A cool palm touched the hand calmly pressing the keys. Smooth nails, calluses, strong joints. Left ring finger, middle finger, index finger. Perry wrapped the tips of the man’s fingers.

“Did what they said to you stay on your mind?”

You never seemed like the type to do this, you were always the beloved young master. Perry softly repeated the words the man had heard. Her half-formed smile lacked strength.

“Next time someone says that, don’t suffer alone—kick them in the shin and tell them what do they know.”

“Haha, you’re joking.”

The light brown head tilted innocently.

“You are joking……”

“I’m serious. If you don’t like something, show it.”

“They probably didn’t mean any harm.”

“If they’re not even a friend, why are you defending them?”

Ding, dingdingding, a black key rose and fell impatiently. The gesture, closer to striking than playing, continued for a few seconds.

“Ah, Jin, you’re always kind and polite even to non-friends.”

She emphasized “friend” particularly. Perry stood up from the chair, stepping on the floor where cold air was rising. When she opened the curtains, golden sunset light shone into the studio.

“I forgot.”

Be nice, her murmur was far too quiet to be considered for a listener. With her back to the stretched sunlight, Perry brightly changed the subject.

“I’ve kept you too long, haven’t I?”

“Humble, I— I don’t hate you.”

It wasn’t an appropriate response to a dismissal. The man took his eyes off the sheet music and turned around to face the woman. The features of his shadowed face were unclear.

“I’ve never hated you.”

“I know.”

Her clear eyelids opened and closed slowly.

“You probably didn’t hate me.”

Thank you for today, the greeting she added at the end was quite natural. The man who had diligently played the accompaniment slowly stood up. He took out the gloves he had put in his pocket, put them on, and adjusted his coat.

Reluctantly declining Perry’s offer to see him out, he left the studio. Perry sat in the chair where the man had been until just before. Her fingers, which had been clumsily trying to imitate the man’s movements, paused briefly. Something caught on the tip of her toe.

Perry crouched under the piano to pick up the foreign object, and her eyes widened in surprise. Thicker material than letter paper, light orange color, a series of letters printed boldly.

“This is…… huh?”

From Roju to Priton.

Eastern route.

First class.

Departure time: 1 hour and 30 minutes ago.

※※※

[Dear Perry,

The holiday season is approaching. This also means your first performance is coming soon.

I have no intention of pressuring you, but I can’t hide my excitement. To see your stage again before the year ends! How fortunate!

I’ve perfectly arranged my December schedule. I’ll be able to attend not only the opening day but also the performances the following week, and the week after that. I’ve coordinated well with my colleagues. It’s like getting repaid for covering for them on various anniversaries.

I’m so looking forward to it! One colleague even casually mentioned that “if it’s that fun, he might see it too.” Though I haven’t seen it yet, I assured him it would definitely be a precious experience. Because it’s true.

So, for your first fan, would you grant one request?

One, don’t get sick.

Two, don’t get hurt.

As the temperature continues to drop, I can’t help but worry. Even airplanes are greatly affected by weather, how much more so for humans?

In winter, muscles contract, increasing the risk of injury compared to usual. At my company, there’s always at least one person who returns from vacation with fractures or sprains.

I wish I could get sick or injured in your place—but such spells were officially abolished by the International Witch Association about 150 years ago…… So I can only pray with folded hands for your well-being.

I’m sending a few gifts. I hope they contribute to your health, however small they may be. Please don’t refuse these small gifts. I would be overjoyed if you use them during practice.

We are friends, after all.

Oh dear, my handwriting is rushed as I’m writing this before a flight. Please understand.

I may be slower than usual in replying due to consecutive long-distance flights. I’m letting you know in advance as promised.

December 4,

Yuan.]

[Dear Yuan,

It’s incredibly cold! Don’t you think so? Today I had to get soaked in snowflakes on my way to the practice room. When I arrived, I literally looked like a drowned rat. Fortunately, I was the first to arrive, otherwise I would have shown my terrible appearance to all the other actors.

Did it snow like this around the same time last year? One person was extremely happy, saying it was the first snow of the year. While I have various reservations about snow, I don’t hate it. It just makes things a bit more troublesome.

Still, today I didn’t fall once while moving to the practice room or studio! That’s something to celebrate. Unlike last year, I can still properly follow the tactile paving blocks no matter how much snow accumulates.

On the way, my cane did get caught in the spokes of a bicycle parked in the middle of the sidewalk—really, I don’t understand why people do such dangerous things when there are proper racks—but fortunately, I managed to pull it out without falling.

Oh yes, I received your gifts well. You’d be very sad if I refused, wouldn’t you? Removing the price tags to prevent me from returning them was a good choice. Except that you underestimated my ballet teacher’s discerning eye.

As soon as the teacher saw my new cardigan and socks, she kindly pointed out that they were new items from a certain brand being heavily advertised in department stores. She seemed pleased, mentioning the wool and other expensive, high-quality materials.

Ah, and the scarf too. It’s sturdier and thicker than the one I knitted, so I think I’ll reach for it often in the dead of winter. The white color goes well with all my clothes. Since it would be hard to find if it fell in the snow, I’ll be extra, extra careful not to lose it.

I don’t know why you suddenly sent these winter items, but I’ll use them well. Though the ballet studio has been so warm these past few days that I won’t be able to use them for long.

It’s not much of a return gift, but I’m sending you one too. It’s nothing compared to your gift—actually, I debated for a long time whether to send it or not. But now that I’ve received a gift first, I can’t just pretend I don’t know—I put a lot of thought into making it.

Yes, a scarf.

At first, I thought about knitting a long and thick one like the one you sent, but then I thought a lighter one might be better for someone who moves around inside and outside airplanes. To be even more honest, I didn’t think I could finish a long scarf by the end of this year.

I actually wanted to give it to you for the holiday…… but since you beat me to it, what can I do? My eyes and hands are numb from knitting the scarf whenever I had time.

Oh, I didn’t overdo it! That’s just me exaggerating, so don’t worry. I can imagine you digging a hole in the ground, saying ‘I made the actress waste her precious time’……

As you said, we’re friends, right? I can do this much anytime, so please accept it with joy.

Got it?

December 8,

Sending pure friendship, Perry.

P.S. Don’t say you’ll keep the gift forever or anything like that. I hope you use the scarf right now, as soon as you check this letter. That’s why I knitted it.]

[Dear Perry,

I was surprised when I received the package! I wanted to reply immediately, but I truly didn’t have time to lift a pen. It’s definitely the best gift I’ve ever received.

How did you embroider my name at the end of the scarf? Black background with silver embroidery, it really suits well. Moreover, under sunlight, the letters shimmer with a subtle blue glow.

A sharp-eyed colleague kept bothering me, asking who I got it from, and I had to argue for several minutes to get rid of him.

I’d like to display it somewhere dust-free and away from sunlight, but…… I’m doing as you asked. Thank you so much.

I do feel concerned about consuming your precious time— but I’ll omit this too. Since you instructed me to.

Your performance is just around the corner. How is practice going? Having vividly heard how hard you have been working, my expectations grow day by day. I’ve already booked tickets. I secured the best seats in Pora Hall.

According to my research, in Pora Hall, the center of the 4th row is more suitable for viewing the overall direction than the 1st to 3rd rows. In the theaters where you performed before, securing the front rows was the priority, but each theater has a different seating structure.