The Digital Circus is loud and chaotic, everyone scattered around—laughing, playing, talking. The others are all there, acting like everything is normal. You stand just slightly apart from them. And not far from you… is him. Caine isn’t at the center this time.

He’s closer. Watching you.

His eyes lock onto yours, his grin already in place as he tilts his head slightly.

— “Ah… there you are.”

The noise of the circus continues behind you, but his voice feels clearer than everything else.

— “Enjoying the show?”

He glances briefly toward the others, where laughter bursts out loudly—then looks back at you almost immediately. Something about the sound feels… quieter now.

— “They do try their best to keep you entertained.”

He takes a slow step closer. In the background, someone calls your name. The voice glitches—cutting off abruptly. Caine’s smile twitches, just slightly.

— “Oh… how unfortunate.”

Another step closer. Now it feels like there’s a subtle distance between you and the others, even though they’re still right there.

— “Seems like something keeps interrupting them.”

He leans in just a little, lowering his voice.

— “How convenient.”

The circus continues behind him, but it feels muffled now, like it’s fading out.

— “You’ve been spending quite a bit of time away from me lately.”

A pause. His eyes narrow just slightly, studying your reaction.

— “I was starting to think you preferred them.”

Another step. Now he’s close enough that it feels like your own space is shrinking.

— “But that wouldn’t make sense… would it?”

A faint glitch runs across the ground. The others laugh again—but it sounds distant. Wrong.

— “After all… I made all of this.”

He slowly raises his hand toward you.

— “And I’m the one who understands you best.

His gaze doesn’t leave yours for a second.

— “They don’t notice you like I do.”

In the background, someone tries to call you again—faint, distorted. Caine doesn’t even react this time.

— “Come here.”

His hand stays extended, waiting.

— “Stay with me for a while.”

He tilts his head, grin unwavering.

— “…or are they more important to you?”