"And? Is that acting group the only acting group out there?" Harmony asked again after knowing that she was done.
"No, but they are among the top 5," Beatrice replied.
"Then, there is a top 1."
Beatrice blinked while Kathrine was speechless.
"They barely had any auditions," Beatrice replied, knowing what Harmony meant.
"Barely," Harmony repeated.
Beatrice pursed her lips.
"You have listed all the benefits of being in an acting group. Are you giving all of those up because you did not get the chance to stay in your first choice?" Harmony continued speaking indifferently.
But both Beatrice and Kathrine knew that this was her usual voice—it was not because she was being indifferent towards Beatrice's current situation but because she was simply like this as Harmony.
"Can I do it?" Beatrice couldn't help but ask.
"I already told you. You are talented…"
Harmony paused, causing the two to be confused.
"…you are more than qualified for that group."
Beatrice's eyes widened slightly.
How many have failed to enter that group?
She was kicked out of Limelight Collective, which was the top three in the acting groups around Juilliard.
The top one that Harmony wished for her to enter was Echelon Dominion—an acting group reigning in the top position for over four years now. The longest to hold the top rank since they hailed a lot of outstanding actors and actresses, who had performed in Hollywood and Broadway.
Some were even nominated for different awards, whether individually or in the films they starred in.
While it was about eight years ago when Limelight Collective became the top, it ended up in the top three now. It still hails a lot of good actors and actresses, and they are even slowly coming close to the second acting group.
In a year, they may end up becoming the top two.
As difficult as it was to enter Limelight Collective, entering Echelon Dominion is even more difficult.
"You are more than qualified for that group," Harmony repeated.
"That's right. I don't know how that place works, but I know what you are capable of—you are more than qualified," Kathrine readily agreed, giving Beatrice more confidence in herself.
She wiped away the remnants of tears in her eyes before nodding her head.
"Okay, I will do it. No matter how long it takes, I will do it."
…
Weeks after, Kathrine messaged the whole group's group chat, which they named 'Unyielding'.
It was the name Shawn came up with after they talked about what they all wanted to do in the future—except for Harmony, but she was still included in it.
They would all face different challenges, but he wished for all of them to be unyielding no matter what.
The message was accompanied by a picture.
A flute.
Kath: It was a good change of pace, doing something different from what I am studying.
Justin: I know why you chose that.
Justin was the first one to reply.
Kath: Whatever you say.
Shawn: That's a good choice.
Ken: Maybe I should try that as well.
Kath: It was fun. But difficult since I have no time to attend official training sessions. I can only learn online.
Shawn: You are at the beginning, Ken. You can't be distracted.
Shawn instantly stopped Kenneth, as he did not wish to receive some death glares from Emina.
Even though she agreed with Dylan, Shawn knew it was only because it was her elder brother who asked.
Bea: I envy you, Ken.
Ken: Nah, I'd rather envy you. The teacher was so strict.
Bea sent a laughing emoji followed by Kathrine and Justin.
Gabriel simply read the messages before looking down at the books that Harmony gave him.
This time, they were just copies and not the original ones, but it was fine since he needed these books. Though, as usual, Harmony did not tell him where she got these rare books from.
'Maybe I should try picking up that hobby again as well,' he thought.
He knew he was starting to get overwhelmed despite enjoying his studies.
The sheer amount of all that he was studying was also taking a toll on his mental capability.
Right now, he was even feeling like he was getting suffocated.
Gab: Thanks, Kath.
Kath: Huh?
Ken: Eh?
Shawn: ??
Justin: What was that about?
Despite the confusion, Gabriel did not offer any kind of explanation as to why he was thanking her.
Kath: Welcome, I guess. Even though you are not telling me why you are suddenly thanking me.
All throughout this conversation, Harmony gave it a passing glance before continuing her studies.
Meanwhile, Justin was practicing when he ended up sighing.
"What is it?" one of his colleagues asked.
"I'll just make a call."
After that, he stepped out and called Elson.
"Hello?"
"Hey, do you think Sister Fumi could teach someone?"
Fumi Yamamoto is Elson's girlfriend—someone he met at an orchestra when he went to Japan. She, in turn, migrated to Europe, where they once again met and became close.
"Huh? Where is this coming from?" Elson was obviously confused.
"Well, Kathrine. She started learning the flute but was too busy to learn in an official training class. Sister Fumi was doing online classes, right?"
"Oh," Elson reacted.
But the way he reacted caused Justin to squint his eyes.
"Very well, I'll ask her," Elson added, but Justin could hear a different tone from him.
"Thanks," though he chose not to say anything, knowing that he would just be teased even more.
'Can't one ask for help for a friend?' he complained, looking at his phone.
It was a genuine act—knowing full well that studying law is very difficult. Having a chance to have a breather through something else is a blessing enough.
And despite all their bickering, he truly treated Kathrine as his friend, together with Beatrice.