BLOSM 22

Chapter : 22

Shakrof continued quietly,

“Even if you possess the soul of the sea, Miss Marina, you’ve lived your whole life on land. I wondered if you might feel happiest when you’re with someone from the land like yourself. When I thought that far, I felt like I might turn into sea foam at any moment. It’s not like I’m under some evil curse that turns me into foam if I fail to win your love… but somehow, it felt like I would anyway.”

“‘Somehow,’ you say? You’ve been quite unreasonable for a while now.”

I smiled.

“So even though I thought the two of you suited each other, I couldn’t bear to watch you together. I’m sorry for suddenly interrupting back then. But I just couldn’t hold myself back.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t really think it was something you needed to apologize for.”

“Really? I thought maybe I had interrupted a happy moment for you.”

“Interrupted?”

“Miss Marina… did you actually want to go to the festival alone with Arthur Skipper?”

“…What?”

“And I forced my way in between you? Was I in the way?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that exactly…”

“Really? But when you were with Arthur, you seemed so gentle… you really looked like lovers.”

At Shakrof’s words, I felt my face heat up.

“Well… honestly, that’s a bit embarrassing. No matter what others say, I never thought you, of all people, would say something like that.”

“True. Normally, I wouldn’t have thought so either. It must have been the atmosphere.”

“The atmosphere?”

“I’ve spent time walking around, observing the daily lives of land people. I’ve seen many couples. And the typical air that flows between lovers—it felt very similar to what I saw between you and Arthur Skipper. That special something that seems impossible without love. But…”

Shakrof looked down at the floor and fell silent for a moment. Then he spoke softly,

“But I don’t think I’ve ever created that kind of atmosphere with you. Watching the two of you… I think that’s why I felt so discouraged, unlike myself.”

He turned to look at me.

“Miss Marina, Arthur Skipper’s way of speaking is like a wicked jellyfish. He pretends to be soft and carefree, but in truth he’s sly, hiding mischief and venom beneath the surface. I don’t like it. I didn’t like him when I first saw him, and I still don’t.”

Is a jellyfish really such a scheming creature…? As a land person, I still found Shakrof’s evaluation of Arthur’s speech rather hard to grasp.

Shakrof continued,

“But strangely, land people seem to like that kind of subtle way of speaking. Personally, I can’t stand it—but I’m also a practical shark. If there’s a goal, I don’t think it matters what method you use.

So if you, Miss Marina, also find that kind of sly behavior appealing like other land people do… then I’ll learn it. I’ll imitate it as much as I need to.”

“Ah, I…”

“But there’s a problem. No matter how much I try to imitate that smooth attitude, I don’t think I have any talent for it. Speaking indirectly, hinting at things… those skills simply don’t exist in a shark’s dictionary.”

Honestly, I agreed with that.

Shakrof wasn’t the kind of person who could do that.

“That does sound about right.”

I answered truthfully.

But Shakrof seemed even more discouraged than I expected.

“So in short, I have no talent whatsoever for the way land people pursue romance. It seems like land people don’t feel excitement unless things are subtle and cunning. Does someone as straightforward as me just come off as a poor match?”

“No, a poor match? Absolutely not.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You know, I think you and Arthur are complete opposites. I can’t even imagine you acting like him—or him acting like you.”

“I thought so…”

“But just because your personalities are completely different doesn’t mean one of you is inferior. I’ve never once thought you were lacking.”

“Do you really mean that?”

“Yes. There are plenty of land people who would find someone like you—so honest with your feelings—charming.”

“Are there really that many?”

“Of course.”

“Then… what about you, Miss Marina?”

“…What?”

“Have you ever found me charming or amusing?”

I didn’t know how to answer and awkwardly closed my mouth.

But looking into Shakrof’s shimmering, foam-like eyes, it didn’t seem like I could just avoid answering.

“Well… I don’t really know how to put my thoughts into words.”

“It’s your own thoughts—how can you not know?”

“That happens sometimes. Anyway, I’ve never once thought your personality was bad or lacking. I’ve laughed a lot because of you. So don’t be so discouraged.”

“That’s a very vague answer. Just like a land person’s answer. Even someone with the soul of the sea ends up picking up land habits after struggling in such a deceptive world, I suppose?”

“Maybe that’s true.”

“Miss Marina, you shouldn’t just accept that so easily. Anyway, being vague doesn’t suit someone with the soul of the sea.”

Shakrof said with dissatisfaction. But he was the kind of person who quickly found hope even in small things.

Soon, he asked with hopeful eyes,

“Anyway, since you’ve laughed a lot because of me, that means I’m not an annoying shark you want to get rid of, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Really? Then that means, in some way, you like me. I’ll remember that.”

Shakrof smiled happily, completely unbothered. Then he gently rubbed his cheek against mine. His damp, ash-colored bangs brushed against my face, leaving it slightly wet.

Once again, I was certain—

Shakrof was completely different from Arthur.

At another time, that contrast might have been quite interesting…

If only I weren’t stuck between these two complete opposites.

Fortunately, the water that had risen that night receded, and I was able to return home.

After the storm passed, the sky looked unusually clear and bright.

Breathing in the summer air mixed with the scent of fruit, it almost felt like the bad weather had all been a dream.

Even so, it wasn’t a dream after all… considering the festival was canceled.

The Jellyfish Festival ended up being called off. That was the news we heard as soon as the storm’s aftermath settled. Given the weather, it wasn’t surprising.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Shakrof. He had wanted to come so badly—he had even resisted the temptation of fried fish.

I told Arthur the news when he came by early in the evening. He didn’t seem surprised at all, as if he had expected it.

“As expected.”

Arthur said calmly.

“You don’t seem surprised. Did you already know?”

I asked.

“On my way here, I passed by the docks where the festival was supposed to be held. Normally, ships would already be lined up since the day before, but there was nothing. Considering last night’s weather, it would’ve been more surprising if the festival had gone ahead. It rained heavily in Fishbone Town too, didn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded.

Just then, Phineas chimed in from the side.

“Come to think of it, Miss Marina, were you alright getting home last night? I was quite worried. I heard some of the walkways were flooded overnight.”

“I was actually going to mention that. I couldn’t get home until quite late. The roads were flooded.”

I replied.

“Really? That must have been difficult.”

“So I had no choice but to wait in the café until the rain stopped—and then the power went out too.”

“What? That’s worse than I thought. You must’ve been scared…”

Phineas looked at me with wide eyes.

“Honestly, I was a bit scared. But at least I wasn’t alone. Shakrof stayed with me, so I felt less anxious.”

“Shakrof?”

“Yes. He couldn’t return to the sea either. The waves were too rough—it was too dangerous to swim.”

I explained.

“So, Miss Marina… does that mean you were alone in the closed café with Shakrof until late at night?”

Phineas asked.

“Ah, well… yes. But we both went home soon after. It wasn’t that late, really.”

At that question, even Arthur turned to look at me, making the situation feel unbearably awkward.

It felt like I had said something wrong.

So I hurriedly decided to change the subject.