The Clown's Kiss (Buggy Fanfiction) [One Piece]

In the Spotlight

As the circus acts gradually draws to a close, Buggy remains at the center of the stage, his arms outstretched in a triumphant pose. His once-angry countenance has transformed into an expression of unbridled happiness. The spotlight bathed him in a warm, flattering glow, emphasizing his commanding presence.

The crowd erupts into enthusiastic applause, showing their appreciation for the awe-inspiring performance, so Buggy believes. But just as the applause reaches its zenith, Buggy, in an unexpected twist, raises a single finger to his lips, a playful but commanding gesture that silences the audience.

The hush that falls over the crowd is immediate and complete, as they watch the enigmatic pirate captain with bated breath, wondering what he has in store next.

Scarlet, like the rest of the audience, obeys the unspoken command and falls into a respectful silence. She can't help but feel a mix of fascination and anticipation, her eyes locked onto Buggy as he stood there, the master of ceremonies in this surreal circus world, leaving everyone waiting in suspense for the next act in this captivating show.

"Now," Buggy's firm voice echoes through the tent, its resonance commanding the audience's attention. "For the last act of tonight's show, I need a volunteer from the audience to assist me on stage." His eyes gleam with a mischievous excitement, their gaze scanning the sea of faces before him.

An eerie silence falls over everybody, punctuated only by the soft rustling of clothing as people shift uncomfortably in their seats.

In the span of those suspended seconds, it becomes apparent that no one dares to step forward. The once-cheerful expression on the clown's face begins to dim, his features slowly shifting from elation to grim determination.

"No one?" Buggy's voice drips with annoyance as he paces restlessly around the stage, his eyes scanning the audience with a critical gaze. His frustration was palpable, as it was clear that he expected someone, anyone, to step forward and join him in the spotlight.

"Light!" he suddenly yells. Quickly a second spotlight, unwelcome and glaring, suddenly illuminates Buggy from a different angle, which only serves to further agitate the clown.

"Not me, you moron!" he exclaims, irritated by the technical mishap. "The crowd! Scan the damn crowd and pick someone, dumbass! Come on, use your brain for once!"

The second spotlight, now detached from Buggy, begins to sweep methodically across the audience. It moves and moves, a relentless searchlight seeking its unsuspecting victim until it comes to a sudden, abrupt halt.

The brightness of the spotlight falls upon Scarlet, but not with the same intensity it would have if it were directly on her. Her heartbeat begins to quicken as she slowly turns her head to the side, her gaze shifting toward her students, a sense of dread building within her.

Then, realization washes over her like a chilling wave. The spotlight isn't aimed at her; it is directed at Sarah, the timid little girl who has a fondness for reading. Sarah sits frozen in her seat, wide-eyed and terrified, unsure of how to respond to this sudden and unwelcome attention that had fallen upon her.

"Wonderful!" Buggy exclaims with forced enthusiasm, clapping his hands together. "Come on," he beckons Sarah over to him with an exaggeratedly happy smile that fails to reach his eyes. Despite his façade, Sarah remains frozen in her seat, her wide eyes locked onto the intimidating figure on the stage.

"Little girl, we don't have all night," Buggy urges, snapping his fingers and pointing insistently in her direction. His frustration was palpable, and the tension in the tent grew with each passing moment.

Behind Buggy, several performers emerge from the shadows, ready to make their way into the seating area to retrieve the hesitant volunteer.

However, before they could make their move, Scarlet rose from her seat, causing the performers to halt in their tracks. All eyes in the tent turn toward her as she stands there, trembling with fear and discomfort, acutely aware of the spotlight that had now shifted from Sarah to her, intensifying the pressure of the moment.