Spring break was grueling for Mook. Aru was on his mind every second of every day, but he didn't know what to make of it. Was it because he hurt her? Or was it something else? He wasn't sure of anything anymore, but he knew that he just wanted to see her smile towards him again. He just now realized that he messed up with her, but he was too late in his mind.

How was he going to fix this? How was he going to make everything better? How was he supposed to fix what he damaged? He regretted many things in life, one of them was being so dense to his own words. He hasn't heard any news from Aru and it was killing him. He couldn't sleep well because he was wondering if she was sleeping well. He couldn't concentrate because he was wondering what was going on in her head.

"Mook, are you alright? Dante told me that I would find you here."

Mook's head snapped up to see his mother walking towards him, stopping to lean on a wooden fence. She looked up at her son with concerned and loving eyes. A thin line formed a smile on her face as she continued to speak to him.

"What's on your mind?"

Mook simply shrugged his arms and looked up at the sky. The bucket in his hand swung around, softly clanking when it made contact with his leg. He planned on evading such questions that came from his mother or friend's. He wanted to seem strong and calm, seemingly without any troubles. The last thing he wanted was to throw his problems on someone else.

"Nothing, mother. I'm perfectly fine."

"Mook, you've been standing in the pig pen since 7 this morning."

"So?"

"Sweetheart, it's lunch time."

Mook blinked a few times, letting his mother's words set in. He finally looked around, only then noticing that the sun was high in the sky. The pigs around him were napping and keeping themselves cool, maneuvering around the young man. He groaned and made his way out of the pen, careful not to slip. When he had successfully made it out, he faced a new challenge: his mother.

Ms. Lee stood there in front of her son, arms crossed, and waited for him to speak. When he only stood there in silence, she sighed and stood up straight.

"Mook, I'm here for you. I'm here to listen and guide you through life, but you need to tell me what's wrong. If there's a problem, I'm sure we can fix it together. You know I'll help you, I'm you're mother."

Mook's hands fell to his side as he sighed for what felt like the 20th time that morning. He nodded his head and took a deep breath, keeping his eyes on the ground as he spoke.

"There's this girl, Aru...I've mentioned her before. She and I have been really close for a long time. I'd do anything to protect her, mother."

He hesitated before continuing.

"I...I broke her heart. It was raining at school, so I stayed indoors and locked myself in my room. She came over to check on me, and I told her that I didn't want to see her. I told her to go away. I said it so cruelly to her, but I didn't it mean it to be mean. I just wanted to protect her from myself. I didn't want her to fear me, but I think she does now. Am I...a monster?"

His fists clenched up as he took a shaky breath. He hesitated, but he finally looked up at his mother. She had never seen his eyes look so lost and scared. He truly did care for this girl, and now he's scared that he'd lose her forever. Ms. Lee couldn't bare the look in her beloved son's eyes, and so she hugged him. She soothingly rubbed his back and he returned the hug.

"No, you're no monster Mook. You're a good person."

"How do you know?"

"Because a true monster wouldn't care about whether their choices had consequences. A true monster wouldn't care about doing what is right."

"......I feel like a monster."

"But you're not one. And I'm sure that Aru doesn't think that you're one. She's probably just heartbroken and confused. Give her some time to get her emotions in line, but don't abandon her. Talk to her and explain why you said what you did."

"And tell her I'm a sea serpent? She'll never speak to me again! She'll be terrified!"

"Not if she truly loves you, Mook. She'll probably need some time to let the information sink in, but she'll eventually accept you for who you are."

"Mother, why do I feel like this? I'm so scared to let her know my secrets, but I'm absolutely petrified at the thought of losing her for good if I don't say anything."

"Because, Mook, you love her. If you didn't, you wouldn't be acting like this. Now, let's get going. Dante is saving a table for us in town, we shouldn't keep him waiting for long."

With his final sigh that day, Mook followed his mother into the village. They walked down the paved roads, greeting the longtime friends and children that they passed by. When they finally reached the restaurant, they saw Dante waving them over with a big smile. Mook nodded to his half brother and went to join him at the table.

He hoped he could find courage soon.