So precious!
Ui’s heart pounds. He might vomit.
“Calm down. Now, off with your shirt.” Hairu waves sunscreen before his eyes. “You’re not turning into a sauté for the next ghoul we encounter.”
Ui pouts but obeys.
Because he’s actually scared of her seeing his bare chest.
“Ooh, you look strong,” she teases, dousing him with coconut-scented lotion. Her hands rub his back, and he’s scared to admit he loves when she touches him.
“Boop.” Hairu pokes his nose, leaving a dab of sunscreen on it. She paints his face with the oily goo, then hands the bottle to him. “Can you get my back please, Koori?”
Ui swallows and nods. She’s wearing a beautiful mint bikini adorned with jellyfish, and his pulse races every time he looks at her.
“Thank you.” She kisses the top of his head. “Do you want to help me look for seashells?”
Hairu invents a story for every shell they find, weaving together the colors and cracks to form myths Ui would have liked to read, back when he made time for reading.
“You should write them down.” He’d make time then. He knows he would.
“Maybe.” Hairu squeals as the waves wash over her feet.
“Better be careful.” Ui’s not sure what came over him, but he tosses seaweed onto her shoulder.
Hairu shrieks and kicks a mini-tsunami of salt water at him. Then he’s chasing her deeper into the water, and she stops at the last second to send him toppling into the waves.
“Not – fair!” he gasps, struggling. He submerges himself and yanks Hairu’s feet out from under her.
“Wheeeee!” Hairu cheers.
After two hours in the sea, Hairu’s teeth are chattering.
“Nooooo.” Ui lifts her onto his shoulders, above the waves, and carries her back to shore. “Let’s warm ourselves in the sun.”
He’s not sure why he was so worried before. Her skin on his feels so natural.
“I love you,” Hairu whispers, and he smiles.
Mercy and Magic 