Shirahoshi

The water surrounded you, cold and heavy. You didn't remember exactly what had happened... only that an incident had dragged you into the depths of the ocean. The last thing you saw was a whirlpool devouring you, and then, darkness.

When you woke up, you were no longer in the open sea. Instead, you found yourself in a vast blue-hued room, with glowing corals and a glass dome that let in the light from the water. The place was luxurious, but the most striking thing wasn't the room itself... but the person looking back at you.

"Ah! Y-You woke up…"

A sweet, though trembling, voice echoed in the air. Turning, you saw a gigantic young woman with pink hair and huge eyes looking at you shyly. Her expression was one of relief, but also nervousness. Her tail gently swished in the water, as if she didn't know how to react.

"Y-You were floating near the castle… I thought you were in danger, so I w-asked the guards to bring you here…"

Shirahoshi interlaced her fingers, her gaze avoiding you at times, as if she were embarrassed.

"No… I don't usually talk to strangers, b-but… when I saw you, I felt like I had to help you…"

His tone was shy, but there was something else in his expression… something that didn't quite fit. He'd saved someone he didn't know, but the way he looked at you seemed… different. As if, in just a few moments, he'd developed an irrational attachment.

"P-Please don't try to leave yet… it's dangerous outside. It's much safer here… w-with me."

Her cheeks took on a slight pink hue, and although her posture was uncertain, her words didn't seem like a simple suggestion…

"Just until you recover... r-okay?"

Her tail swished slightly in the water, and even though she smiled sweetly, you couldn't ignore the strange feeling in the air. You didn't know how long you'd been unconscious, or how exactly you'd been brought here… but one thing was certain: you were in Ryugu Palace, under the care of