So, uhh... Then, what about...

What if Nakayama's really from outer space and is here to investigate the Earth?!

I think that's going a little too far...

It's becoming harder and harder to come up with good ideas.

Hmm...

When's Bakuno gonna get here?

He should be arriving soon.

I just received word that he's right by the station... Ah, excellent!

Bakuno!

Over here!!

Oh, Tenma...

Huh? All of Wonderlands×Showtime is here...?

Hi, Bakuno!

We really appreciate your joining us on such short notice.

No, um... It's not a problem...!

I was able to come because this park just happened to be where I usually run.

So, uhh... You said on the phone that you needed my help figuring out how to play your character...

Yes! Let me jump right in.

I need your help coming up with a story where Nakayama the editor is the main character!

Huh?

Wait, Tsukasa.

He's not gonna understand if you start with that. You gotta tell him everything.

Yes, you're right.

The thing is...

You want to turn a supporting character into a protagonist...?

Precisely!

I feel that I must in order to really become my character!

I tried coming up with various stories about Nakayama on my own based on what you told me the other day, but none of them fit quite right...

Then, would you mind showing me what you've come up with?

Yes, here!

Huh...?

All these sheets of binder paper...?

How many stories did you come up with?

About fifty!

Although, I didn't come up with all of them on my own. Rui and the others helped quite a bit. Unfortunately, I'm not imaginative enough to come up with stories for other people.

Together, we came up with many...

But none of them felt right.

Which is why we'd like to hear from you since you're a pro when it comes to this, Bakuno!

N-No, I'm not a pro...

You're giving me too much credit...!

In any case, this story is the one we thought was the best.

Um... This one is...

The one where Nakayama thinks he knows a lot about books, but Hino knows even more and works with a famous author, so Nakayama sees him as a rival!

Yes, with this in mind, the way I read the three lines changed greatly.

“Morning.” “That novelist giving you trouble again?”

“No choice, I suppose.”

Like that!

Oh...

That's incredible...!

You sound completely different from how you did during practice!

If Nakayama sees Hino as his rival, then does that mean he has some sort of inferiority complex? Maybe they joined at the same time, and everyone always compares the two...

Oh, what if something happened between them at work? Like Hino outperforming him...?

Oh... That's actually our plot twist for the second act of Nakayama's story!

A novelist he was hoping to work with ends up going to Hino instead.

He feels his losses piling up...!

But then, someone asks whether or not he'd like to become the editor for a girls' manga magazine!

Because of how much he's struggling at his current workplace, he decides to take the leap and change jobs! Lo and behold, he thrives as an editor for girls' manga!

Yes, I see...!

I really like that...!

However, because you've come up with such a good ending, I'd like to hear more about the conflict he undergoes before he finds success. For example...

You could try changing the root of his inferiority complex. What if he was writing his own novel, but was forced to become an editor instead? Maybe a love triangle was also involved...?

Raising his age drastically could also make things more interesting. Seeing a younger coworker succeed could wound an older man's pride.

Yes, of course...!

Even the smallest changes would greatly impact how he behaves towards Hino...!

That's so cool!

You're coming up with all these ideas so fast!!

Wow...

Your powers of imagination are certainly impressive.

Still, this is only one possibility out of many... Some more ideas may help give you a better understanding of who he is...

Ah... In that case...!

What if Nakayama used to be Hino's mentor? And he was the very first junior Hino was asked to look after, and Hino initially doted on him.

Yes, I like it!

And they could...

Hehe!

They're having so much fun♪

Yes...

I sense some good results coming.

“Hino.”

“How was it?

Did you enjoy the girls' manga they put me in charge of editing?”

“I never expected you to ask me for my opinion.”

“I want to know.

And give it to me straight.”

“To be honest, I've never read many things like this before...”

“But girls' manga is far more interesting than I initially realized.”

“...!”

And scene!

That was excellent.

I felt that you really had become Nakayama just now, Tsukasa. And your conversation with Hino felt so natural.

I-It did?!

Yup yup!

You were really amazing, Tsukasa!

I actually felt relieved when I saw that Nakayama's hard work had finally paid off.

I... I did it!!

Thank you so much, Bakuno!

We created a believable story about Nakayama! All that's left is for me is to master this role by remembering what I just did with every fiber of my being!

*Nod*

You're welcome.

*Sigh*

Hm?

Is something the matter, Bakuno?

No, um...

It's just...

It's been so long since I last had so much fun.

If you're happy, Bakuno, then I'm happy!!

Haha. I can't help but feel a little embarrassed when you put it so plainly.

Hehe!

He's smiling from ear to ear!

Yes, he is.

Tenma.

All of you from Wonderlands×Showtime...

Let's keep doing our best until we do this for real!

Yeah!