As he took a day off from his morning exercise, he had some time left over. Instead of going on a jog, Maru ran half a lap around the park and returned to his house.

He untied the scarf around his neck and drank some tea. Since today was the day of the audition, he had to look after his condition.

After he stretched himself a little, he started singing from a low voice in order to exercise his vocal cords. Then he picked up a mop.

Cleaning was one of his routines. Just like how tennis players would go through a series of actions like a ceremony to get into tip-top shape to give the best serve, he organized his thought during cleaning and calmed his mind, preparing to act.

He breathed out a long breath from the depths of his body and then had a look at the calendar: January 4th. He looked at the table clock underneath: 7 a.m. The audition, which was originally scheduled on the sixth, was pulled forward by two days, but there was no problem with that.

"I'm off," he said to the cat staring at him by the porch. Usually, she would be in the room whether he left or not, but today, she watched him until the door was closed, as if she was encouraging him.

-Hey, where are you?

He got a message on the train to Seoul. It was Seungah. He replied that he was on the way.

-You're full of leisure,...