[Dear Perry

The sun in Wanan is getting hotter too. Though not unbearably humid yet.

As you worried, I haven’t gotten hurt or sick. In fact, if we’re talking about work intensity—though it’s odd to call training “work”—it’s much better.

A few days ago, I visited a nearby lake. They say it’s the largest lake in Wanan, so vast that you can see the horizon. If you didn’t know better, you might mistake it for the sea.

Some people even jumped into the water. I had no intention of doing so, but when one colleague suddenly pushed me…… It sounds embarrassing summarizing it now, as if I were a ten-year-old child.

Ah, there’s something that would make you laugh if you heard it.

Yesterday we all gathered to perform a play—apparently as part of fostering camaraderie—and I was assigned Horse 2. Initially, I was Mouse 3, but I was too tall…… Though my time on stage was probably similar.

The drama teacher shouted so much. With diaphragmatic breathing, no less. I feel like it’s still echoing in my head.

“You tall gentleman there! Don’t read so stiffly! This isn’t a textbook! Put more emotion into it! More emotion! …… Do you perhaps not know what emotion is?”

My colleague who played Horse 1 next to me laughed so hard. With shouting from one side and laughter from the other, it was quite a scene.

If you had been there…… honestly, I can’t be certain you would have laughed less than that colleague. But at least you would believe that I tried my best.

Hmm.

You would believe me, right?

Even if it’s hot, make sure to sleep with a blanket, or you’ll catch a cold. You always sleep with your blanket rolled up around you.

July 15th,

Your Yuan.

P.S. Have you named the rubber plant?]

“Ahahahaha!”

Clear laughter filled the room. After reading carefully to the postscript, Perry wiped away tears while repeatedly fanning herself.

“Yuan, in a play, ahahahaha……”

Who is Yuan Bellium? A man who has read every sentence in the same tone since his school days!

Once started, the laughter wouldn’t easily stop. Her hand, gripping the pen again, continued to tremble for several minutes. Just as she finally calmed down and was about to write a reply—

“Perry? Are you home?”

An uninvited guest had arrived.

※※※

[To the Esteemed Horse 2

Yuan in a play, haha. Just imagining it is so enjoyable.

Can you show me when you return? I absolutely won’t laugh or tease you. Promise.

Ah, more importantly, I have a quiz for you.

Where am I right now?

This summer seems hotter than last year. Until I received your letter, I was just lounging at home, enjoying the occasional breeze.

But then……

Haha, if it’s the clever Yuan, you might have already noticed from the postmark, but shall I give you more hints?

From here, I can see a truly beautiful ocean. I can’t help but exclaim at the endless emerald expanse. Could there be a better place to spend a summer vacation?

Alright, alright. I’ll stop teasing and explain.

As you’ve probably guessed by now, I’m currently at the Bellium family’s summer villa. Now for the second quiz: how did I end up at your family’s villa?

To illegally occupy this beautiful villa?

To surprise Mr. Yuan Bellium when he returns home?

Not quite.

As you might have guessed, the person who brought me here is Della. She came to my house and asked if I had time, and I thought we were just going for a meal like before…… little did I know we’d be driving for a full seven hours.

But don’t blame Della too much. From what I hear, the adults—your aunt and grandmother, I mean—were very curious about me. And you probably didn’t say anything……

I don’t mean to sound disappointed. Really. In fact, when we’re together, there are probably even more things to gossip about. But it seems they were different.

Since it’s come to this, I plan to meet them and have a good conversation. I’m a bit curious too. The adults have prior engagements, so they’ll only arrive in a week.

When I asked why she brought me so early, she said she wanted to show me around first. You have such a kind cousin, don’t you? This stationery and the new magnifying glass were all procured by her in just half a day.

By the time you receive this letter, your training will be almost over. It seems I’ll be staying for quite a while, so when you return, come straight to this villa.

The breeze is really refreshing. And the ocean is visible at a glance……

It’s such a wonderful summer, isn’t it?

July 22nd,

Perry enjoying the ocean.]

While leisurely exploring the spacious villa, Perry Humble received an international telegram for the first time in her life. There was no need to check the recipient.

[Tell me immediately if anything happens]

At the same time, there was another person who received a message from the neighboring country.

[Isn’t it a waste?]

The implication of the condensed message was clear. The omitted word at the beginning might be life, or financial support, or perhaps what the man was holding……

Della Bellium crumpled the paper as if she hadn’t seen anything and moved on. In the reception room, the guest she had invited a few days ago was repeatedly handling a single-line printout.

“How is it?”

“Hmm? What?”

“The scenery is nice, and it’s a good way to pass time, isn’t it?”

“Yes. You can even hear the sound of the waves directly…… It’s nice.”

“Right? Then you must convey those words to your beloved.”

The green eyes beyond the glasses curved meaningfully. Perry immediately understood the other’s intention from the subtle tone.

“Did Yuan send a telegram to you too?”

“Need you ask? For taking you away without saying anything, he just…… ugh!”

Della playfully rubbed both her forearms.

“Setting that aside. ……how is she?”

“Who?”

“Bria, I mean. Is she doing well?”

“Yes, well. She’s been busy preparing for the film, you know.”

“I know all that. More than that……”

Round and round. Perry couldn’t see the restlessly moving pupils, but she quickly caught the stammering tone. Moreover, this wasn’t the first time for such questions.

“Ah, she’s been having a nice atmosphere with some reporter lately.”

“A reporter? Who?”

“I don’t know that much…… if you’re curious, ask her directly. I heard you ran into each other at Milaina’s reception last time.”

“That’s true, but…!”

“Well, I’m sure you were accompanied by a new blonde woman.”

The vocabulary was so excessively polite that it seemed more like teasing. Perry playfully tousled the red hair that looked nothing like her cousin’s and added:

“You just love women too much.”

“I don’t just like women!”

Her posture, with fists tightly clenched, was quite serious.

“I simply pursue pure beauty! It’s the law of nature!”

“……Yes. Make sure to say that to Bria too.”

Perry quickly left her seat, fearing her former employer might add a few more words. If she stayed any longer, she’d have to listen to complaints throughout dinner. On another day, it might have been fine, but……

“Hmm, I should probably dress more properly, right?”

Today was the day she would meet the adults for the first time. Her hand carefully examined the wardrobe that Della had filled. She took out each outfit, laid it out, and checked the material and patterns several times. Beads of sweat formed on her clear forehead.

The room Perry was using was reportedly where Yuan stayed whenever he visited. Next to the colorful dresses hung slightly outdated men’s clothes, and on a small walnut table sat a dried fountain pen and a palm-sized glass bottle.

At first glance, she couldn’t tell what it was. Perry stared at the bottle filled with glass pieces of the same color before putting it down. She was curious why such an odd item was in a villa he hadn’t visited since graduation, but…… it was too early for sentimentality.

After changing clothes and fixing her hair, and receiving a final check from Della, she went downstairs to find people already in the dining room. Guided by Della to her seat, Perry bowed her head respectfully.

“Nice to meet—”

“Finally, we get to see you!”

A cheerful tone.

The middle-aged woman sitting across from Perry greeted her animatedly, using her hands.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Mardan Bellium. This is my mother, Yuan’s grandmother, Ms. Berta Bellium.”

“Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Perry Humble.”

“I’m finally seeing your precious face.”

The elderly woman sitting at the head of the table clicked her tongue as if displeased. But the object of her disapproval wasn’t Perry.

“I’ve been so curious all this time.”

“That Yuan, really, he should have brought someone he’s been dating for so long to meet us.”