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"my orders are absolute. I told you to take that kid, didn't I!?"

"but, mas—!"

"silence! You're such a bad child"

"Stop! Master- Please!"

"I will stop once you've learnt your lesson, you ungrateful brat!"

"—kun? Sei-kun?"

The sweet voice of Satsuki's snapped him out from his spacing out and Seijuro turned to face her who was looking at him with a worried look. They were packing up outside the tents to return back to Loreine as they've finished their circus performance there and Satsuki noticed that Seijuro wasn't really paying attention to what he was doing. It was a very rare thing for Seijuro to be spacing out so it made Satsuki extremely worried. After all, all of that happened last night...

"are you okay? You look a little pale..."

"I'm fine." he smiled lightly. "Don't worry."

Satsuki stayed silent at his response. It was clear there was something bothering him but this was Seijuro. He wasn't the type to be dependent to others or rather, he didn't know how to be dependent to others. Though the same age, Seijuro was a hundred times more mature and independent than Satsuki— making her wonder if they were actually the same age. He would always take matters into his own hands and never share his problems with others. In a way, it was admirable but to Satsuki, she wants him to talk to her about anything that bothered him. She can't stand to see him look so burdened..

"anyway, how do you feel about returning to Mariane after such a long time?" he asked, taking her off guard.

"well..." she thought about her answer for a bit. "it certainly did feel a little nostalgic but that's all to it. I can barely remember anything about Mariane after all..."

"is that so.." he murmured. "well, it has been 10 years, hasn't it.."

"yeah.." Satsuki chuckled and looked up to the sky that was ever so blue. "time passes by so fast..."

A soft gust of wind slowly blew past them followed by a period of silence. The two said nothing to each other, reminiscing a little from their hazy pasts. Deciding that they should resume their task, Seijuro called out to Satsuki and they picked up the box they were packing then walked over to the carriage that was waiting. The other first string and the two second string members were already present around the carriage, all of them silent, not in the mood to make jokes or chat around. Who could blame them. What happened last night made it hard to do so.

"ah, Seijurocchi.." Ryouta greeted without any energy in his voice. "Tsujirou-sama said to bring her here since we're going to be departing soon.."

"is that so.." Seijuro muttered, glancing over to the fancy carriage in front of the luggage carriage with an empty look in his eyes. "understood."

Atsushi took the box Seijuro was holding from him and let the redhead walk off to do what Tsujirou had ordered him to. While the others went of to ready the horses or organize the loads inside the carriage, Satsuki watched as his back slowly became further and further by every passing second with a melancholic shadow. She felt her chest tighten. Oh how she wanted to help him so much. She really wanted to set him free from the chains of Tsujirou that held him down. Out of all that were here in the circus, she knew, the one that suffered the most and longest...

was him...

Seijuro entered one of the tents that was still set up at the furthest end of the circus site and let his gaze land on a shadow that was curled up over at a dark corner of the tent. Carefully, he approached her. She seemed to have noticed his presence as she scooted further away the more he came closer. Seijuro narrowed his eyes slightly at her actions and let out a small sigh. He decided to maintain his distance for now. It seemed that she didn't want to be anywhere near him after all.

"Tetsuna-san," he said softly. "we are departing soon. Come, let's go to the carriage. Tsujirou-sama is requesting for you"

The girl didn't give a respond and just kept quiet, her arms that were wrapped around her knees tightened their grip. Seijuro repeated his words once again, intending to persuade her to come along. In her current state, he didn't want to force her. Her mind now was as fragile as glass. He should perform his actions with extra care as he knew. He knew that if he were to treat her with even just a little less delicacy, she would break. Just like...

"Tetsuna-san.. I understand what happened last night was unpleasant for you and what Tsujirou-sama did to you can never be justified but,"

He paused for a moment and moved a little closer to her, slowly kneeling down once he reached a safe distance from her. She didn't react to it so he presumed it was a sign that she allowed him to be at least this close to her. Seijuro then narrowed his eyes in a gentle-like way and continued his sentence in a quiet voice, as if he was pleading for her to do as he says.

"please. Just follow us back to Loreine. If you don't..."

Seijuro didn't continue. At his silence, Tetsuna discreetly glanced at him, the faint expression of guilt on his face that he tried to hide by lowering his face wasn't missed at all. The blunette's eyes softened by a fraction and gave it a little thought. Although she didn't want to be returning to a place that is far from a home, she decided to at least heed his request. She knew after all. Of what would happen if he were to not perfectly execute his orders. After all that, how would she not know?

The show was still on-going with Seijuro and Satsuki exciting the crowd more and more with their flawless magic tricks. Puffs of colourful smoke and pigeons appeared as they continued to perform with perfect smiles on their faces. In the eyes of the audience, they seem to be enjoying their time performing but at truth, it was the complete opposite. Those smiles were just an act. Unlike the audience, they could hear it. Even though most of it were drowned by the claps and cheers of the spectators, they could hear it clearly. The screams that were muffled from behind the curtains.

Backstage, Ryouta and the others could only watch helplessly as Tsujirou grabbed Tetsuna once again by her hair and roughly pressed his lighted cigarette onto the bare skin of her neck. Tetsuna let out another scream of pain as tears flowed endlessly from her eyes. The man then slammed her forehead onto one of the crates— a malicious grin spread on his face —and raised her head up, ignoring the blood that flowed out of the wound that had been afflicted upon her. Her once scarless body was now tainted with all sorts injuries. Fresh burn marks covered her neck and collarbone area while her arms and tummy had deep slashes caused by a knife. Her legs were bind together to prevent her from running away and they too had deep wounds.

"see what happens when you go against me?"

Tsujirou's devilish eyes gleamed in the darkness as he smiled sadistically, bringing his face closer to Tetsuna. The poor girl didn't even have anymore strength to give a respond to him. Her breathing became heavy from the blood lose— a small pool of blood forming under her feet —and the pain was still lingering. She could still feel the heat from the cigarette, the sharpness of the blade of the knife and the hardness of the crate. The pain was unexplainable. She could barely even keep her eyes open. They were just begging to close but she knew if she let them, there is no telling when they will ever open again. She just had to try and endure it all.

"please... stop..." she managed to say in a ghostly whisper.

Tsujirou found the fact that she was still hanging in there amusing and snickered, "you're quite the strong one, aren't you? Doesn't matter. When I'm through with you—"

"Tsujirou-sama, I suggest that that is enough."

Tsujirou glared at Seijuro— who just returned backstage with Satsuki —and lowered Tetsuna by a few, questioning why he should listen to his words. Satsuki clutched a hand on her chest and her lips formed a straight line as she looked at the weak figure of Tetsuna. She obviously looked afraid of what she was seeing and there was also a look of sympathy in her eyes. There wasn't much of a reaction from Seijuro, on the other hand. He stayed as calm and collected as he could and started to explain to Tsujirou the reason he shouldn't continue his act.

"She is still a new member of the circus. She doesn't fully understand the rules here. Moreover, the show is over. They would be able to hear her as there are no more people cheering. If they were to find out, it would tarnish your reputation, Tsujirou-sama."

The man stayed silent for a few moments— considering whether to listen to him —then clicked his tongue. He threw Tetsuna over to Seijuro who hurriedly caught her in his arms and walked out of the tent with an angry huff. Seijuro sighed— feeling relieved that he actually listened to his request —and turned his gaze to Tetsuna— who lost conscious —in order to inspect her wounds. Fortunately none of them were particularly life threatening but it didn't mean it was fine for her to be covered in them.

Seijuro slipped his arm under her legs carefully— the other across her back securing her shoulder —and lifted her up after requesting Satsuki to fetch the first-aid kit. He then went off to a separate tent which was for the ladies and placed her on one of the sleeping bags, making sure he was gentle the whole time. When Satsuki came with the first-aid kit and a small basin of water— to clean the wounds, he treated Tetsuna's wounds with her aid. Both of them didn't utter a single word to each other and just silently continued their task. There was nothing to talk about and it wasn't the time to anyways. Only the sounds of a towel being submerged in water then dried and bandages being placed on the ground filled the silence.

"..I'll go changed the water. It's kinda dirty already"

Seijuro only gave a nod when Satsuki left the tent with the small basin in hand. He then set aside his wet towel to wait for her to bring cleaner water. As he waited, he glanced over to the passed out Tetsuna, silently observing her form. Her heavy breathing from before gradually became slower and her face relaxed a little. The antiseptic must be working— Seijuro mused. He unconsciously ran his hand gently through her hair, mentally complimenting on how soft it was despite the lack of chances for her to properly care for it for the time she was them. His eyes narrowed regretfully as he continued running his fingers through her hair, thinking on how it was a pity that such an innocent girl got mixed up in their affairs. The redhead bent down, low enough to let his lips brush against her ear and in a soft voice he whispered,

"—forgive me.."

"Tetsu-chan!"

Tetsuna was greeted by a bone-crushing hug from Satsuki the moment she and Seijuro approached the carriages. The bluenette was surprised to receive the hug— but she also felt rather happy in a way... —and struggled for a few moments to keep her balance (also to breathe). The pinkette finally released her grip when Seijuro told her that Tetsuna was going to die from air shortage. Though she panicked a little after letting go.

"how are you feeling now?" Satsuki asked worriedly.

"better, thanks to Satsuki-san." Tetsuna answered with a small smile, referring to the treatment she did.

"thank goodness.." The pinkette let out a faint sigh of relief. "really.. thank goodness..."

Seijuro, who was silently watching as the two girls exchange words, glanced over to the carriages that were prepared and requested the girls— Riko signaled that they were about to depart from the front seat of the luggage carriage —to get on their carriage. The redhead helped the two get on at the back of the luggage carriage before walking off to the main one where Tsujirou was waiting impatiently for departure. Seijuro and Junpei— replacing Ryouta for today —took hold of their respective reins and the circus was set off on their way to return home. It was a silent ride, overall, as some of the members were taking a nap regardless of how uncomfortable it was with all the luggage and limited space while the remaining members just simply didn't want to talk at all. The air felt heavy but they really couldn't care less. Chatting like as if nothing happened would be strange after all.

Tetsuna found it rather strange for them to be this affected by Tsujirou's actions last night. For them to feel guilty was understandable but to the extent that they lost the energy to even act like themselves was a little... Was there something else that had occurred on that night? She wanted to ask but she felt that it was better for her to not say a word. It would only make things worst after all..

"Atsushicchi, could you carry that crate over there?"

"okay..~"

Once they arrived, everyone got to work and started to bring in their load back inside the lone mansion near Loreine. Tetsuna lent a hand to them too as she felt that just standing by and watching them lift all those loads wasn't exactly polite. While she and Satsuki lifted the lighter ones over to the storage area, Tetsuna couldn't help but notice the absence of the boy from yesterday. The unfortunate clown, as dubbed by some of the members. Out of curiousity, she asked the pinkette about the boy, only to be given a rather peculiar response.

"I- I'm not sure what happened to him but I assure you he's fine" Satsuki laughed nervously.

The bluenette raised an eyebrow and tilted her head a little to the side as to question how true her answer was. Satsuki was obviously hiding something. Otherwise why would she be so reluctant—

"..."

It then came to her realization that something must've happened to the boy, something that would cause Satsuki and the others to want to keep it secret and feel— perhaps —uneasy about it. Something related to...

"..did Tsujirou-san..?"

She didn't bother to finish her question. Just by those two words, she knew Satsuki would know. And judged by the expression that formed on her face at the question, she knew she was right. Tetsuna lowered her head— her bangs shadowing her eyes —and once again asked.

"...what happened to him, Satsuki-san?"

The pinkette stayed silent, hesitating whether to tell her the truth about the boy. It was something that she knew would be unforgivable to the other girl. For them at the circus, those kind of things happen a little... too often that they have gotten rather used to it. But for someone who was still new to their world, could she take the truth without any dire consequences to their side?

"...after we finished treating your wounds," Satsuki uttered, deciding to just tell her in the end. "Tsujirou-sama summoned Sei-kun to his tent and—"

"he ordered to rid the boy of his life"

Tetsuna spun around at the sudden sound of his smooth voice and saw Seijuro at the entrance of the storage room, his arms crossed in a rather lax way. He looked rather tired as he leaned on the door frame, looking at the two girls who were both surprised but one was for another reason.

"rid of his life..." Tetsuna repeated, the shock in her eyes was evident as they opened wide and there was a look of horror mixed in them. "w- what are you—"

"Tsujirou-sama ordered me to kill him." Seijuro calmly said. "It was due to his poor performance yesterday."

Her body started to tremble— whether it was from fear or rage, she herself didn't know —and she shifted her gaze towards the ground before she asked him in a quiet voice,

"did you—"

"yes."

Her blue eyes shot back up and stared at the redhead. Perhaps she didn't hear it right. Perhaps it was just her imagination. Perhaps it was—

"yes I did." Seijuro repeated. "I killed him. Orders are orders after all."

The way he easily answered without a trace of guilt in his voice left her dumbfounded. The usual look in his eyes were now replaced with a deadly gaze that seemed to be as if demanding for authority which sent a chill down the bluenette's spine. This wasn't the Seijuro she knew. That was what was clear. The Seijuro she had gotten to know didn't have such a cruel look in his eyes. Satsuki seemed to have noticed the change too as she seemed uneasy at her spot, avoiding eye contact with the redhead.

"orders are orders..?" Tetsuna finally spoke up, the look of utter betrayal was etched on her face. "just because of that you killed an innocent boy?"

"Exactly."

A gasp was breathed out from Satsuki and her hand was brought to her mouth. She never would have expected such a thing. To strike against him was an act only a person brave or foolish enough would do. But there she was an arms length from him, her hand still hovering in the air from the action. The redhead himself also didn't expect for the bluenette to step up to him and land a strong, hard slap on his face. His ruby eyes flew wide open and he had straightened his posture at the moment of impact. It was the last thing he thought she would do.

Tetsuna glared intensely at him before walking off without another word. Seijuro placed a hand on his burning left cheek when he recovered from the shock and his bangs covered his eyes with a shadow as he stayed silent at his place. Satsuki walked up to him, about to ask if he was okay, when he cut her off.

"go after her. It would be troublesome if Tsujirou-sama found out she is out of our sight."

"but..."

Satsuki looked at the taller male with worried eyes. It made her wonder why on earth did he utter those cruel words. It wasn't like him at all..

"I am fine." he said, giving a faint smile. "now go."

Her pink orbs widened by a small fraction as it came to her realization of what was his motive. There wasn't any other answer and if it was true, it would make perfect sense. Satsuki pressed her lips in a thin line and slowly nodded before running out to find Tetsuna, her footsteps echoing through the corridor.

As always, you never depend on anyone... Even when you're burdened with guilt..

"..idiot"

Thanks for reading!