" bye. "
"Just a moment. I have something to say."
" huh? "
I think it's true. The mermaid in that photo and the man standing before me, Yoon Jeong-han, look exactly alike. There was a photo my father had shown me before: a mermaid covered in wounds and unconscious. He said he wanted to find her, and if he did, there was so much he wanted to learn about her, to research her, and to tell many people about her.
"I have something to ask you."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Are you a mermaid?"
I asked directly. Yoon Jeong-han's face was bewildered by my question. His hands wandered aimlessly through the air, his eyes darting about, his gaze wandering. What the heck? This reaction means he's a mermaid...
"Uh, how..."
"My father showed me a picture. A picture of a mermaid with a blue tail and a lot of scars on her body."
" ... "
"If those wounds were caused by my father, then I will apologize on his behalf. I am sorry."
" no... "
"My father is a researcher. He's a crazy person who will do anything to get what he wants until he gets it."
"I'll probably do anything to find you. I'll probably be looking for you in the middle of the ocean right now."
" ...! "
Yoon Jeong-han's eyes widened. He must be worried about his family. A mad researcher is out at sea, searching for him. If he makes a mistake, his family could be discovered. Yoon Jeong-han's hands trembled violently.
"I won't tell your father. Instead, go back to where you used to live."
" why, "
"If you stay here, both Dawon and Mingyu will be in danger."
"I don't want Dawon to be in danger. So go. For Dawon's sake."
" but, "
"Go back to the sea and never come up again. I'm saying this for your own good. If you don't want to die."
" ... "
"I think you understand."
He turned his back. One step, two steps, just as he was about to take a step, Yoon Jeong-han opened his mouth.
"I don't care if I get in danger."
" ... "
"I don't care if I die because I'm wrong."
" ... "
"Just because I'm here doesn't mean Dawon is in danger."
"Yoon Jeong-han,"
"If Dawon really gets in danger because of me, I will protect her."
"I will protect you at all costs."
" ... "
"I hate not being able to see Dawon more than dying."
"If Dawon dies, I will die too. I am confident that I will die for Dawon."
"Does that mean Dawon will be by your side in the future?"
"Yeah. I'll be by Dawon's side."
"Don't regret it."
It's annoying. That confident gaze. For some reason, I hate it. I hate this feeling. At first, I didn't want to tell my father about Yoon Jung-han. But now I want to tell him. Even if it puts Da-won in danger, I want to keep him away from Yoon Jung-han. I want them to drift apart.
I don't even know myself. I'm confused. I feel like I'm such a bad person. I hate myself for thinking so many things.
***
"Are you back? Let's prepare well."
" ... "
"Why are you so down? Did Kwon Soon-young say something weird?"
"Dawon. Can I sleep in Dawon's room?"
" what? "
***
I finally laid out the blanket on the floor in my room. Jeonghan has been giggling and laughing ever since, as if he's having a good time. I was worried because he seemed upset after he came out earlier. But now that I see him, he seems fine, which is a relief.
"I'll turn off the lights."
" huh. "
The room was filled with darkness. Only moonlight illuminated my room. Jeonghan, who had been tossing and turning for a while, spoke to me, perhaps wondering something.
"Why do mermaids and humans live separately?"
"First of all, their appearances are different. And their habitats are different. Mermaids live in the sea, humans live on land."
"Then why don't humans and mermaids get along well?"
"What are you talking about? You and I are close."
"Not us. Other mermaids and people. Mermaids hate humans."
"Don't worry about that. As long as you and I are happy, that's enough."
"But... humans are too curious... and too greedy."
"... That can't be helped... People are beings full of curiosity and desire."
"Humans will do anything to get what they want."
"This is too much..."
"What happened with Kwon Soon-young earlier?"
" ... "
I didn't say anything. The atmosphere was tense. What did Kwon Soon-young say to Jeong-han? What did she hear that made Jeong-han act like this? I wondered. As I gradually became accustomed to the darkness, I peeked out of bed and looked down at Jeong-han, who was sleeping on the floor.
" ... "
He lay with his back turned to me. His shoulders were shaking. I could hear him sobbing, as if he was trying to hold back tears. Why was Jeonghan so sad? I couldn't easily offer words of comfort. All I could do was pretend not to notice.
***
"You're early."
"I have to go out again at 10 o'clock. I came here to rest for a bit."
I was eating breakfast when my father came in. These days, he seems to live in the middle of the ocean, on a boat, never coming home. As soon as I saw him, I remembered what had happened with Yoon Jeong-han. Should I say... well... the mermaid he's looking for is at Da-won's...
"That's right, you've never seen the mermaid that Dad showed you back then, right?"
What should I do? I'll be honest. In a short time, I've had countless thoughts and concerns. If I tell my father about Yoon Jeong-han's whereabouts, he'll be able to rest easy.
Papa papapa rapapa...
Ahem,
What should I do... I think I'm screwed...
More than 20 comments!