It was Saturday, and Agnes had planned to sleep until noon. However, she was jolted awake by a noise from outside—the rhythmic bounce of a ball accompanied by the laughter of two familiar male voices. As soon as she opened her eyes, she climbed out of bed and headed straight for the door.
She wasn't surprised to find Islaw's side of the bed empty; he was already outside, clutching a ball. Ever since she had fallen ill, Islaw had insisted she sleep inside the bedroom, and he stayed there too. He slept on a small carpet on the floor every night.
Even though they were married, had shared many embraces, and their lips had met, they hadn't yet considered sharing a bed. Agnes wasn't quite ready to handle the overwhelming feeling that came over her whenever they were close or when their skin brushed. It was a ticklish, fluttering sensation she couldn't quite explain.
"Cholo? Islaw?" She approached them with a frown while they were busy playing.
"Agnes!" Islaw skipped toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Good morning!" Cholo greeted her, trying to act cool.
"What are you two doing?" she asked, even though the answer was obvious.
"We're playing, Big sis."
"Playing? Where did that ball come from?"
"We found it in the deep part of the sea."
"The deep part of the sea? And how exactly did you get it if it was floating way out there?"
"Big brother swam for it."
Agnes's eyes widened in disbelief. She turned to Islaw, who was giving her a wide, gummy smile. She hadn't expected him to be able to swim in the deep sea anymore. She had assumed that when he lost his tail, gills, and scales, he had also lost his ability to swim.
"You can still swim?" she asked, gently ruffling Islaw's damp hair.
"Hmm-hmm," the cute merman nodded.
"Of course he can, he's a merman!" Cholo blurted out. Agnes immediately pinched the boy's ear.
"Ouch! Big sis, that hurts! Why'd you do that?"
"You're being too loud. What if someone hears you?"
"Oh, right! Sorry." Cholo quickly covered his mouth with his dirty palms.
"Why is it f-forbidden to be loud?" Islaw asked, tilting his head. Agnes wondered if his head was permanently tilted like that.
"You'll be in danger if people discover your secret—that you're a merman, big brother."
"W-why would I be in danger? Do they hate m-mermen like me? I'm kind, Agnes. I don't curse, I don't f-fight, and I'm not a bad p-person, right? Why wouldn't they like me?" Islaw's eyes were filled with sadness as he gazed at her.
Agnes wanted to answer the innocent merman, but she struggled to explain why they had to hide his true identity. She didn't know how to tell him that his kind were hunted, sold, or used for experiments. She just couldn't.
"Because humans and mermen are different," Cholo added, making Islaw gasp.
Agnes placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, catching his attention. She gave him a meaningful look and shook her head, signaling him to stop. Cholo pouted and muttered an apology before leaving them alone, giving the couple some space to talk privately.
"Are we dif-different, Agnes? Does that mean we don't fit? That we're not m-meant for each other?" he asked in rapid succession.
Agnes felt her heart ache seeing the tears welling in Islaw's eyes. He looked so devastated, as if his precious tears would fall at any moment. Seeing him like this made her feel like her heart was being torn apart.
"Islaw."
"Why, Agnes? Is it f-forbidden for a merman and a human to be husband and wife? Is it f-forbidden for us to love each other?"
"No! No, Islaw." She shook her head and took his hands, interlacing their fingers tightly.
Deep down, she knew the truth. On land, humans were meant for humans. Mermen belonged with mermaids in the depths of the ocean. That was how the world worked. No one would understand or accept their relationship because they were different species.
They were different.
But she couldn't bear to hurt Islaw any further—her husband who did nothing but try his best to make her happy. She knew she was about to tell a massive lie, but if it would ease his burden, she was willing to lie for his happiness.
"No one said it was forbidden."
"R-really?" A smile broke across his face instantly.
"Yes. We can be together, we can love each other, and I can be your wife because nothing is impossible. No one can oppose or destroy our relationship because I will fight for you against everyone."
"T-truly? What if they m-mean to you?"
"Then let them! They can be mean to me all they want, but I will never give you up. I won't give up on what we have. I'll fight for you with everything I've got. And you have to do the same." She laughed and pinched his cheek.
"Of course, Agnes! I w-won't give you up even if they don't like us. I l-love you."
For some reason, Agnes froze. Her heart thundered, and she found herself staring into the smiling merman's eyes. She couldn't understand the sensation—it was like a spark was tickling her entire system. Her heart leaped with joy over just three simple words from Islaw.
She couldn't quite admit what it was yet.
"Agnes?" Islaw gently squeezed her hand, snapping her back to reality.
"Y-yes?" She blinked and realized Islaw was now staring at the beautiful ocean. The sun was just beginning to rise.
"It's so beautiful!" she exclaimed.
"Your e-eyes are more beautiful while you s-stare at the sunlight. It's like the sun's r-reflection is r-resident in your eyes, Agnes."
Agnes turned to Islaw, moved by his words. Their eyes met, and she couldn't look away. His eyes were stunning, their color glowing as they caught the morning light. She could look at them forever.
"You're beautiful, Agnes," he said with a sweet smile before kissing her forehead.
"Thank you," she replied, her cheeks flushing. She turned back to the sea. "Islaw, have you ever thought about going back to the ocean?"
"B-back to where I came from?"
"Yes. Have you ever thought of returning?"
"No, not even for a second. Because I'm happy here. I'm happy because I'm with my wife." he said, slowly but perfectly.
"Islaw." She gazed at the smiling merman with tender eyes.
Agnes hadn't expected Islaw to say something so profound. She often viewed him as an innocent child who knew nothing of the world, but the Islaw standing before her now felt different. He felt like a real man, and it made her heart soar.
"Y-you know, Agnes, I was so scared when those kids t-tied me up and pulled me out of the water," he said, referring to the night they first met. "That was the f-first time I ever left the water. And the first time I m-met humans. I was so terrified, Agnes. They k-kicked me, hit me with stones, and the kids made f-fun of me." He pouted, and tears began to form, looking like a child reporting a bully.
"Islaw." Her face was full of pity. Humans could be so cruel.
"I was so s-scared that night, Agnes. I was s-scared of their s-smiling faces while they hit me with s-stones. I didn't f-fight them, but they hurt me! I wanted to be their f-friend, but they didn't l-like me. I'm a good person, Agnes."
"Islaw."
"I'm good, right, Agnes?"
"Of course. You are very good, my Islaw," she answered immediately.
She couldn't help but pull the tearful merman into a tight embrace, rubbing his broad, strong back. She could feel the pain and fear in his words, and it hurt her to see the sadness in his beautiful eyes.
"Really? Am I not st-stubborn? Don't I have a h-hard head? You always have problems because of me."
"Listen to me, Islaw." She pulled back and held both his hands. "Yes, I won't deny you're stubborn and a bit of a handful. You're even more of a rascal than Cholo, and you hardly ever follow my instructions." She began. "But you are not a problem to me."
"Your arrival in my life was like a gift from heaven. You're like a beautiful shell washed ashore by the tide—a gorgeous decoration in my dark, colorless life. When I was broken and had no one to turn to, you appeared. I had wanted to give up on life because it felt meaningless, but when you came, I realized I had to keep fighting." Agnes blinked.
"I have to live so I can take care of you and be with you." She smiled and gently stroked his right cheek. "You're stubborn and difficult, Islaw. But that's who you are, and that's the person I grew to like."
"You mean, you ac-ce-cept me for who I am? Even if I'm s-stubborn and d-don't know many things, you still a-accept me?"
"Of course." She pinched his cheek. He responded by pulling her into another hug.
"But Agnes, why did you call me a shell?" he asked, pulling away to look at her with a pout.
She couldn't help but laugh.
"Agnes, why are you l-laughing? And h-how can you say I'm a gift from h-heaven when I came from the s-sea? If I fell from heaven, I'd be d-dead because h-heaven is so high. Agnes, I'm a merman, not a d-decoration."
"You really are so innocent." She playfully slapped his chest, laughing.
"I was comparing you to a beautiful decorative shell. Decorations make things look better. What I'm trying to say, Islaw, is that you brought joy and life to my world."
"You did the same, Agnes." He hugged her again.
"I want to c-compare you too. You're like the l-light from the moon that b-brightens the dark o-ocean. My dark life is bri-bright because of you."
Agnes smiled. Why were his words always so sweet?
"You know, Agnes, the night we f-first met, I told myse-self I would never go near the s-shore again. I w-wouldn't try to be friends with humans because they w-were mean and hurtful." He pouted again as he looked at her. "But you came and s-saved me. Then you let me live in your h-house and took care of me with all your h-heart. Because of you, my f-fear of people v-vanished, and I learned how to live on land. I learned so much from you and Cholo."
"And I became h-happier because you're my w-wife. I'm so lucky to have you." he added.
"Islaw." Agnes couldn't find the words; she just whispered his name and held him tight.
She was the lucky one to have him as her husband.
That warmth stayed with her even as they prepared to face the world outside their little home. By the time they reached the bustling center of town, however, the quiet romance of the morning was replaced by the noise of commerce and the heat of the midday sun.
Agnes didn't need to look at her clothes to know they were wrinkled. Islaw had been clutching the hem of her shirt tightly for a while now, walking right behind her as they navigated the narrow pathways of the market. Today was their day to buy groceries and daily essentials for the house.
Because it was Saturday, the market was crowded. It would be even more packed on Sunday, so she decided it was better to get the shopping done now. But amidst the swarming crowds and the jostling people, Islaw was trembling with fear. He stayed glued to her back, refusing to let go of her shirt.
"Islaw, calm down. They don't bite," she said, looking back at him.
"T-they bite?" he asked, tilting his head.
"What I mean is, the people here at the market are nice. They won't do anything bad to you, so just relax. You don't need to be afraid."
"But why do they look so scary?" Islaw pouted.
Agnes's eyes widened when she saw Islaw pointing toward a group of men gathered on the side—burly men covered in tattoos who were now staring back at them. Faster than lightning, she swatted Islaw's pointing hand down and pulled both of his arms around her waist from behind.
"Islaw! What are you doing? Don't just point at people, and don't speak so loudly when you're talking about someone!" she whispered harshly.
"W-why?"
"You'll get in trouble. People don't like being talked about, especially if the words aren't kind."
A cold sweat broke out on her forehead as she stole a glance at the men Islaw had just pointed out. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw they were no longer looking. Based on their appearance alone, they looked like troublemakers. Afraid they might pick on Islaw, she pulled him even closer.
"Agnes?"
She squeezed her eyes shut when she felt Islaw rest his chin on her shoulder, his warm breath tickling her ear. It seemed like with every passing hour, he was learning more smooth moves and flirtatious antics from Cholo.
"What is it, Islaw?"
"Are we f-famous? P-people are staring at us," he said, making her stop in her tracks.
She couldn't understand what he was getting at, so she stopped right in the middle of the path. She turned slightly to look at Islaw, who was still hugging her from behind with his chin on her shoulder. Islaw often said things that left her completely bewildered.
"Look, Agnes. They're staring at us." He gave an innocent smile.
He then pouted his lips, pointing toward a certain direction. She looked to see what he was talking about and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. Almost everyone in the market was staring at them.
"You said hug-hugging in p-public places is forbidden?" He tilted his head so that his cheek rested against her shoulder, then nuzzled his face into her neck.
"PDA." someone whispered.
"Agnes is quite the flirt, isn't she?"
"Right here in the middle of the path?"
"The guy is handsome, so maybe that's why she likes him. But the question is, does he even have a decent job?"
"I heard he has some mental issues?"
"How scandalous! Right in front of my shop!"
Agnes broke into a cold sweat as she overheard the various comments from the people around them. She quickly unwrapped Islaw's arms from her waist and dragged him away. She led him to a quiet corner far from the crowd and hid there, her face burning with shame.
"How embarrassing!" she exclaimed, burying her face in her hands.
"Agnes, are you okay?" Islaw asked coaxingly, like a child seeking affection.
"O-of course. I'm fine."
"But your f-face is so red."
"It's nothing. It's just a bit hot here in the market."
"I thought maybe you were h-humiliated," he said bluntly.
"Excuse me? What did you just say?"
"You told me before it's h-humiliating for people to see us h-hugging in public. You said it was forbidden. But you were the one who p-pulled my arms around your waist! D-don't blame me. A-and just admit that you want me h-hugging you all the time. Cholo said g-girls like flirting in public because you want to b-brag to other women."
Seriously, she want to smack this merman's head sometimes.
"Agnes, are you really okay? Your c-cheeks are getting even redder." Islaw reached out to touch her cheek, but she gently slapped his hand away.
"Ignore me. We should keep moving. I still need to buy vegetables because I'm going to cook one of your favorite dishes."
"Really?!" He clapped his hands.
"Let's go." She took his hand and pulled him toward a stall.
"Sir, how much is—" Agnes stopped when she saw Lia, the market's ultimate gossip.
"Lia!" Agnes waved, but when Lia saw her, the woman turned pale and ran away as if she had committed a crime.
"What's her problem?" Agnes muttered and continued shopping.
The rest of their shopping went smoothly. By the time they were finished, Agnes was cradling several bags in her arms. Islaw was carrying three heavy bags in his right hand, while his left hand was firmly gripping the hem of her shirt. They were about to head home when Cholo blocked their path. He was holding onto Lia, who looked like she wanted to bolt.
"Lia, is there a problem?"
"Sorry, Agnes," Lia apologized, making Agnes frown.
"Sorry? What are you apologizing for?"
"Big sis! There's a new rumor spreading in the market. They say big brother kissed her on the lips!" Cholo interjected, making Agnes's frown deepen.
"What? Where did you get that rumor, Lia? Have you run out of things to talk about that you're gossiping about yourself now?"
"Hey, the news is true! Your husband kissed me!"
"Islaw, is it true?" Agnes turned to the merman, who had a look of pure innocence.
"Hmm-hmm." He nodded slowly, leaving both Agnes and Cholo with their mouths hanging open.
"See? I told you. He kissed me."
"How? When?"
Agnes was reeling from the shock and the confusing mix of emotions. She was angry, annoyed, and deeply hurt. She never expected this rumor to be true—and confirmed by Islaw himself.
"How coulding you, Big brother? You making big sister cried in super heartache!" Cholo shouted.
Agnes couldn't even bring herself to correct the boy's grammar, she was too overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions crashing over her.
"Huh?" Islaw frowned, but Agnes continued to glare at the two traitors.
"I mean, how could you do that? You're making big sis cry because it hurts so much!" Cholo corrected himself.
"Lia, you know Islaw is my husband, so why did you kiss him?" Agnes asked angrily.
"Sorry, I got carried away by his looks. Besides, there was a payment for that kiss."
"Payment? What do you think my husband's kiss is, something you can just get by giving him something in return?" She turned her gaze back to Islaw. "And what did she give you that made you agree to kiss her?"
"Money."
Agnes was stunned. Money for a kiss? Was this a joke? Her face flushed with anger and tears welled in her eyes as she decided to leave. She turned around and hurried out of the market.
"Agnes!" Islaw ran after her.
"Why are you following me?"
"Why are you like this? Why are you a-angry?"
"You're asking me that?! After what you did, after you and your mistress made a fool out of me, you're asking why I'm angry?"
"M-mistress? What is a mistress?"
"Lia! She's your mistress!"
"Huh?"
"Islaw, I am beyond furious!"
"What did I do to you?" he asked, sounding like a confused five-year-old.
"Islaw, you are so annoying!" She rubbed her face in frustration.
"Why are you a-annoyed with me?" He pouted, his eyes turning soft and sad.
"Because you're a jerk!"
"Why am I a j-jerk?"
"Because you're a cheater! A man who cheats is a massive jerk!"
"Why am I a c-cheater? Why is a c-cheating man a jerk?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Please, Islaw, stop with the questions!" She ran her fingers through her hair in annoyance.
"Why are you crying? It h-hurts here when I see you c-crying." He sadly pointed to his chest.
"Liar! You managed to kiss someone else and then you say it hurts to see me cry?! You're a liar!"
"I'm not l-lying, Agnes." He walked toward her, tears in his eyes.
"Don't come any closer!"
Agnes shouted at him, threatened him, and pushed him away multiple times, but he wouldn't be deterred. When he finally reached her, he pulled her into a tight embrace, refusing to let go. Agnes broke down in sobs and stopped resisting. Fortunately, there weren't many people around.
"You're such a jerk!" she hissed. "I thought you couldn't do something like that because you're like an innocent man, but you managed to deceive me. You always brag about me being your wife, but you were seeing two of us at the same time!"
"Big sister," Cholo said, looking like he was about to cry in sympathy. "Big brother! How could you do that to her? You know, she wouldn't be crying like this if she didn't love you."
"She l-loves me?" Islaw turned to the boy in surprise.
"Yes! You're her husband, so she loves you! She treats you like a husband, but you don't do the same. If you love her, you shouldn't be hugging or kissing other women—only her! No other woman has a right to you because only big sis owns you! And kissing that woman was a mistake."
"S-sorry, my Agnes." He pressed his face into her neck.
"How could you kiss another woman for money?" she sobbed.
"You had a f-fever. I needed money to buy your m-medicine, so I accepted her offer," he said, making her freeze.
"W-what did you say?"
"Your f-fever was so high, you were sh-shaking from the cold, and then that woman said if I kissed her, s-she'd give me money for your medicine so you'd get better."
"She said that?"
"Hmm-hmm."
Agnes couldn't say a word. She didn't know what to feel. Islaw had done it for her, but the idea of him kissing someone else still hurt.
"Agnes, who told you I actually k-kissed that woman?" Islaw suddenly asked.
"Lia did."
"She doesn't know it w-wasn't me who kissed her because her e-eyes were closed," he added, making Agnes frown.
"What do you mean?"
"It was actually a dog s-she was making out with. While her e-eyes were closed, I put a dog I saw n-nearby against her lips."
"Yuck!" Cholo made a face.
"You mean Lia didn't kiss you, she kissed a dog?"
"Hmm-hmm. She's not my t-type. She doesn't have b-beautiful, tempting lips like yours."
Agnes was stunned by this revelation. After a moment, she lowered her head and burst into laughter. She and Cholo laughed until their stomachs ached. Her tears had been wasted! She had said so many dramatic things, only to find out Islaw hadn't actually cheated. She wiped her eyes, still chuckling.
"Why didn't you say so sooner, big brother?"
"No one asked." Islaw said before pouting.
"Islaw." She hugged the merman. "You're so funny."
"How was I being f-funny?"
"Because you tricked Lia by making her kiss the dog," Cholo chimed in.
Realizing the gravity of it, Agnes stopped laughing.
"We shouldn't overlook the way Lia took advantage of your innocence and for teaching you to cheat. But what you did was also wrong, Islaw."
"Was that bad?"
Agnes took a deep breath.
"Islaw, look at me," she said, her tone level and serious. "I know you did that because you were desperate to get me medicine, but we cannot ignore what just happened. What you did was wrong."
"But she a-asked for it! She said a k-kiss for money," Islaw defended himself, looking confused.
"Lia was wrong—very wrong," Agnes said firmly, not mincing words. "She took advantage of your situation and tried to pressure you into something you didn't want to do. That is a lack of Respect, and she'll have to live with the shame of her own actions. But Islaw, your response wasn't right either. You used a living creature to play a prank that was, honestly, quite disgusting."
"I just didn't want to k-kiss her, Agnes," Islaw whispered.
"Then you should have said no and walked away. That is the lesson here, dignity," Agnes explained.
"By making her kiss an animal, you didn't just get back at her. You created a hygiene risk. Dogs are dogs, they have bacteria that can make humans very sick. It was a dangerous trick. More than that, it was beneath you. When you play tricks like that, you aren't being the bigger person. You're just being mean in a different way."
"She was tricking him first, Big sis!" Cholo noted.
"I know, Cholo," Agnes replied, turning to the boy. "And she was wrong for that. But we don't fix a wrong by doing another wrong."
"Islaw, I want you to be a man of honor. If someone treats you badly, you don't have to be their friend, but you shouldn't turn into a person who plays cruel, dirty jokes. It makes you look bad, it makes the dog a tool for a prank, and it makes Lia a victim of a health hazard."
Islaw looked at his feet, finally seeing the whole picture. "I was b-bad to everyone?"
"You made a mistake," Agnes corrected gently, ruffling his hair.
"You were trying to help me, and I appreciate that your heart was in the right place. But from now on, let's handle our problems with honesty. No more tricks, no more using animals, and no more allowing people to pressure you into things. If someone asks for something wrong, you tell them no. Understand?"
"Hmm-hmm. S-sorry, Agnes. No more d-dog kisses."
Agnes gave him a small, weary smile and squeezed his hand.
"Good. Now you're making me happy because you're listening to me."
"Me too, you made me happy."
"I made you happy?" she confirmed.
"Yes, Agnes! Because Cholo said that you love me," he replied, before hugging her tightly.
"PDA!" Cholo said as he jokingly covered his eyes with his own palms.
This merman is on another level.