Chapter 30 (Behind the Scenes!!)

**Scene 30** is the 30th chapter of *Behind the Scenes!!* manga series.

## Summary

With the influx of new students comes the opportunity to recruit them for clubs! The Film Studies Club seems to have a promising new member in Miharu Kaneike, a first year who had previously won an amateur film contest two years in a row. But he turns out to be rude and demanding! Not pleasant to work with at all. And above all, he doesn't actually have a vision for his films. Ryuuji straightens him out and Miharu becomes an official member of the Film Studies club. After the whole ordeal, Ranmaru comes across that short film about the flying robot from his childhood and discovers that it was Ryuuji who directed it.

## Plot

Spring has arrived, meaning new students are entering the university and it's the time for the school's clubs to try to recruit new members.The Film Studies Club president explains during orientation that all prospective new members are tasked with creating their own 10 minute film in order to get a feel for the club. He has tasked the Art Squad with helping all the new students as well. A first year named Miharu Kaneike speaks up at the orientation, asking about and expecting good equipment and resources from the club to support his film. He turns out to be a fairly well-known young man who had won an amateur film contest for two years between middle school and high school. Miharu begins filming with the support of the Art Squad for props and other members of the Film Studies club. Everyone quickly discovers how rude and demanding he is, despite the fact that everyone is working hard.

At home, Ranmaru recounts the events of the day to Soh, who is sympathetic. Soh tells Ranmaru that she's considering joining the drama club at school but is more interested in working behind the scenes because she still wants to have a connection with Izumi. Ranmaru recognizes that she still hasn't given up on him.

Ryuuji is doing his own research on the new kid, Miharu, and agrees that his film are not bad. He then receives a text from his childhood friend and rival, Uichiro, teasing Ryuuji about the appearance of the new kid.

As filming continues the next day, Miharu's brutal comments continue as well. The staff and crew grow tired of his constant and impossible demands. The members of the Art Squad discuss among themselves about what a director should be and what kind of qualities they should have. Izumi comments that a director should have vision and make you want to see through their eyes.

The plot of the film is revealed in parallel with Ryuuji scolding Miharu and calling him out for his inadequacies. The woman in the film breaks things, keeps breaking and breaking until she finally breaks herself. While Miharu keeps blaming the people around him, saying it's not good enough, Ryuuji turns that back on him saying that people can't keep up because Miharu himself doesn't actually love the film. He doesn't know what he's aiming for and isn't doing his job as director properly. Miharu reflects that despite all his struggles, not winning any more contests and not being admitted to film school, he still wants to make movies. Ranmaru notices how Ryuuji can always see deep inside people and wishes to see through his eyes.

Later, Miharu officially joins the Film Studies club and still has a sharp tongue with the staff but they're all managing okay now because Miharu is finally having fun.

One evening, Ranmaru borrows a DVD with all the winners of the amateur film contest from the last 10 years. He checks out Miharu's short film and is impressed by it. He decides to watch some of the other winning films and discovers the film of the old man and the flying robot that he had such a vivid memory of. And when the film finishes, he finds out that the director of that film was actually Ryuuji.

## Characters

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