"Kid, take it back!"

"And why should I? It's true, you have the ugliest name in town."

•••

•••

(Y/N), the girl who found herself in a circus that who knows where, was now caught in a situation she thought she wouldn't have to experience once in her life. It's true, she didn't even expect it to happen after hearing her mother's woes, witnessing her father's ignorance, and the society she always blamed for. Everything was going on so fast for the pitiful young girl, perhaps if she were to wait for a blessing then maybe things would get better afterwards or maybe it's already before her?

Didn't she wish for a time; a time to rest and let things out?

A place to restore, to recharge, and to think things over?

What if the circus already provided her the things she desired the most at the time of trouble?

Then wouldn't you consider it, a wish come true?

•••

"Can you stop?" (Y/N) managed to spit out a few words after all the running she did in attempt to catch the pink performer. "Would you be mad if I said no?" The so-called performer annoyingly teased back. (Y/N) still panting for air; shot Popee one of her deathly glare while Popee nonchalantly kept giggling to himself probably about how great he is and how cool he'll look once he start performing his tricks to his first audience, (Y/N).

Popee was handling this situation just fine but (Y/N) on the other hand was about to lash out because of his stupid jokes! "Popee!" She called out his name as she clenched her fist. Of course she continued, lowering her tone to a calmer one while slightly twitching, "POPE— god damit, never mind." (Y/N) finally gave in to Popee's childish acts and settled down to blow off some steam, but alas Popee the brat remained like an idiot.

"Hey (Y/N)?" The gentleness in his voice made (Y/N) turn to him quickly. After experiencing the brat's attitude FIRSTHAND, she couldn't believe that a guy like him could pull off a sweet aura around here.

"I really wanna thank you... you know for staying to watch... me uh you—" He seemed troubled, he can't make out his words. The awkwardness filled the air and his stutters lasted for a while. At this point, you can't even understand what he's saying.

(Y/N) still listened despite the fact that she can't understand what the heck this guy is saying while her eyes remained locked on his face. She never truly was an attentive listener, but when it comes to Popee nothing really mattered except the words the brat was trying tell her.

Popee later on noticed this, forcing their eyes to lock on each other.

Based from what (Y/N) has seen, the performer's eye wasn't completely black at all like what she thought it would be, instead it was filled with the color blue, the color of the ocean. It wasn't the lightest nor the darkest either, it was just... the perfect blue.

A minute or so have passed, yet the two stayed still. Nothing can be heard not even a single word from either of the two. The only things that can be heard was the chirping of the birds, the cold breeze of the winds, and the sound of tumble weeds tumbling around them.

To others, it may seem like an awkward moment but to them it felt like home.

The moment was quite nice, but we all know nothing lasts forever. It was then interrupted by the wolf we know as Kedamono. Our dear companion, Kedamono, entered the scene, "Hey you two, I really need your help-" the purple wolf dropped his jaw at the sight. Keda, embarrassed for entering at the wrong moment apologized and rushed out to avoid any more interruptions.

(Y/N) unsure of what to say, quickly spoke to stop whatever they were doing, "Oh jeez, haha I didn't realize that we've been... uh... doing this for some time now." No replies were heard from the brat as he stayed silent.

"I-I think you should prepare for your upcoming show!" (Y/N) awkwardly fist-bumped the air in an attempt to spark some hope in his eyes or to at least make him act like his usual half-ass jerk self. Yet Popee remained silent and completely still. The only thing moving in his body was the tail he has behind him, she wasn't sure how it works but that's something to investigate about for another chapter.

After some time, she finally decided to end this silence with a sigh, "You know, I wouldn't mind getting pranked on for the next few chapters. As long as it would make you happy, I'll be fine with it."

"Haha! That's a promise, right?" Popee jolted from his old sad sack of meatballs of a body into his childish self again. (Y/N) may be filled with such confusion, but after hearing the joyous laughter from her performer. She couldn't bear not to smile at a moment like this.

"Whatever, Popee..." She rolled her eyes in joking way as the pink performer beside her only grinned.

Without thinking wisely; Popee abruptly shouted, "I see what's going on here. You're starting to rub off on me!" He raised his index finger to point at her forehead. His cat-like tail moved left to right indicating his curiosity is growing or probably because it's always been like that and we just didn't notice.

"Oh please, you still have a mile way to go if you really want me to get use to all these shenanigans you do."

"I don't think so, (Y/N)! Besides you're starting to call me by my name and not just the previous nickname you use to call me."

"What nickname?" She curiously asked herself. Memories flashed before her, some made her mad while others made her smile but majority of the moments she had in this circus just made her twice the hot-headed girl she once was back home.

Things weren't doing good for (Y/N), after coming back to these horrible experiences she had to share with these strangers the urge was back. Her need to go back home slowly crawled upwards toward her mind.

She's afraid.

She wants to go back home.

She to go back home.

Every thought that flooded her mind ceased, emptying it once again leaving nothing but what it seems like... moments from earlier? Yeah, the one where Popee and (Y/N) stood silently, staring at each other's windows of the soul.

...

"Hey (Y/N)?"

"Yeah Popee?" As soon as she heard him, her body automatically answered back. During times like this, it felt like her body was programmed to act this way around him.

Before he continued, a faint sigh left his trap, "What I was trying to tell you earlier was 'thank you'" another moment was once again silenced by this aura that Popee kept producing in times like this.

"I'm really thankful, to have you here not only as my dear audience but as buddy."

"Don't mention it, Popee..."

"Okaaayyy, I think I should go now. But don't forget about the promise we just made today, be prepared for I, Popee, shall serve you pranks that you will never forget!" He left, laughing like the crazy boy he is.

•••

What was it again, the nickname she use to call him? Ahh yes, "kid" (Y/N) whispered to herself as she watched Popee fade away from the distance.

(Y/N) didn't had the best time during the past few hours in this circus, but she did learn a lot. And according to her, it doesn't matter if most of these time were just plain horrible. Just because moments have gone bad doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed as much as you hated it.

She didn't want to admit it, but... the moments she shared with the two strangers were one of the worst but best moments she never wanted to stop remembering.

•••

After enjoying our little but unforgettable moment with Popee here, our girl (Y/N) realized that Popee wasn't that much of a jerk at all. Sure, he can be rough, absentminded, and just plain stupid. But he does have the guts to even try to be nice despite the fact that his attitude was difficult to come by.