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The sea, a vast expanse of blue. Controls more than 50% of the earth's territory and less than 10% can be explored by ordinary humans. Many mysteries are still empty and unanswered for the world, as well as what lies within its depths. Colorless zone. The surface zone is only the area reached by humans and it is not uncommon for humans to cause damage through their hands to the sacredness of the sea. Little did they know that something that had been patient all this time could unleash its power to silence the humans who were hurting the sea.
On a night that should have been fine.
A ship passed over the sea surface, majestic and luxurious. Indicating that this ship is not something occupied by ordinary people but rather conglomerates who have influence in the human world. Among the conglomerates, there is one woman who has the distinction of being in the top position."Shirokane-sama, Your fiancé is waiting for you in the main room." Said the personal butler of her while bringing a formal coat for raven haired."Ah, I see. Thank you for reminding me, I'll be there in a moment." Rinko turned her face to the butler after she looked at the dark water surface and took the mantle from his hand."Your presence is highly anticipated, I will take my leave.. Shirokane-sama." The sound of walking shoes left where Rinko was and left the black-haired girl alone again. Rinko stared at the expanse of sea which only gave the roar of the waves as an answer. Right now her heart is wondering, will she marry the right person or will she just be a puppet for the good of her family?
Will she be able to be happy?
The Shirokane family, they are a family that is quite influential in certain matters and often takes quite a big role in a project. But, recently they have lost that position and to restore it will require sacrifice. Where the sacrifice leads to feelings for the only child of the Shirokane family by holding an arranged marriage. Rinko can only surrender to the fate determined by her family. She wasn't a selfish person, even though she knew this wasn't what she wanted. All of this was for the good of his family, as her father had told her before this all happened.She stopped her contemplation and immediately went to the place where her fiancé was waiting for her. Rinko walked towards the main deck and the room in question. She opened the door and was not surprised that the room was filled with various high-ranking people. Various eyes turned towards her, most of them praising the appearance and intelligence of Shirokane's daughter. It is also not uncommon for many people to talk about other things, either bad things or dislikes."Rinko-san. Where have you been? I've waiting for you since moment ago, are you okay?" Said one man in formal attire, he held a glass of champagne in his hand and approached Rinko."A.. Ah. I just stayed for a moment to see the outside of the sea." Rinko tried not to get nervous when her fiancé grabbed her waist to get closer. "Soon, this area will become a central place for oil drilling. Where we can receive many benefits from various circles, as well as improve our family's reputation because of this success." He said that clearly why take a sip of his champagne, Rinko eyes was widened in question.Rinko is a person who is knowledgeable and cares about the marine ecosystem and what is in it. "But how about.. The nature ecosystem inside it? Have you thought about that?""Rinko-san, You care too much about things, don't you? At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if your family could lose its position. You have to take the opportunity or it will all pass you by." Her fiancé let off his hands and walk to the middle of the room. "This world was created so that the strong survive and the weak are eliminated. You must remember what I said, Rinko-san.""But that doesn't mean you destroy the existing ecosystem! They were there before us, without their presence... the Earth could have experienced drastic changes!"People started showing whispers of their dislike for Rinko at that time. How Rinko really isn't suitable or worthy to be on the same stage as them.Suddenly, the ship felt hit by a very strong wave. It was so strong that everything in the cabin swayed backwards and knocked over the people there. Everyone gasped in shock after what happened, followed by the sound of thunder booming from all sides. Coloring the dark night in the middle of the sea with thunderous roars from the sky's anger as if they heard what the greedy humans were saying. At that moment, the waves crashed again so hard and hit the ship again that it felt like nothing."It supposed to be ordinary night! Why there's sudden tidal waves!?" "The compass aren't working too!" "We are cursed! The sea is mad with us! We've made it let out the deep-seated anger!""Are you guys stupid!? How could that be possible! We are humans, we were created above everything else! Do you believe in nonsense like what you said just now!?"Rinko's eyes focused for a moment on a pair of eyes staring at her from afar behind the darkness of the sky and sea surface. So big and sharp those eyes stared at her, with fury and hatred embedded in those jade colored eyes.The roar was very loud and shrieked the ears of anyone who listened. The sound of the roar filled with anger was painful and Rinko could feel it.
The sense of failure in protect.
"What's that voice!?""It's so loud until I cannot hear everything!"After Rinko noticed that, a flash of light struck the figure and showed how large and terrifying the body of the creature Rinko saw was, just before the huge waves crashed into the ship's hull. Crushing exalted iron without difficulty, scattering many humans by force from the cabins and decks of ships indiscriminately. No one can survive the cruel fury of the sea. There is nothing more to be proud of in the soul of a greedy man except the shame at how small they are compared to the majesty of the sea.It made him remember from their forgetfulness that the sea is a place with various stories.Rinko tried to hold on to the last piece of iron before the last shock made her fall into the depths of the sea. Separated from everyone else, when she tried to go against the current while being carried away by the waves which only made the distance between her and the others widen. Even though she is good at swimming, the sea is still not something Rinko can compare to. She had difficulty to reaching the surface, especially when the friction between her skin and the iron of the ship that occurred when she fell from her grip made it difficult for Rinko to move her legs any further.She was starting to run out of steam as the sea just pushed her further and further. Separate her from the greedy people who have insulted the sanctity of the sea. Rinko began to sink when her eyes and body were tired enough to survive, the blood that came out of the surface of her skin stung but did not overcome the feeling of tiredness and resignation that she had. Several hundred meters apart, Rinko's life expectancy seemed to be close to zero. There was nothing Rinko could do anymore when she felt the water starting to enter her nose and towards her lungs. Her mind was saying all kinds of things, good and bad, difficult and happy. Her apology was because he had not been able to make her parents happy in her own way, and her dream was to connect with sounds, either music or nature.But, before she sank any further, someone held her body swiftly. Rinko's eyes opened slightly as she saw a turquoise light radiating from the hand of someone who was holding her. Unfortunately, her vision was too dim to clearly see the creature who was with her at that time. All she remembered was teal colored hair with dim gold colored horns and expressionless of jaded jade eyes.Rinko fainted after the moment she met that figure and she thought that she had met her death.News about the sinking and destruction of the ship that Rinko and other high-ranking members were on has reached many parties at the next morning and the search mission for all of them has begun.Not knowing how much time had passed, Rinko woke up from her stupor and sat up for a moment after finding that she was in an unfamiliar place.The place looked like an ancient building with carvings about the sea and ancient letters on the ceiling and borders. It all looked similar to a book Rinko had read about the lost world, Atlantis.What is even more surprising is why she can breathe even though there is water all around her."I can breathe.. in the water?" Rinko really wanted to slap herself at that moment if she wanted to, but a sound came from the door.A woman with teal hair but her horns were slightly shorter than the ones Rinko saw that night. She almost looked the same as the figure Rinko saw at that time but what made the difference clearly visible was her short hair and bright eyes. Not a pair of eyes that look jaded of the world."So.. You've finally awake." Said the short teal haired. Her voice was unique and Rinko could tell from just one listen that this person had a cheerful personality."U.. Uhm, Yes. May I ask.. Why am I here?" Rinko sat still as she watched the other tealette comes in to the room. Her face was firm and serious, but it's hidden inside that she still has feelings of concern and compassion."Is she fine, Hina?" There was firmness at her voice as her eyes met with Rinko. ".... Forget it. I think, there's no need for you to answer.""Excuse me.." Rinko nervously tries to take the twins' attention and the two immediately looked at Rinko with their eyebrows raised slightly."Yes?" They replied together."Why I am here?" However, that question will always remain as long as Rinko doesn't find the answer. "I supposed to be.. On that ship.""Oh. My onee-chan that saving you on that night." Hina said innocently. "While she's still here, it would be good for you to talk to her."Rinko nodded, she was still trying to properly digest what was going to be said. "Okay then, I'll leave you two!" The younger tealette walked cheerfully out of the room. Meanwhile, the older tealette was still standing where she was with the same expression when she first saw Rinko wake up."You want to ask about my reasons?" Her jade eyes stared intently at Rinko, "So I also have a question for you.""A question? What is it about?" Rinko was a little confused but she knew the person in front of her really needed an honest answer."Why are you in a group of greedy people like them?" "How do you know about them?"She can heard tealette huffed and her face turns to dislike sign, "That's not important. Now answer me why you was with them?""At that time, I was with my fiancé, we were carrying out tasks together for the future of the family business." Rinko knew that the person in front of her didn't like the behavior of those people and she now had to be honest. "He had a plan to made an oil drilling near the place we are passed at." "A mortal like you didn't deserve to be with a greedy person like him." Sayo moved on from her place and hold the door knob, "If you already felt better.. You can go away from here. I had knew a small island for you to be found by other mortals." The mood of Sayo was like swinged. Rinko should end her chase of questions with an incomplete answer."Wait! Before you go may I know your name..?" But at least she need to know her name.Sayo stopped for a moment and lowered her head slightly, "Hikawa Sayo.""Hikawa.. Then Hikawa-san, thank you for saving my life that night." "You should say that to Hina, not me. She's the one who said to me for take you here. See it as your second attempt." She leaves Rinko alone after it and Rinko cannot blame her to be like that. The sea has its own story and Rinko has just entered that page, a mystery that has never been revealed by ordinary humans and is kept tightly hidden by the creatures in the sea. Only now did she learn that there was another type of life that lived side by side with humans and maintained life in the sea for many years. They could have been guarding it for tens to hundreds, or even thousands of years ago.Hikawa Sayo, she has eyes that are different from most people or creatures Rinko has ever met. She don't know what experience or story Sayo has, but those eyes symbolize pain, anger and hatred towards humans. But deep inside, she know that Sayo still have an eyes of concern to humans. Not every humans but still she had that element.
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Rinko got up from her place and walked out after a nurse in the form of a mermaid named Ichigaya allowed Rinko to leave her room. She walked down the hall and several times encountered other hybrid creatures, ranging from those that still looked like humans to those that were far from human. Rinko descended the stairs when she reached the exit and saw how lively this area under the sea was. Various creatures greet each other. Even though Rinko couldn't hear what the non-hybrid creature was saying.But what caught her attention was the older tealette who was accompanying the children. Most of them are children of mermaids and tritons, not infrequently fish or seahorses also come with them. Sayo didn't put up any resistance and seemed to enjoy her time with them. Even though Sayo's face looks flat or threatening, she is quite friendly towards children and she is willing to be used as a choice for them to play with. They garlanded Sayo with a tiara made of seaweed. Sayo squatted down and let them put the tiara on her head."Wha! You look great with that, Sayo-sama!" said a little mermaid to Sayo.Sayo just let out a small laugh and politely accepted the mermaid's praise. "Thank you for the tiara, I appreciate this." From there, Rinko can conclude that Sayo is a leader for the sea creatures from her treatment of them and the way she talks with them. Rinko was stunned by the sight for a moment, especially when she saw the gentle smile on Sayo's face. Very sincere and sacred. There are no eyes that are jaded of the world or burning hatred. Everything disappeared like a different mask, who knows which side is the authenticity of Hikawa Sayo? Instantly everything changed when Sayo's eyes looked at the pair of eyes that had been staring at her all this time.However, Sayo still averted her eyes from Rinko's amethyst eyes after that."Are you okay, Sayo-sama?" Ask the children.Sayo shook her head gently, "I'm okay. But my time seems already over to play with you all." she softly patted their head. "We can play again at another time, okay?" They nodded and hugged Sayo for the last time before they separated. Sayo watched them leave and let the scene sit for a moment. Everything returned to normal, Sayo's facial expression was flat again and her eyes were not shining as if she was tired of the world. She climbed the stairs and stopped in front of Rinko to ask what she wanted."If you need something, you can say it to the servants." Sayo watched as a group of orcas approached her."Sayo-san!" said an orca, it used the shape of a dolphin at the head, and suddenly, it turned to hybrid form. *Poof* A blonde girl with sailor-like clothes and an orca tail can still be seen in her current form. Followed by others. The group of orcas turned into girls with different colored hair."Kirigaya?" "Woah!~ I'm glad you still remember about me!" The blonde comes closer and pats Sayo's shoulder like they've already been friend since a long time ago.Sayo cleared her throat, "Is there a report you want to submit?" Sayo maintained her posture and listened carefully to what the orcas called Morfonica had to say. "All of you back earlier, so there must be something.""It's true as you said. The results of our exploration are quite a lot and I'm sure you want to hear them all." The taller girl's eyes focused on Sayo while her hand took something from another girl with white hair. It was a bag, some trash, and broken tools that belonged to illegal hunters."As you can see, these are some human belongings. We often see many humans carrying out illegal hunting of several species of coral reefs, Hikawa-sama." Sayo took it and looked closely at the items for a few seconds then glanced at Rinko before turns eyes back at Morfonica members."Thank you for the report. Are there any other reports?" "Some of the sharks that were disturbing the area have been eradicated, I'm sure the area around you will be safe for some time." Tsukushi added."Any information about the Narwhal's return?""They will arrive in about a week, the water flow has started to cooling. So I think they will be back to report to you soon." The peach-haired girl jumped happily and smiled with excitement at Sayo and Rinko. "I see. Ok, I received the information. Get some rest all of you, you have done your job well." Nanami and Touko's eyes fell on Rinko. They stared for a moment from feet to head before Mashiro and Tsukushi stopped them from taking any further action."That's rude to see people like that, Touko-chan and Nanami-chan!" The white-haired girl pulled the arms of the two of them to get away from the curiosity that made them feel like children with headaches."Are you a human!?" Nanami launched her question like a bullet shot from a shell. "A.. Ah?" Rinko gasped in startled after a sudden jump from Nanami. "Oh!! Finally, you take another human to your territory again, Sayo-san!" Touko laughed and looked at Rinko. "It's more than a century, she's a sweet woman also!" "A.. Century?" Rinko tilted her head, and Touko came closer to whisper. "I can give you more tea if you want too!" She winked at Rinko before she could hear Sayo's voice clear throat. "Sayo-san had plenty of stories! The sea save it for her and I can spill it to you!" Sayo's eyebrows furrowed and she coughed firmly again, "Please take your leave first, I suggest you all have proper rest." "We are very sorry, Sayo-san!" Tsukushi touched the two heads of the other orcas and let them bow."..." Sayo did not say any answer, and she turned back to the palace.Feeling that it had offended Sayo, the orcas lowered their heads in apology and immediately took steps to leave."May I ask your name?" Sayo's voice was like soft music calling to Rinko. Sayo is a person who is not easy to talk to, so this opportunity feels rare for someone who is just an ordinary person. Rinko took a deep breath before answering Sayo's question, "Shirokane Rinko. That's my name." "Shirokane Rinko. You'd great name." "Do you mind if I invite you to discuss these items?" Sayo coughed again, "It's just if you want.""I don't mind, Hikawa-san. I will come with you." "Thank you. Please come with me." Sayo guides Rinko to the changing room. "You need to change your clothes first, Shirokane-san. You've been wearing those clothes since yesterday, it would be good for you to change them." "May I, Hikawa-san?" "Yes, please do. I'll be waiting here." Sayo waited outside and let Rinko take her time choosing clothes. Rinko entered the changing room and saw various types of clothes there, Rinko chose carefully and matched herself with the right clothes. When she was still busy choosing clothes, she noticed a piece of clothing that was wrapped in a different wrapper and placed in a special place in the form of a cupboard with clear glass. Rinko wanted to approach the cupboard but immediately stopped when she heard Sayo's voice calling her name from behind the door."Are you okay, Shirokane-san?" "A.. Ah I'm okay!" She replied to the question Sayo gave. "Oh, okay." For a moment, Rinko thought about what Touko said about a human who knew Sayo. It occurred to Rinko that Sayo didn't completely hate humans and that she might have had a relationship with them.Rinko finished changing clothes and she came out of the changing room to meet Sayo. Sayo waited patiently while looking at the window and not allowing anything to disturb her focus. Although the light through the window is not very bright, it is quite comfortable and not harsh on the human eyes. Sayo looked back and saw Rinko who had changed clothes, her expression softened slightly although there was still some of her firmness. Sayo walked first and they headed towards the observation room. "Have a seat, Shirokane-san." Sayo took a chair and let Rinko have a seat first. Sayo took her stool and sat next to Rinko while opening the box containing the items given by the orcas. "Do you want to know more about these items, Hikawa-san?" Rinko asked, and she looked at Sayo's face and nodded seriously."I want if you didn't mind. I know this is a toil, but this is different than I know." "This object is an iron toil, it looks like it is the latest model if you look at the material." Rinko touched the net and didn't expect that it would be so sharp, with just a small touch Rinko's skin was scratched by a cut."You should be more careful. The toil isn't something you can easy to touch with." Sayo took a bandage inside her clothes and looked at her, "May I treat your wound?""I.. I can do it by myself, it's okay.. Hikawa-san. You'd do a lot of things for me." Rinko initially wanted to refuse, but Sayo did it first when she wrapped Rinko's palm with a bandage."Your blood is already dripping, the smell of blood can bring many disasters if not dealt with immediately..." Sayo moved herself back when she was done, "The lives of mortals like you are more difficult than ours here."They then investigated the items in front of them for the next few hours until something touched on the Hikawa twins' childhood. "So.. You and Hina ever come to the surface ?" Rinko asked while she looked at Sayo, who was busy with the stacks of books. The paper in the book felt magical because it didn't disintegrate in the water when the pages were replaced, and the calm jade eyes moved slowly from her reading and fell on the black-haired woman who stared deeply at Sayo's precious calmness. "We had, but that wasn't a good memory to us." Sayo closed her book and placed it on the other side of her seat, looking back into Rinko's curious amethyst eyes. "Hina had a dark period that hurt her." "I see, I won't force you to tell me any further. But I'm amazed that you turned out to be a caring older sibling and leader for your people." Rinko admires this side of Sayo, even though she is new to Sayo. But she felt Sayo's close affection for her sister and her people. "That's as it should be. I only did what I could do as an older sister and leader." "Hikawa-san has traveled a lot. You have lived for hundreds of years, and I am sure you have seen how humans develop and continue to evolve. If I can help you, even though it may sound incomparable to what you did for me... But please, let me help you and your people." Sayo was silent, a slight glint appeared in the reflection of her eyes. "You are a different species of human, But really.. Right now I don't have anything to help you with. Perhaps.." A bit disappointed but Rinko couldn't do much, she and Sayo finally decided to leave the room and separate to continue their respective activities. Rinko walked towards a hallway at the end and she could see a figure waiting for her at the end. "Ah, you are. Hikawa-san's friend." "I'm a little glad you still remember me, but you can call me Touko. My full name is Kirigaya Touko. I'm working under Sayo-san!" Touko got up from where she was leaning and walked towards Rinko, offering her hand for Rinko to shake. "My name is Shirokane Rinko, I'm just an ordinary human that was taken by Hikawa-san. It feels like I'm honored to meet with you, Kirigaya-san." She took her hand and shook it. Rinko could feel that Touko would soon take her somewhere with just a feeling. "I know a good place to talk, mind to go with me? Don't worry, I'll treat you!" "T.. There's no need-" "I'll tell you about Sayo-san! Aren't you interested in it, Rinko-san!?" This time Touko took her on a fast current, it was true that she had just learned about underwater life. But she also couldn't miss a clue behind the reason why a leader of sea creatures who had always seemed to hate humans, instead helped a human like Rinko.
I can find clues about Hikawa-san if I go with her.
"O.. Okay! I will go with you, Kirigaya-san." Rinko managed to convince herself that it was okay for her to occasionally follow the ego she harbored. "Good! It's not hard, see? So let's go then!" Touko takes Rinko to a tea and snack shop, stopping to have a good time talking while drinking tea and eating snacks. They sat facing each other and Touko sat politely as if all the gyaru accent she had had just faded into someone with strong traditions. "So~ Where do we want to start with?" Rinko gazed at Touko as her hands overlapped above the table surface, "Please, I want to know about the human that Hikawa-san once brought and doesn't... She seems to hate humans? So why did she do that?" "Oh my gosh, you really got straight to the point, didn't you?" Touko laughed, but she didn't mind about the curiosity of Rinko, who made her go to fast track."Yes! I want to know more!" "She indeed hates humans, but that's not entirely true. Sayo-san hates humans, especially humans who are greedy and only care about their selfish desires without caring about the existence of other lives around them." Rinko's eyes widened more whenever she listened to the words of the blonde. "You could say, Sayo-san has lived for more than a century. I'm sure Sayo-san also knows many sides of humans based on the experiences she had in life. She can sort out which was kindness and which was badness. If she really hated humans indiscriminately, she would have destroyed one-fourth of the earth's surface with just a flick and a lunge. Her true form wasn't a thing you can underestimate with." Touko stopped for having a sip of her tea and back again at Rinko, "So I guess, Sayo-san had her own reasons for saving you that night. Or she could see something in you that makes her help you.""Does it have anything to do with her past with humans?" The blonde took a snack in front of her and ate it calmly and gracefully. "Okay, we've reached the middle. I'll be honest with you." Rinko put her ears carefully and her eyes focused until she wasn't blinking for moments. "Sayo-san's past lover was a human."
A human...?
"Did you just say a human?" "Yep. Sayo-san's only lover, the one that always made her mourn every day." The last snack on the plate was gone by Touko. "Sayo-san loved her very much and she was devastated when she found out that her lover was gone." Rinko thought about what Sayo saw in herself? She is not special or has ornaments like Sayo's lover. Rinko always cares about nature because nature seems to look after her without her asking. Indeed, everything felt like he was given a second chance to move on with his life. But everything feels strange if Sayo does this without something behind it all."If I can know.. What was her lover's appearance or personality?" Rinko tried her chance again for the second time, and luckily, Touko was still willing to answer."She is a cheerful woman and cares about the people around her. A woman who looks like a sun to someone as dark as the moon like Sayo-san. Even though she is human, she is not afraid to greet or help us who are hybrid creatures or real water creatures.""Ah, I see. I wouldn't be surprised if Hikawa-san loves her deeply. That woman is very lucky to have someone like Hikawa-san and vice versa for that woman.""Just be honest! I was also very jealous of them at that time, what a perfect couple with many bright spots! Sayo-san is a person who is hard to reach, seeing her smiling and happy like before is very pleasant. If only those times could come back, Sayo-san wouldn't be this sad or gloomy all the time. Her atmosphere shows that she was so.. lonely.""Fate is still fate, nothing can be changed once it's time. We humans seem to have shorter life spans compared to semi-immortal creatures like you all, but I'm sure... Sayo-san's lover doesn't want to see her always sad like that. I want to know her name, may I know?" "Oh sure! Her name was-" "Imai Lisa." A familiar sound comes behind them and makes Touko's sweat drop.
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Touko's face suddenly turned pale and the sweat on her face dripped coldly when she saw a figure standing behind Rinko with a sharp gaze and a voice that sounded a little sad in it.Touko didn't expect that the person they were talking about would come suddenly like this, the only thing Touko forgot was Sayo's ability to hear all sounds inside the ocean or other underwater creatures."Imai Lisa. That's her name." A slight rumble of sadness rose in her throat when Sayo said that name. "S.. Sayo-san!? Since when you're here!?" Touko was able to see the stares from Sayo that showed she didn't like the way Touko spilled at Rinko."I can be anywhere and isn't that my right?" Sayo's eyes sharpened more to her as the package of jar in her hands was held firmly. "Then I should ask you why you're here with Shirokane-san?" Touko let out a long sigh."Oh come on Sayo-san! It's time to replace that worn-out behavior of yours! Already a century and do you want to keep being like that?" Touko gazed back to Sayo's eyes who was stared her long and never changed it's form."This is my true self and what's the relation between century and Lisa?" Sayo focused her voice on that line and her voice was tightened with emotion. "Although the sea has my stories, doesn't mean you can spill them to anyone like that, Kirigaya Touko.""I know that you are still in grief about her death, but it's already a century, Sayo-san. Are you sure this is what Lisa-san want for you? I can see you're devastated by her death, you loved a mortal and that's not wrong. You can try something new, you can try to open your eyes of the heart and your mind more like the way she was still alive." Touko hold Sayo's shoulder who get more stiffen and the hands that slowly moved away hers."You don't understand what I felt, Kirigaya. It can't always be the same without her presence. You don't deserve to say that to me," Sayo finally let go of Touko's hands and moved back. "Lisa.. She's my everything."Sayo shut the door and left the place, while Rinko, who had been watching them fight, was confused by the things that had happened between Sayo and Touko."Apologies for the clutter, Rinko-san." Touko bowed to Rinko, and she have another seat. "Sayo-san truly sensitive when it comes about Lisa-san.""It's not wrong, It shown that Hikawa-san still loving Lisa-san and not changed even it comes to century." Rinko sip her tea and gazed to her hands. "I can feel how deep Hikawa-san loved her."Touko chuckled and she put the hand on waist. "You seem to really understand the people around you, what a unique human strength!" "A.. Ah no! It's clear to me when I saw Hikawa-san's eyes.. How it feels like.. She has been shouldering the burden alone for a long time. She prefers not to involve you in matters she considers her own responsibility." Touko smiled quietly and moved slowly from where she was sitting. Signals Rinko to come with her to meet someone."I'll take you to someone that knows her all this time. Perhaps we can got more information from her." "Eh? But who?""Just come with me! I promise you'll discover everything you want to know." Touko reached Rinko's hand and take her to somewhere at another district.Rinko gazed at her surroundings, which felt lively and peaceful. There was no unhealthy competition or sense of greed. Everything seemed straight and proper, showcasing different parts of the world with different stories. It felt like a dream or the imagination of an innocent child.They discovered an area abundant with coral, a vast expanse boasting breathtaking views and a hidden world, impervious to human greed yet instantly decimated by it.They came across the younger tealette sitting with a resolute expression, gazing at the vast expanse. Her bright eyes exuded determination and an unwavering desire for the kingdom's glory under the leadership of her eldest sister."Hina-san!!" Touko called her from a distance."Hmm? Touko-chan?" She turned back her head as she saw the blonde and raven-haired was there."Hehe! I think I arrived at the perfect moment!~" said Touko. Hina only answered with giggle and let them to approach closer for seat beside her."So, I'm thinking you didn't just randomly show up here. I'm kinda curious about what brought you to me." Hina swished her fingers and smiled with teeth shown to them. "Is this about my big sis?""Bravo!~ Yup it is!""You've come to the right person! So, what can I help you with? Oh, I don't believe I've caught your name yet.." Hina scratched her cheeks as her dragon tail, adorned with scales of iridescent green and gold, wagged gently behind her, its movement revealing a noticeable disability in the spiny dorsal fin."I'm Rinko. A pleasure to meet you, Hina-san.""No need to be formal with me! I'm not as serious as my older sister. So, what do you want to know, Rinko-chan?""Ah it's about.. Hikawa-san.. No, Sayo-san. May I ask you.. Are you the one who told Sayo-san to save me that night?" Rinko gazed and surprised when she just saw Hina's eyes widened but sooner turns out to burst laugh."Oh gosh! She made me as scapegoat!" Hina laughed until there's tears comes out from her eyes. "She's such a terrible liar!""Sayo-san told you that, Rinko-san?" Touko giggled too at Rinko. "Un.. She told me that.""She came by herself to help you that time, Rinko-chan. It didn't have correlation to me, I don't even know where she was that night."Rinko's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she uttered, "Eh? So she came without you even telling her anything?" As she spoke, she felt a peculiar tightness in her chest, a jumble of emotions suddenly swirling within her. Ached and relieved at some times, Rinko asked herself many times."She remain silent all time." Hina replied, simple and quick."I see.." Rinko's eyes softened and she touched the ring at her ring finger."But onee-chan tell me something after she saved you.. She said that she feel how you feels. Are you just about to married with someone?" Hina's face clearly looked to Rinko and she pointed to the ring of Rinko. "It is.. An arranged marriage precisely." Somehow whenever Rinko remembered it, the feelings was start to agitated and uncomfortable. Especially when she recalled the way Sayo ask at her that time when she just awaken from her faint."Onee-chan had strong belief that you should avoid marrying someone who exhibits traits of greed or destructiveness. Moreover, I have a sense that she may have been attentive to your deepest hopes and desires, if I am not mistaken..." Rinko chose to remain silent, though her heart was shaken by what Sayo's younger sister had said. She found a glimmer of hope in understanding Sayo's actions, knowing that it would take time to fully comprehend them.
Sayo was not fully hating humans.
"Maybe she noticed something in you that reminded her of Lisa-san. Despite your contrasting appearances, you and Lisa-san share similarities. Lisa-san has a deep love for nature and passionately defends it against those who seek to harm it." Touko smiled at Rinko. "I understand. It's heartening to hear that words. I have a profound love for nature and determination to protect it. Nature has always taken care of me, and I feel a deep responsibility to care for it to the best of my abilities, even if it means conflicting with those around me." Rinko's cheeks colored in flushy red, her heart feels warm after she know that she was doing the right things and atleast she wasn't alone though Lisa already passed away long time ago. The will and determination passed down from Lisa to the next generations and a blessing that Rinko inherited it.Hina let out a small laugh and she leaned back where she was sitting now. "Somehow, I feel like you can change my onee-chan to be more open. She is not someone who helps people easily without looking at their background or behavior. If she has helped you up to this point, I think my onee-chan has her own intentions towards you."Rinko replied with smile and nodded, "Would it be possible for me to help repair the damage at your tail, Hina-san?""Ah, you've noticed the damage at the tip of my tail," Hina said with a soft chuckle as she gently reached back and lifted her tail, exposing the worn and frayed dorsal surface to Rinko. "I would be immensely grateful for your help in repairing it. This damage has been a part of me for over a century, and I've never come across anyone willing to lend a hand in fixing it..""You don't need to worry, I will try to find a way to get it back to normal, even though it's not perfect.""It's okay if it's not perfect, just getting back to normal will be a huge relief for me. You're such a kind person, Rinko-chan." Hina expressed as she gently put her tail back and closed her eyes. "If only I had listened to onee-chan back then, maybe my tail would still be perfect, and she wouldn't have to harbor so much bitterness towards humans.""If you not mind, would you share or tell me what was happened back then?" Rinko's eyes are gazed in wide to Hina as she wondered to the stories of Hikawa twins's past.Hina didn't mind at all so she started to talk,"At that time, I was very stubborn and difficult to control, so our parents always put onee-chan to always go with me. They told us to not go to the surface where many humans were roaming around." Hina opened her eyes, narrowed a bit of it as it recalled her dark memories. "I acted far away, going to the surface because of my undue curiosity. I was caught by a human net that was binding and entangling my body, onee-chan chased me and tried to help."Rinko softly stroke Hina's back to calm her down and not pushed her to said more if she felt agitated or uncomfortable. But still, Hina want to finish the line she had made before."Our bodies were too small and weak to resist the net and the pull exerted by the humans on the large iron bowl humans used. I tried to pull my tail which was stuck but it was too difficult and my body was getting squeezed more and more by the pressure of the net. Time flies and as you can see, my dorsal fin was torn off at the main growth point."
Hence, her tail seems shorter compared to Hikawa-san's. It appears that it was truncated at the primary growth point, resulting in the cessation of its further growth.
Rinko thought of an idea and she started designing it for Hina's sake. She asked for help from Touko to provide some ingredients or options that she had narrowed down."Will you help me look for some of the required stuff for Hina-san, Kirigaya-san?" Rinko smiled softly and she can see Touko agreed to her without hesitation."Of course, If you need anything.. Morfonica ready to help!"Hina let out chuckled, "Damn, You even dragged Morfonica's name into this.""Well.. We, the orcas are friends of humans too. You can't blame us if it's one of the natural cycles. So don't hesitate if you need help from us to get materials. We can take you to the surface too if you want.. And if she allows..""I will try to use materials found in the sea first, if there is no best option, then I will go to land to look.""You are a very kind angel! I will also help you to look for or think about the small details, besides I'm not in the mood to practice with onee-chan!" Hina jumped out from her leaning position and her body was filled in excitement state."Wait.." Something flashed in Touko's head.Hina smirked and giving an annoying face."Don't tell me you're here because you ran away from her!?" Touko shout out loud and her face turns out to panic."Hehe, looks like I found out~""Oh damn.. You really brought death to us and yourself..""That's why I'm not deserving throne position!~" A panting voice appeared behind them with long teal hair and a faint dim golden horns on her head. She was a little tired with her mouth open for air, her eyes staring at the figure of her younger twin sister with a slightly annoyed look."What in the world you doing here?" She said firmly."Oh come on, are you going to continue like that? I was just discussing Rinko-chan's new and interesting things." Hina turned back and put her arms around Rinko. "She will help me repair my broken and torned tail."Sayo silenced a moment and her jade eyes moved to Rinko in menacing gaze, she will know of Rinko lie or no just from it sight."Is that true, Shirokane-san?"Rinko wouldn't lie, there would be no benefit for her if she lied to someone like Sayo. She answered honestly, "Yes it's true. I am the one who offered her to fix her tail with my own hands.""....."That stiff face suddenly relaxed and calmed down a little. However, she still looked a little annoyed at her younger sister."Tomorrow I will double your training time, today you can skip training, but not with tomorrow." "Hehe.. Okay~""By the way, she didn't create any new problems for you, right.. Shirokane-san?" A concern comes from Sayo."Ah no.. she didn't cause any trouble to me.""I see that's good.."Hina and Touko whistles around them and their faces looked like people were teasing or trying to pretend not to see."Stop that foolish act, you two.""Come on we just see the fun."