I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 64 Nohara Hiroshi is in a very good mood!

On Monday morning, Hiroshi Nohara was in a good mood.

It's like a glass of freshly made lemonade with ice cubes, with just the right amount of coolness and freshness.

So refreshing!
Hiroshi Nohara rested one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand's elbow casually rested on the car window, looking at the skyscrapers outside the window that were coated with a layer of gold by the morning light. His mood was like the V8 engine of this car, smooth and powerful.

Success is like giving yourself a rare BUFF in the game. When you walk on the road, you feel like there is a golden special effect floating above your head.

Even the air smells a little sweeter than others.

Hmm... maybe it's because there's a lot of technology added to gasoline these days, which is why it smells so sweet...

But Nohara Hiroshi was indeed in a good mood.

This feeling became even more obvious when he parked his car smoothly in the underground parking space of Tokyo TV Production Bureau, which was reserved for directors.

"Director Nohara, good morning!"

"Section Chief Nohara, you look really good today!"

"Mr. Nohara! The final episode of your "Anzhiju Season 2" is a masterpiece! My daughter now avoids telescopes!"

From the parking lot to the elevator, and then to the floor where the production department is located, along the way, those faces that were once just nodding acquaintances, or even too lazy to nod, now all bloomed with enthusiastic smiles like sunflowers blown by the spring breeze.

Those titles have also changed from the slightly unfamiliar "Nohara-kun" in the beginning to the various "director", "section chief", and even "teacher" with a bit of fanatical worship.

Of course, those who call him "teacher" are all young people who have just joined the company, and they all know Nohara Hiroshi's achievements.

There are also young people who have watched "Yu Yu Hakusho" and are his fans.

Nohara Hiroshi also smiled modestly in response to this.

They nodded in response one by one.

He knew very well that these people were not greeting him, they were paying tribute to the ratings myth called '8.12%'.

In this unit where only data speaks, he, Hiroshi Nohara, is the most shining and unquestionable string of numbers.

It represents the legendary record-breaking viewership ratings itself!

After success...

Everyone I met was a good person.

This statement is absolutely correct.

"Ding." The elevator door opened.

He walked into the room with a brand new sign hanging on it - [Nohara Hiroshi Special Production Team].

The office was bustling with activity, in stark contrast to the drowsy silence in the corridor.

"Section Chief, good morning!"

Nancun Xing and Hase Jizo jumped up from their seats almost at the same time.

Those two young faces still showed the fatigue from a hangover, but their eyes were frighteningly bright, like two little tigers who had just won a fierce battle in the jungle and were excitedly licking their wounds.

"Section Chief Nohara! Today's breakfast is your favorite egg sandwich and iced American coffee!" Kitagawa Yao was like a hardworking little bee, arranging the warm breakfast and iced coffee one by one.

Those big, bright eyes curved into two beautiful crescents, filled with undisguised admiration.

"Thank you for your hard work." Nohara Hiroshi took the breakfast with a smile and sat down behind the desk that belonged to him and symbolized his new identity.

He looked around and nodded secretly.

After two months of hellish trials and tribulations, this small team has shed its initial immaturity, and each member exudes the high-spirited and confident aura of a winner.

But he soon discovered something was wrong.

"Where's Hashimoto-senpai?" he asked casually after taking a bite of his sandwich.

As a rule, as the executive director, Hashimoto Ichiro is usually the first to arrive.

The lively atmosphere in the office cooled down a bit in an instant.

Nancun Xing and Changgu Luzou looked at each other. Nancun Xing scratched his head and said uncertainly, "I don't know. I haven't seen anyone today."

"Hashimoto-senpai has been acting a little strange lately."

Beichuan Yao, holding her own glass of milk, added quietly, her face, always full of energy, now filled with the sharpness and worry that only belonged to a woman. "I've seen him several times answering the phone alone at the end of the corridor, acting mysteriously. When I asked him, he said something was wrong at home."

"That's right!"

Hasegawa nodded vigorously, lowering his voice as if sharing some important secret. "Last Friday, I saw Iwata's assistant, the one called Kojima, sneaking around our door. Then it seemed like he went to look for Hashimoto-senpai."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Nohara Hiroshi.

In the office, for a moment, the only sound was the monotonous operation of the coffee machine.

"Maybe... he found a new classroom?" Nancun Xing guessed. This was a reasonable explanation.

After all, Section Chief Suzuki was promoted, and their temporarily formed team has been disbanded in a sense.

As an experienced Level 4 director, it was normal for Hashimoto Ichiro to be poached by other classrooms.

Nohara Hiroshi didn't say anything, he just drank his coffee calmly.

After all, Suzuki Seito had talked a lot with him before leaving.

This also includes Hashimoto Ichiro.

Moreover, this young man, Hiroshi Nohara, was promoted to a fourth-level director so quickly, which would definitely arouse jealousy.

But some things don’t need to be spoken out once you see through them.

It is also Hashimoto's freedom to choose which classroom he wants to go to.

"By the way, Section Chief Nohara."

At this moment, Kitagawa Yao gently placed a document that she had just received from the administrative department in front of Nohara Hiroshi.

"This is... a notice from above."

Her voice was thick with indignation. "They say they're holding a special meeting this morning at 10:00 AM regarding the copyright and adaptation rights for 'Anzhiju,' and they ask you...as the original author, to be in attendance."

"Ha! These guys are really quick!"

Nan Cun Xing slammed the table, anger written all over his young face. "We worked so hard to build this empire, and now someone is eager to reap the spoils?!"

"That's right! The way he eats is so ugly!" Hase Luzou was so angry that he was shaking all over.

In the office, the joy that had just risen from the victory was instantly replaced by anger at being robbed in public.

"Calm down, everyone."

Nohara Hiroshi's voice seemed unusually calm amidst the clamor of anger.

He looked at the notice, a faint smile on his face. "When the peaches are ripe, there will always be people who want to pick them. The problem is whether they can get them and whether they can afford the price."

His words were like a tranquilizer, instantly calming the restlessness in everyone's hearts.

The copyright is still in the hands of their omnipotent section chief.

If the section chief disagrees.

What else can I do?!
Thinking of this, everyone smiled.

'Squeak—'

Just as everyone began to enthusiastically discuss Nohara Hiroshi's methods and copyright issues, the office door was pushed open.

Hashijita Ichiro walked in.

He had changed into a brand new suit, his hair meticulously combed, and his face wore a perfectly formalized look of apology, but the emotion he expressed was just that: "Sorry, everyone, I'm late. There was an emergency at home."

"Senior Qiao Xia, what's wrong with you..." Nancun Xing was about to ask something.

But Hashijitaro interrupted him directly: "Um... I have some personal matters to attend to this morning and need to go out. I have already reported to the personnel department in advance."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and was about to leave without waiting for Nohara Hiroshi to speak.

This gesture is more of a... notification than a request for leave.

The atmosphere in the entire office instantly dropped to freezing point.

Nancun Xing and Chang Gu Lu Zuo both looked at him in astonishment, as if they were looking at an extremely unfamiliar intruder.

This is not the Hashimoto Ichiro they have in mind at all!
"Hashimoto-senpai."

Nohara Hiroshi's voice sounded calmly at this time.

Hashijitaro paused. He didn't turn around, but turned his back to everyone and said in a somewhat stiff voice, "Section Chief, is there anything else?"

"Oh, nothing." Nohara Hiroshi leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound. He paused for a moment before speaking again: "Next time, remember to tell us in advance, otherwise, we will worry about you."

Hashijitachi was silent for a moment.

But nothing was said.

He just said "hmm" and quickened his pace, disappearing at the door as if he was fleeing in panic.

The office suddenly fell into silence.

No one is a fool. They can feel the turbulent waves hidden beneath the seemingly calm conversation.

And... the abnormality of senior Hashimoto Ichiro!

"Jingle Bell--"

However, just when the atmosphere was extremely tense, the landline phone suddenly rang, breaking the suffocating silence.

"Hello, this is the Nohara production team." Hiroshi Nohara picked up the microphone, and all emotions had faded from his handsome face.

Only calm remains.

On the other end of the line came the gentle and steady voice of Deputy Director Asumi: "Nohara-kun, did you receive the meeting notice?"

"Got it, Deputy Director." Nohara Hiroshi's voice was calm: "It's just that I don't understand why you are so anxious?" He did not hide the fact that he had already guessed it.

"Haha, some people can't wait." Ming Hai laughed heartily.

He likes the smart Hiroshi Nohara.

But thinking about the importance of Nohara Hiroshi to "An Shiba Inu", Asumi said in a deep voice: "This is a challenge for you, so before this, I have already informed the review department. The copyright is yours, so you need to set the price. And as "An Shiba Inu" is a very successful planned animation, it is reasonable for the price to be higher..."

This reveals the price.

"Hi." Nohara Hiroshi raised his eyebrows. As long as the price was arbitrary, he would not be polite.

At this time, Ming Hai said again: "Besides, I have a better plan for you."

"Please go ahead." Nohara Hiroshi looked slightly surprised.

"Remember that S-ranked live-action horror project I mentioned last time?" Asumi's voice was solemn. "The station has officially approved it. I recommended you for the director position. The board of directors voted unanimously in favor."

When Nohara Hiroshi heard this, a sharp light like a sword being unsheathed finally appeared in his eyes, which had always been as calm as an ancient well.

This is just as he guessed!
And he knew that this was Asumi's real killer move.

Using the production rights of the third season of "An Zhi Ju" which seemed insignificant, in exchange for the absolute dominance of an S-level project that would determine the future situation for several years.

That was quite a clever tactic. "Deputy Director, aren't you afraid I'll mess this up?" Hiroshi Nohara's tone carried a hint of teasing.

"Hahaha!" A hearty laugh came from Asumi on the other end of the line: "Nohara-kun, I've never made a mistake in judging people in my life. I believe in you, just like I believe that the sun will rise as usual tomorrow."

"Well, thank you for your trust." A confident arc appeared on Nohara Hiroshi's lips.

"Yeah." Asumi felt relieved when he noticed that Nohara Hiroshi wasn't angry or upset. So he said seriously, "Nohara, after the meeting, come to my office."

"Hi!" Nohara Hiroshi replied.

After they hung up the phone, Hiroshi Nohara turned his head to look at the sky outside the window that was cut into pieces by steel bars and concrete. The chess game in his mind that he had already deduced countless times finally made the most crucial move.

He picked up the business plan on the table and slowly wrote five words on the blank cover.

——"Wonderful Stories of the World".

No matter how well "An Zhi Ju" performs, it is just an early morning and late night animation.

If you want to achieve results.

Then there must be real-life films and TV shows to tell the story.

However, for Nohara Hiroshi, who has memories of his past life, this horror live-action TV series completely fits the genre of "urban ghost stories" and perfectly fits the "modern national conditions of Japan".

Not without!

And there are many!
However, the most classic one is exactly "The Strangest Tales of the World", which can be regarded as a national-level horror live-action TV series in Japan!
Created multiple firsts in Neon ratings.

It has been broadcast continuously for more than 30 years.

According to Nohara Hiroshi's memories of his previous life, the show started airing in 1990 and is still being produced and broadcasted in 2025.

Timeless!

Now, having come to Neon in this parallel universe, Hiroshi Nohara doesn't believe that he can't conquer Neon with the same contemporary background, social culture!
……

10:00 a.m. sharp, Tokyo TV Production Headquarters Building, 17th floor, Conference Room 3.

When Nohara Hiroshi pushed open the heavy frosted glass door, there were already shadowy figures inside.

A unique aroma of high-quality black tea and document ink floated in the air.

It's like the prelude to a war without gunpowder that is about to begin.

Sitting in the main seat was Yamamoto, the director of the projection department. He had a programmed gentle smile on his face, but beneath that smile was a bottomless calmness like a cold pond.

On his left and right were the section chief of the Production Bureau's Finance Department, a representative of the Audit Department, and the head of the Copyright Procurement Section.

These people constitute the core operating center of this TV station.

Each name represents a chain of power that is enough to determine the life or death of a work.

"Nohara-kun, please take a seat."

Seeing Hiroshi Nohara coming in, Yamamoto stood up and greeted him warmly. His attitude seemed as if he was not welcoming a newly promoted fourth-level director, but an industry giant of equal standing.

"Director Yamamoto, seniors, good morning." Nohara Hiroshi bowed slightly, his attitude was humble but not servile.

He calmly sat down on the chair that had been prepared for him opposite Yamamoto, and swept his eyes across the room, taking in everyone's expression.

"Nohara-kun, I invited you here this time mainly to express my sincerest congratulations and gratitude to you on behalf of the station."

Yamamoto spoke first, his voice booming and filled with official praise: "Your 'An Shibaju' can be said to be the most successful dark horse show on TV Tokyo this year, no, in the past three years! Its legendary 8.12% viewership is not only a miracle for the late-night show, but also a huge impact on the entire industry! Everyone here is your loyal audience!"

As soon as he said this, there was a burst of goodwill in the conference room.

"Yes, Mr. Nohara, the concept of 'Paper' is simply genius! Our review department is now studying it as a model for innovative projects."

"The Finance Department has also done the statistics. The input-output ratio of 'An Zhi Ju' has set a record high for our station in the past ten years! Nohara-kun, you are the pride of all of us!"

Praises came like a tide, filling the small meeting room with warmth like spring.

Nohara Hiroshi just listened quietly with a gentle smile on his face, and occasionally nodded politely in response to the compliments.

He knew better than anyone that these were just a few exquisite but light appetizers before the 'Hongmen Banquet'.

Sure enough, after the greetings, Yamamoto cleared his throat.

The real purpose is revealed.

"Nohara-kun, it's precisely because of the tremendous success of 'Anzhiju' that the top management of the station, after careful study, decided to elevate this project brand to a strategic level."

His voice grew serious, carrying an official tone that brooked no room for argument. "We hope that the station will officially purchase all subsequent rights to 'An Zhi Ju', including animation adaptation, live-action film and television adaptation, and peripheral development rights. We will assemble a top-notch team and invest the highest-quality resources to build it into a truly nationally recognized brand that represents TV Tokyo."

coming.

Nohara Hiroshi chuckled in his heart, but his face showed a hint of surprise and reluctance just right.

He frowned slightly, as if he had heard a request that embarrassed him. After a long silence, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of the unique attachment to his work that only creators have: "Director Yamamoto, I'm very grateful for the station's appreciation. It's just that... 'Anzhiju' is like my first child to me. Selling it... I... I'm a little reluctant."

His words were so sincere and heartfelt that everyone present nodded subconsciously.

There's nothing wrong with that.

No one would easily sell a chicken that is laying golden eggs.

Yamamoto had obviously anticipated this reaction. His smile remained unchanged, but his tone carried a hint of advice and guidance from someone who had experienced it:

"Nohara-kun, we completely understand your feelings. However, you must understand that the growth of a project brand requires a broader platform and more professional operations. You are talented, but your energy is limited. Instead of letting this 'child' fight alone, why not entrust it to our more powerful 'family' to cultivate it and let it grow into a truly towering tree? Isn't this better for its future?"

"and……"

Yamamoto paused, then unleashed his long-prepared trump card. His voice held a seduction that any young person drifting in Tokyo couldn't resist: "Nohara-kun, you still live in an apartment, right? It's too far from Taichung. Besides, your registered residence is still in Akita, right?"

He looked at Hiroshi Nohara with eyes like a skilled hunter, slowly tightening the trap that had been set long ago.

"As long as you agree to this copyright transfer, the station will not only provide you with a substantial sum of money, enough for you to buy your own house in Minato-ku or Setagaya, but our Human Resources Department will also immediately initiate the special talent recruitment process and secure you a Tokyo residence permit, allowing you to truly settle down in this city."

The conference room fell silent.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Nohara Hiroshi.

A house in Tokyo, a household registration in Tokyo.

This is a dream that countless young people from other places may not be able to realize in their entire lives.

And now, it is right before our eyes, within our reach.

No one thought he had any reason to refuse.

Nohara Hiroshi fell silent.

He leaned back in his chair, looking out the window at the concrete and steel walls. For the first time, his handsome face revealed a young man's perfect struggle and hesitation.

After a long time, he let out a long breath, as if he was making an extremely difficult decision.

"Okay." He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse with a hint of compromise: "I understand. I agree to transfer the copyright."

A relieved smile instantly appeared on Yamamoto's face as well as everyone present.

It became.

"But, as for the price..." Nohara Hiroshi raised his head. All hesitation had faded from his clear eyes, leaving only calmness. "I hope it's 10 million yen."

Ten million!

This number was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing small ripples in the hearts of everyone present.

This is indeed a sky-high price.

But for a planning brand that has created a ratings myth and has unlimited potential, it is within a... completely acceptable range.

What's more, the executive deputy director has nodded.

There was nothing to stop them.

Yamamoto exchanged a glance with the finance manager, who nodded imperceptibly.

"No problem." Yamamoto made the final decision, a victorious smile on his face again: "Let's do as Nohara-kun says."

"Then there is only one last thing left."

Just when everyone thought the dust had settled and was about to stand up and shake hands to celebrate, Nohara Hiroshi's voice sounded calmly again.

"I just have a small, even somewhat petulant request."

He looked at everyone, his eyes like a father about to say goodbye to his child, full of reluctance and worry: "I hope to include a special clause in the contract."

"Special terms?" Yamamoto was stunned.

"Yes."

Nohara Hiroshi nodded and said word by word, "If, and I mean if, the station's subsequent production of 'An Zhi Ju' has an average viewership rating of less than 5% for three consecutive weeks, then I will have the right to forcibly reclaim the exclusive production rights for the next two seasons of 'An Zhi Ju' for one yuan."

He paused, facing the stunned gazes of the crowd, and added, "Of course, the copyright still belongs to the TV station. All I need is the production rights, the rights to the last two seasons."

The conference room fell into deathly silence again.

This clause sounds like a childish, meaningless bet.

5%?

What a joke!
The average viewership rating of the second season of "Dark House" is almost over 7%. Even if the third season is worse, it is impossible for it to fall below 5%!

Yamamoto looked at Nohara Hiroshi's face which was full of "stubbornness" and "naivety", and the unhappiness in his heart caused by the other party's exorbitant price disappeared in an instant.

He even found it a little funny.

After all, he is still a young man. He has more than enough talent, but he doesn't understand the cruelty of the business world.

This clause was nothing more than his last futile struggle to protect his pitiful dignity as a creator.

What's wrong with satisfying him?
I can also do him a favor by the way.

"can."

A genuine smile appeared on Yamamoto's face.

He stood up and extended his hand to Nohara Hiroshi. "Nohara-kun, it's a pleasure working with you. On behalf of TV Tokyo, I welcome you to become a most important member of our family."

Nohara Hiroshi also stood up and shook that hand.

"Pleasant to work with."

There was also a gentle smile on his face.

However, beneath that smile, in the depths of those clear eyes, there was a fleeting flash of cold light, like the one that appears when a chess player sees his prey walk into a trap.

It wasn't a child he sold.

He simply exchanged a soon-to-be-outdated brand project for a house, a household registration, 10 million in cash, and... a perfect stage that would be enough to smash his opponents to pieces in the future.

He himself will take that S-level plan to open up a broader new world that truly belongs to him.

He had already seen the ending of this game.

"Very interesting." Nohara Hiroshi's mouth curled up slightly.

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(End of this chapter)