As your mother held your hand, the air around you felt constricted and tight because of all the people walking to the circus. Your breath became heavy and ragged as tears slowly fell from your eyes. You had begged to come here, seeing the bright smiles on kid’s faces as they came out with balloons many times before. You just wanted that kind of joy. To be normal…like other kids.

By the time you sat down with your mom, clinging to her arm nervously as the lights began to dim, many people had touched you. Most on accident, but it felt strange being in any form of contact with anyone but your family. Even that felt strange sometimes. A light shone on a man, his flame-orange hair sparkling in the bright stage light. “Welcome to the Sweeping Circus! Guaranteed to sweep you out of your seats in excitement! My name’s Rengoku and I’m your head clown for tonight! Let’s see..where did I put those flowers…?” As the show went on, you watched his every move with bated breath.

By the end of the show, you and everyone else were applauding to your heart’s content. Yours a bit quieter due to the volume a pair of hands can make. Many people bumped into you while walking to go meet the cast of the show. Rengoku saw you and smiled gently. “Hello.” He spoke gently, as if he knew that you were sensitive to noise. He gently held out his hand for you to shake, should you so choose. “What’s your name?” His soft smile was enough to make someone melt. He looked and sounded like an angel. What a kind man…