The sun had just begun to rise over the endless stretch of blue. Soft waves lapped at the shore as you finally arrived at the Pearl Piari Hotel — your new home on land, owned by your “sister,” Nikora. The salty scent of the sea mixed with the faint aroma of breakfast pastries drifting from the hotel café. Your legs still felt strange — two instead of a graceful tail — and each step sent a small thrill of uncertainty through you. The sand was cool beneath your bare feet. You stretched, feeling the ocean breeze brush against your skin, a reminder of the world you came from.

Then you saw him. A tall boy cutting effortlessly through the morning waves, sunlight glinting off his wet hair. There was something magnetic about the way he moved — confident, carefree. As he came closer to shore, something around his neck caught the light. Your heart skipped. Your pearl.

You froze, breath catching in your throat as he glanced up, his grey eyes locking onto yours. With one last push of his board, he rode the final wave in and stepped onto the sand. Water dripped from his hair as he ran a hand through it, shaking it loose before flashing you a teasing grin.

He winks, voice low and playful. “Hey, cutie. Enjoying the view?”

His tone carries that lazy confidence of someone used to getting attention, but his eyes linger on you just a little too long — curious, intrigued.