MMB Chapter 161 The Final Air Surgery
Chapter 161 The Final Air Surgery
Chapter 161 The Final Air Surgery (Filming Completed)
In Tokyo, the latest issues of mainstream magazines such as Weekly Bunshun and Friday are prominently displayed on the newsstand of a convenience store.
However, there was no explosive headline like "Kitahara Nobu's late-night rendezvous with three women" that readers had expected. Instead, there was only an inconspicuous social news item in the corner: two unemployed men were detained by the police for allegedly peeping and illegally entering a public women's restroom.
Johnny & Associates cut its losses at an astonishing speed.
Upon learning that the attempt to take the photos had failed and the person had been arrested, the relevant authorities immediately cut off all contact. The dirty water that was originally intended to be poured on Kitahara Shin, without the photograph as a trigger, remained buried.
For such a vast entertainment empire, two discarded pieces are not even considered expendable.
At Green Mountain Studios, the wind and rain outside the "White Tower" film crew were kept out by heavy soundproof doors.
The atmosphere inside the photography studio was extremely oppressive.
After three months of filming, this epic production is finally entering its final stretch before wrapping up. Today, there are only three scenes on the call sheet.
But each scene is a crucial one that will take the actors to their limits.
Scene 1: Forging medical records.
In the rest area, Nanako Matsushima, dressed in a nurse's uniform, was taking deep breaths. She was clutching the script tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning slightly white.
"teacher."
When she saw Kitahara Shin approaching, she instinctively straightened up, her eyes filled with a desire for confirmation: "Um—how was my performance yesterday? Did you watch it carefully?"
Kitahara Shin, who was adjusting his cuffs, stopped and looked at her. "I saw it. Especially the scene where he blew out the candles, the way he carefully protected the faint light in his eyes, it was very detailed. It's much better than when he first joined the crew."
Nanako chuckled, revealing the silly look that only appeared in front of him.
But then she remembered something and asked in a low voice, "By the way, I heard Rie say that something happened at the theater yesterday? Someone broke into the women's restroom and got arrested? Is it true? I was too nervous on stage at the time and didn't notice at all."
Kitahara Shin paused for a moment as he adjusted his tie.
He glanced at Nanako, whose face was full of curiosity, smiled, and said in a relaxed tone, "That's the security guard's job. Your task now is to play the role of Kameyama Kimiko well. If you cry during this scene later, I won't stop to comfort you."
"I...I won't cry!"
Nanako puffed out her chest, trying to encourage herself.
"All departments, prepare!"
The script supervisor's voice interrupted the casual conversation.
"The White Tower, Scene 18, Action!"
Inside the dimly lit professor's office.
The air seemed to freeze.
Because a misdiagnosis led to the patient's death, Goro Zaizen decided to alter the medical records to evade responsibility. The only witness and person involved was the on-duty nurse, Kimiko Kameyama.
Kitahara Shin sat in a large leather chair, his back to the door.
Nanako stood in front of the table, her hands folded in front of her, looking uneasy.
"Professor—you wanted to see me?"
The chair slowly turned around.
Kitahara Shin's face was hidden in the dim light. He didn't speak, but simply looked at her. That look in his eyes was no longer his usual arrogance, but a sinister glint of desperation, like a venomous snake coiled in the shadows.
He stood up and approached step by step.
Nanako instinctively wanted to back away, but there was a wall behind her.
"Kameyama-kun".
Kitahara Shin's voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure: "Did you misremember the pre-operative records from that night?"
"Huh?" Nanako was stunned. "N-no—I remember very clearly, the patient did indeed—"
"You've got it wrong."
Kitahara Shin interrupted her. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Nanako's wrist.
That was a lot of force; it hurt Nanako a lot when she was pinched.
She looked up in alarm and met those eyes.
It was filled with a thirst for power, a fear of failure, and a madness that would sacrifice everything to maintain one's position.
Listen.
Kitahara Shin leaned close to her face, their bodies so close they could hear each other's breaths. His voice seemed to be squeezed out between his teeth: "That patient's death was an unavoidable accident. None of us wanted to see it. But if, because of a small error in the records," the reputation of Naniwa University's First Department of Surgery is ruined, and I am ruined—can you bear that responsibility?"
"Change it."
"For the hospital's sake, and for your own future."
Nanako felt like her wrist was about to be crushed.
That fear was real.
In that instant, she forgot she was acting, forgot the person in front of her was her beloved teacher. She only saw a beast baring its fangs for survival.
"I----"
Her voice trembled, and tears welled in her eyes—a testament to her helplessness and struggle under authoritarian oppression.
"Cut!!"
At the director's command, the suffocating sense of oppression vanished instantly.
Kitahara Shin immediately released his grip, glanced at Nanako's wrist which was red from being squeezed, and asked softly, "Are you alright? You used a bit too much force just now."
Nanako gasped for breath, shook her head, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
"N-nothing—Teacher, you were so scary just now."
Scene Two: Courtroom Standoff
This is the climax of the entire play.
The stage was set up to resemble a solemn courtroom.
All the main actors are present. Toshiyuki Nishida plays the father-in-law, Koji Ishizaka plays Professor Higashi, and [the rest of the cast is missing].
Takaya Kamikawa, and Yosuke Eguchi, who plays Dr. Satomi.
The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.
On the witness stand.
Nanako's character, Kameyama Kimiko, after being tormented by her conscience, finally decides to tell the truth.
"----Yes."
She gripped the railing tightly, her voice trembling but unusually firm: "Professor Zaizen knew the patient had a shadow on his lung before the surgery. But—in order to complete the surgery before the election, he—"
He chose to ignore it.
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
In the dock, Kitahara Shin suddenly looked up.
He stared intently at Nanako, his eyes filled with disbelief and anger. He never imagined that this usually timid little ant would bite him at such a crucial moment.
But this was not the fatal blow.
The next person to step up to the witness stand was Shuji Satomi (Yosuke Eguchi).
As Zaizen Goro's only close friend, and the person who understands him best.
Yosuke Eguchi was dressed in a simple suit, his face pale. He dared not look at the defendant's dock, his gaze fixed on the empty space.
"As a doctor, as a friend —"
Yosuke Eguchi's voice was soft, yet every word carried immense weight: "I believe that Professor Zaizen was indeed at fault in this treatment. He was blinded by his reputation and forgot his reverence for life."
"boom--"
This is true betrayal and alienation.
The camera slowly pans towards the defendant's dock.
Kitahara Shin sat there.
He didn't roar, he didn't defend himself.
He simply looked at Yosuke Eguchi in the witness stand.
At first, his eyes were filled with shock and anger.
Then, the anger slowly subsided, replaced by a sense of bewilderment.
Finally, he lowered his eyes, a very slight, self-deprecating smile curving his lips.
That curve contained the full desolation of a powerful figure's downfall.
He lost.
It wasn't that we lost to medical skills, but to the so-called justice of this group of "mediocre people".
Throughout the entire courtroom set, among hundreds of extras and staff, not a single person dared to utter a sound. Everyone was struck by that gaze.
Scene 3: The Last Day.
This is the last scene.
In the dressing room, the makeup artist spent three hours giving Kitahara Shin a "terminal cancer" special effects makeup look.
Prominent cheekbones, ashen complexion, and chapped lips.
If you don't look closely, you wouldn't recognize that this is the spirited Kitahara Shin.
Hospital ward decorations.
-
Only the electrocardiogram monitor emitted a monotonous "beep-beep" sound.
Zaizen Goro lay on his sickbed, nearing his death.
Lung cancer that metastasized to the brain caused him to lose his sight and his reason.
Action.
"6
The director spoke softly, afraid of disturbing the solemnity of the moment.
Kitahara Shin lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Sudden.
As if he had seen something, a final glimmer of light burst forth from his cloudy eyes.
He slowly raised his hand.
Those hands were withered and thin, but when they were raised, they were as steady as a rock.
"Scalpel —"
He muttered to himself.
His fingers made a "catching the knife" motion in the air.
Then comes "cutting," "stopping the bleeding," and "ligating."
Even in the last moments of his life, his muscle memory still remembered every step on the operating table.
"Professor Okawachi————"
He faced the empty space ahead and gave a childlike, innocent smile: "Look—this—is Mr. Sasaki's lesion—"
"I cut it very cleanly—right?"
"I am the best surgeon!"
His hands waved in the air, as if conducting a silent symphony. It was his last attachment to this world, and his final climb up that white tower.
slowly.
Those hands lost their strength and slowly fell to their sides.
The electrocardiogram showed a straight line.
Those eyes remained open, gazing upwards, as if there stood a magnificent, pure white tower that belonged to him.
The scene was deathly silent.
The photographer's eyes were red and his hands were trembling.
The actors playing family members next to them were already in tears.
A full minute passed.
"Cut!!"
Director Hiroshi Nishitani's voice was noticeably choked with emotion.
"Filming wrapped! Filming for the entire series has wrapped!!"
"Whoa!!!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
All the staff rushed into the set; some cheered, some wiped away tears.
Kitahara Shin lay on the bed and let out a long breath, finally releasing the heaviness that had been weighing on his chest for months.
He sat up with some difficulty.
"Thank you for your hard work, my professor."
A gentle voice sounded in my ear.
Hitomi Kuroki, who had already finished filming, arrived on set at some point. She was wearing a black trench coat and holding a huge bouquet of flowers.
She walked to the bedside, handed the flowers to Kitahara Shin, and then gently hugged him.
In her role, she offered Zaizen Goro his only solace in these final moments.
Kitahara Shin took the flowers and looked at the familiar faces around him—Nanako with tears streaming down her face, Yosuke Eguchi with red eyes, and Toshiyuki Nishida who was smiling like a child.
He smiled.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."
The wrap-up of filming does not signify the end, but rather the beginning of another battle.
Early October, Fuji Television.
To promote the upcoming premiere of "The White Tower," the entire production team participated in a top-rated variety show on television.
A special project called "SMAP X SMAP".
The studio was brightly lit.
Kitahara Shin sat in the center, with Kuroki Hitomi on his left and Eguchi Yosuke on his right.
Although he has already stepped out of the role, his calm and composed aura still draws attention.
Interview segment.
Host Masahiro Nakai, holding cue cards, posed a somewhat pointed question: "Speaking of which, this is the second time 'The White Tower' has been adapted for the screen. The 78 version starring Jiro Tamiya is hailed as an unsurpassable classic. As a remake more than a decade later, Kitahara-san, what do you think are the strengths of your production? Are you confident in surpassing your predecessor?"
This is a trap.
If you say you have confidence, you'll be accused of being arrogant and disrespectful to your seniors.
Saying you lack confidence would make you seem unsure of yourself, which would affect viewership ratings.
The audience held their breath.
Kitahara Shin picked up the microphone, a polite smile on his face. He didn't think for long, or rather, the answer was already in his mind.
"Actually, I don't think we need to 'surpass' anyone."
His voice was steady, carrying throughout the studio through the speakers: "Jiro Tamiya's version is great; it's a monument of its time. But what makes a classic a classic is that it reflects different people's hearts in different eras."
"We don't need to compare, nor do we need to substitute."
"We only need to prove that our 'The White Tower' is special and irreplaceable."
He glanced at his colleagues: "Over the past few months, we've sweated, cried, and even experienced a near-death experience in that enclosed giant tower. The hard work of all the staff and the genuine emotions poured into the performances have forged the soul of this drama."
"So, that's enough."
"This is our one and only white tower."
The words fell.
After a brief silence, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.
It wasn't just polite applause; I was truly impressed by this emotionally intelligent and powerful speech.
Hitomi Kuroki, who was sitting next to him, turned her head to look at Shin Kitahara's profile.
The light shone on his face, outlining his resolute features.
This man is really mature.
He is a true leader (lead actor) who can carry the torch.
That charm is not just about appearance, but a powerful inner strength.
Recording complete.
Backstage corridor.
Hitomi Kuroki deliberately slowed her pace, seemingly wanting to wait for Shin Kitahara to be alone.
"Kitahara-kun, what you said just now was really good."
Just as she was about to go up and start a conversation, two figures suddenly blocked her way like gatekeepers.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kuroki-senpai!"
Nanako Matsushima bowed with an innocent expression, but her body blocked the path on the left.
"Take care, senior. This exit is closer."
Rie Miyazawa, with a forced smile, pointed in another direction, blocking the right-hand path.
Although the two girls don't usually have much in common, they are as in sync as twins when it comes to "preventing theft, fire, and vixens."
Kuroki Hitomi stopped and looked at the two little girls who seemed to be facing a formidable enemy.
She paused for a moment, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Oh dear, young people these days are so possessive of their food."
She wasn't angry; instead, she found it somewhat amusing. Being a smart woman, she naturally wouldn't make a fool of herself at a time like this.
"Alright, then I won't disturb your 'escort' operation."
Hitomi Kuroki reached out and playfully pinched their cheeks lightly: "But keep a close eye on him. That man—he's very popular."
After saying that, she walked away gracefully in her high heels, leaving behind a fragrant breeze.
Nanako and Rie were left standing there, exchanging a glance.
"—Old fox," Rie muttered under her breath.
"What a terrifying aura—" Nanako patted her chest.
After confirming that the "threat" had been eliminated, the two turned and walked into Kitahara Shin's personal lounge.
"teacher?"
"Trust me?"
The room was very quiet.
Kitahara Nobumasa was leaning back on the sofa, still wearing the suit he wore when recording the show.
He closed his eyes, his breathing was even and deep, and he was still holding a half-empty bottle of water in his hand.
The two girls tiptoed to the sofa and squatted down.
Looking at his face, which rarely showed any guardedness while sleeping, the jealousy in their eyes turned into tenderness.
"----Thanks for your hard work."
Rie said softly.
Nanako took a blanket from the side and carefully covered him with it.
Outside the window, the night was already deep.
The calm before the storm probably looks like this.
What kind of tsunami that giant white tower would trigger across Japan at 10 p.m. a few days later was still unknown.
But everyone already had that expectation.