“I should be drinking to celebrate, but that won’t work. Practice starts next week.”

“How about dessert instead of alcohol? Something like ice cream.”

“Sounds good.”

Fortunately, there was no wasteful argument during the payment process. The man quickly handed over cash for both of them, and Perry quietly accepted the kindness. The flow of events felt natural. As if both had experienced such things countless times before.

But this was the first time the two had sat across from each other in a nice restaurant. The first time they had exchanged conversation on neutral topics, with a distance so appropriate that it felt awkward.

The celebratory dessert could be found at an ice cream shop near the restaurant. Perry, who had carefully buttoned her coat, took a big bite of rich chocolate ice cream. Her cheeks were red from the cold air.

“I didn’t know there was a place like this here.”

“It’s been around for quite a while.”

“Didn’t you say this was your first time in this area?”

“……There’s a medal inside the shop that was supposedly given by King Merlin.”

“Ah, then it must be over fifty years old.”

The light brown head nodded gently. Perry, leaning slightly against the wall, focused on devouring her ice cream. The man gazed at her. Without turning her head, she asked.

“How’s the vanilla?”

“Sweet. Want to try?”

“How—”

Before she could say “oops.” In that brief moment before she could turn her head or read his expression. The cold, moist sensation touching the creases of her lips, the rich milk flavor, the space already half emptied.

Her black eyes widened. The ice cream she had barely eaten half of crashed to the ground. The man who had been holding the ice cream until five seconds ago rambled helplessly.

“Because it’s night, I thought you might not, see well, so I, did that…… I’m sorry.”

“Ah.”

“I misjudged the distance. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose, I thought you couldn’t see well, so I tried to show you up close, but then—”

“Oh, yeah. I got it. I understand. The vanilla is delicious.”

The tip of her crimson tongue quickly erased the traces on her lips. Perry pressed the handkerchief the man handed her firmly against her lips.

The faint stain melted by heat and the rosy lipstick hastily applied just before leaving the restaurant.

Initials were embroidered on the tip of the handkerchief.

※※※

[Dear Perry,

Didn’t I tell you? That you would definitely make it. It’s not surprising news, but even though I expected it, I’m just as happy.

Congratulations, Perry! Are you raising a toast again this time? I’m sending a bottle of quality wine. Please don’t refuse this time.

If you’re truly grateful to me, you’ll gladly allow it, won’t you?

Finally, my efforts to accommodate my colleagues’ schedules will be worthwhile. I wish I could attend every performance, but I’m already saddened that I can’t. I want to cherish every moment of your acting……!

Though I can’t attend all shows, I’ll do my best. According to my research, unlike the previous small theater, even the first row at Leopora Theater is quite distant from the stage. I’ll make sure to secure the best seats possible.

My heart is already racing. I’m at a loss for how to wait until the actual performance. Ah, what a delightful dilemma this is.

Did you complete your regular checkup well? As with most hospital spaces, just being there can be draining. I too have to undergo examinations every six months—one of a pilot’s obligations. Even within the same Priton, the airport and the workplace-affiliated hospital are almost at opposite ends, requiring a full day’s commitment—I used to shudder at the boredom.

Though I have no complaints since it’s essential for work, how to efficiently spend the enormous waiting time between tests has been a concern for all pilots over the past few years. Since everyone knows each other fairly well, we usually pass time with trivial conversations.

During my checkup a few weeks ago, I learned all about the love life of a superior I’m not particularly close with. I was just listening quietly, but before I knew it, I learned that he had broken up and gotten back together with his friend’s younger sister, who is four years his junior, more than a dozen times, and they’re planning to marry next spring……

Everyone is so interested in romance stories, they’re just like teenage boys. Like young students begging for interesting stories during the class right after lunch. Of course, it wasn’t particularly pleasant to see grown adults collectively enthusiastic like that.

My turn came too—when I was supposed to share an interesting love story—but…… I couldn’t make up a nonexistent past just to meet my colleagues’ expectations. Some jeered, saying I shouldn’t lie, but it eventually passed. If it had been a drinking gathering, it probably wouldn’t have been so easy to move on.

What would you do in such a situation? Well, no. Let me ask differently. Do actors discuss such topics in the practice room too? I’ve never imagined it, but I’m somehow curious now.

You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.

Ah, congratulations once again.

October 14,

From your eternal fan.]

[Dear Yuan,

Practice has officially begun! I’ve greeted not only the other actors but also the scriptwriter and director. Whether we like it or not, these are the people we’ll be working with until early March.

Oh, you don’t know what role I’m playing yet, do you? I don’t want to spoil the audience’s pleasure, so I can’t tell you everything. Instead, I’ll give you a simple overview. This much will be in the promotional articles soon anyway.

The title is undecided.

It’s a play with a frame narrative about the life of a genius ballerina. There are lovers who passed through the ballerina’s life at different stages. The protagonist shows remarkable talent despite her poor background, and I play the role of a talented student who envies the protagonist.

What do you think? Doesn’t it sound like I’ll have a significant part just from the description? Actually, since the play is so centered on the protagonist, the other supporting roles have similar weight, but my role has relatively more screen time. I’m not quite a rival, but I appear consistently while the protagonist is dancing ballet.

Ah, this is my first role that involves using my body so extensively! I’ve practiced basic choreography before, but never professional dance like ballet. I learned it as an elective in school, but it’s been long forgotten.

Still, I’m staying late and trying my best. Starting with improving flexibility! I may not become a real ballerina, but I can’t create dissonance for the audience.

Come to think of it, you asked before “how I act,” right? Well, it’s difficult to explain in writing, but…… it’s like being completely immersed in the world directed based on the script?

You know how some people dive headfirst into a swimming pool? It’s kind of like that sensation? I do analyze my role in my own way, but I’m not the type to memorize every little habit or eye movement. I’m not that meticulous, rather, I just jump in and—

I’m sorry. Even to my own ears, this sounds strange. As I continue to immerse myself, at some point I become that character. Umm, yes.

And my experience and acting are completely separate. Since it’s an entirely different person, even if there are similarities, they’re merely coincidental. If “I” become the center of the acting, I can only show an extended version of “myself,” right?

Until the curtain call, I’m always not myself on stage. I really love that. Like when you see the open sky from an airplane.

Oh right, come to think of it, Bria Sol asked me the same question a few days ago. I was curious about how a famous actor approaches it, so I was going to ask too, but she seemed busy and just left. Maybe I can ask her next time we meet?

October 18,

Your actor, Perry Humble.

P.S. I’m sending you some chocolate. It’s not too sweet, so it should be fine to keep beside you while you eat. I had my regular checkup a few days ago—result: nothing abnormal—and there was a chocolate shop nearby, so I bought some. I didn’t just buy anything randomly! I chose them after having a reliable person taste-test them.

I could have tried them myself, but…… you know, right? That I really, really love sweet things. Fortunately, I met Jin that day and successfully chose a gift. How coincidental that we met exactly on that day! Jin very diligently tasted each chocolate I pointed to—don’t worry, there were separate samples for tasting—and gave his evaluation.

It was a great help. Thank you always, Yuan.]

[To Yuan Bellium,

It’s been almost two weeks since I haven’t received a reply. I don’t mean to rush you, but if something’s going on, couldn’t you just tell me?