Ch. 1: A Sharp Look
Circo in the Land of Aspirations, Month of Rainbow…-.
A bright light spread across the tranquil plain…-.
??: “…? What was I…?”
A young man appeared, dressed similarly to a clown.
OO: “Are you alright?”
??: “…!?”
As he looked at me in surprise, he swiftly got to his feet.
His vibrant red eyes were guarded as he watched me…
??: “Why… why is a grownup here?”
(An adult…?)
I was curious about what he meant, so I explained how I had awakened him.
??: “The Princess of Traumere… right, I’ve heard of you.”
At that moment, the young man suddenly looked as if he’d remembered something.
??: “…the circus.”
OO: “Eh?”
??: “I have to get back to the circus…”
OO: “Ah, wait!”
As he looked about to run off, I reflexively reached out and…
??: “Don’t touch me!”
OO: “…!”
His voice cut through me, and I quickly pulled my hand back.
??: “…”
He seemed to be confirming something about me, and I noticed a growing darkness in his eyes.
OO: “U-um…”
Slowly, that sharpness faded from his blood-red eyes.
??: “You… don’t seem like a bad grownup. But you’re still a grownup.”
OO: “Huh…?”
He kept saying the word ‘grownup’…
OO: “…is there something wrong with me being a grownup?”
??: “…all grownups are trash.”
He spat the words in disgust, and this time he succeeded in running off.
OO: “…”
I watched him as he got further away.
Then…
OO: “What’s this?”
In the place he’d woken on the ground, I noticed a small bottle.
(This must be his, right…?)
There was a strangely colored liquid in the bottle.
I stood there, looking at it and thinking for a while, then…
(It might be important… I should return it.)
I started walking in the direction he’d run.
Ch. 2: His Circus Troupe
The liquid in the little bottle cast a strange light as it was bathed in the sun…-.
————————–
??: “…all grownups are trash.”
————————–
As a gentle breeze blew over the plain, I followed after the young man…-.
Then after a while…-.
??: “…you. Why are you here?”
Having arrived in a small nearby town, I met up again with the man in a tent clearly belonging to a circus.
??: “Don’t tell me you followed me?”
The young man looked at me suspiciously.
OO: “I was looking for you. It looked like you’d dropped this.”
??: “That’s…!”
As I held out the bottle to him, his eyes went wide.
??: “… you came all the way here… just to bring it back?”
He cautiously took the little bottle from me.
OO: “Yes. I’m glad I could. You said something about a circus earlier, right? I’m really glad I was able to find you again.”
(I hadn’t imagined a prince would operate his own circus though…)
I smiled at him while I thought that.
Then I saw confusion swimming through his gaze…
??: “Nero…”
OO: “Eh…?”
Nero: “I’m Nero.”
I tilted my head in confusion at his muttering, and for a moment he looked angry, but…
OO: “I’m OO.”
There wasn’t any of the hatred I’d seen earlier in his eyes.
Instead, his eyes seemed to be overflowing with caution towards me.
Nero: “OO…”
He said my name, then Nero looked at me with suspicion again.
Nero: “…thank you, for waking me up and for bringing this back to me. Normally… someone would have thrown it away. …you’re a weird one.”
OO: “I figured it might be important so…”
Nero: “…that’s really what you thought…?”
Nero looked even more confused as he watched me.
But…
Nero: “Hm? Hey, that scratch…”
OO: “Eh…?”
I touched the place on my cheek Nero was pointing to and felt a little sting of pain.
(I wonder if I got it when I was walking through the woods earlier.)
OO: “I’m alright, it’s not that bad. Well then, I’ll be going…-.”
Nero: “Wait.”
As I turned to leave, Nero called out to stop me.
Nero: “…come here. I’ll take you to a doctor.”
OO: “Ah, Sir Nero…-.”
Without giving me a chance to finish, Nero took me out of the tent.
…
……
Doctor: “There, that should do it. I’ve done what I can to make sure it doesn’t leave a mark.”
OO: “Thank you very much.”
As I spoke my thanks, the doctor smiled kindly at me.
That smile seemed to still carry a certain level of innocence.
(He’s about the same age as Nero.)
Nero: “Sorry for asking this when you’re so busy.”
Doctor: “It’s fine, since it’s a request from you, Nero.”
I saw a crowd packed with children back where the doctor had come from.
(I haven’t seen anyone but children for a while now…)
OO: “Sir Nero, who are those children…?”
Nero: “They’re the members of the circus troupe.”
Nero’s answer was blunt.
OO: “The doctor seems very busy.”
Nero: “Yeah. He’s the only doctor here after all.”
Nero answered as he watched the doctor continue his examination of the kids.
(The circus… I wonder if most of those injuries came from practicing.)
I watched as the doctor briskly went about examining his patients.
Then…
Nero: “Hey, let’s go.”
OO: “Ah, right!”
At Nero’s voice, I hurriedly stood up.
OO: “Thank you for that, Sir Nero.”
Nero: “…it’s no big deal. You don’t have to thank me.”
Nero muttered his response without turning to look at me.
OO: “I’m surprised that this circus has only children in it. The adults are…-.”
Nero: “There aren’t any.”
OO: “Eh?”
Nero slowly turned to face me…
Nero: “…do you want to see?”
A strong wind blew around us.
Nero: “Circo, the Land of Aspirations…-.”
There was an ominous tone to Nero’s voice.
Ch. 3: The Circo Circus
Nero: “…do you want to see? Circo, the Land of Aspirations…-.”
I headed for Circo, along with the children of the circus troupe…-.
OO: “Sir Nero. What kind of country is Circo?”
Nero: “There’s nothing special about it. It’s just a normal, peaceful kingdom in the countryside.”
Nero’s expression as he spoke had softened just a little from how it normally was.
(…he must really care about Circo.)
With that heartwarming thought, I looked up at him.
Then…
Nero: “…hey. Stop saying my name like that.”
OO: “Huh? Then… what should I say?”
Nero: “Just Nero is fine. And don’t go calling me ‘Prince Nero’ or ‘Lord Nero’ or anything like that.”
Nero seemed serious as he said it, but…
For some reason, his way of speaking sounded cute to me.
OO: “Then, Mr. Nero…?”
Nero: “Isn’t it obvious I would hate it even more if you said it like I was an adult? Just speak normal.”
Though his response was surly, his cheeks turned slightly red.
OO: “Alright, I can do that… Nero.”
Nero: “…and stop speaking formally. Just please stop talking like an adult.”
OO: “…sure.”
He was blunt but even just a little… I felt like we’d grown a little closer…-.
…
……
The circus announced it would be stopping by another kingdom on its way back to Circo.
(Nero said it was so the circus could make some money, but… I wonder why? Nero’s a prince, isn’t he?)
I wondered about this as I sat in the audience and prayed that the show would go smoothly…-.
Nero: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Circo Circus. Now come with us, into an unending dream…”
As the ringleader, Nero greeted the audience in a way that created a captivating atmosphere.
Then without pause, the night’s circus began.
(It’s incredible… he looks like a completely different person when he stands there on the stage.)
With my heart beating fast, I felt a hope that wasn’t only meant for the circus.
But…
Nero: “…”
(Nero…?)
He performed a splendid and flawless execution of his own clowning act, yet occasionally, his expression darkened with rage…-.
…
……
I went to find Nero as soon as the performance ended but…
Boy: “E-excuse me?”
A young boy was talking to Nero.
Nero: “…what is it?”
Boy: “I saw the circus and I… I…”
The boy fidgeted with the cuff of his dirty clothing.
Nero: “…do you have any parents?”
Nero asked his question, as if guessing what the child was wanting.
Boy: “No… they’re gone. They died. I’m all alone… Every day I cry alone but… but I saw kids like me working in the circus, so I… um…”
Nero looked at the boy for a little while, but suddenly his expression softened…
Nero: “Alright then, come on.”
He ruffled the boy’s hair.
Boy: “Huh…?”
Nero: “You want to join the circus, right? You don’t need parents. There are more fun things to do in Circo. And all the children that come to Circo… are our family.”
Boy: “Bu… I-I… hck… uwaaaa~”
The boy seemed to let out everything he’d been holding back as he cried loudly into Nero’s chest.
And Nero stroked the boy’s back the entire time until he’d calmed down.
(He looks so kind…)
————————–
??: “…all grownups are trash.”
————————–
(He’s completely different than how he was back then. I wonder why…)
I left for Circo without knowing the answer yet…-.
As soon as we arrived in Circo, the children all came to greet the circus troupe at once.
Nero: “I’m back everyone!”
Children: “Prince Nero! Welcome home~!!”
Nero started handing out presents to all of the gathered children, one by one.
As I watched the children give their warm welcome…
OO: “You’re quite popular Nero.”
Nero: “Am I? Everyone just wants presents.”
But Nero didn’t seem to think it was all that bad.
OO: “Nero, are you alright? That seems kind of tough…”
Nero: “What does?”
Even though he’d been meeting with the children this whole time, Nero responded with a curious tilt of his head.
(Oh, but now that I think about it…)
OO: “Nero. Where are their parents?”
In that instant…-.
Nero: “Parents…?”
A long shadow fell over Nero’s expression.
Nero: “What are you talking about? We don’t need trash like that. This is Circo… an untouched country without any disgusting adults.”
Nero’s smile was like ice, and I felt a chill run down my back.
Ch. 4: An Untouched Country
Nero: “This is Circo… an untouched country without any disgusting adults.”
Nero’s smile was like ice, and I felt a chill run down my back…-.
OO: “N-Nero…?”
Nero: “…let’s go to the castle.”
Nero turned his back to me and quickly headed for the castle.
(What does that mean…?)
OO: “Nero…!”
Nero: “…”
I tightly grabbed Nero’s hand, even knowing he would probably try to shake me off.
OO: “Nero…! Wait!”
I desperately called out to him, and Nero turned to look at me.
Nero: “…”
OO: “Nero, tell me, please? Why do you hate adults so much…?”
Nero: “It has nothing to do with you.”
OO: “…”
I looked straight at Nero’s face.
I saw myself reflected in his powerfully beautiful eyes, and there was no hesitation on my face.
Nero: “…you really want to know?”
As Nero smiled, he stepped up to me.
OO: “…”
A darkness spread over his face as he drew nearer.
(Why… am I scared?)
As I thought that, I felt unable to move, trapped under Nero’s gaze.
Nero: “Fine then… since it’s you, I’ll tell you. Just how much I think adults are repulsive creatures.”
Nero started talking as if about something foul.
Nero: “Long ago… the people of Circo were praised for their drug making.”
(Drugs…?)
Nero continued in a low voice, like he was telling a bedtime story.
Nero: “But the people of Circo were shy and couldn’t form good connections with other countries. The living conditions were poor as Circo lacked the trade it needed to survive… and everyone racked their brains to come up with a solution. However, a certain larger country spoke up and said they’d buy all of Circo’s drugs. And in return… Circo would sell only to them.”
As Nero’s voice reached my ear, I felt a tremble run through my body.
Nero: “And so Circo prospered. With the money they got from selling the drugs, everyone was able to live happily ever after. However…-.”
OO: “…!”
Nero’s smile warped…-.
Nero: “Those drugs were actually a deadly poison!”
OO: “What…!?”
Nero: “That’s what the adults said. ‘We have to do our best so everyone can live happy lives’. That was the lie they told the children. What’s so happy about that? What about creating a bacterial weapon that destroys people can bring about happiness for everyone!?”
Nero’s shoulders shook slightly… and I didn’t know if it was from rage or sadness.
Nero: “Now… here’s the best part. That big country used those drugs and started a war. Naturally many people died.”
OO: “That’s horrible…”
Nero: “After verifying the power of those drugs, the large country asked for Circo to make them more and more. But… hoping to get a bigger profit, Circo threatened the other country. At first, they yielded to the threat. But Circo’s demands began to escalate… and before long, the big country lost their patience and massacred all the adults in Circo.”
OO: “They… killed everyone…?”
The marionette that Nero controlled slowly nodded its head.
Nero: “Well, in the end, without Circo’s technology, the big country couldn’t use the drug anymore. They spread a half-finished, unrefined product, and the country crumbled… haha.”
Nero’s dry laugh echoed in the silence.
Nero: “And after that, all of us improved our skills in the circus so we could earn our own food and board. Aah… it’s terrible, isn’t it? Getting hurt or getting sick and then still having to go to practice. And they’re just children…-.”
Nero was clearly stifling a laugh.
Nero: “…now you should understand.”
OO: “Nero…”
Nero: “Grownups… they’re all greedy, foolish liars. I won’t forgive them… ever… how could I ever forgive them!?”
Nero’s fists started to shake.
OO: “Nero…”
Without thinking, I gently put my hand over his and Nero jumped and shook.
OO: “…”
Though I wanted to take his hand, I couldn’t get my body to move.
Nero: “…”
We didn’t say anything else to each other, and time continued to pass us by.
Ch. 5: The Smiles of the Children
As the sun started to set, the light fell on Nero’s face…-.
————————–
Nero: “Grownups… they’re all greedy, foolish liars. I won’t forgive them… ever… how could I ever forgive them!?”
————————–
His shout, full of grief, still echoed in my ears and pained my heart.
OO: “Nero, I…-.”
I searched for the words, but I just couldn’t find the right thing to say to him.
OO: “If there’s… anything I can do.”
Nero: “There’s not. We’ll just continue to figure things out, just like we always have. If grownups intervene, the same thing that happened back then will happen again.”
As Nero rejected adults, I was certain that I too was a target of that hatred…
Thinking that filled me with an intense sorrow.
OO: “…me too?”
Nero: “…”
OO: “Do you… hate me too?”
I gathered all my strength to ask that question and meet his deep crimson eyes, but he looked down and away from me.
Nero: “… I still don’t know… about you.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Nero: “Ah…”
Nero looked like he regretted saying it aloud as his eyes went wide.
Nero: “Y-you’re like my older brother.”
OO: “You have a brother?”
Nero: “My brother is… I’m sure he’d be considered an adult in the rest of the world, but… my brother isn’t really a grownup or a kid.”
OO: “What does that mean?”
Nero: “Even though he’s a grownup… he’s a kid.”
OO: “…?”
Nero: “It’s fine if you don’t get it.”
The two of us headed for the castle after that, not saying anything else to each other for the rest of the day…-.
…
……
The next day, I went out by myself to walk around Circo.
I saw children playing with beanbags and puppets…
And I found a smile coming to my face as I watched those children joking and smiling.
(Now that I think about it… why did Nero and the others start a circus in particular?)
Then…
Boy 1: “Ah! It’s Prince Nero’s friend!”
Girl 1: “You’re right! Hey hey, come play with us miss!”
Girl 2: “You can borrow one of my puppets!”
OO: “Thanks.”
Girl 2: “Come on, move the puppet like Nero does!!”
OO: “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”
But the puppet just did the opposite of what I wanted, and the strings got tangled up…
OO: “H-huh…? This is really hard.”
(All of the kids looked like they were having fun with it…)
At that moment…
??: “Wow… I can’t believe you’re that bad at it.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Children: “Prince Nero!”
Nero: “Gimme that.”
Nero took the puppet from me and, with a skillful hand, made the puppet give a bow.
OO: “Wow…!”
As the children pestered Nero to do more, Nero smiled and started to move the puppets.
Nero: “ ‘Here Brother… our slices of cake are exactly the same size.’
‘It’s not the same, yours is a little bigger. Let’s cut it again.’
‘But we’ve already cut it so many times. The cake’s all tiny now.’ “
OO: “Amazing…! Ah, so cute…!”
I was having fun, just as entranced by the puppets as the rest of the children.
Then…
Nero: “…you look like a kid…”
Those whispered words reached my ears.
Ch. 6: Talking in His Sleep
A few days after that…-.
(In the end… I couldn’t do anything to help Nero and the others.)
Even so, I left Circo and ended up accompanying Nero and the circus as they went on tour to neighboring countries.
One night during our travels…-.
…
……
OO: “…and then the princess and the prince lived happily ever after…”
I read a picture book to the children before they went to bed.
At last, the children who had been anything but tired finally started to drift into a gentle sleep.
(Thank goodness.)
After making sure everyone was asleep, I quietly left and…
Nero: “…”
OO: “Nero!”
I saw Nero sitting with one leg up outside the tent entrance.
(Did he hear me? How embarrassing…)
Nero: “…thanks.”
OO: “Huh?”
Nero: “A lot of them have been telling me recently that they can’t sleep. And… never mind.”
Nero hesitated and looked at the faces of the sleeping children.
OO: “…is there anything wrong with them physically?”
Nero: “The doctor says it’s the stress of being on tour. And I don’t think he’s wrong, but…”
OO: “Nero…”
Nero: “It’d be better… if it was a little easier to earn money with the circus.”
My chest tightened as I saw his profile lit up in the moonlight.
OO: “Why a circus?”
Nero: “…because I’m selfish. I saw a carnival circus when I was younger… and it felt like a dream…”
Nero stopped after saying that much.
Nero: “I… don’t know why I’m telling you this. Just forget it… Night.”
OO: “Ah…”
I pressed my outstretched arm to my chest and quietly watched Nero as he walked away…-.
…
……
The next morning, I went to talk to the doctor about what Nero had told me the night before, and…-.
OO: “Nero…”
Nero: “Nn…”
Nero was still sleeping.
(Nero… he looks like he’s in pain.)
His innocent sleeping face was twisted in pain, and he was tossing and turning.
That’s when it happened.
Nero: “Dad…”
(Huh?)
Nero: “Take me to the circus again…”
(Is he talking in his sleep…? And ‘Dad’…)
I…
OO: “Nero… are you alright?”
I spoke quietly as it sounded like he was having a nightmare…
Nero: “Fa… ther…”
Nero’s hand was stuck out from under the sheets.
OO: “Nero…”
As he moaned in his sleep, I gently shook his shoulder.
Then…
Nero: “It’s fine, right…?”
Nero seemed to be reaching out his hand.
I gently held his hand.
It was warm… but even though the hand that firmly held his was that of an adult, Nero seemed relieved and his expression relaxed and became peaceful.
However…
Nero: “Nn…? …! I-I…”
Nero jumped up and hurriedly pulled away from me.
OO: “I’m sorry. I was on my way to talk to the doctor and…”
Nero: “…”
Nero’s cheeks turned slightly red as if in embarrassment and he looked away.
OO: “Nero… do you miss your father?”
Resolved, I decided to ask and…
Nero: “!! …why would you ask that?”
OO: “Well, you were talking in your sleep…”
Nero: “…damn.”
(He says he hates adults, but…)
OO: “Nero… about your father, do you…”
Nero: “…don’t say anything else.”
OO: “But…!”
Nero: “Shut up!”
As I realized he’d grabbed my arm, he pinned me down to the bed.
OO: “N-Nero…?”
Nero: “I’ve… I’ve been feeling weird since I met you. I despise grownups, I hate them, and it would be better if they were all gone… but when I’m with you…”
My heart fluttered even as Nero spoke and seemed about to cry.
OO: “Nero…”
Nero: “But… I’ll never become a grownup.”
Nero let me go, then pulled out the small bottle I’d found when we first met.
OO: “That’s…”
Nero: “The doctor made this for me… it’s a drug that can make me stay a kid.”
OO: “What…?”
Nero: “This drug can make it so I’m a kid forever…”
As if coming to a decision, Nero tightened his hold on the bottle.
Then he turned to look at me…
Nero: “Sorry. I hate grownups. …so I won’t be one.”
The tone of his voice made it seem like he was scolding himself, then…
Nero: “But I don’t hate you.”
OO: “Nero…”
Nero’s thin smile was happy and kind… but it made my heart ache.