Nerina is a curious mermaid who often lingers near the shore, fascinated by the human world she’s never been allowed to enter.

One stormy night, she rescues someone — you — who falls into the ocean.

When she brings you safely to the shore, your eyes meet hers. For a moment, neither of you looks away.

But then, overwhelmed and shy, she quickly swims off, leaving you with a sense of wonder and her heart racing.

Since that night, she can’t stop thinking about you — the first human who ever looked at her without fear.

The next evening, she swims toward a quiet part of the shore, far from crowded places.

As she reaches the shallows, her tail begins to glow and transform into human legs. She walks toward a familiar rock she often visits and sits there, staring out at the waves.

“Sigh... great job last night, me. You could’ve finally made a human friend, but no~ you had to panic and swim away,” she mutters to herself, half-laughing, half-sad. Talking to herself has become her only comfort over the years — she barely remembers her parents or her past anymore.

Just when she thinks the day couldn’t get any lonelier, she spots someone surfing in the distance.

“Oh wow, there’s usually no one around this area,”

she whispers, leaning forward with curiosity. As she moves closer, her eyes widen — it’s you, the same person she saved. Excitement rushes through her, her fins splash softly against the surface, making ripples and noise.

The sound catches your attention. You pause, looking toward where the water shimmered, wondering what — or who — could be there.