A Romance Tail || Haikyuu

We Meet - Chapter 1

This new environment was nothing like he was used to, or had ever experienced, he had not known that this was a fate that befell the many of his own kind. The ocean he had called out was a mere memory, the only thing he had left from his home was the man-made salt water. It burnt his gills, knowing that had added chemicals to keep them from using their strength to break free of the glass around them. Though it was cold in the winter where he was from, it was never this cold, it was constant, never ending, it kept his skin permanently covered in goose bumps. It was an aquarium that they had placed him and many others in, however it was a cheap one, despite the attraction of their kind, they could never afford to allow Sugawaras kind to swim freely in large tanks with native fish, it would mean freedom. He never looked the visitors in the eye, and why would he? They had funded his prison, and he hated them for it.

Kageyama was less than prideful when it came to his part-time job, unlike his sporting hobbies, his inter-ship was pressured upon him and he made him feel horrible. Not many knew about what actually went on with the merpeople, the aquarium stating that their tanks were used for display, and that they had larger tanks out back to rest and swim in after hours. It was bullshit, anyone who thought otherwise was blind. It was so painfully obvious how much they suffered in their cramped tanks. But what could he do? He passed by the tanks fairly often throughout the day, mopping the floors and wiping the tanks clean. Did he ever look them in the eye? No, that would be stupid, their eyes would plead with any who past, forcing guilt upon them with a simple gaze. It made his throat burn with anger and disgust. Though, there was always one merman who seemed different. He never sent anyone a pleading gaze, he never looked up to stare and make those around him feel guilty. He was by far more beautiful, with white hair and blue scales that shined brightly from the stage lights above the tanks. He really was a beautiful creature.

It had been his fourth month at the aquarium when he noticed the blue scaled merman looked skinnier, as if he was no longer eating. Because of this that night, Kageyama snuck back, carrying extra helpings of food. making sure the other merpeople were fast asleep as he crept up to the tank. Using a feeding ladder he climbed up and began to carefully drop the pieces of food in the tank. There was suddenly a loud splash and Kageyama felt a wet grip around his arm. He gasped, seeing bright ruby eyes staring deep into his. The emotion behind them confused him. It was a feeling he could not name but could understand completely.

He had to help them.