Chapter Text
Death Isn't scary, to be fair it's perfectly normal to be afraid of not being alive. But there is worse in life.
But people always tell you that death is a constant pain, but death doesn't hurt, only dying does and that's just for a minute.
I struggled as the dark water lapped at my face, but my limbs were heavy and my lungs burned with a desperate need for air.
Then I was under, the cold overtaking me as I waited for the pain, then release of finally being gone. But it wasn't fast, for a minute it was quiet and surprisingly calm.
I looked around me, I couldn't see much, but I saw what looked like a reddish-black shimmery fish swam about 20 feet away. It didn't look quite like a fish, but I didn't have time to think about it. It burned to be under for so long, and I stopped struggling as the darkness enveloped my vision for the last time.
****
“Ah.. am I back? Did they grab me from the water?”
I lifted myself off the floor to see a child that looked like me when I was younger.
“That's me.” I've always heard people talk about how when you're dying your life flashes before your eyes, but I wish mine didn't.
I see images of myself cleaning the deck, and being at the hand of the headmaster's punishment for what seems like forever.
I don't like seeing myself like this, afraid, it makes me seem weak.
****
“Hey! Are you awake?” I don't recognize that voice but I open my eyes to see who somehow saved me. I wish they didn't.
“I guess I am, who are you?” I say groggily. I tried to sit up but immediately keeled over and wretched up more sea water.
I look at my “savior” for the first time.
“You're a mermaid.” I say breathlessly.
“No I'm not!” the creature spat back.
“I'm a siren. Don't concern me with those wretched creatures.”
“Well Mr Siren, my name is..” I pause I can't be 0037 anymore, can I? I don't want to be a freak, so I need a name right? I can't be a mistake now that I have a new life can I?
“Atsushi, Nakajima Atsushi.” There. New name. New person. New me.
“My name is Ryuunosuke Akutagawa”
“Well it's nice to meet you Aku.”
“Do not call me that.”
*Okay Aku~* I poke at him.
He looks away from me. Was he blushing, or maybe that's how sirens looked. It can't be important anyways.
I glance around me, trying to find out where I am, or at least if I'm near a port or not.
I see a small port about a quarter-mile from where I am, dragged onto a beach, so I'll walk there later.
I turn toward Aku again,still sitting next to me, but facing the water. I guess he is pretty, with scales of different shades of red with black splotches, and he had nice muscles- wait no, that's weird to think, plus he's a siren, and probably has a wife or something so…
“why are you staring at me for so long? ” His voice snaps me back to reality.
“I've never seen a siren before. So why wouldn't I stare? Plus you're quite beautiful- '' I catch myself, but it's too late.
“shit, did I just say that out loud”
“I guess you did, but could you say it again?”
“What.”
He leaned closer to my face, only a few inches away. I felt my face go red.
“Tell me I'm pretty again.”
I'm stunned, I sit there the shock of his words making my face feel hot.
“I-” Aku looks past me, and I turn around. A group of people walking towards us, a ways down the beach.
“Oh, more humans. I must leave.”
“Wait I-” but he was gone, back to the sea once more.
****
Once the group finally reached me, a man offered me his hand.
“Well hello there, my name's Osamu Dazai.”