I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 87 The storm continues! Hashijitaro is about to jump into the river!
The July wind, carrying the unique anxiety and restlessness of midsummer, blows across Tokyo, a steel forest that is bustling like a raging fire.

Time flies by and quietly slips into the second week.

The ratings storm created by "Wonderful Stories of the World" did not gradually decline after the initial outbreak as all professionals expected. Instead, it continued to and stably remain at a terrifyingly high level that was enough to suffocate all competitors in a manner that almost violated the laws of physics.

Monday, episode 20.88 "The Garbage That Can't Be Thrown Away" had a viewership rating of %.

Tuesday, episode nine, "Suffocating Dinner," ratings: 21.05%.

Wednesday, the tenth episode "The Gift", ratings: 21.03%.

When the final ratings report for the twelfth episode of "A Loving Family" flew into the offices of various departments of Tokyo TV like snowflakes on Friday, everyone was completely shocked by the glaring number on it.

21.35%!

"It seems the ratings for 'The Wonderful World' have stabilized at around 21%! This is truly... terrifying!"

"This is simply a miracle! A mid-tier prime-time show has achieved prime-time ratings!"

"Wait! If our prime-time program wasn't 'Yesterday's Cherry Blossoms,' a masterpiece that that top-tier director, the goddess of love, Matsumoto Keiko, spent ten years polishing, it's hard to say who will win!"

"That's right! This is too scary! In the past, 'The Wonderful World' would have had the highest ratings!"

At Tokyo TV, all the film and television professionals are now discussing the daily ratings of "Strange Stories of the World".

This has become a topic.

It has even become one of the hottest discussion topics on Tokyo TV in recent years!
Some even say that this is no longer a simple matter of ratings.

It became a kind of...

Cultural phenomenon!

A cultural phenomenon formed by "urban legends" that has penetrated into the hearts and character of Japanese people!
After all, everyone can notice that "urban legends" really fit in with the cultural customs of Japanese people!
……

Saturday, 8:55 pm.

Tokyo TV, backstage in Studio 1.

The production team of "Yesterday's Sakura" is shrouded in a low pressure.

As the trump card of Tokyo TV's prime time at 8 o'clock, this S-class era love project, personally directed by the first-class director "God of Romance Drama" Keiko Matsumoto, was once the pride of the entire TV station.

It is also the benchmark for Tokyo Party’s external publicity.

However, now, this pride is being ruthlessly devoured bit by bit by the aggressive monster from the secondary yellow box office next door.

"Director Matsumoto, the ratings estimates are out..."

There was a tremor in the assistant director's voice that was too daunting to look directly at.

"explain."

Matsumoto Keiko, a strong woman who still retains her charm even though she is over 50 years old and is known for her strength and perfectionism, is now leaning against the wall with her arms folded across her chest. Her face, which is always delicately made up, is now cold.

"Our... our estimated viewership for this episode is... 21.50%." The assistant director swallowed and replied.

"What about next door?" There was no emotion in Matsumoto Keiko's voice.

"...The estimated audience ratings for the thirteenth episode of 'The Monkey's Paw', the next-door 'Wonderful Stories of the World', is... 21.80%." The assistant director's voice became lower and lower, and finally it was barely audible.

"..."

The entire backstage instantly fell into deathly silence.

Everyone was like quails, not daring to make a sound. They just stood there blankly, with an expression of disbelief and horror written all over their faces.

Lost?

They, the ace of Tokyo TV and the overlord of prime time, are actually... going to lose to a second-rate prime time program?
Or lose to a new show that has only been on the air for less than two weeks?!

This is no longer a simple failure, it is a shame!

It is enough to make even the "God of Romance Dramas" Keiko Matsumoto lose face. It is a great shame and humiliation!
"impossible!"

Matsumoto Keiko suddenly raised her head, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes, which were always filled with confidence and pride. "This is just an estimate! The final data hasn't come out yet! The second half of our drama is the climax! The ratings will definitely come back!"

However, her words seemed so pale and powerless in the ears of everyone.

Because they have all seen the movie "Wonderful Stories of the World".

They knew too well how terrifying the urban legends created by the young man named Hiroshi Nohara were.

It's not simple horror or suspense at all.

It is the most precise, surgical-like analysis of the deepest part of the human heart, the loneliness, desire, jealousy and fear.

It is like a mirror, reflecting the distorted and dark reflection that may exist in the hearts of every ordinary person in this seemingly peaceful and prosperous society.

This kind of resonance that strikes the soul is incomparable to their love drama full of handsome men and beautiful women, and full of romance.

Finally, at ten o'clock in the evening, the final ratings reports of the two dramas were sent to Keiko Matsumoto.

"Yesterday's Cherry Blossoms": 21.45%.

"Wonderful Stories of the World": 21.95%.

A 0.5% ratings gap.

A seemingly insignificant number, but it is like an insurmountable chasm, lying between the two eras.

Keiko Matsumoto stared blankly at the report. The coffee cup in her hand had tilted at some point, and the warm liquid spilled all over her expensive Chanel suit, but she was completely unaware.

All the blood color on that face that was always full of pride faded away in an instant.

"It's true... the young are really formidable." Matsumoto Keiko threw the coffee on the ground, making a slight sound.

She didn't care that the coffee spilled on the carpet of Tokyo Station.

As a first-level director, she also has this authority.

However, in Matsumoto Keiko's heart, she really has absolute confidence in the TV series "Yesterday's Sakura" that she has produced, which can be said to be the best and most pinnacle TV series in her life.

But this confidence was shattered by a young man with the most direct ratings!
She was tired.

……

This unprecedented "secondary prime time slot counterattacks prime time slot" event, like a real hydrogen bomb, has detonated unprecedented violent shocks in the entire Japanese television industry.

Osaka, Kansai Television.

"Have you found out?! What's the background of that Nohara Hiroshi?!"

Director Yamauchi Hiroshi's roar almost blew the roof off the entire office.

"Director… Director…" The subordinate's voice was filled with tears. "We found out. He… He's from the countryside in Akita Prefecture. He's been in Tokyo for less than a year. He's a recent graduate…"

"..."

Yamauchi Hiroshi's roar rang out again: "And then? Did you contact him? Hasn't a country bumpkin ever seen anything good? Give me money and smash it! Smash it! Smash it!"

He gritted his teeth and was extremely angry at these stupid subordinates.

……

Nagoya, Chukyo TV.

"Imitate? You guys are just imitating ass!"

The production manager threw the ratings report in his hand hard in the faces of his subordinates who were still studying the videotape of "Wonderful Stories of the World" hard.

"He's already evolved to the point where he can dominate prime time! You can't even see his taillights! From now on, give up all your imitations! Come up with something! Come up with a brand new idea that can surpass his! If you can't come up with one, get out!"

These subordinates all lowered their heads in grievance and dared not speak.

After all, what the leader said is right.

It's you who is being imitated.

It was you who was accused of plagiarism.

Now we are told to innovate, but is innovation that easy?

If I could come up with something innovative, would I still be scolded by you here, and be scolded so harshly?

……

In this huge storm that swept across the country, those local TV station bosses who once had illusions about Hiroshi Nohara and tried to poach him to their own stations also became more rational.

They looked at the 21.95% ratings report with only bitter smiles on their faces.

Are you kidding me?
Will Tokyo TV let go of a monster who can single-handedly make a program in the secondary prime time have higher ratings than the prime time?

That old fox Sakata Nobuhiko must be worshipping him like his own father!

The only thing they could do now was to pray, pray that this young man would not extend his devilish hands into the field on which they depended for their livelihood.

I hope that young man won’t perform too many miracles again in the future.

Otherwise... this 23-year-old young man would probably dominate the entire Japanese film and television industry for the next two or three decades!

By then, they will be in despair!

……

However, what they didn't know was that the young man whom they regarded as a devil was sitting leisurely in his spacious and bright office, drinking the top-quality Blue Mountain coffee brewed for him by Beichuan Yao.

While flipping through a document with great interest.

This is detailed information about the major creative variety shows in this world, which was compiled for him overnight by Kenji Sato and Takeshi Yamamoto.

After all, he had promised Deputy Director Ming Rihai to design a variety show project.

And look at them one by one.

Although these creative and innovative variety shows do contain some funny and surprising content, they are fundamentally different from "Super Change".

"Almost, it's time."

A confident arc appeared on Nohara Hiroshi's lips.

"Wonderful Stories of the World" has been a huge success. Next, let's give it a try and try out a variety show project in this neon world. It would be nice!
He put down his coffee cup, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed the internal line of Ming Ri Hai.

"Deputy Director, it's me."

His voice was calm. "Regarding the Super Transformation project, I have some new ideas I'd like to add."

……

Unlike the high-spirited atmosphere in Nohara's classroom, Iwata's classroom was dead silent at this moment.

"Squeak-"

The door to the personnel department was pushed open by a female employee with an expressionless face. She was holding a stack of documents in her hand, and her high heels made a crisp and indifferent "tap-tap" sound on the clean floor, like the death knell tolling, each step precisely hitting the heart of everyone.

"Iwata Classroom, 'Anshiba' Season 3 Project Failed, and Penalties Decision Decision for Related Personnel."

She didn't say anything extra, but in a cold, businesslike tone, she placed the documents on everyone's desk one by one, as if handing out death notices.

In the office, the only sound left was the subtle yet extremely harsh rustling sound of papers falling on the table.

Hashijita's body was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

He stretched out his hand tremblingly. The thin A4 paper, which seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, seemed so cold under his fingertips.

His eyes slowly scanned the printed verdict that determined his fate, word by word.

"...After research and discussion by the production team's top management, it has been decided that Hashijitaro, as the executive director with full responsibility for the production of the third season of 'Anshiji', bears an unshirkable and significant responsibility. This has led to the project's reputation collapsing, the ratings plummeting, and an extremely negative impact on the broadcaster..."

"…It has been decided to remove him from his position as deputy section chief and transfer him…back to Kanto Television to serve as…a data organizer in the logistics department."

Tune back to...Kanto TV?

Logistics Department...data organizer?

"boom--!"

This punishment decision was like a thunderclap, striking Hashiji Ichiro's mind fiercely, completely shattering his sanity that had long been occupied by despair and fear!

He stood there in a daze, his empty eyes fixed on the lines of cold black words, as if he wanted to stare through the paper.

Kanto TV!
The place he once tried so hard to escape from!
He betrayed all his colleagues and mentor, including Hiroshi Nohara, in exchange for a position as deputy section chief at Tokyo TV!

Now, he was actually going to be sent back like a piece of trash?!

Or would you rather be a lowly document organizer in the logistics department, a position without even a formal job?!

This is no longer a simple punishment!
This is humiliation! This is exile! This is social death for him!
He could imagine what kind of cold and contemptuous looks he would receive when he dragged his luggage and set foot on that familiar land again.

Those colleagues who had once been close to him, those seniors who had placed high hopes on him, and... that Section Chief Seito Suzuki, whom he had always regarded as his mentor but was betrayed by him...

What will they think of him?

A poor wretch who sold out his master for fame and fortune, only to be kicked out by his new master in the end?

A man who schemed so hard but ended up with nothing, a stray dog?
Do not!
This is not fair!

A madness mixed with humiliation and unwillingness instantly rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!
He suddenly raised his head and snatched the punishment list from his colleague's hand before he could react!
"Iwata Masao is prohibited from being promoted within three years..."

"Deduct half a year's performance bonus from the remaining team members..."

……

The penalty decisions flashed before his eyes quickly.

No firing, no demotion, not even a decent warning!
Masao Iwata, the culprit who was the project manager, was only barred from promotion within three years!

And he, Hashiji Ichiro, the "traitor" who was used as a gun and pushed to the front to take the blame, has to pay the price of his entire life for this!
"Why?! Why?!"

Like a wild beast cornered, he let out a hysterical roar. The sound was sharp and full of despair.

However, in the office, those former "colleagues" just looked at him coldly, as if they were looking at a clown who had nothing to do with them and was performing his final crazy act.

"What are you arguing about? If you did something wrong, you have to bear the consequences."

"Exactly. If you hadn't promised us that, would we have had our bonus deducted for half a year?"

"Get lost now. Seeing you brings bad luck."

The cold words were like poisoned knives, piercing his already broken heart into pieces.

He wanted to make a big scene, smash the office to pieces, and rush to Takada Toshihide to ask him why he was so unfair!
but……

When his mind flashed with the image of his wife's gentle face, always tinged with worry, and the innocent smile of his eight-year-old son, who had just started elementary school...

When he thought about the mortgage and car loan that were like a death warrant every month...

All the madness and anger, at this moment, deflated instantly like a punctured balloon.

Instead, there is boundless despair that is enough to completely devour a person.

"Woo..."

He could no longer hold on. The 35-year-old man squatted on the ground helplessly like a child, buried his head deeply in his arms, and let out a suppressed and painful whimper.

Tears seeped out from between his fingers, dripping onto the cold floor, leaving a small dark stain, like a silently blooming flower of despair.

No one comforted him.

No one paid any attention to him.

He was like a lonely ghost forgotten by the world, tasting the bitterest consequences of betrayal alone.

After a long time, he slowly stood up, wiped his face with his sleeve, and silently packed his few personal belongings one by one into a cardboard box that had been prepared long ago.

Hashiji Ichiro seemed to have adjusted his mentality.

He held the heavy cardboard box that seemed to carry all his failed life, and walked out of the office that made him fall from heaven to hell with heavy steps.

People were coming and going in the corridor.

But no one stopped for him.

No one said goodbye to him.

He was like a transparent ghost, passing through those faces that were once familiar but now so unfamiliar, and finally disappeared behind the cold metal door of the elevator.

A silver, low-end Toyota sedan traverses the Tokyo night.

Outside the car window is the bizarre Ukiyo-e of this city. The dazzling neon lights are like a pair of mocking eyes, staring coldly at this loser who has been abandoned by the city.

Hashijita doesn't want to go home.

He didn't know how to face his wife's worried eyes, nor did he know how to explain to his son why he would no longer have to work in that magnificent building.

He slowly parked the car on a secluded road beside the Sumida River.

A long time has passed.

It lasted so long that the world suddenly became quiet, leaving only the river water tirelessly beating against the cold embankment in the evening breeze.

He leaned over the steering wheel, looking at the dark, bottomless river. The water reflected the lights of the city, but it also looked like an abyss with a bloody mouth, tempting him to jump.

Maybe, if I jump down, I won’t have to think about anything.

There was no mortgage, no car loan, no other people's contempt, and no... the guilt towards his family that was suffocating him.

"Let's end it like this."

'It's all over now.'

As Hashijitaro thought this, his hand uncontrollably reached for the car door handle.

(End of this chapter)