Chapter 10
At that moment, Phineas opened the door and walked in.
Sharkrof turned toward him and said,
“See, Miss Marina. I’ve already won this bet. Well, maybe not exactly won, but at least I won’t lose.”
“Why?”
“Just looking at Phineas proves that there’s no way I’d ever grow fond of another land-dweller. There’s simply no method in the world for getting attached to a person like that.”
“What? I come to work without even knowing what’s going on, and the first thing that happens is I get insulted by a fish-man?”
Phineas’s sorrowful voice echoed through the shop.
It seemed that if we were going to accept Sharkrof into the shop, we would need to make those two get along at least a little…
The next day.
Phineas saw Sharkrof calmly standing behind the counter like he was already part of the staff and let out a long sigh.
“Miss Marina, are you really going to accept that guy? At the very least, I wish he wouldn’t come in on the same days as me.”
Phineas said.
“I’m not sure yet whether I’ll accept him or not. If we end up being really short on help…”
“But you’re always short during the vacation season. Doesn’t that basically mean you’re going to hire him?”
“Land shrimp Phineas. Why do you hate the idea of me working here?”
Sharkrof suddenly asked.
“Why do you keep calling me a shrimp since last time?”
Phineas replied irritably.
“I told you. Because the way you’re narrow-minded and constantly fidget over trivial things reminds me of shrimp people.”
“What? …No, forget it. Even if I get angry, you won’t listen anyway. Call me whatever you want. But you asked why I don’t want you working here. That’s because if you try to help, you’ll probably just cause trouble.”
“I won’t cause trouble. I’ll be a helpful shark.”
“But can you really handle dealing with customers? You look way too scary.”
“I can. I’m a popular shark. Yesterday people gathered in droves like a school of herring just to hear my stories.”
“Herring… what?”
“Anyway, it seems like you’re the only land-dweller who dislikes me.”
Sharkrof stepped out from behind the counter and began walking between the tables with a confident air, almost as if he were swimming.
“I’m not interested in land people, but they seem very interested in me. Innocently so. Even though I didn’t intend to, I’ve already gained the goodwill of the land-dwellers. I’m sure I’ll do well.”
“You were saying the other day that when I discovered your identity you wanted to dry your gills in the sun and die. Aren’t you afraid you might get careless again and reveal your identity to the customers?”
“That was just a mistake on my first day. I’ve adapted quite well to life on land since then. Now there’s nothing left for me to be afraid of—”
Just then, there was a sound like a string snapping, and something fell over Sharkrof’s head.
Startled, I looked up at the ceiling.
Only then did I realize what had happened.
The decorative net that had been hanging from the ceiling had suddenly fallen.
It seemed that the metal hook holding it up had worn out and snapped.
That net decoration had been there since I first took over the shop.
To emphasize the fact that the shop was right by the sea, the interior had been decorated entirely with beach-themed ornaments.
A white-painted wooden floor coated with waterproof oil to create a dockside atmosphere.
Blue-striped cushions that matched the white tones.
Shimmering seashells. Bright anchor and ship wheel ornaments.
Ice-cold drink glasses that sparkled like drops of water when condensation formed. Cheerful palm tree illustrations.
And the net decoration that I had kept instead of throwing away because it was meant to resemble a hammock that would match the palm tree drawings.
Since it was such an old decoration, it wasn’t surprising that its lifespan had finally ended.
I just never expected it to meet its end by dramatically falling on top of Sharkrof.
Everyone was surprised, but poor Sharkrof leaped around like a fish pulled out of water.
“A net!”
Sharkrof shouted in fear.
He flailed anxiously, trying to escape from the net.
But in his panic he only tangled himself up even more.
With moist eyes, Sharkrof looked at me and pleaded.
“Miss Marina. I hate nets more than anything in the world. Please help me.”
“Just a moment ago you were bragging that nothing scared you. And now you’re terrified of a net? I guess you really are just a fish after all.”
Phineas burst out laughing. He seemed to be greatly enjoying Sharkrof’s frightened expression.
“You don’t understand. Nets are the one thing I can’t handle. Nets are creations of the devil.”
Sharkrof protested in a voice that sounded like he was about to cry.
We helped Sharkrof get free from the net decoration.
Even after he was freed, he still looked miserable for a while.
“I wonder why that suddenly fell. Well, it is an old decoration, so it wouldn’t be strange if something had worn out by now.”
I said while looking up at the ceiling.
“If we want to hang it again, we’ll probably have to buy a new hook.”
“No, Miss Marina. How can you keep something as evil as a net inside the shop?”
“An evil object…?”
“It’s like the devil’s hand descending from the surface of the water. At least that’s how long-lived sea people describe it. I grew up hearing stories like that. I can’t believe I didn’t notice a net hanging from the ceiling all this time. I was too careless. Let’s remove the rest of them while we’re at it.”
“Maybe we should. Not because I think nets are the devil’s creations… but they really are old. Maybe it would be better to redecorate a bit while we’re at it.”
I looked back and forth between Phineas and Sharkrof as I continued.
“And I think the staff should try to get a bit closer to each other too…”
“Miss Marina, you’re really treating that guy like an employee…”
Phineas muttered in despair.
“Of course.”
Sharkrof immediately jumped in.
“Even if Sharkrof doesn’t end up working here, it’d still be better for the peaceful life in this town if you two argued less. So please help me choose some new interior decorations. Both of you. Come over here.”
“I already have a good idea. I thought of it as soon as I heard about decorations.”
Sharkrof quickly raised his hand.
“A good idea?”
“Yes. Let’s decorate the shop with shark decorations.”
Sharkrof declared with serious eyes.
“Who on earth would want to drink beverages while looking at shark decorations?”
Phineas scoffed.
“I’d like to ask the opposite question. Why wouldn’t they? Sharks are the most beautiful creatures in the sea.”
Sharkrof replied calmly.
“You’re so full of yourself.”
Phineas shook his head.
“And who would even make shark decorations to sell in the first place?”
“I saw souvenir shops selling fake shark tooth necklaces. Why assume there wouldn’t be proper shark decorations? Don’t you think so, Miss Marina?”
“I’m not sure…”
I answered awkwardly.
“There must be incredibly strong and terrifying shark decorations somewhere. They’d suit the shop perfectly.”
“I’m telling you, who would want to drink tea while looking at something strong and terrifying?”
Phineas cut in.
“Maybe a cowardly shrimp like you wouldn’t, but who knows? There might be land people who appreciate the charm of a true sea predator.”
“That shrimp thing again…”
The two continued bickering.
I had been wrong. I thought that bringing up a harmless topic like interior decoration might help them talk and gradually become closer.
But the situation was heading in the opposite direction.
Fortunately, a customer came in just then, interrupting their argument.
Later that afternoon, Sharkrof made an unexpected suggestion.
It happened when I jokingly told him something.
After hearing Sharkrof passionately argue about the existence of strong and beautiful shark decorations, I started to wonder if such decorations might actually exist.
Maybe I should go to the shopping district tomorrow and look for them.
I had only said it as a joke.
But Sharkrof was the type of person who, like a natural-born predator, tried to seize any opportunity that passed before him—even if it sounded like a joke.
“Then I want to come too. I’ve been really curious about how land people view sharks.”
Sharkrof said eagerly.
He seemed to think this situation was a perfect opportunity to spend time alone with me.
Especially after hearing that tomorrow was our day off and Phineas wouldn’t be around.
“We’ll go to the shopping district and hunt for a new decoration as our trophy. Finally, I’ll get the chance to hunt together with you alone, Miss Marina.”
“I don’t think land people call simple shopping ‘hunting’… but sure, let’s go together.”
I said.
Sharkrof smiled happily, revealing sharp teeth that didn’t quite match his innocent expression.
Seeing those pointed fangs and hearing him casually talk about hunting reminded me once again of his true identity.
And it made me a little worried.
There were many restaurants in town that served delicious fish dishes.
What if Sharkrof smelled fish again and couldn’t resist the temptation?
Sharkrof insisted that he had already trained himself by walking around town alone and adapting to the “tempting dangers of land,” so it wouldn’t happen… but still.
