I! Cleaner!

"""

"No! This performance is utterly unacceptable! You're like a bunch of puppets hanging by strings!"

Backstage at the Central Cross Theater, after watching the final rehearsal before the performance, a middle-aged man in a crisply pressed double-breasted white suit, without a single crease on him, couldn't help but toss his top hat aside and angrily berated a group of actors,

"Emotions! Where are the emotions?

You're living people, not machines reciting the lines I wrote! If you want the audience to be captivated by your performance, then you must first be captivated yourselves!

Stop worrying about those entrance steps, fussing over physical expressions, thinking about lighting and positioning. Drama doesn't fear your mistakes, nor does it require precision. What it truly wants is for the audience to empathize with your performance!"

"Performances with pinpoint footsteps and movements more precise than a machine have no soul at all! A long, smoothly delivered monologue, where even the final notes of the aria have not a hint of variation, might not compare to a heartfelt cry!

You're really... damn it! With Andre banned and unable to take the stage, what kind of crap are you performing? You're ruining my script! A bunch of fools! I wish I could just use strings to direct your performance myself!"

The middle-aged man seemed to hold a very high position in the theater company. Despite being berated for a full ten minutes by him, not a single one among the dozens of renowned senior actors, who had toured half the world, dared to talk back. One timid actress even began to tremble and sob softly.

Upon hearing the actress's sobs, the middle-aged man seemed to realize he had gone too far. After a brief silence, he stopped yelling and instead directed the actors to go through the first act of "Twelve Days' Journey" again.

Unfortunately, even with all the skilled actors giving their all, their years of hard-earned acting skills still couldn't meet the minimum standards of the middle-aged man.

Seeing that this rehearsal was still so appalling, with no one living up to his expectations, the middle-aged man's barely suppressed anger could no longer be contained.

"A bunch of worthless fools! Foolish, useless fools!"

The middle-aged man ranted hysterically while throwing his crumpled hat on the floor and stomping on it, using all his strength to crush it beyond recognition.

After venting most of his disappointment and anger, the middle-aged man found himself wanting to go through it all again. But when he glanced at his watch and realized it was already showtime, he sighed deeply in disappointment and extended his hand to the incompetent actors.

"I guess I can't rely on you... I'll do it myself!"

With his regretful sigh, a row of large lights above the stage suddenly illuminated, completely lighting up the prop- and scene-filled backstage. A series of puppets began to rise slightly as the middle-aged man moved his hands.

The female lead of "Twelve Days' Journey," Agatha, wearing a waitress's uniform, had a face that was shedding tear-shaped droplets formed from wood. They rolled down her cheeks and plopped onto the backstage floor.

...

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

After quickly entering the reserved couple's box, Leon found himself being tugged by Princess Veronica, who lifted her skirt with her legs and bent down unceremoniously, adjusting the chairs for Leon and herself to find the best viewing angle.

"Come on!"

She patted the empty seat beside her, urging with excitement,

"Hurry and sit down. When we were coming in, I saw the announcer ready to take the stage. The first scene of the first act of 'Twelve Days' Journey' is about to start, and if you don't sit down soon, you'll miss it!"

"..."

Sitting down wasn't the issue... but are you sure this chair is meant for two?

Seeing how the Princess took up more than half of the double-seat chair, Leon couldn't help but ask,

"Isn't this box's chair a bit narrow?"

Why else would it be called a couple's box?

Hearing Leon's question, Princess Veronica, who was eagerly looking towards the stage, responded with a sly smile at the corner of her mouth.

Central Cross Theater certainly wasn't short on funds, so the chair was deliberately made narrow. With the couple's box seating width, even two slender women sitting together wouldn't have much space to spare. A man and a woman sitting together would definitely be squeezed together by the armrests.

And for a drama averaging over three hours, it's impossible for most people to sit with their legs together and perfectly poised the entire time. They'd definitely try to change positions... like one person sitting on the chair while the other person sits on their lap~

"Not too narrow at all, just perfect for two people!"

Even though she was fully aware of the situation, the Princess, with ulterior motives, naturally wouldn't make it clear to Leon.

After trying her best to scoot over and make room for Leon, Princess Veronica urged with her pursed lips,

"Sit down quickly, the curtain's already drawn, and the opening instruments are playing!"

"Alright then..."

Although he still thought it was somewhat narrow, seeing the curtain on the stage already drawn, Leon didn't say more and sat down in the half-space the Princess made available.

And when he sat down, the Princess, who had been holding herself back, relaxed and her soft curvaceous body pressed against his. Even through the layers of clothing, warmth and astonishing elasticity were conveyed.

"..."

So that's why...

Realizing the reason for the narrow chair, Leon instinctively pulled back a bit, but the Princess took advantage of the situation, leaning in shamelessly.

Her cold fingertips sneakily found Leon's right hand, entwining their fingers with a slightly cool feeling.

I just knew, this is definitely the Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair!

"It does feel... a bit snug..."

As his arm was continuously pulled to the right, his elbow brushing against something soft, Leon's mouth twitched slightly, and he whispered,

"I could just stand and watch..."

"Shh!"

With her index finger in front of her lips, showing a gesture for silence, the victorious Princess warned in a stern voice that carried a smug tone,

"You need to stay quiet while watching a drama, but if you insist on talking, you can wrap your arm around my back and whisper it into my shoulder~"

"..."

Guess I'll just sit...

Having no way to counter her antics, Leon abandoned the idea of watching from a standing position and sat stiffly in the chair.

Meanwhile, the coastal tune full of harbor ambiance on the stage was wrapping up. An actor playing a 'narrator,' holding shell-like bells, boomed in a voice against the backdrop of ocean organ and surf drum sounds,

"Ankara, in this serene harbor town, has no shortage of tides and sea breezes, nor of young souls yearning to find solace amidst its beautiful and expansive waves..."

As the "narrator" delivered the introduction with clear diction, a male puppet in a white outfit sauntered out from behind a wooden stage prop, sighing sorrowfully,

"Only twelve more days... In twelve days, I will no longer be a free soul, but a caged bird soaring within strange confines..."

Wait, something doesn't seem right?

Watching the male lead "Elijah" lament on stage, Leon raised his hand to rub his eyes in disbelief.

*What am I watching? A drama or a puppet show? Why is the male lead on stage a talking marionette?*

"""