Chapter 36: Have Confidence

"How could Akiwara-sensei come up with such a terrifying story?"

After finishing the article, Ikawa Akemi couldn't help but cover her chest and mutter to herself.

Just two days ago, she had received a call from Akiwara Yuto, telling her to buy this issue of *New Fiction*, saying he would adapt the story from this issue into a stage play script for them.

Upon learning this, she immediately went to the nearest bookstore, bought 15 copies, and brought them back to the Drama Club for everyone to read in turns and see if it was suitable.

Then, everyone opened the books together and began to study them carefully.

After she finished reading, the advisor and the other members had also finished one after another, but everyone wore a look of shock.

There was no helping it; this story depicted the modus operandi of a perverted murderer so vividly that it was hard for readers like them, who had basically never encountered this type of writing, not to feel astonished.

After a long while, a spirited girl with a ponytail muttered, "Can we really perform a story like this well?"

She lacked confidence; after all, the stage plays they had been exposed to before were either emotional or inspirational, and rarely were there any with such a thriller theme. She was truly a bit worried.

Ikawa Akemi subconsciously glanced at her and realized that the one who said this was the club president, who often played the "male lead" in their stage plays. If even she was worried, then was this play too difficult...?

However, she then thought of *Seven Stories*, and for a moment, she felt very conflicted. Should they really give up such a brilliant story?

But if they couldn't perform such a story well, would they be letting Akiwara-sensei down?

It really was so frustrating...

She was lost in thought, her eyes slightly out of focus, and the people sitting in the activity room were also whispering, all unable to make up their minds.

The story was excellent and very engaging; the performance effect should be very good, but it wasn't the type of stage play they usually performed.

The advisor, sitting among a group of girls, was also frowning and analyzing. She thought for a moment, then flipped to the page for *Seven Rooms*, began to read it carefully for a second time, and at the same time, kept pondering it in her mind.

In terms of numbers, the current number of actors in the Drama Club was sufficient to meet the requirements; in terms of performance difficulty, it was mainly about highlighting a sense of tension and urgency; as for the actors, a smaller girl could be recruited to play the "younger brother."

As for the venue, music, lighting, and props, they could request help from other clubs under the coordination of the school, so that shouldn't be much of a problem...

In other words, this stage play was completely achievable, and because of its unique genre, it might even become a huge hit!

She looked around and noticed that everyone lacked confidence, and the atmosphere in the activity room was even a bit heavy, so she gave a light cough.

Seeing everyone's eyes turn toward her, she raised her voice and said, "Everyone, please listen to me for a moment."

She prepared to cheer up these fledglings of the Drama Club!

She stared at the spirited girl for a while, raised her voice, and said, "Risa, lift your head and answer me, how many years have you been here?"

"From freshman year until now, it's been about four years," the spirited girl named Risa answered with some surprise, not knowing why she was suddenly asked this.

The advisor nodded, put down the magazine in her hand, and continued, "Four years. Then how many stage plays have you performed in?"

"I guess there must have been about a hundred."

"Exactly. Since you've performed so many times, what's different this time?"

"But I've never encountered this genre before." The spirited girl's voice still didn't sound very confident.

The advisor glanced at her, looked around at everyone again, and continued loudly, "What's different? Isn't stage performance just about highlighting the characters' personalities and conveying the emotions you are expressing to the audience?"

After a pause, she continued in a passionate tone, "Since we have so many successful experiences, then this time should be no problem either. If it really doesn't work, just train a few more times. If once isn't enough, then ten times; if ten times isn't enough, then a hundred times!"

At this point, her speaking speed slowed down a little, and she said softly to the spirited girl, "Risa, believe in yourself, and believe in everyone here."

The spirited girl was stunned, turned to look at everyone on the scene, and finding the determined expressions on their faces, she couldn't help but start to think.

That's right, if it really doesn't work, just rehearse a few more times; if a few times isn't enough, then rehearse dozens of times. What's so hard about that!?

Besides, everyone seems to want to try it, so what reason do I have to back down?

With her conviction confirmed, the confusion in her eyes gradually faded away.

Seeing that everyone had ignited their fighting spirit, Ikawa Akemi couldn't help but feel happy.

Just wait, Akiwara-sensei, we definitely won't let your work down, and we will shock you with the best stage play!

The Drama Club's activity room was noisy, but the sound in Akiwara Yuto's home was very quiet. He put down his pen, leaned back against the chair, and his whole body relaxed.

As of today, the script work was basically completed, especially the parts regarding character movements and dialogue, which had been appropriately and reasonably expanded based on the novel to ensure the duration could reach the 90-minute length of a typical stage play.

In addition, some voice-overs and actors' movements were also supplemented to facilitate the progression during the play's production.

In short, this work was finished, and he just needed to mail the script to Ikawa Akemi via courier later.

He stood up, stretched his slightly stiff arms, paced back and forth, and considered the next problem.

If he wanted to compete for the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award, should he use existing works from his past life, or use foreign mystery works adapted for the local market?

He bit the end of his pen and began to weigh the pros and cons.

Using Japanese mystery works from his past life to compete for a mere newcomer award felt a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut; after all, every literary work that could cross the ocean and be seen by him was a masterpiece.

Later on, if he could climb higher in the literary world, he could fully utilize these works to help himself gain greater benefits and advantages; even competing for the Uemura Award, the highest award in the current Japanese mystery world, would be very promising.

There was also another important reason, which was that he really wanted to utilize other foreign mystery works in his mind as well.

Now that his adaptation ability had improved quite a bit, should he try a localized adaptation?

He pondered for a long time without reaching a conclusion, so he simply put aside his wild thoughts and prepared to read for a while to take some notes, so he took out paper and a pen and began to write directly.

Amidst the sound of the pen tip rubbing against the paper, time slowly passed...

However, while he was writing furiously, someone brought him good news.