Chapter 1
People tend to want so many things.
And yet they won't even try to gain it, because they're afraid of failing at it.
[My heart pours out for you like a waterfall.
Praying you'll get to feel even the smallest drop of its downpour.]
This was a poem I had made in my free time. It was really nothing in particular.
At least not to me.
“Wow, how romantic! You're really good at writing, you know that, Yuujin?”
Words that aimed to raise me high only pushed me down.
Because I couldn't relate to a single word written down.
I wasn't much of a hopeless romantic like most.
“Well, she sure has talent. But definitely not the looks” another friend responded.
Teasing words that I could only see as the truth.
It's not as if I was special.
I surely didn't have the looks to get
Through life.
The two seemed to banter on for hours and hours and yet I felt so disconnected.
I'd respond sometimes. But it never felt genuine. Like I was never really there.
I had always felt that way I guess.
Like I was just an obligation for the world to fill out.
Was it normal to feel this empty?
It's not like I've ever been attached to anything.
Well…
There is a star shore.
It's a nice place to be around.
I'd always go there when I was younger to clear my mind in the sand.
I could barely pay attention to the sound of people on the deck.
The waves were too loud for me to care.
It was nice to look at and it would glow in the dark sometimes.
The water that would surround my feet felt warm.
Like, if I went deeper, it would just hug me.
Sometimes I swear I could hear it sing to me. Begging me to get lost in its depths for as long as I wanted.
But how could I?
People said it was only nice to look at because it was dangerous.
So for years, I was always afraid of getting too close.
If I had gone in, I'd be pulled down and I couldn't go back.
What if it were cold in those depths?
…
Today I saw a lady by the shore.
I was just about to set up the stand for our store when I saw her there.
She looked so pretty from afar.
Like a view that you'd never want to look away from.
Her hair flowed through the air so calmly, as if matching the waves of the ocean.
A fancy foreigner in a gorgeous dress standing by the ocean like a dream.
I couldn't help but be even the slightest bit entranced by her.
I guess it was pretty obvious. Since I did get scolded by my boss to work faster.
And I wasted no time getting work done just for a bit of free time.
The moment I finished setting up the tables I walked down to the shoreline just to get a better view.
I suppose she noticed. Turning towards me once she realized I was there.
“Hello, is there something you need from me?”
She asked, her voice soft spoken and clear.
And yet her eyes seemed dark. A blue so empty it felt cold.
“I-im sorry! I've never really seen you before so I got curious. “ I couldn't help but feel guilty for bothering her. She seemed to be lost in something. And yet I came along to ruin it.
She chuckled softly at me.
“It's quite fine. I don't mind the intrusion.”
I stood there for a moment unsure how to really respond to her.
Yet I gained enough courage to reply.
“You shouldn't go too far, there's a rumor that sirens will pull you into the water if you go in too deep”
I fidgeted with my fingers slightly as she stared at me with intrigue.
“Really?” she stepped closer towards me, the sound of sand on the ground making my mind spin.
This was the first time I had truly paid attention to a person.
“Yeah… someone said an old Fisher disappeared just a week ago. It's been a common occurrence every year.”
“I see, that's a shame. I was just about to sing to the sea.”
It was a strange thing to hear. I know of festivals that would dance for the rain, but I've never heard someone who would sing for the sea
“You… you were?”
“Yes. So that it would tell the moon what I said.”
She was a strange woman but I suppose that strangeness was also a charm.
“We'll… I guess concerts are a thing. If you want you can sing at the docks. Our stand needs more customers so a singing lady wouldn't be too bad.” I scratched the side of my neck nervously.
To be honest, it was just a bit of an excuse to see her again.
“Very well then, when should I show up? It would be improper not to show up on time.”
She grabbed a shell from the ground, grabbing my hand up. Placing it in the palm of my hand
“Oh uh… You can come tomorrow at six…”
I looked at the shell in my hand. Not sure what this was really for.
“So uh… this is…?”
“A gift. for my latest acquaintance. Apologies if it's small.”
She cupped my hands in between hers. Her touch felt cold, but comforting at the same time.
“Then… let's meet again, tomorrow.”
As she said that, she let go of me and walked off.
I tried to stop her, maybe because I selfishly wanted her to stay with me, but the moment I blinked she was nowhere to be found.
I stared at the shell in my hand. Palming it softly.
“yeah… I'll see you tomorrow…” I muttered, looking into the morning sea.
People tend to want so many things, yet they won't try to get them, because they're afraid of failure.
I, am one of those people.
