Meet Him Again

III

Cale looked out the window when he awoke the next morning. He felt a familiar weight on his ears, but he is not even cold. He remembered the ocean's scent and the cold-yet-warm embrace.

Since his mother's death, no one has bothered to offer him their arms to cry in. When his mother died, the last time he was in someone else's embrace was when his father cried out in grief.

He did not know why he was feeling this way, but he knew what he needed to do right away.

To live far away from the family he once had.

"Young Lord Cale," he says.

When he looked up, he noticed Madam Pompina Ubar staring at him with sadness. He smiled at her and asked for permission to go to the sea. The Viscountess could not say anything else and let him go once more.

He exited the mansion and returned to the same spot where he met the black mermaid.

He came to a halt when he noticed the merman splayed beautifully on the waters. He appeared to be sunbathing, surrounded by fish, crabs, and sea turtles. There were other sea creatures around him, including a small orca.

[Hello.]

The merman boredomly looked at him. He removed his shoes and waded into the water. He went straight to the water this time, wearing his a swimming suit, and sat on the shallow sand near the merman.

He observed how the merman's black hair shone like the moonlight on a dark night. His scales appeared to be lava and constantly on fire. He became aware of the three black pearls attached to his head ring. His ears were twitching, and beautiful gems dangled from them.

He was a race unto himself. He recognized that this man was no ordinary merman. The mermaids he saw outside the mansion's window were ugly, with dull expressions and two feet adorned with fins.

However, this merman took on the appearance of a half-man, half-fish. It is not even a fish that the general public is familiar with. He can tell because this merman's fins were unlike anything in the book. He is a rare species within his own class.

[How are things going for you? ]

"I am fine."

The merman got closer. The penguins and turtles approached as well.

He did not move and sat on the water, with the merman beside him. When seated, the merman appeared to be taller than him.

"Have you calmed down yet?" the merman asked quietly.

The voice was different from the one inside his head. It was clear, raspy, and a little toned, but it was humble and kind.

"Thank you very much."

"There is no need as long as you are fine."

Cale swallowed his words and smiled brightly at the merman. When he returned last night, he looked for possible races to which this man might belong. None of the books described him, nor did he resemble those mermaids.

He can only imagine that this man was a deep sea creature.

They spent the day as usual, playing with the sea creatures on the beach. Cale had never had so much fun before, but now that he thinks about it, this is the first time he is ever laughed and smiled again.

"Um, Hyung..."

The Merman turned to face him.

"Will you be here tomorrow?"

He is currently the best company he has. Being with him helped him forget the agony of being alone.

"I will."