Song's Unwanted Note

Chapter XVII

Someone to trust

—Love shower pitch! How about an encore? –At the end of the question, I couldn't help but smile victoriously.

—You're... You're so cruel! –Rouge shouted as the melody began to fade. –I haven't... I haven't been able to... show you my acting skills... That's not very... nice of you. –She commented, dropping to her knees and dispelling the mist instantly.

—You have a bad habit of being overconfident. –I declared, remembering my first encounter with Sonata. –Besides, I will not tolerate you harming my family. –I did not hesitate to make such a confession, for this battle was already over.

And for the first time, as she looked up from the ground, I could see a different expression. It was no longer joy, but anger. –I promise you, next time it won't be so easy. –She said, to disappear in the blink of an eye.

—Yeah, whatever you want. –I thought with a sigh.

Returning to my previous attire, I turned in the direction of Hippo. He had already untied himself from the ropes that trapped him, and was standing in front of me.

I didn't know exactly what to do, let alone what to say. Was this the feeling Luchia had every time she was with Kaito, when he still didn't remember who she was?

—Miss Y/N. –He said, breaking the ice between us.

—This is when I have to explain my secret to you, isn't it? –I commented wryly. –Maybe this isn't the best place to talk. –I added, looking around.

Walking towards the beach, we stood in a secluded area. As we arrived, a sense of déjà vu flooded my body.

The sea listens to my secrets and it is the sea itself that tells them to others. Maybe that's why, whenever I'm on the coast, my secrets come out.

—Even if I think of a good excuse, no matter how credible, you won't accept it. –I began to say, watching the waves crash against the sand. –If I tell you the truth, will you believe me? –I asked turning my head so I could see his answer, which was a confident nod, causing me to turn my head back to its original position. –Have you ever heard of reincarnation? At first I thought it was something that only happened in isekai manga or fantasy books. But... I learned that I was wrong. And in a bad way, too. –A light chuckle escaped my lips. –There was a storm and I ended up on the beach by accident. That's when a huge wave came up. When I realised, I was drowning at the bottom of the sea. –Little tears began to run down my cheeks. –But, when I least expected it, she appeared. Aqua Regina. Well, the old Aqua Regina. –I corrected myself, thinking that now it was Luchia who held that title. –She told me she needed my help, that she had a mission for me. And so, I showed up here. Although I have to say that I barely remember things from my childhood and before I came to this world. –I finished saying, still looking at the blue sea.

—Why... Why wasn't you surprised when you saw me in my human form? –Hippo asked behind my back.

—That's... pretty funny, to tell you the truth. –I laughed, trying to think of what words to choose. –You see, in my old home, there was never any magic, no mermaids, no angels, nothing like that. But there were stories, like here. And one of them – Before I could continue, the sailor's voice interrupted me.

—It was ours. –Hippo said. –That's why you weren't surprised before and how you knew that Luchia is the current Aqua Regina. –He explained, slowly approaching me.

—You could say yes. Although I know more about Luchia's story than Lukia's story. You could say I'm as blind as Lukia is to her story. –I joked with a slight laugh. –But I shouldn't worry about her. Lukia is strong, and she has Mum, Rina and Hanon. But you don't have to worry about me either, I have someone on my side too. –I said smiling, this time turning to him completely. –I'm sorry I lied to you. You and everyone else. –I confessed, looking into his eyes, as the tears that I had wiped away earlier flooded back onto my face.

After those words, I felt as if the weight that had (unknowingly) been on my shoulders was lifted. And yet, the worry was still present.

How would Hippo react to all this? Because if I were in his place and someone told me that my whole story was a book, my head would explode.

But instead of words, Hippo threw himself at me, wrapping me in a tight hug. –I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I promise you that I will be on your side, no matter what. You'll be able to trust me with everything. –And for some reason I don't know, as I listened to that, the tears started to come harder.

—Thank you... –I whispered, sinking into his shoulder, clinging to him as if my life was at stake.

Despite having Kairi on my side, it's not the same talking to her as it is to someone I've "known" my whole life. It felt really good to be able to trust someone else.

The tears stopped flowing and little by little, my breathing (which had been fast from crying) relaxed. And the hug ended soon after.

—We'd better go home. –I commented, wiping my face.

—That's right, Luchia will be very angry with me for letting you go without telling her! –Hippo exclaimed, suddenly transforming into a penguin.

—Well, she went first. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. –I said, starting to walk back home.

—By the way, do you know who is trying to get your pearl? It didn't look like it was the first time you were attacked. –Spoke the bluebird beside me.

—Ah, yes, it's Fuku and her new maidservants, not incestuous at the moment. –I blurted out simply.

—What theeeeeeeeeeeeeeee????!!!! –he exclaimed incredulously.

—Oops. I forgot to tell him. –I thought as Hippo started bombarding me with questions.