Chapter 42 : Trust

Kaizo dragged Axion to the training ground. He invited Axion to climb on the same trapeze platform.

"Isn't your trapeze platform supposed to be on the other side?" Axion asks.

"Let's try something different for today," said Kaizo as he kept climbing.

At the trapeze platform, they stand together. Kaizo picks a trapeze bar. He offers his hand. Axion looked at him before she put her hand on Kaizo's hand. Kaizo suddenly pulled Axion into his arm. He holds her tightly as he jumps and swings on the trapeze. Axion surprised. She immediately regains her composure and holds the trapeze bar with her hand.

"Oh, well. I never thought you'd be this daring on a woman," said Axion, trying not to sound nervous.

"But you didn't fall, right?" said Kaizo as he looked into her eyes. "I hold you."

Axion blushes. Her eyes drowned in Kaizo's gaze.

Spicy Gluten gritted her teeth as she watched them swinging on the same trapeze bar. She runs to a trapeze platform, ready to bother them again.

Kaizo swings harder and jumps to another trapeze bar. He stands and stretches his right hand, inviting Axion to jump to him. But before Axion could do her spin, Spicy Gluten came flying again.

Just like the other day, the two girls fight to show who's the better aerialist. But unlike the other day, Kaizo does his performance more vigorously. This time will be different.

While Axion portrays an innocent Juliet who shyly tries to reach Romeo, Spicy Gluten portrays a ruthless Juliet who doesn't let anyone get close to her Romeo.

Kaizo stands with his hand stretched. This time, instead of letting Juliet reach his trapeze bar on her own, he'll take her hand and pull her up. Spicy Gluten won't give Axion a chance to slip like the other day. She made her move earlier than Axion and jumped towards Kaizo. Kaizo is ready with his hand stretched far, but when Spicy Gluten is within his reach, he doesn't catch Spicy Gluten. She looked at him with surprise as she fell. Kaizo gives a cold expression.

Everyone who witnesses it gasps, thinking Spicy Gluten would fall. Suddenly, Kaizo jumps down, holds the trapeze bar with his left hand, and catches Spicy Gluten with his right hand. Spicy Gluten screamed. The sudden shock from having Kaizo suddenly pull her, hurt her shoulder. She looked at Kaizo who was still in his cold expression.

Kaizo let go of her and Spicy Gluten fell to the net. He raised up and stood back on the trapeze bar. Axion looked at him. With determination, she does her Golden Phoenix flawlessly and reaches Kaizo's hand. Kaizo pulled her on his trapeze bar and held her in his arms, just like Romeo and Juliet.

Spicy Gluten looked up at them from the safety net.

"Schezuan!! Are you ok?" asked Olivia who comes running at her with Milt.

Spicy Gluten lowered her head. She gets down from the net.

"Aeosa, you finally made it! You did the Golden Phoenix so flawlessly," said Bimbo as soon as Axion and Kaizo were on the ground.

"Thank you," said Axion.

The rest of the circus members surround Axion and congratulate her. Kaizo watches her from afar.

"A little bit harsh isn't it?" Phoenix asks Kaizo while his circus crews are focused on Aeosa.

Kaizo looked at Phoenix.

"You purposely didn't catch her at first and suddenly pull her when she's about to fall. You know it'll hurt her shoulder," said Phoenix.

"She won't lose her arm. Just a dislocated shoulder," said Kaizo indifferently.

"You're a scary man," said Phoenix.

Spicy Gluten clenched her fist, watching Axion. She walks away, followed by Olivia and Milt. Kaizo followed her outside.

"I suppose this should be clear enough to you," said Kaizo.

Spicy Gluten and her friends stopped.

"But in case it's not clear enough, let me tell you this..." Kaizo walks closer to Spicy Gluten. "Don't mess with my team," he whispered with a menacing tone.

Spicy Gluten shivers. Feeling enough, Kaizo walks back to the circus tent. Olivia and Milt looked at Spicy Gluten.

"Dammit! Is he saying he chose her over me?! I can't believe I just lose to her," said Spicy Gluten in frustration.

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"Bravo, Axion! I know I was right to choose you as the female lead," said Phoenix.

Axion chuckled. "I'm flattered."

"At this rate, we're going to show Romeo and Juliet just as planned," said Phoenix.

"Alright, everyone! Go back to your posts. We still have much work to do," said Bimbo as he loudly clapped.

The crowds scatter, going back to their work. Aeosa saw Phoenix walk away. She chased him.

"Phoenix!" Aeosa called.

"Oh, yes? Do you need anything?"Phoenix asked.

"I was wondering if you can tell me something about circus Maxima,"

Phoenix frown. "Could it be? You think you're good enough to join Circus Maxima so you're going to leave this circus?"

Axion sighed. "It's for my investigation. I'm a hunter, remember?" said Axion as she shrugs.

Phoenix chuckled. "Oh yeah. Hahahaha. I forgot. I'll look for detailed data about Circus Maxima and send it to you."

"Thanks."

Phoenix let out a long sigh. "Such a shame you can't stay a circus performer. You have so much talent."

"Being in a circus is fun and amazing. But I feel more content on my current job," said Aeosa.

Phoenix blinking fast. "I don't know how I should feel about having someone say they feel "content" hunting people."

Aeosa chuckled.

"You're a dangerous girl," said Phoenix with a wink. He walks away.

"What are you two talking about?" Kaizo asks as he approaches Aeosa.

"Admiral Maskmana suggested we check out Circus Maxima. So I asked Phoenix about it. Also, what are you going to do with Vivre bar?" Aeosa asked.

"Vivre bar?"

"We found a kidnapped victim the other night, remember? She's probably a worker there," said Aeosa.

"Hmm, should we check it out?" Kaizo asked.

Suddenly, Aeosa's watch beeped. She opened her watch interface.

"Well, I guess we're visiting Vivre bar after all," said Aeosa. She showed him her watch. "Message from Rosario. He wants to meet."

"Why?"

"Probably because Cirque du Sombre went down on the night we visit it," said Aeosa.