9. Subtle Flow

He sat across from her and first returned the pure pearl ring. While Kana put the ring on her finger, Alderaan examined his industry friend’s face, which was tinged with deep fatigue.

“What’s this, didn’t you sleep well last night?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Kana readily admitted, letting out a resigned laugh. Alderaan muttered while stroking his chin.

“Although there were some variables, the Founding Festival episode should have gone fairly well. Don’t tell me it’s a problem related to Kiriel?”

“That’s correct.”

Kana clapped lightly. Alderaan took a sip of tea before speaking with curiosity.

“Well, that guy did act impulsively, but you handled it well and worked comfortably without losing any star ratings. What on earth happened?”

“…He confessed to me. But the star rating wasn’t deducted?”

“What?”

Alderaan blinked in considerable surprise.

He had vaguely sensed that the Tower Master’s feelings for his industry friend were not ordinary, but he didn’t expect him to be so direct about it.

Kana took a slow, deep breath and briefly explained yesterday’s situation. Alderaan, who had been listening attentively with a serious face, clicked his tongue when she finished speaking.

“Tsk, it’s properly tangled up now.”

“…That’s right.”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s surprising that the star rating wasn’t deducted. The sub male lead did that to you instead of the female lead, so why did nothing happen? The talk about feeling constraints is also concerning.”

“Yeah. I’m worried that there might be a big problem later, like getting a massive deduction all at once…”

Kana’s face was full of worry. Alderaan, who became uneasy in turn, scratched the back of his head and said awkwardly.

“It’s really frustrating that we can’t inquire separately to the librarians while we’re in a novel.”

“I know. It would be good if they gave us opportunities to inquire during work, even if it’s limited.”

But there was no way the Otherworld Library, which recruits supporting character actors from anywhere and uses them as convenient resources, would introduce such a function.

While she was sighing, Alderaan blurted out without thinking.

“Or should we pray for a librarian to suddenly appear?”

“That would be an extremely rare situation. Unless there’s a really big problem or we’re incredibly unlucky…”

Kana’s voice trailed off. Although it was in the basic guidelines for supporting character actors and other supporting actors had told her about it, she had never seen a librarian while working inside a novel.

It felt like a nominal item that’s on the list in a gacha game but rarely appears when playing. Alderaan shook his head.

“Well, I guess I said something unnecessary.”

“It’s okay. But I have something to say.”

“Go ahead and speak freely.”

Curiosity settled in Alderaan’s eyes. She looked directly at her industry friend and spoke clearly.

“If you want to quit, you can. I’ll cover the star rating deduction for dropping out midway.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Then what about you?”

“I have to stay until the end and see the conclusion. This kind of situation could happen again in the next novel, you know.”

Kana smiled bitterly. Because it was a record-breaking variable related to her, she didn’t want to involve her close colleague.

Alderaan chuckled and asked.

“Are you trying to do all the work by yourself?”

“I have to. I’d feel sorry if you suffered because of me.”

“Forget it. There’s a thing called industry friend loyalty, you know. I’ll stay until the end too.”

Unexpectedly, he, who had been talking about wanting to quit from the beginning, refused to leave. Kana’s eyes widened in surprise, as she had inwardly prepared herself to work alone.

“What if your star rating gets drastically cut?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s my choice, so I’ll have to bear it. I can make up for the deduction in the next novel.”

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Alderaan grinned and shrugged his shoulders. Kana’s lips curved into a smile as she felt her industry friend’s consideration.

After pondering for a moment, he casually probed her as she was having tea and dessert.

“Round, now that we’ve more or less sorted out the work-related stuff, how do you feel?”

“About Kiriel?”

“Yeah. Given your personality, I thought you would have flatly refused if you disliked him, but surprisingly, it seems like you’ve left some room for possibility.”

“Honestly, I think I’ve grown a bit fond of him.”

Kana admitted frankly, letting out an awkward laugh. Alderaan sent her a gaze filled with obvious interest.

“But considering your position as a supporting character actor, it’s difficult to become closer?”

“That’s right.”

“Then how about approaching it with the mindset of enjoying it lightly like a midsummer night’s dream and then leaving?”

“As I’ve become accustomed to the work, even though I’ve grown somewhat numb to relationships and emotions, I still can’t do that well. Once I become attached and the relationship deepens, it tends to linger in my heart for a long time.”

Kana lowered her eyes and tapped the handle of the teacup with her finger, stroking it. Ripples formed on the calm surface of the tea. Alderaan, feeling somewhat solemn, answered as if he was talking to himself.

“…Hmm, it’s complicated.”

“That’s why I set boundaries from the start when working. To the extent that I won’t be affected even if the connection is severed. It’s not easy to change a person’s innate temperament, you know.”

As a beginner, it was difficult to keep emotions separate. It was only through working that she gradually moved towards reducing emotional consumption.

Alderaan encouraged his industry friend who was sighing.

“Hang in there. I’ll support you whichever direction you choose.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Kana smiled softly. They exchanged some small talk about work and ended their meeting.

* * *

As the Founding Festival ended, letters related to social gatherings started pouring in. After sorting through the letters appropriately, Kana was now at a gathering of young ladies belonging to the female protagonist’s faction.

While light greetings and casual conversations were exchanged, the main topic was, of course, the Founding Festival. Olivia looked around at everyone’s faces and began.

“Did you all see the newspaper?”

“Of course. It was quite a commotion, wasn’t it?”

“To think that a problem would occur during the monster slaying demonstration… I wonder if it will be a disadvantage to His Highness the Second Prince later?”

Della added cautiously while observing Letie’s reaction. Letie, who had been silently drinking tea, put down her cup and spoke.

“Well, they’re still investigating, so we’ll have to wait and see. It’s not too late to judge this incident after the situation is properly clarified.”

“…Come to think of it, I heard that Lady Letie stayed at the scene for a long time.”

“That’s right. As you all know, I accompanied Lord Richard as his partner on the last day. Then I stayed behind to treat those who were injured there.”

A white light enveloped Letie’s hand and then disappeared. Kana noticed through the energy she felt that Letie’s healing ability had become much stronger. It was thanks to successfully reflecting Cordelia’s curse.

While she was focusing on the female protagonist’s energy, the other young ladies applauded lightly and expressed their admiration.

“Wow, Lady Letie is truly amazing.”

“You flatter me.”

Letie humbly accepted the praise from the supporting characters who were elevating her. Kana also clapped along with a smiling face to blend in with the atmosphere when suddenly Bianca drew her into the conversation.

“Oh right, didn’t Miss Kana join in there too? I remember it more clearly because you came with the Tower Master.”

“Yes. I lent a small hand with spirit magic when dealing with the monsters. Of course, he did most of the work.”

Kana responded calmly without being flustered. Olivia’s eyes sparkled as she joked.

“I heard rumors that you and the Tower Master worked very well together.”

“Oh my, Miss Kana, when did you get closer to the Tower Master?”

“We just developed a friendship after meeting occasionally for official business.”

Kana pacified the excited young ladies with an extremely businesslike answer. But their eyes were still sparkling. Olivia grinned and lowered her voice subtly.

“Oh come on, who stays close to someone at the Founding Festival just for a simple friendship? I don’t think so.”

“I agree.”

“My, you’re all being mischievous.”

Kana lightly brushed off Olivia and the young ladies who were agreeing with her. They laughed awkwardly and explained.

“It’s known that Lady Letie and His Highness the Second Prince have a deep friendship and close relationship due to past events, but Miss Kana, you usually keep to yourself so quietly.”

“That’s right. And the other person is quite eye-catching too. The Tower Master is very handsome, capable, and has a solid background… but judging from his actions and personality, he seems difficult to approach.”

“Still, he’s always thorough and serious when it comes to work. And he becomes a bit gentler when you talk about topics he’s interested in.”

Kana inadvertently defended Kiriel. Everyone’s eyes widened.

Meanwhile, Letie, who recalled the consistently prickly and arrogant Tower Master both before and after the regression, doubted her own ears and asked again.

“G-gentle?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“No.”

Letie calmed her surprised heart and shook her head slightly. Olivia chimed in abruptly.

“I’m more surprised that Miss Kana voluntarily said such things.”

“Why? I don’t think it’s particularly surprising since I’ve never mentioned him in a negative way to begin with.”

Kana tilted her head in confusion. Olivia pondered deeply and then slowly spoke.

“That’s certainly true, but even when you always spoke in positive terms, there was a subtly dry feeling. How should I put it, as if you were just listing facts without any emotion.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Kana’s eyes narrowed at the words that pierced through to the essence. Although her reaction was calm, Olivia, misunderstanding that the other party might have felt offended, hastily added an explanation.

“Yes. But what you said earlier felt a bit different, so I found it interesting. I didn’t mean to point it out in a negative way.”

“I see.”

Kana smiled professionally. It certainly seemed that the characters in ‘Fake Saint’ were particularly sensitive to emotions.

In another novel, such a subtle difference might have gone unnoticed and been passed over without much thought.

In the slightly awkward atmosphere, Olivia cleared her throat politely and changed the subject.

“Ahem, anyway, many people get closer at the Founding Festival, caught up in the atmosphere. Miss Kana, did nothing happen between you and the Tower Master?”