Otaku Translation: Absolute Number One C104

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Chapter 104: Using One's Position for Personal Gain

The show was performing well, and everything was going smoothly. This had significantly eased the psychological pressure on , allowing his mind to wander toward other pursuits. After some deliberation, he decided to visit the small, unassuming restaurant.

Without wasting any time, he packed up his things and left work. As he stepped out of the building, he ran into Yoshizaki Shingo, Miyawaki Haruhito, and Tsumura Haruki from the directing team. With no pressing matters that evening and a tight shooting schedule recently behind them, they were planning to unwind after work. Spotting Chihara Rinto, they immediately extended an invitation: a trip to the baths, followed by a massage, and then drinks at a nearby bar.

Chihara Rinto politely declined. He could tell from their expressions that this wasn't just about relaxing—it likely involved more indulgent activities. Yoshizaki Shingo and the others didn’t press him further. After all, Chihara Rinto was both talented and accomplished, commanding respect within the crew. Even though he was younger, they wouldn’t dare to joke around or force him into anything. Back in his TEB days, Yoshizaki might have been bold enough to try, but now? Not a chance.

The two groups parted ways at the studio entrance, with Chihara Rinto boarding a train headed home. It was rush hour, and the train car was packed with office workers lucky enough to leave on time, along with a smattering of high school students returning from club activities. Unable to secure a seat, Chihara Rinto stood gripping a handrail in the middle of the crowded car. Glancing at the advertisements plastered across the walls, he couldn’t help but reflect on how each city had its own distinct character.

In Osaka, ads inside trains were neatly arranged, orderly and aesthetically pleasing. But here in Tokyo? Chaos reigned—posters slapped haphazardly, overlapping one another at odd angles. Out of boredom, he studied them carefully. Among the usual commercial promotions, only one type caught his eye: posters advertising TV dramas.

Most prominently displayed were and Doctor’s Heart. The former featured only the male lead, rendered in somber tones, while the latter included the protagonist alongside three female doctors and nurses, exuding warmth and vibrancy. Other drama posters were scattered throughout the transit system, but not nearly as prominently or consistently.

As he took it all in, Chihara felt a pang of nostalgia. These were sights unique to television’s golden age—a time when networks spared no expense in promotion. Once this era passed, such efforts would shift entirely online, where money flowed differently. Lost in thought, his attention was suddenly drawn to a conversation unfolding nearby.

“…Besides tokusatsu, we could check out Hanzawa Naoki,” said one of the three salarymen standing beside him.

“Oh? I’ve seen the posters everywhere. Is it good?” another asked.

“It’s fantastic.”

“Then let’s give it a shot. We’ve got nothing better to do this weekend. I’ll grab some beer and fried chicken tomorrow.”

“What about Mizushima? Is he coming over?”

“Probably not. He’s started dating Fukaya-san. They’ll probably be out on a date.”

“Man, once someone gets a girlfriend, friends don’t matter anymore?”

The trio chuckled softly, clearly enjoying their rare day off. Their polite whispers ensured they didn’t disturb fellow passengers. Hearing snippets of their discussion about Hanzawa Naoki, Chihara leaned closer, eager to gauge public opinion on the series. However, their voices were so low that he had to strain to catch every word. Eventually, one of them noticed his awkward posture and raised an eyebrow.

“Excuse me, sir, is there something you need?” the man asked.

Caught red-handed, Chihara stammered, “Sorry to interrupt—I overheard you talking about Hanzawa Naoki. Just curious if it’s worth watching.”

One of the men, who had seen the show, hesitated before responding, “Definitely.”

“What did you like about it?”

“The acting was superb,” he replied, pausing briefly. “And the plot was engaging too.”

Chihara probed further, but as a casual viewer, the man could offer little beyond his personal impressions. Still, Chihara left the exchange satisfied. His drama was gaining traction among ordinary viewers—a promising sign. If the first five episodes generated enough buzz, they might spark significant social discourse, boosting ratings substantially.

Thanking the trio, Chihara disembarked at his stop and made his way to the unassuming eatery, excitement bubbling within him. There was nothing quite like seeing hard work pay off; people genuinely enjoyed the show.

But his enthusiasm waned upon entering the restaurant. Neither nor Yamagami Aiko was there. Perhaps Aiko had gone out with her close friends, leaving him waiting in vain. Living in the late 20th century meant communication was still cumbersome. How different life would be in the 21st century, where a simple phone call could bridge distances instantly!

After finishing his meal and lingering for a while, Chihara returned to his apartment, disheartened. To his delight, however, a letter awaited him on his desk. Eagerly, he sat down to read.

Spanning three and a half pages, the letter brimmed with elegance, written in traditional calligraphy with a brush—a stark contrast to the hastily scribbled notes she’d sent before. As Chihara read, he nodded unconsciously, a habit triggered by the vertical layout of the paper. Hakuba Neiko began by apologizing for being unreachable, explaining that she’d asked Aiko to fill in temporarily. She shared a humorous anecdote about , acknowledged his previous jests about Osakans, and recounted her travels through on . Her descriptions of untouched natural landscapes, particularly those of , were filled with admiration. She ended with enthusiasm for trying (sea bream rice) in .

Chihara read the letter several times, imagining Hakuba Neiko’s cheerful, squinting smile behind the elegant handwriting. A sense of calm washed over him, and he found himself smiling in return. Inspired, he spread out fresh stationery to draft a reply. Alongside his response, he composed a short modern poem capturing the serene beauty of Teshima. Yet, reviewing the draft, he felt it lacked depth and liveliness.

No matter—he could use his position to his advantage.

The next morning, he gathered the assistant writers of and addressed them directly. “Raise your hand if you’ve visited Kagawa and Ehime Prefectures in Shikoku and are familiar with the area.”

Three hesitant hands went up. Chihara’s expression turned serious. “Each of you will write an essay about the local culture and scenery, leaning toward a prose style. Make it interesting, and include detailed information about Ehime’s tai-meshi—its origins, characteristics, everything. Submit them to me by noon.”

The three staffers exchanged glances, sensing this might foreshadow a special Shikoku episode aimed at boosting ratings. Truly, Chihara lived up to his reputation as a "genius screenwriter," always thinking ahead.

Turning to the rest of the team, he issued another directive. “Find funny jokes about Kansai. The funnier, the better. Brainstorm new ones if necessary.”

“Yes, sir!” they chorused, recognizing the gravity of his tone. Normally laid-back, Chihara rarely adopted such seriousness. Given the success of his past decisions, they understood the importance of this task—it could shape the program’s future.

The team sprang into action, brainstorming, researching, and drafting feverishly. Since Chihara typically provided polished creative direction, these tasks were unusual but manageable without disrupting regular duties. He viewed this as Kanto United TV indirectly assisting with his personal life, allowing him to focus on Hanzawa Naoki.

By lunchtime, Shiraki Keima delivered a stack of materials thick as a book. Energized, Chihara dismissed him and used his break to refine his reply. Adding a few clever jokes about Kansai folk, he referenced the submitted essays and vividly described the natural beauty of Kagawa based on Hakuba Neiko’s letter. He segued seamlessly into Ehime, crafting a comprehensive travel guide spanning eight pages.

Immersed in his work, he lost track of time, sacrificing his entire lunch break to complete the letter. Reviewing it multiple times, he finally smiled, satisfied. The piece was lively, informative, and magazine-worthy—sure to impress.

At the end, he included the studio’s address, explaining his busy schedule and frequent travels as reasons for the delayed response. Encouraging future correspondence to be sent directly to the station, he sealed the envelope carefully, addressed it to Yamagami Aiko’s home, and dispatched Shiraki Keima to mail it.

Leaning back in his chair, Chihara replayed the events in his mind. Everything seemed perfect.

Phase one of was a success. With a few more letters like this, friendship was inevitable.

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