Acting is War. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

It may not be grandiose like fighting beasts or becoming a hero but it's a struggle.

Ever since I could remember, I had been made fun of for wanting to become an actor; especially since I'm an awakened person.

But to tell it straight, I would trade it all just to become an actor. In fact, the day I awakened was the lowest moment of my life.

People always pushed me to become a hunter. I'd often hear them saying things like opportunities and luxurious life. But honestly, those things can go to hell for all I care.

It has always been my dream to be on that poorly lit stage with its cheap conditioning.

Its reputation is so bad, that I feel down even thinking about it. The thing is...people in my world don't care about entertainment like that.

People like me don't get to shine like the hunters who telegram their fights to the world. We live each day hoping to survive at least for tomorrow. As much as I want to say that I hate it, I truly can't…as it's the only thing I live for. It was also the reason I would die for. 

Now, I stand on the edge of a rooftop, knowing I have a regret-filled life. But I suppose a life like mine would benefit from having such a poetic end. 

I could already imagine the news for tomorrow.

The headline for tomorrow's paper will be 'Man found dead after jumping off the Amphi theatre'. I was nervous; if not evident by my sweating palms dripping onto the rusted steel railings. 

At least the world would go quiet for me...at least that's what I'd like to think. 

Just this morning, I was fired from my worthless job as a porter.

It's quite disappointing that not even one person would bother telling me not to jump—rather, I was hoping for someone to snap me out of this delusion. 

However, it's not the fact that I have no one by my side that's weighing on my mind. Rather, I find it more painful that I never got to make something of myself… Then again, that's what made me an amazing actor.

Frankly, it was the sole reason I managed to survive in the orphanage or the circus.

I've always hated the term orphan, maybe because it was the only thing that accurately described me. It wasn't until I was adopted into the circus that I realized how I wished it was the only thing that could describe me.

The curdling laughter—enough to make my inside boil—felt like scratches in my mind. 

My dream of becoming an actor was the only thing that managed to push me throughout the years. It wasn't until the opportunity was stolen away from me that I was put in this situation. 

Almost and always. 

I felt like an act without a crowd to perform for.

My arms, thinner than bark, felt frail along the railings while my fingertips, shriveled like prunes were turning the same violet color. 

Looking down, I start to see an unexpected crowd start to pile in the corner of my eye. 

Perhaps it was a sign that I ought to carry out my last.

It would be bad if they got a healer here before I can finish the job.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I prepare to take the glorious jump that will determine my life forever. 

[The constellation of "The World's Greatest Act" is watching you]

***

What…?

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

 Why now? Why would a constellation be watching me?

"It's quite tiring isn't it?" 

I instinctively turned back to see a boy in white, one whose complexion was something I couldn't forget even if I tried. He wore formal clothing--similar to those ivory tower kids that I'd see in the lobby of the guild's building back where I used to work at.

I remember having locked the door before I came here--going as far as to check if I was even followed. 

So how...

"What?" 

How the fuck did he get in here?

My fingers hardened to the ledge as I felt my mind screeching at the thought of who this man could be.

"Then again, if I were you I would do the same thing. "

"W-Who are you?!"

"It's a wonder you survived this long; no money; no family; no nothing–just another story that'll be forgotten-"

"Hey, aren't you going too far?!" 

His ridiculously blue eyes felt like they were peering deep into me as his smile slowly faded.

"I didn't finish speaking." 

His words rang deep into my mind. Whatever he was doing–how he was doing it–I knew it was a sign for me to shut up.

"Let's start over. Hi, I'm Masa it's nice to officially meet you." 

"..." 

For a moment, we locked eyes without any words towards each other. The silence felt heavier than the piling snow on my back.

It wasn't until his mischievous smile grinned as his body started to move playfully with the wind.

"Tell me, how old do you think this theatre is?" He asked me as my eyes struggled to track him with the falling snow. 

"Sorry?" My voice trembled with silence.

"The right answer's 25 years ago."

"Funny thing is people say it's over a hundred years old already...Some say it barely even qualifies as one."

"HAHAHAHAHA"

His eyes look at me with such a damp expression. I knew it was a facade. 

"Even the day it was made, people poked at it for themselves. Its quite sad if you think about it. The moment people made use of it, they immediately left it behind."

"Whenever I went here, it always felt like people never understood."

"The thing is, if they were to look a little deeper, maybe they'd see." 

This boy, as peculiar as he was, I had never met anyone like him. 

"But that's the thing that makes them blind to it."

"Sorry?" 

"If the change didn't happen, it would've been forgotten in the past a long time ago Kima. 

I haven't told him my name yet he acts as if he's familiar with me...this boy keeps getting stranger the more I get to know him.

"Change is a bitch"

"If things didn't change, do you think people would have loved it the same?" His eyes, as little as they were, seemed to look at me for genuine answers. 

"If they'd have changed, I wouldn't be here right now."

"I suppose that's a bad outcome then." His face grew a little saddened.

"If it weren't here, I wouldn't have any other reason for...well anything, I suppose," I answered as honestly as I could.

"Tell me, do you think that things would have been different if it had another chance?"

"..."

Before I could open my mouth, the turbulent wind pushed me off my balance

 At that moment, his arms reach out to my clothing holding me tightly despite the difference in our sizes. Looking closely, he was looked closely to my age, 21

It felt like a truck had hit me. I felt like panic excruciated throughout my entire body.

Right now, I'm at the mercy of this boy. As much as the thought seemed daunting, I felt relief in knowing I wouldn't spend my final moments alone.

"Last question. Before I let you do whatever this is, tell me... if you wanted to take your life so badly, why do you cling so badly? "

"...!"

His innocent eyes contrasted the coldness in mine. I have every reason to be mad at his boy but the one thing that seemed to stick out was how right he was 

Was this not what I wanted; to die at the place I loved most...?

Frankly, it was a little disappointing--to die the first moment I got to meet a constellation, even more so to be mocked by one.

For some strange reason, I couldn't forget the words he said to me earlier...If things had been different; if I had another chance; would things be better?

"Dunno…Ask me next time we meet, maybe then I'll have the answer."

In fact, I knew there wasn't a next time. I was just hoping that fate would at least be faithful to me then.

I thought he'd lashed out at me again. Instead, a great big smile greeted me as he let go of my shirt.

The winds felt sharper than the blades piercing my skin.

Every second felt longer to me as they all passed. Perhaps this is what they meant by reliving your final moments. I'd rather close my eyes than wait in anticipation.

[Ding]

[The Constellation of "The World's Greatest Act" wishes to meet with you privately, do you accept (y/n)?]

For a moment, my instincts take over as I reach out to press the only hope that I have left.