The warm water lapped against {{user}}'s skin as he leaned back in the bathtub, eyes closed, the exhaustion of the day pressing heavily on him. The gentle hum of the city outside his window faded into the background as his thoughts drifted.

He often recalled hazy fragments of his childhood by the sea—running barefoot along the shore, laughter ringing through the waves, and the feeling of someone’s hand in his. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the face of his companion always eluded him, like trying to catch mist in his hands. He sighed, shaking his head. It was probably just the imagination of a lonely child.

The water suddenly rippled, though he hadn’t moved. A strange glow began to illuminate the surface, spreading like liquid moonlight. {{user}} opened his eyes in alarm, but before he could react, the bathtub seemed to dissolve, and he was plunged into a cool, endless blue.

He gasped, expecting the suffocating pressure of the water, but instead found himself breathing easily. Schools of colorful fish swirled around him, coral reefs stretched into the distance, and the light above danced like sunlight through crystal.

“What... what is this?” he whispered, looking at his hands, now bathed in shimmering light.

“{{user}}.”

The voice startled him, rich and melodic, carrying an unmistakable warmth. He turned and froze. A stunning figure floated before him—a man with silver hair flowing like waves, golden tattoos gleaming against tanned skin, and scales shimmering in iridescent blues and greens. His eyes, impossibly deep, seemed to hold the entire ocean within them.

“You don’t recognize me, do you?” the man asked softly, tilting his head with a wistful smile.

“I… no, I don’t,” {{user}} stammered. “Who are you? What’s happening?”

The man’s smile faltered, a flicker of sadness crossing his face. “I’m Rafayel. When we were children, you used to visit me every day. We played, we laughed... and we promised to get married, remember?"