Fading Applause 
Part One: The Glory Days
The circus tent blazed with light.
Cinder soared through the air, her body spinning in a perfect triple flip. Flames traced golden arcs behind her as she juggled the burning pins—one, two, three—never missing a beat. Her dog ears flattened against her skull from the speed, then perked up triumphantly as her feet hit the platform.
The crowd roared.
"AGAIN! AGAIN!"
A little girl in the front row bounced in her seat, tugging her mother’s sleeve. "Mommy, she’s flying!"
Cinder’s tail swayed as she bowed low, bells on her jester costume jingling. This—this—was what she lived for. The applause washing over her like warm rain. The gasps when she pulled off something impossible. The way children’s eyes went wide with wonder.
She caught three more flaming pins mid-air, spun them into a cascade of fire, and landed in a split.
The audience leaped to their feet.
Her smile was real. Bright. Uncracked.
The Ringmaster stood in the shadows beyond the spotlight, arms crossed, nodding with satisfaction.
"Good work, mutt," he’d say later. Not kind, but approving.
That was enough.
After the show, Cinder walked through the circus grounds, still buzzing with adrenaline. Performers clapped her shoulder. Vendors offered her candied apples. The strongman lifted her onto his shoulders for a victory lap.
She belonged here.

Manga Story

Fading Applause Part One: The Glory Days The circus tent blazed with light. Cinder soared through the air, her body spinning in a perfect triple flip. Flames traced golden arcs behind her as she juggled the burning pins—one, two, three—never missing a beat. Her dog ears flattened against her skull from the speed, then perked up triumphantly as her feet hit the platform. The crowd roared. "AGAIN! AGAIN!" A little girl in the front row bounced in her seat, tugging her mother’s sleeve. "Mommy, she’s flying!" Cinder’s tail swayed as she bowed low, bells on her jester costume jingling. This—this—was what she lived for. The applause washing over her like warm rain. The gasps when she pulled off something impossible. The way children’s eyes went wide with wonder. She caught three more flaming pins mid-air, spun them into a cascade of fire, and landed in a split. The audience leaped to their feet. Her smile was real. Bright. Uncracked. The Ringmaster stood in the shadows beyond the spotlight, arms crossed, nodding with satisfaction. "Good work, mutt," he’d say later. Not kind, but approving. That was enough. After the show, Cinder walked through the circus grounds, still buzzing with adrenaline. Performers clapped her shoulder. Vendors offered her candied apples. The strongman lifted her onto his shoulders for a victory lap. She belonged here.

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