Subaru POV
Fate is a cruel trickster, isn't it? One moment, life feels like a wondrous symphony, and in the next, it plunges into a somber requiem.
Picture this: there I was, beneath the endless expanse of the blue sea, drowning without hope of rescue. The salty water invaded my lungs as my last gasp of air escaped me, and consciousness slipped away like sand through my fingers.
How did I end up in such a dire predicament? Well, it all began with the tangled threads of family strife. You see, my father Kenichi, the esteemed Daimyo of Dewa province, held an inexplicable grudge against me, blaming my birth for the tragedy of my mother Naoko's passing during childbirth. He never let me forget that her death was on my shoulders alone.
Oh, how I wished I could undo my birth, sparing my mother from her untimely fate. If only I could have taken her place, perhaps my father's heart would have been lighter, and our lives more joyful.
But as I sank deeper into the ocean's embrace, with guilt and sorrow consuming me, I realized there was no escape from my fate. My father had publicly humiliated me, stripping me of my rightful place as heir to the illustrious House of Natsuki. Fueled by anger and despair, I fled from the suffocating confines of our home, a stolen horse my means of escape.
Arriving in the coastal village of Niigata, I sought solace by the sea. Its vastness seemed to absorb my worries and offer a sense of calm. I spent hours there, pondering my existence and the bitter reality of my life.
And then it happened. A momentary lapse, a slip on the rocks, and I found myself plummeting into the embrace of the sea, the waves closing in around me. With all my willpower, I struggled to stay afloat, but my wounded legs and lack of swimming skills condemned me to an agonizing fate.
In those fleeting moments, as darkness encroached, I surrendered. My will to fight waned, and I prepared to embrace the afterlife, believing that this pathetic existence was destined to end pitifully.
Yet, just as my vision dimmed, an unexpected force seized my shoulders, pulling me up. Was it an angel, or something else entirely? I knew not, and in my weakened state, I couldn't ponder for long.
The world blurred, and my consciousness teetered on the edge. Soon, all would be revealed.
"HAAAAH"
I jolted awake, and a piercing scream escaped my lips, echoing along the rocky coastline. To my surprise, I was still alive, coughing up water that had invaded my lungs during the terrifying ordeal of drowning. Gazing around, I found myself on the shore, waves gently caressing the shallow waters where I washed ashore. Grateful for the shallowness, I wondered if it was mere luck that I survived.
Amidst my bewildered state, a soft voice chimed in from my right, breaking the silence like a playful melody. "Oh! You're awake now! Are you... okay?" The voice belonged to a child-like girl, and as I continued to cough, it struck me – had she saved me? But how?
"Uh, yeah, I guess," I replied, my vision adjusting to the brightness of the sun. Just as I was about to ask about my savior, I froze in astonishment. Before me was not a fisherman's daughter or a villager from Niigata, as I had expected, but a child mermaid – a real, living mermaid child!
"You're a mermaid?!" The words slipped out of my mouth, my eyes wide with disbelief.
The mermaid child, responded with a mixture of pride and playfulness, "Are you afraid? You know I saved you, right? Hmmp!" She swam gracefully in the water, seemingly undisturbed by the astonishing turn of events.
"I'm not afraid, but I certainly didn't expect to encounter a mermaid – especially one as young as you!" I managed to reply, still struggling to comprehend the fantastical scene unfolding before me.
With a hint of irritation, she retorted, "I'm not young; I'm already 8!" Yet her pouty expression only added to her endearing charm.
"Heh! Eight is still young! Hahahahaha!" I teased, thoroughly captivated by her cuteness.
"Hmmp! Nincompoop!" she playfully shot back, her face a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Her silver hair seemed to radiate a soft glow under the sun's rays, and her deep amethyst eyes held an air of both tranquility and enigma. Her porcelain-white skin and shimmering scales, blending silver and purple in a mesmerizing dance, lent an aura of enchantment to her very presence. As I gazed upon her, an unfamiliar feeling stirred within me – was this what they called first love? I couldn't be sure.
"My name is Subaru, Natsuki Subaru," I introduced myself to the enchanting mermaid, extending my hands toward her.
Tilting her head cutely, the mermaid repeated, "Su-ba-ru?" Then, with a playful grin, she exclaimed,
"Ooh! I'm Emilia! Just Emilia! Nice to meet you, Suuuubaru!" Accepting my outstretched hands, she radiated warmth and friendship.
"Emilia... what a cute name," I murmured, deeply touched by her kindness. Bowing my head slightly, sand and water touching my forehead, I added,
"Thank you for saving me, Emilia."
"Eek! No need to thank me, Subaru! I just did what felt right!" She nervously brushed off my gratitude, her compassionate heart shining through her words.
"After all, Mother Fortuna and Father Guese told me to be kind and helpful to the needy," she added cutely.
Indeed, she is a true gem.
A gem I'd like to keep, a gem I'd like to be with
5 years pass
Ever since I met Emilia, my life has taken a wonderful turn, and a happiness I never thought possible blossomed within me. She's my Emilia-tan, the most important person in my life.
Twice a year, on both our birthdays, we meet at the Niigata shores, where we first encountered each other. Each time, I bring her tuna sashimi and apples, her absolute favorites. These moments with her are the highlights of my year, surpassing anything else in significance.
"Happy 14th birthday, Subaru!" she exclaimed, giving me a blush-inducing kiss on the cheeks.
"Heh! Thank you, my Emilia-tan," I responded, feeling my cheeks warm from her affectionate gesture.
For nearly five years, we've met and grown closer. Emilia has become my confidant, and I am hers. We openly share our troubles with each other, finding solace in our conversations.
It turns out she's not a mermaid from the nearby seas, but rather hails from Europe, Italy to be precise. That explains why she has a distinct look that stands out in Hiraka, resembling the beautiful wives of Dutch merchants who frequent the place. But to me, she's the most gorgeous girl I have ever met or will ever meet—my Emilia-tan.
Here we are, sitting on the long rocky shoreline of Niigata, cherishing each other's company, playfully flirting, and savoring our delicious treats.
"Try this, Emilia-tan!" I said, offering her a square-like, light brown delicacy from my basket.
"Huh? What's this, my Subaru?" she asked, tilting her head cutely—EMT (Emilia-tan)!
"Oh, this is Chocolate, my Emilia-tan! It's a special treat from the lands of Spain, purchased from the Dutch merchants who visit our city!" I explained, coming up from behind her, wrapping my arms around her, and gently placing a piece of chocolate on her lips.
"Subaruuu! I'm not a baby!" she protested, pouting playfully.
"Yes, you are! You're my baby!" I replied with a flirtatious grin.
"Hmmp! You dunderhead!" she retorted, smiling as she indulged in the chocolate from my hand while I held her close. "Hmmmmm!" she hummed in delight, clearly loving the gift, which melted my heart—EMT!
She then proceeded to eat most of it from my hand, causing me to chuckle.
"Hmmmmmm! Subaru! Stop teasing me!" she said, her face blushing and smeared with chocolate.
"I'm sorry, my Emilia-tan! I just couldn't resist! You're too adorable!" I confessed loudly.
"But it's sooo good, Subaru! You should try it too!" she insisted, offering the last bit of chocolate to me, and I happily obliged.
Anyone watching us would assume we were a couple deeply in love, husband, and wife even, simply having a delightful time by the shores. I must admit, I love that idea.
"Hey, I promise to send you chocolates by the shore every week, but don't eat too much, or you'll get fat!" I teased Emilia, prompting another cute pout from her.
"Why? Won't you like me anymore if I'm fat?" she asked, her pout even more endearing.
"Of course, I would! Even if you were the plumpest mermaid in the world, I would never stop liking you. You're my mermaid, after all," I reassured her. "And how about me? If I became a chubby slob, would you still like me?"
"Hmmp! Dunderhead, even if you grow very fat, I'll always like you!" she sweetly replied, laying her head on my chest.
And just like that, we sat on the stony shores, immersed in each other's company, finding contentment in the presence of our beloved. However, a thought had been lingering in my mind for the past few years, and now, I felt compelled to share it with Emilia, despite its weight.
"Uh, my Emilia-tan?" I began, my tone serious yet filled with hope.
"Hmmm?" she replied, her voice curious, giving me the courage to continue.
"I was thinking... What if we were a couple? You and me? Married, with two children—a boy and a girl—half mermaid, half human, frolicking around as we raise them, guide them, and shower them with love! Wouldn't that be the most wonderful adventure?" I spoke with a sweet voice, imagining the bright future ahead.
"Subaruuu," she replied, her voice neutral, but I knew her well enough not to be disheartened by it. Emilia had always been composed, even in moments of emotion.
"Just imagine it, my Emilia-tan! Me building our Home near the shore so you and the kids can enjoy the seas as I imagine you would love the ocean. You and I handling our babies as they start to grow and rebel, having our fair share of future fights as husband and wife, growing old together, enjoying night massages, and comforting each other through the pains of life!" I poured my heart into these dreams.
"Oh!, we can even build a guest house for your mother Fortuna, and father Guese if they decide to visit from the Mediterranean Sea to see their half-mermaid grandchildren!" I said excitedly.
"Subaruuu," she replied once more, her voice still neutral, but I was undeterred.
"Just imagine it! Growing old together, experiencing life's joys and sorrows side by side. But, Emilia-tan, if the time comes for us to leave this world, may I go last? Even though it would be extremely painful for me, I would not wish for you to be alone. But I promise to follow you soon after." I confessed, gently caressing her hair and nuzzling her neck.
"I... I just love you so much, my Emilia-tan. I love you to the point that it hurts," I said, holding her tightly in an embrace from behind.
For a few minutes, neither of us uttered a word. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, filled with anticipation for her response, until finally...
"Subaru... you must understand... Your world is different from mine," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Please, Don't say that Emilia-tan," I pleaded, hoping our love could bridge any divide between us.
"Can I ask you something, my Subaru? What will you do if I disappear?" she inquired, her curiosity veiling deeper concerns she harbored. But I knew the answer, and so did she.
"I would die," I said truthfully, for my life felt incomplete and lost without her. Emilia was my guiding light in the darkest moments.
"Ah, I see," she responded, her voice filled with sorrow.
"Wait, don't tell me... You are planning to leave me!" I exclaimed, clutching her tightly, fearing that if I let go, she would vanish forever.
"Subaru..." she spoke once more, her voice carrying a hint of sadness.
"No! I won't let you go unless you promise never to leave me alone!" I declared firmly, my voice unwavering, driven by my deep love for her.
"Alright! I swear, I will never leave you," she finally reassured me, and my heart swelled with happiness and relief.
"Pinky promise?" I playfully asked.
"Ugh, yes! Pinky promise!" she replied, her eyes rolling, but a smile graced her lips, and at that moment...
"Subaru, would you like me to sing you a song?" Emilia asked, bringing me back from my wandering thoughts.
"Oh, is it the song you mentioned you were making for me?" I replied, a smile spreading across my face with excitement.
"Uhh, yeah, that one. But I have to give you a lap pillow," she said with a hint of seriousness, though her eyes sparkled playfully.
"Oh, yippee!" I exclaimed joyfully, knowing how much I cherish our lap pillow moments.
I gently released myself from Emilia's embrace, positioning myself in front of her. Nestling my head in her mermaid lap, I felt the soft, shimmering scales that adorned it.
"Alright, I'm ready," I assured her, and she nodded, softly touching my eyebrows as a signal to close my eyes, which I obediently did.
Emilia cleared her throat, and with tenderness in her touch, she began to sing a heartwarming melody, caressing my hair and face gently as she sang.
"A small boy wandered into the sea, without knowing what the world had in store for him," her voice was like a soothing breeze, filling my soul with warmth as I listened intently to the song she crafted just for me.
"Little did he know there was someone, with great fins, watching him, yet he just couldn't see," the song was brimming with love and the promise of an everlasting bond between us.
"Traveling so recklessly, but still smiling innocently," the emotions in her voice overwhelmed me as the song progressed.
"Time to sleep now, sleep for me, Quietly in an ocean of sweet dreams," her words gently lulled me, calming my mind and body.
With each verse, I felt a stronger love for my Emilia-tan, as if our hearts were dancing together in a beautiful love story.
"In the dream of that small boy, Soaring in the sky on a dragon's back, Flying through the mountains to save me," her words painted a vivid image of love and protection.
The song concluded with a tone that put my mind at ease, and I felt complete as if I had nothing to worry about.
"I know this won't make things easier for you, but if it helps at all, I'm happy to do it," she said, her voice both lovely and tinged with sadness.
I wanted to reply, but sleep was beginning to overtake me, making it difficult to form my words.
"Please understand, my Subaru. I'm only doing this for your own good... I will cherish the memories we spend with one another..." she said, and I felt something touching my face—was it raindrops? Or perhaps the gentle waves of the sea? I couldn't quite discern, but I heard a faint sob.
"Goodbye, my beloved," she uttered at last, and with those words, I fell into a peaceful slumber.
"Ouch! My head!" I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes, the sun's brightness making me squint. A shooting headache throbbed inside my skull, gradually fading as a few minutes passed. My eyes finally adjusted to the sunlight.
"Where on earth am I?" I muttered, bewildered, as I found myself lying on a rocky shore with the sound of crashing waves nearby. My head was throbbing with pain, and I struggled to remember how I ended up in this place.
"What happened? Where am I?" I mumbled, trying to piece together the fragmented memories in my mind.
I glanced around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. A basket filled with tuna sashimi and apples lay next to me, and though it triggered a sense of familiarity, I couldn't quite grasp why.
"Did I come here for a picnic?" I pondered, but it didn't feel like the complete truth. There was something deeper, something significant that I couldn't recollect.
Attempting to stand up, I noticed my damp clothes and felt weakness in my body, as though I had been in the water. But how did I end up in the sea, and why was I all alone on this desolate shore?
I searched my mind desperately, hoping to recall recent events, but it was like trying to put together a puzzle with missing pieces. Memories eluded me like fleeting shadows.
"Was there someone else with me?" I wondered, a tugging feeling in my heart. The image of a girl, seemingly my age, lingered in my thoughts. I had a strong sense that she held significance in my life, but the details remained elusive.
"Why can't I remember?" I muttered in frustration, feeling a whirlwind of emotions sweeping over me. I sensed an inexplicable emptiness as if something vital within me was lost.
"This makes no sense," I declared, determined to unravel the mystery that shrouded my mind.
Summoning my resolve, I stood up and continued to explore my surroundings. The shoreline stretched endlessly, and there were no signs of civilization nearby. It seemed like an isolated and distant place.
After an hour of walking with no leads, I felt dejected, realizing that following the coastline wouldn't provide the answers I sought.
Turning inland, I spotted a dirt road and decided to follow it. An hour of walking brought me to a lonely fishing village on the horizon, and as I drew closer, the realization hit me.
"Wait, this is Niigata? But why am I here?" I contemplated before a memory resurfaced. "Oh no! Did I wander off from Hikara again? Dad will be furious if I did!" I shuddered at the thought, resigning myself not to dwell on the past. I needed to focus on the present and find some answers.
As I entered the village, I half-expected the locals to be cautious or unwelcoming, as is the norm in unfamiliar places. To my surprise, they greeted me warmly and with recognition.
"Lord Subaru," a man bowed respectfully as if he knew me for a long time.
"Subaru, milord, how's your regular fishing at our lovely coastline? Please enjoy what our village has to offer," a fisherman said with a smile and a bow.
Confused, I thought, "I'm regularly fishing here? How do they all know me?"
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. "Oh no! Could it be? Amnesia?" The realization sent a chill down my spine.
I needed answers, and I needed them fast. My mind raced, and I decided to consult the village chief, hoping he held records of my regular visits.
Hurrying to the village center, I disregarded the greetings from the villagers, my mind preoccupied with urgency.
Reaching the village chief's house, I knocked with a sense of trepidation.
"Iro-san! Iro-san! Are you there? I need to talk to you," I said firmly, yet my tension was palpable.
"Oh, Lord Subaru, please enter," he warmly welcomed me as I stepped inside to find him seated at his table, sipping tea.
"Please, Lord Subaru, have a seat," he invited, offering me a place in his humble home, a common sight in Dewa province.
"Thanks," I replied, sitting down, my nerves getting the better of me.
"Are you okay, Lord Subaru? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? Are you unwell?" he asked with genuine concern.
"I'm fine, Iroh... uhh... can I ask you something? I really need to know something..." I spoke to the village chief.
"Of course, anything for the heir of the great House of Natsuki, milord," he said with a bow, though my internal struggles made me uncomfortable with the title. However, I set that aside for now, as I needed answers.
"Iroh-san, whatever is said in this room stays here," I insisted, seeking his confidentiality.
"Of course, my Lord you have my word," he assured me, prompting me to continue.
"I think... I don't know how to say this... but I believe I have amnesia. I don't know why or how it happened. Maybe I hit my head on the rocky beach, but all I remember is waking up on the coast with a picnic basket. When I came here, people greeted me like they know me... Can you tell me what I've been doing in this place? I mean, I don't even know why I'm here in the first place!" I ranted, the panic and confusion consuming me.
"Lord Subaru," Iroh-san began, "you've been coming to this village twice a year for an entire day over the last five years. We have no idea what you do here, but you always say you come to fish and relax, so we've never disturbed you. You vanish for the entire day and only return when the sun has set... To be honest, it's odd and puzzling."
"Huh?" I gasped, my mind reeling with the revelation. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, yet there was still so much I couldn't comprehend.
With my heart racing and confusion swirling inside me, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Going to this village twice a year for the last five years? Vanishing for an entire day and returning only after dusk?
"But why? Why would I do that?!" I stammered, trying to make sense of my own actions.
"I'm afraid we don't know, Lord Subaru," Iroh-san replied with genuine concern etched on his face. "You never shared the reason behind your visits, and whenever we asked, you'd just smile and say you needed some time away from the estate. We respected your privacy, assuming you were seeking solitude or peace."
I slumped back in my chair, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness welling up inside me. It was as if I had been living a secret life, unbeknownst to myself.
"And the picnic basket? The tuna sashimi and apples?" I inquired, hoping for some more clues.
"That, I'm afraid, is another mystery," Iroh-san admitted with a slight frown. "Every time you come to the village, you bring that basket with you. We always assumed it was your choice of meal for the day, but beyond that, we don't know."
I rubbed my temples, trying to soothe the persistent headache that lingered. The weight of my forgotten actions burdened my soul, and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of loss.
"Is there anyone else who might know more about my visits?" I asked, grasping at any potential threads to uncover the truth.
"Well, there's Kazuma," Iro-san said in a gentle tone. "He's the guy who runs the inn here. You often rest there for a few hours before disappearing, and he might have noticed something you've said or done."
"Then let's go see him," I declared, feeling a glimmer of hope igniting within me.
Without further delay, Iroh-san and I walked toward the inn. As we reached the place, a guy who apparently was named Kazuma greeted me with a warm smile and playfully slapped my back.
"Brother, Wassup!" he said casually. "How's the yearly fishing trip?"
"Huh?" I replied, taken aback by his familiar approach, but the village chief intervened.
"Hey, Rut! What you hear and what you see, leave it here, got it?" the village chief commanded.
"Ight, old man, chill!" Kazuma replied somewhat annoyed.
"Lord Subaru here might have a... what we call... amnesia? You know what amnesia is?" the village chief explained.
"Yeah, I know what amnesia is," Kazuma grumbled.
"Okay, just as I said, Lord Subaru here had an amnesia and forgot a lot of things," the village chief glanced at me, signaling for me to continue my story.
I nodded and poured my heart out to Kazuma, explaining my memory loss and the fragments of information I had gathered. To my relief, he was understanding and compassionate, promising to share any insights he could recall.
"Heh, you always arrive here early in the morning, brother! Always smiling and in high spirits, saying the sea is your beloved and whatnot. Then after a hearty breakfast, you bring whatever you have and disappear for the entire day! Then afterward, you come back in the evening all sad like a pansy! Boohoo!" Kazuma teased, making faces.
"Hey, RUT! Show some respect to our future lord or ill cut your tongue!" the village chief scolded, but I gestured for Kazuma to continue.
"Anyways, whenever I press you about the reason, you always say you want to relive how you survived your drowning incident five years ago," he finally said with a wink.
Oh damn... so that's it? That's why I come here? To relive the memory of my miraculous survival after drowning five years ago, even though I was wounded and couldn't swim.
Just remembering that event brings great confusion to my mind... I mean, how did I even survive that situation? Maybe I'm just... lucky?
Yeah, that's probably it... I'm just lucky. And I always come here to fish, relax, and get away from the court politics back at Hikara... and probably to relive my miraculous survival story.
This Bro named Kazuma is right! Yep.
"Is that it?" I said to Kazuma.
"Yep! To be honest, it doesn't make any sense, but you know, miracles happen, or you were just lucky, so be thankful, bro!" he said with another wink.
He's right. I'm just lucky. And I always come here to fish and relax and to cherish the memory of my miraculous survival. Kazuma is right! Yep.
"Alright, thank you very much for your time, Iroh, Kazuma," I said with a bow of respect, which was reciprocated. However, Kazuma did something more.
"No worries, bro!" he said, slapping me on the back again.
"HEY, RUT!" the village chief scolded, but I held my hand up once more, telling him it was fine.
"Thank you for visiting our village, Lord Subaru. Please come again," the village chief said as I prepared to mount my steed and leave.
"Heh, we'll see. Anyways, you have my thanks for your great hospitality, Iro," I replied with a smile while he bowed in reverence.
However, just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice and saw Kazuma running toward me with a bunch of things in his hands.
"HEEEY, BRO, WAIT!" said Kazuma as he caught up to me, trying to catch his breath from all the running. "Bring me with you! I want to become a soldier and escape this boring place!"
The sun began to set on the Niigata shoreline of Dewa province, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling village. The hardworking populace wrapped up their day's labor –fishermen, tired from their long hours at sea, returned ashore with their bounties; farmers and peasants trudged back home, weary from tending to their crops under the sun's watchful gaze. Meanwhile, the occasional traveler passed through, seeking refuge for the night.
Amidst this tranquil scene, two figures made their way along the old dirt coastal road, leaving the fishing village behind. One rode gracefully on a majestic horse, while the other traveled in a humble, worn-down cart being pulled along.
In the distance, beyond the sea, on the lonely shore, a mermaid with silver hair and eyes the color of amethyst gazed at the departing figures with a deep sorrow etched upon her face. Tears shimmered in her eyes, reflecting the fading sunlight.
"It's... for the best," she whispered with a wistful sigh, her melodic voice carried away by the gentle sea breeze. "In this way, you'll be happier."
The mermaid's heart was heavy with the weight of a bittersweet decision. Though she longed to be with the one she watched from afar, she knew that destiny had different plans for them.
As the waves lapped gently against the shore, the mermaid slowly turned away, her ethereal form disappearing into the depths of the Blue sea.
(TO BE CONTINUED)