*party poppers and confetti sound off in the background*
Happy New Year Everybody! 2020 has come and gone (thank goodness), and in comes 2021. Man, talk about pressure for the New Year. Here's hoping things turn around.
To celebrate the New Year, I figured I'd give you all a gift of the next chapter in Mermaid Melody. And funnily enough, we follow one of the bubbliest mermaid princesses of the bunch (though Coco comes close). Let's dive in then, shall we?
Also, two notes to point out. First, the Union Song for this pair has a base melody from "Feel" from Tokyo Mirage Session #FE. So give that a listen to get an idea for Hanon and Nagisa's song here.
Second is the Union form designs were made, once more, by RavenBloom. She has them up on deviantart, so look up "Hanon's Union Form Design" and "Nagisa's Union Form Design."
Disclaimer: I do not own Mermaid Melody or any related content. All rights to their appropriate owners.
And now,
Pichi Pichi Voice, Live Start!
Chapter 27
Sharing the Dream
Over in the South Atlantic Ocean, Hanon was charging ahead to see her kingdom. Unlike Luchia and Rina, she hadn't taken the time to see it since fleeing from Gaito's attack. She had hoped her people had all returned safely thanks to the music box Meru brought. She was even worried that perhaps there weren't enough mermaids to have gotten the palace back to how it was by now.
But as she cleared the sea cliffs, she found that her kingdom was indeed restored. Mermaids were swimming in and out attending to everything from the gardens to the structure itself. Hanon beheld her home restored, relieved and joyous to have it back.
"I'm home, everyone," Hanon whispered to herself.
Just then, Nagisa swam up beside her with Hisui next to him, looking down at the kingdom. "Hanon, this is your home?" he asked.
To which Hanon replied, "Yes." She then said, "Nagisa, welcome to the South Atlantic kingdom." She then took him by the hand and brought him down to be introduced, while Hisui swam for another part of the kingdom to rest after the long journey.
Nagisa went stiff as the mermaids of Hanon's kingdom came out to see their princess return once they entered the interior. He suddenly felt very self-conscious about being the only human around, which wasn't helped by all the murmuring that went around him.
Whether she noticed this or not, Hanon stayed next to Nagisa with a big smile on her face. "Everyone, I have returned, and with someone new," she announced. "Meet Shirai Nagisa, my Sea Prince." This generated more murmurs and whispers among the mermaids.
Nagisa was frozen as he watched everyone around them eye him with equal parts curiosity and apprehension.
When Hanon elbowed him, he shouted out, "My name is Shirai Nagisa! I am a Sea Prince! Nice to meet you all!" He bowed deeply before them, mostly so he wouldn't see what they did in response. He felt super nervous being around the mermaids, which struck him as odd since he had been excited getting here.
Just then, a mermaid with light-blue hair tied in a ponytail approached the boy and greeted, "Welcome. You must be the Nagisa my daughter mentioned in her letter."
Shooting up, Nagisa exclaimed, "D-Daughter?!"
"Geez Nagisa, simmer down already," Hanon admonished. Then she introduced, "This is Meru's mother. She has helped in rebuilding our kingdom and looking after everyone while I was away."
Nagisa was still blown away that a mermaid had a daughter, even more so that she was Meru's mother. So many things went through his head on the matter that he wasn't even able to fully process it.
Meru's mother then took his hands, causing him to tense, and said soothingly, "You are quite the man to come here. My daughter has said many wonderful things about you."
Nagisa stammered in reply, still reeling.
Not wanting him to stand around like an idiot, Hanon took him by the hand and dragged him away. "Come on," she said, grumbling as she floated off. "We have some things to take care of." With that, they disappeared around the corner to the next corridor, leaving the mermaids a little perplexed.
After walking for a bit, the two ended up by an entrance to an outdoor garden. Hanon turned to look at Nagisa, her face set in a scowl that made Nagisa even more anxious than he had been.
He was doing his best for Hanon while he was in her home, but it was hard since this was a first for him.
"Nagisa, what is wrong with you?" she asked sternly. "You act like you haven't seen a mermaid before."
"Sorry Hanon," Nagisa muttered in reply.
"You need to stand tall and proud," she told him, oblivious to his demeanor. "You are a Sea Prince; a fellow ruler and protector like me."
"But Hanon—" he tried to say.
"Plus, you've been around Luchia, Rina, Seira, and even Meru," Hanon continued, ignoring his words. "I would think you would be comfortable with mermaids by now."
"Hanon—"
"Honestly, it's like you forgot who you are with all this time. How have you ever—"
"Hanon, will you just listen for once?!" Nagisa shouted. His outburst startled her out of her reverie, and it was only then that she noticed his raised shoulders and tight jaw indicating his apprehension. Calming down, Nagisa told her, "This isn't like with the others. With them, I know who they are outside being mermaids. But here, I feel like an outsider. I don't know anyone aside from you. I'm not all that good at making friends or meeting new people right away. I just feel… well, awkward. Like a foreigner."
Hanon heard him out, seeing that he had a point. And it honestly stunned her that she hadn't been paying attention to him regarding their arrival. She had thought it was just simple nerves that were giving him trouble. But when she thought about it, she had never seen too many people hanging around him for as long as she knew.
Aside from Masahiro, Nagisa didn't seem to have too many people to really connect with. Heck, when Karen, Noelle, and Coco were doing all those stunts to make her jealous and pay attention to him, he seemed apprehensive around the three too.
Softening her demeanor, Hanon gave a quick bow and replied, "I'm sorry Nagisa. I didn't mean to make you feel out of place here. If you really want, why don't you just stay with me while we go around the palace. I have some things I need to look at, but it would be great to have you with me through it all. Will that be alright?"
Smiling, Nagisa replied, "Thanks Hanon. I would really appreciate it."
With a wink, she went over and seized his arm, acting rather impish. "Well then, might you escort me, my Sea Prince?" she asked mischievously.
Nagisa agreed, following her directions as they went around the palace to handle the different matters Hanon had to catch up on.
It turned out for Nagisa that staying with Hanon was going to be a simple matter to manage.
She mostly was on her throne delegating matters around her kingdom, like what they would do with food or any issues that arose during her absence.
It gave time for him to try and understand what Hanon would have to deal with on a normal basis and how he might contribute. More than once, the mermaids that came in eyed him warily, unnerving him a bit until he glanced down to Hanon to see her giving a smile to reassure him. No one spoke to him during the procession, which he was grateful for.
At least until one of the servants came forward and asked, "Hanon-sama, might I inquire something of your Sea Prince?" This caught them both a little off-guard, but Hanon granted the mermaid's request. She then directed at him, "Shirai-sama, could you tell us what you do to help Hanon-sama as Mermaid Princess? What do you do as a Sea Prince?"
Nagisa didn't answer right away, mostly because he clammed up at seeing everyone's expectant gaze on him. They were all expecting an answer from him, and he had none to give them since he was just as unsure as they were.
Aqua Regina never told him what he was to do beyond just protecting Hanon and helping her keep peace in the oceans.
When he did think about that, he felt a little confident in giving an answer.
Just as Hanon was about to intercede, he answered, "My main goal as Sea Prince is looking after Hanon. Aqua Regina-sama told me I had to help her and protect her from a new threat that was coming. So I guess, that is my responsibility." Hanon was proud of Nagisa, not to mention grateful for his particular answer.
The mermaid then said, "I see. But what else do you do? Surely Aqua Regina-sama gave you some other responsibilities to the kingdom as well as to our princess."
This time, no answer came to Nagisa. Not even when he thought hard on what he would be doing outside of helping Hanon fight threats.
That was when Hanon stated, "Nagisa was brought here by your summons to be introduced into our kingdom. For now, he is our guest. And as this is the first time a human has ever been to our kingdom, we need to do everything we can to make his stay comfortable and welcoming."
Bowing, the mermaid responded, "Yes, Hanon-sama. As you wish."
Rising from her throne, Hanon then addressed, "That being said, let us take time to have lunch. We will resume later today in the courtyard." Everyone agreed to this and dispersed for other jobs to fulfill. Hanon then took Nagisa by the hand to another section of the palace.
As they went, Nagisa asked, "Hanon, what am I going to do as Sea Prince? What am I going to be responsible for in your kingdom?"
Hanon stopped in place, then replied, "There's nothing you need to do, Nagisa. You already do what you need to do with me and my people."
"You know that doesn't tell me anything," Nagisa pointed out nervously.
Hanon turned to him and assured, "You already do it for me every day. You give me something to strive for and protect. Before I met you, I don't think I would ever be in the situation I am in now."
"Really? Not even with Mitsuki-sensei?" Nagisa said quizzically.
The Mermaid Princess shook her head, answering, "I think, somewhere deep inside myself, I knew what I wanted with Mitsuki-sensei was not possible. I was just so driven towards an aspiration that I never really stopped to look at it. But with you, it's different. After everything we've been through, I've found something I never could with anything else."
Curious, Nagisa wondered, "And what's that?"
But instead of replying, Hanon led him along to the dining room for lunch.
And even for the rest of the day, Nagisa didn't get an answer to his question.
The next morning, Nagisa was sleeping in within the guest room Hanon had the mermaids prepare for him. He was sprawled all over, his sheets a mess around him. He even had drool seeping to the side. But he was awoken by a knock on the door, though he took some time to really come to.
"Shirai-sama, are you awake?" came the voice of Meru's mother. "Hanon-sama wanted me to check on you."
"Hanon…" Nagisa muttered. It took him a while to process everything, as he noticed the room was different from what he was used to. Then he remembered he was at Hanon's kingdom, and snapped awake.
Rubbing his eyes, he asked, "What time is it?"
"It is a little into the morning, Shirai-sama," Meru's mother informed, then asked, "may I come in?"
Making sure he looked decent, the boy replied, "Yeah, come on in."
And she did, with a tray of fruits and fish for his breakfast. "Hanon-sama wanted you to have something before you met her," she told him as she brought the tray before him. "She is looking forward to having you with her today."
"I'll bet," Nagisa responded, taking the tray and setting it in his lap. Before he ate, he noticed how Meru's mom was just watching him. It made him self-conscious again, thinking she was judging him or something along those lines. It made him worry about how he was, how he looked, what he did. Like he was being judged.
But she smiled, telling him, "From the way my daughter talks about you, I would have thought you would be more excitable. Especially about coming here with Hanon-sama to become a Sea Prince."
"Well, Hanon has wanted me to behave myself at times like this," Nagisa replied, taking some of the fruit provided. "I just don't want everyone to think I'm some typical human who just acts however mermaids think we act."
Perturbed by what he said, Meru's mom asked, "What do you mean? What is it about humans that we would be watching out for?"
Nagisa made to answer, but then noticed he didn't actually have any real reason why the mermaids would think that way.
She then assured, "I was rather looking forward to meeting this person my daughter said had won Hanon-sama's heart. Especially because, according to her, it was not an easy thing to achieve for you."
"No, it wasn't," Nagisa admitted sheepishly. "Hanon actually didn't like me at first. Whenever I tried to do something for her or talk to her, she would get all snooty and superior, saying things like I was too childish or irresponsible. I once even gave her a book to help her learn to play the piano for a song she was given by our music teacher."
"Sounds like Hanon-sama really tested you, in her own way," Meru's mom remarked.
To which Nagisa replied, "I guess that's true. But I admit I may have been too forward at the start. But she was just so amazing. She was pretty, sure, but I think I tried getting close to her because of things other than her being pretty. Maybe because she was always joyful with her friends, and I wanted to be a part of it."
"It sounds lovely. I'm sure Hanon-sama really appreciates you now."
But Nagisa became somber and said, "I guess, with being here and everything, it's hard to be myself. Everyone's going to judge me on what I say or what I do. Yesterday, one of them asked what I did as a Sea Prince. And not just with Hanon, but with the kingdom too. So it's hard for me to feel excited when it seems like I'll be judged for everything about me."
Giving him a soft smile, Meru's mother replied, "Shirai-sama, you really shouldn't worry about how others think of you. Meru always told me that when you had something you wanted to achieve, you went for it without hesitation. That's a very admirable trait to have for someone like you. And I think that persistence is something Hanon-sama could use."
"What do you mean?" Nagisa questioned.
"If you feel like you are being scrutinized, can you imagine how Hanon-sama must feel after bringing you here?" she pointed out. "Hanon-sama has to watch her every action around her subjects so they are assured she can lead and protect us. That kind of pressure can be intimidating for anyone. I'll bet, with you here, Hanon has a chance to stretch out and be able to enjoy herself."
"But doesn't that mean that with me here, she is struggling more than she did before?" the boy brought up.
But Meru's mother assured, "With you here, Hanon-sama has someone to be there for her. She never had that before. With you around, I'm sure she has more energy to manage the kingdom than she ever did before." She then got up, and urged, "You better get ready. Hanon-sama wanted you to meet her near the gardens soon." With that, she left Nagisa to stew over what he had been told.
For as long as he knew her, Hanon was stubborn yet bubbly. He never once thought she had to wrestle with things she had to go through. But it did make sense she might be feeling pressured by her people with bringing him here. It made him feel foolish to consider that he might be the only one under scrutiny. So he scarfed his breakfast down and went to get changed and prepped for the day.
A little later found Nagisa walking over to the entrance of the outer gardens, where Hanon was discussing some things with two mermaids.
When she spotted him, Hanon gave a final word to the mermaids before they went on their way, then called Nagisa over to her. After they met up, Hanon asked, "Are you doing alright? You weren't up when I came by your room this morning."
"Sorry Hanon," Nagisa told her, "I was sleeping in. I probably didn't hear you."
Hanon sighed at this answer, but said nothing else on the matter. She grabbed his hand and took him through the doorway to the gardens, much to Nagisa's protests.
The minute he entered the water again, he held his breath and puffed his cheeks.
Seeing this, Hanon reminded, "Nagisa, you know your pearl allows you to breathe underwater. You're not going to drown."
Realizing she was right, Nagisa breathed normally, embarrassed to forget that little fact. Holding up his pendant with the pearl inside, he remarked, "These things sure are useful in more ways than one. Guess I just forgot how useful they are."
Not wanting to linger on the topic, Hanon directed his attention to the garden. Seeing the different sea plants decorating the gardens, looking much the same as those on the surface, Nagisa was in awe. He looked around in wonder as Hanon took him into what looked to be a grotto of sorts, with kelp forming a canopy over them aside from an open roof where the sun shone through.
Arriving in this grotto, Hanon lay on the ground, gazing up at the surface of the water.
Nagisa followed her example, looking up as the sun's rays refracted down through the water, creating wave-like effects with the light.
"This is such a great place to get away from everything," Hanon muttered, content. "I don't have to worry about anyone interrupting me while I relax. This calm all around us helps me to unwind from the stress of being a Mermaid Princess."
Looking at her curiously, Nagisa said quizzically, "You feel pressured by everything here?"
"More than I admit," Hanon confessed. "I take my responsibilities seriously and do everything that is expected of me. Unlike Luchia, who always finds a way to shirk her responsibilities." Despite a slight admonishing from Nagisa, she went on, "But, living in the human world, I got to do things none of us ever get the chance to do. I got to try on cute clothes, meet cute guys, eat sweets. Things I can't do here. Experiencing things like that, it makes me think about how everything used to be with how they are now. But I notice it most with everyone here."
"What do you mean?" Nagisa asked, concern manifesting in his voice a bit.
Adjusting her position so she was on her side facing Nagisa, Hanon told him, "I've noticed how everyone feels around me. I've changed from how I was before. I used to be more invested in my duties, and going to the surface was more or less just something to do while I hid from Gaito and the water demons. But now, it feels like everyone doesn't think I can still be a Mermaid Princess. I'm worried they think that because of you."
Looking down, Nagisa replied, "I know what you mean. It's like they question us being here and everything. That one mermaid the other day especially."
It was then Hanon addressed, "I'm sorry to put you through this Nagisa. I never expected to bring you here until I had to return. And by then, I was hoping to make you a proper Sea Prince. I didn't want everyone to think you were unfit, but now I don't know if they'll accept us."
Taking her hand in his, Nagisa assured, "Maybe, but I don't want you to feel bad. If they don't like me and want me gone, I'll be okay. But this is your home. You deserve to be here no matter what. Because you are a Mermaid Princess, even to a guy like me."
"Nagisa…" Hanon uttered, touched by his words.
Then he went on and told her, "And I want you to be happy. When you're happy, I'm happy. I want you to be like you always are: joyful and upbeat. You aren't you when you are sad. I want to see you smile always."
Squeezing his hand affectionately, she returned, "How did I ever get so lucky to have someone like you? You always go out of your way for me, caring little for yourself. Nagisa, I want the same. I want you to be happy too. It's not the same if we aren't both happy." And she gave him a peck on the cheek before gazing at him lovingly.
Nagia blushed at her affection, but returned her smile as he held her hand. And their pearls glimmered as they enjoyed this moment together.
The day passed on with little else beyond Hanon doing her duties, tending to the mermaids in her kingdom, though Nagisa did note her attending to a couple of them on a separate matter.
When he asked what they were doing, she always replied that it had something to do with a 'ceremony', though she never said anything beyond that.
Returning to his room after dinner to get ready for the night, Nagisa didn't expect to hear someone knocking on his door. He went to open it, finding Meru's mother there once again. Only this time, she had something in her arms.
"Shirai-sama, this is for you," she said as she presented what appeared to be garments. "Hanon-sama wants you to wear this tomorrow for the ceremony. Afterwards, she plans to have a ball to welcome you into our kingdom as the Sea Prince."
Taking the clothes, Nagisa asked, "What is this ceremony about? Hanon wouldn't tell me."
The mermaid smiled sweetly, replying, "If Hanon-sama hasn't said, I shall not divulge. Just know it is a very important event for the two of you." She then bowed and left, leaving Nagisa's mind to race with thoughts about what she could mean.
The first thought that came to mind was his daydream during summer school at one point, when he dreamed of him and Hanon having their wedding here. But that couldn't be it. He wasn't ready for that kind of commitment, and neither was Hanon. Moreover, they would be missing Luchia, Rina, Kaito and Masahiro.
He wondered if it was like a coronation ceremony, like in the old days with royals and rulers. He could see that being possible, especially since he noticed the garb he had in his hands looked rather fancy. That still made him nervous about what it would be like and what he would be expected to do once he was crowned. That was, if the mermaids even had things like this.
From what Hanon had told him before, Mermaid Princesses were born into their roles via the pearls they possessed. It was how Seira was born after the prior Orange Mermaid Princess died.
Not wanting to have these thoughts overtake him, Nagisa set his clothes on his bag at the foot of his bed before going to sleep. Whatever would come, he hoped he was ready for it.
Outside during the night, Christoph was observing the mermaids going about their business.
Lanhua was lounging off to the side, not even bothering to ask what he was attending to.
He needed to scout the kingdom to ensure they could enter and snatch the Mermaid Princess without too much interference. So far, it looked like there wasn't much in terms of security. Thus, he anticipated an easy entrance when they made their move tomorrow.
He even had an idea, as he looked over to Lanhua. Considering her abilities, he was certain she could be an asset here.
"Hey you, come here," he addressed.
Perturbed, Lanhua sat up and responded, "What is it, you brute?"
"Don't get all high and mighty on me now," he shot back. Then he told her, "I have a plan to catch the Mermaid Princess. But it requires you helping."
"And what might that be?" Lanhua questioned.
The next day, Nagisa got up on his own and went to get the outfit he was given on for the ceremony. For the most part, it was composed of a light-blue tunic with silver clasps on the shoulders featuring tassels, with the neckline up at the base of his neck. It had short sleeves, though he had vambraces to wear on his forearms with loops around the middle finger. He had a dark-blue belt wrapped around his midsection, and light-blue pants reaching just above his ankles and pale-blue boots. To finish the outfit, there was a half-circlet with small opals dangling on the end. He wore it around the front of his head, but switched it when he noticed how it didn't fit correctly and put it on the back of his head.
After getting dressed, Nagisa made to leave the room when Meru's mother and another mermaid came in, the latter carrying a vase.
"Ah, Shirai-sama, there you are," Meru's mother remarked, reminding Nagisa of his own mother. "We were just about to find you for purification."
"Wait, what?" he questioned. "Why do we need to do that?"
"It's to help prepare you so you can be presented to Aqua Regina-sama. Now, please kneel and bow your head for us." Nagisa did as asked and was shocked when ice-cold water was poured over his head and went down his body. He shivered as it went down his back, though he did his best to keep still until it was done.
Once finished, Meru's mother asked him to rise before escorting him to where Hanon was waiting for him.
As they walked, Nagisa asked her, "What is this ceremony supposed to be about? Are we celebrating a special occasion?"
"Something like that," Meru's mother replied. "The ceremony is for you to be recognized as the Sea Prince. Aqua Regina-sama herself will appear to bless you."
"Wait, that goddess that gave me and the other guys these costumes and powers?" he exclaimed.
"Yes. She will be dubbing you as Sea Prince," she told him. "She did the same for Hanon-sama at her coming of age ceremony."
"Coming of age ceremony?" Nagisa asked, perplexed.
At that, Meru's mother explained, "All Mermaid Princesses have a coming of age ceremony to recognize them as fully-fledged Mermaid Princesses. They all do this on their 13th birthday. The only exception being Luchia-sama of the North Pacific kingdom."
"So Hanon already went through one?" Nagisa asked.
Meru's mother nodded and said no more on the matter.
Still, Nagisa was a little nervous. What would he have to do for the ceremony if it involved Aqua Regina? Was he supposed to sing for her? Bring a gift? His mind began to race on what he had to do for her.
Before long, they met up with Hanon. Nagisa's jaw dropped when he saw her dress. It was a three-layered skirt with an aqua blue layer on top, a lighter blue underneath, and a near white one at the bottom with a dark-blue bow a little on the left side. In addition, she wore light-blue detached sleeves with ribbons of aqua blue wrapped around and tied off at her finger. Nagisa had already been enamored by her mermaid form the few times he saw it, but this was beyond anything he expected to see.
When Hanon spotted him, she came over right away. Looking him over from top to bottom, she commended, "You shape up well, Sea Prince Nagisa."
Said boy snapped out of his stupor at her comment, chuckling nervously with his cheeks tinted red. "Y-You look great too," he returned with a slight stammer.
Twirling around, Hanon replied, "You think? It's just something I had from my coming of age ceremony."
"Yeah, Meru's mom told me about that," Nagisa mentioned.
"And now it's time for yours," she told him excitedly. She then took him by the hand to the next room.
The mermaids were all gathered in the throne room, making an aisle for the two to walk down to the throne itself. Nagisa could tell Hanon was beyond excited, as evident by how she was nearly pulling him forward had he not been going with her already. As they approached, his nerves increased.
Somehow picking up on this, Hanon looked back and assured, "It's alright. You don't need to do anything special. Leave everything to me." That eased his racing thoughts, allowing him to go forward with more confidence than before.
Once they stepped up to the throne, Hanon turned to the other mermaids and addressed, "Today, we wish to welcome Shirai Nagisa to our kingdom. By Aqua Regina-sama's guidance and wisdom, we will recognize him as a true Sea Prince." She then clasped her hands as if in prayer, and spoke, "Aqua Regina-sama, we present to you the protector you have blessed. We ask that you anoint him so he may take his place alongside the Mermaid Princesses."
The other mermaids added in affirmations as they prayed.
Nagisa, feeling out of it, bowed his head and prayed silently.
Aqua Regina-sama, please help me do my part as Sea Prince, he delivered. Help me so I can ensure Hanon can smile, that she can be happy, and that she can find joy as Mermaid Princess.
Just then, a crash sounded as the room billowed with smoke. And in that smoke, a light shined until little figures scattered about the room. The two quickly recognized them as Lanhua's chibi beings. And on cue, her song began to play.
"Ugly things need to be punished."
"Mermaids are so vain."
"It's time to shower them with beauty."
And with a great cry, they began Lanhua's song, "Hana to Chou no Serenade".
Tsukiyo ni saita - hana - no kaori wa kaguwashiku
Murasakiiro no yoake ni hikaru mitsu no aji
xx
Kono yo no subete wo watashi ni kuretara
Yogoto no utage wa tanoshiki yume no en
xx
Odori odore! Koyoi wa... hana ni you AGEHA no mai
Kagen no tsuki wo tategoto ni shite kanadeyou
xx
Sen no suzu oto fue no neiro no togisumasu
Watashi ni kashikuzu kawaii shimobe yo
xx
Kirameku shishuu no hagoromo sazukeyou
Hirari fuwari odoreba tsumasaki koboreru hanabira
Yuubi naru SERENAADE subete wo wasurete odore!
The mermaids in the room all began to move erratically as they were forced to dance to the music provided by the water demon. Hanon looked on, worried about what was going on. But then she settled into a firm gaze, and asked, "Nagisa, help me."
Nagisa nodded, and the two transformed.
"Aqua Pearl Voice!"
After entering their second forms, a melody played out for Hanon's song "Ever Blue."
"Lanhua, you ruined a very important moment in mine and Nagisa's life," Hanon declared. "And we won't forgive you for interrupting us."
"It's time to send you packing," Nagisa added. Then together, they called out,
"Pichi Pichi Voice, Live Start!"
xxxx
Sore wa EBAA-BURUU kagayaku
Daisuki na ano umi yo
Mirai wo mamoru chikara wo ima atsumete
Aisubeki hito ga ite
Aisubeki basho ga aru
Kirameku aosa PYUA na kimochi no mama de
Mamorutame ni
Their song, though short, was enough to cause Lanhua to converge back to her normal self. This allowed the mermaids gathered around to settle and catch their breaths after they were rescued by their Mermaid Princess and her Sea Prince.
But something was off, and Hanon noted aloud, "Hold on, you usually have Arara and Lady Bat with you. Where are they?"
"Busy with the other kingdoms, Mermaid Princess," came Christoph as he strolled into the room. He swept in front of Lanhua, looking smug as he glanced up at the pair.
"You're one of the Triple Threat!" Nagisa said in recognition. Then stated, "You aren't so tough without your pals, are you? Hanon and I can beat you easy."
Chrsitoph chuckled, revealing, "You know kid, you should know Dr. Hishki made us with a certain plan in mind. Sure, you two together are powerful, but I'm far superior. Your songs can't hurt me, no matter what you try. Heck, I was just in the doorway listening, and I wasn't fazed in the slightest."
This made Nagisa grimace, while Hanon hugged close to him for support.
Getting to her feet, Lanhua griped, "I didn't realize being the bait was part of the plan. You said they would flee while I had their mermaid servants under my spell."
Shrugging, Christoph replied, "Eh, must've overestimated you a bit if they aren't bothered by your song like usual." Ignoring her glare, he then addressed, "You can't beat me, Mermaid Princess. So you might as well surrender while you can."
But Nagisa stood protectively in front of her and shouted, "You're not going to get her! Hanon is going nowhere with you."
The Triple Threat member was not bothered by this, and instructed, "Lanhua, take care of the human." Begrudgingly, Lanhua began to fan the fuzz from her fan onto Nagisa. After a little bit, they began to cause him immense pain as he cried out. But rather than stop, Lanhua carried on, even smiling as she watched Nagisa suffer through it.
Seeing him in intense pain, Hanon begged, "Stop it! Leave him alone."
"Such an ugly thing needs to be dealt with," Lanhua responded. "You should thank me for striving to make him more beautiful." Fanning some more, she got a greater response from Nagisa as the pain increased.
"Stop, please!" Hanon pleaded. Then she offered, "I surrender. I'll give myself up. Just let him go."
The two villains eyed her warily, but seemed assured when she dispelled hers and Nagisa's idol forms and lowered herself to the ground in submission.
The mermaids watching gasped as she did this, in disbelief at her actions.
Christoph called off Lanhua's efforts, and she stopped to allow Nagisa to recover.
The boy panted as he was on his knees, his expression and appearance tearing at Hanon's heart. With great sorrow, she slowly floated over to the villains to give herself up.
"Now was that so hard, Mermaid Princess?" Christoph taunted, approaching Hanon while she remained submissive. "Besides, if you are looking for a Sea Prince, I wager I might be more than a match for you." He grabbed her by the chin and pulled her face up to his. "Maybe before we take you to Dr. Hishki, I'll take a little reward for all my troubles." He began pulling her up to his face, with Hanon giving no resistance to his advances.
But the next moment, Nagisa rammed into the guy before pulling Hanon back into him. "Don't you dare lay a finger on her!" he shouted defiantly. "Hanon isn't some trophy to please you, and she isn't just a Mermaid Princess. She's my friend, and the friend of everyone I know. She loves to look for cute clothes, go see amazing things, and make awesome designs for clothes. She loves the friends she has with all her heart, giving everything she can for them. She was there for Mitsuki-sensei, for Luchia, and especially for me. You don't get to take her, because Hanon deserves to decide her own happiness." His declaration caused a reaction with his pearl, followed shortly by Hanon's.
Their pearls' light grew in size and intensity, causing Lanhua and Christoph to cower.
In that light, Hanon and Nagisa were separated for some reason.
Then, Aqua Regina manifested before the Mermaid Princess, looking down upon her in a motherly way.
"Aqua Pearl Mermaid Princess, you have heard the words of your Sea Prince, have you not?" she posed her question.
"Yes, Aqua Regina-sama," Hanon replied at once. "I heard him."
"And what do you feel for the boy that has protected you? Do you find his words true? Do you think likewise of him?"
Hanon took a moment to think over the question. She wanted to immediately say yes, but something held her back. She wasn't quite sure what.
Seeing her hesitation, Aqua Regina told her, "Hanon, would you like to know what Nagisa prayed for during the ceremony?" When the mermaid princess looked up to the goddess, she said, "He wanted me to help you be joyful. He saw the gift of joy you bring to everyone and found it important to protect. He didn't ask anything of himself with becoming a Sea Prince. His entire wish was for you."
This revelation touched Hanon's heart in a way she had never felt before. Nagisa, despite being goofy, stubborn, and naïve, was so selfless and kind. Even at the ceremony, she was all he thought about.
Looking up with a beaming smile, Hanon responded, "Aqua Regina-sama, I want the same for him. Nagisa gives me so much without asking for anything in return. I want that to change between us. I want Nagisa to have everything he wants so that he can be happy too. I want him to have whatever he desires. Because he deserves all of it and more."
Aqua Regina nodded, telling her, "Very good, Mermaid Princess Hanon. I will now endow you with a new song so that your joy, shared with him, may come to light." Raising her caduceus, a light washed over Hanon as a new transformation began. In a similar space, Nagisa was also awash in light as he changed.
"Awaken, Aqua Union Voice!"
A short frilly dress began to form on Hanon's body, layered in various shades of blue. Shoulderless, the dress had aquamarine blocks on the sides, with an azure blue ruffled hem on her bodice, and a transparent, sleeveless blue mesh covering her neck. The skirt was three-tiered, with the top tier open in a five-petal shape resembling a star, the middle tier being azure blue and ruffled, and the final tier being pastel blue of the same style. On her feet were azure and light-blue sneakers with aquamarine wings like on her pearl locket. And she wore pale-blue, fingerless gloves with aquamarine ruffles at her wrists. For the final touch, part of her hair was tied up in a small, side ponytail on the left side.
For Nagisa's new form, an aquamarine sleeveless turtleneck with teal and azure color blocks, with a matching set of aquamarine and azure pants reaching about his mid-calf. He wore an open azure and light blue vest that was open in the front, with asymmetric color distribution. Two belts of azure and light-blue were around his hips and held by a golden star in the middle. He wore white socks and white, azure, and light-blue sneakers, and azure gloves with his right hand being light-blue and his left being azure. Finally, a blue cap with split colors plopped on his head before he turned it around by the brim to wear backwards, slightly askew, and with another star on the strap.
The two reappeared from the light as it slowly faded, marveling at their new idol forms. Hanon was in love with the new design, noting how cute it made her look. Nagisa looked himself over, surprised by how well this attire fit him compared to his normal idol form. When they saw each other, they came together and marveled at how they looked.
"Wow, Hanon…" Nagisa commented, trailing off in wonder.
"This is so amazing Nagisa," Hanon told him.
Just then, two lights came down before them, and Aqua Regina urged, "Now, Mermaid Princess Hanon and Sea Prince Nagisa, sing of the joy you share." As she seemed to disappear, the two lights went to their heads, forming headsets with mics that had a similar design to Hanon's normal mic. With the light fading, the two looked at each other and nodded, ready to begin their new song, "Joy".
They stood back-to-back, with Hanon facing the villains as the song began. To start, she sang the first part of the chorus, talking about pursuing things and yearning for something. Then she sang of how she found it, swaying to the side as Nagisa turned around and she strode forward, swinging her arms out front, before she arched them one at a time to the sides, ending about her joy from love, letting her hands coast to her sides. During the brief interlude, she hopped on her feet in a rather cutesy way, with Nagisa spinning once before doing the moonwalk to keep pace.
In the verse, Hanon swayed back and forth as Nagisa danced in the background, with her singing about what pursuits she followed before to find joy. She sang of finding love, searching deeply wherever she could. But in the prechorus, she sang about how something came to her, staying in place while holding her hands over her chest. And as she raised her left hand up, she sang on how she found what was before her, finding what she sought at last.
In the chorus, Hanon sang about how at last what she sought was hers, while she swung around with Nagisa back and forth before the two faced each other, with her poking him and he backed away as if pushed while she turned around. But as he came back for the second half of the chorus, she sang of how she had never experienced such joy before, letting him rest his hands on her shoulders. As she finished about how what she found was true joy, she turned and jumped up briefly with Nagisa holding her.
On the next part, Nagisa took center stage, singing about how he saw something he wanted to go after, and how he would go after it however he could. In this part, he did a slide away from Hanon, then a slide towards her on each line. After the last slide, he shimmied as he sang about how his pursuits pushed him back, that he was discouraged.
Then, in the prechorus, he stomped his feet and pushed out with his hands, singing about how he saw hope in the distance. Raising his right arm up to the sky, he sang about a hand to meet his, just when Hanon reached up and brought it down. Then in the chorus, the two spun once before breaking off.
Hanon circled Nagisa as he kneeled, singing at last he had achieved what he wanted, that he found what he was looking for, before rising as Hanon laid her hands and face on his shoulder, looking up at him. She then lifted off and interlocked her fingers with his, both coming together as he sang about this thing he found, what he had been after for so long, he would protect this pure little joy.
In the interlude as the two danced around their own little stage, Lanhua and Christoph struggled to block out the music being sung. But the power was too overwhelming for them, that they even fell to their knees from the immense power.
The other mermaids watched their princess and the boy dance and sing together, jubilant and unified. Meru's mother looked on with pride swelling up in her, seeing the man beside the princess bringing this unbridled joy to the forefront.
In the bridge, the two sang together in a sort of call and response. Hanon singing about so many things around her, Nagisa assuring her there were only them. Then Nagisa sang about how he might fall short, with Hanon praising that he was enough for her.
For their final chorus, the two sang together while going in a circle with each other, singing about their happiness being made with each other. Then Nagisa went down and did a coffee grinder, with Hanon jumping over like a jump rope, with Nagisa wrapping up by spinning and standing, the two singing on how nothing could rob them of this thing they share. They then twerked to the side together, going one way then the next, and as they concluded on what they found that brought them joy was their love, they rested against one another before slowly settling on the ground, their legs outstretched to either side as they let the song finish around them.
Drained beyond his limit, Christoph muttered, "The Doc ain't gonna like this." And he and Lanhua escaped.
Hanon and Nagisa looked to each other as the crisis disappeared, before laughing together with no inhibitions.
The mermaids all came forward after everything settled, stunned to see their princess the way they did. Then they looked to Nagisa, which caused the two to look back at them. As they stood, the mermaids bowed to the two with great respect. Meru's mother came before the two, giving a deep bow before facing them again.
"Well done, both of you," she commended. "You truly were a pair meant to be."
Scratching the back of his head, Nagisa replied, "Well, it was mostly Hanon's doing. I just helped."
Clinging to his arm, Hanon refuted, "That is not true at all. We did it together, equally." Suddenly, Aqua Regina appeared once more behind them, causing Meru's mother to bow at her presence.
As they turned to face her, Aqua Regina instructed, "Sea Prince Nagisa, kneel." He did as he was told, and the goddess tapped her caduceus on his shoulders before finishing with his head. "By my power and sovereignty, I hereby proclaim you Sea Prince Shirai Nagisa of the South Atlantic kingdom." As he rose, she added, "Never lose the joy you share with each other." And with that, she faded away once more.
With her proclamation made, the mermaids all cheered and applauded as they were presented with their new Sea Prince.
That evening, Nagisa took Hanon's hand in his own as he led her to the center of the dance floor. All the mermaids hushed as the two took their place. And when the music began, they started their dance.
Even though he had no practice doing a dance like this, Nagisa swayed and stepped gracefully alongside Hanon. Neither could take their eyes off each other, seemingly lost in the other. Whether it was the lights or something else, they appeared to shine as they went around the dance floor, causing many mermaids watching to fawn at the sight of the two together.
"I never knew you were such a good dancer, Nagisa," Hanon mentioned.
To which he admitted, "I'm not really. If we were dancing back home, I'd probably be stepping on your feet a lot. Guess that tail helps you in more ways than one."
Hanon giggled at his confession, before giving her own, "Honestly, I'm not a great dancer either. Why don't we try to learn how to dance when we get home? Maybe Nikora-san or someone can give us some lessons."
"I'd like that, so long as I can dance with you Hanon," Nagisa returned. And for the rest of the night, the two enjoyed this moment of happiness and love.
Luchia: Kaito, are you sure you'll be okay in my kingdom?
Kaito: Luchia, you worry too much. I'll be fine.
Luchia: I just don't want everyone to consider you something evil.
Kaito: There's nothing for it. I just need to show them. Show them I am nothing like my brother.
Next time on Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Duo,
True Unity
Luchia: Kaito, I love you. Now and forever.