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The white tigers were done jumping through the sun-rings¹. They had incredible intensity. Similar to when I saw a monster use magic, back when I still struggled against magic beasts.

«Thank you so much for watching the performance until the end!»

The circus’ theme song played in the background. It looked like this was the end of the show.

Well, it was fun. There had been parts with audience participation, but to some slight regret, they didn’t pick us. Incidentally, the man who showed me to Mr. Mitsuo’s office and then our group to the VIP seats had performed tricks on the trampoline.

One after the other, the troupe members came from behind the stage and waved at the audience.

«Once more, let me introduce all the members of the Long Love Circus Troupe who did their best during the performance! First, the members of the aerial acrobatics team-»

The aerial acrobatics team… the men and women making up the group who’d climbed up and down on the cloth at the beginning of the show linked hands and bowed to the audience. Following their example, the other performers did the same, repeatedly thanking the audience.

«Then, Long-Hart, our well-known clown!»

At the very end, Mr. Mitsuo was summoned by a sound effect and waved at the audience while performing three backflips in a row. How did he manage that without his wig or red nose falling off?

«And finally, me, —, your commentator!»

After the girl who’d done the commentary gave her name, all the troupe members gathered around Long-Heart. They then linked hands and gave a quick bow.

Together with a buzzing sound, a bright-red curtain embroidered in gold was lowered. It closed slowly… as if to evoke lingering feelings. Finally, it fully closed.
The lights turned on, shattering the illusion.

«Thank you so much for visiting us today! When you leave, please make sure you don’t forget any of your belongings.»

At those words, most people gathered their luggage and rose from their seats.

“Oh, that was fun!”
“It sure was!”
“Woof, circuses are amazing… It was the first time I saw one, but it left such an impression…”
“It did? Happy to hear that.”
“Did you like it, Sakura?”
“Yeah, it was incredible! I’m so happy I can see.”

While stating our impressions, we were about to get up, too.

«Attention, attention! Mr. Joujou Ayumu, the troupe leader has something to discuss with you, so would you kindly meet him in his office?»

But then we could hear this announcement. Well, it was lunchbreak now, so he probably had more time to talk.

“Sounds like I’m needed. I’ll be off.”
“Alright. We’ll wait for you in the park.”

«Ah, an addition to the earlier announcement. My apologies, but could the group who came with Joujou Ayumu go with him to the troupe leader?»

So, he wanted to talk to all six of us. Did he plan to meet more people connected to Anazumu?

“Sounds like we’ll all go there,” Mika commented.
“Ah-ha-ha, sorry for getting you caught up in this.”
“It’s fine, Bro. Personally, I’d like to get a closer look at this man who was manipulated by an evil god.”
“…True. I agree with Kanata,” Shuu added.

Thus, we gathered our luggage, left our seats, and made our way to the office I’d been shown to earlier.
Before long, we arrived. After knocking and getting a reply, we entered.

“We’re here, so what is this about? The announcer said you have something to discuss.”
“Ah, thank you for coming. Sorry for calling you here like that. Well, for now, please take a seat. Also, I apologize for still wearing make-up.”

The six of us sat down as he had asked us to. He took a seat somewhere he could face all of us.

“Alright. First, let me thank you. As Mr. Ayumu surely told you already, I am deeply grateful for returning to this world. Furthermore, I thank all of you for visiting my circus!”
“It was incredible! It was my first time seeing a circus, but still…”
“Oh, it brings me great joy to hear that.”

Mr. Mitsuo showed a truly glad smile when he heard Rir say that. While a good thing, it felt awfully weird to see a clown smile like this.

“The circus was really entertaining, and it brought me joy from the bottom of my heart… So, what is this matter you called us here for?”

In the end, Kanata, the most forceful among us, cut to the chase. It seemed as if he still harbored some suspicions.

“To be honest, I wanted to meet others who’ve been over there.”
“I see, is that how it is?”

K-Kanata, you look like you’re about to start a fight…
I mean, it’s true that I explained that he used to be an enemy, but… ugh… if something happens, I’ll have to stop my brother.

Whether or not he noticed Kanata’s aggressive attitude, Mr. Mitsuo continued speaking.

1. Not sure about this, the original is a bit weird. 日の輪くぐりが終わった (“finished going under/passing through/evading ring of sun”). I can only assume it’s the typical “big cat jumps through ring of fire”.

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