The sea acknowledged her the moment she was born.
The mermaid who had been heir to the deep sea from birth—Aria—had always been curious about the world beneath the Sun, where she possessed neither the duty nor the authority to rule. And there, she met a human.
“Now, Aria. Look at this cross section. Human skin is composed of layers.”
“Is it different from a mermaid’s skin?”
“Slightly. A mermaid’s skin can withstand even the deep sea, so….”
He was a teacher.
“What are you painting now?”
“I was painting you, Aria.”
“That is a painting of the sea.”
“The sea is the merfolk.”
And a friend.
“Understanding humans is good, but empathizing with them would not be a bad thing either.”
“I doubt there is any difference.”
“Simply empathizing can accomplish more than understanding alone.”
“…….”
And family.
Giovanni was the only being who stood as Aria’s equal—or perhaps above her. He was different even from Iser, the younger brother she was obliged to protect and care for.
With Giovanni, Aria could have interesting conversations. No matter what Aria did, Giovanni could handle her.
It meant that there existed a gear whose teeth meshed perfectly with her own.
“Aria.”
“Yes.”
“Please do not harm humans.”
That was what she had believed.
“Why should I not?”
“Because I do not want you to.”
“How selfish.”
“Aria, what has this foolish priest always told you?”
“That a relationship means being considerate and adjusting to each other.”
“I am glad you remembered.”
Aria believed she and Giovanni were gears that would…