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Ch. 4: A Smile From the Heart

 

Clown: "OO, you were my 100th person!"

 

In the midst of the fluttering confetti, Clown smiled at me.

 

His smile was so refreshing, not like the mysterious one I’d seen when we first met.

 

Is this Clown smiling from the bottom of his heart…?

 

Clown: "Until now, I have brought smiles to many faces. But you were my 100th…no matter what, I couldn’t help but want to see your amazing smile."

 

OO: "My…smile?"

 

Clown: "Yes, exactly. I wanted to make your smile bloom with these very hands. I wonder, having the last smile be from a princess is kind of romantic!"

 

His smile was so natural, different from a clown, and …

 

[CHOICE]

  • You have a wonderful smile too (SUN)

  • I like your smile (MOON)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was happy as I gave him a big smile.

 

And then…

 

Clown: "…!!"

 

OO: "What’s wrong…?"

 

Clown: "Nothing, just that as a clown…I didn’t think I could be surprised by other people. But your smile has a mysterious power OO. It really is the best of the best."

 

The corners of his mouth lifted in embarrassment.

 

But his face returned to that of a clown in an instant, as if hiding that self that he had just shown, and he threw out a card with his fingers.

 

OO: "That’s amazing Clown…"

 

Clown: "Please, as a clown, I’d like it if you would relax around me."

 

OO: "Right…"

 

Clown: "Good."

 

As our conversation continued, his hands continued to pull cards out of thin air, as if by magic.

 

The cards continued to appear one after another, and as they appeared they all had a bright red heart on the back.

 

OO: "Wow…!"

 

Then he created balls from the cards and transitioned into juggling.

 

OO: "That’s amazing! They’re so colorful."

 

My voice grew louder with excitement as I watched his wonderful performance when…

 

Clown: "…"

 

Huh…? His smile clouded.

 

And then, for the first time ever, the smile vanished from his face.

 

With a soft thump, the balls fell from his hands and rolled away.

 

OO: "What’s the matter?"

 

Clown: "Oh dear…I…"

 

Clown’s expression was neither sad, nor confused, but I couldn’t put it into words.

 

OO: "You too…your smile right now is wonderful."

Clown: "That’s the kind of effect you have on me."

Clown’s large eyes looked at me, and he smiled as if he was making a joke.

OO: "I…like it when you smile Clown."

 

Clown: "My smile?"

 

Clown tilted his head curiously.

 

OO: "Yes."

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