Ch. 1: A Brief Comment in Passing
Circo in the Land of Admiration, Month of Rainbow…-
Wrapped in a bright light, another prince was awakened…-.
??: “Ugh…”
When the light faded, there stood a young man with an innocent face and ruby-red eyes.
??: “Where…am I?”
He let out a soft moan and his eyes fluttered shut.
OO: “Are you alright?”
??: “…”
For a time, the young man appeared in a daze as he stared intently at the palm of his hand as if checking for something.
??: “Good, I’m not dead yet.”
OO: “Yes, it’s really…-“
In the next instant…-.
??: “Dying without the memory of the pain…I don’t want that.”
OO: “Eh…?”
I blinked, not understanding the meaning of his words.
(Memory of the pain…?)
I tilted my head to the side, and the young man rose with determination.
He then eyed me up and down.
??: “You saved me?”
OO: “Yes. I’m OO.”
Drole: “I’m Drole. I see, if you woke me then…I guess that makes you the Princess of Traumere.”
Drole was blunt as he spoke, then he let out a short sigh.
Drole: “And what’s worse I was saved by an adult… a little annoying, but whatever. Even though you’re an adult, you make a good impression.”
(Annoying…? Did I… do something to offend him?)
After some consideration, Drole once again gave me a fleeting glance.
Drole: “Since you’re already here, how about you come see our circus?”
OO: “A circus?”
Drole: “Yeah. I’m part of a circus troupe.”
Just like that, Drole turned his back on me and started walking.
Drole: “Oh right, I have a favor to ask. Next time I’m trapped in a ring, I want you to make it hurt. With the power of a grownup from Traumere. If you don’t, well… ah, I have a feeling bad things will happen.”
OO: “…”
I had no idea how to respond to that, so I kept silent.
(What a strange person…)
Drole skipped forward, and the wind ruffled his unruly hair as it swept across the grassy plain.
Ch. 2: Love of Piercings
Drole: “Oh right, I have a favor to ask. Next time I’m trapped in a ring, I want you to make it hurt. With the power of a grownup from Traumere. If you don’t, well… ah, I have a feeling bad things will happen.”
————————
As I thought on what Drole had said, I walked with him to the village of Circo.
(What on earth was that…?)
Yet the entire way here, Drole hadn’t spoken to me at all.
Drole: “…”
It was like him turning his back on me was a pointed refusal to talk to me.
(He said I was annoying… I wonder if he even wanted me to come with him.)
As I felt awkward at the sense of distance between us…
(Huh?)
An idyllic atmosphere surrounded Circo and it made me feel out of place.
(Come to think of it, I haven’t seen a single adult in this entire town… it’s nothing but children. I wonder where the adults are.)
While dwelling on the strangeness of it all, I still hesitated to ask Drole about it…
We continued like that until we finally arrived at the circus tent.
Drole: “We’re here. The practice area for the circus.”
Inside the tent, the energetic voices of the troupe members practicing filled the air.
OO: “Wow…!”
As the spotlight shone down, I was captivated by the children performing acts I hadn’t even thought humanly possible.
OO: “They’re all amazing! What do you do Drole…-“
In the excitement, I turned to Drole and…
Drole: “…”
OO: “…!?”
I didn’t know when it happened, but Drole was now holding a sharp needle in his hand.
Drole: “…”
Suddenly, Drole was smiling in pleasure.
(Eh…?)
Unaware of my confused expression…Drole rolled up the hem of his clothes and pointed the needle at his stomach.
OO: “…!”
As the sharp needle pricked his skin, I reflexively looked away.
However…
Drole: “Haa…”
What I heard next was a voice raised in ecstasy.
OO: “No!”
I reflexively cried out as the needle pricked his skin.
Drole: “Hm…?”
But I was too late, and the needle pierced Drole’s stomach.
Drole: “Aah, so good… and I did a beautiful job. How irresistible.”
It looked as if he were in ecstasy as his eyes glossed over and his head lolled, then he quickly pulled out the needle, grabbed a piercing that was on the table, and placed it in the opening he’d created.
Drole: “Nn…”
With that, he finally turned to face me and gave a gentle smile.
Drole: “…what do you think?”
OO: “What…do I think…?”
Drole: “Of my new piercing. Does it look good?”
OO: “Eh…ah, well…”
The piercing itself was pretty, but I had no words for having seen the process…
OO: “…it looks painful, I guess.”
Drole: “Hehe…”
As he readjusted his clothing, Drole smiled in satisfaction.
(Now that I look, he has a lot of piercings in his ears too…)
OO: “…Drole, do you like piercings?”
Drole: “Yeah, they look good right? Do you have any? I can do it for you and make a beautiful hole.”
OO: “I-I’m fine!”
Drole: “You don’t have to be afraid. Or is it… you’ll get mad and say piercings are bad? Since you’re an adult.”
OO: “That’s not it…”
Drole: “Really? That’s alright then!”
(Ah… he has a cute smile.)
As he aimed that delighted smile at me, I knew Drole was opening up to me a little.
(That makes me happy, but…)
But in the end, I still didn’t know how I should respond to him.
Ch. 3: A World of Only Children
Drole: “Or is it… you’ll get mad and say piercings are bad? Since you’re an adult.”
OO: “That’s not it…”
Drole: “Really? That’s alright then!”
————————
After that…
(Drole said the inside of the tent was kind of cramped so we would go to the castle but…)
I accompanied Drole as he walked through the streets of Circo, seeing no one other than children.
Unlike when I’d first arrived, Drole was now talking to me about different things.
(I’m glad he doesn’t hate me. If I’m being honest, I still don’t completely understand him but…)
Drole: “The castle is just ahead, so we’re almost there.”
OO: “Alright.”
Drole was pointing at a magnificent castle that towered over everything else.
OO: “…”
(What is this…feeling?)
I had felt something nagging at me the entire time we’d been walking through Circo…
Children: “…”
(They’re looking at me…)
The children of the town were looking at me strangely, and I again felt out of place at the sensation of ‘no adults’…-.
Drole: “This is my room. Relax.”
I was at a loss for words as I entered his room.
OO: “Eh…”
What I saw was a room, neat and orderly, decorated with what appeared to be various torture devices…
(He told me to relax, but I can’t…)
Drole: “What’s wrong? Are you scared?”
OO: “…!”
I jumped as he examined my expression.
His beautiful red eyes looked at me in wonder.
OO: “N-no. It’s just quite a collection. Are these all yours?”
Drole: “Yeah they are. It’s pretty impressive right?”
With rapt attention, Drole picked up what looked like a pair of scissors and…
OO: “Um…they look a little scary…I guess?”
Drole: “Hmm, really? You’re scared even though you’re an adult.”
With a look of pride, Drole shifted the position of the scissor-like item.
OO: “Um…they look like they’d be painful?”
Drole: “Hehe, of course! Here, look at this. It’s wicked sharp.”
Drole smiled as if overcome with joy.
Drole: “But don’t worry, these aren’t for using on people. And a lot of them are broken.”
(He says that…but then why does he have them?)
OO: “Is this set dressing for the circus…or something?”
Drole: “…I wonder. Anyway, for now they’re decoration.”
He held the scissors up to the light and his expression was once again overcome with ecstasy.
(…I still don’t get him.)
Drole: “Oh? You suddenly seem to have lost your energy, are you alright?”
OO: “Eh…oh, um…”
He giggled as I stumbled.
Drole: “Your expression says, ‘I just don’t get it’. It’s fine, don’t worry. I already know that adults can’t understand this kind of stuff.”
He spoke without any hesitation, then looked up at the clock.
Drole: “Ah, it’s almost time for practice. My specialty is the high-wire act. Do you want to come and watch me practice?”
(Ah…)
I was filled with relief as I saw his carefree smile.
(He looks like a kid when he smiles like that…)
OO: “I’d love to if it isn’t a bother.”
Drole: “Alright, then let’s go.”
Drole gently took my hand in his and I had a strange feeling, like I couldn’t say whether that hand belonged to an adult or a child…-.
…
……
In the practice area, the child troupe members were still working hard.
(It really is only children…)
Mustering my resolve, I decided to try asking Drole.
OO: “Um, are there only children here?”
I was nervous as I asked, and Drole smiled as if that was the natural way of things.
Drole: “Because we don’t need adults here.”
OO: “Um, are there no adults here?”
At my question, Drole looked slightly angry.
Drole: “Is there a reason they should be?”
In the next instant…
Drole: “Brother Nero says that adults are liars. That’s why we don’t need them.”
His explanation was matter-of-fact, and for some reason I felt a chill go up my spine.
OO: “Nero…?”
Drole: “He’s the circus’ ringmaster. And what the ringmaster says goes, right?”
OO: “Is that right…?”
Drole: “Yeah. He says adults are all bad. That’s why they’re all gone.”
(What does that mean…? Did something happen?)
I stood there confused and not understanding when one of the troupe members came close.
Troupe Member: “Good work Prince Drole!”
Immediately after they smiled at Drole…
Troupe Member: “!”
Seeing me, the young troupe member’s face stiffened.
Ch. 4: Circus Practice
The troupe member who had greeted Drole was now rudely staring at me.
Those eyes seemed to hold a deep fear.
(Why…?)
Then Drole grinned beside me…-.
Drole: “She’s an adult, but you don’t need to be afraid. Can everyone hear me? This lady is a special adult who saved me…. She’s my hero. And she’s a real princess. So be nice alright?”
After hearing Drole’s explanation, all of the nearby children let out sighs of relief.
Girl: “Are you really a princess?”
OO: “…yeah.”
Girl: “Wow, that’s cool! I’ve never seen a princess before!”
Boy: “Of course the prince would know that princesses are special adults!”
The looks of fear from a moment ago had completely vanished, replaced with brilliant smiles.
(Everyone believes what Drole said…)
OO: “I see everyone relies on you Drole.”
Drole: “Well, I guess. But I think in a way that means I rely on them too right?”
OO: “Drole… you’re a good big brother to everyone.”
Drole: “Big brother huh… I don’t dislike that. Do I really look it?”
Drole’s eyes crinkled as he grinned, then he turned back to the children.
Drole: “Alright-! Break it up! Everyone go back to practicing.”
Children: “Okay!”
At Drole’s words, all of the children enthusiastically raised their hands before returning to their stations.
This Drole was completely different from the one I’d seen in his room…
(Drole gathers everyone together in this kingdom of children.)
OO: “…that was nicely done Drole.”
He gave a bashful smile then shook his head.
Drole: “I didn’t do anything special. But the children are important citizens of Circo… and my friends. I won’t let anyone hurt them.”
I could see the strong determination in his profile.
(…he’s reliable.)
That brave expression… was a side of Drole that really emphasized his position as a prince…-.
However…
Watching with the other children as Drole started his high-wire act practice…
Drole: “Aah… I wonder how much it’ll hurt if I fall from here. My heart’s pounding…!!”
(H-he isn’t using a lifeline!?)
OO: “D-Drole…!”
Drole: “Ah, OO~!”
OO: “…! You don’t have to wave at me! Just concentrate!”
(…I really don’t get him.)
This dangerous side of him was really bad for my heart.
Ch. 5: High-Wire Act Without a Lifeline
Having climbed up high and neglected a lifeline, Drole now walked onto the line.
Drole: “Ah, how exhilarating…”
(If he falls from that high…!)
I felt as if my chest would burst from the anxiety.
But Drole nimbly took step after step above the thin netting without faltering…
OO: “Wow…he’s just walking across that thin line so high up…”
I watched intently and held my breath as Drole approached the middle.
(If he keeps this up, will he make it across…?)
I was anxious as I continued to watch, and in that moment…-.
Drole: “Ah…”
Drole let out a small vocalization as he lost his balance.
OO: “Drole!?”
He began to fall, almost as if in slow motion.
In the next instant, the tent echoed with the screams of children…
OO: “Drole!!”
I shouted and ran forward without thinking.
Drole: “Ahaha…I failed.”
OO: “…!”
I covered my eyes, unable to watch.
Drole: “I’m fine~ OO.”
At that voice, I nervously looked up and…
Drole’s body was suspended in the netting that had been strung up below the wire.
OO: “Thank…goodness…”
My strength failed me and I collapsed to my knees.
Drole got up as if nothing had happened and his eyes looked like crescent moons as he smiled.
Drole: “That was exhilarating…”
OO: “…?”
Drole: “I wonder if it’s because you were watching me, but the idea of falling and seeing what happened was even stronger than before… I couldn’t fight the desire…”
OO: “Does that mean you fell…on purpose?”
Drole: “…and that expression of concern on you gave me chills.”
(He did something like that for…)
OO: “I was worried…”
I spoke in anger, yet Drole smiled from the bottom of his heart.
Drole: “Yeah…I’m so glad. You caring about me, watching me, worrying about me… I never thought something like that would make me so happy. It’s a new discovery for me.”
OO: “That’s right, I was worried. I was really worried, so don’t go doing something like that on…-“
Drole: “I’m so happy. I want you to watch me more.”
Drole gently took my hand as he cut me off.
OO: “…”
My heart, which had been pounding from fear, jumped.
(I was really worried…)
Drole looked so serene as he stared into my eyes…
Looking back into those eyes, I felt a strange new emotion that I couldn’t put into words.