Chapter 52 The Circus Fruit Farmer Clown 02 I'm completely captivated by you...
Ayana's muscles tensed instantly as she stared warily at Hisoka.
Hisoka finally spoke, his voice low, with his characteristic intonation, thick and teasing, asking, "Hmm~ It seems 'good days' aren't always so wonderful, are they?"
He smiled knowingly, his gaze sweeping over the spot where Mario had trained before returning to Ayana's pale face.
“Be careful,” Hisoka added slowly, turning to leave, leaving behind a final whisper, “Next time, the curious kitten might do more than just get lost.”
Seeing him leave, Ayana bent down and picked up the Joker card from her knee.
On the card, the Joker's smile is exaggerated and eerie, as if mocking everything.
Ayana instinctively wanted to crumple the cards, but in the end she just clenched them tightly in her palm until the corners became sharp and stung her hand.
She carefully tucked the cards into her inner pocket and stood up again.
The afternoon training became even more rigorous.
The troupe leader personally supervised the performance, his gaze sweeping over each child like a hawk, lingering particularly long on Ayana.
The trainers seemed to have received some kind of hint, and their demands on Ayana became almost harsh.
"Lower your waist a little more! Haven't you eaten?" The whip lashed the ground beside Ayana with a whooshing sound, kicking up tiny specks of dust.
Ayana gritted her teeth and, with the system's assistance, flexibly bent her body backward, forming a perfect arch.
She could feel her muscles trembling slightly, but at the same time she realized something was wrong.
The troupe leader suspected that someone might have discovered his secret last night.
And the person they suspected was her.
Ayana lowered her eyes and continued training.
The next training session will be high-altitude rings practice.
With the help of the system, she was steadily suspended in mid-air.
Ayana was preparing for her next flip when she suddenly noticed Hisoka below, his golden eyes fixed on her.
Ayana felt a chill run down her spine, and her movements froze for a moment.
But that momentary lapse in concentration caused her to experience a slight stinging pain in her ankle when she landed.
Although the system immediately adjusted its posture to allow Ayana to land smoothly and avoid twisting her ankle, the slight abnormality was still noticed by the troupe leader who was watching her closely.
"Hmph, you can't concentrate!"
The troupe leader snorted coldly, but said nothing more, only his eyes grew even more sinister.
After training, the children were allowed a short period of free time.
Ayana, feigning discomfort in her ankle, sat on a cold stone in the training field, gently rubbing her ankle, which was actually not seriously injured, her mind racing.
Collaborating with Hisoka?
The system's suggestion seems reasonable, but Hisoka himself is the biggest uncertainty.
He was like an unpredictable wind; he could help her, or he could drag her down with him.
"Is your foot alright?" A timid voice sounded from beside Ayana.
Ayana raised her head.
The person standing in front of her was Lizzie again.
She seemed very uneasy.
"It's nothing," Ayana forced a smile.
Lizzie sat down beside her, hugging her knees, and whispered, "I...I'm still scared. Mario's gone, and Carlo...Everyone says they went to a good place, but..."
She didn't continue speaking, but simply buried her face in her knees.
Seeing the girl's thin, trembling shoulders, Ayana was about to say a few words of comfort when a frivolous whistle suddenly rang out.
Hisoka strolled over slowly, hands in his pockets.
He always seemed to be able to pinpoint Ayana's location with pinpoint accuracy.
Hisoka ignored the sudden look of terror in Lizzie's eyes, walked straight to Ayana, squatted down, and leveled his gaze with hers.
He tilted his head, his gaze falling on Ayana's ankle, which she was covering with her hand, and a strange smile curved his lips.
"You're injured?" His voice carried a hint of feigned concern, his golden eyes devoid of any warmth. "How fragile you are."
Ayana pursed her lips and did not answer.
Hisoka didn't mind. He leaned closer and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, his breath brushing against her ear: "You know what? The sect leader seems to be looking for something... or rather, looking for some disobedient little mouse."
His gaze swept meaningfully over Ayana's pocket where she kept the Joker cards.
“Tell me,” he continued slowly, each word like the spitting of a viper, “what would he do if he knew that there’s a little cat who’s not only curious but also wants to be a savior?”
Hisoka guessed that she not only wanted to protect herself, but also wanted to reveal the truth!
Hisoka seemed very satisfied with the girl's sudden change in expression.
He reached out, not to touch her, but to gently pat the stone she was sitting on, as if to comfort her, or as if to issue a final ultimatum.
"The game has only just begun~" He stood up, resumed his nonchalant demeanor, whistled, and walked away. "I hope you'll let me play a little longer, you interesting little cat."
Lizzie didn't dare to raise her head for a long time after Hisoka left. Her face was pale, and she stammered, "Ayana, what... what did he say to you? You mustn't mess with him. Everyone says he's very dangerous."
Ayana looked in the direction Hisoka had disappeared and nodded.
She lowered her head and took out the Joker card from her pocket.
The Joker's twisted smile on the card seemed to be extending an invitation to her.
Hisoka didn't seem to be reminding her, but rather giving her a choice.
It's clear that Hisoka chose the former.
Night slowly enveloped the circus.
The daytime hustle and bustle and sweat have all faded away, replaced by a deathly stillness and exhaustion.
After a simple dinner, the children were ushered back to their tents to rest early.
Heavy snoring and restless murmurs filled the tent once again.
Ayana lay on her bunk, her body taut like a bow beneath the blanket.
She could clearly hear her heart pounding in her chest.
The Joker card in her pocket felt like a burning ember, searing her skin.
Most of the children were already fast asleep inside the tent.
Ayana quietly turned her head, her gaze passing over the dim space to the red-haired boy's bunk.
He lay there quietly, breathing steadily, as if he too had drifted off to sleep.
But Ayana knew it was all an illusion.
Sure enough, not long after, Hisoka quietly sat up.
He didn't immediately walk towards the passage, but instead turned his head, his vertical pupils, which faintly glowed gold in the darkness, accurately catching Ayana's gaze.
He didn't speak, but a very slow smile curved his lips, revealing undisguised interest. Then he stood up smoothly and, just like last night, silently disappeared into the shadows deep within the tent.
Ayana's heart was pounding in her throat.
Without further hesitation, she followed Hisoka's movements, carefully got up, avoided the sleeping body, and tiptoed after him.
Upon returning to the pile of debris, Hisoka had moved some of the obstacles, revealing the deep crevice.
He glanced back at Ayana, then shrank back and slipped inside first.
Ayana took a deep breath of the stale air and squeezed in as well.
The damp, earthy smell mixed with the pungent odor of disinfectant instantly enveloped her.
She slid down the steep slope using both her hands and feet, but when she landed, she found that Xisuo did not go straight ahead as he had the night before. Instead, he was waiting there leisurely, arms crossed, leaning against the earthen wall, as if waiting for her.
The dim wall lamp cast a distorted shadow of Hisoka. His face was expressionless, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, churning with an almost fanatical emotion.
Hisoka seemed very excited.
"You're keeping up pretty well~" Hisoka lowered his voice, almost breathy, but it was exceptionally clear in the silent passage. "Looks like you've made your choice, you interesting little cat."
Ayana did not answer, but just looked at him warily.
Hisoka didn't seem to need her answer. He turned around and started walking forward along the passage, his steps light and silent.
But this time he noticeably slowed down, as if to accommodate his vulnerable companion behind him.
Ayana followed closely behind, her mind highly focused.
The two walked silently, one in front of the other, through the winding tunnel.
The deeper you go, the stronger the mixed smell of disinfectant and blood becomes.
The passage seemed even quieter than the night before; even the faint sounds of conversation in the distance had vanished, leaving only the barely audible footsteps and breathing of the two people.
Finally, they approached the corner again.
Hisoka stopped at the same spot as last night and gestured for Ayana to take cover.
Ayana held her breath, pressed herself against the cold wall, and cautiously peeked out.
The sight inside the stone chamber made her pupils shrink.
The troupe leader and the mysterious man in the dark robe were still there, but one of the metal cages at their feet was missing.
A dark red magic circle pattern appeared on the floor in the center of the stone chamber, and a strong, strange smell permeated the air.
It smells like a mixture of rust and sulfur.
"...The ritual is complete. You know what to do with the remaining residue, right?" The mysterious man's hoarse voice carried satisfaction.
"Understood, understood!" The troupe leader rubbed his hands together, his face showing both obsequiousness and a barely perceptible hint of fear. "I guarantee it will be spotless!"
The mysterious man nodded, his face obscured by the shadows cast by his hood.
He turned and walked to the other side of the stone chamber, where there seemed to be an even deeper passage.
The mysterious figure quickly disappeared into the darkness.
The troupe leader remained alone in the stone chamber, staring at the magic array on the ground. He spat and muttered a curse under his breath: "Damn monster."
Just then, Hisoka suddenly moved.
He ignored the nervous Ayana beside him and stepped out of the shadows, into the dim light of the stone chamber.
"Good evening, Mr. Master~" Hisoka said in a light tone, as if he were greeting someone he had just met.
The troupe leader whirled around, saw Hisoka, and a flash of surprise crossed his face before turning into fury: "Hisoka?! What are you doing here? This isn't a place for you!"
"Hmm~" Hisoka tilted his head, a playing card suddenly appearing between his fingers, flipping it nimbly. "I'm just a little curious, what exactly happened to those companions who 'went to the good days'?"
His golden pupils swept over the magic circle on the ground and the remaining empty cage, his smile growing brighter, yet also more dangerous.
"So, it seems that 'good days' are just about being dismantled and sold off? What an exciting truth."
Ayana hid behind the corner, her heart almost stopping.
She hadn't expected Hisoka to lay his cards on the table so directly, and she had no idea what Hisoka was planning to do.
The troupe leader's face turned extremely ugly. He stared intently at Hisoka, his eyes fierce: "Kid, knowing too much won't do you any good! Since you've chosen to die..."
His burly body tensed suddenly, clearly preparing to make a move.
Hisoka, however, seemed completely oblivious. He even turned around and gave Ayana a nearly provocative smile in the direction she was hiding.
"Little cat, have you seen enough?" His voice still carried that sticky, teasing tone. "The real show is just beginning~"
The troupe leader's burly body pressed down on Xisuo like a wall, his large hand grabbing straight for his neck with a whooshing sound.
His movements were disproportionate to his size, incredibly fast, clearly indicating he was no ordinary strongman.
"You self-important brat!" the troupe leader growled, his face contorted with grotesque features. "Go to hell and be curious!"
Hisoka, however, seemed to have anticipated this. Instead of retreating, he slightly turned to the side and glided away with a light, almost dance-like gait, causing the leader's sure-fire grab to miss.
The playing cards on his fingertips had disappeared without him noticing.
"Oh dear~" Hisoka sighed regretfully, but his eyes shone with a frightening light. "Master, it's no fun to resort to violence so soon."
The leader missed his first attack, but reacted extremely quickly, sweeping his thick left leg like an iron rod, aiming straight for Hisoka's waist and abdomen.
If this blow lands squarely, it would be enough to break the bones and tendons of an ordinary person.
Hisoka seems to have no way to avoid it.
Hiding behind the corner, Ayana instinctively covered her mouth, almost letting out a cry of surprise.
However, in that split second, Hisoka's body bent backward with an extraordinary flexibility, almost folding in half, narrowly avoiding the fatal sweep.
At the same time, he braced himself with one hand on the ground, using the momentum to flip over, and with his other hand clenched in the air, the missing playing card reappeared, its edge flashing a cold glint in the dim light, slicing like a sharp blade towards the troupe leader's still-unretracted calf.
The sound of tearing fabric rang out, and the troupe leader groaned as a bloodstain instantly appeared on his trouser leg.
He staggered back a step, staring incredulously at the wound on his leg, glaring at Hisoka with a mixture of shock and anger: "You...!"
He clearly hadn't expected this seemingly frail red-haired boy to possess such bizarre skills and weapons.
"What's wrong with me?" Hisoka steadied himself, brushed off non-existent dust from his hands, and smiled with a mixture of innocence and cruelty. "Master, it seems there are some unruly items mixed in with your goods. What, are you going to sell me too?"
His troupe leader's face changed from an angry ashen to a violent purplish-red. Without another word, he let out a low growl, his muscles bulging, and pounced again.
This time, his punches were even more ferocious, clearly showing his anger and no longer holding back.
Hisoka stopped dodging and began to fight back.
His movements were unpredictable and elusive; the elusive playing card in his hands became the most dangerous weapon, leaving wounds, deep or shallow, on the troupe leader with each swing.
But Hisoka's attacks were more like a mockery, not a direct hit to the vitals. It was as if he was enjoying the process of the battle, relishing the sight of his opponent gradually losing control in anger and pain.
Inside the stone chamber, the wind howled as fists flew, figures tumbled about, and the dull thuds of impacts and tearing fabric filled the air.
Ayana pressed herself tightly against the cold wall, her heart pounding wildly.
The battle before her was beyond her comprehension; she hadn't expected Hisoka to possess such strength.
But she knew she couldn't hide any longer.
Hisoka dragged Ayana into the fray not only to make her a bystander, but also to place her in a position of complete opposition to the sect leader.
Regardless of whether Hisoka wins or loses, the sect leader will never let her off the hook afterward, as someone who knew the truth and was an accomplice.
The system notification sounded coldly.
[New mission unlocked: Survive the ensuing chaos and try to uncover the truth.]
Ayana's gaze swept over the dark red magic circle in the center of the stone chamber, then over the empty cage, and finally landed on the two people locked in fierce combat.
The leader's attention was completely drawn to Hisoka, and his back was repeatedly exposed to Ayana's view without any warning.
She knew that now was not the right time to kill the troupe leader directly; if she killed him here, she would not be able to find out the truth.
A crazy idea flashed through Ayana's mind.
She needed to create even greater chaos, enough to alarm the people on the ground, or at least temporarily force the leader back, giving her and Hisoka a chance to escape.
Ayana's gaze was fixed on the dim yellow wall lamps on the stone chamber walls.
Just then, the leader seemed to be completely enraged by Hisoka's endless stream of bizarre moves. He abandoned his defense, roared, and charged at Hisoka, trying to overpower him with his size and strength.
Hisoka nimbly leaped backward, and before the troupe leader could stop, his heavy body slammed into the wall with a "bang," shaking the entire stone chamber. A wall lamp swayed violently, spilling a little oil, and the flame suddenly shot up.
Great opportunity!
Without further hesitation, Ayana dashed out from around the corner like an arrow.
Using her flexibility and speed, before the troupe leader could fully recover from the impact, she suddenly jumped up and used all her strength to pull towards the seemingly least stable support!
"Snap!"
The wooden support groaned under the weight and tilted downwards along with the burning oil lamp on it!
"You?!" The troupe leader turned his head in astonishment, saw Ayana, and his eyes flashed with unbelievable anger and murderous intent.
The burning oil lamp fell to the ground, spilling oil, and the flames spread out with a "whoosh." Although not very large, they instantly ignited some dry debris and discarded canvas on the ground.
The flickering firelight illuminated the troupe leader's distorted face and Hisoka's golden eyes, which held a hint of surprise that quickly turned into deeper interest.
"It seems," Hisoka licked his lips, watching the flames rise, his laughter ringing out with particular delight amidst the crackling of the fire, "that the little cat has finally stretched out its claws~"
Flames spread across the ground like living things, thick smoke began to rise, and a pungent smell mixed with the scent of burnt canvas and wood filled the entire stone chamber.
The troupe leader was forced to retreat repeatedly by the sudden change and the scorching flames. He roared and tried to extinguish the flames at his feet.
However, the spilled lamp oil caused the fire to spread extremely quickly, making it difficult to control for a while.
His gaze toward Ayana was almost spitting fire; he wished he could tear her to pieces immediately.
However, Ayana completely ignored his roar.
Taking advantage of the moment when the troupe leader's vision was obstructed by the flames and thick smoke, she rushed towards Hisoka, who had just regained his footing, without hesitation.
The boy's face was still flushed with excitement from the battle and chaos, and his golden vertical pupils shone brightly in the firelight.
"Go!" Ayana shouted, grabbing Hisoka's wrist and pulling him forcefully toward the passage before offering any further explanation.
Hisoka paused for a moment, the playing cards between his fingers faltered, but he didn't resist, letting Ayana pull him along.
"Oh?" He let out a soft, ambiguous hum, his gaze falling on Ayana's small hand that was tightly gripping his wrist. He then looked up at her tense profile, the playful smile on his lips deepening. Instead of pulling away, he followed her steps.
Hisoka muttered something, but his voice was too low and was drowned out by the crackling of the flames and the leader's roar.
"Stop right there! Don't even think about running!"
The troupe leader tried to bypass the fire to catch up, but a suddenly collapsed, flaming wooden beam blocked his way. The scorching heat forced him to retreat again, and he could only watch helplessly as the two figures disappeared into the darkness of the passage.
The passageway was even darker than the stone chamber, with only a faint light coming from the wall lamps in the distance. Behind them, the flames grew larger and larger, accompanied by the troupe leader's furious curses.
Ayana, pulling Hisoka along, struggled to run through the narrow passage.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, whether from running, the threat of being chased from behind, or the warmth of his hand.
She could sense that Hisoka's steps were light and easy, even leisurely, as if they weren't on the run at all, but just taking a leisurely stroll.
"Left." As they passed a fork in the road, Hisoka suddenly called out a reminder.
Without hesitation, Ayana immediately turned to the left.
They hurried along, the noise and firelight behind them gradually fading until they finally saw the steep earthen slope extending upwards.
Ayana released Hisoka's wrist and took the lead in climbing up using both hands and feet.
The soil was loosened by the previous slip and the current rush, making it difficult for her to climb.
Suddenly, a hand supported her lower back.
An undeniable force gently lifted her upwards.
Caught off guard, Ayana easily climbed to the top of the slope and returned to the cover of the pile of debris.
She turned around in surprise and saw Hisoka standing at the bottom of the slope, looking up at her with an indescribable expression on his face, as if he had discovered an extremely interesting toy.
He withdrew his hand, gracefully brushed off the dust, and then slowly and easily climbed up.
The two stood again in the corner of the tent, which was piled with clutter, with the still-dark gap behind them.
The tent was silent; the sleeping children were completely unaware of what had just happened underground.
Hisoka broke the silence first, his voice tinged with languid confusion.
"Hmm~ Why do you have to leave?"
He tilted his head, his golden vertical pupils locking onto Ayana in the darkness: "Wouldn't it have been better to just kill him there? That would have been the end of it."
Ayana looked directly into Hisoka's eyes, which were gleaming in the shadows: "Killing him now will make us safe for the time being, but then what?"
She paused, organizing her thoughts and clarifying her ideas: "That mysterious man in the long robe, he is the key. The troupe leader is just the executor, a pawn placed in the open."
“Kill him, and this line will be severed. We will never know where those ‘goods’ went, who is behind them, or what their purpose is.”
Hisoka listened without changing his amused smile. He slowly countered, his fingertips seemingly holding another playing card, tapping it lightly against his palm: "But... we can't stay here any longer, can we? My dear class leader has clearly remembered us, especially you, my dear little cat."
He stepped forward, closing in on Ayana, his voice menacing as he whispered in her ear like a viper's hiss: "What do you think awaits us after dawn? A delicious breakfast, or... a dungeon, or perhaps becoming the next batch of 'goods'?"
Ayana felt a chill run down her spine at the possibility he described, but she did not back down. Instead, she met his gaze and said, "I know we can't stay any longer, but that's precisely why we can't kill the troupe leader now."
"As long as he's alive, the circus won't be in chaos for the time being, and that mysterious man or his accomplices might reappear."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "Moreover, if the troupe leader is alive, he will definitely try to take revenge on us or cover up the truth. His actions themselves will become clues for us."
“Kill him, and all of this will be gone.”
Hisoka listened quietly, stopping the tapping of the playing cards in his palm.
He looked at Ayana, his golden eyes gleaming with a complex and unfathomable light, his voice rising slightly at the end, carrying a strange sense of pleasure.
"They're using the troupe leader as bait to catch an even bigger fish—what a bold and cunning idea!"
He suddenly chuckled softly, his shoulders trembling slightly, as if he was trying his best to keep quiet.
"I'm increasingly convinced that dragging you into this was the best decision I've ever made recently~" Hisoka's laughter stopped, and his eyes turned deep. "So, my dear little cat commander, what do you plan to do with us two homeless fugitives now?"
His question went straight to the point.
As dawn approached, the question of whether the two should stay or leave became increasingly urgent.
A bold, almost insane idea popped into Ayana's mind.
She raised her eyes, her voice soft but carrying an undeniable resolve.
"We're not leaving."
Hisoka raised an eyebrow, his golden eyes showing even greater interest, signaling her to continue.
“Just like you said, the troupe leader has already set his sights on us,” Ayana analyzed quickly, her eyes sharp. “If we run away now, he will definitely do everything in his power to hunt us down. Where can two children like us, without identities or anyone to rely on, escape to? And how will we ever have a chance to uncover the truth after we escape?”
She then changed the subject, saying, "But what if we stay? Right under his nose, the last thing the troupe leader would expect is that we would dare to stay."
Hisoka let out a short, soft chuckle, as if he had heard an extremely funny joke: "Staying in the wolf's den that wants us dead? Hmm~ Little cat, you're bolder than I thought."
“We shouldn’t stay blindly,” Ayana corrected, her mind racing as the plan gradually became clear. “We should stay normally, pretend nothing happened, pretend we know nothing about what happened last night.”
"Although the troupe leader suspects us, he has no conclusive evidence to prove that we started the fire or discovered the secret. The underground lights are very dim, so he may not be 100% sure it was us."
“Moreover,” Ayana took a deep breath and stated the most crucial point, “he needs to maintain the facade of normalcy for the circus, especially after a deal was just completed and an accidental fire occurred. He wouldn’t dare to openly attack all of us without evidence; that would cause too much of a commotion and might even attract unnecessary attention. That’s our opportunity.”
She stared intently at Hisoka: "We need to find the truth before he makes a move, or force that mysterious person to reappear. It's a gamble, a gamble that he won't dare to immediately break off relations, a gamble that we can find a chance to turn the tables right under his nose."
Hisoka listened quietly, the playing cards in his fingers ceasing to spin.
“Gambling…” He looked at Ayana, slowly repeating the word, a huge, twisted smile slowly spreading across his face, filled with excitement and anticipation. “I love it the most~”
He leaned closer to Ayana, their noses almost touching, his voice low and seductive: "Let's make a bet, Kitty, and see if you find the clue first, or if we get 'dealt with' by the troupe leader first."
"I'm getting more and more excited for this scene!"
*
The dawn arrived exceptionally slowly.
The first light of dawn shone into the tent again, but the atmosphere was completely different from usual.
An invisible tension permeated the air, and even the most oblivious child noticed something was amiss.
The troupe leader appeared.
He changed his clothes to cover the scars on his arms and calves, but the weariness on his face and the sinister look hidden in his eyes could not be concealed.
The troupe leader didn't give a speech as usual; he simply silently surveyed the gathered children, his gaze like a cold blade, especially when it swept over Ayana and Hisoka, carrying undisguised killing intent.
Ayana lowered her eyes, trying to make her expression no different from the anxious children around her, even deliberately showing just the right amount of confusion and fear.
She could feel that cold gaze lingering on her for a long time, as if it wanted to tear her to pieces.
Hisoka remained as nonchalant as ever; he even yawned, as if he had slept exceptionally well the night before.
However, when he occasionally looked up and met the troupe leader's gaze, his almost provocative, cold smile made the troupe leader's expression even more unpleasant.
Training has begun.
The trainers were unusually silent today, but they were hitting harder than yesterday, cracking their whips more frequently, and their shouts carried a suppressed rage.
Clearly, they had all received some kind of instruction.
Ayana continued to let the system take over her body and devoted herself wholeheartedly to training.
Lizzie then timidly approached during a break, her face pale: "Ayana, I... I heard that the underground storage room caught fire last night, and a lot of things were destroyed. The troupe leader seems very angry."
Ayana's heart skipped a beat, but her face showed surprise: "A fire? How could this be?"
“I don’t know…” Lizzie shook her head, her voice filled with fear, “Everyone says it was an accident, but… but the way the troupe leader looked at us was terrifying…”
Just as Ayana was about to ask Lizzie more questions, the class leader's booming voice suddenly resounded throughout the entire training ground.
"Listen up, all of you!" He stood on his high position, hands on his hips, trying to maintain his usual commanding posture, but the gloom in his eyes lingered. "We have important guests visiting tonight! They're big shots from the city! Everyone needs to be on high alert!"
His gaze swept across the young and fearful faces below like a searchlight, finally pausing subtly on Ayana and Hisoka, carrying a chilling warning.
"Tonight's performance is a do-or-die situation! Anyone who messes up and tarnishes the reputation of our Dream Circus..."
He snorted coldly, the threat in his unfinished words unmistakable: "Now, all of you, get ready! Clean yourselves up and put on your best performance outfits! Tonight, you will all be the most dazzling stars on stage!"
The order was given, and the training ground instantly sprang into action, a mixture of suppressed excitement and deeper fear permeating the air.
For most children, performing on stage means a brief escape from rigorous training, applause and rewards, but it also means they cannot afford to make any mistakes, or the consequences will be dire.
Ayana and Lizzie followed the crowd to the tents assigned to the girls to collect their costumes for the evening's performance.
Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, guessing that tonight's performance was anything but ordinary.
The troupe leader's choice to hold a grand performance at this time was by no means innocent.
Was it to appease guests who might have doubts due to last night's fire, or to find flaws in her and Hisoka's relationship under the watchful eyes of everyone?
Ayana touched the Joker card in her inner pocket; the cool touch calmed her down a little.
Regardless, she and Hisoka had to appear in this performance, and they had to perform flawlessly.
*
Night had completely enveloped the earth, but the main tent of the Dream Circus was brightly lit.
Inside the enormous tent, a cacophony of voices filled the air, with gentlemen and ladies from the city dressed in finery, the air thick with the sweet scents of perfume, tobacco, and popcorn.
Colorful lanterns and swaying spotlights illuminated the central circular performance area as if it were daytime.
Ayana hid behind the heavy curtain, peering through the gaps at the blurry but excited faces below the stage.
She wore a blue bodysuit covered in cheap sequins that accentuated her figure, and heavy stage makeup that concealed her paleness and dark circles under her eyes.
The system promptly reminded her in her mind.
[Rest assured, host, I will take over your body shortly and perform for you.]
This calmed Ayana's chaotic mind somewhat.
At least in terms of performance, she won't make a mistake.
The performance began soon.
The animal trainer led the listless lion across a hoop of fire, while clowns made exaggerated and comical movements, eliciting bursts of laughter.
Acrobats stacked themselves into human pyramids and performed various thrilling stunts high in the air, eliciting gasps from the audience.
Everything seemed so normal, so joyful, as if the dark underground transactions and the flames that ignited last night were just a nightmare.
But Ayana knew it was more than just a nightmare.
She could sense that, in the shadows behind the scenes, the troupe leader's gaze was constantly following her and Hisoka.
Hisoka's show is before Ayana's.
A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, the lights shone, and Hisoka slowly walked onto the stage.
He changed into a black performance outfit with dark red patterns, which made his red hair stand out even more and his skin appear even paler.
Hisoka's face had no exaggerated makeup, but his golden vertical pupils reflected an inhuman luster under the strong light.
He didn't make any exaggerated gestures or movements like other clowns; he simply stood quietly in the center of the stage, a few ordinary playing cards between his fingers.
The music begins; it's a melody with an eerie rhythm and a touch of suspense.
Then, Hisoka moved.
His body seemed boneless, stretching, spinning, and leaping to the rhythm of the music.
Hisoka's every movement was precise and elegant, with an almost cruel beauty.
The playing cards in his hand were no longer props, but rather an extension of his limbs and a footnote to his dance.
The cards fluttered, bounced, and floated between his fingers, as if they had been given life.
Sometimes they fluttered around Hisoka like butterflies, sometimes they shot into the air like sharp blades, and then strangely swirled at the highest point before landing steadily back on his fingertips.
Hisoka's dance is full of the extreme contrast between power and flexibility. It is no longer a performance to please the audience, but more like a dangerous temptation.
The laughter from the audience gradually faded, replaced by a breathless silence.
The audience was stunned by his performance, which blended pure skill with a dark atmosphere.
He then performed a difficult backflip, simultaneously shooting a dozen or so playing cards precisely at the lanterns on the top of the tent, arranging them neatly into a bizarre symbol as if nailed to the ground.
The performance has ended.
After a brief silence, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.
Hisoka bowed slightly amidst the applause, his face showing no pride, only indifference.
He raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the direction of the curtain where Ayana was hiding, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips. Then he turned and gracefully exited the stage, leaving the electrifying atmosphere to the next performer.
The announcer's voice rang out again: "Next, please enjoy the ribbon dance of the aerial sprite, Ayana!"
[Host, I'm ready!]
Let's go on stage!
The system seemed even more eager to take the stage than Ayana herself.
She twitched her lips, suppressing the urge to complain, took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and walked onto the stage, which was scorching hot under the lights.
The intense light made Ayana dizzy for a moment, and the dark mass of heads and flashing eyes below the stage made her instinctively nervous.
But she immediately adjusted her breathing and cleared her mind of all distractions.
At this moment, she is merely a performer.
The music became ethereal and dreamlike.
The girl walked to the center of the stage and reached out her hands to grasp the two long, white ribbons hanging from above.
With the help of the ribbons, she floated up into the air lightly, as if her body had no weight.
The girl twirled and soared in the air, white ribbons fluttering with her movements, intertwining with her blue figure, like a real elf dancing under the moon.
The system's control allowed Ayana to push every movement to the limits of human flexibility.
Her body bent at incredible angles, freezing in mid-air in a series of graceful yet thrilling poses, eliciting gasps from the audience.
The girl wore a serene and distant smile, as if she were immersed in her own world. Her beautiful appearance brought joy to anyone who looked at her.
But in fact, Ayana's eyes were constantly scanning the audience with sharp eyes.
She was searching, searching for any suspicious figure.
Applause and gasps of amazement rose and fell. Unlike Hisoka's eerie and dangerous performance, the girl's acting was full of pure beauty and power, equally breathtaking.
In a series of difficult flips, the girl's body swung high into the air with the help of the ribbons, and her field of vision opened up in an instant.
In that instant, Ayana's gaze caught sight of someone.
In the corner of the last row of the audience, a figure dressed in a dark robe sat quietly, his hood hanging low.
Ayana felt a sudden chill, but her movements did not falter at all.
With the system's help, she landed as lightly as a feather, ending her performance with a perfectly graceful pose, as ribbons slowly drifted down, enveloping her.
The applause came like a tidal wave, even more enthusiastic than before.
The girl smiled and bowed to the audience, but her heart was pounding in her chest.
She found her!
That mysterious person was actually in the audience!
Was he monitoring the performance, or was he looking for new merchandise?
Ayana stepped off the stage and returned to the dimly lit backstage.
Hisoka was leaning against the prop box, fiddling with a playing card, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.
"Not bad at all~" He looked up, his tone enigmatic, it was hard to tell whether he was praising Ayana or not, "I'm completely captivated by you, little cat~"
Hisoka abruptly changed the subject, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. Gazing towards the audience, he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Did you see that rat hiding in the shadows?"
A smile curved his lips: "Our bait seems to have really attracted something extraordinary~"
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