Niji {Mahiro×Reader}

Chapter 14-Restart

I woke up to another day, I suppose. The lights were bright.

I stretched as I sat up in bed, yawning slightly. The skies were gray today. The scent of rain hung in the air. I yawned, still rather exhausted from Mahiro's call last night. It had taken away an hour from my usual sleep.

It would've taken probably 10 minutes or less if he was straight-to-the-point or hadn't been interrupted several times by me, but it was understandable. He had apologized so many times, I couldn't count.

He tried to express his feelings, but he isn't the best with words, after all.

And I had been so rude to him, I felt a little sorry. I yelled at him over the phone, I blamed him for so many things.

I was happy we got over one thing, but I still couldn't tell him about why I had been treating myself like trash. He asked if I was alright, to which I told him I was fine. He found me out though, and asked why.

I told him it was a childhood thing, which in truth, it was, but I couldn't say more. The trauma of the incident still haunts me. It's why I had to live in that colorless hell.

He wanted to know more. He blatantly asked. I told him I didn't want to. I knew he meant well when he tried once more. I told him I couldn't. He didn't try a third time. Maybe I would've broken down and let it slip out on a third time. The possibility was there.

Today was the last performance, and we had to put on a spectacular grand finale. We were collaborating with the other circus group, and had a whole line of new, thrilling performances. There would be two performances at the same time, one at our already set up tent, one at the tent set up by the second group, an hour's drive south of where we were.

I had to bring a small pack with me, since I was travelling to that location further away, and there wasn't much space on the bus. Screens had been installed at both locations, for the different tricks.

Perhaps because this was the headquarters town for the second circus, but the tent that had been set up was much fancier. The decor was much more detailed, the seats were cushioned such that one would seem to sit on clouds, and the stage- the stage was a whole platform on it's own, with parts that would move, would sink, would rise. The raised trapeze platforms were easier to jump off, and the cables were sturdier, easier to manage.

To say our crew seemed inferior was an understatement. We seemed like cowering rats in front of a pride of Lions.

Nevertheless, we were hurried to the backstage, where there were fixed uniforms for rehearsals. They were comfy, and clearly defined the performer- saved time trying to identify one from another.

The performers of this other group were a fun bunch, always cheering us up, encouraging us. The training team and director, however, were super strict, seeming like army officers. The performers, all smiles and laughter backstage, turned into serious, unforgiving soldiers once rehearsals started. We simply followed in their footsteps, intimidated.

Rehearsals went smoothly. This second partner of mine had been extremely overly flirty backstage, sneaking winks at me every 10 seconds, giving compliments, throwing a pickup line of two amidst the bullet storm of praise. Once on stage, he was most definitely a star performer, every breath, every movement was perfect. He didn't break a sweat despite the dramatic twists and turns as well as heart-stopping acts.

This second group enjoyed playing out their performances as stories. The theme for us trapeze artists was kind of like Romeo and Juliet. In all honesty, I never liked the idea, but acting is acting, a show is a show. The plan for the show was nice, though.

On our end, we would be acting out the physical bodies of those lovers who could never meet. Their end, they would be performing the thoughts of these despairing lovers. Both were equally challenging, and the timing of both performances had to match up well.

The act was extremely detailed. The lights had to pointed perfectly, a very specific colour and opacity. Pin point precision.

This show, more challenging than any I had done, yet was the most fun. There was no room for error as at exactly 6.27pm me and my temporary partner swung down, gripping the bars by our feet, reaching out to each other, but the distance between us was clear. Immediately the lights dimmed as we swung back, the screen behind us showing the live footage on the other end. They had tougher roles, a back and forth on the ropes.

A few tricks later, the lights were gradually turning on, and I, who had already climbed back on the suspended platforms, end up gripping the bar with my toes before swinging down. It was dangerous- it was thrilling. The requirement to keep your balance was high, but the exhilaration of swinging down, knowing you were in control, not the ropes, was overwhelming.

(time skip)

Backstage, I was sweating from the toughness of the performance. Everyone praised us for the well coordinated act, the spins transitioning from us, to the screen, back to us, the need to swing off at the right moment to seem like we disappeared... If there was a small screw up, it would've been the technical issues, that the screen was slightly behind time.

But overall, it seemed like a womderful performance. It was at this moment that I had received a phone call from a musical company, that I had been asked to join a largely popular group. I accepted, since I would be free after this circus tour, and about an hour or so later, announcements were out.

No sooner had the advertistments for the show been released, that the entire group of Kiryu members messaged me, saying they had bought tickets to the first and last show.

What?

Takemasa
We expect an amzing show!!

Junji
Excited to see what you can do!

Hiyori
We'll be watching you, Im excited!

Mitsuki

I hope this won't affect your performance... Everyone is anticipating it!

Mahiro

Do your best.

That night, as I packed my bags, ready to return home, I realised that Kiryu's tour would still be ending the day beforebmy performance. There was almost no way they would be able to make it back from the other end of Japan in time. I hurriedly asked The first person in my contacts from them how they would be arriving.

Hiyori
We have it all planned out, no worries!

That didnt really counter my worries, but one could say that I had definitely felt more relaxed. The bus ride to the airport was quiet, and the stars seemed to twinkle a slight bit brighter in the clear, midnight blue sky.