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The dreamy sea beats a soothing pulse all through the night. There is no storm charging by, no dolphins jumping mid-air, no boats marching on. There isn’t even a speck of trash floating around like a sore sight.
Waves sluggishly drench on the cold, moon glow-gold sand. A gentle wind blows through your hair as you step forward to the slumbering sea. Your toes wiggle into the wet sand, the cold water slipping around the bare ankles and bowing away seconds later.
Small stones juggle in your left hand. They are flat and weigh no more than a tennis ball. After searching far and wide on this beach, you settled on the best ones to make the skips easier. In your opinion, the triangular rocks are better than the circular ones. Running your fingers along the first stone, you feel the rough texture prickling your soft skin.
It’s perfect.
Back is straight, your body slightly turns, and your right hand is firm. Breathing through your nose, you raise the stone and release it low against the water. The rock bounces five times before the ocean eats the mineral snack. Your throws continue until there is one stone left. Gripping on the last rock, you chuck out to the sea with full force. Instead of landing on the water, it hits a stranger's head by accident.
“Ow!”
You skitter back like a frightened cat. Millions of questions run through your head as you wonder why a stranger is swimming out so late. While scavenging for rocks, you never saw a single towel nor came across another person on the beach. Not letting your guard down, you cautiously approach the shoreline with nothing to defend yourself.
“Hey!” The head turns, and you slightly jump. “I get you wanna take a deep swim, but it’s dark outside, and I’m no lifeguard, buddy! So come out of the water before something happens to you.”
“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart!” Great, a cocky guy; you resist an eye roll. “Gotta say, that was a mean throw, though.”
“I’ll give you another one if you don’t get your ass out of the water, hotshot!”
“Feisty, huh?” He disappears underwater, and you panic. Did something pull him? Is he drowning? Will he end up on the shore dead? A curse escapes into the silent night as you prepare to dive in and save this dumbass. Well, that was your plan until his head pops up again, this time much closer to you. Your scream pierces his eardrum. “Okay, ow! Can you please stop hurting me?”
You point at him. “Get out of the water, bro!”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t?” Disgust dawns on your face as you recoil away. “Oh my god, are you nude?”
“What? No!”
“Then get out of the water.”
“I told you, I can’t.”
“So, you’re nude then.”
“I’m not—” He sucks in an agitated breath; you fight back a laugh. Your eyes wander around the man’s statuesque figure that gives Apollo a run for his money. His face is perfectly symmetrical and structured, which makes you cry. It should be a crime to have a chiseled jawline that sharp. You are sure it could cut through the most robust diamonds on Earth. God certainly had his favorites.
However, it's his eyes that reel you in like a fisherman who captured their winning prize. Every shade of brown, from a rich copper red to the sweetest batch of dark cocoa powder, swirls inside. A hint of gold glimmers when they become mischievous.
A coy smile entertains his lips. “Like what you see?”
Water splashes on him.
“Very original,” you deadpan as he wipes a hand down his face. Cocking your head, you give him a curious stare. “Now, who are you, nude boy?”
“The name’s Yo Shindou,” he answers, and you see ripples move across the water. A long tail emerges from below like an elegant dancer. An armor of shark scales covers the entire length and shines with a vibrant emerald color. You nearly miss the faint black streaks running along the tail. Plopping down on the sand, you gape at the mesmerizing piece of art. “I’m a merman, and before you ask: yes, the tail is real.”
“You’re a mermaid?!”
“Merman!”
“My bad.” A shaky hand runs through your hair. “Well…this isn’t how I expected to spend my Saturday night.”
“And I didn’t expect to get hit by a rock.”
“Oh shut up, you’re a merman. You’ll live.” As the waves hummed, a chilly air swoops through your light cardigan to remind you that it’s bedtime. Standing up, you grimace at the damp circles staining your kneecaps—damn merman. Sighing, you throw Shindou a weak two-finger salute. “Adios, magical fish.”
“Wait a minute!” Shindou protests from his spot. You spin around on your heels, the sole of your shoes digging into the heavy sand. Two hands shove inside the cardigan’s pockets as you arch an eyebrow at the guy. He might not feel cold, but you sure are. “What’s your name?”
“Come back tomorrow without getting hit by my stone and I’ll tell ya.”
“It’s a date then,” Shindou flirts without missing a beat. You’re a sputtering mess as you vehemently deny his statement. He finds you incredibly endearing for someone living above the surface. The soft blush on your cheeks does not go unnoticed by him. “Farewell, feisty human!”
“You know what!” Hands frantically search on the empty shore for rocks. Shindou retreats underwater to avoid the asteroids flying his way. Air bubbles surround him as he quickly spots you through the shimmering surface thanks to his heightened vision. He smiles like an idiot. You’re definitely his favorite human so far.
Shindou swims away, but you hear his cackles echo into the silent sky like a haunting song from a humpback whale. A stone fumbles across the sandy beach after giving it a good kick. You trek back home, not bothering to hide the soft grin cracking on your face.
“Stupid merman.”