Mei sighed again as she held her right palm upward. "Look, I'm not trying to make it sound like it's all your fault. Like I said, Kǎi's problem is that he can sound very harsh. I'm trying to make you understand where he's coming from."

Ai exclaimed "I know!"

Mei looked taken aback by her passionate outburst.

Ai sheepishly raised her shoulders while lowering her head. "Sorry for being loud. But I get it, thanks Mei. I know, it's not all my fault but I did provoke him so I should apologize first."

Mei nodded. "You're welcome. It's good that you understand that. But for your sake, I hope he apologizes too."

Ai smiled. "Thanks."

Mei said "Of course, you're my best friend. Not Kǎi." The priestess turned her head while closing her eyes. "Besides, men aren't all that trustworthy."

"Geez Mei, you really hate mermen, don't you? I feel so bad for Yìngyù."

Mei's face flushed a bit. "What do you mean by that?"

Ai held up her left palm. "I mean, you and I have known each other since we were little but so has Yìngyù. You two had the same master and trained together then he decided to be a plain old temple guard instead and by luck, he ended up guarding the temple that you were assigned to." Ai closed her eyes.

"But why do you feel so bad for him?" She raised a dark brow.

"Well, he's the closest merman to you and yet you have a distaste for mermen."

Mei scoffed. "Well, I am the High Priestess. He and I should keep our relationship professional."

Ai asked, "Don't you think of him as a friend at least?"

A friend? Was Yìngyù a friend to her? Sure, he often accompanied her, but he was only performing his duties. When she thought back of younger days, she remembered that she rarely was alone when he was nearby, and he often made her laugh. Perhaps she had taken his company for granted this whole time… Because aside from acting like a fool to make her laugh, there were times when the blond merman seemed very foolish which annoyed her. So, in a way, Yìngyù was a friend she admitted to herself. But was friend all he truly was? He didn't feel like a friend the way she considered Ai and the other mermaids her friends. But apart from the times he was playing a fool, he was wise in a way, perceptive, and capable.

"Hello~ Mei." Ai waved a hand in front of her which broke her out of her thoughts.

"Looks like Kǎi's not the only one who has a lot on his mind today." Ai bent her head as she looked at the priestess with an inquisitive manner.

Mei frowned "Please don't ask."

"But~. Do you see Yìngyù as a friend or not?"

Mei sighed. "He's alright I suppose."

Ai could tell that it meant that Mei did see him as a friend. The blond mermaid closed her eyes as she smiled "Ok!"

Mei asked, "Why are you so happy about this?"

Ai covered her mouth and lied "Nothing!" She then quickly swam away, leaving Mei behind in a stream of bubbles.

When she made good enough distance between her and the kelp forest and stopped, she bent over and panted. That was close. Yìngyù made her promise not to tell Mei about the secret feelings he harbored for her. Poor guy, he fell in love with someone he couldn't have unless Mei stepped down as high priestess. It didn't mean they couldn't have a secret affair though! Besides if Mei said that he was alright which meant there was still hope for him! Yìngyù was like the brother she never had so she could never see him as a romantic interest, but he was physically good looking, and he had his mature side, so he seemed to be a good fit for Mei!

Suddenly, Ai became aware that someone had appeared in front of her… It was Kǎi! Sure, she had intended to go see the angel so she could apologize but still, it kind of felt mortifying to be seen by him especially since he always had a stern look that was all so attractive at the same time but still! It felt like she was caught red-handed by him.

She straightened her back "Oh, Kǎi! I uh…"

"Are you alright? You're out of breath."

"I…" Oh geez, why was she getting bubbles in her stomach? Sure, he didn't always express much concern around her, but it felt nice to have an attractive male show concern towards her. She smiled while blushing "I'm alright, just felt like speed swimming." Ai began giggling nervously as she bent her arm and touched the back of her head.

The latter statement sounded like a blatant lie on Ai's part, but he decided to leave things be. It wouldn't be fair if he got mad at her for prying but insisted on her doing so.

"Mmm." The angel turned his head to the side.

Ai's expression changed into one of worry as she said "Wait, Kǎi."

"What is it?" He looked directly at it.

"I, I'm sorry for trying to get in your business. I just…" Her midnight blue eyes looked down at the sand. She then regained eye contact with him. "Well, if whatever you were thinking about bothered you a lot then… Even if I can't help you with it then I thought I could listen to it at least." She flushed. "I won't lie, I'm a little nosy too."

Kǎi let out a chuckle although he tried to cover his nose and mouth using the back of his hand. How was it that she was able to make him laugh so effortlessly? But should he even be surprised? This was the same mermaid who effortlessly enchanted him into continually observing her. Although perhaps it was due to fate playing a part in his undeniable attraction to her, she had her own charm as well.

As embarrassing as it was to admit such a thing, it was worth it to hear his laugh.

Kǎi replied "I accept your apology and I apologize for the tone in which I spoke to you earlier." He lowered his head.

Ai waved her hands "It's ok! Really, we're good."

Kǎi gave a brief smile as he said, "I'm glad to hear that."

He recalled Ruǎnyù's words "Even if you two can't be together forever, I think a moment of love is much more worth it than a lifetime of never knowing. Those memories will stay with you a lot longer than the time you were together, even if there's hard times, there's good times and remembering the good times will make you think, hey it was worth it."

Soon after, he fixed a stern look on Ai. "Do you really want to know what I was thinking about?"

Ai couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by his intense silver gaze. "Well… If, it'll relieve you of whatever's bothering you then sure."

"Are you really sure? You can't just say it on a whim."

Ai thought about it for a bit, but she really wanted to help Kǎi as long as it was within her power to. She gave him a solemn gaze even as her heart was pounding a little bit faster. "I mean it Kǎi. I want to help you."

"Then let's go somewhere private."

Ai swam in the direction of the kelp forest even as her heart continued to pound but with the feeling of anticipation.