When people said not to bring strangers to your home, they were absolutely right. I shouldn't have brought this guy here. Ever since he woke up, he's been spouting nonsense. I can't believe he just kissed me! On the top of that he claims to be a merman?
Do I look like a joker?
" Don't you dare to change the topic! How dare you kiss me like that. Wait! Did you take drugs or something?" With blazing eyes, I roared at him. My hostility was still on peak.
" No. I'm telling the truth. I can prove it." Like a little puppy he replied with his deep blue eyes. His voice is meek.
" Hah! Right, like I will give you a chance. Get the hell outta here. I don't want to see your face!" I'm not falling for his pitiful face. Nuh-uh! Not after what he just did. Others may consider getting kissed by a hot stranger as a blessing but not me. It's an assault. I won't tolerate it.
" Please, listen to me once. I'm not lying. Let me prove it." He begged me. His words may seem unbelievable but he looks honest.
" Get out." I pointed at the door.
" Please. Just once!" His eyes were almost on the verge of tears. It made me soften my choleric heart.
" Okay fine. Although I'm sure nothing's gonna happen either way."
" Do you have a bathtub?"
" Yeah?"
" Take me there." I'm such an idiot for listening to him. What if he does something up there? My eyes fell on the kitchen knife. I quickly grabbed it.
" What's that for?" With a scared tone, he asked.
" Shut up! Just keep walking." I pointed the tip at him, while telling him to walk forward. We reached the bathroom.
" Umm.... wait outside." He locked the bathroom door. I waited outside still holding the knife. Few seconds later he calls for me, " Come in."
Oh my god!
When I entered the bathroom, I was instantly stunned by the scene. Half of his body has tuned into a fish tail. A freaking fish tail!!! That moment made me completely, utterly, shocked and speechless. I could literally faint seeing such incredible sight. His pant was laying on the floor. He still had his shirt on which is drenched by the water.
" W-what are you?" My voice came off like a whisper. I went closer to the bathtub. His tail has the purple colour just like his hair, contrasted by the green, blue scales. It's so pretty. It's just like a fish although I have never seen such marvellous fish in my whole life.
He's like a creature from the fairy tale.
" I'm from the fish clan but your people call us Mermaids. We live deep inside the ocean." He stared at me with his brooding eyes, waiting for me to accept this madness.
" How did you come here?" My curiosity was making me dig more into this strange phenomenon.
" Mermaid have been coming to the human world from a long time. They even started to live here disguising themselves as humans. But I was born with a weak body. That's why mother and father never allowed me to come here. I really wanted to see the human world. So, I snuck in with some other mermaids. Sadly I lost my way and it led me here. Our language is different than yours. Although we have an special ability. If we kiss someone, we will learn their language." His explanation is making sense to me. But then again, if he has that sort of ability, he might be capable of doing something sinister.
" Oh! That's why you kissed me."
" Yes. I had no ill intentions."
" Okay. So, can you return home?"
" No. That's why I'm telling you to help me."
" Wait, wait, wait. Why me?"
" Because you saved me from the ocean. If you wanted to harm me, you could have done it earlier. That's why I decided to tell you about my origin. In the ancient times, mermaids used to hunt humans. But now, humans have advanced a lot. If they find us, they'll lock us up and do scary experiments."
At this moment I realised how scared he was. He was frightened after being lost into the ocean. He can't even return to his home. There's no way that he's faking all of it. It's crystal clear to me that this guy needs my help. I'm gonna bet my luck with it.
" I don't think I can really help you." I told him with hesitation. The decision was perplexing. My words made him frightened. Suddenly he grabbed my waist. This made my heart skipped a beat. I frantically tried to free myself from his grip. But he kept on pleading me for help.
" Please, help me. I don't want to become a test subject. I beg you. Please, please, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee!" His grip was strong although it didn't caused me any pain. He was certainly mindful of my well-being.
" Okay,okay! Calm down. Let go of me." Finally I agreed to let him stay. Hearing about the confirmation, he freed me from his grip.
" Thank you." He said with a bright cheerful smile. My T-shirt got wet. I have to change it soon or else I'll catch cold. Leaving him in the bathroom, I went to change my tee. When I was done, I begun to look for some clothes for the guy. Oh... I still haven't asked his name. Anyway I'll ask him after finding the clothes. Sadly there was none in my room. I retuned to the bathroom.
" Uhh.... What's your name?" I asked him with a chuckle. I was so preoccupied with the whole thing that I forgot to ask for his name.
" Aalto." The smile in his face remains same as it was before. He was really worried about the situation just like I was. Now that I agreed to help him, he became calmed.
" Okay, Aalto. I'm Hyeon. For now you can live with me, but it's not free. You'll have to work in my cafe." I can't let him live here for free. Beside it's better if he works here in my watch. That way he can stay safe.
" Okay Hyeon." He happily agreed. I picked up Aalto's pant which was laying on the bathroom floor. It had the size tag. This clothes seems to be made in our world. I should ask Kyong for some clothes. He lives around the neighbourhood. I have known him since my middle school.
" Aalto, here's a towel. Dry yourself with it. I'll go get some clothes for you. So, wait here." I handed him a towel. He's been in the water for a long time. This can make him ill.
" I'm fine. I'll stay in the tub." He shook off his hand, saying that he doesn't need it.
" Won't you catch cold?" Raising my eyebrow, I asked.
" We prefer to stay in water." His answer was very reasonable. How come I didn't think of it?
" Of course you do. After all you're a fish." I rolled my eyes upwards. Basically Aalto is half fish and half human. He's a timid guy. He can't do poker face. His expressions are easy to read. He's someone who can't even raise his voice. Still, there's a possibility of fluctuations. Maybe not now but in future. Even so I'm ready to take the risk.
~ to be continued