Café Prologue Guide
The café is where your nightmare begins. Every interaction here shapes your entire journey through the circus. This guide covers every hidden item, every dialogue choice, and their long-term consequences.
Why the Café Prologue Matters
Many players rush through the café thinking it is just an introduction. This is a critical mistake. The prologue determines:
- ★Which character route unlocks first — Your early responses to Pierrot and Harlequin set the initial affection values.
- ★Access to the Truth Ending — You must collect ALL hidden text fragments in the café to unlock the secret path.
- ★Day 2 bonus content — Certain café interactions unlock exclusive Day 2 flashback scenes.
🗝️ All Hidden Items in the Café
There are 7 hidden interactive objects in the café. Click on each one to collect text fragments needed for the Truth Ending.
1. Coffee Cup on Counter
EasyLocation: Behind the register, left side
Reward: Fragment #1 — "The first act begins with a sip of poison."
2. Torn Circus Poster
EasyLocation: On the wall near the entrance door
Reward: Fragment #2 — "They came with the moon and never left."
3. Old Newspaper
MediumLocation: Under the table in the corner booth
Reward: Fragment #3 — "Three missing. No bodies found."
4. Cracked Mirror
MediumLocation: In the staff bathroom (click the door twice)
Reward: Fragment #4 — "Your reflection smiles when you don't."
5. Music Box
HardLocation: On the shelf behind the espresso machine
Reward: Fragment #5 — Plays Pierrot's melody (needed for Day 2)
6. Wilted Rose
HardLocation: In the trash can near the exit
Reward: Fragment #6 — "A gift refused is a curse accepted."
7. Employee Schedule Board
Very HardLocation: Click the name 'Carol' three times
Reward: Fragment #7 — Reveals Carol's last shift date (foreshadowing)
🎭 Meeting Pierrot — Best Choices
Pierrot visits the café after the rude customer incident. Your response to this scene is the most important choice in the entire prologue.
✅ Best Choice: "Step in and defend him"
Pierrot Affection +3, unlocks his route. This is the choice that triggers his obsession — he falls for you because of your kindness.
⚠️ Neutral: "Watch silently"
No affection change. Both routes remain open but you miss early bonus points.
❌ Worst Choice: "Agree with the rude customer"
Pierrot Affection -5. Locks you out of Pierrot's True Ending permanently. Can trigger an early bad ending in Day 2.
🃏 Meeting Harlequin — Best Choices
Harlequin appears later, usually after your shift. He is charming, flirtatious, and dangerous. Here is how to handle him:
✅ Best Choice: "Play along with his jokes"
Harlequin Affection +2. He respects boldness and humor. Being curious about him is the key to his route.
⚠️ Neutral: "Be polite but distant"
No affection change. Keeps options open without committing.
❌ Worst Choice: "Tell him to leave"
Harlequin Affection -3. He finds you boring. Significantly harder to unlock his True Ending later.
🎪 The Circus Invitation
At the end of the prologue, you receive the Circus Invitation. This is a point of no return.
⚠️ WARNING: You MUST accept the invitation to continue the game. Rejecting it 3 times leads to an instant Game Over.
However, how you accept matters. Accepting eagerly gives +1 to both characters. Accepting reluctantly gives no bonus but avoids negative points. The ideal strategy depends on which route you are targeting.
📋 Optimal Prologue Strategies
For Pierrot's Route
- Collect all 7 hidden items
- Defend Pierrot from the rude customer
- Offer him a bandage when he is hurt
- Be polite but not flirty with Harlequin
- Accept the invitation reluctantly
- Listen to the Music Box melody twice
For Harlequin's Route
- Collect all 7 hidden items
- Watch the Pierrot incident silently
- Play along with Harlequin's jokes
- Choose bold/sarcastic dialogue options
- Accept the invitation eagerly
- Read the Old Newspaper carefully
❓ Café Prologue FAQ
Q: Can I go back to the café after entering the circus?
No. Once you accept the invitation, the café is permanently locked. Make sure you have collected everything before leaving.
Q: Does the prologue affect Day 2?
Yes! Several Day 2 flashback scenes only trigger if you found specific hidden items in the café. The Music Box is especially important.
Q: What happens if I miss some hidden items?
You can still complete character routes, but the Truth Ending requires ALL 7 fragments. Missing even one locks you out.
Q: Is there a time limit in the café?
No time limit for exploration, but there IS a timed choice when the rude customer confronts Pierrot. You have about 8 seconds to decide.
Ready to enter the circus? Check out our route guides next.