes with an old lady; and in winter, it will build a snowman in front of Kumamoto Castle. At that time, it may need the prefectural government to provide some venues and resources, so I will have to trouble you to coordinate."

Fujiwara Isshin immediately nodded: "No problem! I'll talk to Minister Yamada tomorrow and ask him to make the arrangements as soon as possible. The prefectural government will definitely provide full support in terms of venue and resources. Rest assured, it will not delay the filming schedule."

Hearing this, Yoshiharu Koyama couldn't help but say, "Hiroshi, if you need any help when filming the short film, just let me know. I know a lot of fruit farmers and old ladies, and they'll definitely be willing to cooperate. I can also help you look at the script. Although I don't know anything about film and television, I know the local customs and culture of Kumamoto, and I might be able to give you some suggestions."

Hiroshi smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll definitely need your help then, Uncle. With your help, the short film will definitely be even better."

The sukiyaki was almost done cooking, and Koyama Takaya divided the cooked beef and vegetables into everyone's bowls, and then poured sake for everyone.

Laughter and conversation mingled in the living room, and warm yellow light shone on everyone, creating a cozy and homey atmosphere.

While eating beef, Mengya mumbled, "Brother-in-law, once the short film is finished, you have to show it to me first! I also want to take my classmates to see the Kumamon filming location so they can see the adorable Kumamon too!"

Misae smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely let you be the first to see it. I'll also draw the filming process into a comic so that more people can know the story of Kumamon."

Fujiwara Isshin looked at the scene before him, his heart filled with emotion.

He recalled that when he first got together with Masaya, he was worried that the Koyama family would make things difficult for him. He never expected that the Koyama couple would be so understanding, and that Hiroshi and Misaya would be so friendly.

He feels incredibly lucky that he can not only get engaged to Masaya but also work with Hiroshi to contribute to the development of Kumamoto.

"Come on, let's drink!"

Yoshiji Koyama raised his glass, a smile on his face: "Wishing Masaya and Isshin a successful engagement! Wishing Hiroshi's Kumamon short film great success! Wishing our family continued happiness forever!"

Everyone raised their glasses and gently clinked them together, the crisp sound echoing in the living room.

The rich aroma of sake mingles with the fragrance of sukiyaki, creating a warm and comforting feeling, like a gentle current flowing into everyone's heart.

As night deepened outside the window, the cherry blossom trees in the courtyard shimmered with a soft glow under the lamplight.

The laughter continued in the living room, and the steam from the sukiyaki pot rose gently, making everyone's faces feel especially warm.

……

As Fujiwara Isshin pushed open the door, the motion-sensor light in the entryway turned on, its warm yellow light spreading along the wooden floor and softening the wrinkles on his navy blue suit.

The air was filled with the faint aroma of sencha, mixed with the sweetness of wagashi (Japanese sweets), the unique hospitality of his mother, Fujiwara Temari—clearly, his parents were still waiting for him.

"came back?"

The sliding door to the living room was gently pulled open, and Fujimoto Maru's voice came out first.

The senior prefectural assemblyman, whose hair was already somewhat gray, was sitting at the head of the low table, holding an open copy of the "Kumamoto Prefectural Gazette" in his hands. His reading glasses had slipped down to the tip of his nose, but his gaze was not on the paper; he was clearly getting impatient.

Fujiwara no Temari, who was standing next to him, immediately stood up. The hem of her kimono swept across the tatami mat, and she held a warm enamel teacup in her hand, with steam condensing into a fine mist at the rim.

"Please sit down, please sit down. I just had Xue reheat the tea three times, just in case you drink it cold when you get back." Temari handed the teacup to Isshin, her fingertips lightly touching his cuff. "Is it windy outside? I saw the weather forecast said it would get colder tonight, why didn't you wear an extra jacket?"

As Yixin took the teacup, her fingertips touched the warm cup, and her heart felt warm as well.

He sat down on the cushion opposite him and placed the paulownia wood gift box in his hand next to the low table—inside were dorayaki made by Koyama Takaya himself, with the softest ones specially reserved for him to take back for his parents to try.

"Mom, I'm not cold. The car has the heater on." Yixin took a sip of tea, the aroma of which carried a hint of roasted fragrance, a taste he had loved since childhood. "The talks with Xiaoshan's family... went very smoothly."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fujimoto Maru put down the bulletin in his hand, pushed up his reading glasses, and looked at his son's face with a scrutinizing gaze, but more so with expectation: "I heard that Koyama Yoshiharu used to be the head of the middle school's academic affairs department, and he is very particular about rules."

Temari also came over, still clutching a piece of freshly opened yokan in her hand, but forgot to hand it out: "Yes, Isshin, I like Masaya. She's quiet and sensible, and she's good at housework. But the Koyama family is just an ordinary family after all. Won't they feel that our family is too high a threshold and feel burdened? If they have any concerns, you have to tell your mother. We can make concessions wherever possible."

Seeing her parents' nervous expressions, she couldn't help but laugh.

He knew that his parents were pretending to be worried that Xiaoshan's family would have objections, but in reality, they were afraid that he would be wronged in his marriage.

After all, the Fujiwara family was a prominent family in Kumamoto. The father was a senior prefectural assembly member and also held an important position in the Kumamoto City Council, while the Koyama family was just an ordinary working-class family. Masa's father was only a junior high school dean of students before he retired, and his mother stayed at home to take care of the household chores. In the eyes of outsiders, this marriage was indeed somewhat "unequal".

But only Yixin knew that her father agreed to the marriage not because of family background, but because of Zhenya's perfect performance and good upbringing when he brought her home for dinner last year, which won their approval.

Afterwards, his father told him, "This girl is thoughtful and considerate, much better than those pretentious rich girls. Our family doesn't lack social standing; what we lack are people who can live a good life."

“Dad, Mom, you’re overthinking it.” Yixin put down her teacup and said seriously, “Uncle Xiaoshan and Auntie are very easy-going and didn’t make any unreasonable demands. They said that as long as I can take good care of Zhenya and make sure she doesn’t suffer any grievances, they can entrust their daughter to me with peace of mind.”

He paused, then took a small velvet box from the inside pocket of his suit, opened it—inside was a silver ring engraved with tiny cherry blossom patterns.

“This is what Aunt Xiaoshan asked me to bring back. She said it’s a ‘betting gift’ for you two. She also said that this ring was passed down from Zhenya’s maternal grandmother. Uncle Xiaoshan used it to pledge his love to Aunt Xiaoshan back then. Now she’s giving it to me in the hope that our two families can live together harmoniously like one big family.”

Temari took the box, her fingertips gently tracing the cherry blossom pattern on the ring, her eyes instantly reddening.

She looked up at her husband, her voice choked with emotion: "See, I told you the Xiaoshan family is a reasonable family, didn't I? Zhenya even gave up the family heirloom ring, which shows that she is truly committed to living with us."

Fujimoto Maru didn't say anything, but reached out and took the box, examining the ring carefully.

His fingers were rough, with prominent knuckles from years of holding a pen, but he touched the ring with unusual gentleness, as if afraid of breaking it.

After a few seconds, he slowly nodded: "Yes, it's a family that knows how to behave. This ring may not be expensive, but it carries a lot of sentiment, much better than those gold and silver ornaments."

(End of this chapter)