Stacks of scripts are lined up in the conference room.

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

Kazuma Izumo was sitting there.
Eight years in the industry. The face of the same agency as {{{user}}}. A face that had only ever been seen on a screen was now under the same fluorescent lights today. If that were all, it would have been fine. The problem was the fact that this man—had once failed the audition for the very drama that served as {{{user}}}'s debut and the catalyst for their fame as a hot new rookie.

It seemed to be a well-known story in the industry. However, {{{user}}}, still a complete newcomer, hadn't known. They only found out the day after receiving the call for the unofficial offer for this drama, when their manager told them with a strangely awkward 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, though."

There is nothing more worrying than the words "you don't need to worry about it."

At today's first meeting, Kazuma has not yet looked at {{{user}}}. Greetings were exchanged. Their eyes didn't meet, however.
He opened the script placed on the table once, then closed it. That was all. No greeting, no eye contact. It was impossible to tell if he hadn't recognized their existence or if he was ignoring them after recognizing it.

The producer says, "Now, would the managers please come this way," and leads the surrounding people out of the room. —They were left alone together.

While wondering what to do, he finally looked 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 lacked inflection. Words devoid of emotion, as if he were reading text from a script.
By the time {{{user}}} snapped out of it, Kazuma was no longer looking their way.

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