Soojin’s grandmother’s funeral was small, and lonely. The only mourners were Mr. Ishii, his family, a few neighbors, and a pastor Soojin’s grandmother had been friends with. Shortly after the funeral, Soojin’s grandmother was cremated and her ashes were taken to a charnel house. Because her grandmother’s death had been in the days leading up to the national play, Soojin had to go to practice right after the funeral ended. Soojin first lost her mother, and now her grandmother. The only place she had left to lean on now was Mr. Ishii. Thankfully he treated Soojin like his own daughter. Although her grandmother had passed away, Soojin believed her spirit would be watching her at the national play. She wanted to make her grandmother proud, so she sold all her time into practice. The news of the national play spread like wildfire. Soojin’s beauty was all over the daily newspaper, and television. She quickly became the hot topic everyone was talking about. Her photo was surrounded by the various other actors’, and underneath her new name: Haruko. The headlines read: “How the next generation’s huge star—Haruko— pushed aside all actors to make her spot in the national play.” Before the national play had even opened requests for interviews were already flooding in. Humiko and Harada refused most of them. When it came to interviews, they first had to figure out if this person was an ally or an enemy. Only then, would they permit an interview, strategically limiting them to only 10 minutes. Finally the day of the national play was upon Soojin. All the VIP seats were already reserved. Soojin asked Harada to prepare a few VIP seats for Mr. Ishii and his family, and one for her grandmother. Soojin laid a beautiful daffodil bouquet in her grandmother’s seat. She chose daffodils for their meaning of “A new beginning.” Mia was shocked by the fact that Soojin prepared seats for them. Mia, seeing the prime minister just a few seats away, started to feel like a true VIP. Her heart fluttered. She worked for a stage setting company, but this was the first time she had ever sat in the VIP seats of the national play. Soojin was extremely nervous waiting for the play to start. She sat backstage with her hand on her chest, repeating abdominal breathing exercises to ease her nerves.

However, when the play started, Soojin put her heart and soul into her performance. The story was of two star-crossed lovers. A profligate man, and the woman—Soojin—who loved him. The story ended with the man murdering the woman. Soojin immersed herself into the role, exhausting herself, and when the play ended, the entire audience gave a standing ovation. Soojin’s performance was so great even Mia, who normally was jealous of Soojin, started to cry. Mr. Ishii wiped his swelling tears with his handkerchief. When Soojin returned to the backstage room, Humiko handed her a large bouquet; her eyes crimson red from crying.

“You know how long it’s been since I’ve cried like this? You did amazing!”

Just as had been expected, paparazzi pushed Humiko, shooting their flashes at Soojin. Countless cameras filled the waiting room, all trying to get footage of Soojin. The commotion of flashes and yelling drained the room of oxygen, making it hard to breathe. Harada and security barely managed to push the paparazzi out of the waiting room and close the door.

“If they’re doing this I think they liked it.. Haruko, you’re a treasure.”

Harada hugged Soojin so tight she thought her lungs were going to explode. Reporters, and fans asking for autographs could be heard outside. This is what being a star is like! Soojing thought. Shortly later, staff informed Soojin that there would be a press conference. Harada called security, and with their help opened the door from Soojin’s waiting room. As they pushed their way through the crowd of fans and reporters, Soojin saw Mr. Ishii holding a wonderful bouquet. She shouted to Harada.

“Wait a second!”

Soojin received the bouquet from Mr. Ishii.

“Thank you for coming, really. You’ve been so much help.. How could I ever repay you..”

Before Soojin could finish she was escorted away. The smiling and waving Mr. Ishii quickly faded into the crowd. The bouquet was ripped and torn by the bumping and brushing of the crowd, leaving a trail of flower petals. When Soojin arrived at the press conference, all the other top stars were already seated. Harada and Humiko gave Soojin two thumbs up, before sending her up to the stage. Soojin sat in the middle of the other top stars, this seat was unimaginable for an experienced actor, let alone a newcomer. If it wasn’t for the influential Mr. Harada, Soojin wouldn’t have even dared to dream of being in this position. As Soojin sat around the other actors, she could feel the sharp, jealous eyes of a few. They knew she had help from Mr. Harada. Their gaze stabbed her like daggers, but she wouldn't yield. Soojin stealthily taunted the jealous actors by lifting her head high, and flashing a radiant smile. A subtle tension flowed through the group. As various reporters asked questions, the VIPs and other journalists listened with intense attention. Soojin introduced herself, just as Harada and Humiko had told her to. Age 20, The daughter of Mr. Harada’s distant relative, how she took acting classes from a young age, and first got a taste of acting from Humiko’s acting school in Tokyo. One reporter asked a more specific question.

“So, Ms. Haruko, you’ve been acting for 3 years?”

“Yes, it’s been 3 years. But I’ve been acting since I was born, so it’s more like 20 years.

The whole room laughed at her witty joke.

“In the press release it says you’re the daughter of one of Mr. Harada’s relatives. Is this true?”

“Yes, a distant relative.”

“If that’s the case, you must have had a lot of support from the start.”

“I guess that is so, yes. I won’t deny that I did. I accept the fact that since someone close to me is in the broadcasting industry, others may see it as unfair.”

Loud typing from the journalists followed Soojin’s answer.

“Is this your first time performing in a play? Have you appeared in any other works?”

“Yes, actually this is my first time making an appearance. I’m very honored to be able to perform on a stage this big.”

The reports threw many questions to the other actors as well, and after 1 hour the press conference ended. After the press conference ended, Soojin was in a sticky sweat. She thought of it as a right of passage. But she had a bit of a sore conscience. Mr. Harada’s distant relative? Soojin smirked to herself. A celebration dinner was prepared for Soojin at the hotel, but before going, she headed back to the national theater because she started to think of her grandmother. Presumably because the play was over, all the lights were off, and the theater was dim. Soojin pressed the light switches at the entrance and the theater lit up. She ran to the seat she had prepared for her grandmother. The daffodil bouquet was still there. Soojin picked up the bouquet.

“Grandma, how did I do today? I know you’re watching so I did my best.”

Soojin sniffled and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

“Grandma, from now on I'm starting a new life, here in Japan. You want your granddaughter to do that, right?”

Soojin mumbled, as if her grandma was really there in front of her. Soojin knew if her grandma was still alive, she would be so proud, and pat her head like she always used to. Soojin’s eyes started to tear up again. But, suddenly she heard footsteps in the theater. Tip-tap! Tip-tap! The sound of shoes echoed off the wooden floor. Soojin turned to the direction of the noise. A tall man was walking towards her. Soojin surprised asked:

“Hello.. Who are you?”

The strange man was wearing a stylish suit, and carrying a large bouquet of roses.

“Ms. Haruko? Right?”

The man asked hesitantly. Soojin didn’t recognize the man, treating him as a stranger. Looking at him close, he looked like a man, but also a woman. A very androgynous face. Ghost white skin, dark eyelashes, and a fierce gaze. The voice he used to ask the question was of a sweet tone.

“Do you remember me?”

What is this guy talking about?

“I don’t… who are you?”

Soojin asked back, with her guard up. I’m sure I’ve never seen this person before.. Is he some kind of stalker?

“If I’m not mistaken I..”

The man started to speak but stopped suddenly. Soojin looked at his face closely. He looks faintly familiar, I don’t know where, but I’ve seen him somewhere. A moment of tight silence flowed between them. The man held out the rose bouquet to Soojin. Is he a fan? Soojin received the bouquet.

“Thank you.”

A light breeze flowing in through the open door nearby rustled the rose petals lightly. A deep rose scent permeated the surroundings.

“If I’m not mistaken, we’ve met before.”

“Me?”

Soojin dug into her memory, but there was nothing.

“It must have been 3 years ago… at the airport. I think I gave you my business card.”

Soojin tilted her head and tried to remember. airport… the man who sat next to me staring.. Soojin’s eyes widened.

“Oh! I think I remember, at the airport with that woman.”

The man smiled lightly.

“Ah, I was right, it was you.”

Soojin finally managed to remember him. How he stared at her, how he jumped the turnstile, kissed that woman, and drove off in a fancy limousine. After that day she had forgotten him for a long time. Of course it didn’t seem worth remembering. But how could he remember her for so long, after just that short moment? Soojin looked at him surprised, when he started to speak.

“I waited awfully long for you to contact me. But in the end you never did. You might not believe it, but after that day i went looking for you at the airport, i know it sounds stupid…”

He paused for a moment, and then continued.

“Just a few days ago, I read a story about you in the newspaper. I was so surprised when I saw your photo. I can’t believe I found you.. Oh, I watched your performance today. I’ve never seen a performance like that, it was truly special.”

The man requested Soojin to have dinner with him.

“I’m sorry but I already have plans, I can contact you later.”

The two parted ways from the theater. Soojin made her way out of the theater, and found Humiko looking for her.

“I’ve been looking for you, where were you? Everyone is waiting, let's go”

Soojin carried her grandmother’s bouquet, and the rose bouquet the man had given her, as she ran to the car. She sat in the back seat, absorbed in thought as she lightly felt the petals of the roses.

***