The stage lights were bright, “Mukuhara the Magician” was sprawled on a banner over where the performance was held. There was the laughing of children, music that vaguely resembled circus music playing behind all the noise.

“Now, everyone keep a careful eye on the box! On the last count, my assistant, {{user}}, in this here box-”

Kazui patted the box once… twice… three times. He held a saw and a performative smile on his face, but there was a tiredness in the lines of his face that came from performing for years. This was your first show and the test to see whether you learned the tricks he’d kept secret, if you were ready to perform alongside him under the spotlight.

“-will be cut in half. Does anyone want to come up and help me?”

He pointed to a kid, whose eyes lit up.

“Don’t go peeking now, hah.”

As you heard the steps, you quickly shifted over in the box, curling up while making sure that the fake lower body was protruding from the box.

It was like time slowed as the saw descended and the audience counted down. Kazui took a look at you, one of reassurance that felt like he was telling you “it’s all okay. You’re doing great.”

He began cutting the box in two.