I have to find her...

"...what... did you just say...?"

"Yes. The first girl who disappears into the sea becomes the Tsurihito's bride."

"You must be kidding me...", I felt betrayed, lost. Airi-chan was mine, and mine only! The heck can anyone snatch her from me! I don't care if its the fish king or Tsurihito! I want my Airi-chan back!

"I am not. And there is a chance she might be alive, because they keep the bride alive until the wedding day, the exact day of the blood moon."

"But... last night was the blood moon...", those memories of my friends missing still rang in my head.

"This blood moon spans for 2 weeks, and by the exact day I meant the day it is the most vibrant.", she sighed as I saw her crossing out the names of my classmates who are supposedly dead.

I was confused. "What do you want me to do with this information?"

"Anything you want to do, young lad. I am just telling you that there might still be hope. I know, you know? I go to every room to clean them everyday."

Dang it. She had found out the ropes and the knife I have snuck in...

"There is more hope to life than you think. Go out, think for a bit, and make a decision you will never regret."

"Thanks, gramps!", my vision went blurry. "Eh? Why?" Before I knew, I was crying out loud. Tears wetted the reception table surface as I hid my face there for a brief moment. It was not long before I realised, these tears are tears of hope, of happiness that she might still be alive.

It took some time for me to regain my composure. "Thanks again, gramps. I am going now!"

I slammed through the doors, as if I am a flying bird. The skies were filled to the brim with beautiful stars, with one of its corners being occupied by the moon, bright red, as if it were a giant. Well, it is a giant though. The cold wind brushed through my face. It cooled down my face. It was ice cold. Running was fun too in these types of maze-like roads. There were no people, no cars, no street lights. It wasn't pitch black too, thanks to the blood moon giving everything a red hue. Suddenly I remembered all the paths and ways. I was already using them subconsciously. It was as if I have returned back to my childhood self. How fun were those times... I had nothing to worry about then.

I felt a hint of anger growing ever so largely in my heart. It should be. I am going to take her back. She is mine. No king can steal her. I don't care if he is the fish king or not, and I don't care if I die in the process too! At least I could die trying to save her! At least I could say I tried to save her instead of committing suicide like a loser!

What was I thinking back then. I jumbled up my words. I chose 'try dying' instead of 'die trying'. Thanks gramps for making me notice!

Eh? Why am I in such a cheery mood? Because she might be alive? I don't know. I guess it's because both the paths before me now are happy ends. Its either me finding her and saving her and happily ever after, or it's me dying while trying to save her and happily ever after.

"Don't ever let the sea touch you... if it does, it will kill you...", funny that its ringing in my head now. Too bad! Now its too late for that. Why is the sea such a coward that it let me alive then? Try me, sea. Try to kill me!

That was fast. I can't believe I took busses to go from the hotel to here. It was honestly such a rip off.

I scouted the beach. There was a speedboat. I recognised that it was the one...the same one sensei hired for us... remembering him made me sad again.

No no, I have someone to save. I can't be heartbroken now!

As I tried to hop on the boat, I felt someone grabbing my sleeve, along with heavy breathing. "Don't!!"

It was Teiji. "Eh? Teiji? What are you doing here?"

"I said don't go!"

I laughed it off. It was too late, like I said. "Nope! I am going!"

I removed his hand from my sleeve. This time he couldn't hold me back. "Sorry Teiji. I might have done many horrible things to you and others, so forgive me for that. Tell others to forgive me too for all I have done."

Teiji's face looked sad...

No, I can't stop, I have to go!

The key was laying on the speedboat's seat. I guess nobody took it because they aren't riding to the sea. Good thing. I placed the keys into the lock.

"Bye, Teiji! I hope I will return!", I rotated the keys and pressed hard on the accelerator as I bade the final goodbye to him. Where am I going? I dont know. But the only thing I know is, I have to find her...