Chapter 3:
Part 4 : Dominion.
Black Sun
“I’m gonna join… Clown Dominion”
Cobblestone streets stretched before him—once filled with footsteps, laughter, and life. Now, they were cracked and silent, dust pooling in the corners where crowds used to gather.
Kami stood alone.The rolled poster hung in his hand, trembling slightly in his grasp. His mind echoed with a voice from the past.
"Soon… you’ll come to join us."Neko no Namida's words.Had she known this would happen?Could she see the future?
He didn’t know. But one thing was clear—he had nothing left.No home.No family.No place to return to.
Only this path.Kami looked up at the gray sky, then down at the poster again. His voice came out in a whisper—raw and tired, but resolute.
"I have no choice.""I want to join them."His fingers tightened around the poster. With no map, no guide, and no idea what awaited him. He took his first step toward the unknown.
Kami walked alone.
The wind was dry, brushing dust across the forgotten streets. His footsteps echoed softly, yet in his mind—they roared.
Each step forward was heavy… not from exhaustion, but from doubt. His thoughts spun in circles—loud, confused, relentless.Was this the right choice?Joining the Clown Dominion...A name that he doesn't know about it. But also something else—a place to belong. His heart throbbed, not from pain, but from the hollow left behind by Aria’s absence.
He didn’t know where she had gone. Didn’t know if he’d ever see her again. All he knew was that she had walked away. And he was left behind.
He stared ahead. “I don’t know if this is right… or wrong,” he muttered to himself.“But I need this.”His voice cracked.“Even if I have to erase who I am…”
He didn’t flinch.Because sometimes, when everything else is broken. Even erasing yourself feels like a kind of salvation.
And so, Kami kept walking—Not toward light.Not toward hope.But toward purpose. Even if it came dressed in madness.
As Kami stepped into the heart of Aeon City once more, it no longer felt like a painting come to life.
This time… it felt like a canvas set ablaze.
The streets, once vibrant with color and energy for him, but now flickered with an eerie, flickering tension—like beauty caught in the moment before it burned. The air was heavier. The silence, unnatural.
Near the old central fountain, a young painter still sat there—unchanged by the chaos. Charcoal dust clung to his fingertips, staining his palms and sleeves. His eyes were locked on the image taking shape on his canvas.
A black sun.
But this time, it wasn’t just a symbol. It was a warning. The black sun bled into the sky of his sketch, its edges jagged, its light devoured by shadows.
A prophecy wrapped in silence. Darkness was coming. And it wasn’t subtle anymore.
Kami stood there, staring at the image, a chill crawling up his spine. He looked around, scanning every corner, every shadow.
“Where is she…?”His voice cracked with urgency.“Where do I find her now?”
As Kami wandered deeper into Aeon City, his eyes scanned every corner, every rooftop, searching for Neko no Namida.
But then, something strange pulled at his attention. Everything here… was untouched.No crumbled walls.No shattered windows.No signs of eviction or destruction.Not even dust.
The homes were still standing—perfectly aligned, curtains swaying softly in open windows. Shops looked ready for customers, though none were around. The silence was strange, but the condition of the place… almost unnerving.
Kami slowed his steps, his brows furrowed.
"Why is nothing damaged here?"
He stopped near a hunched old man sitting on the edge of the walkway, sharpening a walking stick with a dull blade. Kami didn’t ask much—just one question.
“What’s the name of this street?”
The man looked up briefly, eyes foggy but calm.
“Street No. 110,” he muttered, then returned to his work.
Kami froze.Street 110.His breath caught. Because his home… the one erased now. It had stood in Street 111.
As Kami stood lost in thought, a low, muffled noise broke through the stillness.
He turned his head.
Just beside him, tucked between two old shops, was a narrow, dimly lit alley. A strange commotion echoed from within—rough voices, scuffling, and something that didn’t sound right.
Curious—and uneasy—Kami stepped toward the alley.
There, in the shadows, he saw a young boy on his knees, head bowed, while a taller figure loomed over him, sneering.
“Hey, sit up—quickly! Lick it all up, you little rat!” the stranger barked, pointing to the dirt-covered ground with a cruel grin.
The boy trembled, slowly leaning down… mouth inches from the street.
Kami didn’t wait.
With a sharp step forward, he swung the rolled-up poster in his hand and cracked it across the stranger’s back.
The man stumbled, startled. He turned, glaring.
“Huh? Who the hell are you—”
Before he could finish, Kami rushed in.
No hesitation.No words.
Just a punch—clean and fast—right to the stranger’s jaw.
The man flew backward, crashing into a row of trash bins. A bag split open and landed squarely on his head, spilling garbage down his shoulders.
The alley fell silent. Kami turned toward the boy. He knelt down and gently offered his hand.
The boy, shaking, slowly took it and stood. Their eyes met. But something about the boy’s gaze didn’t sit right. It wasn’t just fear… it was regret.
Kami couldn’t read it. But he offered a soft smile anyway.“Who are you?” he asked kindly.“What’s your name?”
The boy hesitated, lips quivering. Then, barely above a whisper, he replied—
“I… I’m Kodomo.”
Kami nodded and extended his hand again, this time for a handshake.
“I’m Kami.”“Will you be my friend?”
For a moment, Kodomo froze.Then, slowly, he reached out his hand trembling. Their hands met in a brief, quiet handshake. But as they touched, Kodomo pulled his hand away, voice shaking.
“I’m sorry, Kami…”“I’m not worthy to be your friend.”
Before Kami could respond, Kodomo turned and ran, footsteps echoing out of the alley. But just as he reached the edge, he paused.
Looking back over his shoulder, he said:“Thanks for helping me.”“But I wasn’t the one being bullied.”And then—he was gone.
"What… what does he mean?" Kami wondered, confusion clouding his thoughts.
Before he could react, the stranger grabbed him from behind—arms locked so tightly around him that Kami couldn’t break free.
With a sudden jerk, the man lifted Kami into the air and hurled him toward the pile of garbage at the back of the alley. The trash bags burst around him as he landed hard, the stench and weight pressing down like a curse.
Kami winced, barely able to lift his head—his vision blurred, but he could make out shapes. Not one… not two… three shadows.
Two of them approached and each grabbed one of his arms—locking him in place by the right and left.
Then the one from before stepped forward.
“You little bitch,” the man spat, venom in his voice.“That boy? He stole my damn wallet.”
Kami's eyes widened. What? The world spun with disbelief.
The man didn't wait. He threw a savage punch into Kami's stomach. Then another to the left side of his face.Then the right.Then again.And again.
A storm of fists crashed into Kami’s face—his head snapped side to side, blood bursting from his lip. His body trembled, but his arms were locked tight, unable to defend.
He struggled. He writhed. Nothing.
But then—his leg.
With everything he had left, Kami swung his right knee forward with a scream of effort—right into the man’s groin (The front part of your body where it joins your legs)
The attacker collapsed instantly, groaning in agony.
Kami dropped too, his body breaking under the pain. Blood slipped from the corner of his mouth like thick ink. He turned and spat red to the side.
But the man to his left grabbed him by the neck, yanking him back upright.“What the hell did you just do?” he growled, tightening his grip.
Kami choked, his vision fading at the edges. In desperation, he bit down—sinking his teeth into the man’s hand.
The man screamed and let go.The moment Kami's left arm was free, he swung hard and cracked his fist across the other man's jaw—staggering him.
Free.Without thinking, Kami spun around and bolted out of the alley.
As Kami stumbled out of the alley, a black car came roaring from the left, its engine howling like a beast unleashed.
CRASH—!
The front corner of the car slammed into him. His body flew sideways, crashing onto the cold pavement with a sickening thud.
For a second, everything stopped.
Then—his survival instinct kicked in.
He forced himself up. Legs shaking. Chest burning.
No time to think. No time to hurt.
He ran.
Through the streets. Around corners. Past closed shutters and flickering streetlamps. His breath was ragged, vision blurred.
Only after a while—when the footsteps behind him faded and the world grew quiet again—he slipped into a narrow lane, tucked between two crumbling buildings.
Safe. For now.
Kami collapsed onto the ground, his back pressing against a damp wall. He held his left arm with his right, trying to dull the ache. His head tilted up—neck stiff, eyes heavy.
Above, on the right, an old pipe leaked a steady drip of water. The droplets fell rhythmically, one by one, landing near his feet.
Drip… drip… drip…
His face was a mess—smeared with blood, dust, and dried sweat. His hands, covered in bandages, were torn and dirty. Sleeves ripped. Clothes stained.
He looked like he’d crawled out of a war zone.
Kami closed his eyes for a moment, Then, barely audible—more to himself than anyone else—he whispered“What the hell happened… to this world? To these people?”The only answer was the soft, lonely drip of water.
"I'm okay… I'm okay," Kami whispered to himself, voice barely more than breath.His arms still cradled his injured side, but now it was less about pain—more about reminding himself that he was still here. Still alive.
Then—Rain began to fall.
Soft.Steady.Gentle.
It coated the narrow stone street in a delicate silver sheen, like the city itself was being washed clean. The old buildings around him seemed to sigh, exhaling quietly with the rain—like an old soul finally at peace.
Farther down the winding lane, wooden shutters creaked open. An old shopkeeper leaned in his doorway, arms folded, a faint smile on his face as he watched the drizzle. The scent of rain on cobblestone mixed with warm bread and the soft musk of chimney smoke.
It wasn’t the kind of rain that chased people away.It welcomed them.
Kami’s eyes stayed closed, but a small, gentle smile touched his lips. This moment… felt safe felt real.
Then—a shadow approached. Footsteps, soft against the wet stone. Someone bent down beside him.
A voice, warm and familiar, almost musical:"Oh my dear... what are you doing here?"
Kami’s eyes fluttered open, slowly. And there she was. The person he had searched for all this time.
Neko no Namida.
His heart skipped. His breath caught somewhere between shock and happiness.
She looked just as he remembered—exactly like the first time they met morning. Same clothes. Same presence. As if not a single moment had passed.
But this time, she held something different.
A Diphylleia cymosa (The rare umbrella leaf) held gently above her head, catching raindrops as they scattered like crystal beads across its wide, veined surface.
She smiled softly, eyes filled with something that felt like knowing. And in that moment, under the silver rain, everything else faded.
Neko no Namida sat down beside him, her presence calm, almost timeless.
She shifted the Diphylleia cymosa just enough to cover Kami too, sheltering him beneath its wide, glistening leaf. The rain patted gently against it, a soft rhythm like a heartbeat between them.
Kami didn’t speak right away.He just… looked at her.Straight into her eyes.
There was no need to fake strength anymore. No need to pretend.
She noticed."Is anything wrong?" she asked softly, her voice delicate but clear, as if she already knew.
Kami didn’t hesitate.He didn’t lie.He didn’t run.
"I want to join Clown Dominion."The words came out flat. Honest. Heavy.
Neko no Namida blinked once, then smiled gently—tilting her head just a little, curious.
"Is that… anything wrong?" she asked.
Kami froze. Her response caught him off guard. His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to her, confused."Why are you asking that?"
She kept looking at him with that calm, knowing expression."Because you refused us the first time," she said quietly."And now, you want in."
Kami looked away, His head dropped, His shoulders sank, Disappointment hung off him like soaked clothes.
"Because I have no other path… except this," he said, voice low."I need it."
Rain still fell softly around them, but beneath the umbrella leaf, it was silent. Neko no Namida glanced at him, a soft glimmer in her eyes.“Did you read that poster I gave you?” she asked gently.
Kami shook his head.“No… I didn’t.”
She tilted her head a little more, her expression both amused and knowing.“Then you missed all the important details,” she said with a quiet smile.“The poster had everything you needed to know about joining the Dominion.”
She looked out toward the rain for a moment, then back at him.“I’ll tell you what it said.”She leaned in slightly, voice lowering.“If you want to join us, you have to hide yourself.”
Kami blinked, confused.He looked up into her eyes again.“What… do you mean?”
She didn’t look away this time. Her smile faded—replaced by honesty.“It’s the truth,” she said softly.“Now that you want to join us, I can finally say it.”
She paused, then continued.“Yes, we perform circus shows. That’s how we earn money. But do you know why?”
Kami stayed quiet, listening.
“Because we have no backing. No powerful supporters. No government help. No safehouse. We’re out there completely on our own.”
Kami ran a hand through his messy hair, still trying to make sense of it all.
Neko no Namida noticed his confusion and smiled again, this time with warmth.
“I know... it's a lot to take in. So let me say it simply.”She looked him in the eye.“We don’t just do circus acts. We have missions. Real ones. Important ones. But with so few members, we’ve never been able to complete even one.”
Kami straightened a little.“How many members do you have?”
She held up two fingers.“Two.”
Kami stared.Then blinked.Then covered his mouth, barely able to hold back his laugh.His shoulders shook a little.
Neko no Namida chuckled softly.“It’s okay. You can laugh. It is kind of ridiculous, isn’t it?”
Kami shook his head with a half-smile, still fighting the urge.“Only two members in a whole Dominion…”“Well, three now.” Kami added after a beat, looking at her with a little pride.
She smiled wider, and something in her expression relaxed. But her tone grew serious again.“Just remember, Kami…”“Joining us means hiding who you are.”“There’s no turning back.”
“I have no turning back,” Kami said quietly.“You said I need to hide myself… I’m even ready to erase myself.”
His words weren’t dramatic. They were just true. And Neko no Namida heard them clearly—like she’d once said something just like that to someone else.
She looked at him for a moment, then smiled—not out of joy, but understanding. Maybe she’d been in that exact place before.
Trying to shift the weight, she suddenly leaned back and clapped her hands softly.“Oh! I forgot to introduce myself!” she said with mock surprise.Her tone was light, but her eyes still carried the weight of their shared silence.
“I’m Neko no Namida. Age 17. From the city of Morino.”She gave a playful little bow, her voice softening.“Nice to meet you, my dear.”
Kami smiled. Not big. Not forced. Just a real, tired, grateful smile.
The drops still fell gently to the cobbled ground, but now it didn’t sound random—it sounded… delicate.Like the soft notes of a piano.Tip… tip… tip…
****Far across the city, under the collapsed roof of an abandoned shed, Kodomo sat alone.
Rain leaked through the cracks above him, falling around his shoulders—but he didn’t care.
There was something in his eyes. Not just guilt.Maybe it was regret.Maybe something more.
He reached into his soaked jacket pocket and slowly pulled out a wallet—the one he’d stolen earlier. He stared at it. For a long time.
His fingers gripped it, then loosened.
“I didn’t do right.”His voice cracked, barely audible over the rain.
He stood up suddenly and tossed the wallet to the ground like it was burning his hand.
Then—he ran.
Cobblestone streets stretched before him—once filled with footsteps, laughter, and life. Now, they were cracked and silent, dust pooling in the corners where crowds used to gather.
Kami stood alone.The rolled poster hung in his hand, trembling slightly in his grasp. His mind echoed with a voice from the past.
"Soon… you’ll come to join us."Neko no Namida's words.Had she known this would happen?Could she see the future?
He didn’t know. But one thing was clear—he had nothing left.No home.No family.No place to return to.
Only this path.Kami looked up at the gray sky, then down at the poster again. His voice came out in a whisper—raw and tired, but resolute.
"I have no choice.""I want to join them."His fingers tightened around the poster. With no map, no guide, and no idea what awaited him. He took his first step toward the unknown.
Kami walked alone.
The wind was dry, brushing dust across the forgotten streets. His footsteps echoed softly, yet in his mind—they roared.
Each step forward was heavy… not from exhaustion, but from doubt. His thoughts spun in circles—loud, confused, relentless.Was this the right choice?Joining the Clown Dominion...A name that he doesn't know about it. But also something else—a place to belong. His heart throbbed, not from pain, but from the hollow left behind by Aria’s absence.
He didn’t know where she had gone. Didn’t know if he’d ever see her again. All he knew was that she had walked away. And he was left behind.
He stared ahead. “I don’t know if this is right… or wrong,” he muttered to himself.“But I need this.”His voice cracked.“Even if I have to erase who I am…”
He didn’t flinch.Because sometimes, when everything else is broken. Even erasing yourself feels like a kind of salvation.
And so, Kami kept walking—Not toward light.Not toward hope.But toward purpose. Even if it came dressed in madness.
As Kami stepped into the heart of Aeon City once more, it no longer felt like a painting come to life.
This time… it felt like a canvas set ablaze.
The streets, once vibrant with color and energy for him, but now flickered with an eerie, flickering tension—like beauty caught in the moment before it burned. The air was heavier. The silence, unnatural.
Near the old central fountain, a young painter still sat there—unchanged by the chaos. Charcoal dust clung to his fingertips, staining his palms and sleeves. His eyes were locked on the image taking shape on his canvas.
A black sun.
But this time, it wasn’t just a symbol. It was a warning. The black sun bled into the sky of his sketch, its edges jagged, its light devoured by shadows.
A prophecy wrapped in silence. Darkness was coming. And it wasn’t subtle anymore.
Kami stood there, staring at the image, a chill crawling up his spine. He looked around, scanning every corner, every shadow.
“Where is she…?”His voice cracked with urgency.“Where do I find her now?”
As Kami wandered deeper into Aeon City, his eyes scanned every corner, every rooftop, searching for Neko no Namida.
But then, something strange pulled at his attention. Everything here… was untouched.No crumbled walls.No shattered windows.No signs of eviction or destruction.Not even dust.
The homes were still standing—perfectly aligned, curtains swaying softly in open windows. Shops looked ready for customers, though none were around. The silence was strange, but the condition of the place… almost unnerving.
Kami slowed his steps, his brows furrowed.
"Why is nothing damaged here?"
He stopped near a hunched old man sitting on the edge of the walkway, sharpening a walking stick with a dull blade. Kami didn’t ask much—just one question.
“What’s the name of this street?”
The man looked up briefly, eyes foggy but calm.
“Street No. 110,” he muttered, then returned to his work.
Kami froze.Street 110.His breath caught. Because his home… the one erased now. It had stood in Street 111.
As Kami stood lost in thought, a low, muffled noise broke through the stillness.
He turned his head.
Just beside him, tucked between two old shops, was a narrow, dimly lit alley. A strange commotion echoed from within—rough voices, scuffling, and something that didn’t sound right.
Curious—and uneasy—Kami stepped toward the alley.
There, in the shadows, he saw a young boy on his knees, head bowed, while a taller figure loomed over him, sneering.
“Hey, sit up—quickly! Lick it all up, you little rat!” the stranger barked, pointing to the dirt-covered ground with a cruel grin.
The boy trembled, slowly leaning down… mouth inches from the street.
Kami didn’t wait.
With a sharp step forward, he swung the rolled-up poster in his hand and cracked it across the stranger’s back.
The man stumbled, startled. He turned, glaring.
“Huh? Who the hell are you—”
Before he could finish, Kami rushed in.
No hesitation.No words.
Just a punch—clean and fast—right to the stranger’s jaw.
The man flew backward, crashing into a row of trash bins. A bag split open and landed squarely on his head, spilling garbage down his shoulders.
The alley fell silent. Kami turned toward the boy. He knelt down and gently offered his hand.
The boy, shaking, slowly took it and stood. Their eyes met. But something about the boy’s gaze didn’t sit right. It wasn’t just fear… it was regret.
Kami couldn’t read it. But he offered a soft smile anyway.“Who are you?” he asked kindly.“What’s your name?”
The boy hesitated, lips quivering. Then, barely above a whisper, he replied—
“I… I’m Kodomo.”
Kami nodded and extended his hand again, this time for a handshake.
“I’m Kami.”“Will you be my friend?”
For a moment, Kodomo froze.Then, slowly, he reached out his hand trembling. Their hands met in a brief, quiet handshake. But as they touched, Kodomo pulled his hand away, voice shaking.
“I’m sorry, Kami…”“I’m not worthy to be your friend.”
Before Kami could respond, Kodomo turned and ran, footsteps echoing out of the alley. But just as he reached the edge, he paused.
Looking back over his shoulder, he said:“Thanks for helping me.”“But I wasn’t the one being bullied.”And then—he was gone.
"What… what does he mean?" Kami wondered, confusion clouding his thoughts.
Before he could react, the stranger grabbed him from behind—arms locked so tightly around him that Kami couldn’t break free.
With a sudden jerk, the man lifted Kami into the air and hurled him toward the pile of garbage at the back of the alley. The trash bags burst around him as he landed hard, the stench and weight pressing down like a curse.
Kami winced, barely able to lift his head—his vision blurred, but he could make out shapes. Not one… not two… three shadows.
Two of them approached and each grabbed one of his arms—locking him in place by the right and left.
Then the one from before stepped forward.
“You little bitch,” the man spat, venom in his voice.“That boy? He stole my damn wallet.”
Kami's eyes widened. What? The world spun with disbelief.
The man didn't wait. He threw a savage punch into Kami's stomach. Then another to the left side of his face.Then the right.Then again.And again.
A storm of fists crashed into Kami’s face—his head snapped side to side, blood bursting from his lip. His body trembled, but his arms were locked tight, unable to defend.
He struggled. He writhed. Nothing.
But then—his leg.
With everything he had left, Kami swung his right knee forward with a scream of effort—right into the man’s groin (The front part of your body where it joins your legs)
The attacker collapsed instantly, groaning in agony.
Kami dropped too, his body breaking under the pain. Blood slipped from the corner of his mouth like thick ink. He turned and spat red to the side.
But the man to his left grabbed him by the neck, yanking him back upright.“What the hell did you just do?” he growled, tightening his grip.
Kami choked, his vision fading at the edges. In desperation, he bit down—sinking his teeth into the man’s hand.
The man screamed and let go.The moment Kami's left arm was free, he swung hard and cracked his fist across the other man's jaw—staggering him.
Free.Without thinking, Kami spun around and bolted out of the alley.
As Kami stumbled out of the alley, a black car came roaring from the left, its engine howling like a beast unleashed.
CRASH—!
The front corner of the car slammed into him. His body flew sideways, crashing onto the cold pavement with a sickening thud.
For a second, everything stopped.
Then—his survival instinct kicked in.
He forced himself up. Legs shaking. Chest burning.
No time to think. No time to hurt.
He ran.
Through the streets. Around corners. Past closed shutters and flickering streetlamps. His breath was ragged, vision blurred.
Only after a while—when the footsteps behind him faded and the world grew quiet again—he slipped into a narrow lane, tucked between two crumbling buildings.
Safe. For now.
Kami collapsed onto the ground, his back pressing against a damp wall. He held his left arm with his right, trying to dull the ache. His head tilted up—neck stiff, eyes heavy.
Above, on the right, an old pipe leaked a steady drip of water. The droplets fell rhythmically, one by one, landing near his feet.
Drip… drip… drip…
His face was a mess—smeared with blood, dust, and dried sweat. His hands, covered in bandages, were torn and dirty. Sleeves ripped. Clothes stained.
He looked like he’d crawled out of a war zone.
Kami closed his eyes for a moment, Then, barely audible—more to himself than anyone else—he whispered“What the hell happened… to this world? To these people?”The only answer was the soft, lonely drip of water.
"I'm okay… I'm okay," Kami whispered to himself, voice barely more than breath.His arms still cradled his injured side, but now it was less about pain—more about reminding himself that he was still here. Still alive.
Then—Rain began to fall.
Soft.Steady.Gentle.
It coated the narrow stone street in a delicate silver sheen, like the city itself was being washed clean. The old buildings around him seemed to sigh, exhaling quietly with the rain—like an old soul finally at peace.
Farther down the winding lane, wooden shutters creaked open. An old shopkeeper leaned in his doorway, arms folded, a faint smile on his face as he watched the drizzle. The scent of rain on cobblestone mixed with warm bread and the soft musk of chimney smoke.
It wasn’t the kind of rain that chased people away.It welcomed them.
Kami’s eyes stayed closed, but a small, gentle smile touched his lips. This moment… felt safe felt real.
Then—a shadow approached. Footsteps, soft against the wet stone. Someone bent down beside him.
A voice, warm and familiar, almost musical:"Oh my dear... what are you doing here?"
Kami’s eyes fluttered open, slowly. And there she was. The person he had searched for all this time.
Neko no Namida.
His heart skipped. His breath caught somewhere between shock and happiness.
She looked just as he remembered—exactly like the first time they met morning. Same clothes. Same presence. As if not a single moment had passed.
But this time, she held something different.
A Diphylleia cymosa (The rare umbrella leaf) held gently above her head, catching raindrops as they scattered like crystal beads across its wide, veined surface.
She smiled softly, eyes filled with something that felt like knowing. And in that moment, under the silver rain, everything else faded.
Neko no Namida sat down beside him, her presence calm, almost timeless.
She shifted the Diphylleia cymosa just enough to cover Kami too, sheltering him beneath its wide, glistening leaf. The rain patted gently against it, a soft rhythm like a heartbeat between them.
Kami didn’t speak right away.He just… looked at her.Straight into her eyes.
There was no need to fake strength anymore. No need to pretend.
She noticed."Is anything wrong?" she asked softly, her voice delicate but clear, as if she already knew.
Kami didn’t hesitate.He didn’t lie.He didn’t run.
"I want to join Clown Dominion."The words came out flat. Honest. Heavy.
Neko no Namida blinked once, then smiled gently—tilting her head just a little, curious.
"Is that… anything wrong?" she asked.
Kami froze. Her response caught him off guard. His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to her, confused."Why are you asking that?"
She kept looking at him with that calm, knowing expression."Because you refused us the first time," she said quietly."And now, you want in."
Kami looked away, His head dropped, His shoulders sank, Disappointment hung off him like soaked clothes.
"Because I have no other path… except this," he said, voice low."I need it."
Rain still fell softly around them, but beneath the umbrella leaf, it was silent. Neko no Namida glanced at him, a soft glimmer in her eyes.“Did you read that poster I gave you?” she asked gently.
Kami shook his head.“No… I didn’t.”
She tilted her head a little more, her expression both amused and knowing.“Then you missed all the important details,” she said with a quiet smile.“The poster had everything you needed to know about joining the Dominion.”
She looked out toward the rain for a moment, then back at him.“I’ll tell you what it said.”She leaned in slightly, voice lowering.“If you want to join us, you have to hide yourself.”
Kami blinked, confused.He looked up into her eyes again.“What… do you mean?”
She didn’t look away this time. Her smile faded—replaced by honesty.“It’s the truth,” she said softly.“Now that you want to join us, I can finally say it.”
She paused, then continued.“Yes, we perform circus shows. That’s how we earn money. But do you know why?”
Kami stayed quiet, listening.
“Because we have no backing. No powerful supporters. No government help. No safehouse. We’re out there completely on our own.”
Kami ran a hand through his messy hair, still trying to make sense of it all.
Neko no Namida noticed his confusion and smiled again, this time with warmth.
“I know... it's a lot to take in. So let me say it simply.”She looked him in the eye.“We don’t just do circus acts. We have missions. Real ones. Important ones. But with so few members, we’ve never been able to complete even one.”
Kami straightened a little.“How many members do you have?”
She held up two fingers.“Two.”
Kami stared.Then blinked.Then covered his mouth, barely able to hold back his laugh.His shoulders shook a little.
Neko no Namida chuckled softly.“It’s okay. You can laugh. It is kind of ridiculous, isn’t it?”
Kami shook his head with a half-smile, still fighting the urge.“Only two members in a whole Dominion…”“Well, three now.” Kami added after a beat, looking at her with a little pride.
She smiled wider, and something in her expression relaxed. But her tone grew serious again.“Just remember, Kami…”“Joining us means hiding who you are.”“There’s no turning back.”
“I have no turning back,” Kami said quietly.“You said I need to hide myself… I’m even ready to erase myself.”
His words weren’t dramatic. They were just true. And Neko no Namida heard them clearly—like she’d once said something just like that to someone else.
She looked at him for a moment, then smiled—not out of joy, but understanding. Maybe she’d been in that exact place before.
Trying to shift the weight, she suddenly leaned back and clapped her hands softly.“Oh! I forgot to introduce myself!” she said with mock surprise.Her tone was light, but her eyes still carried the weight of their shared silence.
“I’m Neko no Namida. Age 17. From the city of Morino.”She gave a playful little bow, her voice softening.“Nice to meet you, my dear.”
Kami smiled. Not big. Not forced. Just a real, tired, grateful smile.
The drops still fell gently to the cobbled ground, but now it didn’t sound random—it sounded… delicate.Like the soft notes of a piano.Tip… tip… tip…
****Far across the city, under the collapsed roof of an abandoned shed, Kodomo sat alone.
Rain leaked through the cracks above him, falling around his shoulders—but he didn’t care.
There was something in his eyes. Not just guilt.Maybe it was regret.Maybe something more.
He reached into his soaked jacket pocket and slowly pulled out a wallet—the one he’d stolen earlier. He stared at it. For a long time.
His fingers gripped it, then loosened.
“I didn’t do right.”His voice cracked, barely audible over the rain.
He stood up suddenly and tossed the wallet to the ground like it was burning his hand.
Then—he ran.
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