Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [168]
“Look, Wataru. That’s the swing I used to use!”
A swing in the shape of a crescent moon made of thin wires hung from the highest part of the stage.
“What a view!” Kee Keema said in a bellowing voice that seemed to ride on the wind across the lake surface. A boy dressed completely in red looked in their direction and called out.
“Hey, it’s Meena!”
Meena waved. “Puck!”
“Everyone! It’s Meena! She’s come home!”
The boy in red clambered nimbly down the scaffolding. The other people stopped working, and all looked in Meena and Wataru’s direction. The song halted, and in its place came shouts of Meena! and Welcome home! and Where did you go!?We were so worried! Meena ran toward the edge of the lake, and Wataru and Kee Keema followed her into a reception warmer than any they could have imagined.
“I’m so sorry I left without saying anything, I really am.” Meena hung her head, and her eyes were filled with tears.
A large hand, spread like a fan, patted her on the head. “I read the note saying you were gone, but no one could figure out why you left. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Bubuho, troupe leader of the Spectacle Machine, was a large man, larger even than Kee Keema. His eyes reminded Wataru of a pig from his world, but he had a dignified look to him and a broad smile that eased all fears. In realworld years, he looked to be about fifty. He wasn’t fat, merely massive and muscular. There didn’t seem to be a wasted inch of flesh on his body.
Meena and the boy Puck sat next to him on small stools. The boy seemed younger even than Wataru, probably about the same age as a first-grader in his world. His hair was so red it looked like it was on fire, and his face was covered with freckles. Wataru thought he was an ankha at first, but on closer inspection he found the boy had a long gray tail. He looked between Meena and the troupe leader with sparkling eyes, his tail twitching all the while.
“I learned all sorts of new tricks while you were gone, Meena. I was good and practiced all the time,” he declared proudly, when he saw that Meena and the troupe leader were done catching up. “I can even do the triple flip! Well, I only did it once, but it was perfect. Bubuho says I’m still too young for it, though,” Puck said, pouting.
Meena tousled his hair. “Your singing’s really gotten good,” she said, smiling. “I could pick out your voice from far away. You’re not only an acrobat, you’ve the makings of a fine singer too!”
“You think?” Puck said, jumping to his feet. “Maybe I can sing on stage!”
The circus had set up its tents along the edge of the lake. They went first to Bubuho’s tent, where they sat in a circle, while Puck danced back and forth between them. He stopped only when Bubuho sternly told him to get back to work. Reluctantly, the boy left the tent.
“Finally, a little peace and quiet,” the troupe leader said, turning to Wataru and Kee Keema. “It sounds like Meena, and all of us, owe you a great debt. Thank you, kind sirs.”
Wataru shook his head and said it was he who had been saved, and proceeded to tell the story of all that had happened. When he was finished, Bubuho once again gave Meena a pat on the head. “I see, I see, you’ve been through quite a lot. I had no idea you were so determined to get to the bottom of what happened to your parents.”
“It’s not that…it’s just, I didn’t know enough not to trust what the boys told me,” Meena explained.
“And so, you will join this Traveler in his journey?”
Meena shifted in her seat. “Yes.”
Bubuho squinted his tiny eyes and looked at Wataru. “Traveler, you give your permission for Meena to join you?”
“Of course,” Wataru said, nodding firmly.
“Then I’ve no problem with it,” said Bubuho smiling. “But, since you’ve come to us, I demand you spend the night and watch a rehearsal of our show. Opening day is tomorrow, so tonight’s rehearsal will be a preview of the real thing. You’ll be our audience.”
“That’s great! Let’s stay, please, Wataru? Kee Keema?” Meena said, jumping about so energetically as to give Puck a run for his money. “Say I can help you on stage,