Odette watched the scene, stirring the porridge in her bowl with her spoon.
The porridge had cooled a little, and a thin skin had formed on the surface. She stirred it twice, then stopped, her gaze drifting involuntarily to the side.
Varesa had her head turned toward Bai You, speaking to her in a low voice, a hint of laughter at the end of her words.
Bai You held the soft-boiled egg, taking small bites. Yolk seeped out and stained the corner of her mouth, and Varesa reached over to wipe it away.
Odette looked away and lowered her head to take a mouthful of porridge. It was lukewarm and nearly tasteless.
As she chewed the pickled radish in her mouth, she suddenly felt that breakfast was taking longer than usual.
That strange feeling had returned.
She couldn't say what it was. It wasn't anger, nor was she unhappy-she had no reason to be unhappy. It was a good thing that Varesa was willing to look after the newcomer.
Bai You was so timid; she did need someone to guide her.
She remembered how Varesa had been the same way last night, taking her own blanket and running off to squeeze into the storage room and sleep with Bai You.
"Odette?"
She looked up. Varesa was watching her, one eyebrow slightly raised. "You're awfully quiet today, and you keep spacing out. Are you feeling unwell?"
"No." Odette put down her spoon. "I'm full."
She really didn't have much appetite. There was nearly half a bowl of porridge left, but she pushed it aside, picked up her glass, and took a sip.
Varesa thought nothing more of it and turned back to say something to Bai You.
Odette looked away, her fingers wandering aimlessly along the edge of the table.
Breakfast ended later than usual. Varesa helped clear away the bowls and chopsticks. Bai You followed behind, wanting to help, but Varesa pressed her back into her chair. "Just sit there. I'll take care of it."
Bai You wanted to help, but Varesa sounded serious, so she obediently sat back down.
Odette leaned against the doorframe and watched. Only after Varesa had wiped her hands and walked over did she speak.
"What time are we rehearsing today?"
"Rehearsing?"
Varesa froze for a moment, then slapped her forehead.
"Oh, right, we need to put that piece together today-the one where I sing and you dance."
"Let's do it a little later."
"I've already copied the accompaniment onto the sound system, so we can just rehearse with it."
"And also..." Varesa scratched her cheek, glanced at Bai You, then looked back at Odette.
"We need to buy Bai You some clothes. She's still wearing the outfit of mine she wore yesterday."
"I'll go shopping with her first," Varesa said.
Odette nodded lightly. "All right."
"Why don't you come with us?"
"Never mind. I've never been very interested in that sort of thing. You two go, but remember to come back early."
Varesa noticed nothing amiss and waved at her. "I'm off, then! I'll bring you something tasty tonight!"
"Mm."
The two went out one after the other. Varesa's voice drifted back from the hallway as she talked about which shop had pretty dresses.
Odette stood where she was, listening as their footsteps gradually faded.
The room was quiet. The half glass of milk Bai You hadn't finished was still on the dining table, with a faint lip print on the side of the glass.
She walked over and poured the milk into the sink.
Water rushed noisily. She stared at the swirling, milky-white whirlpool. It felt so strange without Varesa there.
But with someone to keep Varesa company, there would be far fewer "rest" days arranged for her by Varesa in the future, and she would have more time to practice dancing and train.
After a while, Odette decided to put those thoughts aside for the time being and go to the dance studio to practice first...
When she arrived at the dance studio, she put on her pointe shoes, stood up, and found her starting position.
Music flowed from the sound system. It was a familiar melody, one she had danced to countless times. But at the second beat, she stopped.
That was where Varesa's voice was supposed to come in.
Normally, at this point, Varesa's singing would drift over from a corner of the practice room, steadily supporting her movements.
Not today. There was only piano on the accompaniment track, no singing.
The only sounds in the dance studio were her own breathing and the distant bustle of the streets outside the window.
She walked silently to the mirror.
The rehearsal notes were kept in a folder beside the barre. She turned to the page.
Beside the breakdown of the movements, Varesa had written in crooked yet utterly adorable handwriting: "Slow down here, follow Odette's breathing."
She looked at it for a long time.
What a strange feeling, not being used to this.
Then she gently closed the folder and walked to the window.
She looked toward the shopping street. Varesa and Bai You were over there.
Varesa would probably hold up two dresses against Bai You, comparing them back and forth. She would say, "This color suits you," and naturally straighten her collar for her.
Odette rested her forehead against the window and suddenly felt that it was nice having Varesa around too. It made things a little livelier.
As for these two chapters, I've already made major revisions to them, and they're both much shorter now. This part of the story might be a little boring.