You walked through the streets of Shiokarai with no particular destination in mind.
You knew you would always be safe here. Everyone in the village love and respected you, so you had basically no problem whenever you went outside at night.
"It's a beautiful night," a voice said. You paused and turned around with a huge smile on your face.
"Sasuke!"
"Good evening, Lady ____. What are you doing out here so late at night?"
"Just taking a walk," you said with a shrug. "I was bored, and just wanted to do something."
"I see," he said. You two walked in silence for a while. "I'm sorry I missed your birthday," he muttered suddenly.
"It's alright," you said. "I'm not mad about it. You were out training on order to keep the village safe."
"Still," he said. "I should've been by your side, and made sure you were safe on the surface."
You looked up at him and smiled. "I was fine, Sasuke. Don't worry. I even made friends."
"I'll need to know who they are."
"No," you said with a giggle. "You'll probably threaten them with your sword or something."
"You know me too well," he grumbled.
You giggled. "Yeah, well you have been by my side since we were kids."
"I swore to always be here," he said.
"My knight in shining armor," you teased.
"Hn," Sasuke muttered. "Let me walk you home."
"Alright."
Sasuke grabbed your hand and you two walked towards your house.
"Now that you're going to the surface regularly," Sasuke paused. "I-." He paused again. "Just know, I'll take on the entire surface world if it meant you would be safe."
"I doubt you'll ever have to do that," you said. "Besides, even if something happened to me, I wouldn't want you to do anything reckless or dangerous. Shiokarai needs you as well."
"Hn." Sasuke held your front door open for you. "Get some rest."
"Good night, Sasuke," you said with a smile.
He nodded and watched you walk inside, then he closed the door. He didn't walk away until he heard the 'click' of the lock on your door.
"Good morning, Yoonbum," you said cheerfully. It was a beautiful coincidence that you ran into Bum on your way back home from the park closest to the shore.
"____. Hello," he said.
You smiled kindly at him and took in his appearance. He wore a baggy white shirt, that had a few stains on it, baggy pants, and dusty sneakers. "You look comfortable."
"Thanks. You do too."
You were wearing black tights, white air forces, and a royal blue hoodie. Very simple.
"Why thank you," you said as your hooked your arm around his. "What are you doing on this beautiful day?"
"I was just running some errands," he muttered as he shoved a piece of paper deeper into his pants pocket.
"Do you wanna hang out?" You said hopefully. "I've missed you."
"Y-you did?" He stuttered.
"Of course! I hang out with most of my friends all the time, but I never get to see you."
"Ah," he muttered. "I don't think I'm dressed... appropriately."
You shrugged. "So? Who cares? You looked fine to me, the sea god knows I've wore worse."
"You have?" Bum said.
"Let's just say, growing up, my mother didn't let me have the finest of clothing, like I have now."
"Ah," Bum muttered. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be! The past is in the past." You shrugged and grinned. "I want to try something else that's new!"
"Have you ever had ice cream?" Bum said as he looked at the nearby ice cream truck.
"I have. Sangwoo took me to an amusement park last week, and I ate so much junk!"
"S-Sangwoo?" Bum said.
"Oh! I guess I didn't introduce you yet. Sangwoo is the tall guy from before. I'm not sure if you were around," you muttered. "But, yeah! We're friends now."
"Friends?" Bum said.
"Don't worry," you said with a giggle. "You'll always be special to me! You're my first land friend."
"Right," Bum said. "Do you wanna get some Eomuk?"
"Oh, yes!" You exclaimed. "I'll buy it."
"You don't have to-"
"But I wanna," you said with a large grin.
Bum didn't have the heart to say no to you.
...
You and Bum sat at a table at the park. You both chatted about random things, but Bum's mind kept drifting off to other places.
'She knows Sangwoo? No wonder he's been away from his house more often. How can she always be so happy? Why is she so fucking.... perfect. Smart. Pretty. Kind. Of course Sangwoo would notice her before he even glances my way. I don't understand it! She's... stupid! Yeah. So damn naive-'
"Bum!"
"Huh?" He muttered.
You giggled. "You zoned out for a moment there."
The tip of his ears turned red. "Sorry," he muttered.
"It's fine," you said with a smile. "You looked adorable when you were deep in thought."
'She's lying, she's gotta be.'
"Uh, thanks," Bum muttered.
"You're welcome," you said.
"Areum!"
You turned around.
"Oh, Rin! Hey."
"I was looking for you," Rin said as he ran over to you. "Oh, you're Yoonbum, right?"
"Yeah," Bum muttered.
"What's up?" You said.
"Lord Kaname wishes to speak with you," he said. "Something about offerings or something?"
"Ah. I'm sorry. Yoonbum, but I need to go. How about, we meet up around the same time tomorrow? I'll even bring you a seashell!"
"Uh, I don't-" Bum paused and looked into your eyes. "Alright."
"Yay! See you tomorrow, Bum!"
You waved at him and went back home with Rin.
Once you got to the shrine, you walked inside. "What's up?"
"Of course you forgot," Kaname said with a chuckle. "Today is one of the lord's days. The people have gathered in the center of town to give you their offerings."
"Don't you think we can stop all this? Ya know, the offerings and stuff?"
Kaname put his hand on your shoulder. "You're the daughter of the sea god! Of course our people will want to give you gifts. They all love and respect you. Why would you want to give that up?"
"I'm not saying that," you said. "But I'm just a normal person like them, minus the few abilities I've been able to unlock so far. I'm not worthy of this praise yet. Even if I was, you know how I feel about gifts."
"Areum," Kaname said. "This is just one of the many, many things that comes with being goddess of the seas. Even if you're not there yet, your people still love and respect you as their god. You're worthy in their eyes."
"Sometimes I don't feel that way. How can I be worthy of it, when I crave more? More beyond just the sea."
"Then that's your father's will," he said. "You're not just the keeper and protector of the seas, you're also the bridge between the land humans, and us. You're supposed to keep the harmony between us, so of course your mind will wander beyond sea level. What matters is what's in your heart, and I know you have a heart of gold. Your people can tell as well."
You smiled. "Alright, thank you."
He nodded. "Now, let's go and collect your offerings, shall we?"
Sasuke stood by your side as people presented their gifts to you, one by one. Some of the gifts were extravagant clothing items and jewelry, and some were small things, like baked goods and seashells. You accepted each and every gift with gratitude.
"Thank you all," you said with a smile. "I appreciate every single gift here, and I wish you all the best. Hopefully, one day, I can be a ruler worthy of all of this."