It was a one-sided exchange closer to an interrogation than a conversation. The hand that had carefully caressed his warm cheek dropped abruptly.

“Adults really are different.”

“You can tell all that by touch?”

“Well…… do you want to touch too?”

“Huh? No, I didn’t mean it that way—”

“Here.”

“Wait, Pe— Humble.”

“It’s different from seeing, try it yourself. Quickly.”

Under her persistent urging, the man finally couldn’t refuse. His heated fingertips lightly touched Perry’s face. Eyelids, bridge of the nose, chin. His hand, moving intermittently, couldn’t move for a few seconds and awkwardly withdrew.

Perry suddenly recalled the color of her lips. A moist coral color mixed with orange and light pink. Somehow, the back of the man’s hand seemed exactly the same color. Probably due to the sunset covering the riverbank……

“……May I walk you home?”

“My home?”

“It’s dark.”

In summer, the days are long, and streetlights don’t even turn on until 8 o’clock. Yet the man said it was dark and offered to escort her. Perry accepted his offer without asking what time it was.

[Dear Perry

I’m sorry for the delay. Work has been somewhat busy, and I’ve been distracted in various ways. Even if you scold me, I would have no defense even with ten mouths.

I received all three of your letters. I apologize again for causing unnecessary concern. I swear there’s nothing for you to worry about, so please rest assured.

The things to celebrate keep increasing. You said you might cry when you see the poster; I can declare with certainty that I will cry.

Is a tearful friend undesirable?

I also read the interview published by  two days ago. Isn’t this your first formal interview? Although I regret that it doesn’t include the actor’s photo, soon many magazines will make such requests, so I’ll be patient. Surely among them, those who understand the importance of documentation will capture your image.

I’ll keep this short today. You would prefer a quick reply rather than a lengthy content, right? Is my guess correct?

Please don’t hate me too much. I beg you.

September 1,

With sincere apologies, Yuan.]

[To the tardy Yuan

Goodness! Are you alive? I thought you were dead again. I was considering whether to attend your funeral when your reply came, so thank you very much.

I’ve been busy in my own way, so I won’t be angry. But I am curious. How much work could you have had that you couldn’t find time to write even one line of letter for almost a month? Is it acceptable to work such a capable pilot so harshly?

I truly almost forgot what your handwriting looks like!

Well, that wouldn’t happen. Do I need to boast about how good my memory is? I’ll remember my dear friend’s handwriting for at least the next 10 years.

Right now, I’m only concerned about whether your mind and body are intact. Whether it’s body or mind, they get depleted when overused, right? Even if you think you’re fine, you might act like a machine with a couple of screws loose.

Even you’ve experienced that, right? Standing blankly while changing clothes, letting dishes pile up for days, finding everything tedious— that sort of thing.

While a hospital might tell you how physically robust you are, they can’t detect how exhausted you are inside.

You once said exchanging letters with me was your only joy. Imagining the late summer you spent unable to even write letters makes me worry. You would say “I apologize for causing concern,” but don’t say that.

Take care of yourself instead of worrying about me. Understood?

After you’ve recovered, you can worry about me all you want. I normally wouldn’t welcome such interference—but I’ll specially permit it. You’re my only friend, and also my first fan. I don’t need to elaborate on how precious you are to me, right?

Alright, enough worrying! Now I’ll tell you about what’s been happening!

I’ve had both good and bad experiences. I’ll tell you the bad news first, in chronological order.

I haven’t told you, Yuan, but I’ve been receiving letters from my hometown for several months. Wait! Don’t scold me for not telling you sooner! I burned each letter as it arrived, so it was awkward to explain.

Anyway, my parents would send thick letters up to three times a month. I don’t care what they contained, but I was angry at this barrage of letters that showed no consideration for my feelings. If they had any shame, they couldn’t do this!

But sadly, their “common sense” differed from mine. I should have known better than to be happy about not receiving letters for a few days. Do you know what happened this time?

They actually came to my house! Goodness, to my house!

People who never attended my entrance or graduation ceremonies—what wind blew them here! I thought I was seeing things. Sadly, I wasn’t.

But I couldn’t just ignore them. Because…… Jin was with me. Oh, it wasn’t a date. I met him by chance, and being the gentleman he is, he simply offered to escort me home since it was late.

I stopped him as he was about to leave at the building entrance. I invited him in for tea since he’d come all this way. He declined twice, but after my third invitation, he couldn’t refuse anymore. He’s so soft-hearted. Looking back, I wonder if I was too pushy……

But he didn’t seem to mind.

I just wanted to chat more leisurely. Jin isn’t very talkative, so I wanted to hear him speak more seriously. I absolutely…… didn’t call him to help with my agitated parents.

But that’s what happened. A lot occurred…… but thanks to Jin, it ended without anyone getting hurt.

I’m fine, really.

My parents left safely, and I got a lawyer’s business card from Jin! I’m just hoping I won’t actually need to use it.

Oh, but it wasn’t all bad news. You might ask, “How could anything good come from this situation?” but it’s true!

Yuan, does September remind you of anything? The beginning of autumn and—

Ravina Night.

The white night when rain never stops.

There’s that superstition about not being alone when Ravina Night ends, right? Jin asked to meet me that day!

Surprising, isn’t it? He’s kind of, um…… no. If I say more, it might feel like tattling. What matters now is that he asked me out first!

What should I wear? I haven’t bought new fall clothes yet. No matter how much I search my closet, I can’t find anything suitable. Where did all my clothes from last year go?

I’m just curious, but what kind of clothes do you like? Pants over skirts, white over black—that sort of thing is fine too. Please don’t just say you have no preference. I’ve already heard that answer before.

“I have no preference” is forbidden!

“Anything will suit you well” is forbidden!

As a “neat gentleman,” you probably have plenty of dating experience—though you said you’ve never been in love, right? You were rather pessimistic about romantic love. Do you still think that way?

To confess, I’m somewhat, how should I put it, emotional or impulsive. I’m not the type to deeply examine or reflect on my feelings. I move according to what attracts me, then find reasons afterward. Whether excuses or justifications, I just make them up.

Because of this, I sometimes realize my feelings belatedly. For example, um, thinking I was just vaguely angry at my parents when I was actually sadder?

I’m not really sure. Emotions are interpreted differently as time passes. Even this excited feeling might be viewed from a completely different perspective in a few months.

Still, I’m buying new clothes next week.

I’ll wait for your honest response.

September 9,

Sending love, Perry.]

[Dear Perry

Thank you for your understanding. I am completely fine. I’m eating regular meals and getting sufficient sleep.

The news you shared is so diverse that I’m not sure what to address first. Regarding your family situation…… forgive me if this is presumptuous, but have you considered moving? Though you got through that day safely because you had company, they might come again another day.

If you’re not in a position to visit real estate offices, I can help. I know several agents in Roju. Once we select suitable properties and you make a decision, a contract could be completed in just one day. Of course, your wishes are most important……

As a friend, can you allow this much interference?

Please let me know if you need help. Hmm, writing this, I realize I’ve said this to you many times. It’s been almost two years since we started exchanging letters. When I sent that first letter, I never imagined getting a reply.

Now, days when I don’t write a letter at the end of the day feel strange.

Regarding attire, I doubt I’m qualified to offer an opinion. I have no expertise in women’s clothing. I don’t have particular preferences. Oh, you forbade saying that.