Backstage
Aerel smiled and signed,
It was beautiful, Aerith
Aerith looked up.
"It was beautiful, Aerith," he read aloud.
"Isn't that what you said?"
Aerel's eyes widened slightly.
Aerith signed again—
I learned it for you.
Aerel's world stopped.
Everything around him blurred.
Flustered, he chuckled—softly, beautifully.
Aerith's eyes widened too. His chest tightened as he clenched his heart.
Aerith (POV)
He looks so beautiful when he smiles.
"…Damn," he muttered under his breath.
A knock interrupted the moment.
Irel stepped in.
"Got a minute?"
Aerith straightened.
"Yeah."
"I'm a film student," Irel said. "I'm working on a project.
Can you do the song and music for it? Both of you."
Aerith smiled.
"Okay."
He turned to Aerel and signed,
What about you?
Aerel smiled and nodded.
"Good," Irel said.
"Your names and contacts."
They gave them.
"I'll contact you," Irel added.
"And… thank you."
Both of them smiled.
Next Day — Night
Irel entered Yuri's flower shop.
Warm light filled the space as Yuri arranged flowers behind the counter.
"Isn't Aeris here?" Irel asked.
"Aeris," Yuri called, "someone's here for you."
Aeris came out carrying a few boxes and set them aside.
Their eyes met.
They both blinked.
Irel (POV)
A different face… but the same name. The same voice.
"Ah," Aeris said, realizing.
"He's the customer who ordered the black rose bouquet."
Irel stood quietly.
"Yes," Yuri said. "It's ready."
Aeris handed over the bouquet.
"Here."
Irel paid without a word, took the flowers, and left.
Aeris (POV)
He didn't say anything…
I thought I was done for.
His phone buzzed.
I'm Irel.
Meet me at this place tomorrow morning. 9 a.m.
Aeris replied: Okay.
Somewhere else, Irel looked at his phone and smiled.
The Next Morning
Irel arrived at a beautiful place—a large apartment.
He rang the bell.
Lytheil's manager opened the door.
"Come in, Irel."
Irel stepped inside.
The manager led him down the hallway.
Irel followed, his footsteps slow and deliberate.
In a spacious room, Lytheil sat by a large transparent glass window, staring outside.
The manager knocked lightly on the open door.
"Irel has arrived."
Without turning, Lytheil said,
"Come in."
Irel stepped inside
Lytheil's eyes slowly lifted and settled on Irel
Irel didn't break eye contact as he stepped forward and offered the black rose bouquet
Lytheil accepted it without a word
A brief silence passed between them
Irel didn't break eye contact
"Can you act in the themed film I'm making?" Irel asked
"Give me the script," Lytheil said
Irel handed it over
Lytheil began to read
Slowly, his eyes widened. He tried to hide it—
but they betrayed him
A soft smile appeared as he looked up
"It's really beautiful," Lytheil said
"Well written."
A soft pause.
"I'll do it."