Makoto visited Haru three more times before his mother became sick. His father said that it was his new sibling ready to come to the world and Makoto frowned at that. He didn't like this sibling already as his mother looked like she was in pain. What type of person made their mum like that? He felt his eyes prick yet again, and he angrily scrubbed them away. He was already in doubt of his father's words. Was this change really going to be good?
His mother had to be rushed to a nearby cave, where a glum looking nurse shark mermaid met them. Makoto was shooed away as soon as his mother was laid gingerly on the seabed. His father seemed relaxed, but Makoto knew he was a nervous wreck.
Makoto just sat outside of the cave, playing a game of shells against himself. He really wished Haru was here, so he could show all of his shiny shell collection. Or maybe teach Haru to play. He sighed heavily, easily knocking three small shells with his big old blue beauty. The merboy was left thinking about Haru. Makoto shivered as he remembered the dreadful sea cake cookie incident. He was so determined to make it up to the human that the next time he went to the shore he brought some of his special shiny shells.
His father swam out, his normally calm face showing the first signs of stress wrinkles.
'Your mother is going to be in there a while.'
'Is she going to be fine?'
His father smiled at him. 'Yes. At the moment though, you can go play. She'll be there for a few hours though! Don't stray too far away, okay? And return before dark.'
Makoto nodded, hugged his dad, and clutched his bag to his chest.
Haruka.
Haru was already on the rock, and Makoto felt a rush of happiness as he saw the boy perk up. He was here!
"Haru!" Makoto called, feeling elated to see Haru there, waiting for him. It was then when he noticed the boy had a bag with him, and his curiosity picked up. The boy seemed to notice and simply plucked a cookie like thing from his bag. He placed it next to him, watching Makoto the whole time wearily.
Makoto eyed the cookie. It looked sort of like his sad attempt of sea cake cookies. It was a golden colour however, with specks of brown covering it. Makoto tenderly picked it up, glancing up for confirmation. Haru just nodded.
He took a timid bite of the cookie.
"W-wow!" gasped Makoto. It was amazing! It was gooey and so sweet; it made Makoto smile. He tried to savour the rich taste, yet he couldn't help himself. He stuffed the whole cookie in his mouth, and ate it with a quick gulp.
Haru seemed pleased with how quickly Makoto ate the cookie. He dug into his bag and laid out three more on the rock. He took one himself, chewing slowly.
Makoto gave a big grin to the human boy. This was even better then when his dad made seaweed cookies!
The two boys enjoyed their snacks in silence. It wasn't awkward at all. It was a calm and soothing silence, one that needed no words. Makoto couldn't help lick the chocolate off his fingers, not wanting to miss any of it. He felt curious eyes on him, and couldn't stop the traitorous blush from rising. He looked bashfully at Haru, who just gave him a blank, one eyebrow raised look. Haru then glanced down at the merboy's bag, eyes wide.
Makoto startled when he remembered his special shiny shells. He quickly took them out, gesturing them to Haru. His joy was stifled when Haru just stared at them. It was as if he malfunctioned. Makoto's stomach dropped. How can he be so silly? Human boys aren't interested in shells! Before he could take them away, feeling horribly dejected with tears already welling up, Haru scooped them up from his hands.
Makoto couldn't help be mesmerised by Haru. The boy was carefully shuffling the shells in his palms, rubbing slow circles on big old blue beauty. He picked it up, and held it, inspecting it in the sun. The shine of blue beauty was reflecting in his eyes, bright and incredibly blue. He looked awfully pretty like that.
The moment was swift and was over far too quickly. Haru gently placed the shells back in Makoto palms. They didn't need words to know he had enjoyed it.
They stayed at that rock until the sky was painted in blues, pinks and purples. Makoto had hopelessly tried to teach Haru how to play shells, which just ended up in a tickling match. They had swum around the rock, playing games of tag until they were both panting and out of breathe. Then, they watched the clouds drift by, just enjoying the comfortable company. The merboy caught Haru looking blissfully calm, a small smile in place.
Makoto loved every moment of it.
When Makoto returned, the grumpy nurse welcomed him. She seemed warmer now, although tired. Her glumness had disappeared and her wrinkle lines had softened.
'Makoto, your parents are waiting for you.' She softly took his hand, squeezing it a bit. 'Are you ready to see your new siblings?'
Siblings? Makoto numbly nodded, following the nurse back into the cave. It seemed different from this morning; the atmosphere wasn't as frantic as it was before. The glow worms from above casted an ethereal light around the cave, and he could see his mother and father. Both seemed tired, but there were smiles in their eyes. And two bundles were in his father's arms.
Makoto gulped, taking tentative steps towards them. His mother noticed and turned towards him, a worn out smile etched on her face. She seemed so happy.
'Come here Makoto.'
He swam next to them, too scared to look either of them in the eye now he was close. He could hear a chorus of gurgles from the bundles. His stomach did back flips. His new... siblings. Two of them. His hands suddenly felt clammy, not only was he now a big brother, he was now a big brother of two now!
He felt his mother's warm hands cupping his cheek, snapping him out of his inner turmoil. Makoto glanced up. His mother's eyes were the same shade of green they were always though, but Makoto swore he saw them gleaming.
Both of them stayed there for a while in comfortable silence. She then guided Makoto's forehead to her lips, then slowly let them go.
'You're such a brave boy, Makoto.'
He gave a weak smile back.
'You want to see your new brother and sister?' his father asked softly, and Makoto turned towards the two new alien bundles. He swam closer, keeping a safe distance from them. He tentatively touched the coral pink bundle, which squirmed.
Makoto let a yelp out, pulling back like he was burnt. He heard his parent's chuckle, and Makoto suddenly felt silly from his outburst. Then his father opened the two bundles.
Makoto felt like time had stopped. Pair of turquoise and brown eyes was peering up back at him. He felt confused; these were going to be his new siblings? But he felt his heart ache for them; they were so cute but rather weird looking things.
'Their names are Ran and Ren.' His father said while readjusting the blue bundle. He glanced towards Makoto, the mischievous glint in his eyes unnerved Makoto.
'Do you want to hold them?'
Makoto rigorously shook his head, almost giving himself whiplash. His parents laughed louder, a warm, bubbling sound. Although he was still nervous around the two new additions to his family, he felt giddy, drunk off his father and mother's happiness. He laughed as well.
The sound of their laughter filled the cave.
Makoto wasn't laughing now. It's been three nights and Ran and Ren didn't seem to understand the concept of sleep.
He sighed heavily. Right now he was at the rock, idly staring up at the blue sky, watching the seagulls sly around. His mood wasn't lifted up by the fact that he hadn't been able to meet up with Haru at all. Three days weren't that long, he supposed, but he still felt an empty hole in his tummy.
He grumbled. He wished he could talk to Haru. See if he had annoying siblings that cried all night and kept his parents busy.
He heard splashing and he instinctively jumped down from the rock, although quite clumsy. He peered from behind, and let a sigh of relief. Yes, it was Haru. Yet, he too looked tired.
Makoto watched as Haru gracefully lifted himself from the water. He had a pouch with him which seemed pretty full. Makoto gave Haru a smile, which Haru smiled softly back. He seemed apologetic. Makoto clambered onto the rock next to the black hair boy, quizzly looking at the pouch. Haru followed his eye sight, and quickly reached in. Makoto felt his stomach lurch in hunger. Those delicious cookies!
'Thank you!' he blubbered, taking one of the cookies. It seemed that the boy understood, and nodded. It was quiet for a while, and Makoto was feeling oddly giddy being able to sit next to Haru so casually. They ate their cookies in silence, and Makoto couldn't wipe the silly smile off his face.
'Makoto.'
The merboy jumped, letting a (very manly, thank you) squeak out. He could see Haru raising an eyebrow at him, and he felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment. Haru merely shrugged and pulled out a clear container. Makoto watched in rapt concentration as the human pulled out... a colourful flaky thing? It looked like the seaweed scrolls that Dad loved reading.
Haru simply pointed to the cover, and then pointed at him. Makoto looked at the cover; a drawing of a fish mermaid was staring back at him. Oh! Humans had things about fish mermaids?
Haru seemed to plough ahead, his blue eyes dead set on flicking through the flakes. He then stopped at a certain page, and Makoto stared in wonder at all the colours of gold and blue. He saw an image of an octopus mermaid, turning a mermaid into... a human?
Makoto felt a flush of excitement. People could do that? Merpeople can turn into... humans? Makoto tentatively took hold of the drawing, the dryness a weird feeling under his hands. He looked at Haru, who was staring hard at Makoto. He yet again pointed to the transformation, then at Makoto.
He felt shocked. He... Haru wanted him to become human? He felt his cheeks flare up yet again, a ruddy red reaching up to his ears. He hurriedly gave Haru back then hid his face into his hands. Haru...
Then a sudden flush of sadness filled his body. What about Mother and Father? What about... Ran and Ren? Although he still hasn't warmed up to them very well...
He felt a soft hand on his shoulder, and whipped up to see Haru giving him a concerned look. Makoto gave a weak smile back, shook his head and looked at the book. The boy seemed to understand his worries, and gave a noise to point that out.
There was an easy tension in the air now. The sky didn't seem as blue as it did before, either, now clouded. Makoto peeked at the human, who was gazing in the distance at the shore, looking rather bored. But... the merboy felt a certain sadness from him. It made Makoto's heart hurt.
He reached for the book, and Haru gave him a startled, confused stare. Makoto gave him his biggest, warmest smile. I'll try my best to find a way, okay? The tension seemed to melt away. Haru merely nodded, meek and... shy? Makoto couldn't help the blush rising to his again.
He was going to find a way to become human, or at least be able to talk to Haru.
I'm alive. Now Makoto tries to find a way to be able to communicate with Haru :D I have not edited this, so apologies for weird phrasing if you see it. Don't hesitate to point it out!
