Eirin’s very first reaction upon hearing her cousin had transformed into a human was of utter shock.
Bewilderment.
Complete perplexity.
Then, being as immature and petty as she was, the Princess of Pearls found an opportunity. The chance of finally being the one to make fun of the entitled, genius duo.
“You became a
human?! Didn’t the Witch tell you the difference about the potions, or didn’t even bother to ask?” The more she talked, the clearer became the mockery in her voice as her grin became wider and wider. “Wow, for someone who loves to point it out whenever others make mistakes, you really messed up, didn’t you!”
Prince Tsun continued to drink his water. Princess Hin remained in silence.
Princess Eirin kept talking.
“Seriously, will you two even be able to live apart from each other now? Or does Tsun plan on becoming human, too? Since this transformation is permanent, I wonder what the brilliant twins of Corals will do now!”
And while Eirin’s laughter gloated and echoed across the building, Prince Tsun lowered the bottle in his hand.
“Cousin, aren’t you ashamed?”
The laughter died in her throat with a faint creak.
“...huh?”
“There are limits to how dumb someone can be. Even when this someone is you, cousin,” Princess Hin complemented, both looking at Eirin with dead eyes.
The silver-haired princess felt a shiver running down her spine.
“W-what do you mean? You are the dumb one! The Witch tricked you, and now you have to live as a human forever!”
The siblings let out a long, disappointed sigh as their cousin pointed her accusatory finger at Hin.
For if there had been any trickery during their exchange with the Sea Witch of the Undisonus Sea, it had been done by the twins themselves.
“You two are here to follow that cousin of yours, right?”
When they arrived at the Witch’s lair, she had been waiting for them. Yet as she explained the workings of the potion and the new routine they would have to follow, the twins had an idea.
Taking into consideration the Witches’ explanations, sister—
And the tales we’ve heard of in the past…
There must be a potion to fully transform a merfolk into a human.
Agreed, brother.
Becoming a human would provide infinite opportunities to further study their anatomy and society.
Agreed. We must make use of this.
Agreed.
“We want one potion to transform one of us into a human.”
The Witch raised her eyebrow, a new depth echoing within her voice.
“This potion only removes a merfolk’s distinct physical traits, temporarily.
To fully transform a merfolk into a human…this is not something that can be done to last mere days. It’s something that will forever change one’s life.”
The twins exchanged glances in a silent conversation.
“Do you think we are stupid like our cousin?”
The Witch choked on her smoke. Only after she finally stopped coughing was she able to meet the twins’ placid gazes.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“There had been many tales of merfolk who became human, regretted, and came back,” Tsun spoke.
“Judging by the state of your home, your current stock, and your demeanor so far,”
Hin added.
“You are lazy.”
The Sea Witch’s eye twitched as the twins finished their statement, trying to appear unbothered.
“What of it?”
“You hate leaving your place to gather ingredients.”
“So you make excuses about some potions being irreversible because their ingredients are bothersome to gather.” The twins turned to each other. “She must really take us for fools, sister.”
“Would you expect something else from someone who lies to her customers because she wants to keep loafing around all day, brother?”
The Witch rubbed her forehead with one of her tentacles.
I had heard some of the rumors, but these twins of Corals…
They are quite frightening, huh?
She sighed.
“Fine, you are right. So you know why I won’t give you this potion. Too much work. I have important business I need to attend, you know.”
At that moment, the Sea Witch was certain there was nothing any creature in all seas could say or offer that would make her change her mind. Not when the ingredients she needed could only be found at the Abyssalis Sea.
“Give us the potion, and we will give you a bigger crystal screen with better reception.”
She stood corrected.
When Eirin finally finished listening to the shortened version of her cousin’s bargain, she was left not only speechless but shamefully humbled.
“If you are done misusing your brain, cousin, we need to warn you about your condition.”
The princess’ eyes met the twins again, seeing a new emotion faintly crossing their gazes. One that was strong enough for her to realize what they were about to say was serious.
“You, by no means, must try to reach out for your song like you did before.”
“We will meet with Risei to analyze the shell. Until you hear back from us, pretend you are human.”
Tsun and Hin spoke, respectively, making sure even their oblivious cousin would understand their message.
“I’m already doing that.” Even though Eirin let out a weak laugh, there was a trembling in her voice.
“What an amazing job you are doing, cousin…” they mumbled, their voices dead inside.
They walked toward the exit before Eirin could answer, looking back one last time. Their eyes met the human’s.
“Try to keep her out of trouble.”
Once they were finally alone, Princess Eirin sighed and turned toward Okihiro at last.
He was only able to grasp a few words here and there, the conversation itself being lost to him. Still, he knew whatever had happened with the princess must have been serious enough to cause her pain and make her cousin concerned.
Yet the twins’ words were soon forgotten by the Princess of Pearls as she once again spotted all the bruises on the sailor’s face.
Eirin’s heart felt small, an ache pulsating through her. She bit her lip, a burning passing through her eyes.
「Does it hurt?」
They signed at the same time, making both chuckle as their cheeks flushed.
Okihiro opened his bag, happy to see his notebook was there.
‘I’m fine. You?’
She nodded after briefly touching her chest. Though the pain was still there, it was fading—even at a slow pace.
For a couple of minutes, neither said anything. But then Kojin Okihiro glanced her way, and just her sight was enough.
「I’m sorry.」
「Why?」, she signed back with a frown.
Instead of signing back, he wrote the words carefully.
‘Before. Danger.’
Eirin was silent for some time. He was afraid to meet the princess’ eyes, to have her recognize his blame. Yet the thoughts running across her mind regarding him could not be further away from blame.
「This was accident too?」
At first, he was not certain of what she meant, especially since their signs were quite limited. But then he recalled one of her previous questions and how he had replied.
Kojin Okihiro clenched his fists briefly before replying.
「Yes.」
The princess’ eyes became darker as she clenched her jaw. Yet soon enough, those shadows were replaced by something warmer—affectionate—as she touched Okihiro’s scar.
“Was it them?”
Then her finger trailed down, brushing against his ear, her touch making shivers run across his skin.
“The accidents.”
Even though Okihiro was somewhat aware of what she was asking, he did not have enough strength to give her a reply. To confirm what she, deep inside, already knew.
So instead of giving her a confirmation, he lowered his gaze. And when Eirin followed his eyes, she found herself staring at the locket pendant hanging from her neck.
「Do you like it?」
She saw how his eyes never wavered from hers as he signed.
「No. Love it.」
And somehow, she couldn’t stop from looking at his gaze either.
When he smiled, Eirin felt even warmer.
「I’m glad.」
With a heart far past the point of “racing”, she averted her eyes. Too flustered. Too nervous. So she forced her eyes to wander, to observe the wooden structure they were inside, its wood stairs and broken windows, seeing furniture covered with white cloths and old tapestries.
「What is this?」
Kojin Okihiro’s eyes did not wander like the princess'.
For even with his eyes closed, he knew the place like the back of his hand.
A place that brought him the same amount of sorrow and warmth.
「My old home.」
A spark lit up in her eyes, the space gaining an entire new light.
「Why empty?」
Okihiro’s heart slowed down, as if preparing himself. As if its dead beating would prevent memories from reaching his mind—prevent himself from hurting. Yet what the man discovered was how, seeing the genuine glow in Eirin’s eyes—even as he recalled these memories—his heart didn’t hurt as much.
Rather, he felt an odd peace.
Being in that place with her.
‘Owner not here.'
He wrote the words the best way he could, even if it was only a small fraction of the whole truth, unsure the mermaid would understand.
Eirin read his words, pondering for a moment. Was the owner of the place his family, or a stranger? Were humans obligated to live someplace else if the house’s owner was not present?
With so many questions she couldn’t comprehend, she chose the one that seemed easiest to explain.
「Where are they?」
Yet it was, at the same, the one that hurt the most to answer.
Nonetheless, Okihiro answered her honestly. The best way he could.
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