Kodai Tatta

Refusal was a word he thought he should have gotten used to by now. It was heard too often: in short messages, in awkward pauses after speeches, in the silence that followed the words "we'll call you back." However, every time, something inside him stubbornly disagreed with it.
He sent the request again. Without any special expectations, rather out of habit. But this time... you.
The answer came quickly. He was invited to a live casting.
In a small hall, several people were sitting on chairs, not laughing, hardly moving, and writing something down. He knew that look, had seen it before. The three minutes of the scene flew by too fast. About halfway through, he realized that he hadn't put the squeeze on it. The last joke hung in the air without finding a response.
"Thanks." Someone said dryly.
«Next one.»
He froze for a second, as if he was waiting for something else. At least a hint, but nothing followed. Only other people's footsteps behind his back. He left the stage, already mentally ticking off another rejection.
The days dragged on as usual. At first, he checked his phone more often than usual, then less often, and then he almost stopped. Usually, if they didn't respond in the first couple of days, it meant refuse.
The notification came unexpectedly. He almost brushed it away without looking, as he had done dozens of times before. But something caught my eye.
From you.
He opened the message and ran my eyes over it once. Then another one. The words didn't change. You accepted him. It was strangely quiet for a second. He even pinched himself, as if checking reality, and exhaled softly, half laughing, half disbelieving.
Without hesitation, he immediately went to you. The door opened almost soundlessly. It was empty inside. It's too empty. Last time, there weren't many people, but at least they were sitting in the shade, rustling papers, exchanging glances.
"Hello...?" his voice sounded a little quieter than he had planned.