Still no Tsukasa.
Yeah...
He asked us to gather because he wants our help with something...
That something probably being his character.
I have to agree. When we spoke the other day, he seemed very stuck... I really hope there's something we can do to help.
Is he gonna be okay...?
Hm? Ah, you're all here!
Apologies for the delay!
And for asking you all to gather on such short notice. But I need your help with something.
O-Okay...!
The thing is, I'm in the middle of coming up with a story where Nakayama is the protagonist...
And I'd like for us to brainstorm about it together.
A story about Nakayama...?
In other words, he plays a minor role in the show, but is the star of his own life.
And you want to make a story with him as the protagonist?
Yes, that's exactly right!
However, coming up with a story about him on my own has been a struggle.
So, I beg of you! Please lend me a hand!
He only has three lines in the show, but... I want to bring him to life.
If that's all, then I'd be more than happy to help.
Me too! Me too!
Let's all think super duper hard about Nakayama!!
...
Nene?
Oh, sorry... Don't worry, I was listening.
I'll also help.
I've basically figured out my character already.
All of you...
I am in your debt!
(Supporting characters can be main characters if you flip your perspective...?)
(Interesting. I never thought about learning to play a character this way.)
(This method might help a lot in the future when I'm working on other roles... I should pay close attention to what Tsukasa does and absorb everything I can.)
Oh, I wanna see a version of Nakayama where he's friends with everyone!
I see... Then, what if he's always smiling when he's at the office?
Yes, that would change how he greets others quite a lot.
“Morning!”
“That novelist giving you trouble again?”
“No choice, I suppose...!”
Um... He sounds a little too energetic...
Nakayama would sound and behave very differently if he were born and raised overseas and a native English speaker.
Hmm... Th-Then, how about this...?!
What if Nakayama got sick a lot when he was little and developed a love of books because he wasn't allowed to go outside much?
I see. And his love of books is the reason he decided to become an editor...
We've come up with a lot of ideas for him. Are any of them sticking out...?
Yes, we have quite a few now...
But to be perfectly honest, none of them seem to fit the bill.
Out of all of them, the one about him seeing Hino as his rival seems like the best option...
But that'd still only be a fragment of who Nakayama the man is.
Then, why don't we switch to coming up with ideas based on that version of Nakayama?
The show doesn't open for some time, so there's no need to hurry. I think it'll be good to try a few different approaches.
Yes, I agree.
Hmm... We came up with a ton of ideas, but I forgot how hard it is to come up with a story.
If only there were someone we could ask who's really good at this kind of stuff...
In that case, why don't we try asking Bakuno to hear what he thinks...?
What?
When I watched him recite lines the other day...
For some reason, I thought I could see what his character's life was like up to that point...
So, this is just my guess...
But he might be able to help you in a big way.
In the end, it's always best to ask someone who's good at whatever it is you're worried about...
(I was able to take a big step that time by doing just that.)
So, I think you should ask him.
But I really can't tell you what he's gonna say...
Yes, Bakuno...
I agree.
I'd become so focused on Nakayama that I'd completely forgotten about him.
As it turns out, Bakuno likes to people-watch and come up with stories for those passing by...
Huh?
Oh, uh! Ignore what I just said!
Anyway, yes... You're right trust the experts! Thank you for the tip, Nene!
I'll try contacting him right away!
Huh? N-Now...?!
The early bird gets the worm, no?
That means I need up jump on this opportunity!
Y-Yeah, but...
(Tsukasa always does this...)
(But...)
(I hope this helps Tsukasa figure out how to play his character even just a little bit.)