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The mermaid princess's tears… they really were sweet. But strangely, they hadn't turned into pearls. Hikaru wasn't sure if drinking them could grant immortality…
Nestled in Shirahoshi's hands, Hikaru felt utterly at peace. The world around him seemed to glow with warmth. Her hands, though large, were surprisingly soft.
After who knows how long, Shirahoshi finally calmed down.
Suddenly, she remembered that Hikaru was a "fragile" human. Alarmed, she quickly took him out of her enormous hands. Seeing the relaxed and dazed look on his face, she asked worriedly:
"Lord Hikaru, are you alright? I'm so sorry, I just got a little too excited…"
Hikaru blinked back to full awareness and gently reassured her, "Don't worry, Shirahoshi. Even if you held me in your hands forever, I wouldn't be hurt. You can hold me like that anytime."
"Really? I'm glad you're okay, Lord Hikaru." Shirahoshi beamed, her beautiful smile stirring something deep in Hikaru's heart.
"Shirahoshi, may I help you put these on?"
She hesitated for a moment, then looked at Hikaru with wide eyes. He matched her ideal image of a husband, the kind she'd dreamed of. And the fact that he had these earrings—left by her mother—meant he had her father's approval too…
"Yes~ Lord Hikaru… Husband… my husband~"
Hiss— Hikaru drew in a breath. The way she said "husband" sent a thrill through him.
With a determined look, he floated up to her ear and levitated the jade box beside him. Carefully, he removed her current pale-yellow earrings, then picked up a new one and whispered gently:
"Shirahoshi~ I'm going to put them on now~"
"Yes! My dear husband, I'm not afraid."
Her cheeks turned bright red, but her words came out clearly. "Husband-sama," she said again, more confidently this time.
Hikaru wasted no time and quickly replaced both earrings.
"All done. Take a look."
He casually summoned a large mirror from his storage space and floated it in front of her.
But instead of checking her reflection right away, Shirahoshi cradled Hikaru in her arms and looked at him with sparkling eyes.
"You're incredible! Are you really a god? It's like you can create anything!"
"Haha~ Of course I'm a god!" Hikaru chuckled, patting her head affectionately.
She closed her eyes, clearly enjoying the gentle touch. Once his hand left her head, she turned to the mirror and murmured softly, "They're beautiful… Thank you, my husband~"
Hikaru nodded. It was time for the next surprise.
"Shirahoshi, today's surprises aren't over yet. The one who killed your mother—Princess Otohime—Hody Jones… I've already taken care of him. He won't trouble you anymore. You don't have to carry this secret any longer."
"Eh? How do you know about that…" Shirahoshi was stunned. That revelation shook her more than receiving her mother's earrings.
She had lived with the burden of that truth for over a decade. She knew who the murderer was, but her mother's final wish—"Don't hate the one who did it"—had kept her from seeking revenge.
"You know… I am a god."
"…Yeah," Shirahoshi replied softly, as if she fully believed it now. She hugged him again and tears streamed down her cheeks once more.
Hikaru didn't resist. He let her cry freely.
Yes… let her cry as much as she needs today. These were tears of healing.
But after today… he'd only allow Shirahoshi to cry two more times.
And why just two more times?
Hehehe~ who knows?
After a while, Shirahoshi seemed to recall something. She stopped crying, gently held Hikaru in her palm, and asked with hopeful eyes:
"Hey~ my dear husband, will you always protect me from now on~?"
"Of course. Starting today, no one will ever hurt you again." Hikaru's voice was calm but firm, and Shirahoshi's tearful eyes curved into joyful crescents.
"My dear husband, please forgive me if this sounds selfish... I want to leave the Hard-Shell Tower and go to the Sea Forest to visit my mother's grave. Will you take me there?"
Her big, pleading eyes sparkled with anticipation, like she might burst into tears again if he said no.
"Of course. That's why I came—to take you away."
"Really? You're the best! My dear husband~" Shirahoshi giggled, rubbing her cheek against his affectionately. Then she placed Hikaru down and cheerfully began rummaging through a large clothing box beside her.
Moments later, she held up an outfit and called out excitedly:
"My dear husband! How about this one~?"
Hikaru looked up and took in her beauty.
She was stunning. With a delicate face, bright blue eyes, and an incredible figure, Shirahoshi had long, flowing pink curls, a taiyaki-shaped hairpin on her head, and a graceful fishtail that shimmered in shades of light and dark pink.
A true beauty unmatched in the world.
No—wait, focus! You're supposed to be looking at the outfit!
She wore an adorable light blue top that framed her upper body and a white pleated skirt that draped over her fishtail, giving off the elegant air of a noblewoman.
"Perfect. No matter what you wear, you'll always be the most beautiful girl in the world." Hikaru spoke sincerely, causing Shirahoshi to blush and shift shyly.
"W-Woo~ As long as my husband likes it~"
Seeing she was all dressed and ready, Hikaru reminded her gently:
"Shirahoshi, if there's anything you want to bring with you, just give it to me. I'll keep it safe, and you can ask for it whenever you like. After this, you'll be living in a place that truly loves you."
"Really~?" Shirahoshi looked around the room thoughtfully, then handed over everything she couldn't bear to leave behind.
"Door, storage room!"
With a few quick motions, the room was emptied. The two—one small and one giant—stood in the middle of the now bare chamber and burst into laughter together.
Well, Shirahoshi giggled softly with embarrassment, while Hikaru watched her with affection, warmed by her innocence.
She was so kindhearted she couldn't bring herself to part with anything, so she made Hikaru take it all.
Once everything was set, Hikaru pulled out a large pink flying carpet—thirty meters wide—from his storage ring. It was adorned with angel wings and thunder bolts, the symbol of the Kingdom of God.
"Hop on, Shirahoshi!"
"Wow! Is this a flying cotton blanket?" Shirahoshi swam over and curiously poked at it.
"Yup~" Hikaru smiled, focusing his energy. The carpet slowly began to lift off the ground, carrying both him and Shirahoshi as the Hard-Shell Tower's door opened wide.
"Hold on tight~"