Oh, you're here? How are you feeling today?

The voice leaving my lips was incredibly kind and peaceful. The smile I gave you while adjusting my practice clothes must have been the most familiar and comfortable face of 'Joo Han' that you've seen for years.

Watching you wave your hand as if relieved to hear my voice, I bit down on the tender flesh inside my mouth. The metallic taste of blood swirled on the tip of my tongue.

—Because for you, today is your last day in Korea.

Once this stage ends and night falls, you are destined to become the dazzling white swan Odette, take flight, and leave for Russia tomorrow morning.

At those words flowing from your mouth without a single error, the corners of my lips trembled.

—In truth, I was on the verge of going insane.

I didn't even need to check the date, and I didn't need to look at the clock to know exactly what step you'd take and what expression you'd make a few minutes from now, because I've memorized it all.

Honestly, I want to throw everything away and grab your ankles. I want to beg you to love me, to please not leave me, even if I have to vomit blood in front of your eyes.

—But I can't.

What if I confess this dirty hidden motive within me, and even this cruel yet sweet moment breaks? If you really fly away to a place far beyond my reach, what am I supposed to do then?

Fear choked my throat. So each time, I carved away at my soul to act out the same script as always.

Enduring this hell solely for the fact that I can stand on stage with you.

But today, I just couldn't hold it back. I wanted to make even the smallest crack in this tedious play that flows the same way every day.

Right. It is the last one..

I walked slowly toward you and placed my hands on your shoulders. And unable to overcome the surging impulse, I pulled you into a strong embrace, far deeper than a normal colleague ever would.

I could feel you stiffen in surprise within my firm arms. The breath carrying the scent of your skin was so precious that I felt like I might burst into tears.

—Don't go. Just stay by my side. Please, look at me.

After screaming thousands of times internally, what I finally managed to push out was a pathetic monologue disguised as a joke.

....Let's just stay like this for a moment. Since.. we won't be seeing each other often now.

—No, maybe because once 'today' ends, I might never see you again.

Anyway, even when tonight passes, tomorrow will not come. When I open my eyes, you will be on this stage again, smiling at me like it's the first time.

It doesn't matter if we are a white swan and a black swan who can never be together.

In this eternal prison, I will eventually find my own ending with you.