When I said, ‘Fortunately, the door was closed, so we crouched underneath it,’ I was truly shocked. That’s when I realized the transfer student was Jin.

Because that boy was as short as I was, but the Jin I remember was at least half a head taller than me even back then. Now he’s much taller. It could be disappointing, but Jin just said, ‘I grew a lot.’

The surprises didn’t end there. I was definitely heading to the street with secondhand clothes, but strangely, we kept getting lost. Do you know that feeling? Walking on your own feet but unable to be certain, like falling into a fairy’s prank.

I wasn’t afraid. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m very good at finding my way. In the end, we did find the right store.

Different paths appear as the witches’ festival approaches. Moreover, today was the last night—a day when it’s not strange at all to find yourself on an unfamiliar path, right?

I felt sorry for Jin who was extremely tense, but I was actually pleased. Because I already knew the store that appeared before us.

It was the place where I sent my first reply to you, the store with gleaming golden letters.

The interior was almost the same. As if by magic, they had the exact dress I was imagining.

The outer fabric was very soft, and the size fit me perfectly, as if tailored. It was exactly the kind of dress my character would wear.

When I held it up in front of the mirror, I was completely won over. Jin’s reaction was also extremely positive. I couldn’t hear his small murmur—he absolutely refused to repeat it when I asked—but he went so far as to praise it as ‘perfect.’

Decisively, the price was exactly within my budget. The red-haired employee was delighted, saying ‘the dress has finally found its owner.’ Smiling brightly, she even gave us fortune-telling candies as gifts. Two of them—one for Jin too.

She instructed us to slowly dissolve them while thinking about the question we wanted to ask. To look carefully at the back of our hands. And she emphatically warned us never to chew them!

Since they would only work if eaten there, I quickly popped the candy in my mouth. We ate almost at the same time, but Jin was the first to see the effect, whether prophecy or advice. Though ordinary people couldn’t read the letters anyway.

The witch kindly interpreted the sentences written on Jin’s and my hands.

Mine said ‘move forward,’ and Jin’s said ‘it’s too late.’ Isn’t that meaningful?

I asked him twice what question he had asked, but both times he didn’t answer. After hesitating and avoiding the question, he bought a ‘mistletoe decoration that drives away outsiders.’ It looked like an ordinary mistletoe decoration to me.

He originally wanted to give it to me, but when I said ‘I’ll accept it if you tell me what your question was,’ he gave up. I became even more curious but decided not to pry.

He’s always been a secretive person. I can’t be too greedy.

When we left the store, it was just before midnight. Was it because we were enchanted by something, or because our sense of time was numbed by the continuous daylight?

Contrary to its name, Ravina Night paradoxically never sees the sun set. Though rain continues to fall, silver lines shimmer around the edges of the dark clouds.

I was the one who suggested staying together until the date changed. I don’t believe in superstitions, but I just wanted to. We had plenty to talk about. I did most of the talking, and Jin mostly listened.

Later, I asked if he had anything he wanted to say to me, but he said no. Well, then I guess there really isn’t anything. He wouldn’t lie, right?

September 27,

Yuan’s friend, Perry.]

[Dear Perry

You had a wonderful day. Reading your letter makes me feel as if I was there with you.

All flights are suspended on the last night of Ravina Night. It’s included in aviation regulations. I’ve heard that even during wartime, they didn’t fly combat aircraft on this day and holidays.

As a result, all pilots have this day off. Though it’s just one day, some people combine it with vacation days before and after, or adjust their schedules to rest for three or four consecutive days. I had no reason to be so clever, so I just rested that one day.

The sky was truly beautiful. Not from a pilot’s perspective, but just to look at. Perhaps you and I saw the same sky.

Did you notice the witch’s shadow rippling between the boundaries of dark clouds? It probably wasn’t a real person but some mysterious magic. The trajectory of light that settled brightly even amidst the falling rain was incredibly beautiful.

A blue-white light shone down like a very thin curtain. If someone had been beside me, I couldn’t have seen their profile more clearly than at that moment. If I normally perceive ten colors, in that instant it felt like twenty.

Did you safely spend the night and greet the usual day? I couldn’t sleep at all. My body was heavy but my mind was clear, and for some reason, my eyes wouldn’t close.

I felt like a child refusing to sleep out of stubbornness. Ironically, my parents were never ones to fuss over my bedtime.

I’ve been living like that childish kid for days now. To confess, still am. Insomnia is the enemy of a pilot, yet my body is still fine, but if this continues, I might seek counseling. Though it probably won’t come to that.

Tonight, I plan to drink tea that’s good for sound sleep. Perry, do you have any tricks for falling asleep quickly?

September 30,

From your friend.

P.S. I also didn’t spend the last night alone.

P.P.S. I’m certain that you, now equipped with the perfect dress, won’t fail the final audition. Your acting shines even in rags, so with the perfect outfit, what is there to fear?

Of course, I haven’t actually seen the dress.]

[Dear Yuan

I went to the audition!

I was so nervous that even after eating three candies that supposedly freeze nerves on the way to the theater, I couldn’t calm down. The hem of my new dress became damp with sweat from me constantly touching it by the time I arrived.

The audition itself wasn’t special. I mean, the process. It followed the flow I roughly expected.

I performed with a more detailed character construction than before. The director asked questions directly—what would the character do in this situation, was the trembling corner of my mouth during that line intentional, etc.—and I answered everything well. In my opinion.

Anyway, I thought it was going smoothly, but… My goodness! Guess who showed up in the middle? Bria Sol came, THE Bria Sol!

Remember that amazing actor I mentioned before! As it turns out, Bria Sol is playing the lead in this production. The project was planned with her in mind. Although the protagonist role is double-cast, Bria Sol has been involved in this production from the beginning.

Can you imagine how nervous I was? I was already anxious with casting decisions so close, and then that incredible person suddenly appeared!

But there was no time to collect myself. Perhaps because it was the final stage, the audition lasted longer than before. Bria Sol’s voice in between—it was ambiguous whether they were opinions. Just sounds like “hmm” that made me more anxious.

I told you, didn’t I? That I’m sensitive to other people’s voices. Not just who speaks in what voice, but I also catch the emotions carried in voices well.

No matter how positively I tried to interpret it, Bria Sol’s voice was far from satisfied. Her displeasure was evident, as if something had gone wrong.

The others seemed pleased, but I suppose it’s difficult to pass the final audition unless everyone approves?

I was confident I had prepared thoroughly, but perhaps I was arrogant. After all, it’s unreasonable to instantly satisfy people with far more experience than me.

I’ll… even if I don’t make it.

No, actually I really want to get in. I miss being on stage, but this production—it’s amazing! Even though I’ve only read part of the script.

Plus, it would be a new kind of role I’ve never tried before. Ugh, considering everything, I still want to do it so badly.

It’ll be a week before we get the results. Starting today, I’ll earnestly pray to every god in the kingdom. Will you join me, Yuan?

October 2,

Perry, who still wants to be Yuan’s actor.