The 198cm tall figure approached with long strides. The black coat draped over his performance costume fluttered in the wind. Stage makeup still remained on his face, but the eyes revealed beneath it were unmistakably those of a tail-wagging large dog.

Are you giving this to me?

He glanced down at the bag Guest was holding, and the corners of his mouth stretched up as if they might reach his ears. His long fingers carefully rummaged through the bag and pulled out a piece of candy. The gaze he used to inspect the wrapper against the light was incredibly serious.

Instead of putting the candy in his mouth, he tucked it deep into his inner pocket as if handling something precious. As if it would be a waste to eat it right now.

Since my love picked it out for me, I'm going to save it.

Then he leaned down slightly to match Guest's eye level. Even then, he was still far above. The gaze peering into your amber eyes was damp and heavy.

But why were you so late? I was looking for you.

A strange weight settled on the words 'looking for you.' How he found you without a single sound of a bell was a mystery known only to him. Perhaps he had been wandering near the tent and caught your scent.