Jeigan nodded slightly.
"Alright… whatever you say."
Before he could say anything else—
A group of footsteps approached.
"Oye… idiot."
Jeigan looked up.
"…Me?"
Julian smirked.
"Yeah. Who else?"
"Your face already looks like an idiot."
Jeigan stayed calm.
"Do you need something?"
"If not… you should leave."
Julian tilted his head.
"Something?"
"Oh yes… I do."
He leaned closer.
A cruel smile.
"Will you do it?"
Jeigan frowned.
"What do you want?"
Julian pointed at the glass of water.
"Drink it… with your nose."
Jeigan stared at him.
"What are you even saying? I can't do something like that."
Julian shrugged.
"But you will."
Jeigan shook his head.
"No."
"I won't."
Hanaume laughed.
"Hey Julian… I have a better idea."
He pointed at Jeigan.
"Let's hold him from both sides… close his mouth… and pour water into his nose!"
Takemishi burst out laughing.
"Yeah! That sounds fun."
Julian grinned.
"Good idea."
He looked at them.
"Grab him."
Jeigan stepped back.
"Wait! Please don't—"
But it was too late.
They grabbed his arms.
"Hold him!"
"Don't let him move!"
Jeigan struggled.
"Let go! Please!"
Takemishi turned.
"Julian… bring the water."
Julian slowly picked up the glass.
"Well then…"
He raised it above Jeigan's face.
"Drink it."
Water started pouring down.
Julian laughed loudly.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Suddenly—
A powerful energy burst across the cafeteria.
Deal: Princess of Burst
Status: Accepted
BOOM!
A shockwave exploded.
Julian and his group were thrown backward.
"AAAGH!"
"My back!"
"What the hell was that?!"
Jeigan collapsed.
Dizzy. Shocked.
A furious voice echoed—
"How dare you touch Jeigan!"
Jinha stood there.
Eyes blazing.
"If you try that again…"
"I won't spare you."
Her aura was terrifying.
Julian and his group slowly stood up.
Groaning.
Jeigan quickly raised his hands.
"No! Please stop!"
He looked at Jinha.
"Don't hurt them anymore…"
"That attack was already dangerous… they could have died."
Julian glared.
"This isn't over."
He clenched his fists.
"We'll deal with you later."
They walked away.
Angry.
Jinha rushed to Jeigan.
"Are you hurt?"
Jeigan shook his head.
"No… I'm fine."
He took a deep breath.
"They were about to pour water into my nose…"
"But you saved me."
He looked at her.
"Thank you… really."
Jinha shook her head.
"You don't need to thank me."
"I would've helped anyone."
She placed a sandwich and coffee on the table.
"Here. Eat."
Jeigan nodded.
"Okay…"
After a bite—
He looked at her.
"Jinha… can I ask something?"
"Of course."
"The power you used…"
"That deal…"
"How do people get something like that?"
Jinha smiled slightly.
"Oh… you mean Princess of Burst."
Jeigan nodded.
"Yes! That was amazing."
"Please tell me."
Jinha leaned back.
"I got that power when I was six."
Jeigan blinked.
"Six…?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
Flashback
"When I was little… I went to the beach with my parents."
"I was building a sandcastle…"
"Then I saw a fish… lying on the sand."
Jinha picked it up gently.
"It must have come out of the water…"
"It needs help."
She carried it to the sea.
"Go back… stay safe…"
The moment it touched the water—
A strange light appeared.
"What… is this?"
The water shimmered.
The fish transformed.
A beautiful mermaid appeared.
"What a kind girl you are," she said softly.
"Thank you for saving me."
Jinha froze.
"A… mermaid?"
"Who are you?"
The mermaid smiled.
"My name is Deidroliyona."
"One of the Seven Shark Princesses."
"I lost my strength… and drifted to the shore."
"No one helped me…"
"I almost gave up…"
"Then you came."
She extended her hand.
"I want to make a deal with you."
"I'll share my power."
"But promise me…"
"Never use it for evil."
"Use it to save others."
Jinha bowed.
"I accept."
"It's an honor."
Deidroliyona smiled.
"Give me your hand."
She held it gently.
"The power I give you…"
"Princess of Burst."
Jinha's eyes sparkled.
"Thank you…"
The mermaid slowly returned to the ocean.
"I must go now…"
"If you need me…"
"Call my name at the sea."
"I will hear you."
"Goodbye…"
Back to Present
Jinha looked at Jeigan.
"That's how I got this power."
Jeigan looked amazed.
"Wow…"
"I've only read about Sea Princesses…"
"You actually met one…"
Then—
He asked quietly.
"Have you ever made a Main Soul deal?"
Jinha shook her head.
"No."
"I don't need it yet."
"Normal deals are enough for me."
Jeigan looked down.
"You're amazing…"
"But me…"
"I'm just a loser."
"Every time I try… they run away or reject me."
Jinha frowned.
"Don't say that."
"Not everyone is the same."
She looked at him seriously.
"I believe in you."
"One day… you'll become strong."
Then she hesitated.
"Jeigan…"
"If you don't mind…"
"Can I touch your soul… just for a moment?"
Jeigan froze.
"WHAT?!"