Chapter 24 - Interspecies Love?

The mermaid swam closer and gently touched his hand. "Come,"

"I... I don't want to." he pulled his hand out of hers.

Her beautiful face frowned slightly. "Why?"

"Yeah, Kui why?" Chao looked at him like he was making the worst mistake of his life.

Ku shook his head. He was not from this world and interspecies love seems… quite controversial. What will happen if he chooses to be her mate? Will he have to live in the dark depths? If so, he did not wish for that to happen.

"Kui come on accept her offer," the other men happily cheered for him.

Kui was once again put on the stage. He did not wish to embarrass the girl, but he did not wish to be her mate either. Clearing his throat, he moved closer.

Seeing this, the mermaid propped herself out of the water and sat at the edge of the canoe.

He repeatedly lowered his eyes in order not to see her exposed breasts. "I can't," he whispered close to her.

"Why not?" she grabbed onto his collar. "Do you already have a partner?" she hissed out loud.

"No," Kui pulled her pale hands off his body. "I want to fall in love before I... ahem mate with anyone. I'm sorry it's impossible for us." He whispered ever so softly that only she could hear.

The mermaid frowned deeply. "isn't mating love? you halflings complicate everything. It must be your human side, tsk," she scoffed. "What must I do to make you love me?"

"I… I don't want…" Kui urgently shook his head. He did not wish for the mermaid to pursue him. Who knows, she might follow him around when he trying to catch some fish. it would really make him fear the ocean.

"why! I'm pretty!"

Chao, who was maintaining a decent distance, heard this exclamation. "Hey are you seriously rejecting her? it's been almost twenty years since the Mers have chosen a mate. It's such an auspicious event. Why don't you want to mate with her?"

Kui glared at him subtly. "It's none of your business." Scoffing, he once again looked at the beautiful mermaid's face. "I really apologize. I can't be your mate. Please return home."

She let out a loud hissing sound and jumped into the clear ocean.

He finally let out the breath he had been holding. "Chao what's wrong with you? why are you cheering on? She is a Mer. I'm a half-human. We are not possible!"

"Why did she have to choose this idiot?" Chao grumbled under his breath.

"Hey I heard that!" he slapped his back hard. "Let's go!"

"Tsk,"

Kui followed the others and slowly climbed up the cliff wall. It was slightly nerve-wracking, but after experiencing something even more dangerous, he did not fear this wall.

Back in the village, everyone happily welcomed them.

He heard whispers of the men talking to their significant other that a Mer has chosen Kui.

Everyone looked happy to hear that.

Frowning, Kui dragged Chao. "Tell me the truth, what is so great about being chosen by a Mer?"

"don't you know? Oh, you forgot. Well, if a Mer chooses one of us hybrids, then we can have an even bountiful catch of fish. Plus, if one Mer tribe member is interested, then others will be too. They will slowly start to surface and choose their mate." He sighed loudly. "I've heard rumors that if a hybrid marries a mermaid, we can even turn into a full Mer,"

Kui's eyes widened. 'oh, thank god I didn't accept her offer! Why would I want to live in the dangerous waters!! No thank you,'

"Next time she comes up, I'll let you guys meet." He patted Chao's dejected shoulders.

"Really? Kui, you're the best," the bulky man hugged him tightly and shook him around like a dog chew toy.

"ohh kay I... I can't breathe buddy…can you let me go now?" he patted his strong muscular shoulders.

"Yeah…" Chao chuckled loudly. "Wait," he unhooked ten of his fish from his hip belt and handed it to him. "You can have this."

Kui awkwardly held the fish in his arms. "What will I do with it?'

"We'll trade the day after tomorrow. You can come along."

He handed the fish back. "I don't know how to store them. you can hang on for me. I'll take them back,"

"Sure ~" humming Chao hopped away and told the others about what they talked about.

The elders also seemed to be happy about this.

'Looks like being chosen by a Mer is such a big deal for them.' But for him, it was not. He did not want to live in this world for long.

Kui entered his house.

He must return to the real world as soon as possible.

He pulled out the broken paintbrush and started to write down his wishes.

As usual, nothing happened.

Sighing, he laid on the cold ground. "How do I get back to my world?"