Chapter 31 (Behind the Scenes!!)

**Scene 31** is the 31st chapter of *Behind the Scenes!!* manga series.

## Summary

Ryuuji is actually the director of that film that had struck Ranmaru all those years ago... But then, why has he stopped directing? The members of the Art Squad consult Ryuuji's old friend, Uichiro to hear the story of Ryuuji's past involving is grandfather, the inspiration for the short film, and his death and the effect that had on Ryuuji. And through it all, Ranmaru feels like he starts to understand more about Ryuuji.

## Plot

Following his shock of discovering the truth about the robot short film, Ranmaru approaches Ruka and Izumi about it and is shocked again to find out that they had already known that Ryuuji was the director of that short film. The two relate how they had seen the film back then too and were surprised to meet Ryuuji when they got to university. Ranmaru makes the connection that the reason why Ryuuji was able to step up and do a good job as assistant director at the summer camp was because he already had experience. Ranmaru asks why he quit directing if he's so good at it and Ruka simply offers that Ryuuji doesn't like to talk about why he quit directing. Maasa, extremely interested in the topic, makes up the theory that he can't direct anymore because of a curse. As she's also frustrated that she was the last one to know about Ryuuji being a former award-winning director, she takes the other members to Uichiro Hida who would likely know about what happened to Ryuuji.

Uichiro offers what he knows about 'that traitor', referring to Ryuuji. He recounts how they used to aim to be movie directors since they were both little. Uichiro admitted that Ryuuji was a better director than him, with better technique and vision but Ryuuji suddenly quit soon after winning the amateur film contest. Uichiro says that Maasa may be onto something when she said he's cursed... he's cursed with the inescapable sin that comes with making a film.

As Uichiro is about to tell them about the old man who appears in the film, the scene skips forward to Ranmaru delivering beef bowls to Ryuuji who had requested them. He explained to Ranmaru that he tended to skip meals and classes when he gets caught up in his projects. Ryuuji was working on metal chasing. Uichiro's explanation of Ryuuji's situation continues, saying that Ryuuji's love for metal chasing came from his grandfather who used to be able to make anything from tinplate in the factory behind his family's temple. Ryuuji loved to go and watch, but one day his grandfather was gone and it is revealed that he died suddenly of a heart attack.

Knowing that Ranmaru is a beginner, Ryuuji teaches him how to chase metal, walking him step by step through the process of making a ring from a strip of brass metal. As they are each working on their own piece of metal, Ranmaru asks Ryuuji about how and when he learned metal chasing. Ryuuji explained that he got into it because he wanted something to lose himself in.

Uichiro continues, saying that Ryuuji made the robot film when his grandfather passed as a kind of eulogy. Uichiro had recommended that Ryuuji submit the film for the amateur film contest. The depth of emotion in the film would set it apart from the other films. But when the film received high praise, Ryuuji felt that he had exploited his grandfather's death and used it for his own benefit. Uichiro mused that no one else saw it that way and that Ryuuji probably knew that as well. Back at the workshop, Ryuuji is explaining that he likes working with metal because it's just him and the metal and there's no one else that he can hurt. Ranmaru recalls Uichiro's last words, that making movies is an egotistical endeavor and that people who worry about disrespecting something and carry that regret aren't cut out to be directors.

Seeing Ryuuji now, Ranmaru feels like he understand him better. That Ryuuji is actually a sensitive soul, and the most considerate and enthusiastic person he knows. Ranmaru suddenly asks Ryuuji if he's really never going to direct another movie. As Ryuuji is a bit taken aback, Ranmaru declares that he wants to see another film directed by him.

## Characters

* Ranmaru Kurisu
* Ruka Enjoji
* Izumi Samura
* Tomu Tenba
* Maasa Rokubu
* Ryuuji Gouda
* Uichiro Hida