"Papa, can I stay with you tonight?"

Gaito sighed.

"What is it this time? And I told you to stop calling me 'Papa'."

"Sorry."

Seira gazed up at the sky.

"And the stars look better from here, don't you think?"

It had been a few weeks since Sara and Tarou had reconciled, and for some strange reason, Seira had been visiting him more often than not.

He was slightly jealous of Tarou, for he had also loved Sara dearly, despite everything.

But he supposed if she was happy, then he had no reason to object.

He was a changed man after all.

Sighing again, Gaito turned to the young girl.

"Did something happen with Mitsuki, Seira?"

She shook her head, opting for softly splashing the water with her tail.

Gaito looked at the young mermaid.

Seira's expression was… different than usual. Her normally cheery smile was replaced with a solemn look and her eyes were slightly dull.

The two of them just sat there in silence, the moon and stars being their only source of light.

"Are you alright, Seira?" Gaito asked.

"I just…"

"Mm?"

Seira sighed. "Why did Mama choose Tarou-sensei? I know they were lovers in the past but after him abandoning her like that?"

The mermaid seemed to be on the verge of tears. "I just don't understand…"

Gaito forced a smile and stroked her hair.

"Believe me, I don't know either," he admitted, "but we've got to acknowledge her decision. She still loves him a lot. You should accept it."

"But-"

"You should start by-" He coughed. "-actually talking to Mitsuki outside of school."

Seira pouted. "I'm not accepting him right away."

Gaito let out a chuckle at that.

"Like mother, like daughter I see," he mused, earning himself a glare from Seira.

He leaned his head against hers as they watched the stars together.

"…Oniichan?"

"Mm?"

"I'll try."

"Good."