SEASHORE. － k.yk + y.ty

00 : prologue

The tide was low; as was the sun, dipping itself into the deep waters as it hid away from sight, submerging the world in shadows and giving way to the moon.

No currents held his body back and no echoing of distant yells did, either.

Youngkyun was desperate to escape, for whilst above the surface there was peace and silence, the seabed was kicked at amidst the scuffles and chasing, agitated yells of fear being cut short as red swirled from the screamers' necks.

He had nothing, no one he loved back in the reef he lived, but the terror which filled each bubble that popped and the wails of hiding children reaching his ears, made his chest brim with an emotion he couldn't determine and a pain he couldn't describe.

In retrospect, he should have done something to help.

Perhaps he could have helped fight off a few of the invaders or huddle some other kids in a place where they wouldn't be found, but what did he know?

A child himself, with a tail that had only begun to change its colours, arms lanky and chest lined with evident ribs － was there anything he could have done?

Warmth lapped at his toes and he blinked out of his reverie, noticing that the sun had almost fully set and that the beach had suddenly emptied.

Voices had now become distant, families having packed their bags and rolled up their towels, only a couple lingering groups of friends or single people, still sitting upon the honey sand.

Youngkyun gave a furtive look to a particularly rowdy huddle of humans around his age, maybe nineteen or so, who were chattering and guffawing about something.

He was curious about what they were talking about, wondering what was making them laugh that happily, but he hurriedly snapped his gaze away.

No matter how he longed for such an experience himself, he knew he would never be one of them.

A sigh fell from his parted lips, and he licked at them prior to glancing once more to the remaining sliver of sun upon the horizon.

Watching the waves at night brought on a sense of nostalgia, and it was as if they were coaxing him into diving into the water, but he knew better than doing so with others around.

He had spent years living on land, yet nobody had discovered the secret he kept hidden so defensively. No matter how loud the call of the sea was, warm and tempting, he would not permit himself entry at daytime and risk everything for a long time to come － not without reason, at least.

It was time to go, he realised, and he pushed himself up from the sand and dusted his palms off, feeling his bare feet sink into the very same thing below him, causing him to wiggle his toes.

Pebbles sagging in the low pockets of his khaki three-quarters, clinking amongst themselves, he kept his head down and turned his back to the ocean, humming.

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