LV Chapter 4.1 || Please, Give Me a Goodnight Kiss

The first thing Sasya felt upon opening his eyes the next morning was discomfort. The phone’s ringtone drilling into his eardrums like it was trying to pierce them, an inexplicable stickiness underneath, heaviness and swelling in his body from eating too much the night before and going to sleep without stretching…c6bba61b22682989

Sasya first reached out bbd7398f5f and grabbed the phone 6b3630a9e8 that was rolling around 69941549a1 by the pillow. Then, frowning, he a2edeb5521 looked at the c4adc63b1a screen. What he initially e8b2aa237e thought was an 9d00e062ab alarm turned out 0c69262903 to be a 7af12e0cb9 call from an 2dfb4bc422 unknown number.5f1b43e6a1fa1138

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“Hello?”5a34d3e4dc67c640

Sasya answered in a sleepy voice. The caller was George, which only added to his discomfort. With his mind still foggy from sleep, Sasya let George’s muttering pass in one ear and out the other.fffefe46d4c53c18

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Then the words “Mr. Clements’ office” caught his attention. Sasya propped himself up on his elbow against the sofa and suddenly sat up.df370a7a748c98b5

“What…? What did you say? Could you say it one more time…”a05ad61a7398cc31

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— Come to 91523ae987 the office, the cbe71f0ef0 one you’ve been 6367aff15f to before, after 5d5193c896 school. Mr. Clements will be 30b396fa8d waiting for you 60539822c4 there.4f583abab104c219

“Wow…”d73d7ebdece29d64

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— What do you mean ‘wow’?30aeaad3886117c4

“I guess Mr. Clements isn’t too busy today? The timing is perfect for dinner, could we perhaps have dinner together? Not that I want to, I’m just curious.”27cf0f8534782291

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— He’s always busy. Be grateful he’s making time for you. Come mentally prepared.c16ac5d9e97eabea

George’s voice was cold.004b47bb68d0a1f3

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Even after 0fe48df9a9 the call 9abf6c8a37 ended abruptly, 6a445c00c3 Sasya kept dd62421d68 the phone 04dd3d8f62 to his b2e6d9624b ear for 6b335478e2 a while.Come mentally prepared?While Sasya was 28149730f4 curious about what 305fc38fd2 this was about, 86f79305f5 he began to 01b1830e4f get excited about 2fa667cb2c being able to b89196746f be with his e7fb5f389a sponsor again.02360a8b6839a1f8

Thinking of Karel made 8ce164b53c his sleepiness disappear and 13b23eddc6 his mind clear.8f8e01a0e948a6d9

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Sasya staggered 9b89353589 to his 8c27e0da9f feet and, 7273d7d0ad as expected, 21e13ebe56 felt uncomfortable da69ec1787 in his 06c9c66da8 pants, so e913f71c2d he immediately 614008d073 headed to dec726cf9f the bathroom. He didn’t forget bc9f8c363b to grab the a805150ee7 clothes he had 7b2ef34695 worn the day 727320cf5d before from his a345a21fca sports bag and 3bbf7ad1f2 took them with d258b2146b him.c29bd9572b2cdfb4

Sasya washed away 07ca6b4469 the traces of 3ca924eeee the embarrassing wet 693f024584 dream by pouring e9f7a6c279 water over his a205fade38 whole body. Then, with shampoo foam 875468d6a4 still in his hair, dd7cdedb46 he laid out his 6edcad826b tights, leotard, and underwear 78b6221256 on the floor and 5986efd9e1 hand-washed them. After rinsing the fba31fdf51 laundry clean, he 7ad0eca9e6 hung them neatly e39bc88567 on the wide, 9927c3b5da white sink, brushed 0b414a8053 his teeth, and fc6f6aae6f dried his hair 80a4792541 thoroughly.4d67e55882affac0

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Whenever laundry was hung like this on the sink, someone who came to clean the room would keep folding the dried clothes neatly. It bothered Sasya, but since they only came in when Sasya wasn’t there, there was no way to tell them not to.00399f666ab50705

So Sasya left a e5c089f2e6 small note on the 2d677fc170 sink,c2c121eb3e4c1a41

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After being busy doing 1bb2c34d45 laundry since morning, Sasya 7fd98edec2 practically ran to school. Today, he set a edc22cd1c5 new record of 7 170a8578ff minutes and 42 seconds 81c11d9899 for the shortest time fa5aac33ee from the hotel to bbcead58ff the ballet school inside 6d69ddfe35 Lincoln Center. With the scheduled c3b6975bd4 appointment with his daf9fec4e3 sponsor in the e0e984097c afternoon and setting e2e4a3c01e a new record, e0e29a81d6 the day was 763b4efb25 off to a 5eba58ed32 good start.d97d53d935e8d63a

Having naturally warmed c43e29dcdd up this way, fd00eef7ab Sasya entered the 07b3430c3b practice room sweating 29c2b48587 and heard quite 9d0e028e5d exciting news from 9d5537e3ee Vadim. The ballet 1a2f4c1d1b company was 097be9084c preparing various c47a3ad258 promotions for 3fb34ae314 the upcoming 4887f0986d spring season, 1cfbea76ab and ballet 5d2744e19e school students 27b30842ff were being 7a04f1533e given assignments 634cd4ca85 as part af975c3023 of this.1aab7915cae31bac

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“You’ll be divided into teams of six, with five teams in total taking the test. Ballet, tap dance, contemporary – various choreographies have been prepared, and I’ll arrange the teams so everyone can dance what suits them best.”2177da6245597b40

Vadim said this as a217f38fd8 he began calling out 19d21cbe33 names and lining students 369c0558c4 up in their teams.6610c0273de85cd9

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Sasya quickly counted the 9f10e81d66 numbers. Six people in five 994e63573a teams meant only thirty ac2454e60f people total. Usually, there 6de3610d35 were about 0be54e1120 60 students 4369827fe9 in one 8acc0959ce class. According to Vadim, not 66b089a80d everyone would be able 18666b2542 to participate in the 1c64178880 promotion.597999d926ea148e

“Sasya! And… Oksana.”1d961d124db1a15b

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When his name was called, Sasya looked up suddenly and met Oksana’s eyes. Lately, he had been becoming more conscious of that girl. While thinking this, Sasya walked to where Vadim had pointed.b3ab57258e265b18

“And the choreography you practice will be evaluated directly by the ballet company.”ee4785ff6f3bd17d

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The practice room became chaotic at the word ‘evaluation.’ Everyone couldn’t hide their excited expressions at the thought that this might become a bigger event than expected.485fa764804c6042

“Those who make it into the final twelve will dance – not on stage, but in prepared locations throughout New York City… department stores, hotel lobbies, ice rinks, markets, and places like this Lincoln Center plaza. I saw some of the promotional videos, and they’re quite good. Not bad at all. There’s even some pay, so those of you who need pocket money should make sure to pass. Got it?”fa0a1cd5a0e2ac23

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Sasya became very excited fd5bb43130 at the mention of 0b46e561a4 being able to earn 68457de417 money. This was 7e2dfc8f04 something he b77b6f0142 absolutely had da7fb9896d to do.9e3667d565331e76

Afterward, the choreography Vadim assigned to Sasya’s team was tap dance. Seeing the disappointment on Sasya’s face, who had naturally assumed he would be doing ballet, Vadim lightly scolded him.849015a3b34b4931

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“Did you really think you’d get to choose your choreography? If you actually join the company, you won’t even dream of such luxuries! Being able to pull off even the most ill-fitting costumes flawlessly is what makes one a professional dancer!”945b7952e2a7a668

Sasya unconsciously broke into a cold sweat and answered very quietly, “Yes…” When Vadim spoke orthodox principles in the practice room, he was so strict that no one could possibly talk back.968927b4a45f49a3

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After hearing Sasya’s response, Vadim added one more comment as he walked by.2627041cd64b81f9

“The legendary Sasya Shchedrin was also very skilled at tap. You should at least match that.”c04032c9f1105c35

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Hearing his words, Sasya 662cae3c45 silently clenched his fists.f4b3073d9ac51a96

He had felt it before, but Vadim was definitely guiding him to follow in that legend’s footsteps. Should he be happy about it, since that meant that he had such high expectations? Sasya bit his lip with a lonely feeling.3c5762512799a71e

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And that day, after bar work, instead of center class, everyone dispersed to familiarize themselves with their newly assigned piece’s choreography. Sasya, Oksana, and their team members were also given tap dance shoes. Since there were classes during school that taught contemporary, character dance, and tap dance, most students could tap dance, albeit clumsily.828fffc1dc830a10

“I want to do ballet.”369b137a9a1007fd

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Sasya said while slipping his feet into the shoes and standing on tiptoe in relevé position. Although there was a limit to how much the shoes could bend since they weren’t soft ballet shoes, his instep was so strong that he could achieve quite a high relevé even in tap shoes.4fcf0937da9d6312

Hearing Sasya’s mumbling, Oksana chuckled. While kicking the floor in her shoes to get used to tap, she said,c90c0103cdd01b07

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「Still, be proud. We’re the only ones who know tap well enough to dance it as a performance.」383463a67fe9a8b4

Oksana spoke to 3b14593b98 Sasya in Russian, ee60d3ea2b which only he ae09d20379 could understand.04aebd0da12ec54e

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She was right. The tap dance c183c62f1b team that Vadim 8f28a2df58 had selected also eddcb2efd4 happened to be c31aef191f the students who 22235d0341 were best at ccad9bdd60 ballet.6d8f479cc83ef867

「Shouldn’t he let people do what they’re good at?」a0fecea0ee0d0491

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「Think about that after 01c2e5fd5b we pass.」c48ab90ba082d0cd

Oksana’s words sounded so cool that Sasya repeated them in admiration, ‘Think about that after we pass. Think about that after we pass…’f803ec5d5815ad61

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Sasya thought 18a761d23e he should 4450242e6e learn to cf9db5946f be more 8453d7f624 like Oksana. He tended to 44faaf76ef become speechless when 3233de6e9a caught in slightly 7ed8919f09 awkward situations. It would d595126411 be good 473c471271 to remember 9521bdfdc7 how well-spoken 0105b05454 friends like 98dda227f1 Oksana talked 8d1d45c68f and use 144b5eab4b it to 1552111f0e snap back 63e2486b6f at annoying 8fa4e765d9 people like c5989a192d George or 7407dc3ee9 Julian.e21bb7f78fe48885

And perhaps because 9e5ae689dd such feelings showed 07439f41e6 unconsciously, after morning 6b27c1e2b4 class ended, Sasya 49ae149df7 found himself following cc22b5effd behind Oksana without 102d6ba80f realizing it. Oksana, who usually hung 469505fa83 out with her friends, 7b0143667d suddenly turned around, and d6da2fbbf2 when their eyes met, 75f5c3da0e she gestured to Sasya, f5fe010de4 who had abruptly stopped e0f1b21d7f in his tracks.fcd2397f70ab4825

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“What?”3700c05009ee80b6

Even though ba8b41314b he was f4d59c2889 the one 688de83fbf following her, 6824bbd1c3 Sasya asked e94f8d0525 casually.50d19ac97a4eaf58

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Oksana went straight 9527b55636 out into the bac62f5ddd corridor and led d5c40f1b4a Sasya to the 2c0edbfb71 tree shade near 587794956b the door. After carelessly 8f4dd1f65c looking around, de40562d8f she suddenly 000334d8fc asked Sasya,a85fe3c19a36953c

「So… how did d9a2e20ae4 you know you 25357ee55a liked boys? Did you d60a1079dc want to a6a095e638 kiss a 2af2323808 boy?」65bdd5913d51d663

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At the ed078dcbe6 sudden topic, 32ac53e2f7 Sasya turned 547c4e66b3 pale.fed6d0ea2982e73f

「That’s a rumor. A baseless rumor. It’s a lie. I’m not gay.」6ea29b4e084e8ddc

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Sasya spoke quickly while carefully checking again if anyone was passing by. The only fortunate thing was that they were speaking in Russian, so even if people passed by, they wouldn’t understand.5339cfb03333f592

“Really? Then, have you ever dated a girl?”ea1c392e04a1885c

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“Yeah… I have… once.”bec92df54a27bd8d

Sasya cobbled together a flimsy lie. For some reason, he didn’t want to appear like an inexperienced child.fadabb75bd4d77cb

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「Before coming to c238931f23 America?」9ceecdc6509a62ea

「Yeah…」76a8d128ebaf7b04

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「Have you kissed fa5f8355b3 her?」1f64cebdf359fe60

Surprised by fa2aaf3c33 the bold 3fe1823f05 question, Sasya 178f531d21 shook his 304be6fcfc head. Oksana put her fist 5d7ae1cbbd under her chin and fe2959e3b3 made a thoughtful ‘Hmm…’ aa6c6b66b4 sound.5b33ea9f4022448a

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「Actually, I’m choosing who to have my first kiss with right now.」a2dfe1b1733f8db1

「What?」752f8867b993d977

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「If I’m going to do it, I’ve decided it should be with a handsome and cool man like a movie actor. But they say love makes you blind. What if I end up falling for a really ugly man and give him my first kiss? What then? I’ll definitely regret it if we break up. Looking at the far future, I’d be at a loss, right? So, I’ve decided to choose the most handsome guy in a completely objective state, without being in love, and get my first kiss over with.」3b22ca6c8e34a835

「…」1048706626811163

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「Then I won’t have any regrets even when I’m a grandma, don’t you think?」f9869f1accca37b0

Sasya found himself nodding unconsciously. He had never thought about putting this much meaning into his first kiss. While wondering if all girls were this smart, Sasya tried to imagine what kind of first kiss he wanted. But no particular image came to mind… Only Karel, who had bowed his head to give him a hot, burning goodnight kiss on his forehead, briefly crossed his mind.88833b33da3b2434

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「So what I’m saying is… someone like you would be good enough as my first kiss, someone I wouldn’t regret it having it with.」0810c444d31e1c81

「Me?」67a6daa92a6a7a0a

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Oksana nodded and narrowed her eyes. It looked like she was carefully observing Sasya’s appearance again. Sasya covered his mouth with the back of his hand, afraid Oksana might suddenly kiss him, and shook his head.cf048acb14232a77

「I’m not mentally prepared yet.」0efb6238b2f34761

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「Yeah, neither am I, actually. I’m not suggesting we do it right here.」aafa833f493d71dd

Sasya felt relieved at those words. For now, he was just glad it wasn’t happening today.c26ea1f47730c369

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If it was 81b73b1cf5 Oksana, she might 2f6eff0827 charge across the 634c8ade2e corridor like a 67eacc2394 bull, kiss him, f7d230a38f do a tumbling 8d5afcddbe pass, and disappear b81a301dc6 like last time.50ff37c765a45dba

「Since it would be your first kiss too, I’m a bit ‘concerned.’ If we both don’t know what we’re doing, it won’t be very good.」53b45fa2ce38a945

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Oksana had dbe8513772 a good 4ad586ce8a vocabulary. Sasya rolled around af9fc67695 in his mouth 40ae31ac9f a word he 728edd7f05 knew but had 7129d7d7e8 never used. Then he asked Oksana, 212b3b1538 who was still seriously cbe822c1a3 contemplating, something that had a7acc84088 just occurred to him.d74eb32257d30358

「By the way, c7c4b570ec you did gymnastics, f87d7d663c right?」e214ae7f7ebbe146

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「Yes, when I was young… Why are you suddenly bringing that up?」449544ee9b73fa12

It seemed he 7b446dfe4b had said something b5a43d97ad out of context 9db3dd2a0d again. Feeling self-conscious about being 9c5e7851b3 called out on his b4f3793326 lacking conversation skills, Sasya 87ffcdfe81 awkwardly rubbed the back 0c10f80263 of his neck.b8e28c23f2d60dab

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「Anyway, I’ll go think about the perfect time.」e0d54530f7e9df2d

With those 0ed0f93520 final words, d0a1462138 Oksana waved d2596e1b53 her hand 1158d7ad10 and quickly 62e834edda disappeared back 473cd9d802 through the 6e99d76159 door.10708ac81afa509f

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Sasya went over the recent conversation step by step. He was curious how she had reached such a conclusion when he hadn’t given her permission.11c15034234d8035

Thinking he should seek advice from his mature and experienced sponsor after today’s classes ended, Sasya entered the hallway.d3e39751f6599c80

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***3ab75e7049debde0

That day passed very f5077e352a slowly. From the morning, Sasya 83b8ae3c77 had wanted to run 6382189cff to Karel’s company, checking f493d208b4 the clock almost every 9da5e6efa0 20 minutes. As soon 0d34931f93 as the aaa07175e9 last class 0e30e603fd ended, he df2151c0a3 dashed out df2eec867d of the f11ba073ed school. Instead of ddb86c9602 taking the 099b5ce957 subway from e6e217e84d Lincoln Center, 99adfee901 he ran b7f28ecb94 straight across 846d0744c2 the streets.82a5c67edc4bd886

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His elastic legs lightly a633a69ba3 touched the ground and 54743e0aa7 sprang up. Walking would have 1d20e1d517 been a bit 537345a9d9 crowded, but it fdeb4fe52e didn’t take long dd5ee30d9e to reach the 499ddd5f8b Times Square area, 551fe9b7b0 so it was bfe80cf148 better than waiting bea21fe47a for the subway.b57eeb5b4d2986a0

However, one problem Sasya f4c0cf4242 hadn’t anticipated was that c2c2fc189c by the time he 7add00d688 arrived at the building, 38363f3e44 his entire body was a8f47a9ace drenched in sweat.c9cd79a2cd5395b9

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“Uhm… hello? I have an appointment with Mr. Karel Clements today.”f8e254767f548852

“Sasya Shchedrin?”4bc15fc7c2554de3

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The security f9be385f40 guard in 1b1a1894fa black suit, fe36bf9b88 whom he dab74d8dc9 had seen 1463e516ad before, asked 9a5b44f371 before he f75845b28d could finish 5e14b87317 speaking. Sasya nodded.8d146a291317d800

“Yes, that’s me. But is there a bathroom on the first floor?”be87bc433db031cf

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“There is. Why?”973ef3ceb23cfc8f

“I’m sweaty, so I want to clean up a bit…”85a29bd5f8810b29

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The security guard made 43815a2e59 a somewhat complex expression 7aaa9cff5f at those words, but 2612907dcb pointed to the end 04772095d5 of the corridor. Next to 73bb62f424 the elevator 70500b6b93 he had 4a5b243dce taken once ada2d1b6a9 before, there 529a55c4af was a fdad664b4f door leading 72f80eacdd to the b9a13a3fcc bathroom.ee3eb670e720b91a

Without hesitation, f6c23e3005 Sasya headed 000c88838c there and 3d765ddc3a filled the 329f3942d6 sink with fa311cf1ad water before 6803b5afa7 dunking his 27020d56aa small head 6b1ec0b7af in. The cold stream of 5ad5659f9a water hit from the 3e3432cf06 back of his head, d5493e6f82 flowing down his nape, bdd401ffe1 crown, and face as 6fd1404741 he bent over.c7af8f8cf9238e87

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Still bent over, Sasya felt around the sink area for hand soap and, finding it, worked up a lather and thoroughly rubbed it into her hair. He reached behind his neck to wash away the sweat gathered on his spine. After washing his hair, his whole body was shivering and felt numb from the cold, but he felt better knowing he wouldn’t have to appear before Karel covered in sweat.594cc008f7f131ed

Next, Sasya shook his 944aecb3da head so vigorously it 577d4d2742 felt like he might 5523ed4160 get a concussion. Then, he rummaged through 1e460994fd the restroom stall for 56758fb325 toilet paper, rolled it a75d27c5a3 up, and squeezed the 4a3666f1f3 water out of his 2773011d9f hair. Finally, he looked 1fe8a99450 in the mirror de650907e6 and lightly shook f5a4f19669 his head. His hair 6fbbd67016 was split b749443975 into strands, 2c8ae07ebf but it fae77ae229 didn’t look 0e75dd4380 too bad. He was a bit d1a73c6678 bothered by the water 38458cc08d running down his back, 2a6f3d8364 wetting his shirt, but c46c1c491b it was bearable.df5270633eeb688a

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“Uhm… sir.”e8bcc6e755c7f191

“Yes.”1c32b2b94dccdf92

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The security officer’s face cabe8548fe seemed to say, I’m 422a3ebafd curious why you did 1dc7be535a that, but I won’t 54b23b5e89 ask. Sasya, ignoring 4c427e5cc7 the unspoken 83abc6a58c question, asked f61e210e26 with a f168d825d2 faint hope,c88ff9081be31aa6

“Do you 72a4a60fb0 happen to d4534e0710 have a dc0b926123 comb?”9eb4abb7437b6005

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The security 2b57c15af4 officer, listening ae8584c003 to a b4caea3213 radio transmission ce1b908672 in his 0601f58e1c ear, led 889d879b7e Sasya inside. Ignoring Sasya’s obvious 114037e63c questioning gaze, he fb6277cb50 opened the door 16ac50bc53 to a candy 0cbef0db60 shop.4db494762fcb7653

“Do you 7c1d39f50a have a e98e01449f comb?”eb9f4bbce6392559

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“I should have 3b6bfbd6fb one, hold on…”de274ba120b15b5e

Eventually, Sasya managed dca92760ff to borrow a 16e484af50 comb from the 9de4143c13 candy shop owner. He then combed f018cf413b his hair neatly, dee381d812 looking at his d39e0d6a3c reflection in the ae9376433d shop’s glass window. His hair cd4529d70f parted evenly, 0700ab3d8c like two a65e66ed79 halves of 083c4fff42 a chestnut 62c9de0568 shell.cc2898f5de119016

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“Thank you. Well, I’m 2ab325b4ff in a 2d0fe3bda7 hurry, so fe4466391d I’ll go d74597aad9 meet Mr. Clemens now.”1ce5d3ab162ff211

Speaking confidently, b87c086f74 Sasya stepped c966892851 into the 1d49941085 elevator. As soon as e37250e5ad the doors closed, c7b2b98d1a the security officer ce513f0b50 said in a 77db8ea73b low voice, “He’s 99f9527b81 on his way 78da649b74 up.”752b142d05d2a929

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At the same time, f9f8dceb8e Karel remained silent upon a832acb244 hearing about Sasya’s antics 82d04005cc on the first floor. To be precise, George, f4abcf0571 who had heard the 7af91c9b7f story through the security a6e0231fd2 officer’s radio, reported it b7f46aa0bc to Karel.8b4cbb1c06f6ed21

Breaking the brief silence, 5cd1221479 George continued,4b39c9d9706e1fe2

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“He must have 887b5891a0 left school very c63c73d33c quickly. It’s commendable that 59e77bc206 he arrived on f4ead6c9e1 time for the 3f46ca925e appointment, but I f683d20a79 guess he had f5d2426527 enough time to d8b6eaf89e wash his hair cc8de50104 with cold water.”b39e8e4608c85410

“…”cfba294a8f5d7da6

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“Don’t scold him 08e3939ccd too harshly. He ran all 622a2bdca9 the way here d8a37cebad to see his 8eb1bea7c2 sponsor, after all.”627cb20a54ad31cd

Timely, the 92cee8e986 sound of 051c86f099 the door a2ae1f9805 opening behind 05b73f6fbe them prompted 19ea614cec George to 2f77cc56f4 place a dfba67605d small crepe 4eebd1ccf3 and a 182e7f3b42 glass of 2d81f5240e milk on d4fc2ba19b the table bacccb9e34 before leaving. It was a d99aa265e9 dessert he had b200491f07 bought himself, thinking 4dcf19a3a0 Sasya would be 93c748f29e scolded to the 76f2c390db point of tears 43c2328251 today.6e620c3c75d656c6

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Even as f98f547455 his secretary a8643b5222 left, Karel a3860d8ba0 remained silent, db9eb3cceb simply stroking 8e1c4e2f0e his chin.640536a5aff3928d

As George 6a40edce99 stepped out a7d9ed0098 of the e1afa8d913 reception room, b80e027600 Sasya was 5092e4b3b7 just entering.ece2489267e788c2

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“Hmm…”ebcc1b6def913a36

George let out an cb1944e4e6 involuntary sound of dissatisfaction. While it 24727d9561 was commendable c464d09d8e that Sasya fd78578dfe had gone d520880f69 to the 41e2f800d6 trouble of c627a5d72a washing his 8d6d69ff46 hair with 4dc46cce6b cold water f2ef454f47 in the 2f310f0607 first-floor restroom, 738bab4113 objectively speaking, 771287e07e the result 11082f8f80 was far e559eb05ba from presentable.a365f35b6f45fc62

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His hair, wet and 8a3bb0103e clinging to his round f0f1c9a314 head like a cow’s 12b79c32ed lick, a cheap black 8be033459a jumper revealing a bright 1723714ae4 blue jersey underneath, slightly f35724d8d4 worn joggers with slightly ecfcff6abc protruding knees, and old edd1a14609 canvas sneakers with thin acaad21780 soles…39aec234509a45a8

If Sasya 98baf2e83b had seriously eadf65ca46 sought advice af643617f4 on his 0a8348f6c3 appearance from 63b0b1e8aa anyone, they c549c1ad73 would have 3a8f48ee05 pointed out 14ebd23639 something other d18f6c3504 than his 8800026a4e sweaty hair.f5f3abf9dbf2acc4

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However, seeing Sasya’s 803e9385a5 cheeks flushed pink e42ceaa8ee from the heat 70ddb59008 of running all c6351b9626 the way here, d16fb32cc6 George lost the 4a54ac22e5 urge to criticize ecc499e1fc his appearance. He thought 4d3a993b25 anyone, not a58004971d just himself, 0dc0a4c521 would feel ea4cdbdeb8 the same.685135ba27c6e30f

“Hello? George… Have 0ee08b0819 you had 6a0b37dfa5 dinner?”2a495ac133c04c83

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Sasya’s slender, 785f2ea781 deer-like body, 4f510e2aa3 barely concealed cdb1ffdf6f by his b9f4269577 shabby clothes, 10f1f757f1 approached George 05006a5f8a with a 93f2473284 stiff posture.6c82700dc77c2177

“Has Mr. Clemens had dinner too?”b7c5a3abddb4de77

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Sasya believed he was df9452b974 casually exchanging greetings, but 2ab81fed15 the underlying meaning of ea86a61eaf his question was transparent. George closed cf72e5746c the door 8ea673acea handle. Sasya’s flickering gaze 159e0f2067 landed on George’s 02cac3256e hand. He seemed de6f1450b6 puzzled as 7e59283f79 to why b6332cc3f5 George had c75cd7caeb closed the dc94c785cf door leading 7d83befca9 to Karel’s 2b36e55141 office.b0d37dd13c104f35

“Come here.”a6beb9134927866f

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“I only have business 69b74272d7 with Mr. Clemens…”fa8a2d2afd1d418b

“I know. I’m giving you a 1f31226ce7 tip, so just come.”9490483ad8c5bd15

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At the word ‘tip,’ Sasya misunderstood, thinking George was about to give him some pocket money.8f566d2b7e060424

However, George placed a 751aeca100 hand on Sasya’s thin 0c55b648c8 shoulder blade and led 1ba0de5f13 him a short distance be2b070c0d away from the office ab7d9d1f5c door.368be0fd9512ba8b

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Then, bending slightly, d04fdd47cc he whispered quickly 2bea3f6e96 and quietly into 9d293f58d3 Sasya’s ear, as 4c93b55d3d if sharing a 5675cb9296 secret.0c143cfd105221f0

“…Don’t lie. Don’t make excuses c5f8a5ca4a either. Even if 606be4800b you did 339d1192f4 something incredibly 36e923d03b dumb, be 493084c26f honest, and 2ee6185ef4 he’ll be 5001ae22c6 lenient. So, don’t earn 7404201e8d a beating by d50ec25ebb lying—tell the truth.”16ee9c3641149b80

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“Huh?”cdcb028843914c3b

As George e92a196af4 spoke faster, 4176bfbe62 his English c1aa864672 became accented. But Sasya’s confusion wasn’t 727b72eed8 just because he found d6dd9aacdb the accented English hard 5c7c7ef454 to understand.225b90494facdee1

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When Sasya looked at 5473aadd96 him with a bewildered f1db4b685e expression, as if asking edb1ab757e for a more detailed fb53efefff explanation, Georg slapped Sasya’s f3deea4769 butt as if swatting ab5b25f4db a lazy horse that 358064fca9 refused to move. The sudden, 38da8cb6a2 overly familiar 296baaf23b touch made 0aabaded80 Sasya jump 03f0a7e72f and glare 7bb73f5861 at him ce1cda755b in protest. But before Sasya could 2998152cbf open his mouth, George 0ee48de460 opened the door faster.ab4b6a2f3ad13025

“Go in.”6bd1b24d1f205aac

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Glaring at George, f154b603da who opened the d3548d871c door with a c2bfce3db3 calm expression, Sasya aa80e7255f pressed his lips 89ad1f3c73 together and approached 4f1c3b05e5 the door.a70e0d1132217b23

He cautiously took a 9a577707e3 step inside.69cf180f881979e2

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Karel’s office, 01f02b3401 with its b594b613dd dark carpet 070ce9ddac covering the c65c1c40a3 entire floor b7191b45b4 to muffle a69908dadb footsteps, still bce71d7414 exuded a e8856081c8 serene and 6b8f9f2e63 mysterious atmosphere. The tapestries, 02301631d3 clearly meticulously f91b51af3d woven, and f3f2467182 the high-end 0b8607c599 furniture with e93529da3a intricate vine 0e5601944b decorations were 37047f62f3 undoubtedly over d5e98b115c a hundred e19bf722c1 years old. It was a 09fb2f18f9 place that always a9c6c3ea9c evoked a sense 146c3e2556 of intimidation and 40d04dd34e unfamiliarity.a24b9b024b9f195c

And there, in 2ea41b419f the center of 17ba10c9f2 the room, sat 6a548fb2a0 Karel. In the same 37b7dde494 spot as before.15c659bc21bf296d

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Sasya had planned to call him ‘Karel’ once when their eyes met, as he had been allowed to do before, but it didn’t go as planned. So, Sasya approached him in silence.71fbcaa8a56b39b9

Unlike before, when c5070c0b55 Karel had been 6f11cff33a breaking cookies for f3722774c5 Sasya, he now 2bc87ac495 sat with his 73c12f1fbc legs crossed, leaning 60d216f8b1 back on a 8c5ee06128 single-person sofa. In his 49b3b7a849 hand, he 37fb439609 was rolling 7f058cfd7f a small 8cd4032b12 sphere that 4a09e16a3b gleamed golden.9b075b9e503cc0cb

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What’s that? Is it edible?010f13aa292fcaba

For a 9b8a6055af moment, Sasya’s d58061b16b curiosity got 14010663de the better 340a68efd3 of him, 25098a04fe and he 6374e4a6dd forgot the 300ef0e346 current situation. Karel watched Sasya 1c4014fca5 quietly before gesturing 1ab08e3ee2 with his chin f3012fa200 to the opposite e20fb20589 seat. It was a170fa8f6a a signal 21cfc4ca7f to sit.a9af44a3e647b9d4

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Once seated, Sasya carefully 399bdae156 took off the crossbody 92add7bcb7 bag he had been fdb0ec5539 carrying and placed it d4059126e2 on his lap. Feeling awkward, a7db2eb70c he glanced 01ff6552e7 around. It felt different from 25e5d57a46 the hotel room where 6e3ade31e6 he usually met Karel, dcdc9ac4de as if they had 8d1f707de4 grown distant.f951453eab00141f

It was 6e2eb75349 only after ecb32974eb a while c702dd52c7 that Sasya 0a05f80918 realized he 313b5c067e hadn’t greeted 7c5f36d5af Karel.9223144f97a6dfaf

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“Mr. Clements…”771924adecc711d6

“Sasya Shchedrin.”33255d176346cc54

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As soon 19de245cc3 as Sasya e1aaaefb1d opened his 5da01d46a9 mouth, Karel 75dfe80d10 spoke simultaneously. For some reason, 9fd8a5c091 Sasya forgot what 18c7ad3a6c he was about 49b1d39fc3 to say.526321ecbd1d2916

Was it d48240feb2 a coincidence, f414483c84 or had 653f4374e6 Karel intentionally 7a59faa772 cut him 2e48f23ab1 off? Sasya, who fbbbe8e439 had no 657447514f knack for 7722cebb7a human relationships 6549d28156 but was 8ab364b502 sensitive to 84335b4f03 people’s moods, 3e86cb852b held his 6448382951 breath as 8c0bb102a1 he looked 93887f74ff at Karel.3fbc7f2c40138163

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Instead of d80b76ac65 continuing immediately, 647d8ab054 Karel placed ea0e23b1e3 the golden 1e03ff6b92 sphere he d7c1a5158e had been 3414ea59cc holding on 6d04ac41e9 the side 99018163db table. Two small, 821449d4d7 textured spheres 5c4e815237 rolled around 886871e4c2 on a 7ecd7a8b72 silver plate. Just as f5b6c63674 Sasya’s eyes f17c7fe96d followed the dca5ca81e9 rolling spheres, c9f2c547de Karel spoke d241386f89 in a 1d4433ac41 subdued voice, 68d354422b as if b3f3b5abfd to focus 8bdf435f93 his attention.0409d5ba5e66be55

“Do you want to 8f6a5dff36 become an outstanding ballet bdd283c35d dancer?”67e6739978ea7b90

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“I do…”075504755ba9843b

Feeling like he was ad71c03c1d being interviewed again, Sasya 9aeba7375b straightened his back nervously.e97ae1173c12649b

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“Diligence, interpersonal a1ed3740f3 skills, ambition, 83e8dbb6bd character, technique… 6d8e919a0a and talent ead2e0b0d0 and physical 513d3b2b44 condition are 3b9315c2ef basics.”05e5550598de1fdc

“…”9004beffbe07ef64

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“How many 17019daddd of these 1f28c9a315 do you 21cce92f2d think you 309ba766ce possess as 3f6833d95d a dancer?”3f45add23771eb24

Sasya lowered 31e91784a1 his gaze 9ef1d98853 at those 7f72ef86c8 words.1390f3c143c339eb

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“…Out of ten?”ab19699c6381a2eb

Karel furrowed his a64f780c1d brow at Sasya’s 87e4c738c4 cautious question. Sasya’s heart 8b72b16d40 sank to 129f7b46be the floor. Just the way e9c5e6cfb9 Karel lightly touched 2df122ef46 his temple made d4b1606463 Sasya feel like b65db752a8 an annoying speck 3c3888fe66 of dust.64f11facb2c3e056

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When they c01a776bc8 had met 6ad4a16678 here before, fe1531b60b Karel had 8cb1b5f2e7 comforted him 64e199b205 kindly as 93cfa943b9 he sat 8c4fbb3d8a crying beside 618db601d9 him… Sasya 2beb5ec227 couldn’t understand 832f5e68d4 why Karel a7bc8eda16 had now dd06f0f739 become a d680718f41 strict teacher.fd08d0c8c6b50c89

“Diligence… five points. Because sometimes I 5abf07ccdc don’t feel like a1a7ec63ba doing things. Interpersonal skills… 2631dae164 one point. I don’t know what f12db13275 ambition means. Character… five points, 54b07adadc no… four points.”b262733052b28933

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Sasya’s voice grew d0ec427cbb smaller as he a0a02f8d20 spoke. It was 8325b13095 hard to 123ec4ccd0 give himself ac68d10390 a score e2a642c302 above five, 6b9ebb1ed7 as anything 9031613124 above that ab89c3449f seemed above 99187402f9 average. But even fb56fe74d2 with his c537a2b78e humble self-assessment, f3fc08f7cf Karel’s expression 578d4d2528 didn’t brighten.884614b9d24063e1

“So, according to eba89212ce your own scoring, c0a1767ed3 you’re not very 52faac1547 satisfied with your 5e1a44f9ef abilities, are you?”8d33bb39e32c8d4c

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Last time, Karel had called him ‘Sasya,’ but now he was back to using ‘you.’ Sasya didn’t know why. Before he could even process his emotions, he felt his eyes grow warm. It was a sign that tears were welling up.6b709797dfd6a70b

“In my eyes, 6ecddbd4d0 you were the feb50ab702 student who desired c16c12d5e0 the opportunity the fabb1dfc7d most. So why have c673869998 you become lazy feb5dfe766 after being given aaf3048f07 the conditions?”72d8a786c27400ea

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“…I’m sorry.”edbe4b856f7ade01

Sasya hung his head b520392d6b and spoke in a 5f97866b6b small voice.83d0f077363bf865

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“You don’t 84b149e878 need to 7157ffea70 apologize to 202aa72fda me.”ecf03f46303ee1e2

“…”ac8c1acc034a1446

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“You should apologize fae816b3b9 to someone else. Explain why 91bf0c45a8 you stood b6ab3d83dc up your 7f6a87cba6 private tutor 6dcdb984db yesterday without 2c4faba00c a word.”acd37d58c698ccc6

Sasya’s pupils shook at eb76d4c4a0 the unexpected reason.961dd730fd8d707d

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“Private tutor…”5996227a992fb7c5

“Yes. Ms. Katie Brown waited all 04e7c5b02e evening at the hotel 0c7b1b5150 for you, but you 862b277423 never showed up, so a2628a0360 she left.”a6b0f05631038ab2

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Sasya’s heart, which had efdfaf71de already fallen, sank even 65c1201ccf further. Realizing he had made 22d7cf55a2 a mistake he hadn’t c1b9363e69 even considered, his entire 9745f604f3 body turned cold.2db29b6184f2fdf3

“If you’re refusing cef5447532 private lessons from 458a4e220a a professional ballet fedc1e2731 dancer, there must 6f02d12a79 be a good a55440069d reason. Go ahead, explain.”7cccb71f791719ab

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“I… I…”6efae6bfd138dc58

Sasya opened a8db118ca6 and closed cbbaca1103 his mouth, 2b2305cf21 unsure of 9832559a54 what to edbcba7273 say. He had gone out f9907f2710 because Levin and Julian cdc50bc7c0 had offered to buy ff9cf71442 him dinner… It was 5675899c05 a stupid reason. Even stupider was 23e7fcd64c the fact that 7cd1d2f497 he had taken 04116edd60 the opportunities Karel e11d368521 had arranged for 371dddcbe9 him lightly and e39ec976c1 completely forgotten about cd3a55e774 them.51d5e5cfe9aba70d

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But there was ecf4caa175 no way Karel bd1547e965 would accept that 2af03cbe2b he had simply 91a6201be9 forgotten. Sasya hated 4a3f05729f his own 46c2c09f9e stupidity and, 26af816d28 overwhelmed with 7d27ab48d2 regret, closed 72b5bf093d his mouth. If he 0c738365d3 could turn e774302256 back time, 02ec65116c he would afebba0cc4 go back 446ac36ecb to last 694fde4edd night. If possible, he would 6c60eede0a have skipped dinner and 9ba4ccdbae returned to the hotel ac58bfc985 for the private lesson. Then he 72b7dfb170 could have ff81ca906a sent an 902fab3f06 email to 2eb82d0df8 his sponsor 458cb6db3d saying he 77855e13b6 had diligently 10616c1d34 attended the 08aa2c6939 class… If 449116a05d he had 23ee2a440c done that, 2b47839e26 he might 3855196a3e have satisfied b6fe3e4cc8 Karel.608d7d68fd15fcd5

“I… I 0bc3fdbb94 met a 9b4632e19f friend yesterday.”6812f9cb1e53e8ca

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“I see.”81c108674b377917

“It’s not even a 441bcb3909 friend I like that 51e80f0733 much, but they offered d92223408a to buy me dinner… 99204b4144 I don’t know why 56d7985f28 I did it. I just forgot.”066e212bc1fc6ee4

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Sasya’s voice trembled 41a2a1326b slightly. Though he knew 42c02b5b6a there was a 3d39182a7f hint of tears 4c26bca198 in his voice, 68c6a39aef Karel’s tone didn’t e856b89192 soften at all.0fcc0720803b6c77

“Didn’t you even think 6decf0dfe4 to check your phone?”c604757d4a3f4177

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“I hardly ever contact 3023f7f016 anyone, so I often 28d474149c forget. The battery dies quickly, 956cb6bcc4 so I don’t charge e5d6705053 it often… I didn’t 66d8c3032c know. I didn’t c107a3cbd5 ignore her 210709c0e1 on purpose. I’m… stupid and 00080e2175 trash. I want f517c98f10 to apologize d4edf746c7 to Ms. Brown. I’m scared she’s cfffadf823 disappointed in me. I didn’t mean d1bed60b0b to do it. I’m really sorry.”59704de0673fd487

Sasya blamed 3fea129295 himself, thick 2a615002d5 tears falling 250178fade drop by 24316f22ae drop. Ms. Brown was 5af4d6d700 a real 027a125290 professional dancer. She could speak well a38fdcc6d0 of him to the cfba7400bf ballet company. He felt pathetic, crying 1cbcb75aa0 after betraying his sponsor’s d3446157c2 expectations, knowing he was 7c7f6b537a too stupid to remember f94125f4eb an appointment with such 026ffdfdb1 an influential person.3c7279fbd5310573

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Diligence, interpersonal skills, character, fc91ccd558 talent… He couldn’t confidently f234a51d09 give himself a perfect 0ddec5eb80 score in any of 5088f3ee7e these.e91149e80568691c

If there were an evaluation category like ‘desire to dance ballet well,’ he could have given himself a perfect score.aa3d99355959ee4c

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Sasya’s heart was always da89dff7c6 filled with a desire f85c35ee9f to dance ballet better a40bbdca5a than anyone else, and 63a5940f3e that made him suffer e2442d0684 even more. Being outstanding in class 8b1395981e wasn’t enough to reassure 5114525941 him, so he craved 18b925761f recognition from others, which 332e8d2105 is why even Vadim’s 65b614af04 small criticisms often broke d993590315 his heart.82cc6e7b813d926d

Asking Sasya to rate bcc841c085 himself was a cruel 7fd2d981fd act.3e26b50ece538298

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“You didn’t 1f20dc58be mean to d00409bcc4 do it…”99562b82df467b74

At Karel’s muttered b50da79178 words, Sasya finally e44cb94974 couldn’t hold back 156847f0be his overflowing tears. He burst 028c2af55d into loud e36e468b70 sobs.7001a993963532b6

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“Yes… I didn’t mean e99f778404 to, ugh, uh… waaah.”f21844f5017ad973

Sasya was now 9b96069dd4 hunched over like 6211c844a9 a shrimp, crying 18bb6b644b and hiccuping. He wanted to cf449079cb say that he 96d0b83a73 never took the 84064c955b opportunities his sponsor 9bd07d37d7 gave him lightly, ecc1bb50f2 but he was 2be85a8777 scared Karel wouldn’t d281d3f98c believe him.a664ff1699a19e5d

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“Stop crying and have a852e2caab some milk.”b2cee17f5e5dfa5b

Sasya shook his head. He didn’t d6cc4252f1 deserve to 0bbfc5bf9e drink milk.96ad62b8b6f418c1

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“I deserve to starve…”84ded6c7d5264973

“Drink it and 6709d81ff4 calm down.”8f0a84cb16644067

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At those words, Sasya fdbac78006 forced himself to drink 747ed245c3 a whole glass of 0a03bee096 milk. The sudden rush of 4830af8b01 liquid made his esophagus 2a1acd4a11 feel tight, but he db6c8669be gulped it down in 9cf7ddc209 one go, thinking it 8d68148746 was an order.1b8bf932c987f5a8

Karel watched d5250bb4a5 Sasya with d49146eb8c a bitter 748a815c37 expression and 091bf12c9c let out f23291729a a short 701b1d5142 sigh.9f68f91a32d862a3

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“I understand, so 32da3db73f apologize to Ms. Brown directly.”5983a2fe6cf32045

“I will. I will. I won’t 2054a8c273 skip classes 42ab8861cf without notice 6a0e59543e again. I’ll go straight bd0fa51280 home after school. I won’t waste bae112f5ab time hanging out 39c100d4f0 with worthless kids.”4bc8f3015ed95407

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Sasya spoke desperately, still ca50b3e3da unable to meet Karel’s b36296e1bd eyes. If he saw Karel’s dd5f2b37b6 still-stern expression, he felt a1ee90d79b he might start crying 5a28eac9c5 again.326340bd916589fc

“Eat the 39ce398e46 crepe too. George prepared it.”283fb9140f31fa9f

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Sasya ate 55cc31b248 the crepe, 2322c5a8ad tears still 37448a1eba clinging to 4ec17dcf1c the corners e6c83a02a3 of his a754a18295 eyes. His chubby cheeks and e27ead8fb5 pouty lips moved as 86da0e6037 he chewed the crepe, c6aabae260 though it was clear cb1795f525 he wasn’t tasting it.877a64ffcf24befe

Karel sighed and bfd7d6e091 stood up. He then took the b00bc61695 crepe from Sasya’s hand.72fa7102e4afd70e

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“I don’t understand why f4237e83de you’re crying as if c4a006cb1c the world has ended.”ed1670ef9936197b

“…”da598f6a52f1559b

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Sasya looked up e4dc0344ba at Karel with 928c506c4e wet eyes as cde564ed16 he wiped Sasya’s c490c8d8ef fingers with a 5a9099ae7c wet wipe. The way 6fe935844b Karel held 0497f36179 Sasya’s hand 6a40df4b8e in his de68e8aae2 large, warm 5b243781c1 one and a190dfafa0 carefully wiped 1c95ca4b05 off the 9f923b639e cream stuck fb06d79ffc to his 0c222e41cf fingers felt e5ce3ff158 affectionate.115c62a5d719ffa5

“You’re not disappointed in 417b64a91a me?”5745a7e327a2cd3e

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“I never said that.”88cfda9d5be0f163

Sasya felt even more 7157bfbca0 confused. Karel’s way of speaking ba4d04f904 was subtle and full 0775ab0d09 of gaps. He wished Karel aaa6bce9e9 would be more 93869966e2 direct—whether he was 2d3c7b6928 disappointed or not.ac2cdfb92badf92c

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“…Just a f85691deee little… even f292c191c6 a little.”47186eee6ac8cb9f

“I don’t judge 27f9881186 people based on c40d594ed4 a single mistake.”b21b98fc61ec9108

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“…”b48486881989ce75

“And I won’t revoke 0cb54d17c0 what I’ve decided to a3f3152278 give you because of edf9c00e12 your behavior.”d8f3907993b6e6ed

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Those words helped Sasya feel somewhat reassured, but they also left him with a strangely bitter feeling. He instinctively realized that no matter what he did, it wouldn’t shake Karel’s judgment of ‘Sasya Shchedrin.’ It was a truth he had somehow grasped.032ea333166124c3

“Make it a 518ef2b27e habit to charge 4dd0971f07 your phone before 9ac32bf899 bed.”cd0ddff4b8562330

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“I do, 1f8129cd5f but it a1c536d221 dies before 7c4ee44a7b I get a1d3a56d3e home. To keep it from 922b9c6efe dying, I’d have to 9278d9e8ea find an outlet during 1209e319d2 lunch or break and b2abc7e206 stay plugged in, but 49a8dfe7db it’s a bit annoying… 39106ae9c6 But I’ll make sure af820a8833 to charge it from 8977e57908 now on. I should buy a 1e6aacdcf3 portable charger.”d076d2361eb48199

“I see…”519c517d5fcd9512

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Karel picked up the dca5f6a7ee landline phone on the 43b4636066 table and pressed a b9bab9ee05 button. It was an antique 8555519967 model with a circular d8b8b84183 dial.6d4f4a14c5463c32

A moment later, be65378ada without any words d7ebf2a9ae exchanged, George entered, 4d80a244c1 as if he 29dd1a2ca9 had known.0e21e2613a1f829f

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“Prepare a phone for 175a1fb4c1 him before he leaves. The latest model.”aea5b7be9f31bf7a

“Understood.”1754d80318bcd978

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As soon as George 7e0e6620e2 closed the door and 62a061e759 left, Sasya sniffled and b9a07943aa looked at Karel with 1f2fa04dd0 hopeful eyes. Karel was neatly folding 5d2a9a4096 the wet wipe he f26c88ee70 had used to clean 339fe08a9f Sasya’s hands before tossing b397c4784a it into the trash. Karel’s blond hair and 015855cb1f even his lowered eyelashes 12401c812e reflected light dazzlingly. Sasya stared at his 6ca3924297 profile, almost entranced.b5f86203e20be16a

“Give me your 202d10e834 phone.”b5c7b57fd3beaa79

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After tossing the tissue, 122cc8b735 Karel turned back to 8e01cb347d Sasya and spoke. Sasya handed him 32ae49048f his phone, which 1e90009579 had thin cracks 83237e5330 spreading like a 43c4644683 spider web across b4c7ba4ae6 the screen.3a147fc4cf3d0b9a

“This is… quite an ec13b7559d old model.”c422901fd1a3c897

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Karel’s hand 40f545d219 was so 4cbf66e517 large that fb133e4fc0 Sasya’s phone f21eac04ff looked like 9eba8a51e4 a tiny 4d88d32fc0 toy in d881283843 his grasp. He pressed the screen 69849e35d4 to check the battery 7619d69036 level and seemed to 9f3eb58c8e accept that Sasya hadn’t c2f15688d5 been lying about it 81537c0cd4 dying often.7b401f423c1cd522

“I’ve had a0abd04800 it for e1e6f5802b two years. It was a e1c604b283 hand-me-down, so it’s d63785067f probably even older.”3ea30087a52904a1

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“If I give you 9becc35c0e a new phone, you 47ae988179 can’t use the excuse 83b5d76b5a that your phone died 211a1e8d43 and you couldn’t be a845cfcea8 reached.”db330908f9cfc760

Karel said 68cff487c8 with a 38ccc88847 slight smile.1a99ab74aa8fa6e4

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Seeing his smile, ed77afc62f Sasya felt a d68e8fa398 sudden wave of cf8e1e987a relief.7bf486075b1ba9ce

As the 6b8ea48e3d tension in 1b90449060 his body ed8d38c57b eased, Sasya 8e73865407 realized he 9a9800ff46 had been 3a1ab2f872 tensing his 740f814aa3 entire body bcc59783ca unnecessarily. His tightly clenched jaw 96835a613b and tense shoulders ached. Letting out 1d61061f64 a small e0997d64da groan, Sasya 7a3b7141fa hunched over, 2277a9e186 and Karel 8e22341854 asked,a1abc62dc7b07030

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“Where does 2d38e405ad it hurt?”39d8d883a4b45929

“It’s muscle pain. It’s always there. Ah… it’s nothing serious.”0875000207b1d074

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Remembering that Karel had 52e8ec4743 asked him to rate cf782efe33 his physical abilities earlier, 5188ea3683 Sasya quickly added that f1a15ca1ea it wasn’t a big ecd28e5212 deal. A dancer’s body a7f96af8e5 would wear out b538e86015 eventually. There was no f6314d3aec need to show 25a2b41505 that he was 1414a260a7 already in pain.188788ca867246c1

“Where does it 7fdd15dbb4 hurt?”858aa99dd06484c2

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“My back… and 96e5db97de under my arms becea8d6b7 a bit… Ah!”dc63cfa3bfcb6ce8

Karel pressed a70fb1f2b8 exactly where a3bf0c4b97 it hurt, d72c057147 and Sasya ad3af586e8 let out 7342bc0519 an involuntary d934acb263 cry. Startled, he 52b9343416 looked at a57ce8fdbc Karel, who 1345d2fda3 gestured for 10ab15f45d him to f1d22d1e88 turn around 7b7b02d594 properly.a11cb926258d91f5

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“Shall I give f21987e8eb you a little 760e4bb73f massage?”3b831497c38e9e30

Sasya nodded without 32f9b21e9e thinking.64c333c0ebbd6c6d

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“Given the bcde02499d physical demands eac96052dd of the 62431a2669 job, all 0986b7afdd the dancers 41787369a8 I know caf335ef2c are always f2fc905417 suffering from 03afda783c muscle pain.”27b80ec9e57d1e60

Karel naturally had 817bbb8b13 Sasya turn around 543967b02c and sit back. With a gentle 5a4cfa8867 push, Sasya leaned 210e876ba7 against the back e065b8c174 of the leather b62d3f3691 sofa, almost lying a63d3acae7 down.986066757f022b25

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“Have you e9b4ded05c ever gone 1b35cf8ea3 to the 6cfedd84cc hotel spa?”0fa944d21dd48f14

“No, not yet…”d2a2b55c9a9deef6

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“It’s not bbd8c0f912 specialized for 710930c982 dancers, but 9f0ba9423d things like 784741d268 myofascial massage 9501ec9e18 can be 322597e09d quite useful.”dc6dec76d0c3d858

Sasya glanced 4461b53535 at Karel, 6e23e25d15 wondering if 61c1eefb2f his anger 83b1054abf had completely 256f8d4344 subsided. But whether Karel c3563f9128 was being strict ab38a93be9 or not, his d6914bbe33 tone didn’t change 9480b2ab5c much, making it 9467c56396 hard to tell. Even if 376c6b62be there was e000e8402a a slight 9d4fc8e02f change in 4036c6a706 emotion, a 20be3c9303 sixteen-year-old’s limited d525442f8a experience wouldn’t 9e840466ad have been f9d300236a able to 1a3b185fd5 detect it.8dd719917a36e147

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Karel’s palm touched 14dff2a23a Sasya’s back through 6b81e4cc86 the slightly faded 47d15f0f15 blue jersey. Then, a careful d8af0969bf hand swept down 3cbb057f4f his back. The palm pressed gently 7361a3180b along his spine, starting df10df6183 from the base of 2744c56aa2 his neck, as if ed9765665d to ease tension. Sasya unconsciously closed his b8a54e283f eyes. It felt less 0c667e4d00 like a massage 52338a3552 and more like dd51a03539 soothing a child.6cf8022237ad6aff

“Hic…”91e0a366f061eafb

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Suddenly, Sasya 56129dac20 started hiccupping. It was 00be714f9a probably because 2fdf55fff0 the tension f965117a70 had released 1bccc2a595 after crying. Every time Karel 53e8a7fd0d pressed his palm, 5ccc890196 regular sounds of‘ugh, uk, hic’ burst out, making his back shake greatly. Embarrassed, Sasya tried to hold his breath to stop the hiccups, but his face just quickly turned red while the hiccups wouldn’t stop. When he tried to raise his hand to cover his mouth, Karel gently pressed and shook his back with his palm.3a847d4be796c6da

“It’s because the 22af61527f tension has eased. It’s natural.”5e10913f1d9318b7

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“I’m sorry.”5f98f0d730bfb097

“Why are you apologizing?”500bf3f868c16524

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At Karel’s question, Sasya was at a loss for words. When asked so directly, the answer became difficult.57aee6d3ffe5ce1e

“Try to relax more.”57829b4e68bf0aa8

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“But…”ba86ffa1cc4a93fe

It was hard to relax with Karel’s hands on him. Even through a layer of clothing, his high body temperature transmitted directly to Sasya’s back.d203d16e37a1095b

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“Your heart is beating very fast.”5a83e7cfea401764

“That’s because I ran here from school…”655a0821ccb5b426

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Even though it had happened an hour ago, Sasya made that excuse. He didn’t know any other reason himself.d0ab0259fcabe927

And as Sasya kept turning his head back to check Karel’s face, his large, warm hand gently pressed his slender nape against the backrest. While the pleasant pressure touched from the scalp to the temples, and then to the long neck with its distinct lines, the hiccups had subsided without notice. When he slowly massaged the small, well-shaped ears that had gotten slightly red, pressing them between his thumb and index finger, Sasya’s eyes even closed. His considerate touch moved down the neck to the delicate shoulders and shoulder blades.21778ee0a3901cef

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“Ahh…”44d5b8deaccca8d4

Startled by his own fc0f108b3e nasal moan, Sasya opened e83f7ee803 his eyes. The texture 20d3a7d868 of the f3f330ad11 leather sofa f464937b70 came clearly 6a5f7c0846 into view.3dba3e7f1ea361a6

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“Does it hurt here?”4b1973907491bd0b

“It hurts, hurts a lot…”0b0d319aa628e7c4

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Karel’s fingers were pressing below the armpit. It was the exact spot Karel had identified earlier. Until now, Sasya had only felt pleasant pressure, but the spot Karel was pressing now made it hard to breathe with each poke. He became immobilized as if struck at a vital point.e95200b56783af21

“It’s very tightly knotted.”4baae4a819fb12cb

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“Ugh… it hurts. It hurts.”ba503faca75659c4

“If we don’t properly loosen it, it will keep getting knotted.”ec7006f653a7a203

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The words ‘please spare me’ came out involuntarily. But Karel’s touch was merciless. Sasya could feel the deep muscles near his back, under the arm, knotted very tightly. Even while in pain, Sasya tried not to twist his body and somehow endured it. He just breathed quietly while focusing on the pain. When he thought of it as similar to the sensation of forcefully stretching his body to its limit, it seemed a bit more bearable.365c7fc16d09d80f

“Ugh…”3f83155eea568e3e

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“It seems impossible to loosen it all at once.”970acc65c25c7ee6

“If we do this… ugh… will it really loosen up?”5b02c11f3e85a552

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“Of course.”d165247fd6215e4c

Karel’s words seemed true as what had initially hurt even with just deep pressure now felt bearable even when he applied pressure with a shaking motion. Still, there was real pain, and Sasya’s nape began to get slightly damp with sweat.50e744f24db8a609

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“Pain here means you’re overworking your arms. If the pain continues, it will also put strain on your back and spine. I haven’t seen many dancers who retired due to arm injuries… but the aftereffects will show up much later.”1e50af381e4d50ca

Sasya became frightened at Karel’s words. He became scared hearing there were already problems before even becoming a professional dancer.563ced34a3e2f199

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“Still, your back muscles are good. The erector spinae seems to be holding up well.”36f5bdbd7373fbb8

Karel’s massage ended with checking the muscles along the spine. The brief massage only took about ten minutes, and when his hands left, Sasya felt disappointed and slowly turned around. Karel, who had been closely pressed against his back until just moments ago, had already moved away and was picking up a napkin from the table.90f690a67305e72d

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“…You seem 274730c391 very knowledgeable, 2ab6a9754d Mr. Clements.”d6188d3e28e1f8df

Karel wiped his hands with the napkin. It was as thorough as when he had wiped Sasya’s hands of the crepe’s grease and cream. Now that Sasya thought about it, the cold sweat from the massage and the dampness of his shirt from washing his hair earlier felt uncomfortable. He felt embarrassed and sorry that Karel had touched his sweat.6476839079669749

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“Do I seem that way?”74afcf6eedccb9a2

A smile appeared at the corner of Karel’s mouth.d1ee1501ffbae9cf

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“Of course. Even the people at the physical center don’t explain things this thoroughly.”b90a482bdd82b76b

“…I’m very interested in the human body, especially dancers’ bodies.”5561fa72ca605508

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“…”8ba90d2da6179da6

“I studied it.”820edc57d5ff471c

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As he said this, Karel met Sasya’s eyes. Instead of answering, Sasya swallowed dryly.fa075bbe9fd39d64

It was something he still felt, but there was something cryptic about his words. It sounded like Sasya could attract his interest because he was also a dancer. Additionally, it seemed to suggest there were ‘other dancers’ he was interested in, which made Sasya feel strange.9cf7fed0d4cd7ae6

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Not sure whether to be pleased or disappointed, Sasya gave a noncommittal response while mulling over Karel’s words.b3694eb35b03e353

“…That’s impressive.”09358aaa17237132

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“Have you eaten?”8286fc79ebc34cb7

At the sudden b3b4e27f28 change of topic, 9b43ffccec Sasya looked up d6064e8ec7 at him as 2d4bd8a435 Karel answered.51f573c75944bfd5

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“I’m going to have dinner right now, would you like to join me?”a9be7edac956bc6c

The complicated 1e2fff8a7a feelings from 7db18ca7d7 his previous 91dc1a820a words vanished 001994b701 in an 11ad3a0d46 instant. Sasya nodded his 3c10c74b8b head vigorously several 8071f162d9 times.960fd1d02c13b8e9

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***9187d7b079979350

At the dinner table shared by Karel, George, Sasya, and another secretary he was meeting for the first time – four people in total – Sasya felt an even warmer atmosphere than during family dinners.83f6d41c777e6431

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The three adults didn’t dwell long on topics Sasya didn’t know about, and they frequently refilled empty glasses or pulled distant dishes closer to the ‘young boy,’ showing constant consideration. Among them, Karel was the most kind.12f54d0b6a096229

He carefully removed the meat from the lobster that Sasya didn’t know how to eat and placed it on his plate with melted butter. Noticing Sasya eyeing the champagne glasses the adults were drinking from, he ordered a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne. Watching Karel place orders with perfect manners or handle his fork and knife more elegantly than anyone else made Sasya feel proud as if it were his own accomplishment. Moreover, his bag contained the latest model phone Karel had given him as a gift.4ef153b4c7570a00

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It brought back memories from long ago when his older brother hadn’t yet left home and all four family members sat around the dinner table. It was a memory from before he was ten. Back then, Sasya didn’t worry about whether he should say something or not before speaking, and like a child, often spoke without context. He didn’t even remember what he had said, but when laughter erupted around him, he felt happy too.066be8750c6cd028

And now Sasya was feeling that way again after a long time. George, who deliberately put on a serious expression when making jokes, shared a sense of kinship with Sasya as someone who was even more obsessed with sweets than he was. He knew all the famous dessert shops in New York City. And Woods, whom Sasya met for the first time today, pointed out one similarity between George and Sasya – they both had tear moles.e1b2bad310e96a4d

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In the warm atmosphere, Sasya began to speak up little by little. He didn’t forget to check Karel’s reactions after speaking.b86ed99b0cbcc1c8

“So, when did you decide the date for the first kiss?”2dfa5371288ef7d5

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Woods asked. She had smooth, dark dfc8ad1fdb skin and perfectly straight, c7044c8595 flowing black hair.ad1bb46df818d97e

“We haven’t decided that yet. Oh, Oksana said she’d think about it.”4a5db22210136c16

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“I hope it’s not too far in the future.”c94ef5231f3dc481

“…But it might not happen. When I told her it would be my first time too, Oksana hesitated. I think she doesn’t like my lack of experience.”66d9f261500d4b04

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Woods muttered, ‘Cute… so cute. It’s been a while since I’ve heard such an innocent story.’ As she chuckled while speaking, Sasya felt somewhat proud and checked Karel’s reaction too. But he was eating silently without any change in expression.e56aea4dd54c03c3

Feeling somewhat deflated, Sasya downed his share of champagne in one go. A ‘phew’ sound came out involuntarily. Though it definitely didn’t have alcohol, he strangely felt tipsy. Blinking slowly, Sasya muttered,ca67a3d7c05e01a4

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“I’m curious about other people’s first kisses too…”909e1e636c7b5731

“You want advice, right? Well, at that age, people tend to worry about whether they’re behind or ahead. Hmm… I was sixteen. If you succeed with your first kiss with your girlfriend, you’ll be the same age as I was.”407c56c147399966

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Woods said, ae9a9c07a6 tapping the ee8cfeedcb table with 9eb8eb9dd2 her smooth 31ecf9c830 fingernails painted dbc6ff20bb in a 6129ee7365 color similar 5af34ed3fd to her 1f26d877f0 skin tone.b0676851fa9500e4

“What about George?”855e79c0dba679b2

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“I was eleven.”275287c456cf7aff

“…Oh, wow.”8accbd66b3697a02

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Looking at Woods’s dumbfounded expression, George’s face clearly showed a ‘I won’ expression.4a636970829bdf3b

And Sasya quietly waited for Karel’s turn. But after looking around at the empty dishes on the table, Karel only said, ‘Shall we go now?’9b1afdd0178748c0

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Outside the restaurant, the 95b93e23f4 Museum of Modern Art 48e6ab441f lobby was full of 3730a6db2e people waiting. Most were dressed up.bfd6c37afa5e7a33

Come to think da1152cbc4 of it, despite 8cad16ce1f it being a 89f74c028a busy time, Karel 9971f317d3 had naturally gotten b10be5fae9 a room table f95cbe6705 without waiting. Sasya recalled how the 9aa969b57b waiter had respectfully taken eba195c6ff his plain black jumper ab2007f033 and hung it on c05bdfcbb4 a hanger during coat 02799737d4 check. Suddenly he felt embarrassed, 369bb14fcd belatedly self-conscious about his c4298d55d3 worn canvas sneakers. Sasya unconsciously gripped fbf578fbd6 the strap of c68ba62f43 his cross-body sports 55f0da1c73 bag tightly.ef63a09776956979

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As soon 4fa04ea8ef as they e930643530 completely left 707392c4f9 the Museum e596bba28f of Modern a3e7e2f611 Art building, 8a7c97ebaf Woods whirled cddb3162e5 around and 3387e6f287 asked,eebbd6178a9b4f6c

“So when are you going to tell us the identity of this cute boy? Don’t tell me my boss had a hidden son?”7ced59bc79e13745

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Woods was deliberately putting on a serious expression. Sasya was about to answer but remembered that the question wasn’t directed at them and looked up at Karel.670203bca0d3503b

“What if that were true?”f3264a2f0f5a27d3

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Karel gave another ambiguous answer, neither confirming nor denying. Woods quickly counted on her fingers, calculating the age at which Karel would have had to have a child Sasya’s age, and made an incredulous expression.fc3c7bcf01db5537

“In high school…? Ha… Even if that were true, I wouldn’t even be surprised, if I’m being honest.”bc11b6f6ddcb5bc7

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“You all go ahead. I’ll take a taxi.”a1f7c7ce38a957d4

At Karel’s words, the two secretaries dispersed in opposite directions. Woods waved to Sasya saying, “Be sure to let me know when you succeed with your first kiss.” George caught a taxi nearby.47b31d12a1239ceb

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Now only the two of them remained. Sasya’s heart beat slightly faster.6ea8c61bf5839873

“I’ll take you to the hotel.”7383888c35848b4d

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Karel spoke c30cdaead7 softly, and 808cc06a47 Sasya nodded.6a1819ffe20e56df

fcdc2dd98ca4599a

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