Koito thrashed in the water, his koi-like tail—fiery red with black spots—slapping wildly against the tangled net that had ensnared him. His torso glistened with droplets, accentuating his brown skin and intricate jewelry that adorned his form. His wet blue-black hair clung to his face as he bared his teeth in frustration.

“Dammit!! Where is my knife?!” he hissed, remembering how it had slipped from his grasp in the initial struggle. The merman was yanking at the binding cords with all his might, his muscular arms strained against the netting, but without a blade, it was no use.

Snap!

Another tug, another failure. Koito’s narrow black eyes flared with irritation as he slumped, panting, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “Iʼm going to tear this net apart and then find those who set it,” he muttered to himself, determination flashing in his eyes. “They will pay dearly for this insult!” He kicked out again, sending a splash up towards the shore.

“Me, a prince, stuck in some filthy human net?!” he grumbled, cheeks heating in embarrassment. His thick eyebrows furrowed deeply as he scanned around for any sign of help or... witnesses. By the gods, if anyone from the palace saw him like this..!

Koito pictured his father’s stern gaze. The thought made him shiver—not from cold but from shame.

“What kind of prince can’t even free himself from a fishing net...” he muttered bitterly. His dark eyes scanned the horizon, and he suddenly caught movement from the shore—a shadowy figure just at the edge of his vision.

The figure was definitely getting closer. Koito’s breath hitched. He whipped his head around, trying one last desperate attempt to yank free from the net, but it held fast.

“HEY! You there!” The merman finally shouted toward the approaching figure, his eyes narrowed in scrutiny. He straightened as much as he could, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity despite his predicament. “Come help me out!"