The Town Carnival II

 Immersed in the performance, the magician's voice reverberated through the crowd, capturing everyone's attention. I found myself captivated as he danced around the stage, performing card tricks. Then, his gaze swept over the audience.

"Okay, everyone! I need a volunteer for this one-!"

Interrupting him, everyone suddenly jumped up and erupted into what seemed like a screaming match with each other, as if he was the teacher who just asked who wanted to be the line leader. And, of course, just like a teacher, his eyes landed on me; the only person in the crowd without an uplifted hand.

"You! The one with the white, emo hair!" He pointed at me, calling me out. Everyone in the audience groans and lowers their hands, shooting me disdainful glances.

"Now, now. No need to be jealous; there's plenty of me to go around~. What might your name be?" He asked, a microphone floating to my mouth using his magic.

"Haruki," I spoke in a nonchalant tone.

The magician frowns disapprovingly, "Alright, lighten up, Haruki! Here's what we'll have you do…" he explains the trick to me- an illusion where I'll be placed into a box that he'll pierce with swords, yet I'll emerge unscathed. With the magician's popularity and the audience's enthusiasm, I feel compelled to place my life in his hands. It's too late to go back at this point, anyways.

Stepping into the box, everything suddenly went black, as if I was thrust into another dimension. Descending to the bottom of a black ocean, I found myself at peace, able to breathe effortlessly. At the bottom, gazing up at me, was myself; my 'self' that can't live without Touko. A profound serenity washed over me as I sank further, eventually being embraced by my other self.

"You took my words to heart. Didn't you, Haruki?" the other me spoke.

"...Where is this?" I inquired.

"That magician sent you to your mind to protect you from getting stabbed."

His arms held me tight, preventing me from ascending to the surface.

"Haruki…"

"Yes?"

"Your journey is almost over. Soon, there'll be no need for me."

He slowly withdrew a hand from my back, revealing fading fingertips, dissipating like evaporating mist.

"If you're disappearing… that means…"

"Yes, Touko will be with you again. You have to-"

Suddenly, I'm forcefully pulled back to reality with the box reopening. I'm now met with a roaring cheer and applause from the audience, including Lili. Recalling what the other me said, a pang of anguish reverberated in my chest as I locked eyes with Lili. She offered me a soft smile and a wave, intensifying the ache in my chest. But, I conceal it; I've worried her enough for now.

"Let's all give Haruki a big round of applause for his participation!" The magician applauds me and hands me a business card. It has a wizard-themed design with his portrait off to the side; he has honey-colored skin, brown curly hair, blonde tips, and a beaming smile. On the top, with an elegant cursive font, read "Oliver Hawthorne The Great."

A humble one, I see.

I bow and exit the stage to meet back up with Lili. The crowd made way for me as I walked across the concrete, then focused their attention back on Oliver.

Standing at her side, I present the business card to Lili. She picked it up curiously and examined it, "I wonder why he chose you?"

I shrugged, "He was just being annoying, probably."

Lili shook her head, "There has to be some reason…"

"Hm…" I looked at the card over her shoulder, "I guess he does interest me a little bit."

"Why don't you try talking to him?"

"He's probably busy."

"Excuses, excuses… it'll be fine, Haru," she returned the card to me, "I'll be right here, so it'll be fine."

Right here… she'll be right here.

"...Alright. I'll try to catch him when he's not doing anything."
—
As if God answered my hesitant wish, I found him slumped over at a bar during a moment of rest. Surprisingly, none of his fans were in sight, leaving him bathed alone in a ray of sunshine- like a spotlight. He glanced up at me.

"Ah! Haruki, was it? How are you?" he put on a big smile, revealing his sharp teeth.

"Um- I'm good, how are you? I had an interesting time on stage with you," I sat next to him, Lili standing behind me.

"Right!? I just learned how to send people to their minds, so it could've gone horribly wrong!" he chuckled heartily, "I'm curious. What did you see?"

"Ah…" I look up at Lili, then back at Oliver, "It's a lot to explain… but I saw another version of myself… and we talked… and I left."

"Really? That's coooooll… anyways! I'm glad you were able to catch me. Something about you interests me," he remarked. At those words, my eyes flickered, and momentarily, I saw my old friend in his place. I must've made a surprised sound because the two people at my side gave me a concerned glance.

"Sorry. You just remind me of someone I used to know," I said, trying to alleviate their worries.

"Someone you used to know," he scratched his head, "Someone from your past life?"

I nod.

"Yeah, what people don't realize is that the dead can mourn the living, too," he looked longingly into the distance before taking a drink.

"Enough of that, though! Tell me a bit about yourselves; I know nothing about the pretty lady over here," he gave her a wink.

"Oh! U-um… I'm his girlfriend, Lili," she latched onto my arm uncomfortably.

"His girlfriend? Of course, my bad."

An awkward silence followed, signaling one of us to keep talking.

"W-Well… kinda his girlfriend," Lili stuttered.

"Kinda?" Oliver's curiosity was piqued.

"Yeah… I was his girlfriend before we died, but then I lost my memories, so I'm not exactly the person he fell in love with," she explained.

"Ah… a sad but common phenomenon; my heart goes out to you. But! If you keep in touch with me, I might be able to help," Oliver said with a mischievous smile.

"How so?" I rested my cheek on my fist, interested.

"I remind you of someone from your past, right? If we become friends, maybe I can help retrieve her memories. What do you say?" he proposed.

I looked at Lili, who responded with a nod. I can't find any reason to deny him, anyway.

"Yeah, sure. Here's my number," I respond, sliding my phone to Oliver's side.

"Nice. I hope we stay in touch! Also, my friends call me Oli," he winked.

And that's how I found myself becoming friends with a micro-celebrity.