Chapter 24.
"...."
Once more, I looked down at the sea cow.
Because of how hard I had grabbed it initially, small bubbles were escaping from its mouth.
Its face looked full of pain and confusion.
It was suffering because of me. I tried to force myself to finish it, to just get it over with, but after only a few moments, I couldn't stand the sight anymore.
" ARRGH!" I let out a frustrated breath and loosened my grip entirely.
"I-I'm sorry... but I can't—"
I didn't even get to finish my sentence. The moment I hurriedly let go of the sea cow, I reached up to hold my left cheek right after.
A loud crack echoed through the water.
She had landed a slap on me so hard it spun my head around.
My eyes were wide, frozen in disbelief. She actually slapped me? For a second, I just stood there, stunned.
I removed my hand from my cheek and stared at my palm. It was clouded in bright red bits of blood.
