I chose the dog doll because it was the largest remaining. The bear doll, supposedly the biggest, was already sold out, and the rabbit and cat were shorter than my forearm. With no time to deliberate, I chose the dog. I thought the larger size might provide more warmth.

Ah, I have something I’d like to share with you. , a quarterly magazine—you must know it. The oldest theater magazine in the kingdom.

A columnist wrote about you in this issue. Did you know? In case you didn’t, I’m enclosing just that page with this letter. Concerned you might find the text difficult to read, I’ve transcribed all the sentences below in large letters. I tried to write as large and neat as possible, though I’m not sure if it’s adequate.

After reading it, you’ll see that my previous statements weren’t exaggerations. Didn’t I tell you? No one can go back to who they were before knowing you.

February 7th,

From your first fan.]

[The Actor We Should Be Watching Now

“Is my only talent the shamelessness to pretend I don’t see that brilliance!”

As the play reaches its cl*max, a brown-haired dancer wails. No, the person in a peach-colored tutu reaching down to the calves is not a dancer. The actor performing an elegant arabesque on stage is Perry Humble, who plays one of the supporting roles in the play 「Pirouette,」 which opened last December.

But I, sitting in the audience, forget this fact. This is not merely because of the implicit agreement between actors and audience known as the fourth wall. It’s because a genuine dancer existed there. Raga Young (the character’s name), who envies genius while constantly confronting his own limitations!

The theater world today thirsts for new faces. Most who have left their mark on the kingdom’s theatrical history have either passed away or stepped behind the stage. The rookie actors who have inherited their blood or honor fail to demonstrate skills surpassing the masters. Remember last year when a certain actor who boldly declared he would follow in his father’s footsteps retired after just one production!

What a reality where a small number of young actors take turns playing traditional theater roles!

My encounter with Perry Humble was truly surprising to someone steeped in such tedium. An unexpected actor in an unexpected role. Even looking at the synopsis, the narrative seemed so focused on the protagonist that there appeared no room for other characters to stand out.

Wonderfully, the unexpected occurred.

The moment Perry Humble, no, “Raga Young” appeared, I realized. Even in scenes mixed with minor characters, the character’s unique presence shines through. In every scene, Raga exists as Raga on stage. That’s how the actor exists, and the audience is completely immersed.

(…)

Such praise may seem like a hasty judgment. But make no mistake. This is a conclusion I reached after watching the performance twenty-one times.]

If any readers doubt my assessment, I recommend booking tickets for 「Pirouette」 at Leopora Theater right now. That is, if there are any seats available.

—Editor’s Note) The play 「Pirouette」 was completely sold out of remaining seats at the time of writing (January 31st). The final ticket sales period begins February 7th.]

SCENE 9. I Hope Yuan Would Too

The theater lobby was bustling after the final performance ended. From audience members tearing up in lingering emotion to reporters with cameras slung over their shoulders scribbling notes in their notebooks.

A man standing tall among the crowd carefully looked around, taking care not to damage his bouquet. His narrowed eyes settled on a face that had become familiar, even endearing.

“Oh? Oh!”

Coincidentally, the other person was also looking at the man. The girl with wide eyes rose up on her tiptoes and skillfully approached him. Her freckled nose bridge was flushed fig-colored.

“I knew you’d come! I had something to tell you!”

“To me?”

“Yes! Over there, you see— Oh, wait, let’s go that way! Somewhere with no people!”

Like someone who had visited the theater dozens of times, he smoothed out his wrinkled coat tails while expertly claiming a quiet space. The girl, who had been craning her neck around like conducting a secret operation, finally exhaled and got to the point.

“I started a fan club.”

“……What?”

“A fan club for actress Perry Humble.”

“Ah, yes…… I see, I’m sure the actress would be pleased.”

“Do you think she’d like it?”

Her youthful eyes blazed with fervor. The girl clenched both fists and bounced around, then a few seconds later cleared her throat pretentiously.

“Oh, but that’s not the main point. So, you’ll join, right?”

“……Me?”

“I’m the club president, but we aim for an egalitarian atmosphere with no hierarchy among members. Um, but if it’s you, sir—no, professor—I could easily offer you a co-president position.”

“Excuse me,”

“We already have quite a few members! Oh, and we established Club Rule #1…… ‘All members of our fan club are people who support and love actress Perry Humble. Therefore, we absolutely prohibit discrimination based on members’ species, gender, s*xual orientation and identity, as well as disability, race, country of origin, skin color, language, religion, beliefs, political opinions, education, or social status!’ How’s that?”

“You borrowed from the constitution.”

“It was on the graduation exam. Isn’t it good?”

“Yes, I support it.”

The man stepped back and bowed his head politely.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of joining.”

“Whaaaat? Why?”

Her voice was loud enough to make passersby turn around. The girl’s eyelashes trembled pitifully as her enthusiastic explanation faltered.

“Don’t tell me you started liking another actor……”

“That’s an impossible scenario.”

“Then why?”

“I must—”

“It’s a group that loves Perry Humble, no less!”

The man’s lips clamped shut at her innocent question. The other person closed the distance he had created and asked again.

“Don’t you love the actress?”

“Love…… That’s not the issue.”

“It is the issue! How could we leave you out of something like this!”

“What am I……”

“I’ve already secured a meeting space! One of our members runs a bookstore nearby. We’re all going to have 100-minute debates about ‘what aspects of Perry Humble we like’!”

“If all opinions converge in the same direction, can it really be called a debate?”

“Everyone has different points they focus on. Of course, the actress is the best in every way!”

“I see……”

“It’ll be really fun! Oh, I haven’t introduced myself. Here’s my student handbook.”

Before the man could refuse, a tattered student handbook opened. Didi Orion, Manedoria Public School, 12th grade. Having suddenly learned the other person’s personal information, the man reflexively replied.

“You shouldn’t share such personal information with strangers.”

“But you’re not a stranger, are you?”

“What do you—”

“Anyway, it’s absolutely not a strange organization. I only accepted members who truly love the actress! It’s still in the beginning stages, but! We’re going to work hard! Plus, I’m graduating soon.”

“How is that……”

“It means I have time to spare.”

Her right eye crinkled mischievously. The self-proclaimed fan club president ignored the man’s attitude and rattled off everything she wanted to say.

“What should we name the fan club? I’d like it to be connected to the actress.”

“You can decide—”

“Using her name, Perry-Perry? Berry-Berry?”

“Hmm……”

“Ah! How about ‘Sweet and Fragrant Berry-Berry Club’?”

“……Are you serious?”

“Isn’t PFC too old-fashioned? Something stylish but meaningful would be good……”

“Rather than deciding alone, how about taking opinions through voting?”

“Ahem, I decided I’d choose the name! By presidential authority.”

“Ah, yes……”

After listing several words with similar sounds to ‘Perry Humble,’ the girl returned to the original topic.

“You really won’t come? We’ll have member meetings once a month too.”

“I’m not interested.”

“We’re going to decorate the entire bookstore with the actress.”

“……I heard there are no official posters released.”

“Hey, of course there aren’t any official ones. They’re obviously unofficial!”

Her lips stretched to her cheekbones with confidence. The man found himself listening intently without realizing it.

“One of our members is quite a skilled artist! I heard they even had an exhibition two years ago. Anyway, that person drew the actress’s face, really incredibly……”

“Incredibly?”

“A huge amount. Full body, bust, face…… I got to see them first by presidential privilege, and they looked exactly like her! They’re going to reveal everything at the member meeting.”

The self-proclaimed fan club president with sparkling eyes pulled out a crisp business card from her student handbook. The front of the light purple paper had ‘A Group That Loves Perry Humble’ written on it, and the back had a cute map to the bookstore and the phrase ‘Anyone Who Loves Perry Humble.’

“One of our members made this too. They run a print shop.”

“I see.”

“It would be really great if you joined us. We could all celebrate the actress’s birthday together, give gifts on anniversaries, and everyone could give 5-minute presentations about the moment they fell for the actress!”

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I—”

“Members who participate in the first meeting will get portraits of the actress too!”