You will look good in whatever you wear. Well, rather than meeting a man’s standards, wouldn’t wearing what you like be better? ……This was also forbidden.

Ah, but I do think shoes with lower heels might be better. High-heeled shoes can be slippery and pose a risk of injury. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.

And—well, regarding love, you might be better off seeking another advisor. I’m a complete novice in this area. You’d get more valuable advice from a ten-year-old who enjoys romance novels. At least more than from me.

The same applies to dating. You said I was pessimistic, but rather…… I just believe there are many more important emotions. Isn’t a quiet but lasting relationship more precious than one that burns brightly then fades? That’s what I think.

Regardless, I hope you have a pleasant time.

If that man behaves rudely, please let me know.

September 13,

Wishing you luck, Yuan.]

[To Yuan

The promised date is still two weeks away, but you worry so much! If anything happens, I’ll report it immediately, so rest assured. You know how I share even the most trivial matters in my letters, right?

I went to the department store a few days ago. I wasn’t alone. Can you guess who was with me?

Jin?

No.

Bria Sol?

No.

Someone from the agency?

No.

By now, your head must be full of question marks. I’ve already named all the possible people in my extremely narrow social circle.

Hehe, the answer is—

It was Della! The restaurant owner you introduced me to!

You’re thinking, “What connection could you have after quitting that part-time job?” I never imagined I’d be wandering around a department store with Della either.

Della contacted me first. Initially she invited me to the restaurant saying she had something to ask me, but it happened to be exactly the day I planned to buy clothes! I had no time on other days because of rehearsals.

So…… Della ended up accompanying me shopping. She even offered to buy lunch. Though that wasn’t my intention, Della was a very capable guide. Unlike you who claim to have no expertise or preferences, she knew a lot about fashion.

She carefully examined what colors would suit me, which trending designs would make my legs look longer. Thanks to her, I bought a very cute dress and hat. Fortunately, I already had shoes at home that would match well.

What kind of clothes I bought…… I’ll tell you later.

We walked around the department store for almost two hours. I was fine, but Della seemed exhausted. She shuddered saying she’d definitely get muscle pain—I wonder if she’s okay now.

Della’s request was unexpected. I can’t explain in detail, but she seems interested in Bria Sol. Since I’m with the same agency, she apparently wanted my help. In reality, I didn’t have much to offer.

Though we occasionally share light conversation, I wasn’t sure if I should relay such talk to others. The topics we usually share are mostly about theater or related anecdotes.

Anyway, I answered vaguely within what I could say. Della didn’t ask difficult questions either. At most, she asked if Bria seemed to have a partner, how she seemed these days…… that much is just gossip, facts anyone could know by subscribing to tabloids.

We talked about many other things too. How the restaurant is doing these days, and various things…… Being with Della suddenly reminded me of you. Was it because you were the one who connected Della and me?

Yuan, is everything alright these days? Even past events are fine. Do you have anything you want to share with me, or with anyone?

As your friend, I want to know both good and bad news. I may not be as reliable a support as you, but still.

I’m not forcing you.

I just wanted to let you know how I feel.

September 18,

From your friend.]

[Dear Perry

Your worries seem to be increasing lately. Usually I’m the one who frets with unusual imagination and gets scolded for it. Rest assured, I am fine. Nothing happened, and nothing will happen. The weather has been suitable for flying these past few days. The air currents were stable and no emergency situations arose.

And one more thing, to correct a misunderstanding: You give me strength just by existing. Didn’t I tell you? This is neither exaggeration nor metaphor.

I’m having days no different from usual. Oh, I’ve been enjoying sweet snacks recently. Though not as much as you, I can now finish a vanilla pudding without passing it to a colleague. I found it quite fascinating how tastes can change like this.

Oh dear, I wanted to write more, but an urgent call has come. If possible, I’ll continue later.

Please don’t worry too much—I fully understand your feelings.

September 22,

Sending the most sincere friendship, Yuan.]

SCENE 12. I Won’t Apologize

On the morning of her date, Perry Humble recalled a dream she no longer had. The setting was always school, her age always around fifteen or sixteen.

In dreams where she wore the school uniform she’d long discarded, Perry always met the same person.

A tall classmate with blue eyes and unusually pale hands.

After these dreams, her eyes were invariably damp. Perry rolled her stiff eyes, trying to focus after a restless night. The blue light of dawn quietly soaked her bed. The rain that hadn’t stopped for days sounded clearly. Though their meeting was scheduled for the afternoon, she felt she couldn’t possibly sleep more. Perry touched her swollen calves, sore from rigorous training, and reluctantly left her bed.

Even as she prepared, thoughts of the dream persisted. Dreams, dreams she no longer had, the boyish figure who always appeared.

The dreams had no precursors or common elements. They came suddenly, sometimes once every few months, sometimes once every year or two. At times, Perry would go to sleep hoping to see him in her dreams.

Until she met the real person. Until she knew the man in his late twenties, neither boyish nor with a breaking voice.

Date preparations took quite a while. Perry’s movements were scattered as she touched the protruding hour and minute hands of her clock without glass. She bumped her elbows and shins several times while moving around her apartment, where she hadn’t changed any furniture since moving in.

Date.

As she toned her skin with expensive toner and vigorously brushed her unruly hair, Perry repeated the familiar yet awkward word several times.

Date, date, date.

Not even knowing how the other person felt about it. Her brown hair was repeatedly let down, tied up, and let down again. Perry pressed her nose against the mirror as she tormented her hair over and over. The few hair accessories she owned were repeatedly stuck into her head and tossed aside.

The preparations that began at dawn were barely completed by the time she needed to leave. Her hair, deliberately loosely braided, tickled her shoulder blades. Perry finally picked up her white cane and umbrella after putting on the cream-colored cardigan “Yuan” had given her. If she hurried, she wouldn’t be late to the meeting place.

Walking down the old corridor and ramp, Perry rehearsed topics she had researched in advance. I heard some planet’s cycle is changing this winter for the first time in 170 years, I heard the Witch Association is planning an event, shall we visit that shop we went to before? Want to check it out together?

She had carefully listened to conversations between fellow actors for days to gather usable topics. Perry went through each potential conversation starter in case silence fell as she left the building. Sadly, her carefully prepared topics would not be needed.

“……Jin?”

Unexpected time, unexpected place, unexpected face.

“Good afternoon, Humble.”

His perfectly groomed face pulled his lips stiffly. Though Perry couldn’t notice the subtle differences, she clearly recognized his voice, pitched half a tone higher than usual.

“Jin, why are you here……”

“Well, we agreed to meet today.”

“Yes, that’s right, but……”

Drip, drip, drip. Water droplets fell in succession from the man’s umbrella. Perry, who had expected to meet him in front of the theater, was at a loss. She hadn’t fully prepared herself yet—how did she look right now?

The ends of her meticulously styled hair suddenly felt terrible. Clear bewilderment appeared in her dark eyes. The emotion quickly spread to the other person.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mention it. I thought… it was obvious.”

“Huh…?”

“Obviously…… well, I thought I should pick you up. My mistake.”

“Oh……”

“It’s raining too.”

It was an excuse with too much silence. The man sighed with a chagrined expression and slowly bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, if it made you uncomfortable—”

“No, I’m not uncomfortable.”

Just a bit surprised. Perry shifted her weight, keeping her unopened yellow umbrella tucked under her arm. The rain-soaked stone pavement was slippery.

“Since you came to escort me, let’s share an umbrella.”

“Ah.”

“Is that uncomfortable?”

“No, gladly.”