Chikage Utsuki/Literary Impasse

Role Study 【Takasugi】

Backstage Stories

Part 1

Tasuku	This alcohol tastes great.
Sakyo	Yeah, Yukishiro told me about it earlier.
	I like it too.
Tsumugi	Oh right. I heard this from Sakuya-kun, but Spring troupe is going to read books by literary masters and write book reports, is that right?
Tasuku	I see. Is this role study for your upcoming play?
Chikage	Yeah. Sakuya suggested it, saying it might be a good way to prepare for our roles.
	I just got a LIME from Tsuzuru-kun earlier with a list of books he recommends.
Sakyo	Have you decided which book you’ll read yet?
Chikage	Yes, I have.
	I was considering choosing this one…
Sakyo	Heh. These types of novels also come in e-book format, huh?
Chikage	They’re available for just about every book these days.
	Although, I haven’t decided whether I’ll read a digital or paper copy yet.
Tsumugi	This work has a rather eerie and unique tone, doesn’t it?
Tasuku	What made you think to choose that one?
Chikage	In the list of recommendations, I knew the summary of this one, but I had never read it properly before.
Tasuku	Oh, I see.
Sakyo	Even so, Utsuki’s book report, huh?
	I’m curious what he’ll write. I’d love to give it a read.
Chikage	If there’s a chance someday.
	…
	*turns page*
	(In the end, I bought it at the bookstore and gave it a read…)
	Well, it was basically like the summary.
Itaru	…WOO! Rare item GET!
	Ah, come to think of it, senpai. It looks like you finished reading your book a few days ago. Are you done with your report?
Chikage	It’s finished already.
Itaru	Eh, when the heck did you do it?
	I don’t think I saw you writing…
Chikage	I didn’t write it here. Are you done writing your report on “Pandora’s Box”?
	Or rather, have you finished reading it in the first place?
Itaru	I finished the book, but I haven’t written my impressions yet.
Chikage	Do you have time to be gaming this much when you’re not even done?
Itaru	I’ll get the report done by the deadline.
	Besides, literary masters appear in the game I’m playing right now, so this is also one part of my role study.
Chikage	You’re just like a child…
	I can’t help you if you don’t get it done, alright?
	Is this a booklet with all the member’s impressions compiled?
	I never thought our reports would come back in this form.
Itaru	Anthologies sure take me back.
Izumi	That’s right!
	I was thinking it’s nostalgic while I was making it too.
Sakuya	Next up is Chikage-san’s report.
	I’m really interested to see what kind of piece it is!
Chikage	Sakyo-san said the same thing.
Citron	Let’s read Chikage’s impressions right away~!
Itaru	Wait, isn’t senpai’s report kinda short?
Tsuzuru	It is.
	Um, in this work, a man goes to the sand dunes…
	Hold on, isn’t this a summary!
Masumi	It’s easy to follow.
Chikage	I wrote it so even an elementary schooler would understand it.
Citron	Even I can get it, no problem!
	I’m excited to see how it ends~!
Masumi	…”You’ll have to read the book for the conclusion,” is what’s written.
Citron	Oh!? He left me sagging…!
Sakuya	Sagging?
Itaru	He left you hanging.
Citron	That’s it!
Chikage	I was considerate about spoilers.
Tsuzuru	No, even if you’re considerable about spoilers in your book report…
	You didn’t write a single word about your thoughts in the first place, did you!
Chikage	As for impressions, I think it’s better for everyone to read the book and experience it for themselves.
Itaru	And a book report is…?
Sakuya	Ahahaha…

Anna