“Romeo in Wonderland,” as the title suggests—a mix of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”—was a departure from the serious, realist plays the theater society had previously put on.

“Are you sure this play is going to be fun, Han Yooil?” Jiyu asked.

Yooil nodded in response.

“It really is fun. The characters are great too.”

“I’m glad. I wanted to put on a fun play before I graduate.”

Heo Jiyu said this as she downed a caffeinated beverage. Her dark circles had deepened since the first time Yooil saw her.

“…Are you sleeping enough, Noona?”

“Of course. I get at least two hours a day.”

“…”

Brion spoke softly.

 

【It seems that the information about humans during this period overcoming physiological needs with caffeine was not an exaggeration.】

Hearing this made Yooil curious about how future humans overcame their physiological needs. Of course, ‘future knowledge’ wouldn’t be shared.

As such, the theater society’s performance day was approaching without any incidents.

Until ‘that news’ was heard.

“…What, the acting department’s musical schedule has changed?”

Heo Jiyu frowned and asked. The youngest stage crew member looked distraught.

“There was an issue with the equipment, so they moved the dates, and it’s now the same as ours, September 27th to 29th… The times are the same too.”

Unlike the theater society, which used the small theater in the student council building, the acting department held their plays in a theater in the Art Building.

The clashing performance was a project by the third-year students. At first glance, it didn’t seem like a significant problem, but the crucial point lay elsewhere.

“Ji Eunho is one of the actors in that performance…”

 

Ji Eunho.

He was the famous leader of the idol group ‘Black Sea.’ Yooil hadn’t been aware of his presence, but it seemed he had been attending school all this while.

‘I heard he enrolled in our university’s acting department.’

Moonmyung University’s Theater Arts Society sold tickets through fundraising and then sold the remaining tickets on-site. There were considerable expenses involved in renting the school theater, buying stage props, and installing partitions.

Everyone’s expression turned serious.

“Many people are already asking to cancel their tickets. What should we do…”

“What can we do? For now, we have to cancel for those who are asking.”

Though she spoke as if it were nothing, Heo Jiyu’s expression darkened as well.

【The theater scheduled for ‘Romeo in Wonderland’ has a capacity of about 60 people. With a total of 6 performances, it can accommodate up to 360 audience members. The acting department’s practical production performance has the same capacity.】

‘How many have pre-booked our performance so far?’

 

【A total of 32 people have pre-booked ‘Romeo in Wonderland.’】

32 people meant about 5 people per performance.

‘And the acting department’s performance?’

【All performances are sold out.】

It was expected. Even if it’s the same student performance, a show with a famous entertainer can’t be beaten. The president tried to keep a cheerful tone.

“Hey, it’s okay! Everyone, just promote it more to your acquaintances, and we’ll be fine, okay?”

“Yes…” 

Uncertain responses were heard. 

It was then Brion spoke in his monotone voice, 

【In the current situation, promoting through SNS seems to be the most effective.】

‘Isn’t Shining Star already doing the promotion?’ 

Shining Star was one of the apps widely used by people in their 20s and 30s, commonly referred to as ‘ShaStar’, a popular SNS. 

After a few seconds of silence, Brion continued, 

【Among the students currently taking the ‘Understanding Modern Literature’ course with Mr. Yooil, there is one named Lee Hyejin. It would be good to gift her the first ticket to the performance.】

‘…Suddenly?’ 

【Lee Hyejin is a BlueChat user with tens of thousands of followers. BlueChat is a platform where you communicate in real-time within a limited number of characters, and it’s an SNS frequently used by those who are fond of certain figures or works. According to calculations, this method would yield the most effective promotional results…】

Wait a minute… 

‘…Why do you even know that?’ 

Misinterpreting Yooil’s troubled expression, Heo Jiyu gently patted his shoulder, saying, 

“It’s okay. It’s not like we’re trying to make money or anything.” 

“No, that’s not what I mean…” 

“Just apply for a school support program next semester. You can even ask the professors.” 

Hearing Jiyu’s forced cheerfulness, Yooil silently nodded. 

If it’s the ‘Understanding Modern Literature’ class… that’s tomorrow. 

* * *

‘Ah, this is so boring. I want to go home.’ 

The class was almost over. Despite its title, the course was mostly theoretical, and Lee Hyejin, who had hoped for a creative writing class, found it difficult and hard to concentrate. She yawned, discreetly scrolling through her BlueChat feed with one hand. 

[@qmfforvjcjehfdl Next week there’s a Ji Eunho performance at Moonmyung University omg] 

 

[@gmrgmr No, our guy’s concert tickets sold out as soon as they were available, I’m crying. Is there anyone willing to transfer theirs… probably not, right? I know, I’m just crying lol] 

Many of her mutuals were fans of Black Sea. That was the reason her feed had been like this for the past few days. She too knew that Ji Eunho would be performing, though she wasn’t sure what the event was. 

‘It’s been a while since I saw a play or a musical.’ 

Maybe I’ll book a theater on Daehak-ro after class. With that thought, Hyejin looked away from her phone. Just then, the bell rang at the perfect moment. 

As she was about to leave the classroom with her bag, someone blocked her way. It was a fairly tall person. Hyejin lifted her head to see the person obstructing her path. 

‘This person is…’ 

It was someone who caught her eye whenever the professor persistently questioned the students, delivering clear answers in a pleasant voice. 

‘…Up close, he’s quite handsome.’ 

Caught off guard by her own thoughts, Hyejin was brought back to reality by an unexpected voice. 

“You’re Lee Hyejin, right?” 

“Yes, that’s me.” 

“I’m putting on a performance at school, and I was hoping you could come and see it.” 

“A performance… you say?”

And then, he handed her a temporary ticket.

“Present this at the booth on the day of the performance, and it will be exchanged for an official ticket.”

‘Romeo in the Wonderland?’

Surprised, Hyejin accepted the ticket as the man flashed a brief smile.

In that moment, the clutter in Hyejin’s mind seemed to untangle and clear.

“Yes! I’ll definitely come.”

“Thank you.”

The man spoke smoothly.

“And Hyejin. Thank you for the thoughtful feedback on the last essay assignment.”

…What? Hyejin’s mind raced.

Right. There was such an assignment. An essay uploaded to the electronic classroom as a midterm replacement, with peer feedback given over the weekend.

‘But… that was only because you provided excessively detailed feedback on my essay!’

But by the time she could articulate her thoughts, the man had already left after a polite farewell. Hyejin, who had nearly felt a flutter of excitement, managed to calm herself down.

‘A play, huh? My first time at a school play.’

She was even more pleased as she had been contemplating watching a play in Daehak-ro.

“The performance… it’s next week, right?”

* * *

On the day of the performance, the student union’s small theater was bustling with theater club members.

Yooil, dressed in a loose white shirt, knit vest, and black pants, styled his hair with wax and applied simple makeup. The makeup team members had a serious conversation while looking at Yooil’s face.

 

“Wow… Yooil, you should always look like this. Showing your forehead really brings out your features.”

“No, he’s pretty even with bangs.”

“It’s thanks to the makeup artist.”

“Hey, your skin is so good, we barely had to touch it.”

As Yooil was modestly fixing his attire, a stage team staff member, whom he had become close with while preparing for the play, whispered to him.

“I heard professors and seniors from the first show are coming to watch, including one who already debuted as a writer in Daehak-ro.”

“Wow, there’s a senior who’s already working as a writer?”

“Yeah. It’s been about 3 years since they graduated, and I heard they’re still writing scripts for plays.”

Yooil knew the theater club was renowned but didn’t expect there to be a senior already working as a writer.

Heo Jiyu clapped her hands loudly and shouted.

“Everyone, let’s just do as well as we did during practice.”

And then Jiyu approached Yooil, whispering softly.

“Yooil, don’t worry. Just do as you did in practice.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Jiyu patted Yooil’s shoulder and walked towards the booth. Watching her back, the reality of the situation began to sink in for Yooil.

Han Yooil clenched and unclenched his fists. A tingling sensation of anticipation bubbled inside him.

‘I’m starting to feel nervous.’

【Heart rate normal. Body temperature normal. Oxygen saturation normal. Slightly nervous but overall stable. The performance is about to start, switching to ‘Do Not Disturb mode’.】

‘Do Not Disturb mode? That’s a thing?’

I should have used it earlier.

At that moment, a faint light escaped from the stage team member’s phone, its brightness turned down to the lowest. It was the theater chat room, kept open to listen for directions.

– 15 minutes to the performance.

– House music on.

.- Audience admission is starting!

* * *

Lee Hyejin was unaware there was a small theater in the basement of the student union until she came to watch the play.

‘There are more people than I expected.’

It was 3 PM, and she thought there wouldn’t be many people, but there were quite a few, most of whom seemed to be acquaintances and seniors of the theater club.

‘…But will this be any good?’

It was her first time watching a student performance, and frankly, she didn’t have high expectations for a performance put on by students from departments other than acting.

As she was enjoying the soothing house music, the lights in the auditorium gradually dimmed. Then, a woman dressed in black appeared on the empty stage. She seemed to be the director of the play.

“Hello everyone, we sincerely thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here. To ensure a smooth viewing experience, please either turn off your phones or switch them to airplane mode. Also, please note that you won’t be able to enter or leave during the performance!”

After the director swiftly concluded the announcements, the theater was engulfed in complete darkness. The sounds of chairs creaking as people moved, coughs, and other noises filled the air.

‘I hope it’s interesting.’

Even if it wasn’t a highly anticipated play, Hyejin didn’t want to give a sugar-coated review, especially not to that courteous student from another department. Thinking of Han Yooil, who had spoken to her so politely, she clenched her hands tightly.

Soft and poetic piano music began to flow. And the next moment, light filled the stage.

‘…!’

In the center of the stage lay a woman. She was wearing a long white lace dress, her face pale as she lay there.

Not long after, another actor stepped onto the stage.

Upon seeing the actor’s face, Lee Hyejin gasped.

‘It’s him…!’

Han Yooil on stage looked like a completely different person. Her initial joy was soon replaced by a deep focus on the play.

At that point, Hyejin had no idea.

That she would become someone who would keep coming back to student performances.