Chapter 1
Rui, a prince of the ocean, has always imagined what it would be like to be on land. He thought about how he would look like with legs, with feet! Everything up there seemed so fascinating, a perfect place for Rui to be at. But his parents would never allow him, they would always tell him how dangerous it is, and how humans are not very fond of mermaids.
But that didn't stop Rui! He tried to go up several times, but he would always get caught.
One day, while most of the guards were busy, Rui could finally swim to land! He first saw the light blue sky for the first time, outside of water I mean. It looked so... clear, and beautiful!
He then found a shore nearby, and swam there immediately. There wasn't anybody there, so Rui was a bit disappointed, but as soon as he knew, a little boy came to the shore! A real human boy with real legs and feet!
The boy quickly found Rui, and ran up to him with concern on his face.
"W-What are you doing here?! It's freezing cold! You shouldn't be in the water!"
Yeah, it was colder than deep under the sea, but it was still bearable. So Rui thought that humans could be more sensitive than mermaids! Rui was super happy to learn something new the day he got above the water!
"Heyy, are you listening??"
Oh right, he had to answer this boy.
"Sorry, I'm fine, don't worry."
He look of concern didn't fade quickly, but as it did, he immediately had stars in his eyes staring at him.
"Woah... you have... A TAIL?!?!"
Rui was surprised by the sudden big noise, but he was glad as well. His parents always told him that humans aren't very fond of mermaids, but this boy looks like the exact opposite!
"Yup! I'm a mermaid! It's actually my first time seeing an actual human!"
"WOAH... I thought you guys were myths! This is so cool!"
The two boys were smiling at each other, both fascinated by each other. Rui looked at the boy, who seemed to shine as bright as the sun in the sky. His smile would probably brighten up the deepest of the deep seas. Rui was glad he met a boy just like the sun, which can't really be seen in his hometown.
Suddenly, they hear a different voice in the distance. "Your highness! Please answer us, are you near?!"
'Your highness?'
"Oh, sorry, I gotta go now! I hope we meet again soon! And... you should hide. My guards wouldn't like me talking to a stranger."
As Rui was about to say his goodbye, he saw the other humans come close, and as much as he was fascinated by them as well, he had a feeling he should listen to the boy he was talking to.
Rui swam back in the water, and thought he should go back until his guards find him-
"Your highness."
"Oh!... Hey? ^^"
As a result of Rui sneaking up to land, he ended up getting grounded and getting more guards to look over him.
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A few years have passed, Rui was now 17 years old. And he hasn't forgotten about the land, and the boy he met at his first and last success. He wondered if he could ever go back up, he really missed the clear blue sky and the bright sun.
He did as much as he could to learn about the human world, such as looking for sunken items or treasures. He found a lot, but that was never enough for him.
As Rui was again daydreaming, a recent friend he made swam up to him.
"HEY RUI~!!"
They were a friend he made about a year ago. Their name was Akiyama Mizuki. They were a very energetic and creative friend."
"Hm? What is it Mizuki-kun?"
"YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT, I JUST MADE SOMETHING LIFE CHANGING!!"
"Oh? What is it?"
"Look... at... THIS!"
Mizuki held up a bottle of orange candy. Rui asked again.
"This is..?"
"These are specially made candy... THAT CAN MAKE YOU HAVE LEGS!! ISN'T THAT AMAZING?! AREN'T I A GENIUS?!"
Rui was genuinely shocked with the news? That means he can actually have legs!
Rui immediately went to his parents, and explained the situation. His parents were very generous and understanding, and the only reason they didn't let Rui go to land was because as they always said, humans don't like mermaids. But this time it was different! Rui could pretend to be a human, and he's totally old enough!
Rui's parents listened, and decided it's time for Rui to make his own decision as a prince for once, so they allowed him to be up there until he learns to understand humans, but he had to come back before all of the candy runs out(each one lasts about 3 days). And he had to take someone with him, since it might still be dangerous. Rui chose his childhood friend, Nene, who was also a skilled fighter. He would've brought Mizuki since they were practically the reason he could go as well, but Mizuki insisted on staying. They did say if he find some cool clothes or jewelry, to bring it to them. That was a promise Rui was sure to keep.
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A few days passed, and it was finally time for him to go up to land! He was so, so excited!
"Rui... are you sure about this..?"
His friend, Nene was a bit of an introvert... so it took a longer time to convince her than his parents.
"Don't worry Nene, if something goes wrong we can always come back to the water."
"If you say so..."
Rui and Nene swam up to shore. It was night time, so Rui could see a beautiful starry sky this time. It was wonderful, just like the first time he has been up here!
They took the candy as they were on the rocks, and their tails really turned into legs!(In addition, yes they had clothes on)
Rui stared at his new legs, and tried to walk on them.
.."Woah!"
It wasn't easy walking with his legs, they were shaking, and Rui didn't really know how to balance himself. Nene wasn't an exception as well.
"...I regret this already..."
Now they were both on the ground, feeling the cold breeze. Even though, Rui enjoyed that as well.
A few moments later, they hear a noise, and then a light, and then-
"...Who are you?"
They see a guy with half light blue, half dark blue hair wearing something that as Rui would know- armor. The guy was a knight.
"...My apologies, I must take you two with me. You're on a private beach that the prince owns. And you two are not recognized as guests or staff."
Well, shit. It's only their first day and they already got in trouble...