Your Soul is Mine

That good-for-nothing! He's skipped out on work again.

I bet he's gone back there...

Oh my. That man looks a little agitated, don't you think?

Hmm? What are you doing? Don't stare at me like that! I'm busy over here. Got to bring back my new recruit. Go over there if you want to sightsee!

Bring back?

Yeah, I need to fetch my new apprentice. He's only just started out at my workshop. He's fast and he's skilled, but there's something wrong with him all right.

Oh my... In what way?

He came to our town by the sea to look for the "woman of his destiny" he met long ago. Whenever he hears anything remotely unusual coming from the sea, he shoots off, even if he's in the middle of work. "That could be her," he says as he bounds off like a little kid.

Oh my. That's so romantic!

As much as I admire his dedication, it keeps cutting into his work. I can't take much more of this. But when he comes back all sullen after another fruitless trip, it's so hard for me to tell him off.

So he still hasn't found this woman of his destiny?

No. It was always going to be a wild goose chase, looking for some woman he happened to meet once, a lifetime ago. It's high time he stopped with this foolishness and started devoting himself to his work. I have so much to get through as it is...

Oh, I have an idea. Why don't you go and fetch him for me?

Us?

Yes, since we're on the subject. Work's really piling up at the workshop, you see.

Sure, this sounds like a problem we can help you with. So whereabouts does your new recruit like to go?

Kira Beach. Take that boat moored over there and the beach will be straight ahead.

Okay, we know the place. We'll be on our way.

According to that craftsman, his apprentice should be around here somewhere.

Aha! Do you think that's him?

Let's go and...

Aldo, wait!

Hm?

Look over there!

That's...

Do you think that's the woman of his destiny?

No. He doesn't seem happy enough for it to be that. Perhaps there's something else going on?

In any case, I don't think we should cut in and ruin the mood...

Right? I don't want to be a third wheel in their little rendezvous.

Rend-eh-vu?

Anyway, I think it's best we wait a little before we call him back to the workshop. Let's watch to see how this plays out.

So you came here to look for the woman of your destiny?

I did. She saved my life in this sea, and I've never been able to get her out of my mind since.

She saved your life?

It was many years ago now. My fishing boat capsized, tossing me into the water. I was near drowning when she saved me and brought me to shore here.

Oh!

I passed out, and when I came to, she had gone. I can barely even picture her anymore. But I simply have to see her one more time.

......

It may have taken a long time, but I finally overcame my strict parents' opposition and came here. But...I guess I was too late.

I've come here countless times since I moved to this town, but I've never seen her.

You really are a devoted man...

But... Now you and I have met at this sea where you had such a fateful encounter before. Don't you think that could also be fate?

What do you mean?

Well, you see... This is love at first sight. Ever since I met you, my heart hasn't stopped pounding.

Huh?

I know you have someone in your heart. I know that you'll never forget her... But won't you choose a new destiny now, with me?

That took an unexpected twist...

Oh my, what a rapid development! Could they be about to become a couple?

A couple?

Th-This is all a bit sudden...

I understand. But maybe your feelings will change in the future.

Until that day comes, will you let me stay by your side? I'd like to believe that meeting you here today was destiny.

Destiny? What if this really is another destiny?

I'm sure it is. Maybe I even look a little like that woman?

I'm sorry, but you don't.

Huh?

You see, the woman I fell in love with wasn't a human...

She was a siren!

S-S-Siren?!

Hey, Pizzica!

Wha? I...

Who goes there?

W-Were you peeping on us?

Hey, that's messed up, you know that? What...

Oh? You're...

Um...

......

W-We... We didn't intend to watch you. W-We just, um...

It's you!

Huh?

It's really you! The woman of my destiny!

What?!

WHAAAT?!

That tail covered in glistening scales... It's you. You're who I saw that day. I may have been half-drowned and unconscious at the time, but seeing you again, you really are beautiful...

W-Wait, you've got the wrong person!

Nope, there's no way I'm mistaken! How could there ever be anyone else as beautiful as you? I can't stick around! I must let my parents know right away that we're getting married!

W-Wait!

He's gone... What do we do?

He sure is fast.

......

I-I'm so sorry. That man you like... He's mistaken. B-But don't worry. We'll clear this up right away.

I don't remember ever saving him. He must have the wrong person!

Well, obviously.

Huh?

You see, that siren...

Is me!

Wh-What are you talking about?!

You're the one who saved him?

B-But you don't have a fin! You're a human, not a siren.

No, I was originally a siren just like you! But I made a deal with a sea monster and she turned me into a human.

I didn't even know that was possible!

It is. And I went through such hardships to take this form. I found out about the sirens' forbidden sorcery, summoned the sea monster, and paid such a huge price... It was all for him... So I could become human like him. So that we could live as a couple...

So you didn't fall in love with him at first sight just now?

No. The truth is, I've been in love with him for oh so long.

Oh!

It was love the moment I set eyes on him as he dangled his fishing line from his boat. When his boat overturned, I rushed to save him... But I assumed he'd be afraid of my siren form, so I left him on the beach, unable to hold back my tears.

Oh...

Though that was such a long time ago now, I came back to this beach today to try to find him once more. I was so desperate not to have to part from him again that I took this form.

And then, you came along!

Oh my, I'm so sorry! I couldn't have come at a worse time!

Well...

Surely everything will be fine if we just follow him and clear up this misunderstanding? We might catch up to him if we set off now.

You're right. We need to get this straightened out.

The boat was heading to Acteul. Let's go!

I can't see him anywhere... Where did he go?

Oh, it's you...

You're the ones who went to fetch my apprentice.

Right, about him...

Haha, I heard all about it. So he finally found the woman of his destiny!

Wha?

I'm sure he'll settle down and devote himself to his work now. Thank goodness!

Do you know where he is now?

He went back to his parents' house to prepare for the wedding. I don't know where that is, though. All I know is it's pretty far away.

Oh no... We're too late?

What's all this, then? Did you need him for something? No need to panic, he'll be back once he's finished his wedding preparations. Since it's a special occasion, I suppose I'll have to bring out the good drinks! Hahaha!

Oh dear, this isn't going well...

If he's only coming back once he's finished his wedding preparations, we won't have much chance to clear up the confusion. And if I can't tell him I was the siren who saved him...

Can't you just go back to your siren form? Maybe if he saw you as a siren, that would solve our issue.

I can't. I can't go back on my deal with the sea monster so easily.

This sea monster you made your deal with... You can't ask her to wipe the slate clean?

I paid such a high price to make this deal. If I ask the sea monster to scrap the deal now, who knows how angry that would make her. She might even take my life, and then I'll never be able to see him again.

Then...

I'll go with you to face its anger.

Huh?

This all started because my bad timing caused him to misunderstand the situation. You have to let me do whatever I can to help you spend your life with him.

Wh-Why would you do that for me? This is no ordinary monster we're talking about! We don't know what danger awaits us! I get that you want to make it up to me for confusing him, but this isn't a fair price to pay!

As much as I do want to make this up to you...

I also just think it's incredible. The idea that a human and siren could actually fall in love.

...!

I want you two to have all the luck in the world. So let me come with you to see this sea monster.

I'm in shock. You're a really good person.

Teehee, I hear that a lot!

Now that that's decided, I'll do my very best to ensure your love can blossom. So where will we find this monster?

You summon the monster by performing a ceremony on an open area of the water's surface. Can you think of anywhere nearby that would work?

Hmm... How about Lake Tiilen?

Good idea. There's hardly ever anyone there, so we won't be causing any trouble.

That's settled then. Let's head to Lake Tiilen.

Will this spot work to summon the sea monster?

Yes. This should be a large enough area. But are you sure we should summon it? We don't know what will happen once we do...

We'll be fine! Even if it gets dangerous, you won't be on your own.

And if anything happens, Aldo will protect you. Right, Aldo?

Yeah, of course!

Thank you. Then let's get started.

Oh ye who dwells in the dark depths of the of the sea... Show yourself before the one who would bargain with you!

......

I-Is that who you made your deal with?

Why have you summoned me? Our deal has already been completed.

It has. I took this human form as per our deal.

But things have changed. Could you return me to my original form?

Oh?

I know it's selfish of me to ask to break a deal that's already been agreed. So you don't need to return what I gave you.

All you need to do is clear the magic you used on me! Please!

...... It appears you have misunderstood.

Huh?

Returning to your original form would not mean breaking our deal. It would be a whole new deal. If you pay me once more, I will return you to your siren form.

Really?

So what will you give me?

Well I suppose...the same as last time. Half of my soul.

What?!

That's what you gave her?!

Yes. I told you it was a huge price to pay.

You really wanted to be with him that badly?

But you already gave away half your soul. What will happen to you if you halve it again?

If you lose half your soul, the time until your life light burns out will reduce by that same amount... I won't be able to live a long life.

That's terrible...

But I'm okay with that. I went away from the Siren's Village a long time ago, wanting to see the outside world. Back then, I thought I was only driven by curiosity. But when I met him... I felt sure that I was born to love him.

......

I fell in love with a fool. I mean, he mistook me for another siren. But he's been jumping to the wrong conclusions ever since I met him.

Huh?

He was a funny man. His fishing hook got caught on the seabed, but he thought it was a huge fish. He was so happy as he yanked his rod, causing his boat to capsize and throw him into the sea. This is the man for me, I thought.

I never thought that would be a reason to fall in love.

Heheheh, I know, it's surprising, isn't it? But I felt sure that a life with him would never be boring. Why shouldn't this be my destiny?

I suppose you're right. For you, it's not how long you live, it's how you live that's important.

Heheh, exactly. If he can see me once more, as I truly am, I won't have any regrets.

So come and take my soul!

So that is your answer. Very well... I will take my payment.

Ngh!

But this is not payment for returning you to your original form.

Huh?

This is payment for you summoning me here. What you offer is not enough to fund a new deal.

That's terrible...

What is the meaning of this? How can you take her soul and not return her to her original form?

As I said, it is not enough. She previously offered me half her soul in return for a human form. But now she offers me only half of that.

...!

You expect me to use my powers in exchange for this measly offering? Don't make me laugh. You must choose. Give me half your soul and die as a human... Or give me the rest of your soul and become a mermaid corpse.

*whimper*

You've gone too far!

What's the point in returning to her siren form if it's going to kill her?

You are nought but thorns in my side. I will make you pay for vexing me so!

No! Don't you lay a finger on them!

But...

It's fine. This is punishment. For not being able to face the man I love as I truly am, for wanting this fake form...

Yaaargh!

Have you decided, foolish girl? How much of your soul will you give to me?

I...

You don't need to give her anything.

Huh?

Let's make a deal. If you give her back her siren body... You can take half of my soul.

Pizzica!

Why would you do that?!

This is the only way you can be with the man you love as you truly are, isn't it?

But if you do that, your own lifespan will...

It's not how long you live, it's how you live that's important. That's how I feel, too.

......

I don't want you to have to live the rest of your short life in a body you don't want... Nor do I want you to have to die all alone.

I can't just abandon you to either of these cruel fates!

Pizzica, you can't!

Aldo, I'm sorry for being so selfish. But...

If there's a future for these lovers, where they can get married and spend the rest of their days together... I want to protect that, no matter what.

Heheheh! Hahaha! Very well. I accept your proposal.

I never imagined I'd be getting the soul of another out of this.

Then we have remade our deal. So give her back her siren body.

Huh?

What is this feeling? This is unbelievable...

Wh-What is it?

What a nice surprise... I've never tasted a soul as delicious as yours before!

Her soul...tastes good?!

Then our deal...

No, I've changed my mind.

Huh?

Give the rest of your soul to me. Then we'll close our deal.

What?! That's not what you agreed!

How presumptuous to even think that lowly creatures like you could make a deal on equal terms with someone such as I. I'm not letting a soul as tasty as this get away. If you don't give it to me, I'll have to take it by force!

Eeek!

Oh no! There's no convincing her!

You may think you can milk me dry for the sake of this deal, but that's not happening!

She bites back, this one. How interesting. In which case, I'll just have to sacrifice all of your worthless lives!

Here she comes, Pizzica!

I know! I'll protect her! I'll protect their future together!

Gaaaah!

*huff puff* Looks like we did it.

Yes...

Oh, are you okay?

Y-Yeah... Hmm?

Eek?! Y-Your body, it's...

Wh-What? I...

Whoa! You got your siren form back! Defeating the monster must have canceled out the deal you made!

Oh!

Phew... Now I can go to see him with confidence!

Teehee. I'm so glad!

But your soul...

It's fine... Don't worry about it. There was no other way. Come on now, don't look so gloomy! You can see the man you love now! You don't want to waste this opportunity.

But...

What's that?

Huh?

This light...

I feel energy surging through my body. Could it be...

Has the soul the monster stole come back to you?

It has! Now that the magic's been dispelled, the payment I made has been returned!

......

Thank goodness, your soul has come back, too. Now you just have to take it!

No, I won't be doing that.

Huh?

I've thought about it, and he and I have very different life spans. If I were to go back to my original life span, I'd have to live such a long time without him.

Oh, I guess so...

So, even if my life is only short, I want to spend the rest of my days with him. I know my soul has been returned to me, but now, I will return it to nature.

That's lovely. And so like you.

Go on, go back into the water.

This soul will return to the water, and one day it will find its way back to the sea where I was born. May it bring good fortune to all the creatures of the sea...

Now you can spend your life with him.

We're going to be as happy as can be.

Why don't we return to Acteul for today? Let us know when you see him once he's finished his wedding preparations.

I will! Thank you so much!

When we started out looking for that guy, I never thought it would end up like this.

I'm glad it all worked out, though. I'm sure those two will be the most lovey-dovey lovebirds the world has ever seen!

Y-Yeah, probably...

But if you can help it, please don't do something like that again, okay?

Huh?

I'm glad your soul came back to you and all...

But you can't just decide on the spur of the moment to offer up your soul to help some random stranger out!

It wasn't just a spur of the moment thing! There was no other way...

I know. I'm sorry I wasn't able to think of another option straight away either. But I'll try harder... So in the future, could you try to find a way that doesn't involve putting your life at risk?

I'd be so sad if anything happened to such a dear friend.

Aldo... ......

Wh-What is it, Pizzica? Why'd you go so quiet?

Did you...

Did you just tell me off?

Huh?

Teehee. I don't think anyone's ever done that before!

Sometimes, I had to tell off the village children when they were up to no good. But I was always so worried that they'd go off and cry to themselves afterward...

......

But now I know how it feels to be told off by someone. I feel kind of warm inside.

Thank you, Aldo! Next time, I'll try to find a less dangerous solution.

Sounds good to me.

Oh, there they are!

You two!

She told me everything. I really got it all wrong, huh?

Teehee, it's fine. She already explained to us that you can be a little careless!

Wha?! What did you tell them?!

Heehee.

I'm so happy you finally found the siren you'd been searching for all those years. So don't go making any more mistakes, okay?

I won't. I was just so blown away with happiness back then. But from now on, I'm going to be much more sensible. I won't go jumping to the wrong conclusion and causing my wife trouble.

So that means...

Yes. We've decided to get married!

Oh my, oh my... Goodness gracious me! Now that that's settled, I'll have to prepare a nice, big cake! What kind of entertainment would you like? An anemone samba dance is a given, right?

Hey, you're even more excited than these two!

I'm just so happy for them. It makes me feel so warm inside!

I wish you both much happiness!

Thank you. I'll do everything I can to make her happy.

Oh yeah, now that I think about it... I've always had this dream. Can I tell you about it?

What is it?

Once I've learned my trade and gained independence, I want to build a house on an island somewhere. Somewhere not too far from where both humans and sirens live.

That's fine by me. But why?

There must be other couples like us, whose love crosses the boundaries of their species. Wouldn't it be amazing if there was somewhere such people could live, where they could all help each other out?

Oh!

You and me should create such a place. And protect it for as long as we live. For hundreds and thousands of years...

Huh?

Hm? Did I say something wrong?

No... It's just, it sounded like you said "hundreds and thousands of years"...

Surely a human life span is more like decades to one hundred or so years?

Huh? You mean you didn't realize?

I'm half-elf.

What?!

WHAAAAT?!

Come on, really think about it. We met at least fifty years ago now. No human would live that long without even the slightest change in their appearance, would they?

Now that you mention it...

So there's no problem. I'm half-elf, and you're a siren. We both have the same long life span. We can protect the inhabitants of our island and live together for ages and ages.

...... I-I...

I forgot something!

Wha?! What happened?

She must have gone to get back that part of her soul she threw away before.

She certainly can move fast when she wants to...

Looks like they both tend to jump to the wrong conclusion.

Sure looks that way. Teehee! They really are a well-matched couple.