You? How!? (A Rinharu Mermaid!Soulmate!AU)

Chapter 3

"Haru. Before we go, I wanna show you something you've never seen before.."

Despite Haru's confusion, he showed little hesitation before taking Rin's hand into his own. Moments later, Rin darted upwards, pulling Haru along with him.

"Rin? Where are we going?" Haru asked nervously after he started to keep up with Rin's pace.

"You'll see~," Rin answered playfully. Haru muttered a few inaudible phrases under his breath before sighing.

~~

About fifteen minutes later, Rin and Haru found themselves right below the surface.

"Rin.. Why the hell are we so far up??" Haru glanced at Rin suspiciously.

"It told you that I would show you something you've never seen before, right? That's what I'm gonna do," Rin retorted, smiling. Only moments later, Rin went the rest of the way up, surfacing above the water. This time, Haru hesitated for about a minute before following him up. Immediately, he started shivering faintly.

"D-Don't mind the cold for a f-few minutes," Rin stuttered, shivering slightly as well. Haru nodded, sighing.

"So.. E-Explain why we needed t-to come up here," Haru murmured, but it was loud enough for Rin to hear. Before Rin answered, he looked around the surface, hoping one of the things he was looking for would be there. Once he spotted one, he grabbed onto Haru's hand again, pulling him in its direction.

"Look at this. I believe they're called frost flowers.. They're like ice crystals that form on the ocean's surface during the cold weather, when there isn't very much wind. Even with the cold weather around here, they're still rarely found outside of the Arctic," Rin explained, pointing to the icy crystal floating on the water.

When Haru's eyes landed on the crystal, his eyes gleamed with awe. He smiled softly, looking up at Rin.

"You were right.. I haven't seen this before."

"Told 'ya," Rin grinned. Haru rolled his eyes, still smiling.

"Let's go back.. I can't stand the cold anymore," Haru stated, making Rin laugh.

"Yeah, okay. But~ Let's see if you can catch up with me!" Rin then dunked back under the water, Haru following suit, trying to catch up with the shark prince.

~~

In the end, Haru had gotten back to the reef a few seconds before Rin.

"Damn, you're fast," Rin commented, breathing heavily.

"Thanks. You are, too," Haru nodded, breathing just as heavily.

After relaxing, Rin looked around.

"It's getting kinda late now.. I guess that means we should head back to our homes, huh?" he sighed, while Haru nodded.

".. When do you think we can see each other again..?" Haru questioned quietly.

"Hmm... here at the same time as today, but maybe next Saturday instead..? I'm busy next Friday," Rin suggested.

"That works," Haru concluded, smiling. "Thank you for today, Rin.."

And then it happened. It ended just as quick as it happened, but all Haru could feel was a soft pressure on the right side of his face. He brought his hand up to his face, realizing what had happened.

Rin had just kissed him on the cheek.

By the time Haru snapped out of his daze, he looked around, only to find out Rin had left. Sighing, Haru turned and left the reef to find Makoto. A small smile had formed, and a light shade of pink had made its way to his face.

'That sly shark...'