Yae
Hmm...
Kokona
What's wrong, Yae-chan?
Shizuka
Could it be you're troubled about something? If so, I'll listen. I don't want to see Yae-chan with a worried face.
Kokona
Ah, maybe your homework isn't going well?
Shizuka
Unlike Kokona, Yae-chan plans her homework properly. She was even having Shamo-san look over it the other day.
Kokona
Ugh, I need to learn from her.
Yae
Actually, that's right.
Shizuka
That's right...wait.
Kokona and Shizuka
-Ehhh!?
Kathrina
What? What happened?
Chisa
Is there a sense of trouble?
Panda
This would make great video cont-oops. If something's wrong, I'm here to help!
Kathrina
...A book report, huh?
Yae
Yes. My other homework is proceeding as scheduled. But since we can choose any book, I'm having trouble deciding what to read...
Panda
I understand. Free assignments without a set topic are tough.
Yae
Um...if it's alright, could you all recommend some books to me?
Kokona
My recommendation is "Gon the Fox"!
Panda
Oh, a classic!
Kokona
It's in the textbook too. It really hits you in the chest, but I think it's a good story.
Kokona
Have you studied it already, Yae-chan?
Yae
Yes! It's such a masterpiece!
Yae
Thinking about Hyoju and Gon makes my heart feel so full...
Shizuka
That should score high points, right?
Kokona
Yay! I'd be happy if it makes your list of candidates.
Yae
...Ah, but we already discussed our impressions of it in class. So it might not be appropriate for a book report...
Kokona
Ah, I see...
Panda
Materials used in class do have that trap, don't they?
Shizuka
Then, is it my turn next? Though I don't know much about books...
Shizuka
Since Yae-chan is an actor, how about the original works of plays you've performed in?
Shizuka
Scripts sometimes have adaptations, so if you read the original again, you might have different impressions, don't you think?
Yae
I see. Thank you, Shizuka-san! I'd like to add that to my list of candidates!
Shizuka
No, it's fine! If I can help Yae-chan, that's enough to make me happy!
Kathrina
You're so lovey-dovey...
Kathrina
Well, is it my turn next? I recommend German literature.
Kokona
T-That sounds impressive...
Kathrina
Let's see. Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther" or Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" might be good.
Yae
"The Metamorphosis" and "Young Werther"...? I know the titles, but I've never read the original works.
Panda
Let me look those up...hmm? Hmmmm? -Wait, no, no, no!
Panda
If an elementary school student wrote a book report on this, the teacher would flip out!
Kathrina
W-Why? I think Niizuma could definitely write a deep analysis and produce an excellent report!
Chisa
I'd like to see Niizuma getting into character as an insect after reading "The Metamorphosis." She'd surely become a bug at an impressively convincing level.
Kathrina
Ah...maybe it's not a good idea after all. Sorry, please forget I mentioned it. Grimm's Fairy Tales might be better.
Panda
Being too avant-garde isn't good for this kind of thing.
Panda
On that note, I've done proper research!
Panda
My recommendation is "The Curious Daily Life of Mr. Magnifying Glass"!
Kokona
Mr. Magnifying Glass...? I've never heard of that.
Yae
Ah, I know that one! My friend at school was reading it!
Panda
As expected, Niizumachii knows it. This children's book has been selling like crazy among elementary school students these past few years.
Shizuka
Oh, really?
Panda
It's a collection of short stories with Mr. Magnifying Glass as the protagonist, and each story has a surprising twist!
Panda
There are mysteries, plot twists...and some open endings too. Those are surreal in their own way, and there are many exciting developments that keep you from getting bored.
Kokona
Hmm~ sounds interesting. I might check it out.
Kokona
How did you know about this book, Panda-chan?
Panda
It's got a reputation for being enjoyable even for adults, and it was in our library. I shared my thoughts in a limited live stream, and it got quite a buzz!
Yae
Having various stories sounds fun. But I might have trouble focusing my impressions into one report.
Chisa
Then, I'm last. My recommendation is-this.
Chisa
"Somen Anthology."
Kokona and Yae
Somen...
Shizuka and Kathrina
...Anthology?
Panda
W-What is that!? It's so like Sassu, but still!
Chisa
Famous writers, celebrities, and even some Dai Stars came together to pen 36 jewels of prose about their love for somen noodles...
Chisa
As you read, you discover a somen world you never knew existed. Through somen, life becomes more vibrant...
Chisa
Yes...it was myself who had been limiting somen's potential all along.
Panda
That happens, doesn't it? Those subcultural books that really resonate with only certain people...
Yae
It sounds difficult, but I can tell it must be amazing!
Kokona
Is that everyone? Yae-chan, did you find anything that seems good?
Yae
Thank you all so much. Every book sounds interesting!
Yae
But that's exactly why I might end up even more confused...
Kathrina
That happens, doesn't it?
Panda
Hey, Sassu. Shouldn't you recommend a picture book?
Kokona
A picture book...? Why?
Panda
Sassu once wrote a book report on a picture book. She received an award and was praised by the principal.
Yae
Wow, getting an award is amazing!
Chisa
Come to think of it, that did happen. Personally, I would have preferred to be praised for my summer research project "Somen Forever."
Kathrina
A book report on a picture book...I can't quite imagine it. Is that even possible?
Kokona
I got it! It must be one of those deep picture books that adults can enjoy too!
Panda
No, unfortunately it was just a regular picture book for young children...with extremely simple content...
Shizuka
Wouldn't there be a limit to how much you could analyze that?
Panda
That's just it-Sassu crammed in her own interpretations aggressively. She expanded on the characters' feelings, adding things that weren't there.
Kokona
Is that allowed?
Panda
Apparently that's exactly what impressed the principal. Well, it was quite unconventional and she only did it that once.
Kathrina
Speaking of that..."If I spread my wings of imagination before a story, I can fly anywhere."
Kathrina
There was a World Dai Star who said that.
Yae
...That sounds interesting!
Yae
It seems connected not just to acting, but also to directing. I might get closer to what Hiiragi-san sees!
Panda
As expected of Niizumachii. Always thinking about theater.
Kokona
Hey, hey, why don't we try it out? I'm interested too!
Yae
Is that okay?
Shizuka
Of course. If it helps Yae-chan, I'll do anything.
Yae
Then, I'll take you up on that offer. Thank you!