Perhaps because her schedule was busy, I only heard a few words, but that’s something! It was Bria Sol’s opinion, after all!

She observed the workshop class for a full day before leaving. I thought it would be nice to see her again proudly as a fellow actress someday. But wait. This leads to the second incident.

You were curious about the showcase production? It’s 「Four Sisters.」 It’s a famous play about friendship and love centered around four sisters who are the main characters. It’s also more famous as a novel.

In that production, I was cast as the childhood friend who has a crush on the third sister. Though the role has less weight than other supporting roles, it has quite a few solo lines and adds flavor to the play’s atmosphere.

But suddenly my role changed! Right in the middle of rehearsal!

It was because of Bria Sol who visited again just two days ago. Though she said she was busy preparing for her next production, anyway, as she quietly observed the rehearsal, she asked “who decided the casting?” After hearing the answer, she spoke separately with the director, and then……

My role changed. From the third sister’s childhood friend to the first sister’s lover. Can you believe it?

Even though both are supporting roles, the two characters are completely different in terms of stage time and importance. Of course, they say there are no unimportant roles in a play, but—that’s idealistic.

Though it’s called 「Four Sisters,」 the most protagonist-like role is the eldest, Chevron, and naturally, her lover is a significant supporting role. 「Four Sisters」 begins with Chevron and Carter’s marriage issues. In short, it’s the supporting role next to the lead.

And I got that role! The man who was originally cast for that role naturally threw a fit. But after talking with Bria Sol alone, though he still grumbled, he didn’t raise any objections. He does glare at me during every practice these days.

I’m not sure why Bria Sol made such a decision. She left quickly before I could ask more.

Anyway, these days I’m practicing hard, and practicing more to digest the new role. Juggling it with my part-time job, I don’t even know how the days pass.

Reading and answering your letters feels like my only rest.

June 21,

Wishing my friend a good night’s sleep, Perry.

P.S. Souvenirs, you asked knowing what I’d want, right? That’s precisely why I won’t answer.]

[Dear Perry

Congratulations! The day when my actress becomes everyone’s actress is not far off.

In my personal opinion, I think this person—Bria Sol’s influence is entirely reasonable. Anyone who sees your acting would forget previous performances. Rather, the fact that she assigned you a supporting role instead of a lead makes me think she might be conservative.

「Four Sisters」 is a novel I know very well too. I studied it in school. It was probably in composition class. Thinking of it, I went to a bookstore and found that 「Four Sisters」 had just been released in a new edition. I purchased it immediately.

Have I mentioned there’s a very old bookstore near my company housing? I knew its location but had never visited since I started working. Through the transparent glass window, colorful covers are displayed in two rows, and the inside of the bookstore is filled with the rich aroma of coffee. They sell not only books but also miscellaneous items. Things like stationery, ink, pen nibs, and such.

While I was there, I picked up new ink and stationery today—how do you like it? I was worried the ink might bleed through the thin paper, but it was an unnecessary concern.

The ink is a light brown similar to your hair color. I deliberately chose dark stationery because I read that it’s easier to see.

How is it? Is it better than black pen on white paper?

Though I welcome your dedication to practice as a fan, I earnestly request that you don’t harm your health. I want to see you for a very long time to come.

I’d like to suggest that you quit the restaurant job…… but since it’s not my place to step in, I’ll focus on praying.

Please remember that there is at least one person who will be upset if you’re sick or struggling. Always.

June 25,

From your fervent fan.]

[Yuan!

I don’t have time for lengthy greetings, so I’ll keep it brief.

The showcase dates have been set. July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. All performances are at 7 PM. Can you come?

I didn’t want to ask so urgently, but there was a miscommunication with the theater about setting the dates and times. I’m enclosing one invitation ticket for each date.

It’s a free performance, so you could get tickets at the box office on the day, but they wouldn’t be better seats than these. Though I know your principles!

If the schedule is difficult, feel free to ignore this. I don’t know exactly, but being in the sky for eight, twelve hours a day must be no ordinary task.

Other actors are inviting family or friends, but I couldn’t think of anyone besides you, Yuan. My family is…… Anyway, don’t feel pressured.

— Perry.

P.S. The venue is Roju City Theater’s Second Small Theater.]

SCENE 3. A Matter Just as Important

The cold sweat that had been flowing under the blue-white lights began to cool. The thunderous applause and cheers, the excited voices that reached her more clearly than the faint expressions.

The actor who returned to the dressing room slowly caught her breath. Once, twice, three times deeply. When she opened her eyes again, the dim daylight-colored light enveloped Perry with a shadowy glow.

Her pale eyelids trembled. Though she clearly remembered sitting in a chair, when she came to her senses, she found herself lying on the sofa. As she stirred, a thin blanket fell to the floor. While Perry stared blankly at the fallen blanket, the door opened.

“Are you alright?”

A voice higher and more cheerful than Perry’s, a soft tone reminiscent of silk and roses. Bria Sol sat down in the chair opposite and spoke. Her thickly painted lips moved elegantly.

“Everyone else has gone. Hmm, it’s been two hours.”

Two hours. After the curtain call ended, coming down the stairs, refusing assistance and returning to the dressing room—I was just going to rest for a moment…… It’s all over now, Perry accepted the situation with a sense of devastation. Her cheeks, covered in makeup, glistened with sweat.

“Um, after the curtain call, how did—”

“Everything finished well. The talk with the audience is over too, and if you’re feeling better, Miss Humble, you can go home now. Should I take you to the hospital?”

“I’m fine.”

“Well, whatever. You’re still a rookie, so it’s better not to have unnecessary rumors going around.”

Her way of mixing formal and informal speech came naturally. The daughter of an idol, an actress boasting overwhelming talent among her peers, just for one day—a person whose eyes had met hers a couple of times when she turned her head in the practice room. Bria Sol, who had been sitting in the audience as a staff member rather than a cast member, looked much more like an actress than the woman in makeup.

The elegantly curled ends of her hair, a voice that instantly captivated everyone around her, the sweet scent she exuded with every adjustment of her posture.

“I told you it would be better to leave it to someone else.”

“Yes… you did.”

“It’s just a showcase in a small theater. An actor’s body is their asset.”

“Still, it’s a stage I needed to stand on.”

The showcase hosted by the Municipal Theater wasn’t simply an occasion to invite friends and show off one’s skills. The reserved seats were filled with theater officials and industry people looking for actors they could use in their productions. Among previous workshop participants, there were even those who now had supporting roles in major theaters.

A new opportunity might come. Perry, who had been alternately rubbing her thumbnails, straightened her back. She tucked in her chin and aligned her heels neatly. Her loosely braided hair flowed down below her chest.

“In terms of managing my condition, I have nothing to say. I’m sorry for causing trouble.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me.”

Her slender fingers fiddled with her plump lips. Even such a trivial gesture seemed like a thoroughly staged scene. Perry needlessly bit her swollen lips.

“And you don’t need to apologize to the audience either.”

Since the curtain call had finished safely anyway, at this small addition, Perry finally let out a long sigh of relief. Not breaking promises, not speaking idle words, not keeping people waiting. Resolutions that had settled in her chest since before her bones had fully grown.

The fingertips that had been constantly pressing her temples since before the first act dug deeply into her palm.

“But why haven’t you left yet, Miss Actress…?”

“Does it make you uncomfortable?”