With Lungs Like Gills (Merman!Brothers x Reader)

Chapter 5

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Genki Iemon, from Matsuno Karamatsu, the man who claimed to be a merman. If it wasn't for the healed wound on my calf, I would've never believed him. The grown man that stood in front of me seemed to be out of his mind with the ridiculous claims he made -- but at the same time, I couldn't refute him at all.

I could only stare as he went back to tending to the wet shirt in his hands, putting it away in a plastic bag before tucking it into an outer pocket of the duffle bag. The tank top didn't do much to hide the scars on his arms and neck, and I thought back to the look on 'Yamano's' face when I attempted to touch his fin, back to the empty glare his eyes gave me when he forced my hand away.

I put my hands to my face in growing horror.

If he was an actual lionfish merman, then I could've died if I touched the fin...!

"(L/n), are you all right...?" I felt Genki's hand on my right shoulder, a gentle touch without meaning other than concern.

"Ah...yeah...it's just a lot to take in," I nodded my head as I picked up my mesh bag from the flooded area, grabbing my fins and walking towards the main beach. I heard him gather his things and walk behind me, not saying anything more and seemingly waiting for me to collect my thoughts.

"I can escort you home, if you'd like," Genki offered, "Though, if you want to be left alone, I'd understand."

"I...just need some time to be by myself, Genki," I turned back to look at him, my mind lightheaded and full of thoughts at the same time, "Thank you for the offer, though."

"All right. Should I tell the boss about anything when I get into work tomorrow?"

Ah, that's right. He goes to work earlier than I do.

"No, thanks. If I need to tell him anything, I'll call before my shift," I started to make my way towards the street before I felt Genki's hand encompass my own. I turned around quickly to see him release my hand, feeling a note pushed between my index and middle fingers.

"It's my phone number. If you have any questions, or have anything I can help out with, don't be shy," Genki gave his usual smile before waving farewell as he walked towards the bus stop nearby. I could only nod as he left, turning back towards the direction of my apartment and mulling over everything that happened.

I didn't realize that I made it home until I heard the lock engage on the apartment door behind me. Tossing the wet bag into the sink near the washing machine, I wiped off my feet with the damp shirt still on me and tossed it into the same sink afterwards. I began to fill the tub with barely hot water, stripping down completely and throwing the swimsuit on top of everything else in the sink. Scrubbing completely down and thoroughly washing my salted hair, I lowered myself into the filled tub and tried to relax. The fresh water felt nice but my thoughts kept straying towards the image of Genki rubbing his blood on my left calf, bringing me to look at the area up close.

There were no marks from where Ichimatsu had clawed at my skin, and it was left smooth. A flash of Genki's scars briefly appeared in my mind before I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

If his blood could heal something like that, then why is his skin not flawless?

Choking on the water that I had somehow sunk into, I clambered out of the tub and looked in disbelief as the clock in the laundry room showed 10:14pm.

I had spent two hours in the tub.

Pulling the drain plug, I dried myself off with a fresh towel and put on some night clothes before sorting out the bag in the sink. I rinsed off the clothes and towel, putting them in the washer and leaving the bathing suit to dry on a hanger. Debating on making some warmed milk or just going straight to bed, I figured that the milk would help me sleep and went to mix some up, drinking it slowly as I made my way towards my bed.