[~800 Words]
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"But… Madam Shyarly doesn't meet just anyone. She's too revered on Fish-Man Island—countless people beg for her audience."
James arched an eyebrow. What did that have to do with him?
"Aren't you an employee here? Go inside and report for me. Just tell her… there's someone outside who insists on seeing her. If she dares refuse, the Mermaid Café will vanish from Fish-Man Island by my decree."
"Ah?" Mero's heart lurched. She hadn't expected James—so charming on the surface—to speak with such chilling authority.
Instinctively, she released his arm. Even the nearby mermaids paused their chatter, glancing over in alarm.
"You're joking, right…?"
James chuckled at her wary expression. "Why the fear? Deliver the message, and Madam Shyarly will see me. Trust me."
"James is just teasing!" Lulis piped up, her tiny eyes gleaming with smugness as she shot Mero a sidelong glance.
"…Right?" Mero exhaled, half-relieved but still unsettled by the weight behind James's words. She muttered to herself: Is this man a walking contradiction?
James's decree was no jest.
If Shyarly refused, he'd happily replace her café with a newer one.
"Don't worry," he added, his voice softening. "Even if she declines, I'd never harm these lovely mermaids. My little brother would throw a fit anyway."
Mero nodded, lingering a moment before darting into the café's depths.
Madam Shyarly's Chambers
Shyarly lounged atop a bubble throne crafted from coral, engrossed in an ancient divination tome. Today, however, her solitude would shatter.
A knock echoed—three hesitant raps.
"Enter."
"It's Mero~ Is something the matter?"
Mero slipped inside, wringing her hands. Sweat beaded her brow as she blurted, "Madam Shyarly, Please don't be angry…"
Shyarly arched a brow, setting down her book. "Resigning? That's the only way to explain this drama."
Mero hesitated, then rushed, "Lulis and I met a human in Mermaid Cove. He calls himself… God James."
"What?!" Shyarly's voice sharpened. "He's a World Government fugitive! Three hundred million Berries on his head!"
Mero blinked. This was the infamous criminal? He'd seemed… charming.
"Focus!" Shyarly snapped. "What did he want?"
"He demanded to see you—and threatened to destroy the café if you refused."
Shyarly's shark-like eyes narrowed. "Arrogant. But…" She glanced at the ajar door. He heard everything, didn't he?
With a resigned sigh, she waved Mero out. "Fetch him."
A crack of lightning split the air. James materialized, his electric teleportation leaving ozone in its wake.
"Madam Shyarly," he greeted, his gaze sweeping her towering form. Five meters tall… Shirahoshi's ten-meter frame will be a challenge.
James's gaze swept Shyarly's towering form, and he inwardly grimaced. Five meters tall… and she's compact compared to Shirahoshi's ten-meter frame. How will I ever keep up?
No! He shook his head. Focus—San Juan Wolf holds the Big-Big Fruit. Get that, and size won't be an issue.
Resolving the matter mentally, he resumed studying Shyarly's striking features:
Black hair framing her right eye, cold sapphire irises, lips plump as ripe cherries, and skin pale as moonstone.
Her deep-purple hooded top clung loosely to her torso, fastened only at the middle button, offering a teasing glimpse of her cleavage and midriff and the curve of her collarbones.
Below, her tail blended deep blue and ivory hues, dotted with delicate dorsal fins that fluttered subtly with each breath.
James absorbed the view in seconds. She's practically inviting trouble…
Shyarly, meanwhile, returned his stare with frosty indifference. "You're James? Appearances are so deceiving," she remarked, emphasizing the last word.
"Sugoi~!" Mero's eyes sparkled like starlight. She'd already begun inching closer before Shyarly's exasperated sigh froze her in place.
"Mero, out."
"Yes, ma'am…" Mero slunk away, flashing James a thumbs-up as she vanished.
James was unmoved by Shyarly's coolness; aloofness was also a kind of pleasure. He believed his scorching heat would soften her body and mind.
The door clicked shut behind her, and James's smirk returned. "Let's skip the theatrics. Everyone knows your predictions are flawless. I'm here for one."
Shyarly's tail flicked, her voice sharp as a blade. "I've retired from that practice. Seek your answers elsewhere."
James leaned forward, unbothered by her frosty demeanor. "Really? Or are you just afraid to see my future?"
James sneered. Was she trying to fool him?
[Madam Shyarly Image]
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["Thanks for reading!, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you in the next one."]
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