A few weeks later
Nene's Room
Nene
(We just have the final fight scene left to shoot. It's the film's climax, so I need to prepare for it as best I can.)
Len
<Nene!>
Nene
Huh...? L-Len?
What are you doing here at this hour?
What are you doing here at this hour?
Len
<Hehe. Remember that film you said you're making with your class? I came over to see how it's going!>
Nene
Oh, it's going really well.
Also, Len, you were right.
Also, Len, you were right.
Len
<Huh? About what?>
Nene
Remember that wall I talked about and how you said it'd disappear after I got to know everyone better?
Nene
Talking to them as we shot our film made everything you said come true...
Nene
They're all their own people with their likes and dislikes. I learned about the dreams they have, or that they like taking care of children...all kinds of things.
Nene
After hearing all their stories, that wall startled crumbling away bit by bit, just like you said...
Nene
Now, it feels like I'm talking to them like regular classmates...
Len
<Nene...>
Nene
But there are still some things about them that I don't know how to deal with... For example, the way they get excited so easily.
Len
<Still, I'm really glad you got a chance to know them better!>
Len
<I can't wait to see what your guys' film looks like once it's all done!>
Nene
*Nod*
Thanks.
Thanks.
Len
<But how am I gonna actually watch it...?
You only get to screen it at school, right?>
You only get to screen it at school, right?>
Nene
Don't worry. Once it's all done, I'll bring a copy of the video over to SEKAI. We can watch it together there.
Len
<Really?! Thank goodness.>
Nene
Huh? A message...?
It's so late. Who's...?
It's so late. Who's...?
Nene
What...?!
The next day
Kamiyama High School - Class 2-A
An
Oh, Kusanagi!
Nene
Shiraishi, Shinonome...
Where's Soda...?
Where's Soda...?
Akito
He's here.
Soda
Hahaha... Sorry, Kusanagi.
I picked a great time to get injured, huh...?
I picked a great time to get injured, huh...?
Nene
No, don't say that...!
More importantly, are you okay?
More importantly, are you okay?
Soda
It's nothing serious.
Like I said in my message, it's a light sprain.
Like I said in my message, it's a light sprain.
Soda
But since it's my ankle...
I'm really sorry, but I don't think I can do any more stunts...
I'm really sorry, but I don't think I can do any more stunts...
Nene
O-Okay...
Nene
S-Still, I'm relieved...
Thank goodness it's nothing serious.
Thank goodness it's nothing serious.
Soda
Yeah... I really am sorry, everyone!
First I can't act, and now I'm out as a stunt double. I feel like such a burden...
First I can't act, and now I'm out as a stunt double. I feel like such a burden...
Akito
It's all spilled milk...
Also, it's not like you got hurt on purpose.
Also, it's not like you got hurt on purpose.
An
What he said! You don't need to worry or apologize since we know you were doing your best!
Akito
Still, what are we gonna do...?
Akito
We're shooting the climax really soon. We can't wait around for his sprain to heal because of our reservation for that site and how the film still needs to be edited.
Nene
Right...
We'll need to find a replacement.
We'll need to find a replacement.
Female Students
But can any of us replace him...?
I mean, they'd have no time to practice... At this rate, the climax is gonna end up being really dull...
I mean, they'd have no time to practice... At this rate, the climax is gonna end up being really dull...
Male Students
I'm not sure there's anything we can do about that.
Finding someone okay is better than not finishing the film...
Finding someone okay is better than not finishing the film...
Female Students
But we've come so far...
Nene
(It's true that filming something of high quality may be difficult now that Soda's out...)
Nene
(But is this the way to go...?)
Nene
(We've put in all this work...
If all we're thinking at the end of our shoot is how we had no choice but to cut a few corners and make a dull final product...)
If all we're thinking at the end of our shoot is how we had no choice but to cut a few corners and make a dull final product...)
Nene
(This film's gonna make us feel a lot of regret.)
Soda
...
Nene
(And Soda...
He'll probably think it's all his fault.)
He'll probably think it's all his fault.)
Nene
(Just like when...)
Nene
(I can't remember my next line!
What should I do? What should I do!)
What should I do? What should I do!)
Nene
Everyone put so much effort into that show, but it was all for nothing, because I forgot my lines.
Nene
(That's the worst feeling in the world...)
Nene
(I was given a second chance with Tsukasa and the others. I got an opportunity to make things right...)
Nene
(But this film may be everyone's only chance.)
Soda
I'm going to do whatever it takes!
Get ready for some really cool fight scenes!
Get ready for some really cool fight scenes!
Male Student B
Okay!
Then, next take?
Then, next take?
Amisawa
Yeah, so...!
Let's see this through until the end and make our film an amazing one!
Let's see this through until the end and make our film an amazing one!
Nene
(As the director, I don't want this film to end on a sour note...)
Nene
(So!)
Nene
Um, everyone...
Can I have your attention for a second?
Can I have your attention for a second?
An
What's up, Kusanagi?
Nene
I... I don't want this film to cause someone to feel any regret. Not after all the hard work we put into it...
Nene
I want us to all genuinely feel good about what we made together.
Soda
Kusanagi...
Nene
So, let's put our heads together and make sure we all come out of this with no regrets...
Nene
Let's come up with the best possible solution we can for this situation. A solution that doesn't involve cutting corners.
An
Yeah...
An
We shouldn't be thinking such negative thoughts. Instead, we should be coming up with ways to make our film better!
Nene
Exactly.
So, about finding a replacement.
So, about finding a replacement.
Akito
I'll do it. If my stunt double is out, then the simplest solution is for me to do my own stunts...
Soda
Shinonome...
Akito
Soda, you'll need to show me what to do during the final scene. I know we don't have time, but this is our only option.
Soda
Okay.
Thanks...
Thanks...
Akito
No problem.
But there's no way I'll be able to do the same things an experienced martial artist like Soda can...
But there's no way I'll be able to do the same things an experienced martial artist like Soda can...
Akito
Is there a way to mask that?
Something that'll make what I do look flashier...
Something that'll make what I do look flashier...
An
Flashier...?
An
Oh, I know!
What if you wore a cape or something?
What if you wore a cape or something?
Akito
A cape?
Nene
Yeah, that's not a bad idea...
Nene
Capes are used during shows a lot because they help draw attention to the wearer... In our case, it'd be like throwing in a bit of extra spice at the end.
Nene
The last scene also involves our hero returning from his journey in search of cooking ingredients, so him wearing something over his clothes would seem completely normal.
Nene
Tachibana, would you be able to lend us a hand with this?
Tachibana
Yeah, no problem.
I'll ask everyone working on costumes to help me come up with a design right away.
I'll ask everyone working on costumes to help me come up with a design right away.
Nene
Thank you...!
Then, Soda, can you and the others come up with some stunts that involve a cape?
Then, Soda, can you and the others come up with some stunts that involve a cape?
Soda
Y-Yeah, of course!
Nene
Also, we can change up our camera angles a bit...
Nene
Amisawa, remember that drone footage you showed me the other day? The final showdown would probably look really cool if we shot it from a bunch of different angles.
Amisawa
Definitely!
Alright, I'll look up how to do all that!
Alright, I'll look up how to do all that!
Nene
I think that's about all I can think of...
Nene
Let's keep brainstorming and coming up with ideas together. And...
Nene
The goal's in sight, so let's keep doing our best to make our film a good one.
Classmates
Yeah!
Yes!
Yes!
Next Chapter: That's A Wrap!