SIREN SONG (BXB) [Interactive]

MERMAIDS ARE REAL

"Oh come on, boy, it's just a fish!" Capt. Aimoto scorned. He stared Aizen down with disapproving eyes, "If you can't catch a fish, then what kind of fisherman are you?!" The two other fishermen, twins Rin and Ryouto, only watched as he was condemned.

Aizen stared at the ground, ashamed of himself. He could only mumble in response, "I'm sorry, captai-"

"Save it." Capt. Aimoto interrupted. It was clear that he was disappointed. "That's another thing about you," he continued, "you always say sorry, yet you never follow through with results I can forgive you for. At that point, what worth do your apologies hold?" Aizen opened his mouth to respond, but his captain wouldn't allow him to get a word in, "I'll tell you: nothing!" Capt. Aimoto pressed his brows together and sighed, "Look, son, I didn't criticize you just for ridicule; all I have to say is that if you're going to be a fisherman, the key thing you have to learn is to fish. You are eighteen now; on this ship, I've raised you for fourteen years. You need to learn how to be self-sufficient, do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," mumbled Aizen, still facing the ground.

"I can't hear you." Capt. Aimoto replied.

"Yes, sir!" Aizen shouted; his voice cracked in between his words, earning a snicker from Rin; Ryouto elbowed him to stop laughing. Aizen couldn't help but blush in embarrassment. His eyes remained on the floorboards as he heard Capt. Aimoto's footsteps grow quieter.

Aizen had a hard time fishing due to his incredible empathy toward animals, especially marine life. Killing them would leave him riddled with guilt and fear; it felt inhumane. As a result, Aizen was in charge of many other tasks on the ship, including predicting the weather and net mending. Although he was of great use to the boat, his inability to fish was often highlighted by his shipmate, especially his uncle, the captain. One day, however, that would change. Soon, Aizen would be able to fish.

Aizen's thoughts were interrupted by a gentle hand laid onto his shoulder. He flinched in response and looked up to see Ryouto, one of his older cousins. "Hey, you've been staring down at the ground for a while now. What are you thinking about?" Ryouto was a very nice guy, much gentler than his brother, Rin, and his father, Capt. Aimoto. As a result, Aizen found it easier to confide in him rather than the other two.

Aizen looked into Ryouto's eyes and found worry, "Nothing, nothing at all," he assured. Instead of the calmer expression Aizen anticipated, he only sensed irritation, "What?"

"I know that you're lying." Ryouto's voice was suddenly cold. Similar to Aizen, Ryouto was a very observant person; in fact, that's where Aizen got his observation skills.

Aizen smiled and chuckled in response, "You caught me, huh?" Ryouto, on the other hand, didn't laugh at all.

"This isn't funny, Aizen." He led him to the rails of the balcony, and Aizen mentally prepared himself for yet another lecture, "I don't mind you not being able to confide in me; you don't have to tell me everything. But I want you to be able to release your emotions in some way, without lying to me. By your expression, I could tell that Captain's words got to you; he doesn't mean to be rude to you, you know-"

"I know." Aizen interrupted, "And then you're going to tell me the actual meaning behind Captain's words, and how he actually cares about me, but he just says things harshly." He stared dead at Ryouto, his eyes half-lidded and annoyed, "Aren't you?" His attitude seeped into his words so clearly that it made Ryouto chuckle.

"No," Ryouto lied, he stared down at the ground trying to draw another conclusion, "What I'm trying to say is that you're a grown man now, and you should be able to find some way to express your feelings freely. Try writing them down, or talking to someone." Although Ryouto's words were half-assed, they still found a way into Aizen's head.