This is a story from not so long ago, though not quite 'once upon a time.'

The light on the water's surface viewed from the lapis lazuli depths, the sunlight of a single summer day—that was the beginning of all this madness.

Despite being a monstrous creature dwelling at the bottom of the sea, I fell in love at first sight with you as you stood on that dazzling sandy beach.

Like the ancient fox who once adored a noble princess—that octopus, too, wrapped its supernatural form in a human skin and stepped upon the soil of the land.

To be honest, it isn't that I didn't dream of taking the form of a man, whispering words of love, and staying by your side as a lover.

But if my true identity were ever exposed, I would involve my beloved in a terrible crime.

If that were the case, it would be enough to be a modest maid, tending to your needs from the shadows, like the waves that merely wet your toes.

With that wish in my heart, I should have been the one knocking at the mansion gates.