Chapter Text
Natsume swam closer, “This is impossibLE, he shouldn’t be aliVE. They carried out the magical spell just fiNE, and it clearly stated that either of them has to dIE.”
“Well, he is, he is still dying”, Wataru pointed out, “Just not right now, because I am sharing my life-energy with him.”
“Why?” Eichi asked, and to his own surprise his voice didn’t sound as weak and fragile anymore. His hand immediately covered his mouth, surprised by the power of his voice.
Wataru smiled happily, “Why not. Didn’t I say that love is the solution? I loved how enthusiastic you were about finally being able to perform. I loved how you just did everything possible to reach your goal. I don’t think you deserve fighting against your disease for so long and then just disappear like this. You deserve at least some glamorous moments in the spotlight. And, let’s face it, in the end I have to thank you for breaking the spell. If you hadn’t carried out this plan, I would still be sitting on a tree and listening to the gossip of the other birds. Awful, never tell them anything, they can’t keep anything to themselves. They are not chirpring or singing, they are gossiping. And judging.”
“I don’t understand that. Actually I don’t understand anything of what you have just said”, Eichi admitted.
“For the first time I am with him”, Shu agreed, “So you lied to all of us? All this time? And more importantly, you betrayed me.”
“Shu, how hurtful your words are!” Dramatically Wataru let himself fall into the water, only to emerge right away again, “I would never betray you. I simply collected a lot of information. From all sources.”
Eichi stretched out his hand – just like Shu his body had returned to normal. Just like Shu, he touched his own body, still in shock that he had been spared being absorbed by the glass sphere. And on top of it, his voice was a normal voice now.
“How does this even woRK”, Natsume asked surprised, pointing at Eichi, “You cannot stop the speLL. His life-energy is still drainED.”
“It is”, Wataru agreed, “But as I said, I connected our lives. Just think of Eichi as a glass, with a hole in it – his life-energy is constantly flowing out. However I am pouring my own life-energy into his glass. So even though energy is leaving him, as long as I pour myself into him, he is fine.”
“But that means you will run out of your own life-energy as well?” Eichi asked, absolutely flabbergasted.
Wataru turned his head, “Well, yes. Eventually. But I’m a magician, I still have a lot left. We will get to live some years, don’t worry about that. And when it’s time, we just go together.”
Eichi shook his head, “I really don’t understand this. Why would you do this?”
Wataru laughed, “Well, maybe I am just happy to be a merman again. Or maybe I just want to be nice. Maybe I want to do something out of love. Maybe my dearest Shu and his little prince need someone to compete to – if you and I team up as a unit, we can sing better than these two.”
Shu snorted, slowly getting up from the beach, “After what you have done, I don’t think I want to see or hear from you ever again. You have betrayed me.” Mika looked confused, but he got up as well, clinging to Shu’s arm though.
Wataru sighed, “Good thing I have more trust in you, than you in me. Who do you think called the little prince here down to the beach when you were stranded on your first day? That was me! And then I was spying on you two, for one and a half days, until I nearly gave up. And as I figured you were not going to fall in love with the little chaotic prince, I flew to the city yesterday to get the blond prince here. You can ask Rei, I met him on the way there.”
“That is true, we did fly into each other.”
“Wuah!” Mika screamed when suddenly Rei’s voice spoke behind him. Just in time he transformed from a bat into a human, elegantly landing beside them.
“Did I also curse ya?!” Mika asked surprised.
Rei laughed, “Oh no, you didn’t. My story is a bit different, though not entirely unrelated to you – and especially not to Shu, who is actually a very close friend of mine. Also, we already know each other, though I have never introduced myself before.”
“Ah! Yer the one who comes to visit me at night!”
“Correctly. I’m Rei, Ritsu’s brother. Thanks for taking care of him.”
“Nice to finally meet ya!”
“Excuse me”, Shu stomped, “Can we please have the introductions later, I think we have more important topics right here at hand.”
“Oh, right”, Mika ducked his head, “Sorry.”
Wataru took a dramatical pause, “Thank you, Shu. I already felt ignored. So I flew to the city and wanted to get the blond boy for you. And then, when I saw him at the castle this morning, laughing and fooling around with three rabbit friends, I knew it. I just knew it.”
“You knew what?” Shu asked, his patience already long but over.
“That you were never in love with him”, Wataru finally said, “I knew that he would never make you happy. And so the only solution was that you just needed a bit more time until you realized that the right one had been under your nose for all this time. Or up on the balcony. Truth is, you had fallen in love with prince Mika the first time you had heard him singing already. I had two options, grab the blondie and fly back and make you see that it was not love, or trust you, that you would realize it soon enough. And you did! You really cut it close though, phew! You had me sweating in my feathers.”
Shu grunted. That didn’t explain why he was close with Eichi though. Though he wondered why Wataru had really had so much trust in him – not even Shu had so much trust in himself, not when it came to feelings. He didn’t think Wataru was lying though – he had been missing since yesterday afternoon, and had just arrived in time before the sun set. And yes, he had always been a bit eccentric, but he had also always been loyal. And in the end, he had helped him, and Mika.
“So why did I curse ya?” Mika asked to break the silence, still totally shocked by that simple statement.
“Well, that is a long story”, Wataru sighed, “But the night is still young, and why not tell you all about the tragedy that I have caused and that my life has become. Also to give you a fair warning. Yes, I was known as the Master, as our little Natsume boy had already pointed out. Back then I was known for my magical skills all through the ocean. No magician could match my skills, and well. I can’t sugarcoat it, I got cocky. Using magic is like playing with fire. It can be beautiful, but never forget it’s dangerous. Fair warning to everyone present, because you were all way too naive about it – and you were all lucky in the end.”
“Wataru, you are not getting to the point”, Shu muttered.
“I hate to agree with him, but yes”, Eichi sighed.
Wataru smiled happily, “Oh, right. Yes. So 20 years ago, there was this sweet lovely human. She was really a beauty, long black wavy hair and the bluest eyes I had ever seen – no offence here Eichi – but what I loved most about her, was her voice. She sang so beautifully, every single night. Such a sad song about unrequited love though. She would walk at the beach – the one close to the city – and sing. Even though it was forbidden to get close to humans, I just wanted to hear her song, every night. At one point – and this is where I got cocky – I thought it was unfair that she was so unhappily in love. She was stunning, she had a beautiful voice, why shouldn’t the other person love her. Why shouldn’t she lead a happy life and sing happy songs to entertain me? And so I used a magical spell, that her love would be requited.”
Wataru took at deep breath, “And this is where I royally messed up. You know the rules, don’t you, Natsume boy? What did I do wrong?”
Natsume raised his eyebrows, “You couldn’t control this speLL. You didn’t know what would happEN.”
“Exactly”, Wataru sang, “Once spoken, the spell was out in the wild and couldn’t be taken back. I had failed to inform myself before with whom the poor woman had been in love with – with none other but the king. The married king.”
“Ah”, Shu nodded, “I can see where this is going.”
Wataru sighed deeply, “Well, yeah. When I figured it out, it was already too late. A spell can’t be taken back. So what happened was that the king suddenly returned her love and then… well. He happened.” He pointed at Mika.
Mika looked so confused, Shu feared he would have to explain it to him later in detail.
“And well, my spell caused even more trouble. Not only did an illegitimate child exist now, but also the woman died shortly after giving birth. Which meant the king was no longer under the influence of the spell. He awoke from the spell, and suddenly had a child with a woman, who was dead, and whom he had never loved.”
“That’s why he hated me, hu”, Mika asked.
“It’s not that I can justify his actions”, Wataru tried to explain, “But he didn’t understand how this could have happened. He didn’t recognize his own past actions. And he lost the trust and love of his wife, whom he had loved very dearly. He didn’t hate you as much as he hated himself – and still does. The only one who felt sorry for your very existence was your brother. And so, as my spell had caused nothing but pain, I was cursed to live as a gull, watching over you until you would find true happiness.”
“That’s why ya were always there when I had food”, Mika finally noticed.
“Right. I thought why not have something out of it”, Wataru laughed, “But I was bound to this curse until your existence was finally justified.”
“I don’t get that”, Mika admitted.
“Just as I said earlier, little prince. Love is always the answer. Someone had to love you”, Wataru winked at Shu, “So actually Shu broke the spell, but then Eichi had started the plan, so I actually have to thank him as well. Let’s just say you all three worked really well together and now I am finally myself again.”
Shu shook his head. Somehow this was all still a bit too much, even for him. He still felt a bit betrayed, by the whole story.
Eichi sighed deeply, “So at the end you were just trying to turn back into a merman and you used me for this?”
“As if I would ever use you!” Wataru dramatically raised his arms to the sky, “Why does everyone think I am betraying or using them? I did no such thing! All I did was befriend the both of you. I knew Shu was unhappy in the ocean and was longing to be a human. I knew the prince was lonely and wanted company, and I knew you wished for nothing more than to have a voice and lead the life of a performer. You came up with the plan, all I did was listen to it and maybe adjust it a bit here and there, giving you the information you needed. In the end I knew everyone could reach happiness in this story, and didn’t that work out?”
“By sheer luck”, Shu and Eichi said at the same time.
Wataru laughed, “Well. There is a little friend, who might have given his blessings to all of this.”
Shu sighed even more. Kanata. Now, could this even get worse.
“I don’t get that”, Mika muttered. Why wasn’t Shu surprised. He would have to introduce him to Kanata tomorrow, but it was already dark and Mika’s vision got worse.
“So actually all ends well?” Wataru asked, “Why are you all so down?”
“I don’t know if it ends well”, Eichi said, “I still don’t really get what you want from me. What do I have to do to keep this body and my voice?”
“Just perform with me, every night”, Wataru said, “That’s all that I want.”
“There is a catch?”
“Well, you have to live with me being around you, all the time now.”
Eichi sighed deeply, “That does sound a bit like a catch, I can’t deny that.” He did smile though – for the very first time genuinely.
“What about Natsume”, Shu asked, “The rumours that Tenshouin had started? How will he be able to live peacefully under water if I can’t protect him anymore?”
“I will do that”, Wataru immediately offered, “People know I am a magician, but they are too scared of me to threaten me. I will say Natsume covered my grand return, so no one will go after him anymore.”
“You don’t have to do thAT”, Natsume pouted, “I can protect myseLF.”
“You are still a little boy, of course I will do that.”
“We also still have to talk”, Shu said, pointing at Natsume, “I do have a lot of questions regarding a frog and a bat. And that you didn’t help me turning into a human.”
Natsume swam closer, “I knOW. But I foolishly thought at one point you would be satisfiED. I was selfiSH, I didn’t want you to leaVE.”
Shu took a step closer to the ocean, but Mika held him back.
“No, Oshi-san! Don’t go back to the ocean!”
“I am not”, Shu scolded, “I already told you I will live with you.”
“Ya will?”
Shu grunted, “We will have a long talk about that, but yes I will live with you at the castle. But not like this, I hope you know that. Even if we live here isolated from other humans, there is no reason that the castle has to be rundown like this. You can clean! Also! Windows are there to be opened every once in a while and let fresh air into the castle!”
“But then there would be the same air inside an’ outside?” Mika blinked.
“That’s the point!” Shu already felt getting impatient with him. Well, they would have a long way to go.
“Fu fu! Poor Mika”, Rei laughed, “It was quieter when he couldn’t speak.”
Mika laughed, “I don’t mind being scolded by Oshi-san! I really like him angry! He looks a bit funny, don’t cha think?”
Shu sighed deeply. Maybe he should consider going back to the ocean after all. He bent down, to be at the same level as Natsume.
“It is forbidden to get into contact with humans, but I don’t remember a rule about staying in contact with former mermen”, Shu said.
“Because there is no such rule.” The strict voice came from someone, who only emerged from the water now.
“Saying goodbye to me?” Shu asked, surprised that Keito even cared to show up.
“If only I could”, Keito said, “I thought it was polite to give you a fair warning though. We still have three caves of confiscated goods you had collected all over the years. As you are officially moving to the castle now, I thought it would only be fair if you took all that trash with you.”
His treasures! The artefacts he had collected all over the years! Actually, that was not a bad idea. The castle was so empty. And even though it wouldn’t be everything they needed, but they would at least get something back – some art to display! Some pots. Some cutlery.
“I think I can live with that”, Shu snorted. He would never show his gratitude.
“Then Kuro will take care of that tomorrow”, Keito said before disappearing into the water again. Kuro groaned loudly.
Shu laughed, offering his hand for his little friend.
“You are still not speaking?”
Kuro leant closer to his face, “Just wanted to make sure he can be trusted. He won’t eat me, right?”
Shu smirked, “Actually he just confided in me earlier that he wants to learn how to cook. Maybe you would like to be our first guest?”
Splash!
Kuro had jumped into the ocean. Shu giggled. But Kuro had already shown his soft side to Mika before. He was sure they would become friends fast, especially with how welcoming Mika was to everyone around him.
“I think it’s time for me to go as weLL”, Natsume said.
“You know where you can find me”, Shu whispered, “No matter when you need me.”
“Same goes to yOU. I won’t be able to use some magic spells any time soon thouGH, I want to keep it low and not attract any attentiON, even with the Master arouND. There is a lot we have to cover up for nOW, so I hope you are content with the life you haVE.”
“I am”, Shu said with a firm voice, “But can you tell my grandfather where I am? I know it was unfair what I did to my family, but I at least want them to know that I am doing well.”
“Actually Kiryu-kun has already told your family what has happened”, Eichi said, “The audience believed that it had been my voice all along and you had just been a stand-in, but your family couldn’t be fooled. So Kiryu-kun told them the truth. They didn’t expose the secret, so I suppose they are supportive of your decision.”
Shu nodded. That did sound like his family. They were never close, but they would never be in the way of each other’s happiness.
Shu waved Natsume goodbye – and maybe Wataru – when they disappeared into the ocean.
Mika had waited for him, unable to see anything as the night had set. A pity, the sky was really pretty.
“Let us go home as well”, Shu said, offering his arm to Mika.
“Now ya have to guide me”, Mika giggled, accepting his arm.
Rei took his other hand, so that he wouldn’t stumble.
“Don’t cha want to live with us as well?” Mika asked, “Yer brother is already livin’ with me, an’ we have lots of spare rooms!”
“Actually I already live in your attic”, Rei admitted, “Thank you for letting me stay there, unbeknownst to you though.”
“Oh… but wouldn’t a room be nicer though? I’m sure Oshi-san an’ I can make a nice room fer ya.”
“Just accept it Rei”, Shu muttered, “You are not getting out of this.”
“Seems like it”, Rei laughed, “But fate could be worse than living in a castle with my brother and two friends.”
“It needs a name though”, Shu said, “Just calling it the rundown castle is beneath its dignity.”
“Oh, it actually has!” Mika exclaimed, “Nazuna-nii had told me! It’s name is Valkyrie.”
“Valkyrie”, Shu repeated, “Hmm. I like that. Let’s go back then, to our home.”
Mika giggled happily, “Right! Valkyrie ‘s our home now! Yers and mine!”
It was definitely not the life that Shu had imagined, but he didn’t regret anything. There would be a lot of work needed until it would meet his expectations, but at the same time he was looking forward to all of that. He and Mika would create Valkyrie, better than it had ever been before. Walking side by side with Mika, he knew they would be able to do it. If they just took one step after another, just like he had learnt how to walk. And he would start right away with the transformation of Valkryie.
That night was the very first time, that two voices could be heard from Valkyrie’s balcony.
“Tica-linga-lira.”
“Tica-linga-lira.”