Chapter 33 (Behind the Scenes!!)

**Scene 33** is the 33rd chapter of *Behind the Scenes!!* manga series.

## Summary

Ranmaru continues to pester Ryuuji about making a film, this time recruiting the help of the film clubs to help embarrass Ryuuji and convince him further to make the film. Meanwhile, Ruka reflects on her life and her attitude and outlook on her situation up until now and she and Ryuuji get closer over a bike ride together. Izumi still struggles over his memory loss.

## Plot

Ranmaru is already bugging Ryuuji about making a movie again, encouraging him to start brainstorming. He even presents the ideas and support that the film clubs are offering. Sweating, Ryuuji asks Ranmaru if he told everyone about his "situation" and Ranmaru responds by brutally pointing out how uncool, scared, and pitiful Ryuuji was being. The members of the film club all take turns offering stabbing "consolations" to Ryuuji, revealing how determined Ranmaru is to see a new movie by Ryuuji, that he would to go such lengths to spread rumors about Ryuuji and be completely impolite about it.

As Ruka observes Ranmaru, she reflects on how she's way too polite in comparison. She recounts the moments in her life when she would step up and take responsibility for things that no one else wanted to do, how she was always a good girl. She thinks about when her mom died and her father remarried and how she was trapped and enchained from that moment. But rather than thinking that she had given up on freedom, she thought that she had a positive attitude by just accepting the situation as her fate.

Going to a regular university instead of a school for rich kids was Ruka's first and last adventure. She recalls how Ryuuji had suddenly approached her after hearing that she was good at sewing and asked her for help with the costume and props of a film. After hearing the specifics, Ruka was immediately motivated. Just as Ryuuji was explaining that he can't pay her, she noticed a box that Ryuuji had made with beautiful 90 degree angles and gushed over it, asking if she could keep it. Although Ruka thought that he would make fun of her and think she's weird, Ryuuji instead encouraged her love of right angles. In a montage, Izumi's introduction to the group, the formation of the club, and Ruka's developing feelings for Ryuuji are shown. But she decided to just put those feelings in a box, happy that the shared enthusiasm and courage from others had helped her to like herself. Ruka realized when Ryuuji asked her if she thinks she doesn't have the right to speak up that she actually lacks pride in herself. That she's not actually the dutiful good girl that she always considered herself to be.

While Ranmaru pesters Ryuuji about setting a deadline for the film, Izumi is approached by a girl for being in the top three in a handsome guy contest, and Maasa and Ruka discuss future plans. Maasa is already looking for a job while none of the fourth years (Izumi, Ryuuji, and Ruka) seem to be bothering. Maasa knows that Ruka is from a rich family so she doesn't really have to worry but she asks Ruka about what the other two are planning. Ruka says that she doesn't know.

Later, Ruka is walking outside when Ryuuji suddenly zips past her on a bike. She calls out to him, asking what he's doing. Apparently, Ranmaru is chasing Ryuuji so he quickly just tells Ruka to get on the back of the bike with him. They eventually lose Ranmaru, who is unable to catch up to them and get to talking. Ruka asks Ryuuji if he's really gonna direct the movie. Ryuuji responds that he will, since everyone already thinks he's uncool and that he might never move forward if he doesn't. Ryuuji explains that he always had the desire to direct something in the background, but he had never found the right subject material this whole time. Ruka offhandedly laments that she doesn't have a big impact on Ryuuji like Ranmaru does. Ryuuji immediately contests that point, at first listing off how her meat dish recommendations are the best, and how she has strong arms (probably because of the meat). But he continues by saying that he loves the way that she loves right angles, and that she knows how to persevere, grit her teeth and just keep smiling. He assures her that she's is amazing too and that she shouldn't think that it's only the people around her who are superhuman. He finishes by saying that it has been his salvation to have Ruka smiling by his side. At this, Ruka's feelings for Ryuuji overflow out of the box that she had shut them away in and she can't help but squeeze Ryuuji into a tight hug. Ryuuji jumps and gets immediately flustered, both of their faces bright red from the interaction. Swerving on the bike, Ryuuji asks what she did that for, still flustered. Equally embarrassed, Ruka claims that mysterious waves from outer space hit her head and told her to do that. Calming down, Ruka apologizes and attempts to get off the bike but Ryuuji stops her, bringing her arms around him again, telling her that if radio waves are ordering her to hug him, then she should keep obeying them. With bright blushes still on both of their faces, they ride off to get beef bowls.

While Soh is walking by the park near Shichikoku University, she spots Izumi on a bench and approaches him. He's filling out a survey, meant to let other people know more about the contestants/winners of the Shichikoku Handsome Dude Contest. He laments the small number of answers that he can give, since many of the questions involve childhood.

## Characters

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