Leaving the dreamy garden behind, Yusaku led Ryoken to the training ground. Throughout the whole way there, he didn't say a word unlike he did before. And if the merman prince was to suddenly turn his way, he would look away, avoiding his gaze. The only thing that didn't change was the fact they were still holding hand.

Ryoken didn't show it but he was both happy and sad at the same time. After all these years, he finally got to confess his feeling to the one he loved most in the world. However, it also had a downside as it would seem Yusaku hated him now. He did force a kiss on the teen, and he might already have someone he liked. All his words and action put the young prince at a tight spot.

Seemed to feel something was wrong, Yusaku stopped. And before Ryoken got a clue of what was going on, that person lifted his chin up, placing a kiss on his lips. His eyes widened as the young prince pulled back.

"I don't hate you. I...just didn't know what to say."

"Ryoken, I--"

Before he got a chance to finish, a voice echoed from behind. His body jumped as his face turned dark pink. While he tried to cover up the situation with the knight, the merman reached his hand up, touching his lips.

As the memory of what just happened flashed through his head, his face burned up. Now it was his turn to look away. He really couldn't look at that person in the face anymore.

Once the knight had left, Yusaku pulled him somewhere out of sight, kissing him over and over again.

"If you don't look at me, I won't stop untill you do." He was serious. Ryoken could tell from the tone of his voice.

Slowly, he turned his head, looking at him with teary eyes. He was overwhelmed.

"Sorry... I made you cry." He said while wiping his tear away. "Ryoken, I need you to listen to what I am about to say very carefully. Can you do that for me?"

The teen replied him with a simple nod.

"I...have been thinking a lot about what I should do. You're my best friend, Ryoken, and I don't want to hurt you."

"Yusaku, I don't understand."

"We can't be friend anymore... Because I too, am in love you."

"You...love me...?"

"Yeah."

"But then..." Seemed to think of something, he blushed hard.

"Can you feel it? My heart beats only for you. It has been liked that ever since the day we met. Seeing you was the only thing I look forward to every time I went to the Summer Castle. And when you smile, all my troubles melted away."

"If you really love me, why didn't you say anything about it? Because you were affair our friendship would be ruined?"

"Of couse not. We live in two different world. Our races are enemy. I can't ask you to turn your back against everyone you loved, your people, just to be with me. It would crush you."

"You're right. But it would kill me if I can't be with you."

"Ryoken..."

"I made my decision a long time ago, Yusaku. Just as fish can't live without water, I can't live without you. My father and my people will understand... Because they too, have someone they love."

"I understand. That's why I won't hold back anymore."

...

As night fell, stars came out to play, Ryoken woke up from his deep slumber. Even asleep, Yusaku continued to hug him tightly, carefully avoided touching his wound at the same time.

Thinking of all the things they were doing earlier, Ryoken blushed hard. He just wanted to nuzzle against the young prince's chest and go back to sleep. Suddenly, he noticed something. Yusaku had a birthmark right where his heart was. He found the shape familiar as he had seen it somewhere before. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember. In the end, he fell asleep and forgot all about it.