Chapter Text
The next day, as usual, Jester stood by the side of the street, handing out circus flyers to passersby. His movements were precise, the polite trained smile fixed on his masked face, while his mind wasn’t really interested in anyone passing by—until he slightly turned… and saw you standing right behind him.
You smiled while running lightly toward him, and for some reason, that smile looked… brighter than usual, causing Jester to squint slightly behind his mask.
In his mind, a flat, slightly suspicious voice immediately appeared: Did I see that correctly?
Why is this human suddenly shining like this?
Why does it feel like sunlight is falling perfectly on their head?
And why is the wind blowing their hair as if a film crew deliberately turned on a fan from the perfect angle?
A few strands of your hair truly moved gently in the morning breeze, and somehow, the moment looked far too dramatic for an everyday event on a city sidewalk.
Jester blinked once, then twice.
This is suspicious, he thought, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at how dazzling his beloved pet appeared.
Yet, on the outside, Jester maintained his usual polite smile.
“Oh my… good morning… what a coincidence we meet here,” he said calmly, as if he hadn’t just noticed anything strange.
You waved your small hand.
“Morning!”
Your voice… was too bright and melodious.
But Jester immediately pushed all those feelings aside. He nearly opened his mouth to ask why you looked like someone who had just won the life lottery—when suddenly…
You walked past him.
Just like that.
Without stopping or saying another word.
Jester tilted his head slightly, and then…
“…?”
He followed your steps with his gaze and then saw you approaching a man standing not far away.
You looked extremely enthusiastic as you stood in front of him.
Too enthusiastic.
Even a little… flirtatious as you greeted him, which made Jester freeze.
The man seemed slightly surprised as you approached, but you immediately spoke with a wide smile.
“Hello! You’re the one who auditioned yesterday, right?”
He nodded quickly while smiling at you.
“Oh—yes! You came?”
“Of course! I practiced all night,” you said with full enthusiasm.
Jester, still standing a few steps behind, just watched the scene without moving, though his smile remained.
But his eyes narrowed deeper as he thought.
Oh, I see…
The wind blew gently again, the flyers in his hands shifting slightly as his fingers bent the papers.
Jester watched how you laughed softly while talking to the man, even tilting your head in a way that… subtly accentuated your hips?
In his mind, he immediately drew a conclusion, which might sound like: Interesting. So that “shining” energy isn’t for me?
Jester slowly crossed his arms while observing your interaction with the creature.
Watching how inconsistent such a being could be.
For a few seconds, he just observed, then someone walked by and took a flyer from his hand.
“Thank you,” said the person.
“You’re welcome,” Jester replied automatically—but his eyes were still on you…
And the longer he watched… the more something he disliked began to rise in his chest.
A feeling unfamiliar and hot.
…annoying.
Yet, on the other hand, another thought arose quietly in his mind:
If you can act like that in front of others… why did you hug him like that last night?
For the first time that morning, Jester truly stopped handing out flyers for several full seconds.
Then, a few minutes later…
Jester had never truly felt the need to follow a human.
Usually, just one glance, one command, or one step—and everything was already under his control.
But this time was different because Jester stood across the street, his body half-hidden behind a utility pole, while his eyes were fixed directly on the small café on the corner.
On you, still with the man.
His hands still held several flyers he hadn’t distributed, the papers slightly bent unconsciously from his tightened grip.
And in his mind, one thought kept circling:
So that’s what it means?
Last night—was it just a game?
His eyes narrowed sharply as he watched you hug him, thank him, and then leave…
and now you’re smiling like that at someone else?
Jester did not like this feeling.
He didn’t like the fact that he was even… thinking about it so seriously.
Yet his legs moved first, and unconsciously, Jester had followed you.
Until he finally stood outside the café window, looking in like an uninvited shadow.
Inside—
you were sitting next to the man.
Too close.
Too relaxed.
Too… comfortable.
You laughed softly at something he said, your shoulder lightly touching his, and unconsciously you leaned slightly toward him.
The scene felt… wrong.
Very wrong.
Jester stared more sharply as he saw the scene, he had never—
His thoughts were interrupted.
Because Jester realized you had never acted like that with him.
You were always nervous and awkward.
Too cautious.
But now—you looked light and free.
As if there was no burden at all, making Jester click his tongue softly.
“…What”
Inside the café, you took your drink and sipped it slowly.
While the man smiled.
“You’ve progressed so quickly. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to be this brave to audition again.”
You laughed softly at that.
“I didn’t expect it either.”
“Who pushed you?”
You paused for a moment, your lips slightly stiff hearing that, then answered lightly,
“…someone.”
Jester, standing outside, immediately stopped breathing for a moment.
His gaze shifted slightly, but the next second—
you smiled again and refocused on the man in front of you.
As if the answer meant nothing.
As if that “someone”… didn’t matter.
And that—was enough.
Jester slightly lowered his head, the shadow of his mask covering part of his face.
Inside his mind, something began to harden.
Good.
If this is just a game for you…
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
Not a friendly smile.
Sharper.
Colder.
“…I will play too.”
Yet Jester didn’t enter.
He only stood there a few more seconds, ensuring he had seen enough—enough to reach the conclusion he wanted.
Then he turned.
Leaving.
With calm steps.
As if nothing had happened.
But deep inside—
something he had never admitted before…
had just been stirred.
And when that happens, your game ends, my beloved human.
Meanwhile, time passed without you noticing.
Night slowly fell, street lamps began lighting one by one, casting warm yellow light on the now-empty sidewalk.
You walked alone, your guitar slung over your shoulder, your steps slightly slower than usual.
The date… was over.
Not bad.
But not remarkable.
Just… ordinary.
And for some reason, your thoughts kept returning to this morning and what happened last night.
You sighed softly just thinking about it.
You hadn’t meant to ignore him…
This morning, when you saw Jester—your smile was indeed genuine.
You wanted to greet him as usual.
But the moment your eyes met, something in your chest immediately felt strange.
Hot and awkward.
Uncomfortable.
Because last night, without warning—Jester had kissed you.
Without explanation or asking for permission.
And the most annoying part—he left as if it were nothing.
You pursed your lips slightly as you kept walking.
“…annoying.”
Your cheeks warmed again just remembering.
Who does he think he is…?
But at the same time—
your heart had raced faster, making you even more annoyed.
You shook your head quickly, trying to dismiss the thought.
“Forget it…” you murmured softly.
Your steps continued toward the circus area, visible in the distance—the big tents glowing with characteristic lights, faint sounds of nighttime activity still ongoing.
A place that somehow… had always felt like your home.
Yet your steps slowed slightly because of one thing you hadn’t realized—
since earlier, your shadow on the ground was not alone.
Another shadow… taller.
Following you since you walked into the circus.
And before you could fully process it—a soft voice came from behind.
The voice was flat and gentle, just as you always heard it.
Yet for some reason… it sounded sharper than usual.
“So…”
Your steps stopped immediately at hearing it.
“Did… you enjoy your date?”
Your heart instantly raced as you quickly turned around.
And there—Jester stood a few steps behind you, leaning casually against a lamp post, his face still masked, but his eyes… not relaxed at all.
So you blinked and squinted, making sure it really was Jester.
You swore you could feel his aura shift drastically, so you tried calling him.
“…Jester?”
But he didn’t answer immediately.
He only stared at you a few seconds longer.
As if observing every detail of your expression and every small reaction.
“How was your date?” he repeated softly.
You glanced away slightly as he repeated the question, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
“Just… ordinary…”
A moment of silence, then you added quickly, defensively,
“Why do you care?”
Jester chuckled softly, but the laugh didn’t feel warm or friendly.
“It’s nothing.”
Jester stepped closer, one step, then another, making the distance between you… too close again.
“Just want to make sure,” he continued, his voice low, “that I didn’t misunderstand.”
You frowned at his words, then asked again.
“Misunderstand what?”
Jester tilted his head slightly, eyes squinting as he watched your expression, the smile on his mask still sharp.
“Last night.”
That one word alone made your face heat instantly.
You reflexively gripped the strap of your guitar.
“That—”
“—was?” he interrupted calmly.
You looked at him, annoyance rising.
“Weren’t you the one who suddenly kissed me last night?!”
Your voice rose slightly as he brought up the event from last night.
“I didn’t even know why you suddenly kissed me—”
“And this morning,” Jester interrupted again, still calm, “you didn’t stop.”
You were speechless for a moment, while Jester continued,
“On the contrary, you seemed… to enjoy the attention from others.”
His tone remained flat, but there was something beneath it, something sharp.
You stared at him for several seconds as you realized something was wrong, then clicked your tongue softly.
“So you followed me?”
The question made Jester silent for a fraction of a second.
Long enough to be an answer.
You exhaled, clearly annoyed now.
“You suddenly kissed me for no reason,” you said, holding back your emotions, “and now you’re mad because I talked to someone else?”
Jester didn’t answer immediately, though his gaze stayed on you.
As usual, it felt deep and locking as he returned both hands behind his back, as was his habit.
“…I’m not angry,” he finally said.
You raised an eyebrow and asked provocatively,
“Oh really?”
A brief silence.
Then—
“If I were angry,” he continued softly, “he wouldn’t be able to walk home on his own.”
Your heart stopped for a fraction of a second. Not because of the threat, but because of how calmly he said it.
As if it were a simple fact, while your brain tried to process the meaning of Jester’s words.
Just now…
Did Jester just issue a threat…?
You swallowed nervously as you looked at him again, and for the first time that night—
you truly realized one thing.
Jester may look calm and gentle,
But he… was not joking.
You still stood frozen, your breathing not fully steady after his words.
Jester stared at you a few seconds longer, as if confirming something—or perhaps holding something back.
Then, without warning—his hand grabbed your wrist.
“Eh—?”
“You’re coming with me.”
His tone left no room for protest.
Before you could pull your hand away, he was already walking ahead, his long strides forcing you to follow behind him.
“Jester, wait—!”
“You can walk faster,” he replied flatly without looking back.
You frowned, trying to resist his pace.
“I can, but that doesn’t mean I want to be dragged like this!”
No answer.
His grip wasn’t painful—
but strong enough to make you realize… you wouldn’t escape easily.
The circus lights grew closer.
Some people passed by, but no one really paid attention.
Or perhaps… they were already too used to seeing strange things here.
When you reached the front of the tent—
Jester immediately opened the curtain and pulled you inside.
Dark, warm, and quiet mixed in the air.
As soon as you fully entered, Jester released your hand—
but instead of stepping back, he stood right in front of you, blocking the exit.
You rubbed your wrist slowly, still slightly annoyed.
“What exactly do you want?”
A moment of silence as Jester stared at you from behind his mask.
Longer than usual.
As if weighing something he didn’t even like.
“…you’re too relaxed.”
You frowned hearing that.
“Huh?”
“With other humans.”
His tone remained flat, but there was something heavier in it.
You exhaled, annoyed.
“So what? It’s none of your business, right? Besides, you’re nobody.”
The words came out faster than you intended and immediately changed the atmosphere…
It became silent.
And colder than it should be.
Jester didn’t move and didn’t immediately respond, but slowly—he stepped closer.
One step, then another.
Until your back unconsciously touched the theater wall behind you.
“Not my business?” he repeated softly.
You swallowed.
Now the distance was too close.
“You come here every day,” he continued, “you ask for my time… my attention… and my guidance.”
Your breath caught slightly as Jester moved even closer.
“And now you say it’s not my business?”
You looked at him, annoyed but also… nervous as you tried to grumble,
“That’s two different things, you know?!”
“No.”
His answer was quick and firm.
For the first time, you saw something clear behind his cold attitude—
not just annoyance.
But… something more personal.
More unstable.
Making you frown.
“Jester… what’s wrong with you?”
Another silence for a few seconds, then Jester raised his hand—and without touching your face… his fingers stopped just near your cheek.
As if hesitating and restraining himself.
“…I don’t know,” he finally said.
And that—was actually more honest than anything he had ever said to you before.
You froze for a moment because for the first time—
Jester didn’t sound like someone controlling the situation.
But someone who… had truly lost control over something that, from the beginning, he had never been able to control.