Actually, I thought I completely failed the interview. I was so nervous the night before that I barely slept. To make matters worse, it was raining, so my hair was all frizzy—though it wouldn’t have looked that way on stage, I have somewhat curly hair—sounds were muffled, colors were dulled, making it hard to see clearly. It took me quite a while just to find the building.

Fortunately, I wasn’t late, but by the time I arrived, I was a mess. No matter how much water I applied, my hair wouldn’t settle, and my sky-blue dress looked almost mouse-gray. I was so careful walking that the heels of my shoes were nearly falling apart.

I spent days wondering how to tell you about failing……

And I passed!

I’m so happy I feel like having a toast.

Oh, I should buy some champagne while sending this letter. Would you join me for a toast from Priton?

April 29,

Perry.]

[To Yuan

I just received your letter. Thank you for wishing me luck. Coincidentally, we sent letters on the same day.

Oh, the restaurant situation also worked out well, as Yuan advised. When I explained my circumstances, the owner readily agreed to adjust my schedule. They were planning to extend their business hours into the night for summer anyway, so they said they’d move me to that time.

If it weren’t for you, I might have given up out of fear. I would have hesitated, unable to even ask, and just handed in my resignation.

Thank you so much. I feel like I’m always saying the same greeting. Is it boring?

Despite being somewhat educated, I’m troubled that better words don’t come to mind. How can I better express my feelings?

Would reading books help? I should visit a bookstore sometime. If you have any book recommendations, please let me know.

I don’t particularly like books. Partly because it’s more difficult for me to read than others, but seeing how I wasn’t interested even as a child, it seems to be simply a matter of preference.

Even as a student, I was really embarrassed when a teacher asked me to read aloud. Even though I could see relatively more clearly than now, the letters in textbooks looked like ant colonies.

People who don’t understand the situation say, “Can’t you just wear glasses?”…… But it’s not something glasses can compensate for. At least I could vaguely understand the blackboard from the front row using a magnifying glass, but textbooks—ugh.

Examining each word with a magnifier would obviously take too long, and declaring I couldn’t read in every class would hurt my pride.

So what do you think I did?

Well—

I memorized the entire textbook!

Of course, I couldn’t memorize a whole book, but I memorized the portions likely to be covered that day in advance. Fortunately, only one teacher in the entire school would ask me to read aloud. Which subject was it…… Oh, philosophy. It was philosophy.

If all subjects had been like that…… Well, I’d rather not imagine it.

But thanks to the skill I developed then, I memorize scripts faster than anyone else in the cast these days. It’s just that it takes me longer to read them.

Oh, thank you for the tea leaves. I just brewed one, and it has a clean aftertaste and a delicious nutty flavor. I was almost out of tea leaves, actually. I made syrup while I was at it. I’ve sent it by parcel, so it should arrive soon.

I’m honored that you’re looking forward to my next production, but don’t push yourself too hard. Didn’t you once say that? That you hope I won’t get sick or hurt.

I feel the same way. No actress would want her precious fan to be harmed.

Get plenty of rest.

May 1,

Sending a hug, Perry.

P.S. It seems like I’m always talking about myself. Tell me more about you too, Yuan. Haven’t I said this several times?]

[To my beloved Perry

The sunny days continue. On days like this, it seems like flying would go well, but it actually makes pilots tense. The tailwind might prevent the plane from taking off—planes use headwinds for takeoff—or the wind might suddenly change direction and shake the aircraft.

Yesterday, I struggled with an unexpected gust. We almost had to make an emergency landing in a mountainous region, but safely arrived at the airport. The return flight was smooth. Isn’t that fortunate? I couldn’t end my life in a distant land without seeing your next production.

That was a joke—was it funny?

Nothing else particularly noteworthy happened. I’m not trying to avoid the topic, but really…… I don’t strongly like or hate anything. Should I say I don’t have strong preferences, or that my personality itself is bland?

I’m not sure how to explain it, but it’s true. Even my profession as a pilot wasn’t chosen out of romance or a sense of mission, but simply because I heard it provided room and board with decent pay. You probably think I’m a boring person.

If I hadn’t met you, my life would have had neither great joy nor special misfortune. Peacefully, or honestly speaking, boringly continuing life like an obligation, just that level of—

So I keep talking about you instead.

Perry, you keep telling me about things you like. For instance, audition results or workshop news. I also keep talking about what I like…… which coincidentally happens to be actress Perry Humble, you.

Please don’t take away my identity as your fan.

Regarding books, I too am at a loss—the most recent book I read was the revised pilot’s manual—but I have a recommendation list from a reliable person, which I’ll attach on the next page.

However, one “thank you” from you is more powerful to me than any verse from a textbook.

May 4,

Raising a glass in Priton, Yuan Bellium.

P.S. In the evening, some colleagues who have tomorrow off came over and we had a beer. Do you really want to know about such trivial daily life? It seems even less substantial than the donut story from before. I’m worried about wasting your precious time with stories I wouldn’t even write in a diary.]

[To Mr. Yuan Bellium

Mr. Bellium, it seems you’re not skilled at jokes. This letter is truly full of errors. While I understand your intention to praise me—

First, Mr. Bellium, you’re not a boring person.

Second, what’s so surprising about being curious about a friend’s daily life?

Third, I’m truly sorry for rambling on about trivial things not even worth writing in a diary.

May 10,

From Perry Humble, who only talks about insubstantial things.]

[Dear Perry

It’s spring, with vibrant flowers blooming as if competing with each other. White and yellow flowers are everywhere—

Um, Perry. I’m not sure, so I’m asking. Should I include these customary weather remarks even in an apology letter? The book I purchased doesn’t provide examples for this situation.

I’ll get to the point.

Perry, I apologize for saying things that could be misunderstood. That’s not what I meant. Hearing about your daily life has been my daily joy for the past half year. A special joy that cannot be replaced by anything else.

I didn’t realize that my attempt to describe how boring my routine is would offend you. I understand that such excuses won’t mend your hurt feelings overnight.

I understand.

I truly understand. To explain more sincerely……

I only wanted to convey meaningful stories to you. I wanted to be helpful, even if just by a fingernail’s worth. If not that, then I wanted to continuously tell you what an amazing actress you are. Because you sometimes unnecessarily doubts yourself.

Yes, they’re all humble truths.

I acted cowardly despite calling us friends. I’ve angered my friend, so how can I make up for this mistake?

Would your heart soften if I gifted you a black sapphire ring that would surely complement your eyes? Or a platinum bracelet? Since you gave me an accessory as a gift, I believe this much would be acceptable as a friend.

I’ll reflect more while looking at the catalog I received recently.

May 15,

From Yuan Bellium.]

[To Yuan

Don’t even think about sneakily giving me jewelry gifts. And throw away that catalog.

Did you think my heart would change if you showed such dripping concern and pleaded? If so……

Yuan, you’re truly a legendary strategist. A cunning and irritating schemer.

In this world, what actress wouldn’t soften her heart when a “fan” speaks like this? Such a person would either be heartless or a new human species capable of cleanly separating reason and emotion. Unfortunately, I am neither.

Ugh, I didn’t originally plan to reply so quickly. I was hoping that if I delayed my response, a more sincere answer might come.

But I’ll stop this cleanly. Otherwise, I feel like uninvited jewelry boxes might pile up to the ceiling at my front door. And from the beginning…… yes, I’ll be honest. I wasn’t angry from the start.

Though you might be sorry to hear this—no, not that sorry—it wasn’t a response scribbled in anger. I was just a little,

a tiny bit,

disappointed.