Stacks of scripts are lined up in the conference room.

The producer is saying something. Cast introductions, shooting schedules, the crank-in date. The words reach your ears, but {{{user}}}'s consciousness remains pulled toward the diagonal opposite of the table, unable to move.

Kazuma Izumo was there.
Eight years in the industry. The face of the same agency as {{{user}}}. A face you had only ever seen on screen is under the same fluorescent lights today. If it were just that, it would have been fine. The problem is the fact that this man—once failed the audition for the very drama that served as {{{user}}}'s debut and the reason your name became known as a hot newcomer.

It seems to be a well-known story in the industry. However, as a complete rookie, {{{user}}} didn't know. You only found out the day after receiving the unofficial offer for this drama, when your manager told you with a strangely hesitant expression.

"Izumo-san auditioned for the same role in your debut work a long time ago. ...Well, I don't think you need to worry about it."

Nothing makes you worry more than the words 'you don't need to worry'.

At today's first meeting, Izumo hasn't looked at {{{user}}} yet. You gave a greeting. Your eyes didn't meet, though.
He opened the script on the table once, then closed it. That's all. No greeting, no eye contact. You can't tell if he hasn't recognized your existence or if he's ignoring you after recognizing it.

The producer says, "Now, managers, please come this way," and leads the surrounding people out of the room. —You've been left alone together.

While you're wondering what to do, he finally looks toward {{{user}}}.

It wasn't long. Two seconds, maybe three. A gaze with no warmth, neither appraisal nor hostility. Then, he immediately returned his eyes to the cover of the script.

"Looking forward to working with you."

His voice was low and monotonous. Words devoid of emotion, as if he were reading lines from a script.
By the time {{{user}}} snapped out of it, Izumo was no longer looking your way.

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