Chapter Text
Hanako never liked the ocean much, she couldn't swim and it was always horribly cold. Once when she was little, she fell into water. It stung so terribly, it burned the back of her throat and made her numb. She wonders if she would've died if her sister hadn't jumped in and saved her.
Bottom line: the ocean is shit.
And yet...why the hell was she staring at it? Hanako's soft dark locks blew lightly in the breeze, salty air filling her lungs. Some people might consider the gentle shimmer of the sun reflecting off the waves calming or beautiful, but it didn't touch Hanako much however.
Gripping a fistful of her thin white dress, she sighed. Tsuki was probably worried about her, wondering where she had ran off to. Her sister wouldn't find her here, it was the least likely spot for her to be, and that's why Hanako chose it. She wanted to be alone.
*splish*
Splashing....?
*splash*
Turning her head, she noticed a bit of sploshing in the water. Sand crunched underneath her red sandals as she walked hesitantly over to the commotion. She would be able to get a better vantage point if she crawled onto a cluster of rocks not too far away. Almost slipping on the slick surface, she groaned. What was she doing? It could be a shark for all she knew! Wait, do sharks even come this close to shore? Hanako jolted as a large fish-like tail sprung out of the water.
Okay, definitely not a shark.
It was cream colored and frilly, the tips a lovely shade of teal green. It kinda reminded her of a delicate fish, something you would see in an aquarium tank, the size was odd however. Another splash, closer to her this time, causing her to flinch a bit, almost losing her balance on the rock.
Wait a second...
Was that a hand...?
No it couldn't be, that's dumb.
Oh shit, whatever it was, it was swimming towards her. Water spraying over Hanako, she squinted her eyes as the thing splashed out of the ocean. She had to be dreaming or something, she must've fallen asleep.
Ruby red eyes gleamed at her, a cute grin spread across soft pink lips. Fluffy cream colored hair fell gracefully down small porcelain shoulders, ending in blueish-green tips. A girl, no wait, a mermaid stared at Hanako with jewel-like eyes.
"You're ankles are so thin!"
Stumbling for words, Hanako clawed at her dress, what on earth was going on! Her cheeks flushed a bit at the complement, she assumed it would be rude to ignore the fish girl.
"T-thank you....?"
"Of course! I wish I had beautiful slim ankles, but I'm stuck with this thick tail!"
"I think it's v-very pretty."
An akward smile spread across her face as the mermaid giggled, obviously flattered. Now almost face-to-face with Hanako, she rested her arms in the edge of the large rock. "You're sweet. What's your name?" She spoke softly. Blinking, Hanako neared a bit closer to the girl. "You can call me Hanako..." The fish girl laughed.
"That's a cute name."
"What's yours?"
"Yashiro Nene."
"Can I call you Yashiro?"
Nene nodded, reaching out her wet hand to Hanako, who reluctantly grasped it. "Can we be friends?" The mermaid said, tilting her head coyly to the side. Not thinking much, the dark haired girl awkwardly smiled. If she was dreaming, she might as well have fun."Y-yeah!" What was she doing messing around like this? She didn't know anything about this creature, yet....she wanted to protect her.
A strange feeling pooled deep in her stomach, her head burning like sugar. Gods Nene's eyes were so shiny, and her hair so silky and long. She looked like a model out of the gravure magazines she and Tsuki (weren't supposed to) read, flawless and adorable. Her chest was adorned in a pure white lacy top, cropped right above her stomach.
This couldn't be real-
"Hana chan!!!"
Sand flinging out from under her pink sneakers, a girl with long black hair and yellow overalls ran towards Hanako. "Where the hell have you been?! Mama's been worried sick!!" She shouted, angry and concerned. Glancing frantically, Hanako frowned at the absence of the mermaid. Oh well, she must've woken up (somehow). Crawling off the rock, she attempted not to make eye contact with her twin. How stupid she was to think something so childish as mermaids would actually exist.
"I-I, um..."
"Let's go home!"
"B-but Tsu-"
"Butts are for pooping!!"
"Wha!?-"
Yanking her hand, Tsuki pulled Hanako along with her, her sister struggling to keep up. "I'm hungry, and Mama's making pork cutlets for dinner so hurry up!!" One more minute, Tsuki could've waited one more minute, let Hanako dream a bit longer.
Now Nene was gone....
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"Why were you at the beach earlier? You haaaate the ocean!"
Tsuki stood in her pajamas brushing her obnoxiously long locks. Sighing, Hanako kicked her legs off her bed. "I dunno... goofing off I guess..." Sitting down next to her sister, the long haired girl pouted. "I was worried y'know." She said softly, expression not unlike a lost puppy's.
"Want me to brush your hair?"
"Sure..."
Running her hands through Hanako's bob, she hummed a tune. "It's growing out nicely." She used to have hair as long as Tsuki's, until about a year ago some annoying neighbor boys cut most of it off, just to be assholes. It was growing quickly, but it would be a while before it would be restored to it's prior length.
Brushing softly, Tsuki sung mellowly as she worked on her sister's hair. Closing her eyes, Hanako let herself almost fall asleep, gods she was so tired. She wondered if she'd ever she that mermaid again, or if Nene was even real.
It was all fake...
How foolish she was...
"Alllll done!~"
Holding up her fists proudly, Tsuki giggled annoyingly, her sister blank faced. "You look just like a princess now!!" She said as she crawled into her bed. "I'll brush it again tomorrow!!" With a click of the lamp, the room was filled with darkness, startling Hanako. The short haired girl sighed. "That isn't necessary-"
"Nighty-night Hana chan!!"
"G'night Tsu...."
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