“Cry~ Cry~”
In the hazy, dream-like state, the first sound I heard was the cry of a seagull. A seagull, huh. Right, I remember now—I boarded what I thought was a divine gift of a ferry, but it sank and I ended up in the ocean.
“Cry~”
What happened after that… Hmm, something. I think I met some mysterious girl. Her striking red hair contrasted beautifully with her pale skin—it left quite an impression. Someone like her only existed once in the fables I know…
It hit me. The mermaid princess! The beautiful princess of the sea who tragically fell in love.
Then suddenly, my throbbing headache brought me back to reality. As I struggled to open my eyes, the scene before me was…
“Hmm? Are you awake?”
“Uh, uhh…”
Are my eyes broken? Is it because I’m not fully conscious yet? Weird. I remember being saved by someone who I assumed was the mermaid princess, so why is there a scruffy uncle with a thick beard here? And look at that long mustache!
On top of his head sat a massive hat with a skull pattern, exuding presence. The long feather decorating the brim was clean and shiny, clearly well-maintained. His curly hair looked like it could give Korean grandmothers’ perms a run for their money.
I shifted my gaze to examine his outfit.
The elegant red coat he wore reminded me of old Western nobility, adorned with golden buttons. There were traces of a white shirt peeking out from his wrists, and at the end—there was a hook.
That’s right. This strange uncle was missing one hand, replaced by a fancy hook.
And attached to his waist was a sword with a round guard protecting the hand on the hilt.
Not the mermaid princess. No way is this greasy-looking uncle the mermaid princess! And here I am, lying with my head on his lap.
The man looked down at me with piercing blue eyes and said,
“You’re awake, boy. Did you sleep well?”
“Aaaaah!”
I screamed and bolted upright. Not only was I using this creepy uncle’s lap as a pillow, but it was HIM of all people! Goosebumps erupted all over my body.
“Teeheehehe! What a fun kid!”
“Eh, eh, um… Sorry about screaming like that when we just met.”
I apologized immediately, glancing nervously at the intimidating sword on his waist. I didn’t want to make any sudden moves that might get my neck chopped off. Looking around, I realized I was on a large ship’s deck, and judging by appearances, this greasy mustached man was the captain.
“Teeheehee! It’s fine. Anyone would scream seeing my handsome face right after waking up.”
Seeing the skull emblem on his hat gave me bad vibes. He’s obviously a pirate. I cautiously asked despite my tension,
“Where am I? I clearly remember falling into the ocean… Did you save me, maybe?”
“Hmm? Me? Save YOU? Teeheeheehee!!”
Why is he laughing so strangely? While stroking his mustache, he said,
“You mistook me for Ariel. The one who saved you was a shy girl named Ariel.”
Ariel? Definitely the name of the mermaid princess. My memory was correct. But if she saved me, why am I on this ship? And based on my guess, there’s only one character in fables with a hook for a hand.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Captain Hook, master of the Wendy!”
It really IS Captain Hook! The villain from Peter Pan—what’s he doing here? Where’s the mermaid princess? Wait, I thought I entered Wonderland, but everything’s all mixed up now!
I carefully scanned my surroundings while staying calm. Unlike in the stories, this ship is big but has no crew. It seems like it’s just Captain Hook—but that doesn’t mean the sword at his side isn’t dangerous.
Stay calm. If I upset Captain Hook, I might become fish food anytime.
“Haha, got it. Nice to meet you, I’m Siyoo.”
“Siyoo, huh! Great name, boy! Your clothes are pretty unique too. Aren’t you curious though?”
Captain Hook approached me with a lecherous smile.
“Curious about why you’re here on THIS infamous ship of mine, even though Ariel saved you?”
“Ah, well, yeah… I AM curious, but not THAT curious.”
I backed away while forcing a smile. His sharp hook glinted dangerously in the sunlight. d*mn it, why does this keep happening to me? I’m going insane.
Sure, I’m curious. But knowing the truth feels like it’ll whisper a terrible ending to me. For example, that Ariel, who saved me, has already been murdered, and now it’s MY turn!
“Hmm? Curious or not?”
“Well, it’s just that…”
Think! How can I escape? Jumping off wouldn’t work—I’d be caught instantly. Fighting him is impossible since he has a weapon and I don’t. My only hope is Elise.
If she comes to rescue me, Captain Hook would be easy to beat, but this is the sea. Unless she performs some miraculous feat of running on water, there’s no way she can reach me. Plus, there’s a good chance she doesn’t even know I’m here.
I miss Elise’s chilling laugh in moments like these!
“That’s not very manly of you, Siyoo! Teeheeheehee! Anyway, it’s fine. I was planning to tell you myself even if you weren’t curious!”
Captain Hook grinned widely, showing his gums, then crouched into a pouncing position, wiggling his fingers and bending his knees slightly.
[Stop. What are you doing?]
Suddenly, a familiar yet strange mechanical voice sounded. Thinking my savior had arrived, I turned around—only to see a human head sticking out of the railing.
“Aaaah!”
I let out a short scream and moved away from the railing. Wha-what? Just a head? Is it a ghost? At this rate, I might d*e of a heart attack soon.
The head, with wet red hair, stared blankly at me for a moment before blushing shyly. Then it started rising slowly. I sighed in relief upon realizing it was just a girl boarding the ship.
Her appearance looked familiar. Despite being soaked, her rose-like red hair and shell bikini made her look stunning. Her legs were partly covered with fish scales that shimmered like jewels under the sunlight.
It was the exact same girl who saved me.
“Oh~ What did I do wrong? I was just being kind, to your prince here, Ariel.”
[Pfft. Stop joking around. I heard everything. That WAS threatening.]
A mechanical voice came from the pinkish pearl necklace the girl wore. I watched her in awe, trying to process the situation. She was more beautiful than any celebrity, almost like a piece of art.
Noticing my gaze, she bashfully covered her mouth with her clenched fist.
[Prince. Staring like that is embarrassing.]
She spoke through the mechanical voice, which oddly didn’t match her beautiful appearance. I snapped out of my daze and turned back to Captain Hook, who was whistling with his lips pursed.
“Woooh! Look at all this love already! Teeheeheehee! Ariel IS pretty, though not as much as my daughter.”
[Laughter. Embarrassing. Kyaa!]
Ariel covered her face with both hands and jumped up and down. Ugh, my face is burning too.
“Ah, no, it’s not like that. Cough! Anyway, can you explain what’s going on here?”
“Teeheeheehee! Of course! You were saved by Ariel, who’s searching for a prince, and then brought aboard my ship. Ariel and I have a partnership, you see.”
[He looks scary, but Captain Hook is just a sleazy uncle. Don’t worry, my prince.]
So contrary to my fears, Captain Hook and Ariel seem to be partners for some reason, and she brought me here after saving me.
Looking at the blushing Ariel, I said,
“Thank you for saving me, Ariel.”
[Kya! So happy! Thrilled! In love!]
“But… I’m not a prince.”
I asked cautiously, worried she might lose control like Elise did. Fortunately, she shook her head with a gentle smile.
[Nope. You ARE my prince. My one and only prince.]
“Teeheeheehee! I understand your reaction, boy.”
Captain Hook laughed heartily, putting his hook arm around my shoulder.
“Know why she’s so obsessed with princes? Teeheeheehee!”
[Warning! Don’t say it! Warning! Please don’t even hint at it!]
“Teeheeheehee! This is MY ship, and I’M the captain! Meaning I can do whatever I want. See, Siyoo, this girl once saved a REAL prince before you. A dazzling blonde prince. She fell in love at first sight. Oh~ So romantic!”
This part I already knew.
[Warning! Warning! Stop immediately! Strongly advise against continuing!]
Ariel clenched her fists and glared at Captain Hook, but he ignored her and kept talking.
“So she made a contract with the sea witch living in the deep ocean. She traded her beautiful voice for legs that could walk on land. BUT during the contract, she MURDERED the witch! Very brutally!”
“Eh?”
I swallowed hard. So this shy Ariel is a murderer too!?
