Anyway, after taking the test in that rushed manner… Yes! I proudly passed. I just signed the actual contract at lunch today.

Now I’m officially an actor with proper affiliation! It doesn’t feel real yet, but I think I’ll have less trouble writing applications from now on.

I’m telling you this news first. Well, I don’t have anyone else to tell, but even if I had a hundred friends, it would be the same!

If I had to share my heart with just one person in the world, it would definitely be you.

I hope it’s the same for you.

April 7,

From Yuan’s friend.]

[Congratulating you on your new leap

Congratulations, Perry! I never expected to hear such joyful news. If you’re with Bria Sol, that would be “Agency Cablin,” right? I just looked it up. It has a good reputation and is a stable company.

You will certainly do well. If you ever face any difficulties, please let me know anytime. Don’t you believe by now that your friend is quite capable?

Right?

Just one thing… I deeply regret not providing you with complete information. I didn’t know about Marijin Dalteng’s love affairs or Soribon’s financial troubles. I missed some important information while researching in a hurry.

I wanted to be of definite help… I’ll reflect on this. I’ll be more thorough in the future.

I’d like to write more, but I have to leave for work soon. This time it’s a 10-hour long-distance flight, and I’ll return to Priton in four days. I hope all goes well in the meantime.

April 13,

Yuan.

P.S. I just realized I forgot to mention my daily routine. Nothing special happened. Well, I visited a bookstore recently and liked the interior. The posters on the wall were impressive. They all had the same author’s signature, but each had a different style, which was interesting to see.

P.P.S. You are my only one too.]

※※※

In the brightly lit restaurant with elaborate lighting, the sound of clinking glasses was constant at the table set on the balcony.

The oldest person at the table muttered with a flushed face. His wrinkled hand gently stroked the perfectly groomed blonde hair.

“I really love talented people, really. So I was truly happy to work with Bria and…”

“Hehe, it’s nothing.”

“And having Humble join us too—I’m really grateful.”

The purple wine went smoothly down the old man’s throat. Receiving his kind gaze, Perry smiled shyly and nodded.

“I have high expectations for you, Humble.”

“I look forward to working with you too, Director.”

“Don’t be so formal with ‘Director.’ Call me Tess. When I first heard about you, Humble, I was so surprised. That strict Bria, with such a face—”

“You’re quite drunk, Tess.”

A hand like carved ivory rested on the old man’s shoulder. The director continued drinking, ignoring his favorite actor’s restraint.

“What do you mean drunk? I really… I’m amazed at our Bria’s eye for talent. Where did she find such a gem?”

“Sol is amazing, isn’t she? I learned a lot while preparing for 「Pirouette」.”

“Right? Bria is… really…”

“She completes scenes so rigorously. Watching her is constantly surprising. As expected of someone who’s been acting for so long, she’s incredibly skilled—”

“…Do you really think so?”

The blonde actor who had been silently cutting her food turned her head. Perry, who had been poking at the scallops on her plate, smiled with unclouded eyes.

“Of course!”

“I see. Thank you.”

The conversation entered a lull for a while. As most of the dishes were emptied, the excited director addressed the reason for arranging this meeting.

“By the way, Humble, are you okay with just juice? You’re the star of the show—have some champagne or wine.”

“Well, that’s… I only drink alcohol at home.”

“Hmm? Why, do you have bad drinking habits?”

“When I’m drunk, it’s hard for me to get back home.”

Dark raven-like eyes glanced at the white cane placed at her feet. It would be troublesome to wander the streets drunk, especially when it’s already dark. The woman curled her lips awkwardly and gulped down grape juice. The person staring at her profile calmly offered a solution.

“What’s the problem with that? I’ll call a car for you. That works, right?”

“Oh, then…”

“If you just don’t want to drink, say so now. You don’t have to please the director.”

“No, um, it’s fine. I mean… I want to drink too. Wine.”

Especially on a day like today.

The wine bottle with a golden label gleamed like an emerald on display in a museum. Sweet alcohol was poured into Perry’s newly received glass. Her cheeks, not yet drunk, turned red like a child receiving a holiday gift.

The meeting, transformed from a dinner to a drinking session, ended just before midnight. The old man waved to the two young actors as he got into his partner’s car. Perry, who had been bowing politely, leaned against the outer wall staggering as soon as the car was gone.

The car called through the staff had not arrived. The blonde actor with red-painted lips frowned slightly.

“I’ll go check.”

“No, I’ll…!”

“It’s fine. Just sober up there. Or go wait in the lobby.”

The cool breeze disheveled the light brown hair. Clear eyelids blinked slowly. Perry carefully held the white cane with both hands and nodded.

“I’ll wait here. Please…”

“…Don’t follow anyone.”

Though she was too old for such advice, Bria Sol added this warning, typically given to children, before elegantly descending the stairs. Perry leaned against the wall again and closed her eyes. The street was quiet, the wind gentle, and the smell of spring leaves strong.

And then…

Quickening footsteps when alone, the cool scent of perfume mixed with clean soap. —Huh?

The streetlight reflected in her wide-open dark eyes. The woman raised her head and lifted her hand high.

“Jin!”

Perry clutched her cane tightly against her chest as she staggered forward. Naturally, the man who bounded down the stairs three at a time reached her faster than she could make it to the entrance.

In the blink of an eye, he stood right in front of her. Her cheekbones, flushed like the alcohol she’d just consumed, rose high.

It wasn’t her imagination.

“Jin, right? Jin, hello. Jin, Yuan Jin. Hello, hello.”

“Hello, Humble. ……Have you been drinking?”

“A little, because something good happened. To celebrate my contract. You know, Jin……”

“I’m listening.”

“So, I got into an agency. And with Bria Sol’s recommendation! Though I still had to take a test even with her recommendation, not just anyone can get in. You probably don’t know much about it……”

“Yes, I understand.”

“You do? Really?”

How funny, acting like you know anything. Mischievous thoughts stirred within Perry, mingling with her intoxication. Her lavender shoes spun in circles without moving from their spot. Left to right, then left again. Her clumsy X-shaped movements were unmistakably those of a drunk person. The man flinched with empty hands every time she moved.

“Well, I guess you would know. You know everything……”

“How much did you drink? Didn’t you come with someone?”

“Oh, yes. I did, but…… I’m waiting. Because the car hasn’t arrived. That’s why.”

“I see.”

“Jin, I’m really happy.”

“……Yes.”

“Until last year, I wondered if anything good would ever happen to me.”

Loose strands of hair tickled her flushed cheeks. The two maintained a distance too close for mere acquaintances but too ambiguous for lovers as they continued their conversation. In truth, it resembled a one-sided monologue more than a dialogue.

“You know, I was really scared.”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I’ve been scared all along……”

Her downturned eyes seemed to be both smiling and crying. At the same time, they seemed to be neither.

“Jin, Jin, Yuan Jin.”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you going to ask what I’m scared of?”

Her unpainted lips were blotchy. The back of her hand bore faint orange marks. Perry continued speaking haltingly without waiting for his response.

“Haha, that’s right. You don’t usually ask questions. Don’t ask…… You really……”

“……Humble?”

“Oh, what brings you here?”

“I had dinner plans with my cousin. Humble, you seem really drunk—”

“How strange to see you here again. It’s really amazing, isn’t it?”

“Ah, yes. It is. You look like you’re about to fall—you should go wait in the lobby—”

“We run into each other near the theater. And near the studio. And also, also……”

Perry ignored the man’s advice and began counting on her fingers. Her alcohol-addled pronunciation was unclear. Just as the restless man was about to support the staggering Perry, a moist voice resonated softly.

“But you never suggest doing anything with me first?”

A piercing gaze.

Despite having consumed several glasses of high-proof wine, Perry’s focus remained steady. Her slender finger lightly tapped his stiffened elbow. Though it was a weightless touch, the man hesitated momentarily.

The woman who had been observing his dumbfounded face burst into laughter. It seemed convincing enough, but the man couldn’t join in.

“It’s all a coincidence, right?”