Chapter Text
Akane scrubbed a hand over his eyes. Aoi was not going to be happy with this sudden development.
Nene had accidentally found out how to get her legs and on top of it all, she was falling in love with that reincarnated astronomer! How could he tell Aoi this? Sure, they suspected this. But now that Nene was on the land, it made everything more complicated.
After mulling it over for hours after seeing it all play out in front of him, Akane decided to just bite the pearl and tell her.
He informed the pufferfish who served her that he needed an immediate audience with the Princess. Thankfully the little fish was not one to ask questions, he simply swam off to inform her.
Akane nervously settled onto the plush cushion next to the smooth crystal ball that floated suspended in the water as it pulsed with a blue glow. It wasn’t long before he heard someone enter his quarters, already knowing who it would be, he braced himself.
Forcing himself to turn to face the Princess, he hesitated. Even troubled, she was still so beautiful. He bit his cheek, if he was younger he would have fallen over to prostrate himself in front of her, begging for her hand.
But no longer a child, Akane kept that part of himself reined in and controlled. Instead, he gestured over to his side.
“You requested to see me?” Aoi asked, not bothering to mask her concern. She had tasked him to keep an eye on Nene, she knew that something would happen.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Akane sighed.
“You aren’t going to like this, Princess.” He said, wrestling to keep his tone neutral.
“I thought just as much, but I need to know.” Aoi responded primly, running her hand along the crystal orb.
“Tell me.”
She didn’t have to ask, it was just a formality and he knew it. Swallowing his anxiety, Akane nodded.
“It seems that Nene has discovered that she has legs.” He paused, watching Aoi’s face to gauge her reaction and see if she had anything to say. When there was no response, he continued.
“But that isn’t the problem, I saw that she was with that boy when it happened. He took her to his home. I’m not sure why, but I think it was just as a precaution in case she couldn’t change herself back. I’ll give him that, however it’s still concerning as she has not returned to the sea since.”
Aoi pursed her lips,
“Is there anything else?” She asked, it was not a question, but a command.
Akane swallowed the lump in his throat, the moment that he dreaded the most. Who knew how Aoi would react?
“It’s evident that they have fallen in love.”
It’s the news that was expected but still hurt to hear, after all the sacrifices Aoi had to make to protect her friend… They didn't matter in the end.
She took a deep breath,
“Akane, if Nene does not return in seven days time, you will accompany me on the world above to look for her.”
The merman simply bowed,
“As you wish, your Majesty.”