Unfortunately, actress Perry Humble, who plays the role of Raga, will not be able to participate in the production from January 10 to January 17 due to health reasons.

The role will be replaced by understudy Cablin Sha during this period, and those who wish to cancel their reservations regarding this matter, please send a letter to the address below.

Leopora Theater promises a full refund without fees and pledges to do our best to ensure the performance continues without disruption.

We sincerely apologize to the audience who have been looking forward to the show.

—Sincerely, Ansi Hart.]

※※※

The mansion entrance smelled of long-stagnant sunlight. Walls layered with years, worn ramp, mailboxes with peeling paint. The mailbox at the far right had letter envelopes sticking out of the slot, left uncollected.

Perry Humble.

The man who had been staring intently at the carelessly scrawled letters slowly turned his head. Standing at the ramp railing, he couldn’t move easily.

The one who broke the quiet stillness was a small elderly woman.

“Who are you standing there—oh my, oh my, oh my! Aren’t you that young man from before?”

“Hello, ma’am.”

His firmly closed lips curved up gently. Pleased by his trustworthy expression, the old woman clapped her hands and came striding down.

“Here to see your lover?”

“Yes. ……Though not my lover.”

“Yes, yes. But I wonder if she’s in today? Haven’t seen her face at all lately.”

I hope you haven’t come for nothing, she’s always been such a reclusive person, come to think of it, young people these days aren’t like in my time- The deep wrinkles around her mouth moved greatly. After listening to what was nearly a complaint, the man answered calmly.

“That’s alright. Ah, could you keep my visit a secret?”

“Hmm?”

“Just in case she’s not in her room.”

“There’s hardly any need for that-“

“……I don’t want to, burden her. Please.”

Even the strict old woman was generous to the polite and proper young man. The mansion owner accepted the high-end snacks the man offered as a gift and nodded kindly.

“That’s not so difficult. Of course, I’ll do that.”

Having received the old woman’s confirmation, the man strode up the ramp. The corridor creaked softly, the wood twisting as if it hadn’t been oiled for a long time.

The door at the far end where sunlight entered best. The black dress shoes stood motionless for a while. The man raised his right hand, hesitated for a long time, then knocked on the door.

Carefully, twice.

There was a sign of movement. Blue eyes narrowed drowsily. The man took a deep breath and knocked on the door again.

“Humble? It’s me.”

Pitter-patter, busy footsteps. Lips with scabs settled on them moved slightly. The man who had been silently calling her name several times revealed his identity in a low voice.

“It’s me, Jin.”

“Jin?”

As the old wooden door opened, light brown hair popped out. Round forehead, black eyes, crimson cheeks.

The woman lifted her head sharply and narrowed her eyes, just as the man had done seconds ago. With her raised heels, their eye levels matched almost perfectly. The man unconsciously tried to step back but forced his legs to stand firm. So that the other person could clearly see his face.

Blink, the dense eyelashes fluttered slowly.

“It really is you?”

“Ah, yes. It’s me. Did I surprise you by coming suddenly? Sorry.”

“Come in first.”

It was a cool permission. The room’s owner grabbed the elbow of the uninvited guest who was hesitating at the doorway and gestured lightly. Her fluffy coriander-colored hair swayed with her movements.

Polished door, rain-stained window, bright theater posters.

“What brings you here?”

“By chance, I went to see the play you were in, but they said you weren’t performing.”

“Ah.”

“I was lucky and somehow, somehow managed to ask around and find my way here.”

“Hahaha, lucky?”

“Sorry for suddenly coming. I was worried.”

He repeated what he had said earlier. The man bit the inside of his mouth and suppressed a sigh. The person who heard the awkward excuse did her duty as a host, acting as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“The room is small, so there’s no place for guests to sit. Is the kitchen okay?”

“Don’t worry about it. I just—”

“How can I not worry when you’ve come all this way? Come here.”

The kitchen, where white sunlight shattered, was cooler than the corridor. The man stared at the table where bread crumbs had not been cleared away, then turned his gaze to the window. Winter wind blew in through the wide-open window.

“Sorry, are you cold?”

Blue-tinged hands hurriedly closed the window. On the back of her hand was a vivid wound that looked like it had been scratched by fingernails.

“By the way, did I ever mention the play’s name? How did you know?”

“……It was easy to guess since the protagonist is a ballerina.”

“I suppose so.”

Her movements were natural as she gently touched the edge of the table and found a chair to sit on. Instead of sitting in the seat the host gestured to, the man handed over the paper bag he was holding.

“Ah, this- I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but a gift.”

“What’s all this? Did you rob a department store?”

Fig jam, a meditation bell, a poetry book said to calm the mind, white bread and cold medicine, multivitamins, indoor slippers, 50 pieces of chocolate, fresh pears, tomatoes, and so on. The inconsistent parade of gifts ended with the placement of a small glass bottle.

“This is……”

“Tea leaves. They’re said to be good for colds.”

“Will you explain?”

“Umm, it has a dark green card attached and a golden lid. The card says ‘Lavant, Reminiscing Nostalgic Moments’ in the same color as the lid, and on the back- Tea leaves grown in Sanche, the coldest region of Diam, are strong in vitality and moonlight……”

His voice was low and stiff as he recited the ingredients list verbatim. The gift’s owner stared intently at the blue eyes rather than the pile of gifts filling the table. The calm black eyes suddenly trembled slightly.

The chapped back of her hand turned blue even though it was no longer exposed to the cold wind. Tick, tick. Angular nails impatiently tore at hangnails. The smile on her lips looked awkward.

“Jin, um, sorry, but…… could we leave the window open a little?”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

Her legs, thinner than a few weeks ago, moved unsteadily. The man could do nothing but persistently watch the series of movements. His hands resting under the table twitched slightly.

“Making you suffer in winter. Just like at the studio.”

“It’s okay, I don’t feel the cold much.”

Trembling coriander-colored hair, forced smile, pale pink scars on the back of her hand.

The man opened his mouth leisurely—pretending to be so—while gauging the appropriate distance.

“Did something happen?”

“No. Nothing at all.”

Her meticulously composed face appeared the same as usual at first glance. The man examined an expression similar to a scene on stage.

“I’ll bring some tea. It would go well with the chocolate.”

“I’ll- I’ll do it.”

“What are you saying, you’re a guest. Sit down.”

“Still……!”

A strange standoff continued between the woman trying to serve her guest and the man who couldn’t just sit still with his hands idle. The man ultimately lit the teapot fire in place of the host. His stubborn chin looked much more comfortable than when he was sitting quietly.

“You know, Jin.”

“Yes?”

“You said you came because you were worried, right?”

The next question followed before the man could answer.

“What kind of relationship do we have?”

The water boiled. Misty steam rose. Turn off the heat, add tea leaves, wait for some heat to escape, then pour the water.

After completing these successive actions, the man spoke while still facing away from the woman.

“……Your mailbox was full. If you’ll allow me, I’ll bring it up.”

※※※

[Dear Yuan

I’ve caused you worry again, I’m sorry. Of course I’m fine!

I wanted to read each letter and reply, but your last letter seemed so urgent. I’m leaving this short note first. I’ll write carefully about how my days have been going tomorrow or the day after.

Oh, guess who’s at my house right now?

It’s Jin! That reserved gentleman I told you about. Though he’s become quite talkative now, so “reserved” might not be the right description anymore.

Jin brought your letters, and I just received them. Embarrassingly, I haven’t been able to move from home for the past few days. If Jin hadn’t come, I might have stayed in bed the whole time.

To confess, I still don’t have the strength to go outside…… but Jin agreed to put this letter in the mailbox too. I asked just in case, and he readily agreed.

Jin has given me this time too. He threatened that he would prepare dinner, so I shouldn’t do anything in the meantime. Though it was hardly a threat—he was kind and polite—but his tone was as firm as a pharmacist giving medication instructions.