In the anteroom, Ristina was adjusting her costume and appearance.
　With a makeup kit that was usually only used by nobles.

　In the anteroom, Kurutta was also in the anteroom as well.
　Occasionally, Ristina received a resentful glance from her, but she didn't mind it.

　For a while after that, they were getting ready in the anteroom, and as those who were helping them get ready left the room, Kurutta approached Ristina.

'You, where did you get those clothes from?'
I asked a friend to sew it back together.
Nah, that's okay. Your acting sucks. Don't expect it to work like that.
....

　Listyna clenched her fists and still looked back at Kurutta.
　There was a strong will in both of Listina's eyes, and Kurutta averted her gaze as she stared at it.

　Eventually, footsteps echoed down the corridor and the two of them separated from each other without either of them.
　Once more, Ristina squeezed the hem of her clothes once more as she rechecked her costume.
　After checking the feel of the clothes, Ristina then loosened her mouth slightly.

''Ready to go, sir.''
Thank you.

　Ristina bowed to the child who was helping her, with a smile.
　Kurutta said the same and left the room first.

　There were still a few minutes before it started.
　Ristina walked out to the venue with moderate nervousness, remembering the previous venues that were filled with many people.


　00


　When it's her turn, Ristina walks out from backstage to the stage.
　Ristina's role is that of a noblewoman. This is the story of how she falls in love with a man of a different status and how she becomes united with him.
　Of course, love is not so easy to achieve. Kurutta is the very person who interferes with Listyna's relationship.

　When Ristina walked onto the stage, her eyes widened in surprise for a moment.

　That was because Lelius was in the front row of seats, where the nobles were lined up, as a matter of course.
　Normally, Lelius would not be there.
　A moment in time. Ristina, whose eyes met Lelius', hid her surprise with a smile as she walked across the stage.

　Lelius - he was only the senior member of her part-time staff.
　But he was very serious and accommodating in regards to his work.
　While many people tried to seek a relationship with Ristina that was more than just a work colleague, I didn't feel the slightest bit of that from Lelius.

　That's why he was someone who could treat her without hesitation, and that's why he was even able to tease her in a way that smelled like a man and a woman.

　That was because Lelius maintained a certain distance from her, and also because Ristina had never fallen in love with anyone in the present.
　The same was true for Lelius. He is only like one friend.

　The play goes on. Preparations, rehearsals - months of preparation, months of practice - go by in a matter of seconds.
　But every breath has a part in the density of the play.
　As she utters each note, Ristina puts her hand to her chest.

　Then she says the last word and smiles.
　Then the play comes to an end.

　She silently accepts the loud applause. When the audience has finished enjoying the afterglow, all the performers come on stage.
　Then comes the closing speech.

　When all is said and done, the audience leaves the stage.
　The play will be performed every hour. There will be a break from here for a while.
　Lystina headed towards the anteroom, glancing at Lelius' back as he took his place in the front row of nobles.


　00


　After the day's play, Ristina was returning to the house with a pleasant sense of fatigue.
　All the members of the troupe had been invited to a dinner party at the Arsus household.

　It was a simple dinner party, just a walk around and enjoy a meal.
　It was held only by the Arsus family's relatives, and the only people attending were knights and people from the Arsus family.

　Nevertheless, Ristina, who was only a commoner, was nervous.
　A knight is the lowest rank of nobility, but the other party was still a nobleman.
　There were many people who had seen Ristina's play, and all the knights approached Ristina in droves.

　If anything, there were many people who made a move. It was unlikely that a knight would be tied to a nobleman.
　For example, he could take credit for being awarded a medal.
　Or, unless you have a position as the third or fourth son of some family, it is not uncommon to be united with a commoner if you have no such backing.

　Ristina, who was approached by the knights, sighed imperceptibly.

(I've never thought about that sort of thing.)

　From Ristina's point of view, who had rarely, if ever, even fallen in love with someone, marriage was something that was outside of her thoughts.
　While answering to the extent that it was still good, she turned her gaze to Lelius, who was reflected in the corner of her vision.

　Lelius had also been called because of his connection to the Arsus family.
　Although it would be more accurate to say that Feela called him out forcibly.

(Not to mention, even Lelius-senpai, it's not because he likes her.

　It was an undeniable truth.
　It wasn't that I wasn't aware of it at all, but I still didn't like it as much as I liked it.

(I'm grateful, and I think he's a good guy... but I'm never going to like him or anything like that. I'm sure I'm not.)

　Ristina enjoyed the dinner party while thinking about it in her mind.


　p.


　The dinner party was over and the party was dismissed.
　Back in the garden tent, Ristina shook her head to avoid thinking about the haze that was in her head.
　It was just as she was about to enter the tent that she was about to go quickly to sleep.

　Lelius came running over to us, breathing hard.

'What's wrong, Lelius-senpai?
'Ristina, I'm glad to see you're well. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
You've been with Miss Fira all along, haven't you?
You could have called out to me if you'd been looking at me the whole time...
'Well, because you looked like you were having fun. I can't interrupt you!

　Ristina's cheeks twitched slightly as she did so.

'It's not like that,'
Really? I saw the play. It was great.
'Oh, you're here to see?'

　Listyna pretended not to notice. It was like a small pride.

Yeah, well.
Fira invited me to come. I'm sure there weren't any seats available for me either, but I'm glad I got to see them.

　With a huff, Relius smiled.

'Did you come to tell me that?
''........well, something like that. I'm sure you're not the only one who can do that.
Yes, that's true. If you're a tease like I am now, you won't be the star of the show.
Is that the way it's supposed to be?　Now, Ms. Ristina, you're not so bad yourself, are you?
What?

　A thud and a heart splattered.
　Ristina's cheeks turned red and Ristina turned away to hide it.

''What are you talking about?　.........Eh, is it possible that Lelius-senpai likes to be teased by people?
''........Not really, though. It's a cheeky junior colleague, but I don't hate him.

　Lelius said as his cheeks stained slightly.
　Ristina's cheeks became even hotter as she thought that it must have been her true intentions.

''Don't.......say something stupid anymore.
"...what's an a**h*le? I'd like to see Ristina perform again next time, so please let me know when you're doing it somewhere else, okay?　I'll be looking forward to it.

　Well then, Lelius raised one hand.
　Lystina had to make a small reply. After he left, her heart beat fast with a bang.

''No, no... that's never going to happen...''

　Ristina walked into the tent, desperately trying to deny the feelings that were boiling up.