I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 53 Celebration Banquet

The night is like fine ink, slowly spreading across the huge piece of rice paper of Tokyo, blurring the hustle and bustle and order of the day, turning it into a dazzling sea of ​​stars composed of countless lights.

Inside a restaurant in Akasaka, a wooden partition separates the bustling outside world from the tranquility inside.

The air is filled with the gentle aroma of sake and the sizzling sound of premium Wagyu beef being roasted at high temperatures on the iron plate, mixed with the milky aroma of fat being squeezed out of the meat, making the smell in this retro-themed room even more mellow.

This is a celebration banquet, a true banquet for the victors.

At the main seat, Deputy Director Ming Rihai was holding a small celadon wine glass. His square face, which always looked elegant and calm, now had a gentle red glow due to the alcohol.

He looked at Nohara Hiroshi who was sitting next to him, with his admiration in his eyes barely concealed.

"Nohara-kun." His voice was gentle, carrying the familiarity of an elder towards a younger generation. "I heard from Seito that this time, both the first and second seasons of 'Anzhiju' were your work, from beginning to end. Honestly, when I saw the first ratings report, even I was worried for you. But you, in a way that no one could understand, fought a brilliant battle... one that will go down in the annals of our television station."

He raised his glass and gestured towards Nohara Hiroshi, "On behalf of the production department, I toast to you, a genius."

"Hi! Deputy Director Ming Rihai!"

Nohara Hiroshi immediately put down the chopsticks in his hand, picked up his wine glass with both hands, leaned forward slightly, and with an extremely humble attitude, placed the rim of the glass lower than Asumi's and touched it lightly.

As a northerner in his previous life, he was very knowledgeable about the ways of the world. He was also very dismissive of those who said foreigners had no such ways of the world.

People in foreign countries are too worldly-wise.

Not one of us.

Then there is no need to be worldly-wise with you.

Therefore, at this time, he must be respectful, humble, and very polite! Besides, the man is in his forties, about 20 years older than him, almost the same age as his father, Nohara Ginnosuke, who is still in Omagari City, Akita Prefecture.

However, when Nohara Hiroshi thought about the personality of his father, Nohara Ginnosuke, the corners of his eyes twitched slightly.

If Misae gave birth to Shin-chan in the future...

I must keep my son away from this eccentric father of mine!

"You're too kind, Deputy Director."

But Nohara Hiroshi's voice was calm, without a trace of the pride or complex inner turmoil that came from this praise. "If you and Section Chief Suzuki hadn't placed such great trust in an intern like me, against all odds, 'Anshiji Residence' would have been nothing more than a few scraps of paper. This toast should be to you, Section Chief Suzuki, and all the colleagues who have contributed to this work."

He tilted his head back and drank the sake in the cup in one gulp.

The spicy warmth slid down his throat, but his face did not change at all. Only his eyes, under the warm light of the restaurant, looked even clearer.

What a dignified young man.

The admiration in Asumi's eyes grew stronger.

He knew that in this circle, talent was certainly important, but knowing how to position oneself and how to find one's role in the chess game at the top was the key to going further.

Therefore, Nohara Hiroshi's words were neither arrogant nor fearful.

He attributed the credit to the collective and kept a very low profile, but in his words, he subtly tied himself, Asumi, and Suzuki Seito to a ship called "us".

This is no longer a skill that a newcomer should have, but a keen sense of the rules of power.

"Well said!" Suzuki Kiyoto, his face flushed, slammed his hand on the table as if to unleash his pent-up pride: "Deputy Director, you have no idea, this kid is the future hope of our Kanto faction! When you promoted me back then, I said that the people of Kanto TV are tough and have ideas! Now, look, we've got an even tougher one!"

He said this half drunkenly, half sincerely.

It is not only to praise Nohara Hiroshi, but also to show his loyalty and position to the old leader Asumi.

Upon hearing this, Ming Hai burst into laughter, and that laughter was filled with the satisfaction that had been suppressed for a long time.

He pointed at Suzuki Seito, then at Nohara Hiroshi, and said to all the members of Suzuki's class present: "Did you all hear that? From now on, when we have Kanto gatherings, Nohara-kun will be the core person who must be present!"

"Hi!"

Nohara Hiroshi stood up again and bowed deeply to Asumi.

He knew that from this moment on, he had truly stepped into the core circle of power of this TV station, paid homage to the leader, and became a chess piece with high hopes under the command of Deputy Director Ming Rihai.

"Nohara Hiroshi, keep up the good work. I'll give you a surprise in a while. A big surprise for you, our rising star of the Kanto faction!"

Deputy Director Ming Rihai did not stay for too long. After drinking a few more glasses and leaving a few words of encouragement, he left happily.

The words left behind made everyone very excited.

However, as soon as he left, the atmosphere in the restaurant's private room instantly relaxed.

Nancun Xing and Chang Gu Luzou seemed to have finally taken off some invisible shackles and started playing finger-guessing games loudly. Beichuan Yao also sipped the juice with a satisfied blush on her face.

Suzuki Seito looked at the joyous scene in front of him, his eyes full of relief.

He picked up the wine glass and stood up, with a hint of emotion after drinking on his old face.

"Everyone," he cleared his throat and waited until everyone was quiet before he slowly said, "There's something I need to announce. The station has officially confirmed my promotion to Level 2 Director."

"Oh!" A sincere cheer rang out in the office.

"But," Suzuki Seito waved his hand, signaling for silence, "I've also received a new transfer order. Next month, I'll be heading to Kanto Television as deputy director of the director team, responsible for several key planning projects there."

This news stunned everyone.

"Section Chief...are you leaving?" There was a hint of loss in Nancun Xing's voice.

Suzuki Seito smiled, a smile that carried the understanding of someone who had seen through the world. "All good things must come to an end. I, an old man, have come this far thanks to everyone. Tokyo is your world, young people."

His gaze slowly swept across the faces of Nancun Xing, Hase Rokuzo, and Kitagawa Yao, and finally fell on Nohara Hiroshi who was sitting quietly in the corner.

"I hope the three of you can continue to stay in Tokyo, in Nohara-kun's special production team." His voice became extremely serious. "Following him, you can learn much more than following me to Kanto TV. Your future will be brighter."

When the three heard this, their eyes turned red. They looked at Suzuki Seito, then at Nohara Hiroshi, and nodded heavily.

Only Hashijita Ichiro kept his head down and drank the wine in silence from beginning to end.

The face illuminated by the light was dim and unclear.

(End of this chapter)