A merman Koo story, where artist Tae is horrified to find dead fishes, everyday in front of his house- unaware of the fact that those are courting gifts from a certain doe eyed merman, Koo.
When Tae decided to buy a house near the beach, he hadn't expected to see dead fishes washed up, near the shore..in front of his house.
Initially, Tae shrugged the matter off, but when dead fishes started appearing regularly..the artist grew concerned. especially about his new friend from the ocean-merman Koo.
It has been a few months since he befriended the shy merman, who visited him often with a cheerful smile on his face.
The first thought Tae had regarding those fishes was pollution-
Is this really the end for the sea creatures? The fishes are dying.. what if the mermaids are next-
No, that's too much. Tae's heart clenched at that thought. A part of him felt guilty for being part of the disastrous humankind that dumped pollutants in the ocean-
killing the creatures.
Koo deserved an apology and at the very least, Tae was ashamed as a human, responsible for pollution.
So the next time merman Koo swims at his house, with a shark tooth as a gift- he finds Tae breaking down in tears.
"I-i am so, so sorry Koo. It's all my fault!"
Tae spoke out as he kneels on the rocky shore as the merman panics. The merman circles the human, tail splashing water as he hisses softly.
" The water is turning poison, and we humans are just blinded by selfish desires, we- we are killing you!"
Tae looks at the merman to find him looking confused.
" I found dead fish floating and washed off near my house."
The merman stills at those words, as he speaks out- " Did Tae didn't like them?"
Tae mods his head left to right rapidly, trying to convince Koo that he doesn't approve of pollution, he isn't selfish enough to watch fishes die for humankind!
On the other hand, Koo stood still, almost heartbroken.
"You didn't like my gift, Tae?" The human jerks his face up to look at Koo, who looked upset- eyes red as his lips perked downwards.
"Wait, what?"
"Tae didn't like my gift, I-i failed to court you.."
This time the human was in utter shock as the mermaid sank inside the water.
"Koo, what do you mean by courting..were you perhaps trying to court me?
The mermaid nods his head, face still hidden under the water.
"S-so those fishes were your gifts..you brought them for me?"
Koo looks up from the water as he faces Tae. "I wanted to hunt for my human, Koo didn't want to see Tae starve."
A warm smile formed on Tae's smile. A fool, he has been an utter fool. He cups the merman's cheeks as he giggles.
"Oh Koo, you should have told me! You have no idea how it scared me!"
"I am sad that my gift scared you-"
" I am not scared, just a bit surprised. I promise, I loved it! "
Koo hesitates for a while before he speaks out- " so from tomorrow you would accept Koo's gift? Without getting scared?"
Tae had to physically resist himself from squishing the cute merman's cheeks as he nodded. " Yes, I would love it".
Hence, the next day when Tae receives a bunch of crabs, shells with pearls and a huge Tuna near his door- he just smiles, after all he is a fool, a fool in love.
