A Merman's Heart のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

And as Thea continued, she pretended to sob, "I'm very sad too, but I was just a child and couldn't do anything. That's why I've worked like a slave for you over the years, forfeiting my claim to the family's fortune to atone…"Pained, Xir pursed his lips as he held Thea, before turning sharply on me. "Thea had already slaved away for you to atone, even letting you take all the money! Isn't that enough?" I was once again amused. The so-called family's fortune was my mother's possessions and had nothing to do with Thea at all.Also, slave away? Thea?It was me who was serving her beck and call all the time—my father made me do so, even after I was burnt.Moreover…"What does my mother's fortune have to do with you?" I shot back. "Are you my mother's child too?"Thea stopped sobbing as she knew she was caught dead to rights.In reality, she wanted my mother's money too, but she simply had no claim, and now played as if she was conceding it to me out of generosity.Moreover, a

Pouting, Xir snapped, "I'm not taking that! It's so bitter!""You have to!" I retorted almost instantly. "If you don't, it'll affect your puberty."That much was true—if he didn't take his potion punctually, it would affect his growth and the medicinal value of his heart.Naturally, my worried reaction inflated his ego as he turned to Thea and laughed. "See? She keeps saying she doesn't want my love when she's so crazy for me. Heck, she's more worried about my potion than me."Then, turning back to me, he said, "My body is none of your business."Naturally, he was just messing with me on purpose just to watch me dance, while making him feel all the more important."No, it is my business," I said.And it was—my face was on the line, literally!Xir happily leaned against the tank's edge, thinking that I loved him so much I was worried about his health. "Fine, I'll take the potion but only if you get me a box of Southwark apple pies."'Apple pies? Do fish even eat those?'Even a

The next day, I just reached my office when my phone started ringing.I just answered it when Xir snapped haughtily, "Come home right now!""What is it? I'm at work," I replied with a hint of exasperation—heaven knows what else he was up to this time. Naturally, just the hint of refusal sent him flying to a rage. "Come back right now or I won't take the potion!""Fine," I replied, sighing.There were just two days left—I couldn't afford to screw up now.Still, when I got home, I saw that Thea was there too. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "I arranged a job for you."She yawned, stretching her arms nonchalantly. "You own the company, don't you? So what if I didn't work? Just pay me normally." Xir nodded in agreement. "That's right. I have proper business with Thea, go stand outside.""Will you take your potion properly if I do that?" I asked.He smiled gleefully seeing that I was so concerned about his health. "Yes. If you get your act together."Hearing that was good

Xir began, "Thea and I just agreed that I will move to her place in two days, but her place is too small and doesn't have a tank. Moreover, she can't afford to sustain our lifestyle on her meager salary, so give her your shares. Just 25%—it's not that much anyway.""25%?!" I blurted in disbelief.Who on earth gave them the audacity to demand 25% of my company shares?Still, as soon as Xir sensed my disapproval, he snapped impatiently, "You're not short on money. So what if you shared some with Thea? How are we going to survive if you don't give us the money? She has a claim anyway, and you're just returning the money to the rightful owner."I laughed despite myself—these two worms were still insatiable even on the final day."Do you understand how much is 25%?" I asked Xir nonetheless.However, his patience was exhausted from just a single question. "This isn't up for discussion! This is just for your information!"I sighed, knowing what else was coming if I kept refusing. "Fine

Xir's ghost kept darting everywhere around me, yapping and buzzing like a relentless fly.So, he had actually seen the things I had done for him? Still, I guess over time, he got used to that and convinced himself it was his right.That was why that sticker Thea had given like an afterthought was more valuable to him.Livestock will always be livestock, as they say.On the other hand, Thea kept repeating, "No, that's impossible…"She was convinced she beat me, only for everything to turn out to be a pitfall I set, and she jumped in it willingly.Holding her gaze, I continued, "Also, I've called the cops, since you were using visiting Xir as an excuse to steal personal property amounting to millions… Or did you think that I would let that slide?"I slammed the evidence I had on the table, and she paled as she looked at it.She screamed and tried to run outside, but I caught her. Pinching my nose, I asked, "Aren't you taking your stinking fish with you? I promised you the oth