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To avoid dragging the Mermaid Cafe into politically sensitive matters, it primarily caters to mermaids from the surrounding area. Unless there are special circumstances—such as repaying a favor—humans are generally not welcomed here.
As a result, the menu is tailored exclusively for mermaids, featuring cakes, deep-sea fruits, shellfish, and kelp-based dishes. However, no meat is ever served.
Despite the abundance of fish on Fishman Island, mermaids share a unique bond with marine life, communicating freely with ordinary fish and considering them companions rather than food. Because of this, they abstain from eating fish and all other forms of meat.
At this point, Shyarly suddenly recalled the vision she had seen in her crystal ball moments ago. Without warning, she turned to Hikaru and asked,
"There are plenty of beautiful mermaids working at the Mermaid Cafe. Would you like me to create an opportunity for you to capture one of them~?"
Hikaru scoffed, his tone laced with disdain. "What a joke! Do I look like I need your help to capture a mermaid?"
Then, as if reconsidering, he smirked and changed the subject. "Of course, I wouldn't want to dismiss your kindness. If you'd be disappointed otherwise, feel free to help me. Taking a shortcut isn't such a bad idea."
For the first time, a rare, genuine smile appeared on Shyarly's usually cold face. The contrast between her usual demeanor and this fleeting expression fascinated Hikaru. He instinctively leaned in, wanting to observe it more closely.
Just then, a loud, urgent knock sounded at the door, accompanied by an excited, cheerful voice.
"Lady Shyarly~! Lady Shyarly~! I'm coming in~!"
Shyarly's expression shifted instantly. Panicked, she attempted to push Hikaru away from her shark tail.
But Hikaru wasn't about to let such a trivial interruption deter him. Ignoring the voice outside and Shyarly's flustered reaction, he moved even closer.
"You…"
Meanwhile, the persistent voice outside continued complaining. "Why won't the door open? Lady Shyarly, did you lock it?"
After a long moment, Hikaru finally pulled back, albeit reluctantly.
He suddenly recalled the taste of great blue shark he'd sampled not long ago—unexpectedly sweet.
They say a great blue shark's saliva has healing properties and even extends lifespan. Is that true?
Shyarly's relaxed brows and stunning lips painted a mesmerizing picture, but… was it a good or bad thing that her shark fangs were so sharp?
Out of nowhere, a sudden chill ran down Hikaru's spine, making him involuntarily shudder.
Shyarly stole a nervous glance at the door. Seeing that it remained shut, she let out a breath of relief and whispered, lightly patting Hikaru,
"Luckily, Camie hasn't come in yet. If she saw this… I wouldn't be able to maintain my dignity as the manager of the Mermaid Cafe!"
Hikaru smirked but said nothing. He slowly pulled away from Shyarly's shark tail, silently withdrawing his Peto Peto no Mi power, relinquishing control over the door.
The moment he did, there was a loud "Oof!" followed by the sound of something crashing.
Camie had burst through the door with such force that she slammed straight into it, leaving a noticeable dent.
By the time she regained her balance, Shyarly had already composed herself, assuming a poised and elegant posture. Holding a book on divination in her hands, she cast a cold, critical gaze at Camie.
"Camie! This is highly improper. No one was calling for you, yet you barged in so forcefully!"
Camie, rubbing the bump on her forehead, paid no mind to Shyarly's scolding. She simply swam over with a bright smile, wrapping her arms around Shyarly's.
"Hehe~ I was just too excited! I barely escaped from the clutches of a huge, ugly, and terrifying sea beast!"
She giggled shyly, hugging Shyarly's arm and swaying playfully. "That's why I'm so happy. I couldn't wait to see my dear Shyarly~!"
Shyarly was momentarily speechless, unable to come up with a sharp retort.
"You—you really need to change that recklessly lively personality of yours! If you ever get caught and eaten by a sea beast, there won't be a chance for you to regret it!"
"Hmph! I'm not afraid. Who in the sea can match a mermaid's swimming skills? Even among mermaids, I'm one of the fastest!" Camie boasted confidently.
"Alright, alright, you're the fastest~" Shyarly replied in a half-hearted tone, as if humoring a child. "If you've got so much energy, why don't you go help out in the cafe?"
Camie blinked and suddenly noticed Hikaru standing nearby.
"Eh!? Why is there a human here?" She tilted her head in confusion before turning to Shyarly. "Lady Shyarly, when did you start hiding humans in your room?"
Hikaru smirked slightly. This Camie was exactly as he remembered—innocent and easily fooled. He figured he could probably mess with her head with just a few words.
"He's currently the most distinguished guest of Fishman Island and the Mermaid Cafe," Shyarly explained casually before quickly shooing Camie away. "Alright, Camie, go on out first. I need to change my clothes."
"Okay~" Camie agreed absentmindedly and swam out, even closing the door behind her out of habit.
Then, after a brief pause, she suddenly froze.
"Wait a minute—!"
A realization hit her like a crashing wave. "I'm a female mermaid! Why did you make me leave instead of Hikaru?!"
Hikaru chuckled. "Camie really is… special."
Shyarly let out a small laugh, then turned slightly to the side, using her body to shield herself as she changed.
She had simply planned to put on something more comfortable, but she hadn't expected to be in this situation—being watched by Hikaru, this shameless and troublesome man.
His gaze followed her movements as she slipped into a light pink striped top and layered it with her signature deep purple witch's robe—a look she had maintained for over a century.
Hikaru's lips curled up slightly. This outfit suited her well. Not only did it conceal what needed to be covered, but it also made her even more alluring in his eyes.
"Why are you staring? Haven't you seen enough~?" Shyarly teased, tossing her lavender wizard robe at him with a chuckle.
Though they had only known each other for a short time, the prophecy's influence had accelerated their bond unnaturally. In a world as extraordinary as this, common logic didn't apply.
"How can anyone ever get enough?" Hikaru replied without hesitation. With a casual wave of his hand, he hung the robe neatly on a nearby rack. "If I get the chance to admire something, I won't waste it. I'm not one to hesitate."
"Okay~ If you keep being so indecisive about the wrong things, it won't do you any good," Shyarly playfully chided, then gracefully swam toward the door. "Come on, let's go. The kind and lovely mermaids will be waiting to have fun with you~"
Hikaru smirked and followed her toward the front counter of the Mermaid Cafe.
By now, it was almost noon, and the cafe was filling up with customers.
"Lady Shyarly!"
"It's rare to see Lady Shyarly out front!"
"Madam Shyarly! Any new predictions lately?"
Shyarly's tall, striking figure immediately drew attention, and as soon as she appeared at the counter, excited voices called out to her from all directions.
She responded with a faint smile before raising her voice. "Sorry, but due to special circumstances, the Mermaid Cafe will be closed for now."
"Huh? But why, Lady Shyarly?" A marlin mermaid frowned. "Lunch hour is about to start! If we close now, won't we lose a lot of business?"
"I've had a new prophecy," Shyarly explained cryptically. "I can't reveal it just yet, but the mermaids of the cafe will play a role in fulfilling it. Trust me, in the next two days, you'll all benefit from the 'big event' to come."
"Ohhh, I see! If it's a prophecy, then we'll definitely cooperate!"
Character Note:
Camie – Cheerful and adorable, with short light green hair and a pink fishtail. She's naive and easily fooled.