Nonogi Park
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Tsukasa
He should be arriving soon.
I just received word that he's right by the station... Ah, excellent!
I just received word that he's right by the station... Ah, excellent!
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Reki
No, um... It's not a problem...!
I was able to come because this park just happened to be where I usually run.
I was able to come because this park just happened to be where I usually run.
Reki
So, uhh... You said on the phone that you needed my help figuring out how to play your character...
Tsukasa
I need your help coming up with a story where Nakayama the editor is the main character!
Nene
Wait, Tsukasa.
He's not gonna understand if you start with that. You gotta tell him everything.
He's not gonna understand if you start with that. You gotta tell him everything.
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Tsukasa
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...
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Tsukasa
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.
Tsukasa
Which is why we'd like to hear from you since you're a pro when it comes to this, Bakuno!
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Emu
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!
Tsukasa
“Morning.” “That novelist giving you trouble again?”
“No choice, I suppose.”
Like that!
“No choice, I suppose.”
Like that!
Reki
That's incredible...!
You sound completely different from how you did during practice!
You sound completely different from how you did during practice!
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Reki
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...
Tsukasa
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!
But then, someone asks whether or not he'd like to become the editor for a girls' manga magazine!
Tsukasa
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!
Reki
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...
Reki
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...?
Reki
Raising his age drastically could also make things more interesting. Seeing a younger coworker succeed could wound an older man's pride.
Tsukasa
Yes, of course...!
Even the smallest changes would greatly impact how he behaves towards Hino...!
Even the smallest changes would greatly impact how he behaves towards Hino...!
Reki
Still, this is only one possibility out of many... Some more ideas may help give you a better understanding of who he is...
Tsukasa
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.
A few hours later
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Rui
I felt that you really had become Nakayama just now, Tsukasa. And your conversation with Hino felt so natural.
Tsukasa
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!
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!
Next Chapter: Becoming The Character