Work Text:
The e faint melody of a carousel drifted from afar, mingling with the laughter of visitors that slowly faded, swallowed by the night. You had just set down the mop and wiped the sweat from your brow when the clock’s hands pointed to nine. A sturdy man with brown hair—your boss—approached with his arms folded across his chest.
"The café was really busy today. We're closing early," he said with a nod. "Thanks for your hard work."
"No problem, Boss," you answered, pulling off your apron. "By the way, has Carol given any news?"
Your boss shook his head slowly. "She can't be reached, kid. I hope she shows up tomorrow."
"Hopefully."
"I'm heading off now, [Name]. Don't forget to lock the door."
"Got it, Boss."
The man grabbed his jacket, then closed the door behind him. You tidied the glasses in the cabinet, and once you were done, you walked out of the café, pulling the key from your pocket—the café key your boss had entrusted to you. After making sure the lock was securely in place, you turned to go home, but a tap on your shoulder made you flinch. The culprit was none other than Harlequin.
Your brows furrowed. "What do you want now? If you're here to ask for coffee this late at night, go to another café. I don't want to wash the machine twice," you said.
"No, no. I want to make you an offer. Again. How about you trade your red ticket for my green ticket—"
"No, thank you."
"Oh, miss. How can you be so heartless as to keep rejecting me?"
The man walked backward in front of you with a wide, suspicious grin. Both his hands were clasped behind his back. His black hair looked tousled, played by the night breeze, while the makeup at the corners of his eyes had smeared slightly.
You sighed deeply. "Because I know you'll only cause trouble."
"Slander!" Harlequin placed a hand over his chest in a dramatic gesture. "I'm the most sincere man in the entire circus."
"Says who?"
"Says me, just now."
"You're not a trustworthy source."
Harlequin chuckled. His laugh always sounded like a dangerous secret. He then glanced behind you—more precisely, at the figure standing rigidly under the dim streetlamp.
Pierrot.
The man stood still as a statue with his signature blank face. His red-and-black costume contrasted sharply with the darkness of the night. His hand gripped the lamppost so hard his knuckles turned white, while his dark eyes bored straight into Harlequin. When Harlequin slowly reached for your hand, Pierrot turned his face away in a jerky motion, but the cold aura emanating from him only grew sharper.
"Come on, to my tent. I want to show you something."
"I don't want to play your games, Harlequin."
"Awww," Harlequin whined excessively. "But I wanted to take you to my tent."
"Still no."
"So quick to refuse!"
"Because you're suspicious."
"I'm hurt, you know!" Harlequin stepped closer, lowering his voice as if leaking state secrets. "I have a cat."
You blinked, stopping in your tracks. "...What?"
"A cat," he nodded seriously. "Cute. Adorable. Soft fur. Loves being stroked."
You eyed him skeptically. Harlequin was a professional liar, but a cat? That was your greatest weakness. "A real cat?" you asked.
"By all my sins."
"That's not a convincing oath."
"But technically it's still an oath, right?"
After a moment's hesitation, you finally let out a resigned sigh. "Fine. I just want to see the cat."
Harlequin's grin immediately widened, like a child who had just won a big bet. "Oh, you're going to love it."
From a distance, Pierrot turned his head again. His stare was now much sharper, as if it could bore holes into Harlequin's back. Soon, you arrived in front of a tent, green with striking black stripes.
"Where's the cat?" you asked as soon as you stepped inside the green-clad man's tent.
Harlequin closed the tent flap behind him. "Hold on."
You narrowed your eyes. "You're lying, aren't you?"
"No way."
"Harlequin!"
"Patieeeence..."
The man disappeared behind a small curtain for a few seconds. Silence enveloped the tent before suddenly a sound emerged: "Meow~"
You froze. Harlequin reappeared, but he wasn't carrying any furry animal. He was wearing a pair of black cat ear headbands. Suddenly, he dropped himself onto your lap just as you'd barely sat down on the sofa.
"Your cat has arrived," he said in a cutesy tone, leaning his head against your chest.
"Y-you?!" your voice shot up an octave.
Harlequin laughed, satisfied. "You believed me?"
"I hope you get bitten by a rat tomorrow morning."
"So cruel!" He just snuggled in even more comfortably, rubbing his head against your shoulder like a real cat. "Go on, pet my head."
"No."
"Meow."
With a mixture of annoyance and helplessness, you finally gave in. Harlequin closed his eyes with a triumphant smile, truly savoring the moment.
Suddenly, the tent flap was yanked open roughly. Pierrot stood there. His gaze immediately locked onto the scene before him: Harlequin curled up in your lap, his arms loosely wrapped around your waist. Harlequin opened one eye and shot him the widest, most provocative grin.
CLICK.
BRUSSSSHHHHH!!
A blast of cold water hit Harlequin square in the face with full force.
"AAAGH—?!" Harlequin tumbled off your lap, crashing onto the floor in a sopping wet mess. His cat ear headband was askew, pitifully tilted, as water dripped furiously from his hair and expensive costume.
Your jaw dropped. At the doorway, Pierrot stood firmly, holding a long hose. He tilted his head slightly, then, with a blank expression, sprayed water again at Harlequin, who was struggling to get up.
"HEY— STOP— MY COSTUME IS EXPENSIVE, PIERROT!!"
"YOU TWO, STOP!!"
That quiet night ended in total chaos inside the green tent.
THE END