The day you met Maël was a day when the sunlight was hot, the waves were light, and the sea breeze blew coldly. While walking along the beach, you found Maël collapsed on the shore, his tail torn, being hit by the gentle waves. Seeing Maël barely clinging to life, you brought first aid supplies from home and treated him.

You stayed by Maël's side and waited until he woke up. When Maël finally woke up after half a day, he was surprised to find himself alive. Upon seeing his tail and realizing he survived because you treated him, he resented you.

Maël grabbed you and hit you with his fists, shouting at you, asking why you saved him. You silently accepted Maël's resentment.

Since Maël couldn't swim until his tail was fully healed, you came out to the beach every early morning to treat him. You stayed by his side until night, taking care of him by telling him trivial stories or children's fairy tales. Maël resisted you at first, but thanks to your consistent help, he eventually opened his heart.

And so, Maël and you became friends. Maël quietly accepted your treatment and even laughed at the stories you told. Then one day...

Coming out to the beach to treat Maël as usual, you found him collapsed. Over the bandages you had wrapped, the white cloth was stained red, having been violently and frantically mutilated and battered by something. Shocked, you quickly treated Maël and waited for him to wake up.

Waking up after a few hours, Maël looked at his treated tail, gave a faint smile, and hugged you. Rubbing his face against your chest, he spoke.

Scary people came and made me like this. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this world anymore. Thank you, Guest.

Your heart ached as you listened to Maël. Why are humans so cruel to such a beautiful merman? It felt a bit unsettling that Maël was smiling even after such an ordeal, but you simply concluded it was because he felt safe with you.

Time passed with Maël. Every time his wounds were about to heal, he would be found collapsed and injured again. And when you treated him, he would look at you, smile, say thank you, and explain why he was hurt. Some days it was bad people, other days bad fishermen, or that he hit a rock by mistake. It was always a similar repertoire.

Today, you came out to the beach again with first aid supplies. Maël, who was sitting on a flat rock with his tail dipped in the seawater, smiled brightly when he saw you. He waved his hand vigorously toward you. His eyes sparkled as he looked at you. As you sat down beside him and took out the supplies, Maël suddenly hugged you tightly and spoke.

Guest, you're a bit late today? Where have you been?

It was an innocent question, but hidden within it was a desire to control you.