"What do you mean?" Fukasaku Kinji suddenly raised his head and stared at him with bright eyes.

He is not a fool, and now he suspects that Haruki Kakigawa is deliberately instigating a relationship between him and Shochiku.

However, Kōkawa Haruki behaved calmly and not at all nervous.

What he said next made Fukasaku Kinji even more suspicious.

"I mean well. I just want to tell you that luck is unreliable. Sometimes if you don't pay attention, it will slip away quietly. So even if the director fails to win the award today, please believe that you

He is capable of winning awards. He will have more opportunities in the future..."

There was no doubt that Haruki Jiaochuan had something to say, but he didn't say it clearly, and he looked like he meant something profound.

Fukasaku Kinji didn't have any good methods to deal with him.

He didn't know the purpose of Jiaochuan Haruki at all.

When I said these words to him before the award ceremony, was it because I wanted to give Shochiku Pictures some eye candy, or was it because I really had a movie project planned and wanted to lure him into filming, so I tried my best to win over him.

But to say that there was something wrong with his award, he still couldn't believe it.

Based on his level, based on Junichi Otomoto's commitment, and based on his movie's stake in Shochiku, who else can compete with him this year?

"How is that possible? President Jiaochuan is joking, right?"

Michiko Harada also sensed something was wrong and said a little unhappy, "Director Fukasaku's film won the award as expected. It seems unlucky for you to say such words to the director before the award ceremony."

But her rash intervention in order to protect Fukasaku Kinji's face made Kōgawa Haruki's face really show a hint of ridicule.

"Haha, it seems that Harada-san is taking the award as her own, just like the director, right? She sounds like a big star now, but with all due respect, I'm afraid you will be even more disappointed..."

"you……"

"Shut up! Apologize! Don't talk nonsense anymore, it's impolite!" Fukasaku Kinji reprimanded him unhappily. At this time, he was already very sure that Kōgawa Haruki must know something.

"I..." Michiko Harada was immediately furious.

Of course she couldn't figure it out and couldn't help but curse in her heart - I said this to protect your face, why did you treat me like this? You're crazy!

But facing the dissatisfaction of a director and a film company boss, she still couldn't bear the pressure.

There seemed to be no other choice but to roll my eyes inwardly and apologize honestly.

"If you have anything to say, you might as well say something famous. I know how to be grateful, and I have always regarded you as a friend..."

Kōgawa Haruki finally heard what he wanted to hear from Fukasaku Kinji's mouth, and then he smiled.

"Then let me tell you straight, director, you are in trouble. There is a high probability that Shochiku's boss has betrayed you. You'd better be mentally prepared and don't have too high expectations. When the awards are announced later,

Don't lose your composure, otherwise others will see your joke."

"What? Impossible!"

Although Fukasaku Kinji was mentally prepared, when he heard the bad news with his own ears, he still felt as if he had been struck by lightning and could not accept it.

"President Omoto has clearly promised me, and Shochiku's behind-the-scenes operations have been going smoothly. I even got inside information..."

"Humph, President Omoto may not have told you the truth. Even if he has promised you something, you don't really think that this kind of verbal promise can be as legally binding as a contract and has irreversible consequences for both parties.

Is it binding? What can you do if he changes his mind?"

Kōkawa Haruki, who didn't want to attract attention, said carefully while observing the surroundings.

And his words not only caused confusion and pain to appear in Fukasaku Kinji's eyes.

Michiko Harada, who was an observer, was even more frightened.

Out of the interest-bound stance, she couldn't help but speak again.

"But... President Omoto has no reason to do this? "The Man in the House on Fire" was filmed by Director Fukasaku for Shochiku, and our interests are bound to Shochiku. The director will be more famous if he wins an award for his film, video

It will definitely sell better. If the director is unlucky, what good will it do to Shochiku? There is no such reason?"

Fortunately, this time, she also expressed her feelings for Fukasaku Kinji.

So not only was he not scolded, even Fukasaku himself couldn't help but ask questions.

"Yes, why does President Omoto have to be the one who breaks his promise?"

But on the other hand, Kōgawa Haruki saw that Fukasaku Kinji was still unable to face the reality. His mouth was already a little dry and he licked his lips, but his heart was filled with disdain.

What kind of director? He turns out to be a simple-minded fool who lacks courage.

Why don't you know that you have offended others? You are too stupid.

"Everyone has enemies. If the original good thing is gone, of course it is your opponent who takes action. Think about it carefully. Is it because you were negligent and gave others an opportunity?"

"You mean...that stinky woman Matsumoto?"

Fukasaku Kinji's pupils suddenly tightened, and he suddenly thought of Matsumoto Keiko.

And Michiko Harada simply couldn't control her cursing.

"Impossible, she doesn't have such ability. Could it be that she climbed into the old man's bed?"

"I said you two, please keep your voice down, and don't forget what the occasion is."

Kinji Fukasaku and Michiko Harada spoke suddenly and loudly, which not only startled Haruki Kōgawa, but also attracted many curious eyes from the surrounding round tables.

Jiaochuan Haruki looked around again, pretending to be innocent and smiled at the disturbed guests.

After waiting until everyone's expressions finally returned to normal and he was sure that no one should pay attention to this place anymore, he made a sincere expression and whispered to Fukasaku Kinji in a low voice.

"Okay, director, who made us friends? Then I will tell you everything I know. First of all, I have to say that you are right. The reason why there are problems with the awards that have been basically confirmed is

Because the woman you have been targeting. Your guess is correct. We all know that on her own, it is impossible for her to become a shareholder of a Ginza restaurant, buy two studios, and...

Yuli invested one billion yen to make a movie. So there is only one answer, that is, someone fell in love with her and helped her. But she has no such relationship with President Omoto, but someone else..."

"Then who is this person?"

"You mean...this person is the mastermind behind this?"

Fukasaku Kinji and Harada Michiko asked almost at the same time.

But regarding this issue, Jiaochuan Haruki was quite apprehensive.

"I didn't say that, and I can't tell you who he is because I don't want to cause trouble. If you want to know, you have to investigate it yourself. The most I can say is that this person is Chinese and has an official background.

"

"Official background..."

Michiko Harada was immediately shocked. This answer was definitely beyond her imagination.

Fukasaku Kinji, who gritted his teeth, was not that surprised.

Because as early as when the news broke that Keiko Matsumoto had become a shareholder of Danmiya Restaurant, he noticed some signs from the level and origin of the guests.

Later, he also visited this restaurant, but he didn't expect that it was still a membership-only restaurant and he was rejected at the door, and the flag of the Republic was hung at the door.

Therefore, Komakawa Haruki's words confirmed his suspicion, and he frantically began to make up his own mind.

Damn it! She actually became restless as early as when she went to China for exchange.

How many people has she seduced behind her back?

Fukasaku Kinji could only think this way, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. The veins on his forehead were exposed and his eyes turned red.

"Assholes, they are all bastards. Let alone that stinky woman who is a bitch. This guy, Omoto, is actually afraid of a Chinese person to suppress me. He actually allows a Chinese person to interfere with the selection results of the Japanese film industry. He is also worthy of Shochiku.

The president is really a disgrace to the Japanese people. I want to report it to the Japan Filmmakers Association..."

Michiko Harada lost no time in expressing her anger. "Yes, I'm going to inform the media. We can't tolerate this kind of thing happening..."

Seeing their appearance, Jiaochuan Haruki couldn't help but persuade them.

"Don't be stupid. This matter is not exactly what you imagined. Director, if you can't calm down, I won't be able to tell you what happens next."

Michiko Harada was glared at by Haruki Kōgawa, and finally became honest again.

And Fukasaku Kinji took a deep breath and finally forcibly controlled his emotions.

"Okay, I'm fine. If there is anything else, please tell me together. Don't worry, Jiaochuan, I will keep this favor today deeply in my heart."

With such a guarantee, Jiaochuan Haruki was basically satisfied, and this was his purpose.

So I held nothing back and came clean.

"As you just said, if President Suomoto really just made a behind-the-scenes deal with an official Chinese person to suppress you, then he would be too stupid. This is equivalent to giving him a handle.

Here you go, as long as you get real evidence, he will be finished. Not to mention that it is impossible for him to keep his position as president, even Shochiku Pictures will be boycotted by the Japanese people and scolded to disgrace. But the problem is that there is something else involved in this matter.

There is a mastermind behind this, someone you have absolutely nothing to do about."

"Who? Who?"

"It's Japan's number one director - Akira Kurosawa!"

Fukasaku Kinji suddenly opened his eyes wide. This answer was so unexpected that he couldn't believe it.

"What? Kurosawa? What does this matter have to do with him? He has no works to compete for this year's Academy Award."

But Jiaochuan said it with certainty, and even laughed with a sense of ridicule.
To be continued...