Twilight Out of Focus (黄昏アウトフォーカス)

Testing. Is this thing rolling?

Yeah, think so.

Grab a chair.

Second year, class A, Mao Tsuchiya.

Year two, class C, Hisashi Otomo.

We hereby make three vows.

The first is a vow of secrecy.

As Otomo's roommate, I, Mao Tsuchiya,

promise to never out him as gay

nor will I mention his boyfriend to another soul.

Second is a vow against love.

Me falling for this guy is totally out of the question.

The two of us will never be a thing,

so you can forget about me

making some kinda move on him.

In the event either of us breaks these pledges--

Slow down, think you might've skipped one.

Oh, right.

Utmost privacy while jerking off.

If you hear one squeak it means "get lost."

Is something funny?

This was your idea!

Who can blame me

when you sound so formal on camera?

Loosen up, dude!

Do you even hear yourself, Mister Uptight?

Okay, fine.

"I hereby declare..."

Nay! Requesting Mao return to present-day!

Are you finished screwing around?

I'd rather not be late

for the first day of class, you know?

Mao?

Hm?

For the record.

I wouldn't have made it through my first year

with any other roommate.

Second year, best year?

Hm.

Sure.

Honestly.

I'm glad you're with me.

I'll be back a little later because of club.

Sleeping and waking up in the same room,

same space.

Chatting or sitting in silence.

"Good morning." "Good night."

"Made it in."

"Welcome back."

Wait, I thought the festival's...

Before I met you.

I couldn't say those things to someone else.

Clock's ticking.

But after a year together,

I can.

Seriously?

Seriously.

Everyone's present,

so let's kick off our first meeting of the year.

As you know my name is Giichi Ichikawa.

Director eyeing the prize.

And I'll not rest

until we drag those third years through the mud.

Is this film club or the wrestling team?

Department assignments are covered in the handout.

For department leads,

we have Mao Tsuchiya on photography.

Assistant director, Runa Kagari.

Script supervisor, Teru Kagari.

Yo, Mao.

You read the script?

It's one of those.

It's a romance?

Not my first choice to put up against the seniors.

Okay, but did you notice something

-about the two leads? -Our film's central theme is this.

Behold!

B...

That says BL.

Wait, boys' love?

What's that?

Need a hint? Here's six.

Never heard of it.

Two guys falling in love?

A queer story?

Maybe this will give us the edge.

Hm.

Hey, Ichikawa.

What's up?

Honestly,

one book in and I was absolutely hooked!

My heart fluttered, beginning to end!

The characters are so pure and sincere!

Each page made me go, "Now this is love!"

So sublime!

Ignoring Ichikawa's medical episode for now.

How about we read through the script first?

- I'm in. - And let's get

a replacement director, ASAP.

No!

Damn your genius, Ichikawa!

I'm so pissed off by this work of art, I'm crying!

-You have no right! -Dude's a freaking love wizard!

Oh, go on!

Yeah.

This'll be one to remember.

Right?

Now, I'm not into guys myself.

That said.

It's not like it makes a difference

'cause I'm completely inexperienced.

Never so much as had a crush before.

How 'bout you?

Uh. Same boat.

Love is a mystery.

But I was kind of into someone one time.

"Kind of?"

What is this, elementary school?

No wonder you idiots are film nerds,

you guys have zero game.

And you do?

We're barely adults at best,

so can any one of us say we know what love is?

Didn't think so.

But we're not doing this for who we are now.

This is something for us to look back on.

In the future...

maybe same-sex marriage will be so common

we'll have dropped the modifier.

Maybe you'll get married and have a bunch of kids

or decide it's not for you.

No matter what happens,

I want all of us to never forget what we did here.

That we, a bunch of high school film nerds,

tackled the mess that is love

with an earnestness only we could muster.

So, on your feet...

we're making cinema.

- Yes, sir! - All right!

- Let's do it! -Go time.

Ready to roll?

Partner, I was born ready.

Casting-wise, have you got

any specs in mind for the leads,

or someone specific?

Good question, I will defer to our head of photography.

Why me?

Hey, Mao. Baths are empty.

All yours.

Huh?

Pervert. I'm taken.

Yeah, thanks for the reminder!

Cover up already!

The classic lone wolf.

Spurning close connections to people.

Detached and spectral,

like he'd slip through your fingers.

Checks out.

I can't think of a better casting choice

to be in the lead role.

Hisashi?

Hm. You're roommates.

Think he'll go for it if you say, "pretty please?"

Our bad boy played by him?

I don't know.

Far as I'm aware, he's not a trained actor.

So there's that to consider.

Usually I'd agree,

but he's got to nail the natural essence of a rebel.

Authenticity can't be taught.

I mean, look at us.

A student body full of bookworms and jocks.

We're a bunch of absolute zeros on the punk meter.

Sure, but I think

you're more of a lone wolf than him, Ichikawa.

Stop it!

He needs to be drop-dead gorgeous!

-Mandatory! -Cool it, diva.

Sweet talk him into our BL.

Pretty please.

Once he's laid the tracks, it's full steam ahead.

That's our director for you.

You want me to make the offer, Mao?

Since you're roommates, it might get weird, ya know?

This is a romance between two men.

And one scene involves a kiss.

Best to be mindful of that when we are talking to him.

Hang on.

Is me asking him the right call?

What would he say?

"The lead is a guy

who falls head over heels for another man.

Everyone said you'd be perfect for the part!"

Seriously,

he'll probably think I broke my promise

and outed him to the whole school.

I can't do it.

Kagari and I will find someone else.

Hmm.

Punks from the sticks can come in all types, I guess.