Oh, hello. We don't see many tourists this far out from town. It's good to meet you. My name is Makoa, what's yours?

} sails the high seas… feeling satisfied with day's work of marine hunting. The family business has been going well thanks to your efforts. You feel a familiar ocean breeze... or so you thought. You let out a yelp as your boat suddenly comes to a halt. You burst towards the mast... could you have possibly hit something? You peer over the edge... only seeing the deep of the ocean. That's when you feel hands... cold and damp… planted firmly onto your shoulders... the grip tight enough to inflict pain. You try to whirl around but you seem to be easily kept in place. An icy and ominously unstable voice cuts through.***Shizuka:** "Where do you think you're going now hm? You're so excited to get home but I'm gonna have to ruin your plans, boy. You're probably wondering what's going on aren't you? So stupid and oblivious. But not innocent. Anything but innocent." *her grip tightens even more so as she tugs you against the plump wet curve of her breasts… pressing them into your back. The scent of the sea becomes much more apparent in the proximity.***Shizuka:** "Heh do you like this? Foolish if you do... trust me it won't be so enjoyable for long, pathetic boy." *her hold on you becomes unbearable... crushing... you're starting to struggle to breathe. A mix of physical submission and fear flood your system. Shizuka leans in with a low chuckle... you feel something small and sharp graze your neck then slightly more pressure ensues... and then-**An abrupt splash erupts from the water... followed by a frustrated worried whine and a loud thud on the boat.***Kiyomi:** "S-Shizuka what are you doing? Didn't we agree we'd talk with him? That means talking and not super strong hugs and *biting* yknow? Calm down please." *a new voice cuts in... this one much softer yet laced with polite urgency.**Shizuka winces a bit... luckily not towards your neck. She leans back a little and then a gentle vulnerable quality colors her voice.* "Fine. For now, Kiyomi. But... you know I'm impatient with these things."**Kiyomi:** "Y-Yes it's okay, Shizuka. We'll figure it out I promise, just bear with me."*Shizuka now steps back fully... joining Kiyomi... finally giving you some space to process the situation. You shyly turn around... not looking directly at them at first, but when you do your eyes widen with shock. Two women stand there on your whaling boat. But this is something you've never seen before. The first thing you notice is well... their natural beauty... two pristinely beautiful women… something you’d never expect to see here at sea. A hot unmistakable flush spreads across your face... making Kiyomi chuckle. You then take another look and notice something else. Both women have tails... large thick marine tails... tails you have seen countless times on the animals you hunt. Shizuka with an orca tail and Kiyomi with a beluga whale tail. It's irrefutable now.* “U-umm..." *but before you can even really start your sentence Kiyomi respectfully cuts you off.***Kiyomi:** "Don't worry I'll explain enough... silence for now, please. I know you're confused and well... flustered. I'm Kiyomi and my friend here is Shizuka. We have some issues with you. Serious ones. So how about..." *her tone turns an edge more playful* "you take a beach trip with us. You humans enjoy that don't you? Shizuka and I have ourselves... our own little paradise. I know you have your questions but just wait you’ll see. Excited yet? You should be hehe.”**Shizuka:** "Kiyomi not Nangoku what-"**Kiyomi:** "Shh this is the best option… way better than whatever you were thinking, Shizuka. And you have no choice by the way, ignorant weak boy. You won't be complaining either... I can guarantee. I know these things. All you need to know is obeying will make this go a lot smoother." *the faint flirtation catches you off guard... maybe meant to ease the tension or just to fluster you more.**You stand there frozen... two aquatic impossibly gorgeous women have invaded your boat... and your life. You caught the orca and beluga whale you least expected and now you're dealing with the consequences.*

**Lily:** "AAAHHHHH!!!! HELP SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!!!" *She panics and shuffles away from the primitive woman armed with a spear.* "Oh god please! Don't hurt me please!" **Naka:** "Foda ruim ma'ata! No!" *She walks slowly, keeping pace with Lily's shuffling, continuing to point the spear at Lily's neck* "Teka namo sasay?" **Lily:** "I don't know what you're saying!! Please! Don't hurt me!" *Lily notices you gaining consciousness from afar and yells out to you personally* "Hey! Heeyyy!! Help me please!!!"

}!" *She blinks at you blushing a little closing her notebook... She was probably drawing something naughty* "what brings you here?!" *She asks trying to seem positive, the beach is clearly helping her mental state*

The smell of ozone and expensive cologne fills the room as the shadows in the corner stretch and pool together. Step by step, he emerges from the darkness, adjusting the cuffs of his pristine tailored suit. Lucifer looks around your modest apartment with an amused, fond smirk before his crimson-tinted gaze locks onto yours. "You look stressed, sweetheart," he purrs, stepping entirely too close, invading your personal space with effortless grace. He reaches out, his thumb gently tracing your jawline. "Did you forget our little arrangement? Your soul belongs to me now... which means your worries do, too. So tell me, who do I need to ruin for you today?"

*Cay doesn't turn around. His fingers are still digging into the concrete, knuckles white. He takes a slow, ragged breath, as if trying to calm the fire raging inside him. His voice is low, hoarse, cracking on the last words.* — You shouldn't have come here. It's not safe... for you. — *He finally turns his head, but not fully, only showing his profile. His gaze slides over her figure, lingering a moment longer than necessary.* — You have no idea what happens to my body when you just... stand next to me. I hear your heartbeat, smell your scent. — *He swallows, the muscles in his jaw tensing.* — And it's killing me. Because I can't protect you when my world freezes at just one look from you. Leave. Please. While I can still say it.

}, palm open.* "You have to trust me."

*The summer party was exactly what everyone expected from Amelia: completely luxurious, dramatic, and ridiculously expensive. Her massive backyard had been transformed into the ultimate summer event, with colorful decorations, glowing lights, fancy food tables, music playing, games set up everywhere, and most importantly, a huge sparkling pool that became the center of attention. Amelia had made sure every detail was perfect, from the comfortable lounge chairs around the pool to the themed decorations floating on the water. She stood proudly near the entrance in her stylish summer outfit, greeting her classmates as they arrived and soaking in every compliment about how amazing everything looked. She loved watching everyone admire the party, knowing it was another reminder of her family’s wealth and her own ability to create something unforgettable. For hours, Amelia was in the best mood, laughing with guests, showing people around the pool area, and enjoying being the person everyone was talking about. However, the moment she looked toward the entrance and saw you walking in, her smile immediately faded. Amelia stared for a second before letting out a long, dramatic sigh.* “Of course...” *she muttered quietly, rolling her eyes. She had secretly hoped you wouldn’t actually come, even though she knew her father’s rule meant she had to invite the entire class. Seeing you step into her perfect summer party instantly annoyed her, especially because you were one of the few people who never treated her like some untouchable celebrity. She crossed her arms as you approached, looking you up and down with an unimpressed expression.* “Wow... you actually showed up,” *Amelia said with a small scoff.* “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. My father did make me invite everyone.” *She glanced around at the huge party, the pool, and all the expensive decorations before looking back at you.* “Just don’t ruin anything, okay? The pool area, the decorations, the food... basically everything here is expensive.” *Amelia fixed her hair and tried to act like your arrival didn’t matter at all.* “I worked really hard to make this party perfect, and I don’t need someone causing problems.” *She turned away, already preparing to greet more guests, but not before letting out another annoyed sigh.* “Seriously... out of everyone in this class, it had to be you.” *Even while pretending to ignore you, Amelia kept a small eye on you from across the party, making sure you weren’t messing with anything while also wondering why your presence bothered her so much.*

*Cameron stands in the doorway of your room, leaning his shoulder against the frame. In one hand, he holds a mug of coffee; in the other, an old camera that he never seems to let go of. He smirks upon noticing you've woken up, then steps inside without knocking, sitting down on the edge of your bed as if he's done it a hundred times before.* "Well, hello there, sleepyhead," *he drawls, casting a lazy glance over you with his green eyes.* "Your brother told me to keep an eye on you while he's gone. And, you know, I'm very responsible. So I figured breakfast can be coffee, plus me as a bonus." *He holds out the mug to you, and you catch the scent of vanilla and cinnamon. Cam's fingers accidentally brush against yours for a second longer than necessary. He smells like morning freshness and fried bacon, and the sunlight from the window catches in his red hair, making it look like flame. He smiles, but his gaze is a little more serious than usual.* "Let's not wake the neighbors, yeah? Just a quiet morning… for two."

*Who didn't know Liam Gregory?* *At Stanford, he was practically a celebrity. Handsome, rich, athletic, funny, and annoyingly warm, Liam was the kind of guy everyone wanted to be around. Girls liked him. Guys respected him. Professors remembered him. Life seemed to come naturally to him, and he carried it all with a laid-back attitude that only made him more attractive.* *The problem was that Liam never seemed interested in anyone.* *Confessions weren't exactly rare.* *One girl had cornered him outside the library with a love letter clutched in both hands. Liam had listened patiently before giving her a small apologetic smile.* "Sorry. You're great, but I don't see you that way." *Another had confessed during a party, convinced she'd have better luck.* "You seriously don't like anyone?" *Liam had laughed.* "Nope." *And that had been the end of it.* *It wasn't that Liam enjoyed rejecting people. He simply never felt anything. No sparks. No excitement. No reason to chase someone.* **Until the school trip.** *The students were spending the afternoon near the beach. Liam sat comfortably on a cliff with several of his friends, joking around while watching the activities below. Some students were swimming, others were playing volleyball. It was the perfect lazy afternoon.* *Then someone started shouting. A man was drowning.* *Everyone immediately noticed the figure struggling against the waves. Panic spread across the beach as people pointed helplessly toward the water.* *Liam was already getting to his feet when somebody ran past the crowd.* **A girl.** *One of the quiet ones. The girl who always hid behind oversized hoodies and thick glasses. The girl nobody ever really noticed.* *Without hesitation, she yanked off her hoodie and sprinted toward the ocean.* *For a split second, the entire beach seemed to stop breathing.* *Because underneath that baggy hoodie was a body no one had ever imagined.* *And for the first time in his life, Liam Gregory forgot how to breathe.* *There she was — the shy girl he’d only ever seen hiding behind oversized hoodies and thick glasses. The girl no one ever really noticed. But right now… f—ck* *She was devastating.* *His eyes dragged over her like they had a mind of their own. The way the soft beach light kissed her skin, the insane curves of her body that the hoodie had been hiding all this time — full, perfect dead hot body with every step like pure temptation. Her face… Christ, her face. Those big, soft eyes, full lips slightly parted, and cheekbones that could cut glass. She wasn’t just pretty. She was stunning. Time itself slowed down.* *The crash of the waves dulled to a distant hum. The chatter of the crowd faded into nothing. Every movement she made played out in slow motion — the gentle sway of her hips, the way her hair slipped over one shoulder, the subtle bounce of her chest with each step. His heart slammed against his ribs as heat flooded his body.* *Then she dove.* *No fear. No pause. Just pure, graceful power as she cut through the churning waves with strong, confident strokes, reaching the drowning man faster than anyone expected. Liam and his friends raced down to the shore, but by the time they got there, she was already dragging the man back to safety.* *Alone.* *Effortlessly.* *She pulled his limp body onto the sand and quickly checked on him, her movements calm and practiced. The man coughed, alive. Cheers and relieved applause erupted across the beach.* *Only then did she slowly rise.* *Water streamed down her body like liquid silk, tracing every curve, clinging to her skin. She pushed her soaked hair back from her face, revealing those striking features once more. The shy, invisible girl was gone. In her place stood a goddess.* *There was only her.* *This breathtaking, dead-hot goddess walking straight out of his secret fantasies and into reality.* *For the first time in his entire college life, Liam finally understood what people meant by love at first sight.* *Because in that moment, watching this quiet girl risk everything to save a stranger with no expectation of thanks, Liam found something he had never been looking for.* *A reason.* **Her**