Shiro Sakamaki looked at the butler with some suspicion and asked, "Why do you ask? What's it to you?"
The butler smiled faintly and pointed to the insignia on his collar—a distinct symbol belonging to Shiro's mother's side of the family. Realizing this, Shiro's expression shifted. So it was his mother who sent him to check in.
Taking Yukinoshita Haruno's hand, Shiro calmly replied, "This is my girlfriend, Yukinoshita Haruno. You can report that directly to my mother."
The butler gave Haruno a once-over, then gave a small nod. He took out a camera, snapped a photo, and silently turned to leave.
After the butler's departure, the group boarded the yacht, their cameras in hand, exploring with curiosity. Supplies had already been perfectly stocked—rows of food, beverages, and even high-end imported liquors were neatly arranged.
Fishing gear lined the walls, and the equipment was top-of-the-line. The yacht also came with an array of high-tech systems—surveillance, GPS navigation, radar, digital charts, satellite and high-frequency communication devices, and location trackers. Every possible need at sea had been considered.
Paul, already infatuated with the vessel, explored the cabin eagerly, leaving his girlfriend Barbara trailing behind. Still, he checked the yacht's instruments meticulously before departure—monitoring wind direction, speed, wave height, and sea temperature.
Finally, with Shiro's command—"Let's go!"—the yacht's engine roared to life, and the sleek white vessel slowly pulled away from the port. Standing at the bow, Shiro stared into the endless blue horizon, a strange sense of exhilaration welling up inside him.
He couldn't explain it—perhaps it was the aftereffect of the Cthulhu Codex he had read back in Japan—but the ocean stirred something primal in him. An inexplicable connection.
As they sailed, the yacht moved smoothly over the gentle waves. The port behind them grew smaller, eventually vanishing over the horizon.
After a while, Paul stopped the yacht, judging they had reached a suitable spot. With fishing rods in hand, the girls—dressed in matching beachwear—gathered on deck, ready to fish.
Shiro, not particularly fond of fishing, slipped into a pair of beach shorts and a loose shirt, put on sunglasses, and reclined on a lounge chair. The May sun in Spain was just right—warm but not scorching. The sea breeze carried a salty freshness, and Toka handed him a cold drink.
Relaxed and content, he sipped leisurely.
Haruno and Toka wore similar swimsuits—conservative, one black and one white. Haruno had specifically picked this style with Shiro in mind, knowing his possessiveness, especially with another man, Paul, present.
Toka didn't think much of it—she just wanted something easy and had followed Haruno's lead.
Barbara, on the other hand, had opted for something far more revealing. Her sun-kissed skin gleamed under the sunlight, and her swimsuit clung tightly to her curves. Yet despite her bold appearance, Shiro barely gave her a second glance—she wasn't his type, and his heart was already taken.
Toka, though—Shiro couldn't help but admire her. With long black hair, deep crimson eyes, and a delicate collar around her neck, she had an exotic and captivating aura.
The fishing rods remained still—no bites. The sea was calm, almost unnaturally so.
As noon approached, the sun grew hotter. The girls took cover under parasols, applying sunscreen to protect their delicate skin. Paul and Barbara moved to the other side of the deck, aware that Shiro wouldn't appreciate any "accidents."
Barbara seemed slightly disappointed. Compared to Shiro, Paul lacked charm, looks, and wealth. But seeing how close Haruno and Toka were to him, she understood she stood no chance—and sulked quietly.
"Darling, come here and put sunscreen on me," Haruno called sweetly.
Shiro naturally obliged, setting down his drink and sunglasses before walking over. He poured a generous amount into his hands, rubbing them together before gently massaging it into Haruno's fair skin. As the cold cream touched her, she shivered slightly, biting her lip with a smile.
Meanwhile, Toka had entered the cabin to prepare lunch. Originally, they'd planned to use the day's catch, but with their rods remaining still, she resorted to the onboard ingredients.
After lunch, everyone—exhausted from the early start—retired to their rooms. Paul and Barbara took one cabin, Shiro and Haruno another, while Toka had a room to herself.
But as they napped, something strange began to stir.
A subtle shift—undetectable at first—appeared on the calm surface of the sea. An unnatural ocean current began to push the yacht away from its original position.
Shiro was the first to notice. Though the yacht's shock absorbers were excellent, they weren't perfect. A faint but unnatural sway roused him from his nap.
Simultaneously, Paul was having a vivid dream.
He found himself diving deep into an underwater ruin. In the murky depths, lit only by his flashlight, he discovered a strange formation on the ocean floor—an eye-like pattern carved directly into the seabed.
It stared at him—unblinking, eternal.
From the darkness came whispers, unintelligible yet somehow beckoning. He was drawn toward the abyss at the eye's center.
On the walls surrounding the pit were intricate bone-like reliefs. At first beautiful, then terrifying. When Paul reached out and brushed away the silt, he found the carvings were made of gold—untouched by time, with no sign of human craftsmanship.
Then, a pale face emerged from the shadows—beautiful and horrifying. Paul recoiled in terror. But upon closer inspection, he was mesmerized. The creature had a fish-like elegance, yet a human charm. It was more alluring than Barbara could ever hope to be.
And in that moment, Paul let go of all fear.
He only had one thought—
He wanted to taste this dream-like, underwater encounter.
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