Episode 39
“Give it here!”
“You’ve always been my only protagonist.”
…?
In a way, that means I’m the one writing the destiny of my own lead character.
A chill ran down Autumn’s spine at those words.
If I’m the protagonist…
Only after tilting her head all the way up did she finally meet his piercing gaze—eyes that hadn’t shown such emotion in a long time.
“S-So what!”
“That’s why…”
He stopped Autumn, who was retreating in small steps.
With her back blocked by a bookshelf, she had nowhere to go. Randel trapped her in place and whispered with a meaningful voice:
“From now on, I’m thinking of actively getting involved in your destiny.”
“…I’m not exactly sure what that means.”
Autumn gently pushed away Randel, who had stepped too close.
Shaken by his intense gaze, she avoided his eyes and responded in a trembling voice.
Then, he calmly confessed:
“Let’s start dating.”
At that moment, Autumn’s thoughts ground to a halt.
Maybe that’s why, rather calmly—more than she expected—she murmured in response.
“A relationship proposal right after a love confession…”
“This doesn’t even surprise me anymore—!”
As if.
Autumn couldn’t finish her sentence.
Her mind was in chaos because of this infuriating man who kept shaking up her heart.
“S-So you’ve been thinking about this for a while?”
“Yes. I’ve always wanted to propose it, but the right timing kept slipping away.”
While Autumn stumbled through her words, Randel continued speaking with a calm demeanor.
But the way he spoke so casually only made her face turn redder, and her inner voice stammered even more.
‘Why does he always say these heart-racing things whenever I’m here?’
How could he say something so shocking like a love confession with the same tone you’d use to talk about lunch?
Autumn tried to calm her wildly beating heart.
But then he asked again:
“But it’s surprising.”
“What is?”
“You’re not shocked. Does that mean you’ve thought about it too?”
“…W-What?”
Autumn couldn’t even form proper words and turned into a bright red tomato.
In that moment, she remembered—those times she thought of Randel’s handsome face before falling asleep… the times she blushed when he held her hand to guide her… the fleeting brushes while he adjusted her acting posture… the confusing words he said so casually…
She had always pretended it was nothing, but afterward, when alone, she’d often find herself thinking back on those moments.
‘What if I actually dated someone like him…? I only thought about it. Just thought.’
“You did think about it.”
It felt like he had peeked into her secret imagination.
Autumn, embarrassed by Randel’s effortless smile, waved her hands as if to erase everything.
“N-No! I’ve never thought about such a thing!”
Seeing her strong denial, Randel looked slightly disappointed.
He tilted his head and frowned slightly, as if he didn’t like her reaction.
“Well, truth be told… it was Hersen’s idea.”
“What?”
“Ah. But before that, take a look at this.”
He rummaged through his clothes and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
It was a contract—previously signed with Rosalyn Kiss—written in his neat handwriting.
“What is this…?”
When he flipped to the back of the contract, she noticed there was another full page densely packed with added clauses.
“For now, we set the dating period to last until two weeks after the first play opens.”
“Two weeks?”
“If you prefer a different length, I can adjust it. Do you want it to be longer?”
“No… That’s not what I meant…”
Still unable to wrap her head around the situation, Autumn stared at him in confusion.
“So you’re saying… you want to contractually date me?”
“Yes. I’m proposing a contractual relationship. However, aside from the involved parties and a few members of the theater company, I request confidentiality…”
“W-Wait a minute.”
This whole thing is insane.
Autumn, slightly shaken, didn’t take the contract and staggered a bit.
“If you prefer, we can draw up a new contract. Since we’re already connected through a contract, adding one more clause won’t make much difference, right?”
Autumn, having lost her words, sat down blankly on the couch.
She sighed—a mix of disappointment and relief—and held her forehead.
“At first… I planned to refuse.”
This wasn’t a matter she could just decide casually.
“Why?”
But Randel once again stared at her with persistent intensity and asked.
“This would be the simplest and most effective way. Honestly, if we don’t do this, more rumors will spread behind your back.”
Then, more cautiously, he asked:
“…Do you already have someone else in mind?”
“Why are you saying it like that?”
Flustered from his earlier confession, Autumn snapped back.
“If not, then just date me. That’s all I’m asking.”
“If not, then just date me. That’s all I’m asking.”
He sounded like a child throwing a tantrum, and Autumn could only mutter weakly.
“…That’s easier said than done. It’s not something to decide lightly.”
Autumn wanted to be rational.
Honestly, ever since he brought up a fake proposal, she had sensed that a confession was coming.
She had told herself that if such a moment came, she would reject him.
But now that it actually happened, it would be a lie to say her heart wasn’t fluttering.
“…Strange. It seems simple to me.”
At his words, Autumn’s heart trembled again.
So, this is how light and simple our relationship is to him.
“If both parties agree, then that’s all we need.”
‘That “party” isn’t me…’
She couldn’t say that out loud and kept it buried inside.
Still pressing her, Randel handed her a pen.
“Now that we’re both here, go ahead. Sign.”
Autumn looked up at him, trying to pull herself together once more.
“…Must be nice for you.”
He looked puzzled by her words, spoken with downcast lips.
“You must be satisfied—maybe you didn’t get marriage, but at least you secured your spot next to me.”
“You’re right.”
Randel answered cheerfully, without hesitation.
Autumn gave him a sharp look with narrowed eyes.
“Don’t answer so quickly!”
But instead of taking the pen, she grumbled—and his next words were unexpectedly playful.
“Besides… this is my first time, you know.”
“…What is?”
Autumn puffed out her cheeks and stared at him.
He looked seriously at her and began to explain in a perfectly persuasive tone.
“Losing out is bad business. I’ve never made a deal like this before.”
He brushed dust off his collar and clasped his hands before continuing.
“So what is it?”
“This—directly asking someone to date me.”
“S-Stop saying it like that…”
His teasing tone made Autumn avert her eyes.
But Randel went on undeterred:
“It’s also the first time I’ve ever wanted to spend time with someone, even if it means sacrificing my personal time. I actually enjoy being alone, you know.”
“…And I’m always thankful for that.”
Randel smiled softly.
“Which is why I feel even more precious.”
“What nonsense are you talking about now? Sounds like you’re the one desperate here.”
Autumn puffed up her chest, raised her right hand proudly, and tried to assert herself.
“See? I’m Rosalyn Kiss, remember?”
“I-I hate to say this myself, but I am the one and only…”
But her bluff was short-lived. Randel nodded seriously, as if he was genuinely acknowledging her claim.
Faced with him, Autumn’s voice trailed off.
She knew well that the title wasn’t really hers—but acting like it was made her face flush red again.
“…Fine. In that case, it’s my turn now.”
Without hesitation, he gently placed his arm around Autumn’s waist and pointed toward the gold box on the bookshelf.
