Perfect Catch

--48--

Zuzu stared in awe as she and Yuya stood in front of the aquarium. “Lots of fish live here?” She asked looking at Yuya excitedly who nodded. “And, and people come here to look at them? And they aren’t in danger.”

Yuya shook his head. “The fish are well looked after,” He said with a bright smile. “The fish are here because their environment was in danger or because they weren't well. Emi makes sure that their home here is what is should be.”

With that Zuzu grabbed his hand, quickly pulling him inside. She let out a small squeal as she saw the whale statue hanging above their heads. She was very much like Yuya when he first came here and back then he didn’t even realise his sister worked here. The woman at the reception desk walked over to them, Yuya explaining why they were here and soon, Liz, showed them to the office.

As they opened the door, they noticed a box on the floor and a defeated Emi trying to pack the box. “Shiny,” Zuzu gasped kneeling on the floor, taking some of the tinsel into her hands. She snapped out of her child like behaviour, quickly switching to help Emi pack the box. “What happened?”

“Someone stacked the boxes incorrectly,” Emi moaned. “So, when I opened the door, it fell. The tree should be arriving in a minute. Yuya please help too.” Yuya giggled, kneeling to the floor to pick up abandoned bulbuls. Once all the decorations were placed into the box, they each picked up a box and made their way back to the reception. “Is Selena okay with you helping me out?” Emi asked Yuya.

Yuya nodded. “Yeah, she said as we are a bit quieter at the moment she didn’t mind,” He explained, placing the box to the now delivered tree.

“Selena is super nice,” Zuzu said opening of the boxes. “She said she would take me to a dessert place she likes. Whatever that is.”

Yuya smirked, knowing that look Selena had. He began to notice when humans have an infatuation with someone, they have a certain look in their eyes. Much like how Yuto looked at him.  “I’m glad you two get along,” Yuya grinned. “Speaking of getting along, sis, Crow has been spending a lot of time at the apartment, right?” Emi blushed deeply, using the tinsel to hid some of the embarrassment. Her little brother started to laugh. “Does that mean you two have mated now?”

In shock of the question Emi dropped the tinsel she was holding, Zuzu giggled. “That sure would explain at lot.”

Emi tried to quiet the both of them as customers looked in the direction of the laughter. “Crow is with me because I've been lonely on my own,” Emi explained, Yuya’s laughter died down and he started to feel a bit guilty. He figured this would have how Emi would have felt leaving him back home years prior because now he was doing something similar. All his time being dedicated to Yuto and almost leaving Emi behind. “And it’s closer to work for him. We haven’t actually-”

She stopped mid-sentence turning to continue with the tree decorating. Sighing Yuya continuing on, while a confused Zuzu just mimicked the pair. Yuya realised then, it was almost rude to ask these types of questions. As a mermaid, if you haven't mated with someone by the time you are eighteen you were seen as unusual. You had an idea of who your mate was going to be by this time so come of age you were settled for the rest of your life. Emi was already past that age, defied her community and even fell in love with a human. Yuya was eager and excited for the process ahead but it seemed for others, it wasn’t going to be the same.

When Yuya and Zuzu arrived home, Zuzu immediately went to Lulu, asking her if she could write about her experiences of the day while Yuya followed the savoury smell coming from the kitchen. He was confused, entering the kitchen to see Yuto, his hair held back and an apron around his waist. “Y-yuto?” He stammered walking up to his lover. “What’s going on?”

Yuto stopped stirring for a moment, turning to Yuya with a loving smile. “In the chest, my mother left some old recipes,” he explained, Yuya noticing a small twinkle in his eye. “I used to want to be a chef as a child so mom left me some recipes to try out.”

“It smells wonderful,” Yuya awed leaning into his lover’s chest. He leant his head in hearing Yuto’s heartbeat. For him, love came naturally. Finding his mate and beginning a life.

Yuto hummed, lifting his lovers chin up to look him in the eyes. “What’s wrong?”

Yuya sighed, “I feel a bit bad,” He started. “Most of my time has been here with you, not that I don’t enjoy it but...”

“You feel like you're leaving Emi out?” Yuya nodded as Yuto finished the sentence. “Well that’s understandable. I have pretty much kept you hostage these past few weeks.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Yuya asked worriedly.

“Well, why don’t you both go Christmas shopping?” Yuya tilted his head. “It's a great way to bond this time of year. You would to Zuzu even Yuri. I'm sure Emi would appreciate it.”

He thought for a moment. He did have some money saved and this would be a good opportunity to purchase a present for Yuto. “Okay, I'll get something arranged.” Yuto laughed at Yuya’s big grin, he was happy that things were finally falling into place for them.