Chapter 5: Sea of Dreams

It had been weeks since he last saw her.

Right now, he was glad to have finally clear off his debt but lost most of his teeth in the process. He was practically toothless for now, hoping the month would come sooner so that he can have new set of teeth again.

'I might as well go on a liquid diet,' Saigo thought to himself, realising what this meant for him. 'Unseasoned instant noodle soup for a while...lucky me...'

However, he thought back about his last encounter with Yura. That human seemed happy to be living by the factory under a pile of cardboard boxes. However, he could damn well tell from her eyes that she feels lonely about her situation.

He can't imagine living on the streets and having to risk his own life just for basic needs like food. Then again, he is doing the same thing with his debt.

Right now, he would like nothing more than to swim to clear his mind. During the day time, not many carnivores from the Black Market were up to start their day. This gave him an edge to head on to the secluded part of town where there is a small beach and the sea.

He wondered what it would be like if he lived underwater without having the need to surface for air?

Taking off his shirt and pants to reveal his trunks, Saigo dived into the ocean.

Life under the sea was a bit different from above. It was because most of the residence swim rather walk, save it for those who are Crocodylus like him. He wasn't sure why but he felt at peace when he is underwater or just swimming away with his tail acting like a rudder.

The cool water on his scales didn't bother him very much, considering the water does become warm when it is close to midday.

The sounds underwater were much different since there were bubbling, gurgling noises that the residence would produce. It was lucky for Saigo since his body was built to last underwater for a while before swimming up to the surface for air.

Most of the marine animals paid no attention to him while some smaller fish species kept their distance from the caiman. Then again, Saigo had to be careful whenever he takes off his clothes considering the tattoos he bore were enough to make other animals reject him.

He's a carnivore but he sold himself off as if he were nothing more than a meek herbivore.

What's important right now is to find himself a job but so far today, he has been rejected from thirty different companies. He wasn't sure if it was his resume or was it that the company knew about his personal life.

He shuddered to think about the memories that haunted him back at the hospital. He had his most vital organ removed and now, it was only a matter of time before he gets dismembered bit by bit.

Maybe it was better if he didn't exist if this is the only path that was given to him?

He sighed, bubbles starting to form every time he opened his mouth. Whelp, it was about him he surface for air!

However, he noticed something at the shore where he left his shirt and pants. His eyes were very excellent to see what was above water and he was surprised to see someone he did not expect.

...

Yura sat on the shore, her knees closed to her chest as she was wearing a thin long-sleeved attire and wide-brimmed hat to hide her face. She wasn't used to other animals chasing her or grabbing her by the arm.

She hid at this secluded corner away from the angry carnivores. Yura knew damn well that one of these days, she will get caught and her life will end there. But the sounds of the waves and the sensation of the cool ocean lapping at her feet gave her a sense of assurance.

A calm before the storm.

Yura almost screamed when a greenish head plopped out of the water, followed by the body. Needless to say, Yura was in awe yet feeling a bit shy considering who it was. She never knew he was slightly muscular considering he wore something that made him looked smaller.

Not to mention, the weird writings that were adorned all over his body. They looked like health beneficials on each part of the body.

"Hi..." she managed to greet him, her voice was holding back the squeal she was about to produce. As much as she will admit it, Saigo is one handsome caiman.

"Hi..." he greeted, Yura detected a hush in his tone. "I guessed you found my secluded spot, huh?"

"Oh, I was hiding from some of the carnivores."

Saigo rolled his eyes before putting on his pants, a small smile made its way on his maw. "What did you steal this time?"

Yura showed him her little sack which contained two recipe books about baking while other others were basically food he knew came from convince stores. From onigiri rice balls to an assortment of sandwiches and even cake sandwiches.

"Do you want some?" Yura offered an egg sandwich to him. Saigo didn't want to but seeing the pleading expression on her face softened his heart. He took up the offer and sat beside her.

None of them said anything except eating the stolen convenience store food with some bottled drinks. Though, there was something that piqued his curiosity.

"Yura," Saigo began while eating a cake sandwich. "You're interested in baking?"

The young woman shrugged. "Kind of. You saw the stolen recipe books I stole from that one jackal's house. He had various piles of books scattered all over the place so I kinda took it before he realised."

Saigo opened his jaws a bit to let in some cool air into his body. "Don't you have at least a little bit money to pay for some of the things you have?"

Yura stopped eating her rice ball, as if it were the most disgusting thing in the world. "I used to have some money. From pretending to be a beggar on the street for a while until I realised I couldn't wait any longer."

Saigo said nothing but ate more sandwiches.

"You're lucky, you know?"

The caiman turned his head to look down at her. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"You are always relaxed and putting on a front despite what's going on with you. I may not know you personally but from your tattoos and the bloody jaw I remembered, you sacrificed a lot so that you could survive. That's really admirable."

Saigo sighed leaning back to watch the sea coming in and out of the shore.

"It's nothing admirable. I did what I have to do to survive. Just like what you're doing. You know, you're luckier than me even with cardboards as your home. You don't have to worry about outer parties coming after you because of something you did years ago that will eventually bite you in the ass. Plus, you don't get to pay the rent until you get an eviction notice outside of your door. You're free."

Yura said nothing but leaned closer, placing her hand in his large ones. "I'm sorry I brought it up, Saigo."

Saigo ran a claw through her hair, making her hum a bit. "It's okay. I'm glad I got to talk with you. Out of all animals all my life, I never once had this much conversation with anyone other than you."

Yura smiled, squeezing his hand. "I'm glad you told me. I'll eventually find something so that I won't have to risk my life stealing again."

"That's another thing I want to bring up," the caiman lifted her chin so that her dark brown eyes met his yellow reptilian ones.

"Yes?"

"How would you like to live with me?"

Ah, camping out with a caiman, eh? Don't worry, there will be some sweet slow burn coming up. When the fire slowly kindles, it will eventually become a passionate flame