Kui gazed at the mer sitting sadly on the rocks, his eyes fixed on the glowing red plants in front of him. There was something about the lonely look on Aok's face that made Kui's heart ache a little.
He… he wanted to console him.
If Aok were still a child, Kui would have simply hugged him without thinking twice. But this grown-up version of Aok already randomly assumed that Kui was his mate. If he hugged him now, it would probably only make him misunderstand even more.
So, instead, Kui swam closer and gave him an awkward pat on the back.
Aok turned his head and stared at him strangely.
"Why are you patting my back?"
"I'm consoling you," Kui said with a small grunt. "Well… trying to, at least."
Before Aok could say anything else, Kui quickly swam away and went after a group of fish.
"You care about me…"
Aok's voice came from behind him.
Kui glanced back just in time to see Aok swimming toward him, his expression brightening considerably.
"You really care about me."
