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Chapter – 13
‘What should I call myself? Will there be a seat with my name on it?’
With a mix of excitement and anticipation, he arrived at the pub — just an ordinary one on the street. But to his surprise, every seat had a number and a name written on a piece of paper.
Radius couldn’t find his own name among them, but he could tell where his seat was.
Because one of the seats had a label that read:
<No. 7. Secret Sponsor>
“…Ahem.”
Radius sat down in that seat.
After ordering a modest cocktail from the waiter, he glanced around. The other people seated at the named spots were all different sorts — an elderly woman, an old man, a soldier, a young lady…
Counting himself, there were only about seven of them.
He thought he’d come a bit early, but at exactly 8 o’clock, Mina appeared. Judging from the fact that she came in through the door connected to the kitchen rather than the main entrance, she must have been preparing beforehand.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Mina Martínez. Thank you so much for coming today.”
Everyone gave a small round of applause.
“Two weeks ago, the final performance of Duke Kusakov, my first starring role, came to an end.”
Without her stage makeup, Mina was simply lovely. Even without the heavy cosmetics, her beauty was undeniable — she was a natural-born beauty. Her gracefully draped golden hair and blue eyes were dazzling.
“I couldn’t just let this year end without properly thanking you all for the gifts and fan letters you’ve sent me, so I arranged this little get-together.”
Radius was surprised. Apparently, some of the people here had personally sent Mina gifts or letters.
“I was able to come this far from being an unknown actress all thanks to your support. I sincerely thank you again.”
Mina bowed her head several times. Each time, the small group clapped, focused entirely on her.
“I wondered what I could give back to you. Since you’re all musical lovers, I thought it would be nice to sing a few songs and share some light refreshments.”
No sooner had she said that than the ordered cocktails arrived, accompanied by platters of finger food — and beside them, a small piece of paper.
It listed the first and last songs, and between them, each seat number — along with a note that Mina would sing a song chosen by the person at that seat.
There was just one condition: the song had to be from a musical she had performed in.
Should I have thought of a song in advance? he wondered.
Before he could dwell on it, Mina began the first song listed on the paper.
It was a familiar tune — one from The Little Mermaid, when she had played the role of the witch.
As soon as the first notes rang out, memories of the first time he’d heard it came flooding back. Mina’s voice was as powerful as ever, and when that eerie, wicked expression — the witch’s expression — appeared on her beautiful face, she looked like a completely different person.
Ah, I’m so glad I came today.
That thought crossed his mind almost immediately.
When the first song ended, Mina walked over to the woman seated in the first seat and greeted her.
“Hello! It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve been wanting to see you for a long time. You were the one who sent me my very first fan letter back when I was still unknown, weren’t you?”
“Oh, you remember me?”
“Of course I do, Ms. Sandra Neri. I used to read your letters whenever I felt like giving up. They gave me so much strength.”
“Wow…”
“Is there a song you’d like to hear tonight?”
“Uh, yes, I’d like to hear…”
Even though she was trembling, the woman managed to answer clearly.
One by one, Mina went around to each fan’s seat, asking what song they wanted to hear, explaining a little about it, and then performing it for them.
In between songs, she sipped water and even accepted small gifts from the fans.
Should I have brought a gift too?
Radius regretted not doing so — though it wasn’t as if everyone had brought something. It seemed everyone at least had a letter, though.
From her conversations, he gathered that everyone present had sent her fan letters before — long, frequent, or particularly memorable ones…
Everyone except Radius.
So as Mina gradually approached his seat, his mind turned blank — bleached white with panic.
The fan right before him was a soldier, and he nervously asked,
“Miss Mina… could I have your autograph?”
“An autograph?”
“Yes.”
His hand trembled as he held out his notebook. Seeing that, the others hesitantly followed suit, asking for signatures as well.
While everyone else scrambled for paper, Radius just sat there in a daze.
He didn’t know what to do.
After finishing the song for the soldier, Mina finally reached Radius’s seat.
“Hello?”
“Ah…”
Her greeting stunned him into silence.
“To be honest, I didn’t think you’d come today.”
Her tone made it sound like she was certain he was the Secret Sponsor, and Radius reflexively blurted out,
“I—I’m the secretary.”
His voice trembled with nerves.
“Oh, I see. Still, I’m so glad you came. I thought this seat would be empty, so it makes me really happy that you came on their behalf.”
“N-no, not at all.”
Her blue eyes were so clear that the reflection of his own face in them felt almost unreal.
Up close, she’s even cuter.
“What song would you like to hear?”
“Pardon?”
“Is there a song you’d like to hear?”
“Uh…”
Wow, she’s really beautiful.
“Um, Mr. Secret Sponsor?”
“…Yes.”
“Would you like me to sign something for you?”
Mina looked at the handkerchief he had been clutching ever since others started asking for autographs.
“Uh? Oh—y-yes.”
Mina gently took the handkerchief from his hand. For a fleeting moment, her fingers brushed his — soft and delicate — and the fabric slipped away.
The feeling was so vivid it sent chills down his spine.
“What name should I write it to?”
“Huh?”
“I usually write the fan’s name under the signature.”
“R-Radi…”
“Alright, I’ll write it to ‘Radi.’”
She deftly signed her name on the handkerchief.
“Is there no song you’d like to hear?”
“Uh…”
“Maybe a musical I performed in that left an impression on you?”
“Uh…”
He was too flustered to answer properly.
“Then… may I choose one myself?”
“Y-yes.”
Looking back, it was a foolishly awkward moment — but Mina simply smiled, handed the handkerchief back, and said,
“Do you remember ‘The World Beyond the Sea’, the main theme from The Little Mermaid?”
“Y-yes.”
“I’ve always loved that song. I wasn’t the lead in that musical, but I’d like to sing it for you now.”
The other fans clapped and cheered, and Radius joined them halfheartedly, still dazed.
Mina cleared her throat softly and began to sing.
This sea is familiar to me now.
But I long to see the world beyond it.
They say there are legs instead of fins — to walk, to run.
And there are things called birds that fly in the sky.
They move through the air as if swimming,
living without water, breathing a different life.
I’m curious — I want to grow up soon,
so I too can meet that new world.
A world with no water,
filled with untouchable air.
What is walking? What is running? What is flying?
I want to see, to feel, to experience it all.
Show me —
The world beyond the sea.
Radius sat, entranced, watching her perform. Everyone else surely felt the same.
He couldn’t help but think Mina should have played the lead in The Little Mermaid.
Is it really okay to hear something this beautiful for free?
His throat dry, he downed the rest of his cocktail like water.
When the final song ended, Mina bowed gracefully and said,
“Thank you all so much. I wish you wonderful days for the rest of this year — and happiness and joy in the year to come. Thank you, always, for your love and support.”
