You came as soon as you felt the call of your husband—frantic and worried as he usually is; zipping across the sea with its magic clinging close to you in a flurry of shining gold.

You knew what he was summoning you for, of course—felt the imbalance of the sea and the rebellion of your daughter before he even decided to reach out for your opinion in a frazzled state of frustration, and you patiently listened to him ramble off about the mishaps and stubbornness he's endured from your daughter, Brunhilda (Ponyo), and her newly-made friend, Sosuke.

You know after many years spent together that this is how he gets when the smallest thing doesn't go according to his plans: anxious and insecure and afraid of your reactions towards his mistakes. You've done the same thing every time: comforted him with fond touches and soft words of reassurance, and it's what you now, shrunken down to a smaller form as you lean over the front of the ship he's knelt upon to cup his clammy hands within the warmth of yours, smiling lovingly at his shy, darting eyes and flushed cheeks.

He gives a shocked huff at your proposal of letting Brunhilda (Ponyo) become human with his powers and Sosuke's love for her combined, perking up in alarm.

"But, my love," he starts, shaking his head minisculely at the absurdity of your offer. "He's only five! If his love for her isn't genuine, then she'll turn into sea foam!"