Otaku Translation: Absolute Number One C110

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Chapter 110: A Ferocious Tiger

With a thunderous crash, a 21-inch color TV was yanked off its stand and slammed to the floor. To everyone’s surprise, the television remained stubbornly functional—its screen wobbled briefly but continued broadcasting the program. ’s face beamed with a smile onscreen, while giggled beside him, her role as the comedic foil unmistakable.

Despite her advancing age, Hosokawa Sai—a nearly thirty-year-old actress whose career had been on the decline—had unexpectedly struck gold with the role of Hanzawa Naoki’s wife, . While the part itself was minor, portraying a devoted wife who endured mistreatment and neglect yet remained loyal enough to attend “banker’s wives’ gatherings” to help her husband gather intelligence, it wasn’t the depth of the character that propelled her to fame. She had initially signed on for the hefty paycheck, given Hanzawa Naoki’s focus on workplace drama left little room for romance. Yet, to her astonishment, this simple role catapulted her into stardom.

According to , she surged ahead in the rankings of “,” garnering an additional 14,800 votes within days. From obscurity at thirty-something, she rocketed to first place, becoming the quintessential dream wife for . Votes kept pouring in, and the title of “Perfect Wife” seemed destined to crown her this year.

This newfound popularity translated into immense public affection—an actor’s lifeblood—and Hosokawa Sai was profoundly grateful to Chihara Rinto. Normally cautious about offending screenwriters, she now went out of her way to flatter him, ensuring his happiness. She even entertained the idea of fanning rumors or engaging in playful flirtation, even if it blurred the line between fiction and reality. Though hesitant due to their age gap, she couldn’t help but feel regretful about the missed opportunity.

Onscreen, Hosokawa Sai laughed brightly, practically vibrating with charm, as though ready to lean into Chihara Rinto’s embrace. However, just as her performance reached its peak, a large foot emerged from offscreen, kicking the TV onto its side. Despite two brutal kicks, the resilient set continued emitting sound—a rare outlier among Japanese electronics.

Watching the TV’s defiance, stood frozen for a moment before collapsing onto the sofa, clutching his head in anguish. Last week, had faced relentless public scrutiny and one-sided vilification. Though not directly responsible, Ishii had secretly reveled in the chaos, anticipating Murakami Iori and Chihara Rinto’s inexperience would doom them. Instead, Chihara swiftly countered the smear campaign, turning the tide entirely. By this week, Hanzawa Naoki’s explosive popularity had silenced all criticism of Sugano’s past. Even when mentioned, reactions were forgiving—he’d suffered, learned, and moved on.

What tormented Ishii most was the omnipresence of Hanzawa Naoki. Every channel buzzed with Chihara Rinto’s face: interviews, talk shows, variety programs—it was inescapable. Ishii couldn’t bear it. Chihara’s success gnawed at him like venomous snakes devouring his soul. His hatred surpassed even his disdain for Murakami Iori. After all, this triumph should have been his!

Why didn’t you cooperate?

Why did you leave?

My capabilities and connections far surpass Murakami’s. Had you stayed loyal, I could’ve offered you a hundredfold what she provided!

Why did you refuse?

Why hand your masterpiece to her instead of me?!

Ishii seethed. Chihara’s refusal hadn’t merely cost him a project; it had destroyed his future. flopped spectacularly, burdening with financial losses and scathing reviews. Even his sister’s intervention failed to salvage his reputation. The programming committee suspended him indefinitely, likely barring him from producing anything significant for at least two years. In the unforgiving world of production bureaus, second chances were rare. With this failure, he was effectively eliminated from contention.

Cradling his head, Ishii wallowed in despair. From prestigious preschools to elite universities, he’d meticulously built his resume, entering TEB’s production bureau as a producer. With a few hit dramas under his belt, climbing the ranks to executive positions—or even directorship—had seemed inevitable. Like Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department’s career track officers, destined for high-ranking posts, he envisioned himself ascending effortlessly. Now, however, he was reduced to rubble—a failure unworthy of consideration.

If only he could travel back six years, he’d strangle Murakami Iori the moment she joined TEB. Even nine months ago would suffice; he’d eliminate Chihara Rinto without hesitation, venting his rage.

crouched at the stairwell corner, trembling silently. Ishii’s volatile temper made confrontation perilous. Watching him spiral into despair, she observed the stark contrast between his current state and the confident man on TV. Tears welled up in her eyes. Men, she thought bitterly, were heartless creatures—her ex refused opportunities, while this broken shell of a man lashed out at home, too cowardly to face work.

Wiping her tears, she resolved to move on. Women must stand strong. It was time to find someone better—someone stronger than the last two combined.

---

At the same moment Kondo Airi decided to leave Ishii, sat in his elegant detached home in Setagaya, watching an interview featuring Chihara Rinto. His expression darkened.

After viewing the pilot episode, Awata knew Hanzawa Naoki would rival . He never anticipated it becoming a cultural phenomenon, steamrolling his own show so thoroughly. The speed was staggering; by the time Doctor’s Heart’s team reacted, Hanzawa Naoki had already streaked past them.

Awata regretted passing on the role. Such a pivotal position could cement an actor’s legacy. Even seasoned actors like him weren’t immune to envy. Kawaguchi Keita called repeatedly, offering support, but Awata declined, fearing he might lash out and sever ties entirely. Missing such a monumental project was unforgivable for any agent. Whispers circulated, questioning his judgment in choosing Doctor’s Heart over Hanzawa Naoki.

Flicking through New Filmmakers Magazine, Awata’s frustration mounted. Flipping past Sugano Makoto’s glossy cover, he landed on Chihara Rinto’s feature: A Decade of Sharpening the Sword: The Creative Journey of a Screenwriter. Unable to stomach it, he flipped rapidly, landing on a double-page spread of Hanzawa Naoki stills captioned: Hanzawa Naoki Roars Like a Tiger, Locking Down This Season’s Star Awards!

Silent for a moment, Awata’s composure shattered. Cursing loudly, he hurled the magazine against the wall.

Damn it! How did it explode like this?!

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