"From a beautiful wish of the ocean's sweet, soft melody…" Seira strolled along the beach, feeling the tiny waves lap at her feet. She bent down and trailed her fingers across the water. "When the ocean is dreaming, it's dreaming of me." The mermaid princess stopped singing and stifled a yawn. These midnight walks were tiring, but they were worth it. "In the orange sea-"
Suddenly, she heard the faint sound of far-off footsteps. She stopped singing and ducked behind a rock.
The footsteps grew steadily closer, then stopped. "Yuri-sama? Are you there?"
Seira cleared her throat. "I'm here."
"I missed you."
"I missed you too." Seira ducked her head, concentrating on making her voice sound like the girl she was imitating. "I still have the shoes you bought for me."
"Can I see?"
"Not yet," Seira said in Yuri's voice. "I'm not even supposed to be talking to you. Next week, I promise." She paused. "What did you do today?"
Seira listened as the boy she loved talked about his day. She'd listen to whatever he said.
"I have to leave now," she whispered when he was finished.
"Already, Yuri-sama?"
"I'm sorry," Seira whispered. "Love you."
"Love you too. See you tomorrow?"
"I promise." Seira sprang up and ran into the ocean, knowing the darkness would conceal her face. I shouldn't be doing this, she thought. I shouldn't be lying to him. I'm not the girl he loves. But he was so cute and so sad. Her tail twitched as she remembered that first night. Seira had been swimming in the ocean, singing "Legend of Mermaid" and attempting to imitate her friend Karen. Suddenly, she heard a voice call, "Yuri-sama? Is that you?"
It was him. His voice. "Yes," Seira had whispered. "It's me."
Seira emerged from the water, lifting her head just in time to see the boy she loved walking slowly up the beach. My beautiful wish… is for Hippo to love me for who I truly am.