Chapter 23

The first shoot was over.

“Vivi.”

Julia, who was beside her, called out.

“I think we need more props.”

At Julia’s words, she blinked.

“Props? Don’t we have everything we need?”

“No! I mean accessories. Sir Costance looks great as is, but he would look even better with some accessories! So, could you go buy a bracelet that would suit him?”

“What? This is just a library promotional material, and a bracelet…”

“Vivi, please.”

She let out a small sigh.

“Senior, you do know I’m not an errand girl, right?”

“I know, I know.”

“This is the last time.”

“Yes, of course. Oh, just buy something that suits summer.”

What’s that supposed to mean…

“Vivi. Are you going somewhere? Then I’ll come with…”

Just then, Sir Costance approached. He seemed to have caught on to the situation and grabbed his coat to go out with her.

“No! Vivi is just running a quick errand, so Sir, please stay here!”

Julia blocked Sir Costance’s path.

“A model shouldn’t be sweating.”

“I’ll come back without sweating.”

“Oh, just stay here.”

“But I’m worried about Vivi…”

“Sir!”

Julia’s voice grew louder. Instead of looking at Sir Costance, Julia lightly tapped Vivi’s shoulder with her arm.

“I’ll go by myself.”

Understanding Julia’s intent, she turned her back. Behind her, she could hear Sir Costance calling her name. She tried her best to ignore it and stepped outside.

* * *

The sky was red.

People who finished work early were enjoying their time at cafes or bars. The shops were the same. Several shops had closed early due to personal reasons.

Where should I buy the bracelet? 

Bracelets were sold at street stalls, but street stall bracelets didn’t suit Sir Costance.

Fortunately, there was one large jewelry shop next to the park with its lights on. Judging by the sign and the interior, the prices seemed quite high.

‘This is a problem.’

She didn’t have much money. If she spent the money the library gave her on a prop bracelet, the director would surely give her an earful.

“Would you like to come in?”

As she hesitated about what to do, the shop door opened. The employee, perhaps noticing her lingering at the entrance, smiled at her.

“Oh, yes.”

She entered the shop almost inadvertently. Inside, it was bright and luxurious. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and wine-colored carpets covered the floor. The jewelry beyond the glass windows emitted bright colors.

In short, everything looked expensive.

“What are you looking for?”

“…A bracelet for a man in his 20s.”

“Oh, are you planning to gift it to your boyfriend? Then this product is popular.”

He’s not my boyfriend… 

But this wasn’t the photo studio, and explaining it would be more trouble.

She went to the section the employee guided her to and checked the products. As the employee said, the accessories looked beautiful.

“Do you like that product?”

She found herself staring at one bracelet. It was a cool silver color with small motifs. Embarrassed, she shook her head, but her gaze kept returning to that bracelet.

“It’s pretty, right? It was made to commemorate peace. That in the center is a skylark.”

A skylark, huh.

“Would you like me to take it out and show you?”

“No, it’s just that I’m not gifting it; I just want to use it lightly…”

“Pardon?”

“Could you tell me the price first?”

It might be affordable. The employee took out the bracelet and showed her the price tag inside.

…It’s expensive.

“The skylark here is topaz.”

Unconsciously, she imagined Sir Costance wearing this bracelet. It would suit his black hair and pale skin well. Also, considering his profession in the navy, a bracelet symbolizing peace held meaning.

“What do you think?”

“I’m… looking for a bracelet to wear just once, not as a gift. Could you show me something cheaper?”

Even so, she couldn’t buy an unreasonably expensive bracelet as a prop.

The employee kindly introduced her to more affordable products. Though still expensive, they were within the event budget. After some deliberation, she chose a relatively decent accessory.

“If there’s any problem with the bracelet, feel free to come back anytime.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes. Please visit us again.”

“Um…”

The employee looked at her, standing still without leaving the shop.

“Would you like to look at the items again?”

“What? No… Well, yes. Please show me again.”

The employee smiled and handed her the skylark bracelet.

‘Will Sir Costance like it?’

It was pretty.

If I gave it as a gift, would Sir Costance wear it? 

It was a considerable amount for her, but it might be trivial for Sir Costance.

…But she knew the truth. If she gifted it, Sir Costance would wear the bracelet.

“Are you worried about the price?”

“…More than that, he’s a noble. If he wears something I gifted, I’m afraid others might mock him. Oh, not that this product is bad or anything…”

The employee remained silent for a moment.

“Most people who visit here are like that.”

The employee spoke up.

“They want to give something expensive for their loved ones. So, they feel regretful.”

The employee laughed softly.

“Because they can’t express their feelings, they gift these accessories. ‘This is my heart thinking of you’, they say. Sometimes, people forget the essence.”

“The essence?”

“They equate their feelings with the price. The more expensive the product, the more they think it means they love the person. But that’s wrong.”

The employee pointed to the box of the bracelet she just bought.

“The product you just purchased was also bought by a 12-year-old boy not long ago. Tomorrow is his mother’s birthday.”

The bracelet she just bought was relatively inexpensive.

“As you know, the price is the same. But it doesn’t mean your feelings and the boy’s feelings are the same, right?”

But the boy…

Listening to the employee, she swallowed hard. Her gaze returned to the skylark bracelet.

“You said it was topaz, right? Could I see it in another color?”

* * *

She looked at the bracelet box she impulsively bought. Besides this, there were several unintended purchases. After that, she ran breathlessly to the front of the photo studio.

“…Huh?”

She heard voices from the alley next to it.

‘Julia? And Sir Costance too…’

They seemed to be having a serious conversation.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot accept your feelings, Julia.”

She heard Sir Costance’s firm voice.

‘Ah.’

Julia confessed. Unable to hold back her tears, Julia began to cry at Sir Costance’s rejection.

“But… you come to the library every day, read other books…”

“It has nothing to do with you, Julia.”

“I, I…”

“Did I give you any reason to misunderstand?”

“…What if you did?”

“Then I’ll be more careful.”

Sir Costance was truly cold. 

Was he always this cold?

Both Julia and her were at a loss for words.

Julia’s face, hardened by shock and sorrow, gradually crumbled. Standing there speechless, she looked more pitiful than ever.

Unable to bear looking at her, Vivi fled into the photo studio. Inside, it was dry and stuffy without a breath of wind.

“You’re back.”

“Sylvia.”

“There was an issue with the camera, so it took some time. If you wait a little longer, it’ll be resolved.”

Sylvia handed her a glass of juice filled with ice.

Julia intended to confess to Sir Costance from the start. That’s why she asked to borrow the pink dress, did her makeup beautifully…

“Vivi.”

Hearing a voice from above, she raised her head. It was Sir Costance. His stern face was gone, replaced with infinite kindness.

“I was worried because you took longer than expected.”

“…Ah, yes.”

“Vivi?”

Sir Costance is cold to those he doesn’t love. But he’s endlessly kind to those he cares for. 

The gap is wide. So wide…

〈It’s better to hide your name. Your name is… yes, Vivi. How about Vivi? From now on, you’ll be Vivi. Understand?〉

I’m scared to know what expression you’d make if you found out my real name.

“Vivi. Did something happen?”

“Th-this is a bracelet, a prop. Try it on and let me know if it doesn’t fit.”

“Vivi.”

“I’ll just go to the restroom for a moment. Sir, please sit and rest.”

She fled outside the photo studio. In the alley next to it was Julia. It was the first time she saw Julia crying so sorrowfully.

Hesitating, she moved toward her. The sunlight disappeared, and a dark shadow covered her body.

“…You heard everything, didn’t you?”

Julia stopped wiping her tears and looked at her.

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you pitying me? Are you satisfied? I was so confident, and now I’m crying like this.”

She knelt in front of Julia. When her hand touched Julia’s shoe, Julia flinched in surprise.

“I brought shoes.”

“…What?”

“Your feet hurt, don’t they?”

When Vivi took out comfortable slippers from the box, Julia’s face contorted. She removed Julia’s shoes and put on the slippers on her feet.

“Feel better now?”

Julia didn’t say anything in response to her question.