Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

When Herbert finished speaking, the arms around him tightened completely.

Fremay hugged Herbert tightly from behind.

She could feel his loneliness and felt heartache for it.

Why didn't she realize what he longed for earlier?

Why didn't she appear in his life sooner?

Tightly, as if to soothe his lonely heart.

The two of them remained silent, quietly feeling each other's warmth.

After a long while, Herbert turned around only after Fremay let go of him.

He looked at the Sea Siren, whose eyes were slightly red, and smiled.

Being underwater isn't all good; there are still some inconveniences.

Can't collect the Sea Siren's tears, huh.

And... can't see how she looks when she cries.

She was already so beautiful; she should be even more beautiful at this moment. What a pity.

He raised his hand to gently wipe the corners of Fremay's eyes, hoping to wipe away her tears, and softly said:

"I hope... you can stay by my side forever."

"For this, I hope you can accept this."

Herbert wanted to take out the Silver-White Ring, but suddenly found that the ring in his hand had long disappeared.

Hmm!!?

When?

Herbert instinctively wanted to search for it, but just as he was about to move, he realized that the ring was already in Fremay's hand, being gently played with by her.

Upon seeing Herbert look at her, Fremay, with tear-filled eyes, gave a faint smile and asked, "Is this for me?"

Herbert's mouth moved, and he turned his head and said, "…Heh, not necessarily."

"Oh? Really?"

Fremay looked at the stubborn Herbert and laughed lightly.

After laughing, there was no hint of the previous sadness on her, only joy remained.

"If it's not for me, then I'll return it to you."

She released her palm, letting the ring float through the water towards Herbert.

"Fake."

Herbert caught the ring with one hand and then grasped her hand, immediately changing his tone: "I've shown it to you, so of course it's meant for you."

Fremay allowed Herbert to hold her hand and shook her head with a smile: "And you were still so stubborn."

Herbert shook his head, defending himself: "It's not about being stubborn; how could you let the person being gifted the gift put it on themselves?"

That kind of thing is so uninteresting.

"Will you accept this gift?"

"Herbert, why do you have to ask me?"

Fremay looked at the young man, her smile a bit helpless: "When I chose you, I already gave you the answer."

You are the hero I chose.

You are the partner I chose.

I've already given you the answer.

"Haha, I wanted to hear it from your own mouth."

Herbert smiled, gazing into Fremay's eyes, and softly asked: "If you are willing to accept, would you allow me to put it on you?"

What the ring represents no longer needed to be said.

Beneath the waters, where no one could witness, they had already shared their innermost thoughts with each other.

Fully understanding each other's feelings.

"Yes, I am willing."

Fremay nodded gently.

But just as the ring was about to slide onto her finger, she suddenly said softly: "Herbert, do you know why I want you to do this underwater?"

Herbert, who was about to put the ring on her, froze for a moment, paused his actions, and blinked, uncertainly saying:

"You're trying to say this is your world?"

Or is it actually a custom of the Sea Siren?

To drag your partner into the water?

That custom is a bit wild...

Fremay shook her head and laughed lightly: "No, I want to tell you something."

"If it's for you, if it's what you hope for..."

"I can leave here."

"Even if it means leaving the world that belongs to me, to come to your world with you."

"As long as I can be with you, I can go anywhere."

Once Fremay finished speaking, the water currents beneath them suddenly surged, catapulting them upward, crashing out of the water.

Just as Fremay had said before.

From my world, to your world.

The hero I promised.

I will always walk with you.

Herbert felt the air against his skin but momentarily forgot to breathe.

He stared at Fremay, who was flying through the air with him, watching her pull him closer mid-air and then boldly kiss him.

!!!

The time from when they emerged from the water to when they fell was not long, but for Herbert, the moment they kissed lasted a very long time.

"Fremay..."

At the moment when Herbert's heart was profoundly touched, his finger moved, successfully sliding the ring onto Fremay's hand.

The Silver-White Ring automatically adjusted its size, perfectly fitting the mermaid's finger thickness, but it didn't completely stop changing.

It hadn't yet completed its final transformation.

"Hmm? What is this..."

Fremay also noticed the ring's peculiarity, raising her eyebrows, unclear about the situation.

"This ring can change its usual state."

Herbert didn't explain further. Instead, he gently wrapped his arm around Fremay's waist, placing his fingers on the ring, and asked, "Is there any kind of jewelry you like?"

"The one I like?"

Fremay, slightly curious, inspected the ring, then thought for a moment and said: "Let it turn into a piece of jewelry that can make a sound."

"Hmm?"

Herbert was a bit confused.

He could understand liking a piece of jewelry's design, but why like one that makes a sound?