Preshow ✧ 7

“This Circus is really bright and colorful. Maybe the Director is, too.”

Right, right! Mimi was right. Such an uplifting and buoyant organization could only be directed by a warm, sociable person.

However, when Nilsu knocked on the door, fed up with my hesitation… the voice coming from inside, giving us the permission to come in didn't exactly sound like they were in the mood for an interaction.

Not to mention, they had said it in the Lartican language—which meant not only I had to face a nerve-wracking situation but also handle it in a language that I didn't get to speak very often…! I prayed that my school lessons and modest self study sessions could carry me in this situation.

Countless thoughts ran in my mind, mixed with Mimi's commentary: What am I gonna say? How can I say? They are probably just tired, that's why they sounded icy. Go in, Rai. What does Nilsu want me to say? If I just thank them, is that all she wants? Will that be enough? Just go in. Rai. Go in.

Once the door opened, and I faced the person sitting on her desk, looking up at us from her documents in hand with an unfazed expression, something inside me switched. After that point, it was like I was possessed by a confident, persuasive spirit; the words flowed out of my mouth effortlessly.

“Good evening, do you happen to be the Director?”

This woman, who seemed to be in her fifties, had a rather stern vibe, conveyed with her sharp violet eyes. Even then, she replied politely.

“Yes, you can call me Emery. How can I help you two?”

I took a glance at Nilsu. I was expecting to see her smile brightly, but she had a strange expression resting on her face instead. Since I already somewhat knew what she wanted me to relay to the Director, I didn't let it sidetrack me.

“Ah, nice to meet you. I am Mirai, and this is my friend Nilsu. She is an Aberrant of Speech Divergence, and wanted me to convey her heartfelt thanks for such a lovely organization.”

With my words, Nilsu took a few steps forward towards Director Emery's desk, and bowed with her head a few times to express her respects in a quiet manner. Her bright smile was back to her face, which made me let out a breath of relief.

However, her adorable mannerisms didn't seem to faze the Director. She coolly looked at Nilsu and said, “Well then, let us hear it from you directly.”

Nilsu raised her head in confusion. After a few moments, she looked at me with slight desperation, as if asking me what to do. Before I could give words of encouragement to my friend, the Director spoke up once again.

“Divergence—it simply means difference. Even people who are completely mute can express themselves one way or another. That's what I mean: let me know about what you want to tell me, in your own way.”

Both of us were stunned by this speech that had merely lasted a few seconds, but there was a mesmerizing quality to it.

She continued, this time with a small smirk on her tough features.

“You have a friend over here, which means you are able to express yourself just fine. Show me.”

In front of this demand, I could see Nilsu tense up all over. Then, she let go of a deep breath, and relaxed her body. Taking one more step forward, she… started singing.

The stuffy caravan air changed in a split second. I could feel refreshing water drops touch my face, it felt like a warm spring drizzle. The sound itself was difficult to explain, though. It felt like moving water, but not exactly in the sense of the rain. Perhaps the closest description would be the sound of gentle waves coming back and forth.

It was completely possible that she was merely ‘talking’ rather than singing—it was difficult to tell when it was all sounds of mellow waves. But something told me that this was her way of singing, it held the quality of a refreshing melody.

The Director was right. She had conveyed her message, in her own way. I had forgotten to check for her reaction, as I was too focused on staring at my incredibly beautiful friend. Forcefully tearing my gaze apart, I managed a glance at the Director.

She still had that faint smirk on, but there was something of a sparkle in her eyes now. Once Nilsu was done with her captivating method of communication, she nodded with satisfaction.

“Wonderful. I extend my thanks to you not only for your heartfelt gratitude but also for letting me hear you.”

Suddenly, the sparkle in her eye was gone and she turned to me. When those sharp violet eyes met my unsuspecting amber ones, I couldn't help but take a step backwards from the sheer force of that gaze.

“What about you?”

“What, us?”

Even Mimi was caught off guard.

“...me?” I asked, slightly raising my hand.

“Yes, you.”

Did she mean that in the way whether I had something to tell her? Or was she asking to know about my Aberrance? But how would she know that I was not a Regular unless I told her? As I thought of what she meant, it was as if that confident spirit of earlier had left us alone in this.

In a voice tone that was back to my usual, I stammered.

“M-me… Well, I only came here to talk because she wanted it so, but… I am also an Aberrant, even if I may not look like it, uhm…”

She furrowed her eyebrows. Her scolding tone sent chills back to my spine.

“What's with the nervous demeanor, I only meant to ask if you had anything to say as well.”

Mimi… save me, Mimi… She's so scary…

“You're alone in this, buddy.”

I looked down to the floor, scanning my mind to see if I could say anything as well. That's when I heard the Director continue speaking.

“Not to mention, I am plenty aware that not every Aberrance will show on the exterior. Just like… your friend. Let me hear what you are, Miss Mirai.”

Oh, she had paid attention to me telling our names at the beginning. I awkwardly laughed and scratched my neck.

“Ah, well… That's right, the Director must have met countless Aberrants. As for me, I have two souls in one body. The other one is dormant at the moment, so it's me, Rai speaking.”

“Rai from Mirai… so what's the other one called. Mi…?”

“Mimi.”

She nodded. “I see. I've seen some people like you before.”

My eyes widened. People like me? They existed?

“W-wuh… Really?”

Nilsu made a slight noise, possibly snorting at my reaction. Once again, I scratched my next and hastily explained my reaction to the Director.

“It's just… I am from a small village in Salen, I never got to meet many Aberrants, let alone anyone like me. That's… amazing. I never knew!”

She stood up from her place, and placed her hand over some stacked up document cases on the table. As her fingertips drummed on them, she spoke.

“It is very important for Aberrants to mingle with their kind. To know, to learn, to grow together. They tend to find each other and stick close.”

Her free arm gestured towards us.

“Just like you two.”

As she was finally sounding a bit more warmer for the first time in the evening, I didn't want to break the atmosphere by saying that me and Nilsu had just met today and weren't all that close. She also didn't give a particular reaction towards the Director.

“For that reason… I have an offer for you two young ladies. For our next performance, would you like to be a part of it as well?”

H-huh?

“What.”

Accompanying me and Mimi’s confusion was a loud bubble bursting sound made by Nilsu. She hastily (and clumsily) crouched to the ground, searching her bag. She took out her trusty notebook and pen, and started writing on it with such a speed that the paper was practically getting stabbed with that blue pen.

I stood in a daze with the suddenness of that question and merely watched the flow of her orange locks as she communicated with the Director.

“I see… that's lovely. I would love to have your skills in the team.”

Nilsu kept on writing, possibly expressing her enthusiasm to be a part of the show. It meant sense, it had moved her so much: it was only natural she would react this happily.

What about… me? I looked down, having a mental meeting with Mimi.

“What do we say, Mimi…”

“Well, for one, we are unemployed. So this would be a good opportunity to meet more people and expand our horizons.”

What a level headed response. Perhaps even a bit out of character for her, to even mention meeting new people. Was she looking out for me?

“Sure, but… a circus… what can we even do? We don't have a spectacle-worthy Aberrance…”

“Well, yeah, but the circus isn't only made up of performers. There must be plenty to do backstage, as well.”

“You're right…”

Mimi sounded oddly on board with the idea, despite her usual disinterest in activities involving other people. As this body was inhabited by her too, I was inclined to accept the offer of the Director. When I turned my gaze upwards from the floor, I found that she was looking intently at me. This time, I was not startled by it. I looked into her eyes and nodded.

“There's no need to rush with your decision, please discuss it with your families as well. We will be here for five more days, feel free to visit at any hour and make yourself acquainted with the rest of the team.”

She reassured us that we were free to accept or refuse and that we could discuss the specifics of the contract accordingly later on.

After I exchanged a few more pleasantries with the Director, we bid her good night, me with my words and Nilsu with her own voice.

Once we closed the caravan’s door behind us, I turned to Nilsu to smile. I knew how happy she was about this, and was looking forward to hearing her reaction now that we could discuss it between ourselves.

To my confusion, she merely nodded towards me, as if to say ‘Good night' and she started walking briskly without looking back even once.

I hastily waved my arms and shouted “Nice to meet you Nilsu, it was really fun today…!” after her when she had made a considerable distance. However, she didn't look back nor give a response.

“What the. Rude much?”

“...”

I just stood in place, watching her small figure walk away with her long orange and aqua hair flowing behind.

“We helped her land a place in the circus she admired so damn much and this is how she treats us? Whatever, let's go back, Rai. You are tired from the day out.”

Trying to ignore Mimi’s foul remarks which lasted the entire way home, I entered my aunt’s apartment.

How funny it was to think that: I was barely the same person as I had left it earlier in the day.