Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Nero - Prince of Circo - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Sharp Gaze
Kingdom of Aspiration, Circo, July... In a quiet meadow, a bright light was emitted...
??: ...? What happened to me...
What appeared was a boy in clownlike clothes.
MC: Are you okay?
??: ...!?
Just as he made a surprised look, the boy got up energetically. His strikingly red eyes were looking at me cautiously...
??: Why... is there an adult here?
(An adult...?)
Curious about what the boy said, I explained to him that I woke him up.
??: The Traumerei Princess... I see, I've heard about you.
At that moment, the boy made a surprised face.
??: ...The circus.
MC: Eh?
??: I need to return to the circus.
MC: Ah, wait!
Just as the boy was about to run, I reached out to him. Then...
??: Don't touch me!
MC: ...!
When he said that sharply, I pulled my hand back quickly.
??: ...
I noticed a dark hatred dwelling within his eyes that were looking at me.
MC: U-Um...
??: ...
The sharp look in his eyes that were red like blood disappeared soon after.
??: You... You don't seem like a bad adult. Even so, you're an adult.
MC: Eh...?
When he repeated the word, "adult", again...
MC: ...Is there something wrong about me being an adult?
??: ...All adults are corrupted.
After saying that in annoyance, the boy ran off next as if he was running away.
MC: ...
I watched him from behind as he was getting farther away. Then...
MC: Huh?
At the spot where he was passed out, I noticed that he dropped a small bottle there.
(It's most likely his, right...?)
In the bottle, there was a strange colored liquid. After I pondered about the bottle in my hand for a short moment...
(It might be something important... So, it'd be best to bring it to him.)
I walked into the direction that the boy ran off to...
Chapter 2 - His Circus Troupe
Basked in the sunlight, the mysterious colored liquid in the bottle shined...
-Flashback-
??: ...All adults are corrupted.
-Flashback-
Feeling the warm breeze that was blowing in the meadow, I followed the boy from behind...
Then, after a while...
??: ...What are you doing here?
Just as I arrived at a nearby town, I encountered the boy again at a tent that belonged to a circus troupe.
??: Don't tell me that you followed me.
The boy looked at me suspiciously.
MC: I was looking for you. It seemed like you dropped this.
??: That's...!
When I presented the small bottle to the boy, he widened his eyes greatly.
??: ...That's why... you went through all that trouble?
The boy nervously took the bottle from my hand.
MC: Yes. I'm glad that I managed to bring it to you. You mentioned something about a circus. It seemed like it has something to do with it, so I'm really glad.
(I never thought that a prince would be in a circus himself...)
As I thought of that, I smiled at the boy. Then, the boy's gaze wandered around perplexedly.
??: Nero...
MC: Eh...?
Nero: I'm Nero.
When I tilted my head to the side after he murmured that, the boy made an angry look, but...
MC: I'm MC.
His eyes right now weren't showing that hatred filled look from before. I looked back at his wary gaze.
Nero: MC...
After saying my name softly, Nero-kun looked at me suspiciously again.
Nero: ...I should be saying thanks for waking me up and bringing this to me. But... Normally... Something like this would've been left alone... You're strange.
MC: I thought that it could've been something important...
Nero: ...You really thought that...?
Nero-kun looked at me even more suspiciously. Although...
Nero: Hm? Hey, this scratch...
MC: Eh...?
When Nero-kun touched my cheek, his finger lightly grazed a small would.
(Could I have gotten it when I went through the forest earlier?)
MC: This sort of thing is not a problem to me. Well then, if you'll excuse-
Nero: Wait.
Just as I was about to leave, Nero-kun called out to me from behind.
Nero: ...Come. I'll take you to the doctor.
MC: Ah, Nero-ku-
Without waiting for me to finish speaking, Nero-kun went outside of the tent.
......
Doctor: There, that shouldn't be a problem now. Try not to do anything that'll give you any injuries.
MC: Thank you.
After thanking him, the doctor smiled gently. That smile had a bit of innocence to it.
(He looks about the same age as Nero-kun.)
Nero: Sorry about that, despite how busy you are.
Doctor: I'm fine since it was a favor from you.
The group of children that were with him earlier gathered around him.
(Even though I haven't seen any children earlier...)
///Choices///
- The doctor looks busy (☽)
MC: The doctor looks really busy.
Nero: Yeah. He's the only doctor here after all.
Nero-kun said that as he watched the doctor continue his medical examinations on the children.
- Those children are? (☼)
MC: Nero-kun, those children are...?
Nero: They're part of the circus troupe.
Nero-kun responded curtly.
///Choices///
(The circus... They must've gotten a lot of injuries during practice.)
I watched the doctor from behind as he continued to give them medical examinations quickly. Then...
Nero: Hey, we should get going now.
MC: Ah, yes!
When Nero-kun called out to me, I quickly got up.
MC: Nero-kun, thank you so much.
Nero: ...It was nothing. I don't need your thanks.
Without turning towards me, Nero-kun murmured that as a response.
MC: But, I'm surprised that there are only children in the circus. Are any adults-
Nero: There aren't any.
MC: Eh?
When Nero-ukn slowly turned towards me...
Nero: ...Do you want to come see it?
A strong breeze blew around us...
Nero: To the Kingdom of Aspiration, Circo...
As Nero-kun said that, he sounded somewhat ominous...
Chapter 3 - The Circo Circus
-Flashback-
Nero: ...Do you want to come see it? To the Kingdom of Aspiration, Circo...
-Flashback-
With the circus troupe that only had children, we headed to Circo...
MC: Nero-kun. What kind of kingdom is Circo?
Nero: There's nothing special about it. It's just a quiet rural kingdom.
As Nero-kun said that, his expression looked a bit more calm than usual.
(...Circo must be important to him.)
As he smiled, he looked up. Then...
Nero: ...By the way. Stop calling me, "Nero-kun".
MC: Eh? Then...
///Choices///
- Nero-san? (☽)
MC: Nero-san...?
Nero: I hate that even more, it makes me sound like an adult... Just Nero is fine.
As Nero-kun said that curtly, his cheeks turned red a little.
- What should I call you? (☼)
MC: What should I call you?
Nero: Just Nero is fine. Just anything, but "Prince", "-kun" and "-san".
Nero-kun said that seriously, but... The way he said it was kind of cute.
///Choices///
MC: Okay, I understand... Nero.
Nero: ...You don't need to speak politely. So, don't talk to me like an adult.
MC: ...Okay.
Even though he has a cold attitude... It felt like the distance between us had shrunk just a little bit...
......
While returning to Circo, the circus stopped by at a kingdom to do a performance.
(Nero mentioned that they don't make money, but... I wonder why. Isn't Nero a prince?)
With that question in mind, I prayed for the show to proceed with no problems while sitting among the audience...
Nero: Everyone, who are attending... Welcome to today's Circo Circus. Now then. Join us in tonight's never-ending dream...
As the ringleader, Nero greeted everyone with an enchanting air around him and during that evening, the circus raised the morale instantly.
(How strange... On stage, Nero is like a different person than earlier.)
As my heart was beating fast, I watched the circus with high expectations. Except...
Nero: ...
(Nero...?)
Even though he was performing flawlessly as a clown, I would feel a dark anger from his expression sometimes...
......
Once the performance was over, I immediately headed over to Nero and then...
Boy: U-Um.
A boy spoke to Nero as the same time.
Nero: ...What is it?
Boy: I was watching the circus earlier... I saw it...
The boy fiddled with the hem of his dirty clothes as he was all fidgety.
Nero: ...Your parents? Are they gone?
Somehow guessing, Nero asked the boy that.
Boy: Yes... They're not around anymore. They died. I'm all alone now... I've been crying every day by myself... But, when I saw that children like me were working hard in the circus, well, uh...
Nero looked at the boy for a while and made a soft expression.
Nero: It's okay, join us.
He petted the boy's head.
Boy: Eh...?
Nero: Don't you want to join the circus? You don't need your parents. There are a lot of fun things to do in Circo. All the children that come to Circo... They're my family.
Boy: Uu... I, I... *hic*, Uwaah.
As the boy was trying to hold back, he started crying in Nero's chest. Until the boy calmed down, Nero gently rubbed his back.
(What a kind expression...)
-Flashback-
Nero: ...All adults are corrupted.
-Flashback-
(He's completely different from that time. Why...)
Unable to come up with an answer, we departed for Circo...
As soon as we arrived at Circo, children greeted the circus troupe all at once.
Nero: Everyone, I'm back!
Children: Nero-sama! Welcome back!!
Nero handed out souvenirs to the children that gathered around him one at a time. While watching Nero being surrounded by the group of children, I...
///Choices///
- You sure are popular (☼)
MC: You sure are popular, Nero.
Nero: Really? They all just want a souvenir.
Even so, Nero didn't seem to mind.
- Must be hard (☽)
MC: Nero, are you okay? It must be hard...
Nero: What's so hard about it?
Despite being used to handling children, Nero asked me that in return oddly.
///Choices///
(Huh, speaking of which...)
MC: Nero. Where are the children's parents?
The next moment...
Nero: Parents...?
A dark look was made on Nero's face.
Nero: There's no need for something that filthy. What are you saying? Circo... is a pure kingdom that doesn't have any disgusting adults.
Nero's icelike smile made a chill go down my spine...
Chapter 4 - A Pure Town
-Flashback-
Nero: Circo... is a pure kingdom that doesn't have any disgusting adults.
-Flashback-
Nero's icelike smile made a chill go down my spine...
MC: N-Nero...?
Nero: ...Let's go to the castle.
With his back facing me, Nero quickly walked towards the castle.
(What did he mean...?)
///Choices///
- Boldly grab his hand (☼)
MC: Nero...!
Nero: ...
Not sure if he'll shake me off, but despite that, I grabbed Nero's hand tightly.
- Tell him to wait (☽)
MC: Nero...! Wait!
When I called out to him frantically, Nero glanced towards me.
Nero: ...
///Choices///
MC: Nero. Won't you tell me? Why do you hate adults so much...
Nero: It has nothing to do with you.
MC: ...
I looked straight at Nero's face. I was reflected in his strong beautiful eyes that didn't have a bit of hesitation in them.
Nero: ...You want to know?
When Nero smiled, he walked up next to me.
MC: ...
Nero closed the distance with a dark strained look on his face.
(Why... He's scary.)
Just as I thought of that, I became unable to move after being caught in Nero's gaze.
Nero: It's okay... I'll tell you since it's you. Adults are extremely ugly creatures.
As if he threw up something repulsive, Nero started talking.
Nero: A long time ago... The people of Circo were specialized in medicine making.
(Medicine...?)
Like whispering to a child that was about to go to sleep, Nero continued talking.
Nero: Although, the people of Circo were ashamed that they were unable to keep up with the other kingdoms. The poor livelihood of Circo was lacking business... So, it troubled everyone. Although, a bigger kingdom came in and told us that they would buy all of Circo's medicine. On the other hand... They told us to sell it only to them.
When Nero's voice reached my ears, my body trembled.
Nero: Circo became abundant. With the money that we got from selling medicine, everyone was living happily. Except...
MC: ...!
Nero's smile became distorted...
Nero: That medicine was actually a ferocious evil medicine!
MC: Eh...!?
Nero: That's what the adults said. They lied to the children by saying, "we were working hard to make everyone happy". What kind of happiness was that? A medicine that's a bacteriological weapon to people that ingests it, how can that make anyone happy!
Due to anger and sadness... Nero's shoulders trembled a little.
Nero: Now... This is where it gets funny. After that big kingdom used the medicine, a war broke out. Of course, a lot of lives were lost.
MC: No...
Nero: When the power of the medicine was proven, the big kingdom wanted more of it. But... After gaining profits, Circo threatened the big kingdom. In the beginning, the kingdom gave into that threat. Although, Circo's demands escalated soon after... Before long, the big kingdom lost patience and killed all the adults in Circo.
MC: Killed... everyone...?
The head of the marionette that Nero was controlling looked down.
Nero: Well, as a result, without the skills that Circo had, the big kingdom was unable to make the medicine. They kept trying to make the medicine with half-baked methods, but it spread and made the kingdom fall apart... Haha.
His dry laugh echoed throughout the quiet space.
Nero: After that, we improved our skills for the circus while making money for food. Ah... It sure was troubling. We got hurt and got sick, but we kept on practicing. Including the children...
Nero stifled his laughter.
Nero: ...Now, you know.
MC: Nero...
Nero: Adults... They're lying, greedy and foolish creatures. Unforgivable... Unforgivable... They're beings that can't be forgiven!
Nero's fist continued to tremble gradually.
///Choices///
- Don't touch his hand (☽)
MC: ...
Even though I wanted to touch that hand, I couldn't move my body no matter what.
- Touch his hand (☼)
MC: Nero...
When I softly placed my hand on his, Nero's body twitched in surprise.
///Choices///
Nero: ...
Without anything else to say, only time continued to pass...
Chapter 5 - The Children's Smiles
When the sun started to set, it's light started to shine on Nero's face heartrendingly...
-Flashback-
Nero: Adults... They're lying, greedy and foolish creatures. Unforgivable... Unforgivable... They're beings that can't be forgiven!
-Flashback-
As his sorrowful shout remained in my ears, my chest continued to tighten.
MC: Nero, I...
No matter what, I couldn't find the right words to say to him.
MC: If there's... anything I can do.
Nero: There's no need. We somehow handle things ourselves even now. If we have an adult intervene, the same thing that happened long ago will happen again.
As expected, Nero, who refuses adults, made me a target of his hatred... When I thought of that, I became painfully sad.
MC: ...too.
Nero: ...
MC: Do you... hate me too?
When his scarlet eyes widened the moment I asked that, he hung his head down.
Nero: ...About you... I still don't know.
MC: Eh...?
Nero: Ah...
Nero widened his eyes in surprise as if he said that by accident.
Nero: Y-You're like Brother.
(Like his brother?)
///Choices///
- By Brother? (☼)
MC: Nero, by Brother?
Nero: ...My older brother. Even though he's most likely an adult in this society... Brother is neither an adult nor a child.
- What do you mean? (☽)
MC: What do you mean?
Nero: Even though Brother is an adult... He calls himself a child too.
///Choices///
MC: ...?
Nero: I don't know, so leave it.
That day, we didn't continue talking about it and headed to the castle silently...
......
The next day, I went to take a look at the town of Circo by myself. Playing with beanbags and puppets... The view of the children smiling purely made me break into a smile without realizing it.
(Come to think of it... Why did Nero and the others start up a circus?)
Then...
Boy 1: Ah! It's Nero-sama's friend!
Girl 1: It is! Hey, come play with us, Miss!
Girl 2: I'll lend you my puppet!
MC: Thank you.
Girl 2: hey, make the puppet move! Just like how Nero-sama does it!
MC: Okay, I'll try.
Although, I ended up getting tangled in the puppet strings.
MC: H-Huh...? This is really difficult.
(Even though the children were all having fun controlling it...)
At that moment...
??: Wow... You're unbelievably incompetent.
MC: Eh...?
Children: Nero-sama!
Nero: Give it here.
When Nero took the puppet from my hand, he made it bow with his skillful hands.
MC: Wow...!
As the children were begging him to do more, Nero smiled and started controlling the puppet.
Nero: "Look, Brother... This cake is exactly the same large size. It's not the same, isn't your slightly bigger? Cut another slice. THere aren't any more pieces. The cake is going to get even smaller."
MC: Amazing...! Ah, how cute...!
Charmed by the puppet like the children, I was having fun too. Then...
Nero: ...You're like a child...
What Nero murmured softly reached my ears...
Chapter 6 - His Sleep Talk
A few days later since then...
(In the end... There's nothing I could do to be of help to Nero and the others.)
Leaving Circo, I accompanied Nero's circus tour to a nearby kingdom. One day during the journey...
......
MC: ...Thus, the princess and the prince lived happily ever after...
Before bedtime, I was reading a book to the children. Just as the children became sleepy, they started sleeping peacefully while making breathing sounds.
(That's good.)
Once I checked that all the children have fallen asleep, I quietly left...
Nero: ...
MC: Nero!
At the entrance of the tent, there was Nero sitting on the floor with one knee up.
(Did he hear me? That would be kind of embarrassing...)
Nero: ...You're a lifesaver.
MC: Eh?
Nero: Lately, a lot of them have been unable to sleep. Also... No.
As Nero was hesitant to speak, he looked at the children's sleeping faces.
MC: ...Is there something wrong with the children's bodies?
Nero: The doctor said that they could be stressed due to traveling. If that's what he says, then he can't be wrong, but...
MC: Nero...
Nero: The circus... It'd be nice if we could earn money for some medicine.
My chest tightened as the moonlight shined on the side of his face.
MC: Why a circus though?
Nero: ...It's of my own selfishness. When I was little, I saw a circus from Carnaval*... It was like being in a dream...
T/N: Clown's kingdom
After saying that, Nero stopped talking.
Nero: I... Why am I telling you this? Forget about it... Goodnight.
MC: Ah...
Just as I was about to reach out to him, I softly placed my hand on my chest and watched Nero leave silently from behind...
......
The next morning, I went to wake up Nero after the doctor told me to...
MC: Nero...
Nero: Mm...
Nero was still asleep.
(Nero... Is he in some kind of pain?)
With his childlike face looking strained, Nero was tossing and turning in the bed. At that moment...
Nero: Father...
(Eh?)
Nero: Take me to the circus again...
(Is he talking in his sleep...? He said, "Father"...)
I...
///Choices///
- Call out to him (☼)
MC: Nero... Are you okay?
As he cried out in his sleep, I softly called out to him and...
Nero: Fa... ther...
Nero's hand slowly reached out from the crevice of the sheets.
- Shake his shoulder (☽)
MC: Nero...
While Nero was crying out in his sleep, I gently shook his shoulder. Then...
Nero: Really...?
Nero's hand reached out as if he was searching for something.
///Choices///
I gently held Nero's hand. When I held the warm, yet maturing hand, it seemed to have reassured Nero as he made a calm and gentle expression. Although...
Nero: Mm...? ...! I-I...
Just as Nero got up, he quickly distanced himself from me.
MC: I'm sorry. the doctor told me to wake you up...
Nero: ...
As his cheeks turned slightly red in embarrassment, he looked away.
MC: Nero... Do you want to see your father?
When I tried asking that with all my strength...
Nero: !! ...Why would you ask something like that?
MC: Uh, you said it in your sleep...
Nero: ...Dammit.
(Even though he said that he hates adults...)
MC: Nero... Is your father actually...
Nero: ...Don't speak anymore about him.
MC: But...!
Nero: Shut up!
Just as I thought he was going to grab my arm, he held me down against the floor.
MC: N-Nero?
Nero: I... Ever since I met you, I've been feeling strange. I hate adults, detest them and thought it'd be best if they could all just disappear, yet... Yet, when I'm with you...
As Nero sounded like he was about to cry at any moment now, my heart throbbed.
MC: Nero...
Nero: But... I don't want to become an adult.
When Nero released me, he held out the small bottle that he dropped during our first encounter.
MC: That's...
Nero: The doctor made this. It's "a medicine that turns you into a child".
MC: Eh...?
Nero: It's... a medicine that'll let you stay as a child for eternity.
With some kind of determination, Nero gripped the small bottle strongly. Then, when he turned towards me...
Nero: Sorry. I hate adults... and I don't want to be one.
After he murmured that as if he was punishing himself...
Nero: But, I don't hate you.
MC: Nero...
As Nero's faint smile looked both happy and sad... I felt pain in my heart...
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